Looking ahead

I

Ickehawk

Well-Known Member
There's lots of talk about how bad it's going to be in 2017 with CJ leaving and the schedule being harder, but I really like the team and experience in key places that we'll have, so I look for us to compete pretty well in 2017. Our LB's will be incredibly experienced and as good or better than Morris, Hitchens, and Kirksey (I know that's a bold statement, but I think the key is that Jewell will probably be better than Morris). And the key on the offense will be how experienced 4 of the 5 starters will be on the O-line (Myers, Welsh, Daniels, and Boettger will have a ton of starts by 2017) with Wadly and Mitchell running behind them. The run game will be really experienced and above average which will take a lot of pressure off Wiegers. But Wiegers will have lots of time to learn behind CJ, so it's not like they're throwing him to the wolves. Smith, Scheel, and Falconer should keep defenses nice and honest. I think the team can go 9-3, and would anyone really be disappointed in 8-4? (Besides the players themselves...)
CB Ojemudia (is presenting himself well already, big physical kid, alot like Mabin and I think he'll play as well, he did in the spring game)
CB Jackson (learning under one of the best ever. Is said to be the best athlete on the team by CJ)
SS Taylor (really came on last year and will be a 3 yr. starter in 2017! enough said)
FS Snyder (I think he will be better (smarter) than Lomax and will have a yr. of starting under his belt in 2017)
Will Bowers (everyone thinks Mends starts here, but I don't. Bowers started in 2014 and will in 16 and 17)
Mike Jewell (1st team all-american. I'll leave it at that)
Leo Niemann (will be a 3 yr. starter in 2017. I'll leave it at that)
DE Hesse (will be a 3 yr. starter in 2017, but will have some talent to rep with him and keep him fresh!)
DE Nelson (Could be the biggest surprise and totally dominating if this 'specimen' finds his motor)
DT Bazata (will be a 3 yr. starter in 2107 and is as solid as they come. Will have some help in keeping him fresh)
DT Slater/? (This is the only spot that is uncertain in 2017, which is a good problem to have!!! I'm going with Slater, but it could be up in the air depending on how fast a couple younger fellows develop)

That is one solid and experienced Defense, my friends (Jackson and Ojemudia will get lots of experience this yr. in different packages) which should keep us in every game in 2017.
Now the offense;
QB Wiegers (will be his 4th yr. on campus learning under some good QB's. I think he'll be ready)
RB Wadly/Mitchell ( these 2 will have tons of experience come 2017, and should tear it up behind this line!)
FB Kulick (Will have a yr. under his belt and ready for a huge sr. yr.)
LT Myers (I think they will move Myers back here, but it could be Waechter. Myers will be a 3 yr. starter by 2017)
LG Render (KF always gets his best 5 lineman on the field, so I think Render plays here and Myers moves to LT
C Welsh (I think Welsh plays center because it's his best chance of playing in the NFL. He will have 4 yrs. of playing!!!)
RG Daniels (I think he starts here, but they will be grooming him to take over at center)
RT Boettger (This big fellow will be ready to have a huge SR. yr. and punch his ticket to the big show!)
TE Pekar (I believe Pekar will be the next in line of excellent TE's developed at Iowa. He will surprise some in 2016, but will take over in 2017! The Wiz will provide depth (blocking) and a couple of the young fellers (Fant/Hoekenson) will be pushing hard. Very confident in this position in 17 although some might not be.)
SE Smith (will be experienced and ready to shine)
WR Scheel (I think they move Scheel here to get both these fellers on the field together)
I don't know why they list 3 WR spots, but it will be interesting to see who steps up behind Smith and Scheel.......

Well, I'm done now. Let's get THIS season started cuz I know we are all chomping at the bit!!!
 


Love the optimistic view, agree with everything you say, it's just hard to tell based on what kind of QB Weigers will be so untested so look for Cook/Stanley to spark a QB situation like we had with Sokol/JR/CJ..... I think our run game will be decent with who we have returning and our receivers will be awesome. You forgot about Josh Jackson, he'll make an impact this year as well as next year.
 


I cant even get into reading that post since this year hasnt even started yet. I am going to say the hawk running game will be above avg, I think CJB will be more accurate if healthy, some receivers will step up to help Vandy and Kittle. Would love to see parker and DMX get on the field in 1st and second downs in the slot.

