Looking at most worrysome "holes" on 2011 squad

FCAS said:
Good list, but I think you missed an important one... Donahue.
Although he has not been as good this year as last year, having a solid punter is often underrated.
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VERY good catch. Bad omission on my part ... especially considering how much of an impact we've seen (poor) special teams have in the outcome of our games.

Donahue will be missed. Of course, given our problems in kick/punt coverage and punt blocking this season ... that negated some of the inherent advantage that Donahue gives us. If the blocking and coverage improves .... that will give us a little bit more of a margin to work with when breaking in a new punter.

Of course, just as hawkfarmer rightly noted, Mullins needs to get acclimated to speeding up his release.
 
SteveGarvey said:
And I'm sure Ferentz would send him out to punt, knowing his punts are going to be blocked 85% of the time. Even if that's an exaggerationg to make a point, he wouldn't send him out there if he doesn't get that ironed out.
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That's my point-we agree. For those that don't think Punter is an issue they are sadly mistaken. But if he's the punter of the future, we should be worried, is what i'm saying. As of now we'd be better letting Arob punt instead of Mullins.
 
BSpringsteen said:
I think Greenwood is a solid player but hardly irreplaceable. Returning 3/4 assuming they all get better and that Bernstein will end up ok, this should be a better group

The LB's couldn't possibly be any worse. This should be a better group.

Overall the defense should be better next year, without question.
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I agree that Greenwood is not irreplaceable. However, he's also a guy who sees the field really well ... and he's also been having a VERY good season. Smart FS play is critical in our D ... and we often don't adequately appreciate Greenwood because his very presence and experiece forces opposing Os to NOT stretch the field vertically as much.

My main issue with his departure is that his replacement will lack experience as an every-down sort of player. As a result, we're going to have to contend with some pretty green play at FS ... at least early in the year. That's why I have some concerns. Of course, on the flip side ... I think that Bernstine and/or Miller will be able to step in and end up playing at a pretty high level.

As for stating that the D should be better next year .... I'm not so certain. I agree that the adversity that our D has faced in 2010 has undermined the unit. In many respects, that's not unlike how injuries undermined how good our '09 OL could have been. However, all the same, our DL has been truly excellent against the run.

Thus, while we will likely be better against the pass in 2011 ... I think that we'll likely see some significant steps backward with regard to run D.

As for the LBs being better in '11 ... sure ... however, I think that the main problems with the LBs in '10 have been due to injuries.

Considering the impact that injuries have had on the 2010 D ... our 2011 D will likely be even more "fragile" in that regard. As another poster noted ... lack of experienced depth could end up being a bit of a problem.
 
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hawkfarmer said:
That's my point-we agree. For those that don't think Punter is an issue they are sadly mistaken. But if he's the punter of the future, we should be worried, is what i'm saying. As of now we'd be better letting Arob punt instead of Mullins.
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hawkfarmer -

I think that you're underestimating the ability of a player to learn, improve, and develop. You're also talking about a player who has had minimal camp experience and who has seen NO live game reps.

I wouldn't dismiss Mullins so quickly. Of course, that's not to say that he'll be a dominant punter out of the gate either.
 
homerHAWKeye777 said:
Here are some of the tops ones that give me the greatest concern:

"Most worried about"

FS: Replacing Greenwood
* No returning guys w/ starts
* Miller & Bernstine are likely front-runners
* Miller & Bernstine each have some experience

WILL LB: Replacing Hunter
* DiBona has some starts
* DiBona might be needed more at LEO depending on Nielsen's neck/back
* Kirksey appears to be an "up and comer"

DT: Replacing Klug
* Bigach has some reps now
* Bigach has shown some flashes
* No returning guys w/ starts
* Nardo could push for time

"Slightly worried about"

WR: Replacing DJK
* No returning guy w/ starts
* Keenan Davis is obvious front-runner
* Primary concern just relates to filling void in production

QB: Replacing Stanzi
* Vandenberg has some starts
* QB competition is at really high level
* Primary concern just relates to "touch" on the long ball and experience reading Ds and feeling pressure

DE: Replacing Clayborn
* Daniel has seen backup reps
* Daniel is a veteran and Alvis is a promising "up and comer"
* Primary concern just relates to filling void in production

TE: Replacing Reisner
* Herman effectively already is a starter
* Only concern is that Herman hasn't necessarily flashed the reliability with his hands that Reisner had
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- Not worried about Greenwood. We have several who can fill the shoes. Plus Bernstien will finally be able to play his position. He is much better as a safety.
- Hunter would be my fourth biggest concern. But we have Morris, DiBona, Nielsen, Davis and others coming back with playing experience. Nielsen is a stud. Morris will be All Big Ten starting next year, what should have been his Freshman year. We should be ok here...
- Klug is concern, but with Daniels, Daniel, Binn, Nardo, etc. This doesn't take into account EVERY year we have one or more DL step up. Who's next??? We will be fine...
- DJK is a big one. Although he sometimes gives up on a route, I think it's more the QB. Still DJK is huge. He is Third on my list.
- Stanzi, until this season I would probably have him in my top 3. This year is #5. Last year it seemed he could close the deal, but struggled all mightily before that. Pressure? No problem... This season, he is on cruise control, UNTIL it matters. Then he falls flat on his face. And we aren't talking a little stumble, with a scraping of the chin. It's the fall where noses are broken and teeth are knocked out... Vandenburg can find a secondary receiver, Stanzi cannot. We will do just fine. No worries.
- AC is a huge loss. Yes, he has struggled with the mysterious leg injury issue, BUT teams continually focus on him, and they should. See Klug as to why I am not overly concerned. AC is # 2 on my list.
- Reisner is having an outstanding year, as predicted. That being said, it's Iowa. We make TE's. NFL TE's. Welcome CJ, 'nuf said...


