KF Responds to Ed Cunningham Comments

[GesterHawk]

KF is playing a Big Boy game and should act like a Big Boy and have kept his mouth shut.

Allowing CJ to continue exposed CJ, but it also exposed KF to criticism.

My guess is that many on this board would have also criticised him for a non-response to this.
Can't make everyone happy all the time.

 

[HawkGold]

@HawkGold never makes sense, this is nothing new.

I can't believe people are freaking out over this, they sound exactly like Clown fans who are having a Troll party over this subject.

Totally agree over the 2nd half of your thoughtful response. It's all silly over flagship status and so on. Iowa was first, and does get more research dollars and more endowment. But, the difference is hardly all that much in reality. Ironically about the same diff as wins over the years by percentage.

Bottom line is win on Saturday. You have to hand it to the Clowns though, for on the field overall records since KF, they've shown themselves quite well, Super Bowl or not. My real theory is that KF teams get stronger later coupled with the fact that weaker teams in P5 generally can compete well with starters. It's the depth (lack of it), that catches up with them. Playing early is an advantage to ISU. Until Nebby joined the Big, I would guess that Clowns enjoyed trying to beat Nebby about as much as Iowa.

Just wish Hawks would give them less reason to gloat.

 

[HawkGold]

My guess is that many on this board would have also criticised him for a non-response to this.
Can't make everyone happy all the time.

Yes, but one makes him look worse. Doesn't seem to be his typical type of response.

 

[theboat]

Yes, but one makes him look worse. Doesn't seem to be his typical type of response.

He should have just told Cunningham "that's football."

 

[deanvogs]

Love you too Dean...

 

[GesterHawk]

Yes, but one makes him look worse. Doesn't seem to be his typical type of response.

We will have to agree to disagree on which one makes him look worse this time around.

I agree, this is not his typical response. This was him responding because he was genuinely upset that some one would sling this type of mud at him. He doesn't seem to care about reporters dumping on his performance/salary... but I think this one was a little too personal to him by someone who had little to go on as far as facts and no input what so ever from the people involved.

 

[deanvogs]

We will have to agree to disagree on which one makes him look worse this time around.

I agree, this is not his typical response. This was him responding because he was genuinely upset that some one would sling this type of mud at him. He doesn't seem to care about reporters dumping on his performance/salary... but I think this one was a little too personal to him by someone who had little to go on as far as facts and no input what so ever from the people involved.

He was upset because it was a completely ridiculous charge. I personally would have pulled CJ sooner, but to say what Cunningham did was freaking idiotic.

 

[HawkGold]

Thx Dad!

 

[hawkeyebob62]

Look. Compare CJ's attitude in the tape of the Stanford loss in the Rose Bowl to the Florida loss in the Outback Bowl. In the Stanford loss, even though CJ's groin was injured, he still fought on to score points and did so even though there was no way for Iowa to win the game. I'll point out, again, the play where CJ angrily fired the ball into the Rose Bowl turf after an Iowa offensive line infraction that stalled an Iowa drive.

In the Outback Bowl against Florida, maybe CJ was just shell- shocked after 2+ years of hits at Iowa? I don't know. I know CJ wasn't nearly as injured as he'd been the previous season. As some poster pointed out, CJ bounced back enough to play in the Senior Bowl with good results and no indication of an injury.

In the Outback Bowl, first I saw an uncharacteristic amount of interceptions in the game - three. When I saw the replays of those interceptions, I saw the uncharacteristically small windows CJ was attempting to throw into,

Why would CJ uncharacteristically throw into small windows three times? To impress pro scouts? Maybe the first one but not the second or third. Because the Iowa staff told him to do so? Not in your life. More likely because CJ thought this was the only way to beat Florida.

CJ didn't tell me he was rattled, He showed me he was rattled. At least, this was play way out of his normal. At least, this abnomal play was allowed by the Iowa staff.

Pulling a Ronnie Harmon, perhaps? BTW, pay no attention to those sirens or the guys carrying the net....

 

[HawkGold]

He was upset because it was a completely ridiculous charge. I personally would have pulled CJ sooner, but to say what Cunningham did was freaking idiotic.

Real question and I'm not trying to be smart with you as usual. What were you feeling thinking as it was unfolding. What was your comfort level. Some of us have different life experiences that shape what we think. To me it was brutal. But, I have personal reasons for thinking that. Seriously with out criticism am interested in how you felt as it was happening. Made me sick to my stomach. My kids watching wondered why it was going on and they don't really know much about football (you think their dad doesn't either...ok I get that).

