Kirk comments on Coker tonight and special teams

[SLarew]

sounds like this is a great opportunity for the other Defensive coaches to "debut" for Norm's position. Since we know Norm is our coach for as long as he wants, we should name a D-Coordinator "in-waiting" if he is already on staff for these very moments during the season that Norm cannot go. Besides our WR coach (soup); who was the last Coach to fill a position not from an "in-house" promotion? I saw somewhere that we are one of the only programs not to change a single coach over the last three years(no link).

Keeping the same staff can be a positive thing. The last coach who was not "in house hire" was Derrell Wilson. I think he and Phil Parker are leading candidates for DC if Norm retires, and it sounds like his health may not leave him a choice. I think Kirk will try to keep Norm connected to program in some way but not sure how he will do it.

Norm is a mastermind but I am betting he has tutored his staff as well as his players and we will be okay.

 

[imported_ankle23]

The 2004 D line had four guys that all ended up in NFL camps and three guys that ended up on rosters. The Fourth was an undersized guy with a big motor. Sound familiar? Now, the 2010 lines upside is higher, and they are more physical. But, the 2004 line might have been quicker off the ball. The 2010 backs are better than the healthy 2004 backs.

As far as Zona is considered. Foles not Walter? Sure. But I think Foles is capable of a Walter-like game. Also, there is no Hagan, but there is Criner. That guy is more physical than Hagan. Also, don't discount the Tight End position. That kid can play. Is he Miller? No. But I liken it to Reisner not being Moeaki. (I know Tony didn't play in the game last year BTW). Also, I would put Zona's backs over ASU's 2004 backs.

you beat me too it. to say that this years DL isn't as good as the 2004 edition is quite a mouthful and something I'd not say at this point in time.

 

[PlanoHawk]

sSince we know Norm is our coach for as long as he wants, we should name a D-Coordinator "in-waiting" if he is already on staff for these very moments during the season that Norm cannot go.

If Iowa ever formally names a "coach in waiting" i'm going to puke. All it does is give media and fans something to drama about all week when football isn't being played.

 

[LemonWedge]

This is Norm's last year.

The Hawks will win Saturday.

Just imagine the list of coaches out there convinced they are better than their circumstance and salivating at the chance to coach at Iowa in a solid, secure program for excellent assistant coach money. We got Soup, and I bet there will be another like him coming in when we lose Norm, God love him.

He built it and it will always be a testament to him, but the defense will be okay. It has evolved into a "positive norm," no pun intended. The team's identity is tied to that physical, disciplined D.

 

[rodg12]

The 2004 D line had four guys that all ended up in NFL camps and three guys that ended up on rosters. The Fourth was an undersized guy with a big motor. Sound familiar? Now, the 2010 lines upside is higher, and they are more physical. But, the 2004 line might have been quicker off the ball. The 2010 backs are better than the healthy 2004 backs.

Clayborn > Roth
Klug > Luebke
Ballard = Babineaux (maybe a slight edge to Babs, but I call it equal due to Ballard's versatility)
Binns = Robinson

Now, throw in Mike Daniels and Lebron Daniel. This is key. The 2004 line didn't have back-ups as capable or as good as those two guys. I don't see how the 2004 line was an equal.

 

[Hawk4Life25]

Yes it will stink not have Norm's knowledge and expertise in Tuscon on Saturday night but the Iowa staff has been together for so long and the schemes have been in place forever. It's all about going out and executing---making plays.

 

[hawkdrummer1]

Yes it will stink not have Norm's knowledge and expertise in Tuscon on Saturday night but the Iowa staff has been together for so long and the schemes have been in place forever. It's all about going out and executing---making plays.

I'll be sad to see Norm retire, but I'm most concerned that his health issues are controlled. He's one hell of a guy and their family has gone through enough over the years.

But, I think the Iowa D will be in good hands. We've got a great group of position coaches and they've all learned under Norm. Our D will continue to be outstanding.

And I know the guys will play hard for Norm, especially if he's not there.

 

[homerHAWKeye777]

The 2004 D line had four guys that all ended up in NFL camps and three guys that ended up on rosters. The Fourth was an undersized guy with a big motor. Sound familiar? Now, the 2010 lines upside is higher, and they are more physical. But, the 2004 line might have been quicker off the ball. The 2010 backs are better than the healthy 2004 backs.

As far as Zona is considered. Foles not Walter? Sure. But I think Foles is capable of a Walter-like game. Also, there is no Hagan, but there is Criner. That guy is more physical than Hagan. Also, don't discount the Tight End position. That kid can play. Is he Miller? No. But I liken it to Reisner not being Moeaki. (I know Tony didn't play in the game last year BTW). Also, I would put Zona's backs over ASU's 2004 backs.

CAARHawk -

Here's a few counter-points.

- The 2010 DL is deeper. Not only that, it is a more experienced group too. The '04 DL featured 2 guys who were considered pretty dominant. In contrast, I'd argue that EACH of Iowa's starting 4 on the DL are considered pretty darn dominant.