Boy it will be great if the Dline can generate a consistent pass rush, not only getting some sacks but lots of hurries making QBs pull the ball down and double clutch. I think the front seven should be and will be stout against the run if they maintain good technique (not like Tenn in the bowlgame). We should have a very good pass secondary.

So all things point to a big season. I am looking for 9 wins.
 


Only things I strongly disagree with (and I'm not basing it on anything but hunch and what little's been seen)
1. QB. I think Stanley may really push for it. Weigers and Cook both just haven't done anything to move the needle what little's been seen of them. From what I've heard Stanley is a heck of an athlete with a great arm. But we all know it'd be asking a lot for a RS frosh to start over 2 upper classman so we'll see.
2. Mends is a heck of an athlete. I hear he is a weight room warrior and I don't think he's letting go of a LB spot the rest of his career. Bowers has been in and out not just due to injury but due to getting beat out. I don't see him winning it back. Besides Iowa can't have an all white LB group. They'd get sued by the NAACP or something..(KIDDING!!)
3. RB It wouldn't surprise me in the least if Eno steps in with Wadley. Mitchell may continue being 3rd down back. Eno looks like a talent that shouldn't be kept off the field and Wadley either I think he'll have a great year this yr too.
 




Bowers started when we had no depth and there were injuries. I love Iowa kids that walk on but if he is starting again we are in bad shape. he is not fast enough, big enough or agile enough to compete the way we need to in order to be successful.
 


thawks1 said:
Bowers started when we had no depth and there were injuries. I love Iowa kids that walk on but if he is starting again we are in bad shape. he is not fast enough, big enough or agile enough to compete the way we need to in order to be successful.
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I am not saying Bowers is a starter or will start but it has been nearly two years since we really saw him getting burned, taking some bad angles, etc. Speed is big but anticipation with explosive short burst quickness can make up for not being a burner, and two years with Doyle may have added 15-20 pounds with more agility. Lets just wait and see. If mends is starting it would be good to see all the Lbkrs getting some reps.
 


StanziUSA said:
Love the optimistic view, agree with everything you say, it's just hard to tell based on what kind of QB Weigers will be so untested so look for Cook/Stanley to spark a QB situation like we had with Sokol/JR/CJ..... I think our run game will be decent with who we have returning and our receivers will be awesome. You forgot about Josh Jackson, he'll make an impact this year as well as next year.
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Uh, no I didn't. I have said alot aobut Jackson and have him listed in my starting defense???
 


Where is all the talk about a bad 17 or did you just say that to enhance your post. If you could direct me to the doomsayers I'd like to read what they've said. My experience here tells me most posters are optimistic before the season starts and I'd be surprised to find those complaining about a season which comes after the season we haven't even started yet.
 


Hawkfnntn said:
Only things I strongly disagree with (and I'm not basing it on anything but hunch and what little's been seen)
1. QB. I think Stanley may really push for it. Weigers and Cook both just haven't done anything to move the needle what little's been seen of them. From what I've heard Stanley is a heck of an athlete with a great arm. But we all know it'd be asking a lot for a RS frosh to start over 2 upper classman so we'll see.
2. Mends is a heck of an athlete. I hear he is a weight room warrior and I don't think he's letting go of a LB spot the rest of his career. Bowers has been in and out not just due to injury but due to getting beat out. I don't see him winning it back. Besides Iowa can't have an all white LB group. They'd get sued by the NAACP or something..(KIDDING!!)
3. RB It wouldn't surprise me in the least if Eno steps in with Wadley. Mitchell may continue being 3rd down back. Eno looks like a talent that shouldn't be kept off the field and Wadley either I think he'll have a great year this yr too.
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You guys ALWAYS think some freshman are going to challenge and push....we hear it every year...but you still haven't figured out that unless INJURIES dictate, UNDERCLASSMEN never play over experience.....Stanley will NOT play over Wiegers or Cook. Mends IS a hell of an athlete, doesn't make him a 'good' LB....(they don't bench press on the field) and Bowers doesn't have to 'WIN ANYTHING' back, because Mends hasn't started in front of him. When Niemann got hurt, they didn't play Mends. They play the best 3 LB's and don't get hung up on position.....The all 'white' LB squad is kinda funny, but DON'T be surprised when that's what we have...and it wouldn't be the first time...They started Edds, Angerer and Tarp once upon a time..etc........Oh, I know, all these young 'talents' shouldn't be kept off the field, lol. You REALLY think Eno is going to even play over Wadly and Mitchell as a true freshman? Wake up, lol........
 