 

[NCHawker]

Just checking in to see what in the world cold be discussed for 9 pages.

 

[hawkeyebob62]

And there are certain football situations where KF doesn't excel like, for example, spread offense or spread defense, press pass coverage (man-to-man pass defense) or using the athleticism of his players which are all harbingers in this new football era in college and pros. You know, it wasn't all that long ago KF told all his punt returners to let the ball bounce under most situations instead of catching it for fear of a fumble occuring.

You want one good reason why Iowa can't recruit well? It's that Iowa can only put OLinemen and TEs and occasionally the odd other position players in the NFL.

And DBs...and LBs...

 

[deanvogs]

Real question and I'm not trying to be smart with you as usual. What were you feeling thinking as it was unfolding. What was your comfort level. Some of us have different life experiences that shape what we think. To me it was brutal. But, I have personal reasons for thinking that. Seriously with out criticism am interested in how you felt as it was happening. Made me sick to my stomach. My kids watching wondered why it was going on and they don't really know much about football (you think their dad doesn't either...ok I get that).

I thought KF should have pulled him earlier for sure. It was obvious he was injured (I assumed at the time he had another hernia).

I think the issue is these players are all fighting through some sort of injury. James Daniels knocked on KF door on Friday wanting to play on Saturday but the medical staff ruled him ineligible. These kids want to play. It isn't like these guys feel great during the season, there are bumps, bruises, strains, sprains, all manor of injury from small to serious. If the staff clears a player, and the player wants to play, I don't see why anyone would say this stuff about KF that Cunningham is saying. It isn't like KF is trying to cover up the severity of an injury or trying to bully the medical staff, or play a player who isn't cleared to play.

 

[HawkGold]

I thought KF should have pulled him earlier for sure. It was obvious he was injured (I assumed at the time he had another hernia).

I think the issue is these players are all fighting through some sort of injury. James Daniels knocked on KF door on Friday wanting to play on Saturday but the medical staff ruled him ineligible. These kids want to play. It isn't like these guys feel great during the season, there are bumps, bruises, strains, sprains, all manor of injury from small to serious. If the staff clears a player, and the player wants to play, I don't see why anyone would say this stuff about KF that Cunningham is saying. It isn't like KF is trying to cover up the severity of an injury or trying to bully the medical staff, or play a player who isn't cleared to play.

Fair enough. Honest people CAN disagree on this one. We had the advantage of replays and closeups.

 

[proudhawkfan21]

I'm going to respond to this last sentence of the post shortened by myself: I don't doubt KF's integrity. I doubt his expertise. His acquired football knowledge, or, maybe, some of his 'football ideologies' that prevent him from using his football knowledge. In other words, KF is a real old fashioned coach and no 'amount of advancements in football technology' is going to change his football acumen.

He is getting older...that is true. Luckiest 19 yr stretch for anyone not named D. Trump. Apparantly better to be lucky than good...

 

[proudhawkfan21]

Uh yea, hi, Mr Doyle. Uh, yea, wow, remember me? I was announcing the game. Haha yea. Uh, yea, so. Wow, your arms are big and scary and...so, i was gonna....hey did you see that abc new years party last night? Crazy, i know right? Haha I just had to come down here, go hawks right? woo hoo!, and say that...wow, im gonna do this right? Tee hee...I feel like i have to tell you that it was so wrong for....for......eh....for....fer florida to cheat like that i mean they cheated. You guys were really super good out there today. Ok, i gotta go. Bye.

 

[hawkdrummer1]

When someone feigns outrage 8-9 months later...it tends to undermine their credibility. I agree with Rich Eisen in that this may have been a bit more about Cunningham's emotional state...than anything. Lumping a guy who's playing gimpy in with the concussion debate...is disingenuous. Cunningham may not have done that directly...but nobody who's called football games suddenly retires because it's a brutal contact sport. It always has been. Seeing the effects of brain trauma is another story. Apparently Ed can't differentiate between those things.

One could just as easily argue that letting CJ play, as he wanted to, helped get him drafted earlier and potentially set him up for life financially, even if he's out of the league in 5 years. Therefore, it was the right thing for Kirk to do for his player.

Either way Cunningham is guilty of forgetting what so many "journalists" have...it's not all about them.

 

[GesterHawk]

Tin Foil Hat Time:

Ed is actually gettimg fired by ESPN.
ESPN tells him they will let him resign with a full severance package, all he has to do is a small favor for them.
ESPN says, "Hey, we have been looking for a way to knock down the Big Ten a peg, without it looking like we are. We leave the rest up go you."

