Kids Day Recap
- Thread starter HuckFinn
- Start date
I suspect that Gronoski's performance today will dilute the Hawkeye Kool-Aid a bit, which I think is a good thing. The young man has enough pressure on him -- he doesn't need 70,000 fans in Kinnick predicting he's going to be the next Chuck Long. Watching some of his SDState games, he seems like a solid QB -- no more and no less -- and that's where my expectations will be.
On another note, Fr RB #25 McNeil looks like he could be the 2nd coming of Wadley! Even wears the same #25. Great offenses get the ball into their playmakers' hands. Let's hope Lester and Gronoski accomplish that.
On another note, Fr RB #25 McNeil looks like he could be the 2nd coming of Wadley! Even wears the same #25. Great offenses get the ball into their playmakers' hands. Let's hope Lester and Gronoski accomplish that.
NorthKCHawk
Well-Known Member
The internet is much more excited about Gron's performance on Saturday than it seems you are. The hype train is already well down the track. And, given that the kid threw for over 10,000 yards in basically 3 seasons, and lead his team to a couple natties, I suspect his SDSU tape is a bit more than "solid." Whether his skill set will translate to this level remains to be seen, but I like what I have seen and heard so far. We don't need him to be Long, but something approaching a Beatherd would be nice.
Gronkowski on Saturday during 11 on 11 was unofficially 10-20, 134 yds and a likely pick-6 INT.
Granted, the defense is usually ahead of the offense at this point in fall camp, the defense knows the offense's plays by this time, etc. But the defenses Gron faced for most of his career at SDState are much weaker than the defenses he'll face this season.
Granted, the defense is usually ahead of the offense at this point in fall camp, the defense knows the offense's plays by this time, etc. But the defenses Gron faced for most of his career at SDState are much weaker than the defenses he'll face this season.
NorthKCHawk
Well-Known Member
Yep, I hear that argument a lot. And yes, the defenses in the Big 10 are far more talented than the FCS level. That said, the offensive players supporting him are also an upgrade. He has at least three future NFL lineman playing in front of him, and the skill players are assuredly better than who he was throwing to in Brookings. I don't know anything about his OC at SDSU, but I have to believe that Lester is an upgrade there as well.
I don't care too much about his stats during the scrimmage. The D knows Iowa's offense nearly as well as the O knows the offense. But, I saw some throws that have not been made by an Iowa QB in a decade. He has an NFL arm. I also saw a big body who has athleticism. If he stays healthy, this kid will be productive. Others may disagree, but I think Nate Stanley type production is his floor. I am trying not to consider what his ceiling could be right now. Its August.
"Others may disagree, but I think Nate Stanley type production is his floor."
I'd be thrilled if you're correct. I hope you are.
NorthKCHawk
Well-Known Member
SDSU plays teams like North Dakota, UNI, North Dakota State. Ya know, teams that have taken Iowa to the mat a few times. Hell SDSU almost beat us a few years back. There is good football being played at that level. I find it hard to believe that a kid who is that dominant at that level cannot play really good football at this level. I am not expecting a Heisman run, but a top end conference QB is not unrealistic at all.
Plus, this kid has an NFL body and arm. If he has a productive season at Iowa, after the numbers he put up at SDSU, he may be a Day 2 pick in April. Maybe even Day 1! This kid has millions of bucks on the line this year. We will get his best.
We'll no doubt get his best effort, but the fact is he's still learning a new system, with new WRs, and wasn't able to do significant live 11 on 11 work until a few weeks ago due to surgery. In a wide-open, air-raid type offense that's probably not a big deal, but Iowa's current offense ain't that.
The BTen Network folks were at Kinnick today watching practice...at least their preseason show about the Hawks was broadcast today. When asked point blank what they thought of Gronowski after watching him practice, I was surprised at how hesitant and noncomittal they were. They talked about his intelligence, etc (which they'd been told about by Iowa coaches), but none of them offered that they were impressed with what they saw, after basically being asked to do so...that was noticeable to me, because normally they love to hype players if they can.
If Gron can be a middle of the pack BTen QB I'll be fine with that, because it will be a huge upgrade.
BigD
Well-Known Member
Long had one hell of an arm and could throw the ball on a rope twenty to thirty yards downfield and hit receivers in stride.
The bad rap on Long is that he ran like he was wearing snow boots filled with cement. The word on Gron is that he is a dual threat type of QB. Every time we had a legit dual threat QB the season was fun and entertaining to watch.
Can we move the season up a couple of weeks??? GO HAWKEYES!!!!!!
NorthKCHawk
Well-Known Member
You raise good points as to why he may not look amazing right now. I suspect the BTN guys saw some modest performances from him and that is why they were tepid. But honestly, when has an Iowa QB ever looked all that great in camp? The D is always so far ahead of the O in camp. It takes more time for the nuances of the offense to come together.
It very well may be the case that the offense and Gron start slowly. It may be the case that he has to improvise and use his legs a bit more at the start while he and the offense come together. He is still shaking off rust and learning the system and learning his guys. But, I would be very surprised if by games 3-4 we are not seeing Stanley type of production out of the QB position. This kid has played way too much high level football to not have the light turn on sooner rather than later.
NorthKCHawk
Well-Known Member
I was also thinking of the comparison between McNamara and Gron that some have raised. Some in the fan base are still smarting over how much expectation there was for McNamara and how thoroughly he flamed out. I get it.
But, there is a distinguishing factor. Both guys had extreme success at their previous schools. But with Cade, he had better players around him, a better system, and much better coaching. When he came to Iowa, everything around him was worse. In retrospect, his previous success likely was more a product of the Michigan/Harbaugh system than his innate ability (as a Vikings fan, I don't love saying that given that the franchise is now resting on another Michigan QB).
With Gron, he is upgrading. The skill players are better and faster, the OL is bigger and better, and I would like to think he has one of the best OC's he could hope for leading him through this season. Again, I am not expecting magic, but I do think this kid is on a better trajectory than the hand that McNamara was dealt.
But, there is a distinguishing factor. Both guys had extreme success at their previous schools. But with Cade, he had better players around him, a better system, and much better coaching. When he came to Iowa, everything around him was worse. In retrospect, his previous success likely was more a product of the Michigan/Harbaugh system than his innate ability (as a Vikings fan, I don't love saying that given that the franchise is now resting on another Michigan QB).
With Gron, he is upgrading. The skill players are better and faster, the OL is bigger and better, and I would like to think he has one of the best OC's he could hope for leading him through this season. Again, I am not expecting magic, but I do think this kid is on a better trajectory than the hand that McNamara was dealt.
