Kelton Copeland Working on Rebuilding Hawkeye Receiver Position

[ArvadaHawk]

This seems just too "glass half empty".

In 04 Iowa won a title with no running game, and Iowa is a running game offense. By my count there are 4 skill positions on offense:
QB
TE
RB
WR
KF has recruited well in 3 of the 4 categories. And I'm not convinced we are devoid of talent at the WR position. But even if we are, as Meatloafroth says . . . 3 outa 4 ain't bad.

Josh, the operative word is proven.

 

[Joshbrown]

Josh, the operative word is proven.

https://www.hawkeyenation.com/forum/threads/looks-like-matt-quarells-is-here.79349/

4.5 mil+600k+200K_that's 5.3 million of proven coaching genius from one perfect family. Are you not questioning that perfect family . . . and if that family is guilty, then isn't your claim an indictment of the entire college football system in general . . . I put it to you Arvada . . . vvvv

 

[Xerxes]

The only proven talent at WR is MVB and he's a possession WR. Quarells (if he actually makes it onto campus)






Copeland said their eyes were wide the first day in pads as they worked on blocking. It’s importance hasn’t changed since he and new offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz took over.
“They knew when they signed up they were going to block. It’s fun to catch passes but here at Iowa as a receiver you’re going to block and you’re going to be physical,” he said.

“No matter what, whether you go to the NFL or you don’t, every day somebody has to hang up their cleats. After that, you have to be a productive human being somewhere in life. My No. 1 job as a coach is to teach them how to be a productive human. Be a great man and handle your business,” he said.

Those comments are directly related to my post. How many WR's in this Pro-Style offense have made a career in the NFL, under kirk?

According to the official university website he was practicing today. He was in several photos.

 

[HawkleberryFinn]

I think our WR corps will surprise this year. I actually think it's fairly deep and oozing with potential.

 

[DDThompson]

The only proven talent at WR is MVB and he's a possession WR. Quarells (if he actually makes it onto campus)






Copeland said their eyes were wide the first day in pads as they worked on blocking. It’s importance hasn’t changed since he and new offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz took over.
“They knew when they signed up they were going to block. It’s fun to catch passes but here at Iowa as a receiver you’re going to block and you’re going to be physical,” he said.

“No matter what, whether you go to the NFL or you don’t, every day somebody has to hang up their cleats. After that, you have to be a productive human being somewhere in life. My No. 1 job as a coach is to teach them how to be a productive human. Be a great man and handle your business,” he said.

Those comments are directly related to my post. How many WR's in this Pro-Style offense have made a career in the NFL, under kirk?

there's no doubt the Achilles heel of Ferentz's recruiting has been WR and it is position least populated by Iowa alumni in the NFL.
No where in the article, however, does Copeland state nor has Ferentz ever stated the primary responsibility of WRs at Iowa is blocking.

Copeland said he is getting them (the newcomers) as many reps as possible. I would take that mean to mean routes before pad practices.

Later on he said they (the newcomers) had their eyes open on first day in pads at the blocking drills.

That wouldn't be surprising to me. I'm sure the high school blocking drills (if much of any were done) were not nearly as intense at blocking drills at the collegiate level.

 

[SmokeTownHawk]

Good Lord God, please let Sept 2nd get here as quickly as possible - AMEN.
My head is just about to frickin' explode with all the speculation on this and that ...let's just lace up the cleats, tee it up, knock some heads and play some damn Football!

Get the dental records ready to tell the players apart. (Shades of Frosty Mitchell)

 

[SmokeTownHawk]

I read the article and Copeland said exactly that. Iowa's pro-style can get receivers ready for Sunday.

Sunday receivers have to block.

Is it really a surprise Iowa's receivers have blocking drills?

I don't see anywhere stated that Iowa tells WRs that there primary duty is to block.

I seem to remember Randy Moss and receivers like him blocking on a regular basis during their careers.

 

[guffus]

I have always been under the impression that iowa players that miss their block or miss their assignment are picked on in the film review after the game, especially if the player mouthed off, or the press reported about how great he did in that game. Each player reacts differently to this feedback

When LB Chad Greenway was a sophomore, Iowa lost a close game to OSU, and Greenway told the press he did not think Iowa could have not done any more to win the game. The next film session, DC Norm Parker just massacred young Greenway, pointing out every little mistake he made. Greenway learned from this, and went on to a long NFL career.

When DJK was a senior, Iowa was upset by Minnesota, losing a close game when the defense gave up a late score and freshman RB Coker fumbled to kill a last chance at a rally. The general impression after the game was that the team was flat and only DJK playrd the game with any passion. Yet after the game DJK was picked on in the film session and according to DJK was blamed for Coker's fumble because he missed a block. I get the impressiin DJK did not respond well to this feed back. 1 month after that game, DJK was kicked off the team (for drug problems officially but his attitude didn't help), and he missed Iowa's bowl game, and recieved no offers from the NFL.

So maybe blocking is not the only thing the WR are asked to do, but missed blocks and missed assignments sure do get emphasized in the film reviews.

 

[IndianaHawk]

I seem to remember Randy Moss and receivers like him blocking on a regular basis during their careers.

I remember a kid named Tim Dwight, I know nobody ever heard of him since he was such a good blocker, and didn't produce many stats. Obviously you can't do both.

 

[trj]

Iowa has never had great wide receivers except for a few notable exceptions. At least for the 36 years I have been following them. It was rare that Hayden had a receiver that could stretch the field with speed. Quinn Early was solid. Dwight came toward the end of Hayden's career. Guys like Robert Smith flashed here and there, but never was really consistent.

Ferentz' best receivers have been converted quarterbacks. It would be nice to have a group like that '02 team (Brown,Jones and Hinkle) every year, but you don't need it. You need productive TE play and a couple of guys who can make a play when called upon.