MVB still starting WR, punt returner
- Thread starter phdsvp
- Start date
Except for all of 2015 and when healthy in 2016? He had a horrible game against Purdue, no doubt, and I agree he should not be returning punts any longer, but he's been our most consistent receiver for a long time. You don't bench somebody after one bad game, otherwise Rugamba would have lost his job some time ago.
Man the OP is really piling on a guy here who has come back twice from the same injury. He was spectacular in 2015 and 2016 before his injury. He doesnt look quite as fast and maybe he has taken a few too many shots and is peeking at the safety. I cant blame him. He has given his all.
And if he is too deep on punts or too shallow on punts then that is on his special team coach and KF as well.
He fumbled trying to make a play otherwise I think he has secured most every other punt.
And if he is too deep on punts or too shallow on punts then that is on his special team coach and KF as well.
He fumbled trying to make a play otherwise I think he has secured most every other punt.
ibahawkeye
Well-Known Member
As good as Jackson as been at corner, he was a bad punt returner.
It’s about like the 2nd corner... we haven’t had a good answer no matter who it’s been
It’s about like the 2nd corner... we haven’t had a good answer no matter who it’s been
This isnt awful: 23 catches in first 10 games for 14.6 ypc avg and 2 tds, he would say he should have caught a few more. Nice yards per catch.
89 VandeBerg, Matt 10 23 336 14.61 2 61 33.60
I have always thought the coaches have had our punt returners about 5-10 yards too deep. Just like in centerfield you need the return to catch those little flare line drives as much as go back and get the deep ones.
I mean, a lot of those minutes have gone to ISM, and he still hasn't surpassed those numbers. He can't make the gimme catches yet.
A lot of Vandeberg's drop in production has to do with the emergence of other guys to shoulder the load, as well as a change in passing game philosophy. In 2015, he was our leading receiver because Davis liked to target the slot guy, and really it was just him, T. Smith, and occasionally Hilyer producing at wideout. Last year, he was on track for ~900 yds and 10+ TDs, until he got hurt. A lot of his targets went to McCarron afterwards, who ended with a respectable 517 yds. This year, we have him, Easley (who fits a similar mold of WR as him), ISM, Smith getting some reps, and Fant lining up out wide every now and then.
Yeah there's that side of things too. If I'm his folks that's what I'd want too. If the last couple game's mattered I'd want another kid to get a chance. Since for the most part they don't it really don't matter to me a ton which way they go.
ArvadaHawk
Well-Known Member
i really just want kirk gone. tired of rehashing this stuff. personnel decisions, going for 2 when you shouldn't, not being prepared for a fake punt, guiding a team with well over a dozen NFLers on it, horrible offenses....over and over and over and over again. Just go, already.
#1DieHardHawk
Well-Known Member
VandeBerg has been a great Hawkeye, but there's no doubt his play has taken a big step back this season. You would expect some rustiness coming off of two foot injuries, but I don't think that explains everything. He has lost a step, his hands are not as good, and he makes poor decisions as a PR. Most coaches would have rotated young players in, but, a 5th-year senior is always going to get the benefit of the doubt from Kirk. That's very commendable but not always smart from a game-planning standpoint. At this point, Matt appears to be simply going through the motions to finish out his career.
HuckFinn
Well-Known Member
You are an absolute jerk to have made this comment. But, you will never realize it.
tksirius
HN's Love Doctor
I've been in this boat since 2012ish
SpiderRico
Well-Known Member
The 2nd corner wouldn't be as big an issue if we'd actually put our top corner on the side of the opponents top receiver...
HawkeyeHypnosis
Well-Known Member
Douche bag post. Rag on the coaches for not recruiting better all you want, but to bash a senior who has been successful in his career, worked his ass off to come back from injury and has been an overall leader is just disrespectful and flat out douchey.
ArvadaHawk
Well-Known Member
same. same.
