Oh to have a QB who can run

[trj]

Goddammit, you guys are just firing me up again about those last couple years under Brian when Iowa was elite in two of its three teams.

For the life of me, I'll never understand why they didn't at least try one of their more mobile QBs (Lainez, Labas) for a handful of series every game to see if some designed runs (or even panicked scrambles) could help move the ball in order to get a few first downs. Or some series with Cooper (by the time they started that it was too late). Or even wildcat to someone else. Anything.

Speaking of Labas, that one never made sense. Not a single snap that season despite average high school QB play on the field (and immobile at that). Labas proved to be a starting MAC QB. Someday perhaps we find out what Labas said or did to Brian or Kirk.

No one will ever be able to explain the Deacon Hill experience to me. Not a single person, not a single sole.

 

[HuckFinn]

Here are some stats. Starts with one cupcake then BT games. Not cherry picked, imho.

Gronk: 5 games
68.54% completion rate. 6.48 yards average completions. 136.8 average yards per game passing.

Career completion rate is 63.3%. Hmm.
Career yards per completion 13.4. Good.

Opinions: Current completion rate is competitive and better than his career stat.
Maybe accuracy was an issue historically?

Average yards per completion is 6.92 yards less than his career average. Why?

Longer throws have been overthrown. Why? Fear of INT’s? Receivers issue?

Consider number of drops. iNT early vs PSU was receiver, not delivery. Other examples?

Consider Gronk’s movement in the pocket. Consider his run threat capability.
My take: Big + compared to recent past.

Consider run game. Last season 1-2 in BT. 2025, 7 games, #3 BT, about 200.
Lester = Big Plus.

Less reliance on passing game? OK with me.

1 loss in BT. Whisker away from undefeated.

I am having a great time. 1 at a time.