Nice try Rob....

[lightning1]

Gold, I cannot possible police everything that goes on here. I try my best and point out when I see something. It would be nice if posters helped by following the rules, but I know emotions win out sometimes.

A column is my opinion. I report also when I write news stories, features, etc.. I'm not sure you have a handle on journalism but I'll say you're not alone.

If people show up to the stadium pissed, they're still showing up. The money still goes to the athletic department.

I did not say Iowa would finish strong. I said it's important that they do for attendance next year and recruiting. I don't know how many times I've written that so far in the last 24 hours.

You want me to roast this program, the coaches and the players. I get that. Anything else is vanilla or softballs for the athletic department. I write how I feel and what I believe. While I hope everybody reads what I write, I'm not naive and I know what I publish isn't for everybody.

Lastly, you don't know me and coming on here anonymously charging that I'm gutless and afraid of KF and GB is lame and predictable. Don't expect me to take time responding to you in the future if you can't be civil.

I don't think the next 3 games have any bearing on recruiting. Brand new top of the line facilities hasn't helped recruiting. 12-2 last season hasn't helped recruiting. KF getting another 10 year contract hasn't helped recruiting. The current staff doesn't help recruiting.
I'd say we have fewer NFL prospects on the current roster than we've had since KF started in 1999.
1 OL (Daniels), 1 TE (Kittle), Maybe 1 DT (Jaleel) 1 LB (Jewel), 1 CB (King). Please add anyone you think I've missed. That sure does fly in the face of everything we've been told about College Football. We have everything we've been told that we have to have, in order to compete on the recruiting trail. But nothing has changed and it can even be argued that it's actually gotten worse.

 

[BigD]

I don't want to see the pulling of press passes, I want to see moving trailers pulling up in front of KF's house. Knowing our luck Barta will be driving it and it will full of money.

 

[pacoyal]

Speaking of being political, Rob has been very PC in his responses to the comments and questions towards him. Hats off to him even though he's just "blogging".

I think most journalists can handle being jabbed and if you want to say that's what he does, whatever. But if you don't want to think of him as a journalist, in my opinion, you are off. I'm not kissing ass, but you're way off in my opinion. That's me being PC.

 

[BigD]

Speaking of being political, Rob has been very PC in his responses to the comments and questions towards him. Hats off to him even though he's just "blogging".

I think most journalists can handle being jabbed and if you want to say that's what he does, whatever. But if you don't want to think of him as a journalist, in my opinion, you are off. I'm not kissing ass, but you're way off in my opinion. That's me being PC.

I agree as I think he has showed a lot of discipline in his responses. Wisdom comes with age.

 

[cincyhawk]

I'm glad you started another thread with my column.

Very well played, sir.

 

[cincyhawk]

I get why you would read that as me being on your side but I'm not taking a stance.

Again, the fan base as a whole decides by how it supports the program. They speak with their walIets.

I have never bought a ticket to a game at Kinnick. I've been to just about every home game since '97 on a press pass. I've never had a say in what happens.

There is no cheering in the press box. Rob did cover the extension, as did many other media outlets. Their stance was that the extension as necessary for recruiting, but that the buyout is terrible.

The press is asking questions this year. Ferentz has been asked several times about recruiting policy on light of yanking the schollies, and been asked about personnel and nswered that the cavalry isn't coming. They said they've been working on the downfield passing game.

Rob and Jon both expressed disappointment after Saturday's game. They won't call for Ferentz's head again, IMHO, because o do so after a Riose Bowl year would show bias against Ferentz and would damage their credibility since it just isn't going to happen.

I think they could be much more critical, I'd love to see stats on recruiting rankings running average with four years' following win totals and offensive rankings, and more decade of average podcasts, but I can't fault their coverage from a facts and analysis oint of view.

 

[cincyhawk]

This is what it going to get extremely frustrating with the toxic crowd. They live in a lala land where 30 million buyouts don't mean anything, they actually think that Iowa is just gonna buy that out. Instead of looking for improvements or hoping for the best, they set the line at National championships or NOTHING!!! It is like complete and total crazy takes over in some when the losses start mounting.

I'm as disappointed as everyone else, I just fight off the crazy better it seems. If you expect NC level, just switch who you root for now. Nebraska will never win another NC in the current FBS landscape, and they have a tradition and recruiting advantage that we will never have. If you need to win a NC in order to enjoy college football prepare to be disappointed forever, and I suggest you just give up college football for your general health and well being actually.

