Observations

[dirtwrap]

We all knew this season would go as CJ goes, and right now that is not going well. We have no idea right now why he is a shell of his former self, but he is. I don't think it is as much play calling or neutering as it is CJ just not playing the position well. We have to play action to be successful, that is Iowa football. In some seasons we are dominant on the ground which opens up plays down field. In other seasons we have to pass in order to run. But no matter how it is done, we have to threaten to stretch the field in order to unstack the box.

What makes our seasons special is when our quarterback can make plays, either with his legs and run (banks, CJ 2015), or with awareness (Tate). Right now we have none of that. Even last year when Tevaun was out we stretched the field with Jerminic, but when have we seen that.

Personally I think CJ is over thinking and not playing. He is not wanting to make a mistake so he holds the ball. I am sorry Kirk haters, that is on CJ. He needs to roll, run, throw downfield, etc. Think about it, if we were to hide CJ's face and number we wouldn't think he is the same guy as last year.

Out d line needs to bone up, but in our successful seasons our offense has put the other team in one dimension mode and help out the front 7. This isn't happening right now. The formula to beat us is still the same; for the opponent to get the ball first, control a bunch of clock, blitz us and wear us down in the first quarter. Our defense is predicated on the number of plays it runs.

But it's all CJ right now so let's hope he straightens up

 

[clim3]

We all knew this season would go as CJ goes, and right now that is not going well. We have no idea right now why he is a shell of his former self, but he is. I don't think it is as much play calling or neutering as it is CJ just not playing the position well. We have to play action to be successful, that is Iowa football. In some seasons we are dominant on the ground which opens up plays down field. In other seasons we have to pass in order to run. But no matter how it is done, we have to threaten to stretch the field in order to unstack the box.

What makes our seasons special is when our quarterback can make plays, either with his legs and run (banks, CJ 2015), or with awareness (Tate). Right now we have none of that. Even last year when Tevaun was out we stretched the field with Jerminic, but when have we seen that.

Personally I think CJ is over thinking and not playing. He is not wanting to make a mistake so he holds the ball. I am sorry Kirk haters, that is on CJ. He needs to roll, run, throw downfield, etc. Think about it, if we were to hide CJ's face and number we wouldn't think he is the same guy as last year.

Out d line needs to bone up, but in our successful seasons our offense has put the other team in one dimension mode and help out the front 7. This isn't happening right now. The formula to beat us is still the same; for the opponent to get the ball first, control a bunch of clock, blitz us and wear us down in the first quarter. Our defense is predicated on the number of plays it runs.

But it's all CJ right now so let's hope he straightens up

I agree with this and also think we should establish the run more early and open up the PA passes. It seems we've been trying to use pass to open run. Doesn't seem very effective. Get our two backs good touches and it seems they get good yards. Maybe we can wear down the opposing d line some.

 

[Joshbrown]

Really bad logic.

One player on a team with over 100 players and over a dozen coaches will determine the fate of the season.

That would suggest the backup QBs have no talent or ability.

TW - 4 stars
Stanly - 4 stars
Cook - 4 stars

In 2008 did the season go as JC went? No, because his back-up came in and turned things around. If CJB goes down or fails to do his job, there are back-ups to replace him.

Our fan base has a cult-of-personality logic deficiency where we think one player or one coach is responsible for all our success or failure.

 

[dirtwrap]

Maybe I didn't get my point across clearly. While it is certainly a team game, and there are many areas to improve on, right now it appears to me that the deficiency is in the quarterback position because we just arent doing enough offensively. We are not seeing the downfield passing, the running with reckless abandon, and the overall playmaking that we saw last year with CJ. My point is that unlike most others, I don't think this is all on the coaches. Maybe it is, but CJ seems to check out of many plays that are called and our checks are predictable. CJ obviously has the freedom to check into whatever play he wants from what he sees, and the coaches cant play the game.

Josh, I think your reasoning coincides with what I was saying. 2008 would have more than likely gone as JC went, but instead, we moved to RS and his aggressive play was the difference. So I should amend what I said to begin with; instead of saying that the season was going to go as CJ went, I should have said our season would go as our quarterback play went.