Kallenberger and Schott

[uihawk82]

After re-watching the bowl game these two guys played really well. They bulldozed a lot especially if you watch the sequence on the first long td drive of the second half on a couple run plays and then all 3 qb sneaks and finally Goodson's td. And I think it is Schott who just runs over Goodson in the endzone while celebrating.

It would be interesting if both of these two sophs can stay at guard and two others win the tackle jobs. Of course Linderbaum has been bull dozing all year and those three interior guys were really great on pass protection.

 

[NikeHawk21]

Again Jackson is returning. I was always surprised by how hesitant it seemed the coaches were to slide Kallenberger inside, but I think he’s better at a tackle spot. I expect him to move out to RT next year for Wirfs.

I like Schott’s nastiness, but he still seems a bit undersized. I do think Britt starts at one of the guard spots next year.

 

[Motigerhawk]

Nastiness can neutralize lack of size.

And if we start using more misdirection a 6'2" 290 Lb. guard thats nasty could be fantastic.

 

[CP87]

You gotta wonder what Plumb will look like after another spring. Having two 6' 7" dudes with enough skill to be D1 basketball players on the outside sounds pretty good. If he can add another 10-15 pounds, it could get interesting.

But then you also have 3 x 4* guys who will be RS freshman next year (Britt, Miller, Endres), and some other promising young guys (Fenske, Dejong, Ince, Elsbury, etc.). And potentially Banwart depending on rehab schedule.

 

[okeefe4prez]

After re-watching the bowl game these two guys played really well.

If we have 4 game balls, 1 goes to ISM, 1 goes to AJE and 1 goes to each of those guys playing guard. Their stellar play completely fixed our offensive woes. The overwhelming bulk of our offensive woes the past 3 years have not been Stanley, the lack of explosive RB play or Brian Ferentz's play calling, it has been the guard position. In losses to Wisconsin, Purdue and NU we have had a really hard time blocking 3-4 sets with unclear rushers and in the losses to PSU and Michigan this year, their interior linemen ate up the middle of line, which left Stanley in a position where he had someone in his grill the second he got back into his stance.

I have been befuddled as to how Kirk Ferentz allowed the interior of the line to get so bad. If we were better at that position, our 46 wins or whatever it is over the past 5 years would probably be 50 or a touch over.

 

[NikeHawk21]

You gotta wonder what Plumb will look like after another spring. Having two 6' 7" dudes with enough skill to be D1 basketball players on the outside sounds pretty good. If he can add another 10-15 pounds, it could get interesting.

But then you also have 3 x 4* guys who will be RS freshman next year (Britt, Miller, Endres), and some other promising young guys (Fenske, Dejong, Ince, Elsbury, etc.). And potentially Banwart depending on rehab schedule.

Maybe it’s just me but I’m so much less inclined to want a smaller more athletic guys on the offensive line. We’ve seen what Wisconsin has done with the big maulers. Look what Minnesota did this year, I remember hearing about their line averaging well over 310+ pounds.

Heck, even Kallenberger is going to be undersized at tackle (currently under 300), Plumb would be extremely undersized.

As many have said, let’s go less zone blocking stuff, and also let’s start recruiting and developing bigger Olinemen. It seems to be working elsewhere. We have already started to recruit some bigger guys so that’s a good start.

 

[okeefe4prez]

Maybe it’s just me but I’m so much less inclined to want a smaller more athletic guys on the offensive line. We’ve seen what Wisconsin has done with the big maulers. Look what Minnesota did this year, I remember hearing about their line averaging well over 310+ pounds.

Heck, even Kallenberger is going to be undersized at tackle (currently under 300), Plumb would be extremely undersized.

As many have said, let’s go less zone blocking stuff, and also let’s start recruiting and developing bigger Olinemen. It seems to be working elsewhere. We have already started to recruit some bigger guys so that’s a good start.

The way that Wisconsin's o-line just totally demoralizes a team by the 4th quarter is a thing of beauty. Honestly, we've seen a quantum leap in the offensive scheme under Brian Ferentz and if the line gets to the point where it is almost as good as Wisconsin's and we don't have a falloff on the talent of our skill guys, we will definitely be the team to beat in the West.

 

[uihawk82]

Maybe it’s just me but I’m so much less inclined to want a smaller more athletic guys on the offensive line. We’ve seen what Wisconsin has done with the big maulers. Look what Minnesota did this year, I remember hearing about their line averaging well over 310+ pounds.

Heck, even Kallenberger is going to be undersized at tackle (currently under 300), Plumb would be extremely undersized.

As many have said, let’s go less zone blocking stuff, and also let’s start recruiting and developing bigger Olinemen. It seems to be working elsewhere. We have already started to recruit some bigger guys so that’s a good start.

If you are doing zone stretch blocking you do need nimble Olinemen, guys that can be quick to get a reach block, a double team then do to get a linebacker. Wisky just doesnt do that lateral blocking, Iowa does but I noticed this year it got less as the season went on.