Nebraska absolutely will win another NC, possibly in the next few years. They have the money, they have the facilities, they have an experienced coach who fixed Tommy Armpunt, and they were close to being (and still have the opportunity of being) in the Playoff this year.

It isn't impossible to win here, or at Nebby, or anywhere in the SEC or Big Ten. All you have to do is win the conference, which usually takes beating a top ten team in the B1G championship, and having 1 or less losses and you can do it. Iowa was two yards away from having a shot last season. It's possible, unlikely, but possible, since the NC is decided on the field, now.

Ferentz has said that their goal is to win every game they pay. if you do that as a Big Ten team, you win a NC. Can't knock him there. What I hate is his strange aversion to recruiting good talent.

It's arrogant to think he can meet his goals without better raw materials than the other guy.

AND I ay that all with a history of wanting to get Ferentz out of his office.

 

[HawkeyeDenis]

Yeah, I agree with the title of this thread. Nice Try. The odds of Iowa making a respectable showing against Michigan died last week for most of us fans. Michigan isn't a pretender, or a team that just hasn't met their match yet. They are deserving of the number two spot in the polls. This Saturday it's going to be a meat grinder. And Iowa is on the main course.

 

[deanvogs]

Nebraska absolutely will win another NC, possibly in the next few years. They have the money, they have the facilities, they have an experienced coach who fixed Tommy Armpunt, and they were close to being (and still have the opportunity of being) in the Playoff this year.

It isn't impossible to win here, or at Nebby, or anywhere in the SEC or Big Ten. All you have to do is win the conference, which usually takes beating a top ten team in the B1G championship, and having 1 or less losses and you can do it. Iowa was two yards away from having a shot last season. It's possible, unlikely, but possible, since the NC is decided on the field, now.

Ferentz has said that their goal is to win every game they pay. if you do that as a Big Ten team, you win a NC. Can't knock him there. What I hate is his strange aversion to recruiting good talent.

It's arrogant to think he can meet his goals without better raw materials than the other guy.

AND I ay that all with a history of wanting to get Ferentz out of his office.

Ok, so sorry that I said it was "impossible". I should say it is very, very, very improbable.

Nebraska isn't going to win a NC anytime soon at all. Sure Nebraska have about a 3% chance to do so going into every year, where Iowa has about a 1% chance. Sure Iowa came close to the playoffs last year, but they didn't make it, and if they did, they didn't stand a chance of getting past a OU/Clemson and Bama.

It is one thing to "hope" to win the lottery for instance, to daydream about the possibilities. It is another thing completely to say "the goal is to win the Lottery!!!" Plan around it, get pissed off about it, if it doesn't happen, stomp your feet and act all petulant when you get 0 numbers correct.

The goal should always be to win the West. To win the B1G you will have to then beat an elite East team, that would be gravy on top. Winning a NC would be double gravy on top of gravy beating 2 other elite teams after winning the B1G.

 

[HawkGold]

Did you read my first column when I recommended that it be a one or two year rollover contract? That was my opinion then and still would be.

I also have been critical of the buyout after the fact. You can extend a contract 20 years as long as you have the right buyout in case things don't work out.

I get it. You don't like KF and my critiques aren't strong enough for you. However, we write critical, objective pieces on this site. To say we don't is disingenuous and, frankly, wrong.

I'll tell you what. Since you're a writer and have strong opinions here, work something up and we will run it on here. You have to use your real name, though.

I think you are missing my point entirely and maybe I missed some of yours. I don't see myself as being one of the biggest KF detractors. My angle has been a bit different as I've criticized the media. Disingenuous maybe wasn't fair on my part.

I do think the contract is smelly and it is frustrating that fans and media seem to think they are not able to raise tough questions more than saying fire GD or comments of actual hate toward KF.

I was one of the first to complain about the new contract on this site in a thread. I will dig it up and re post it.

I have posted many time about dissatisfaction with different people at the university and Iowa programs. I have said Sally Mason, Barta and KF all needed to go. I criticized the heck out of the Iowa AD marketing department, and then when they made positive changes I applauded them. I have been critical of Greg Davis since he started here, and have never felt he fit at Iowa. I have criticized Fran McCaffery many times and been blasted by people on here for it (PCHawk can attest to this).