So who is #1 on my list? Donahue. And he hasn't had a very good year. See every missed field but 1, holder - Donahue... I have no idea what is wrong with his hands this year, but it has affected his punting as well. See Northwestern game... I'm a believer that the holder should always be the 3rd string QB. Someone who always handles snaps. Someone who is perfect in a fake situations. Someone who if the snap is jumbled, they can move the ball and have the skills and practice to do so...
Still, all foul ups aside, Donahue is going to be sorely missed.


Here are my top 5 again:
1. Donahue
2. AC
3. Hunter
4. DJK
5. Stanzi

I think that the top 2 will be missed most, for certain, mainly #1. The rest I am not concerned with. What say you on that?
 
homerHAWKeye777 said:
hawkfarmer -

I think that you're underestimating the ability of a player to learn, improve, and develop. You're also talking about a player who has had minimal camp experience and who has seen NO live game reps.

I wouldn't dismiss Mullins so quickly. Of course, that's not to say that he'll be a dominant punter out of the gate either.
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I'm with you, but isn't this thread about saying, The players behind the leaving starters right now is what causes worries? If so that's mullins. As of right now he isn't a B10 punter. Not saying he won't be, but then again this thread is about who we lose and why we are worried. I guess maybe Miller could go leaps and bounds in spring/fall camp and be better than Greenwood. Who knows, but as of right now he's a worrysome hole, just as Mullins is.
 
I really think people are underestimating what Keenan Davis will bring to the field. I dont think there will be that much of a drop off if at all, and I love DJK. Just wait and See, Im telling you all that Keenan Davis will be a stud! Im laying down a guarantee!
 
HawkI4eva said:
I really think people are underestimating what Keenan Davis will bring to the field. I dont think there will be that much of a drop off if at all, and I love DJK. Just wait and See, Im telling you all that Keenan Davis will be a stud! Im laying down a guarantee!
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Thanks for your input Mrs. Davis
 
hawkfarmer said:
I'm with you, but isn't this thread about saying, The players behind the leaving starters right now is what causes worries? If so that's mullins. As of right now he isn't a B10 punter. Not saying he won't be, but then again this thread is about who we lose and why we are worried. I guess maybe Miller could go leaps and bounds in spring/fall camp and be better than Greenwood. Who knows, but as of right now he's a worrysome hole, just as Mullins is.
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I gotcha ... yep, I agree with you. Thanks for the clarification!
 
Would it be possible to convert Wegher, if he comes back, to a slot receiver? I know that he isn’t very tall, but from what I remember he was very quick and had good hands. With Coker showing that he is a quality back, that brings next year’s total to four. (Once again assuming that Wegher comes back) That could be an easy way to keep a play maker on the field and help out another position that might need a little help. Plus, it will help to have a former runningback to run the end around that KOK loves to call.
 
ShockHawk22 said:
Would it be possible to convert Wegher, if he comes back, to a slot receiver? I know that he isn’t very tall, but from what I remember he was very quick and had good hands. With Coker showing that he is a quality back, that brings next year’s total to four. (Once again assuming that Wegher comes back) That could be an easy way to keep a play maker on the field and help out another position that might need a little help. Plus, it will help to have a former runningback to run the end around that KOK loves to call.
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his ability with the ball tucked away makes sense to put him in the slot. Chaney isn't tall but has open field abilities. Having Wegher in the slot makes the reverse a more regular play. You started to see the fake reverse/iso stretch play last week. imagine if we could fake the reverse to Wegher, only to hand off to Robinson/Hampton/Coker?? I just had a situation in my pants at the thought of that!
 
Wegher is not coming back. It's in everybody's best interest if they just go ahead and remove any hope that he is. That's all I'm going to say about that.
 
Im worried about wr. McNutt is solid but its a lot different when you are the guy. Last year in the bowl, he struggled to get open when DJK went out. Davis has the physical skills, now the light needs to go on.

AS far as Greenwood, hes smart and has made a few plays this year but hes hardly a difference maker. NW never throws downfield and yet there we were, every play with our safety 30 yards deep never breaking up a pass or making a big hit. Hes a great kid and a very average player.
 
hawkfaninTX said:
his ability with the ball tucked away makes sense to put him in the slot. Chaney isn't tall but has open field abilities. Having Wegher in the slot makes the reverse a more regular play. You started to see the fake reverse/iso stretch play last week. imagine if we could fake the reverse to Wegher, only to hand off to Robinson/Hampton/Coker?? I just had a situation in my pants at the thought of that!
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1. Chaney wasn't much of a downfield threat cause he couldn't catch or change directions.
2. Did you just have a situation in your pants caused by male college students. Not cool.

Hawkfromnorwalk said:
Wegher is not coming back. It's in everybody's best interest if they just go ahead and remove any hope that he is. That's all I'm going to say about that.
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Wegher isn't coming back. AGREED. Even if he did, I think there are competent players ahead of him. From what I've heard Shumpert will be a play maker, and Martin-Manley will be a good one. Just my $.02
 
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