- The '04 LBs featured more "star power" given how recognized Greenway and Hodge were. However, overall, while the '04 group was definitely better against the run than the '10 group ... I'd argue that the '10 group is better against the pass. Furthermore, the 2010 Iowa group of LBs is also faster. Nielsen fits the Steen/Edds mold much more than Lewis did (although Lewis was impressive in his own way). Against a passing team ... the latter attribute is a good bit more valuable than the former.

- While Considine was an AWESOME safety for us ... and Paschal proved to have a pretty impressive first year starting in '04 ... the 2010 Iowa safeties are much more experienced than their '04 counterparts. As an immediate consequence of their level of experience, the 2010 group is both less exploitable AND more dangerous (they can ball-hawk more).

- As I frequently say, the '04 CBs played great within our scheme. However, that still doesn't change the fact that they were SLOW and SHORT. In almost every way imagineable, Iowa's CB group is better than it was in '04. The primary nod that the '04 group had was that each guys was more experienced than Hyde. However, on the flip side, Hyde is around 4-inches taller and a good bit faster than either Allen or Johnson ... and, while having more impressive tangibles, he also reportedly has a tremendous work-ethic too!

FINAL COMMENTS:

I think that accross the board, the 2010 Iowa D is better equipped to slow passing games. Thus, it's not really a big surprise that Iowa's pass D and pass-efficiency D has been so much better over the past few years as compared to how it traditionally had been.

This then obviously helps us considering that UA features more of a passing O.

 

[Rawkhawk73]

CAARHawk -

Here's a few counter-points.

- The 2010 DL is deeper. Not only that, it is a more experienced group too. The '04 DL featured 2 guys who were considered pretty dominant. In contrast, I'd argue that EACH of Iowa's starting 4 on the DL are considered pretty darn dominant.

- The '04 LBs featured more "star power" given how recognized Greenway and Hodge were. However, overall, while the '04 group was definitely better against the run than the '10 group ... I'd argue that the '10 group is better against the pass. Furthermore, the 2010 Iowa group of LBs is also faster. Nielsen fits the Steen/Edds mold much more than Lewis did (although Lewis was impressive in his own way). Against a passing team ... the latter attribute is a good bit more valuable than the former.

- While Considine was an AWESOME safety for us ... and Paschal proved to have a pretty impressive first year starting in '04 ... the 2010 Iowa safeties are much more experienced than their '04 counterparts. As an immediate consequence of their level of experience, the 2010 group is both less exploitable AND more dangerous (they can ball-hawk more).

- As I frequently say, the '04 CBs played great within our scheme. However, that still doesn't change the fact that they were SLOW and SHORT. In almost every way imagineable, Iowa's CB group is better than it was in '04. The primary nod that the '04 group had was that each guys was more experienced than Hyde. However, on the flip side, Hyde is around 4-inches taller and a good bit faster than either Allen or Johnson ... and, while having more impressive tangibles, he also reportedly has a tremendous work-ethic too!

FINAL COMMENTS:

I think that accross the board, the 2010 Iowa D is better equipped to slow passing games. Thus, it's not really a big surprise that Iowa's pass D and pass-efficiency D has been so much better over the past few years as compared to how it traditionally had been.

This then obviously helps us considering that UA features more of a passing O.

I can buy this, except for the part about the linebackers. I'm sorry, but no way do Tarp and Nielsen stack up against Greenway and Hodge....no way. Greenway was as good of a cover backer as you are going to find. In fact, I remember one play against Purdue where they ran a wheel route with a speedy RB (can't remember the name off hand) and Greenway got sucked in at first and then recovered enough and ran stride for stride and either got the interception or batted it down. The guy was a freak of nature. Hodge may not be quite what Tarpinian is in coverage, but he was freaky fast and could hit like few linebackers we've ever had.

 

[dmShortSaledude]

And I believe the D-coordinator in waiting is Derrell Wilson, the LB's coach who called the game against ISU.

I say it's the other Parker. Our boy Phil

 

[homerHAWKeye777]

I can buy this, except for the part about the linebackers. I'm sorry, but no way do Tarp and Nielsen stack up against Greenway and Hodge....no way. Greenway was as good of a cover backer as you are going to find. In fact, I remember one play against Purdue where they ran a wheel route with a speedy RB (can't remember the name off hand) and Greenway got sucked in at first and then recovered enough and ran stride for stride and either got the interception or batted it down. The guy was a freak of nature. Hodge may not be quite what Tarpinian is in coverage, but he was freaky fast and could hit like few linebackers we've ever had.

Greenway was fine in coverage. However, the most impressive thing about Greenway was that he had wheelz. Regardless of the fact that Greenway was a physical freak, I'm not even certain that he was better than Humpal in coverage. And, quite frankly, Edds was even better in coverage.

Mind you, I'm not claiming that our current LBs are better overall than the '04 group. However, who would you rather have running in coverage, Hodge or Tarp. I'm much rather have Hodge in defending the run ... however, I'd rather have Tarp in coverage. As for Nielsen, I think that we'll end up realizing that he's AT LEAST up there with Greenway when it comes to coverage.

As for your Greenway example ... the key there that helped Greenway make that play in the first place was that he was a physical freak. Guys like Humpal and Edds simply were very impressive with their recognition and their positioning. Greenway's freak abilities kinda allowed him to make up for his mistakes some ... however, that doesn't mean that he was tremendous in coverage.