People have said the Oline took a recruiting backseat for awhile but I think the guys are in the pipeline now and the best guys need to play

 

[NikeHawk21]

If you are doing zone stretch blocking you do need nimble Olinemen, guys that can be quick to get a reach block, a double team then do to get a linebacker. Wisky just doesnt do that lateral blocking, Iowa does but I noticed this year it got less as the season went on.

People have said the Oline took a recruiting backseat for awhile but I think the guys are in the pipeline now and the best guys need to play

I understand why are scheme lent towards more athletic linemen in the past, but as many of us are saying it might be time to evolve.

On playing the best players, that is exactly why Kallenberger played this year at guard. He was one of our 5 best linemen even though guard isn’t his natural spot. Next year he will likely be a top 3 linemen and will be able to move back to his natural spot of tackle to replace Wirfs. My response was to a poster talking about the extremely undersized Plumb playing.

 

[CP87]

Maybe it’s just me but I’m so much less inclined to want a smaller more athletic guys on the offensive line. We’ve seen what Wisconsin has done with the big maulers. Look what Minnesota did this year, I remember hearing about their line averaging well over 310+ pounds.

Heck, even Kallenberger is going to be undersized at tackle (currently under 300), Plumb would be extremely undersized.

As many have said, let’s go less zone blocking stuff, and also let’s start recruiting and developing bigger Olinemen. It seems to be working elsewhere. We have already started to recruit some bigger guys so that’s a good start.

Unless you want to go pass first? Gotta love those athletic guys when the goal is to stay in front of a quick edge guy.

Doubt Iowa will go that route, but I said before this year they should, and I believe the same about next year as well.

 

[ClintonIAfan]

After re-watching the bowl game these two guys played really well. They bulldozed a lot especially if you watch the sequence on the first long td drive of the second half on a couple run plays and then all 3 qb sneaks and finally Goodson's td. And I think it is Schott who just runs over Goodson in the endzone while celebrating.

It would be interesting if both of these two sophs can stay at guard and two others win the tackle jobs. Of course Linderbaum has been bull dozing all year and those three interior guys were really great on pass protection.

They both had a very good bowl game. It was nice to see everyone back healthy. Iowa's line looks very strong for next year as well, even though there was a key loss, there is a lot coming back and key newcomers as well.

 

[AreWeThereYet]

Again Jackson is returning. I was always surprised by how hesitant it seemed the coaches were to slide Kallenberger inside, but I think he’s better at a tackle spot. I expect him to move out to RT next year for Wirfs.

I like Schott’s nastiness, but he still seems a bit undersized. I do think Britt starts at one of the guard spots next year.

Banwart and Cronk are the wild cards in how things play out. They both seem to be either medium or long term rehab projects. I like the odds of at least one getting significant playing time nest season. There is about as good odds that at least one never makes it back, or end up petitioning for a medical redshirt if that is even possible.

I see Plumb getting more time at left tackle as well.

 

[#1DieHardHawk]

If we have 4 game balls, 1 goes to ISM, 1 goes to AJE and 1 goes to each of those guys playing guard. Their stellar play completely fixed our offensive woes. The overwhelming bulk of our offensive woes the past 3 years have not been Stanley, the lack of explosive RB play or Brian Ferentz's play calling, it has been the guard position. In losses to Wisconsin, Purdue and NU we have had a really hard time blocking 3-4 sets with unclear rushers and in the losses to PSU and Michigan this year, their interior linemen ate up the middle of line, which left Stanley in a position where he had someone in his grill the second he got back into his stance.

I have been befuddled as to how Kirk Ferentz allowed the interior of the line to get so bad. If we were better at that position, our 46 wins or whatever it is over the past 5 years would probably be 50 or a touch over.

This is exactly right, and it's been going on longer than most of us think.

For whatever reason, our guard play has been steadily dropping off the last several years, and the result has been a very disjointed and inconsistent offense - interior breakdowns in pass-pro, poor communication, lack of push, etc.

The marginal recruiting at the O-line has been both perplexing and frustrating for the last several seasons, especially when you factor in that Iowa is a program historically known for offensive line play and run by a coach who specializes in the offensive line. I've pointed a finger at Polasek more than once, but in fairness we were struggling before he arrived (though there was a definite downturn after he took over...).

That said, over the past two cycles, the recruiting has been on an up-tick, and the play of the offensive line finally started to come around towards the end of last season, and was very good in the bowl. Perhaps Kirk finally came to the realization that the program needed a little more than just the feel-good-developed-walk-on stories, and had a renewed focus on bringing in better ready-made talent. Despite losing Wirfs early, I feel better about the unit going into next season than I have for quite awhile.

 

[NikeHawk21]

Banwart and Cronk are the wild cards in how things play out. They both seem to be either medium or long term rehab projects. I like the odds of at least one getting significant playing time nest season. There is about as good odds that at least one never makes it back, or end up petitioning for a medical redshirt if that is even possible.

I see Plumb getting more time at left tackle as well.