Everyone is different on what they see or what they perceive. If you come on here and say KF blew this call, or didn't do this or that, I might agree or disagree with you and post it. When you come on here and say that KF is deliberately getting players injured with play calling, then I call that out as stupidity. You think it is rational to say such a thing and I think it is ok for me to blast you for that. You in turn blast back and I guess carry a grudge about the whole incident.

About the injury, deliberate? No. Sending a RB into a line when they are stacked in the box and the line can't open holes...that was just plain irresponsible on KF's part.

I was one of the first to complain about the new contract on this site in a thread. I will dig it up and re post it.

I have posted many time about dissatisfaction with different people at the university and Iowa programs. I have said Sally Mason, Barta and KF all needed to go. I criticized the heck out of the Iowa AD marketing department, and then when they made positive changes I applauded them. I have been critical of Greg Davis since he started here, and have never felt he fit at Iowa. I have criticized Fran McCaffery many times and been blasted by people on here for it (PCHawk can attest to this).

Everyone is different on what they see or what they perceive. If you come on here and say KF blew this call, or didn't do this or that, I might agree or disagree with you and post it. When you come on here and say that KF is deliberately getting players injured with play calling, then I call that out as stupidity. You think it is rational to say such a thing and I think it is ok for me to blast you for that. You in turn blast back and I guess carry a grudge about the whole incident.

Dean, most of the post I don't think there is much point to argue about, not because one of us is right or wrong.

However, you are cherry picking what I said about A Rob's injury. Iowa was playing a good and proud MSU defensive team that has been destroyed. It was late in the game. A Rob is playing with mostly 2nd team players. Due to KF history, they know what is coming (off tackle runs). MSU stacked the box. They flew LB's into the running lane with them getting a running start at the ball player. Is that deliberately trying to get a player hurt? For sure it is not trying to keep your RB safe. There was no variability. KF just doesn't change. It's like teeing off the green. It was teeing off on A Rob. There is an increase likelihood of injury.

Twist what I said if you want. So I pushed back at the same level of intensity and you carry a grudge. That's your issue not mine.

 

[seepig]

I think Rob and others ask fair questions. Let's be real though if a reporter gets really aggressive the coaching staff just won't respond or give access to you. That's a death sentence if your job is to cover that team. They walk a fine line between being pushy and being an A**. So, I get it as should others. When Rob and others after the Wisconsin game pointed out that a TD and 2 pt. conversion tie the game THAT was a great question. Now the reaction from KF was priceless and shows he still has game day coaching issues because that WHOLE staff was asleep at the wheel. I'm always amazed at the basic football IQ gaffs that still exist at the TOP.

 

[deanvogs]

I think you are missing my point entirely and maybe I missed some of yours. I don't see myself as being one of the biggest KF detractors. My angle has been a bit different as I've criticized the media. Disingenuous maybe wasn't fair on my part.

I do think the contract is smelly and it is frustrating that fans and media seem to think they are not able to raise tough questions more than saying fire GD or comments of actual hate toward KF.


About the injury, deliberate? No. Sending a RB into a line when they are stacked in the box and the line can't open holes...that was just plain irresponsible on KF's part.


Dean, most of the post I don't think there is much point to argue about, not because one of us is right or wrong.

However, you are cherry picking what I said about A Rob's injury. Iowa was playing a good and proud MSU defensive team that has been destroyed. It was late in the game. A Rob is playing with mostly 2nd team players. Due to KF history, they know what is coming (off tackle runs). MSU stacked the box. They flew LB's into the running lane with them getting a running start at the ball player. Is that deliberately trying to get a player hurt? For sure it is not trying to keep your RB safe. There was no variability. KF just doesn't change. It's like teeing off the green. It was teeing off on A Rob. There is an increase likelihood of injury.

Twist what I said if you want. So I pushed back at the same level of intensity and you carry a grudge. That's your issue not mine.

Then if what you say is true, every coach in American has put their RB at risk. Every 3rd and 4th and inches or short coaches run the ball. I mean the D knows it is coming, they install their goal line packages and get bigger players on the field. LB all flow to the ball, and they are all want to stop that ball carrier. All coaches that call a running play there are trying to sustain injuries?

I feel like to even advance the therory of what you are saying is EXTRMELY irresponsible. You think it is true. We just have to big of a divide on this, so there is no sense to continue to belabor it.

