Linebackers next year
- Thread starter bkim24
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Concerned here and at Safety.
The obvious starters are Morris and Nielson (hope the neck is okay)
That leaves Hunter's spot open and I think Kirksey has a great shot...as does DiBona, but the coaches seemed pretty high on Kirksey as he saw some real early playing time. Darkhorse is Hitchens.
Depth is a major issue at all the spots, though. I expect Alston and maybe one other True Fr. to see the depth chart.
dmShortSaledude
Well-Known Member
I am concerned about the LB depth. That said, we will have 3 very capable to great starters. We need them to stay healthy. If so, watch their stock rise significantly throughout the year.
Not so concerned with saftey. I think that there is a lot of depth here, but will they be as good as Tyler MF Sash? Doubtful. Although a healthy JB will go a long way, IMO. Regardless we should be solid at the safety position. Improved corners will help that out as well.
Not so concerned with saftey. I think that there is a lot of depth here, but will they be as good as Tyler MF Sash? Doubtful. Although a healthy JB will go a long way, IMO. Regardless we should be solid at the safety position. Improved corners will help that out as well.
The coaches have made comments that it is about getting the best players on the field. Because of this I see Nielsen, Morris, Davis. But I think that Kirksey has a good shot because of his athleticism. DiBona has a shot because of his experience last year but I see him as a solid back-up for his career, and I see him being a very solid back-up.
MoseSchrute
Well-Known Member
Not concerned at safety? Replacing one guy is doable, but two is a concern, I would think.
homerHAWKeye777
Well-Known Member
Davis subbed for Angerer last year, not Hunter.
Tarp and Johnson were the ones who subbed for Hunter in '09.
MoseSchrute
Well-Known Member
The name's NIELSEN, dammit.
Briggs32
Well-Known Member
Nielsen, Morris and Kirksey would be my guess. Nielsen was maybe our best defensive player last year before he got hurt. Morris and Kirksey showed a lot of promise for TR FR and with a full year in the system and a year with Doyle, their bodies should be much more prepared for Big 10 football week in and week out. I just can't see Morris being moved after his impressive performance last year at MLB. He will now have had a year to put on weight and refine his pass coverage and leadership technique as the man in the middle. He has a chance to go down as one of the all-time Hawkeye greats. I think Davis will be his backup and remain a key special teams player for the year. With his and DiBona's experience, that gives us some nice depth at LB to start a season.
What position is Hitchens? LB, RB or DB? He seems to have been switched around a bit and I haven't heard if he does indeed have permanent position now.
What position is Hitchens? LB, RB or DB? He seems to have been switched around a bit and I haven't heard if he does indeed have permanent position now.
homerHAWKeye777
Well-Known Member
One thing that I am kinda struck by is Iowa's LB recruiting in the 2011 class. Guys like Alston and Spears are "cut" ... and are the type of guys who really appear to be physically ready to play right away. Given that BOTH guys are more ILB types ... it makes me wonder how we're really looking at LB. Kirksey is a physical freak when it comes to athleticism (at least according to his high school coach) ... however, he also didn't see too much action last year. Of course, part of that could also be due to the fact that he was rather physically "undersized" at the time.
DiBona surprised me by playing better than I anticipated. However, he was also kinda "forced" into duty due to all of the injuries we had at LB. I love his toughness and I hope that he has a good work-ethic to boot.
I'll be very intrigued to see how Poggi, Kirksey, Getz, and DiBona continue to develop. I really don't know how the competition will play out.
I'm also curious about whether Collins will initially get reps at SS ... or whether he'll jumpt directly into the fray at LB. Regardless, the Iowa LB situation will be both intriguing and critical as we near the season.
DiBona surprised me by playing better than I anticipated. However, he was also kinda "forced" into duty due to all of the injuries we had at LB. I love his toughness and I hope that he has a good work-ethic to boot.
I'll be very intrigued to see how Poggi, Kirksey, Getz, and DiBona continue to develop. I really don't know how the competition will play out.
I'm also curious about whether Collins will initially get reps at SS ... or whether he'll jumpt directly into the fray at LB. Regardless, the Iowa LB situation will be both intriguing and critical as we near the season.
homerHAWKeye777
Well-Known Member
Me too. Depth at safety is too important ... and he at least has already practiced a good bit at safety. Thus, I anticipate that he'll be back at safety.
dmShortSaledude
Well-Known Member
I consider Bernstine a starter and he will be good one. The question is, can he stay healthy? If so, I am not concerned - at all. And there might not be much more concern after that. This past year we were considered to have our deepest defensive backfield in years. We had just one senior in the top 3 at every position. The loss of Sash does hurt, but we have talent and some experience.
There are multiple players that are said to be good. Miller, Swanson, Donatell have some experience. Those four are just the safeties, there are corners that could move over and do a good job, if called on. I also consider a couple recruits as having potential as well.
With our defense, it is next man in. Play your assignment. We have the talent and some experience. Coach Parker's defensive backfield is always solid.
I am not concerned.
homerHAWKeye777
Well-Known Member
Iowa had been a little shaky at CB at time ... however, I really believe that some of that had to do with our recruiting at the time. Another component of that likely has to do with our LB personnel at the time too. Shada was a primary CB at the same time we had one of our weaker groups of LBs. It places extra pressure on the secondary when the DL isn't getting optimally aligned ... and when the routes underneath are open all day.
The quality of play that we've enjoyed at safety is almost always pretty stellar. One of the few counterexamples, IMO, was Dalton ... however, you can't necessarily expect that every guy will "get it." Of course, in defense of Dalton, he was surpassed by Sash ... and Sash proved to be one of the best safeties we've had during the Ferentz era (certainly up there with Bob and Considine). Furthermore, Dalton wasn't necessarily all that much worse than Merrick was in '05. Of course, in defense of Merrick ... he made great developmental strides in '06.
homerHAWKeye777
Well-Known Member
I think that a two-fold question concerns Bernstine.
1. Can he remain healthy
2. How "hungry" will he be
I think that the combo of the two factors are key factors why his consistency was lacking this past year. Unfortunately, when you get older and you're injured, it's hard for some guys to "remain hungry." It's tough when you keep on seeing yourself getting passed by other guys.
Anyhow, hopefully Bernstine puts things together. If he works hard, if he remains hungry, and if he trusts himself and his coaches ... I think that he could have a great SR campaign.
Was Davis good enough in coverage to take over a MLB? I thought he looked good on run defense,but not sure how quick he was in coverage. Good depth at mlb behind Morris if he does not start,tho.
I am hoping that someone will emerge from Dibona,Poggi,Kirksey or Getz(is he staying at lb?) to claim Hunters spot and give us decent depth.
I am hoping that someone will emerge from Dibona,Poggi,Kirksey or Getz(is he staying at lb?) to claim Hunters spot and give us decent depth.