Ed thinks to himself, "Let's see, everyone knows Harbaugh's trumped up circus own antics, so that is out. Everyone knows OSU cheats. Everyone knows Dantonio lets his thugs rule the roost, and no one seems to care anymore that PSU harbored a child rapist anymore. Wisconsin is Wisconsin, and Nebraska and Minnesota are irrelevant. But maybe, just maybe I can take a shot at the Dean of college coaches. He known and respected for his character above all else. Yep, I can work with this."

Ok, I told you it was tin foil hat time, but it is the only thing I can think of that makes any sort of sense as to how Ed calls out Iowa specifically in his big pile of horse crap that he called a resignation article with the lame ass association of CJ's hamstring to potential brain trauma.

 

[HawkGold]

Went back and looked at highlights from the game. There are 2 videos I've highlighted. The second link is longer and has more pertinent details.

After the failed 1st and goal series where CJ is obviously hurt, from that point on CJ takes a lot of hits where he's pulling down early from his release. During that I can see where a coach keeps in him as identified by supporters. The game is as said "out of hand". Analysis would have to point out that it could be a disaster about to happen.

At the you tube mark of 12:41 with 7:50 left in the game on the interception it is obvious he is in an extreme amount of pain. I would surmise all the hits to that point have taken there toll. CJ gets up and does containment on the run back.


In the below video at 56:43 there are comments about taking him out and he looks in pain. It was an interception and he looked painfully slow. 11:11 left in the game. At 57:56 the comments continue about the medical staff. KF looks very stressed at that point.

At 1:01:05 the criticism about preparing for the next year begins with talk of Stanley. 9:04 us left in the game. Wadley being in is also mentioned. Breathard takes more hits.

My interjection here: At that point if I'm Stanley I'm wondering if I am that bad to not play.

Up to this point, the criticism is hardly that, it's more wondering and talking at 1:02:35 a clear insult to Iowa's offense is given, but said matter of fact like. "Not the most viscous offense in college football".

Wadley is slammed down shortly after.. Then the interception happened and CJ goes down awkwardly.

At 1:04:25 they talk about CJ while writing on the ground in pain and saying something like "if you are going to leave him in there, hand off to Wadley". CJ still gets up and contains. At 1:04:42 "this has got to be enough, take him out it's a safety issue and he can't play anymore....time to make the change".

1:07:51 more talk about Stanley.with CJ back in with 5:26 to play. "...should not be in the game for competitive reasons". "It is a CJ Beathard decision". "Mike at some point, the hc or Greg Davis....you need to say, CJ you are done for the day.... not just for competitive reasons, but for health reasons... " CJ then hits a blocker in the back with a pass as the rush comes."

1:09:00 as CJ comes off surprisingly nimble "If you are an Iowa fan you are nearly appalled...."

https://hawkeyenation.com/forum/threads/kf-responds-to-ed-cunningham-comments.79679/page-9

My take after watching this: I can completely get CJ being in the game into the 4th. Not what I would do, but OK, I get it.

The announcing banter is done fairly matter of fact and actually being fair. However, they stayed on it way to long.

KF was clearly wrong. Maybe it was Davis, but who knows, but KF is the top dawg.

To come out now, there is more to this story at this point with a new QB and a new season.

 

[HawkGold]

Tin Foil Hat Time:

Ed is actually gettimg fired by ESPN.
ESPN tells him they will let him resign with a full severance package, all he has to do is a small favor for them.
ESPN says, "Hey, we have been looking for a way to knock down the Big Ten a peg, without it looking like we are. We leave the rest up go you."

Ed thinks to himself, "Let's see, everyone knows Harbaugh's trumped up circus own antics, so that is out. Everyone knows OSU cheats. Everyone knows Dantonio lets his thugs rule the roost, and no one seems to care anymore that PSU harbored a child rapist anymore. Wisconsin is Wisconsin, and Nebraska and Minnesota are irrelevant. But maybe, just maybe I can take a shot at the Dean of college coaches. He known and respected for his character above all else. Yep, I can work with this."

Ok, I told you it was tin foil hat time, but it is the only thing I can think of that makes any sort of sense as to how Ed calls out Iowa specifically in his big pile of horse crap that he called a resignation article with the lame ass association of CJ's hamstring to potential brain trauma.

Ed "getting fired" is likely completely on ESPN's layoffs. When layoffs happen it is rarely done based on ability ranking, but things like salary and who does and doesn't like you or who does and doesn't like someone else.