Cronk is an absolute lock to start imo

 

[homes]

Cronk is an absolute lock to start imo

That certainly seems plausible. However, if Britt comes on at guard, and they like Schott at guard, I can see Kallenberger going out to tackle - he got better as the season went along and I think he'll only continue to improve. In other words, while they'll miss Wirfs, no doubt, the line will be good next year. (I'm more concerned about the DL).

 

[iloveyoularrystation]

Jackson, kallenberger, linderbaum, schott, cronk

 

[AreWeThereYet]

Cronk is an absolute lock to start imo

Cronk is an absolute lock to start imo

Have no idea where he is on rehab, and he's not even officially on the roster.

I take that back, I found him on the roster.

 

[Lumberman]

I think you will see a move to more rotating of guys on the OL, at least through the OOC and B1G East games. Possibly similar to the DL rotating in 8 guys. Benefits would be to (1) keep them fresh, (2 which might reduce injuries, and (3) get more experience for whoever is still here in 2021. Once we get into the B1G West portion of the schedule, that OL will settle in, possibly due to injury as well as their own merits.

I think Kallenberger stays at LG to start next to Aleric. He is our one true Hybrid, though, and I could see him playing every 4th series for Aleric out at LT, and Ince take the LG spot.
Linderbaum is clearly the starting Center until he either graduates or leaves early. It wouldn’t surprise me to see Banwart or possibly Britt get some real game experience for a few series per game to give Linderbaum a break.

On the Right side I see some platooning with Schott and Britt at RG, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see the same at RT with Plumb and Cronk. Again, for the OOC and possibly some of the 3 straight Eastern team games.

How we finish the season probably depends on the Injuries, but I especially like that we have 4 proven back-ups after the starting 5, who have experience playing when the bullets are flying. My guess:
Aleric, Kallenberger, Linderbaum, Schott, Cronk as the day 1 starting 5, and Ince, Britt, Banwart and Plumb as the back-ups, rotating in.

It’s a deeper group than I can remember going into the year. All of this assumes Banwart and Cronk are rehabbed and ready day 1.

 

[uihawk82]

I think you will see a move to more rotating of guys on the OL, at least through the OOC and B1G East games. Possibly similar to the DL rotating in 8 guys. Benefits would be to (1) keep them fresh, (2 which might reduce injuries, and (3) get more experience for whoever is still here in 2021. Once we get into the B1G West portion of the schedule, that OL will settle in, possibly due to injury as well as their own merits.

I think Kallenberger stays at LG to start next to Aleric. He is our one true Hybrid, though, and I could see him playing every 4th series for Aleric out at LT, and Ince take the LG spot.
Linderbaum is clearly the starting Center until he either graduates or leaves early. It wouldn’t surprise me to see Banwart or possibly Britt get some real game experience for a few series per game to give Linderbaum a break.

On the Right side I see some platooning with Schott and Britt at RG, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see the same at RT with Plumb and Cronk. Again, for the OOC and possibly some of the 3 straight Eastern team games.

How we finish the season probably depends on the Injuries, but I especially like that we have 4 proven back-ups after the starting 5, who have experience playing when the bullets are flying. My guess:
Aleric, Kallenberger, Linderbaum, Schott, Cronk as the day 1 starting 5, and Ince, Britt, Banwart and Plumb as the back-ups, rotating in.

It’s a deeper group than I can remember going into the year. All of this assumes Banwart and Cronk are rehabbed and ready day 1.

If a starting 5 definitely comes out of August camp then they are going to play as a unit from the first snap of game 1. Pundits always talk about the offensive line having to work as a unit and be intact and when teams struggle offensively it is pointed out how many times they have a lot of injuries and subbing in the OLine.

If the hawks are ahead in some of the first games I can see Jackson getting some rest once in awhile but he is a Senior with high NFL talent levels so you usually dont sub in for those guys. Kirk never did it with Gallery, Bulaga, Reiff etc. Center is locked down but they might want real game tape on the backups at the other 3 positions.

And I dont understand why you think the coaches might be experimenting with lineups during the first three Big 10 games against East division rivals when those games count just as much in the standings as West division games.

Minny is game #3 and it is up there and a West rival so I would expect they want an intact starting 5 to play most all of the game. Mich St in Iowa City should be a very winnable game and the hawks will probably be favored with all the sparty on and off field issues.

At OSU is always damn hard to win historically and this year will not be an exception but a solid starting 5 is important and the same with At PSU because the way to win those games is good ground game and pass protection. Offense on the field for big chunks of times and drives that lead to scores.

I think the hawks can win Mich St and has a good chance of PSU so if there is a starting 5 play them against the East rivals.

 

[Lumberman]

I wasn’t talking about it as if it was experimenting with line-ups. I was platooning guys in and out as a strategy to keep guys fresh particularly at OG. (See the DL Rotation)

We are going to need big contributions from Ince and/or Britt and/or Plumb in 2021. I don’t think that is a question. Kirk has shown he is willing to get guys like that experience by platooning them in with guys at the guard spot as long as there is not a big drop off.