 

[HawkGold]

Did you read my first column when I recommended that it be a one or two year rollover contract? That was my opinion then and still would be.

I also have been critical of the buyout after the fact. You can extend a contract 20 years as long as you have the right buyout in case things don't work out.

I get it. You don't like KF and my critiques aren't strong enough for you. However, we write critical, objective pieces on this site. To say we don't is disingenuous and, frankly, wrong.

I'll tell you what. Since you're a writer and have strong opinions here, work something up and we will run it on here. You have to use your real name, though.

You get paid to do what you do with all the rights and privileges. You get closer due to passes that the rest of us don't get. You may very well be knowledgeable in my subject area. But you wouldn't have some of the advantages that I have in my subject matter area.

We can agree I guess to disagree. I will stand behind my computer screen and say I am disappointed that media in general in the state of Iowa, be they sports writers or not. I did a simple google search and most of the articles that come up on the 1st page are either just the facts or out of state. SB Nation and Daily Iowan wrote a rather critical articles but didn't explore possibilities as to why the contract was made, except from a rational argument assuming it had to do with recruiting, bad data collection or a silly mistake. Calling for an investigation is in order. An investigation isn't an accusation, it is simply looking into it.

I am not saying there was collusion. However, it is one of the roles of the media to question the contract from various angles including the possibility that something was illegal or unethical (or it just maybe was a decision trying to make the best of things (poor at that). If we weren't Hawkeye fans and believed in our team and were on the outside looking in...say that it was in another state or something other than football, what would a media and fan response be? Most of us would think....that looks like.......X.

This contract was offensive (quote from SB Nation). Am I angry about it?...no. Disappointed? Immensely. It's a sign of the times, just like going to the polls today to vote for the best run down house in a really bad neighborhood or a doctor asking whether or not you want a particular STD.

I can applaud you for what you've done which is more than a lot of those in media. I would like to see more from media in general.

 

[RobHowe]

I've developed much thicker skin in my almost 30 years in the media. After 20 years covering the Hawkeyes, I'm pretty accepting of criticism coming my way. It's part of the job. And I understand some of it comes from fan frustration. I admire and respect the passion of our fan base. I know it's not malicious.

I do, from time to time, find it necessary to defend myself if the charges are false. Whether you believe me or not is up to you. I can say with 100 percent truthfulness that I am not afraid of asking KF and GB hard questions. I do not fear losing my press pass. Honestly, I can do a lot of what I do without going to games.

Hard questions are asked at press conferences. Again, they're not going to be asked the way some fans would. It's hard enough to get quality answers out of coaches and athletes without going into it unprofessionally. Asking, "how long after the season are you going fire Greg Davis?" is not going to get a usable response. And it will make it harder in the future to receive useful responses.

 

[HawkGold]

Then if what you say is true, every coach in American has put their RB at risk. Every 3rd and 4th and inches or short coaches run the ball. I mean the D knows it is coming, they install their goal line packages and get bigger players on the field. LB all flow to the ball, and they are all want to stop that ball carrier. All coaches that call a running play there are trying to sustain injuries?

I feel like to even advance the therory of what you are saying is EXTRMELY irresponsible. You think it is true. We just have to big of a divide on this, so there is no sense to continue to belabor it.

That's fine, but I don't think it was only 3rd and inches when Iowa and MSU were doing this dance.. With most coaches there is always the threat of a big play. At that point picking up the first down wasn't important. The game was over. A sweep could have served a purpose as well as a screen. I have no problem with giving 2nd teamers a chance to run a competitive play. I don't blame PSU for hanging 42 on Iowa at all. Iowa didn't have 42 then. I understand LB flowing to the ball. This was a tee off, not a flow.

Anyway, yes, no sense in continuing.

 

[blubberhawk]

What? Just being at the level that Iowa has been at under Hayden and KF (the best finish was ranked #8 in the polls) has lead to hundreds of millions to the Iowa City community. It has lead to the football program basically single handedly funding 20 some other olympic sports and supplying countless student athletes with an opportunity to get a college education.

If you think that winning a NC is the only goal of college athletics, then I don't know what to tell you. I'm not stupid enough to say this is all about the students, but lots, and lots of good is done in the community and at the university with a competitive football program.

