My primary concern about the Hawks heading into the last game

[homerHAWKeye777]

Just look at how poorly many fans have been managing their expectations ... and moreso, how they've handled the fact that expectations have not been met.

We can NOT forget how invested our players are ... much moreso than ourselves. Thus, the agony of defeat MUST get amplified to them ... and even moreso because they have to put up will all our whining on top of it!

Furthermore, the PLAYERS entered the season with some VERY high expectations of themselves. Thus, my concern is how they're handling the fact that their expectations have NOT been met. It can be very deflating.

My concern is that the team tank might be near empty .... do they have it in themselves to pull out a strong performance?

I don't know ... I hope so.

This is one of those instances where the fact that Ferentz is a teacher first and sails with an even keel .... it reaps some benefits. Or, at least, I hope so ....

 

[Hawkeye101]

Homer....I have the same concerns here. Never the less, I'll be in Minneapolis, supporting our guys and cheering for the Hawks until the end.

 

[ShadasRevenge]

Let's not mistake "fans" with "people who never post except to complain or criticize," or "people who sign up just to complain or criticize."

 

[clicheusername3]

I hope Ferentz isn't on an even keel right now or that would lead me to believe that we are headed for a 3rd straight loss because thats how the ship has been sailing recently. He might want to turn hard to port right about now.

"How are these nautical jokes working out for you?"

 

[homerHAWKeye777]

Let's not mistake "fans" with "people who never post except to complain or criticize," or "people who sign up just to complain or criticize."

Good point ... I'll edit my post to not be so broad when being critical of fans. Not everybody is being an azz.

 

[homerHAWKeye777]

I hope Ferentz isn't on an even keel right now or that would lead me to believe that we are headed for a 3rd straight loss because thats how the ship has been sailing recently. He might want to turn hard to port right about now.

"How are these nautical jokes working out for you?"

Well, after the '07 season ... we already know that Ferentz and Co have righted the ship.

 

[ShadasRevenge]

Good point ... I'll edit my post to not be so broad when being critical of fans. Not everybody is being an azz.

No reason to church it up, man. This season sucks for everyone. But win this weekend and a win in the bowl game put the Hawks inside the top 20 in the final poll - and all things considered, I'll take it.

 

[GoHawks24]

One thing that I'm very curious about is the faith, or lack thereof possibly, that the players have in the staff. More specifically the play calling. For instance the clock management blunder at the end of the Wisky game or perhaps the play calling at the end of the Arizona game. To be clear, I'm not jumping to any conclusions and saying that the players have lost faith in the coaches, but I just wonder if they ever question the way some things are done.

 

[homerHAWKeye777]

One thing that I'm very curious about is the faith, or lack thereof possibly, that the players have in the staff. More specifically the play calling. For instance the clock management blunder at the end of the Wisky game or perhaps the play calling at the end of the Arizona game. To be clear, I'm not jumping to any conclusions and saying that the players have lost faith in the coaches, but I just wonder if they ever question the way some things are done.

I doubt it. I think that there's A LOT of mutual respect between the players and coaches on the Hawk squad. The Iowa coaches don't walk around the football complex like they're gods ... nor are the Hawk players unaware of the adversity that they've had to face through the season.

Furthermore, the older players are good leaders when it comes to the overall attitude of the team. I just wish that the leadership on the team had a few more "enforcers" like Bob Sanders, Mitch King, or Pat Angerer. Those were guys who not only helped to keep everybody's head screwed on straight ... but they also helped raise everybody up and get them motivated to go out and make plays too. I think that that was maybe something we've been lacking this season.

 

[76Hawkeye]

I'll take another 55-0 beat down! That would be nice, but I just want the W and the hell out of there!

 

[CAARHawk]

The firing of Brewster I expected would lead to a team that would just go through the motions for the rest of the year. Now, I am concerned as well. Basically ends up being a Superbowl for this team. If the Hawks don't come out ready to go they could get beat.

Only Silver lining in that would be that it would put more pressure on KOK.

 

[MoseSchrute]

A loss would be devastating, and I can definitely see it as a possibility. I hope these coaches can get the guys fired up.

 

[WinOneThisCentury]

I doubt it. I think that there's A LOT of mutual respect between the players and coaches on the Hawk squad. The Iowa coaches don't walk around the football complex like they're gods ... nor are the Hawk players unaware of the adversity that they've had to face through the season.

Furthermore, the older players are good leaders when it comes to the overall attitude of the team. I just wish that the leadership on the team had a few more "enforcers" like Bob Sanders, Mitch King, or Pat Angerer. Those were guys who not only helped to keep everybody's head screwed on straight ... but they also helped raise everybody up and get them motivated to go out and make plays too. I think that that was maybe something we've been lacking this season.

Homer, I've been thinking about the leadership thing over the past few weeks and I couldn't agree more with the final statement in this post. I believe Angerer was the most underrated player on the team, despite the recognition he earned. You need that guy who is going to motivate and keep the pressure on people to improve throughout the season. I'm not talking about games, I'm more focused on preparation and conditioning. I think Angerer was that guy. And he also backed it up in the way he played and prepared. As we have learned so painfully this year, there is a very fine line between 10-1 and 7-4.

I honestly believe we haven't had that kind of leadership, toughness and downright nasty attitude of "you can't beat me" and "I'm going to play harder and longer until you quit" that we had last year. This team lacked that nasty attitude and I don't know why.

Trust me, I still have issues with our offensive philosophy and our willingness to be way too conservative with a lead, and put the game in the hands of defense way too much. It's bad football and at this level you have to put pressure on opposing offenses to force them into doing things they don't want to do. I'm not so sure Terrell Pryor would have been so comfortable if he were down 10 with 6 minutes to go...it forces QB's to press. That's another 50 threads to sort this out.

I think you hit it right on the head...the right type of leadership may have been lacking this year.

 

[Hawkeyetob]

Interesting post and very thoughtful...I'll add my 2 cents.

Does the game on Saturday concern me...yep!

However, KF has consistently coached the team with the philosophies of "Next man in" and after a game win or lose, you flush it and move on to prepare for the next game...trying to fix mistakes or improve where you can.

How many times have we heard him stating we take one game at a time and if we do our job, it all works out in the end. The emphasis always seems to be on constant improvement. Does it always happen? Nope, but that still is the goal.

KF and his staff are focused.
I believe the team will be focused.

I also believe they will get the job done on Saturday...still concerned, but the Hawks will get the job done!

Go Hawks!

p.s. Don't stop believing!