thawks1 said:
Bowers started when we had no depth and there were injuries. I love Iowa kids that walk on but if he is starting again we are in bad shape. he is not fast enough, big enough or agile enough to compete the way we need to in order to be successful.
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Before the season started last year that's what you geniuses said about ALL our LB's. None of them were fast enough, big enough, blah, blah, blah....Bowers was a skinny RSfresh in 2014 who was plenty fast enough, but he was not 'playing fast' because of the inexperience. And yes the skinny little freshman struggled tackling the RB'
s they faced that year, which was a 'brutal' group of backs. Go back and look at the backs they faced that year!!! You guys and your 'angles'...lol. It's about 'reads' and playing fast. Bowers is 2.7 times stronger and way more experienced from that year. He's faster than Fisher who started at the Will last year...How do I know? I saw the LB's sprinting against each other in practice last year....
 


Ickehawk said:
Before the season started last year that's what you geniuses said about ALL our LB's. None of them were fast enough, big enough, blah, blah, blah....Bowers was a skinny RSfresh in 2014 who was plenty fast enough, but he was not 'playing fast' because of the inexperience. And yes the skinny little freshman struggled tackling the RB'
s they faced that year, which was a 'brutal' group of backs. Go back and look at the backs they faced that year!!! You guys and your 'angles'...lol. It's about 'reads' and playing fast. Bowers is 2.7 times stronger and way more experienced from that year. He's faster than Fisher who started at the Will last year...How do I know? I saw the LB's sprinting against each other in practice last year....
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I think Mends or Hockaday will start over Bowers. Bo will play a big part as a backup LB, and you never know about injuries, so he could end up starting a lot if someone goes down. Either way, thinking that Mends or Hockaday start over him, isn't a knock on him, but an opinion that Mends and Hockaday's upside is greater.
 


They don't play someone because of their 'upside'. A lot of the lb's had a higher upside than Fisher last year, but they play who is the most ready 'now' and who is understanding their reads the best and I have to say that's probably Bowers. I could be wrong, and if I am, I'm sure JoshBrown and a couple others will let us all know how wrong I am... :)
 


Ickehawk said:
They don't play someone because of their 'upside'. A lot of the lb's had a higher upside than Fisher last year, but they play who is the most ready 'now' and who is understanding their reads the best and I have to say that's probably Bowers. I could be wrong, and if I am, I'm sure JoshBrown and a couple others will let us all know how wrong I am... :)
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By "upside" I mean they are already beginning to realize it this spring/summer. The coaches must be seeing this, as the depth chart currently shows it Mends, Hockaday at WLB and Neiman, Bowers at OLB. There is still fall camp, and Bowers has time to earn a starting spot, like Fischer did last year. Like I said we will need them all to perform well, so hopefully they all step up their games!
 


Wow, a thread where Ickehawk isn't calling someone a moron or stupid. Ok4p must be dialing back the alt. Anyway, as far as Bower goes it wouldn't shock me if Bower is a starter in 2017. Given the trust factor of KF/PP, I wouldn't be surprised if Bower isn't the WIL or even the leo starting linebacker.
 




Hawkfnntn said:
Only things I strongly disagree with (and I'm not basing it on anything but hunch and what little's been seen)
1. QB. I think Stanley may really push for it. Weigers and Cook both just haven't done anything to move the needle what little's been seen of them. From what I've heard Stanley is a heck of an athlete with a great arm. But we all know it'd be asking a lot for a RS frosh to start over 2 upper classman so we'll see.
2. Mends is a heck of an athlete. I hear he is a weight room warrior and I don't think he's letting go of a LB spot the rest of his career. Bowers has been in and out not just due to injury but due to getting beat out. I don't see him winning it back. Besides Iowa can't have an all white LB group. They'd get sued by the NAACP or something..(KIDDING!!)
3. RB It wouldn't surprise me in the least if Eno steps in with Wadley. Mitchell may continue being 3rd down back. Eno looks like a talent that shouldn't be kept off the field and Wadley either I think he'll have a great year this yr too.
Click to expand...


You do realize the the starting linebackers in 07 were Humpal, Klinkenborg and AJ Edds.
 




thawks1 said:
football speed is much different than a sprint.
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Well, feel free to explain the difference....They were in full pads and I have already discussed reads and 'playing fast', so I'm not sure what the heck you're taking about....
 


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