My God. Did anyone here say that the only goal should be a National Title? What I am saying is that there at least should be the expectation that the program is working toward that end. Other programs that spend the amount of money that Iowa does on theirs would not be losing to the Iowa States of the world.. There is an interesting table on SB Nation that ranks the football programs success to spending ratio. There are only 16 programs who have a worse ratio than Iowa. Even lowly ISU has a better success to spending ratio than Iowa. Appears we are not getting our "bang for the buck".

 

[blubberhawk]

Nebraska absolutely will win another NC, possibly in the next few years. They have the money, they have the facilities, they have an experienced coach who fixed Tommy Armpunt, and they were close to being (and still have the opportunity of being) in the Playoff this year.

It isn't impossible to win here, or at Nebby, or anywhere in the SEC or Big Ten. All you have to do is win the conference, which usually takes beating a top ten team in the B1G championship, and having 1 or less losses and you can do it. Iowa was two yards away from having a shot last season. It's possible, unlikely, but possible, since the NC is decided on the field, now.

Ferentz has said that their goal is to win every game they pay. if you do that as a Big Ten team, you win a NC. Can't knock him there. What I hate is his strange aversion to recruiting good talent.

It's arrogant to think he can meet his goals without better raw materials than the other guy.

AND I ay that all with a history of wanting to get Ferentz out of his office.

Sorry. Nebraska has absolutely 0 chance of a playoff birth, even if they would win the BIG title. You do not lose 62-3, have two losses and make the playoff.

 

[GotTimDodge]

It is one thing to "hope" to win the lottery for instance, to daydream about the possibilities. It is another thing completely to say "the goal is to win the Lottery!!!" Plan around it, get pissed off about it, if it doesn't happen, stomp your feet and act all petulant when you get 0 numbers correct.

Poor analogy, dean.

 

[HomerChampless]

It doesn't bother me that KF doesn't publicly talk about national championships. He talks about Big Ten championships, which most years puts you in the national championship discussion.

I would say KF and his staff are trying to recruit the best players they can. They do weigh factors like fit in the program, but I think most coaches do that. They offer four- and five-star kids. Go to any of the recruiting sites and you can see they have. Most years, the bulk of those four and five star kids end up at a small group of select schools. The rest are spread out.

On the current roster, per Rivals, James Daniels, Ryan Ward, Jaleel Johnson, Tyler Wiegers, Jay Scheel, and Faith Ekakitie all were four stars. Matt Nelson was a high three star who chose us ahead of Notre Dame and Stanford. It's not all two-stars and walk-ons.

Recruiting is an inexact science. I don't think we'd throw Jewell back because he was a two-star.

I do agree that winning puts us in better position to pick up more prospects we target. And that's what's most important to me.

If you want a coach here that's going to beat Alabama and Ohio State for prospects on a regular basis, KF definitely is not your guy. But, I'm not sure who could do that here.

Shall I mention all the times the Iowa coaching staff used players incorrectly?
(1)Weigher.
(2) Almost CJ Beathard
(3)Every high school player with cornerback skills was robbed of those cornerback skills while playing at Iowa.
(4)Weisman
(5)KMM (not the leading receiver, no way)
(5)DJK was almost booted off the team, wrong attitude, he didn't play the right way...
(6)Every 230 LB tailback that ran the 40 in a little less than 4.9 seconds.
(7)What did Iowa do with Chaney JR's speed? Nothing.
(8)That receiver that went to Texas Tech.

On and on and on. KF. Play football like it's 1999.

 

[lightning1]

Nebraska absolutely will win another NC, possibly in the next few years. They have the money, they have the facilities, they have an experienced coach who fixed Tommy Armpunt, and they were close to being (and still have the opportunity of being) in the Playoff this year.

It isn't impossible to win here, or at Nebby, or anywhere in the SEC or Big Ten. All you have to do is win the conference, which usually takes beating a top ten team in the B1G championship, and having 1 or less losses and you can do it. Iowa was two yards away from having a shot last season. It's possible, unlikely, but possible, since the NC is decided on the field, now.

Ferentz has said that their goal is to win every game they pay. if you do that as a Big Ten team, you win a NC. Can't knock him there. What I hate is his strange aversion to recruiting good talent.

It's arrogant to think he can meet his goals without better raw materials than the other guy.

AND I ay that all with a history of wanting to get Ferentz out of his office.

Nebraska will NOT win another NC. I'll cover all of the action that wants to wager otherwise.