Optimistic or Pessimistic.

Eda

Eda

Well-Known Member
I posed this question last night on the Hawkeye huddle, but thought I'd bring it up here as well.

Cup half full or half empty...

Are you encouraged: Encouraged with the way the D is playing this year? Holding the Northern Illinois offense, which could have been dangerous, to 200 yds (1/3 of which came on one play). This D also held Jantz in check (with the exception of the one long run), as opposed to last year when he ran wild on us. This D that produced huge turnovers yesterday when ISU was in the redzone, and kept many plays in front of them.
This is the D that was supposed to be a sore spot/weakness for this years squad...

-or-

Are you Discouraged: Discouraged with the offense that was supposed to run/pass all over the field. Score 30+ points every game. An offense that was supposed to win the games for us, and be the teams strength. Yet, has only produced 24 points, 365 yds passing, and 207 yds rushing.


I am still in the optimistic camp. I believe the offense will come along. If that happens, and the D keeps playing like it is (and improves); we will get rolling in this season yet!

Stay thirsty, my friends.
 
Optimistic. We are witnessing the beginning of something. The improvements made between the first and second halves of the NIU game, and between the NIU game and ISU game are like nothing we have ever seen in the KF era.

I was on record after the hiring of Davis as this might be painful for a while, and am on record that we are heading the right direction.
 
Golfer said:
Optimistic. We are witnessing the beginning of something. The improvements made between the first and second halves of the NIU game, and between the NIU game and ISU game are like nothing we have ever seen in the KF era.

I was on record after the hiring of Davis as this might be painful for a while, and am on record that we are heading the right direction.
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We scored 6 points, how is that the right direction? We went from a close win to a close loss. I don't see an upward trend here. I seen a team with the worst skill position players in the big ten and possible Division 1. I see a team that was at home against a mediocre defense and couldn't score a single touchdown.
 
We'll know with more certainty by the end of this season. And further within three years.

I stand by what I said.
 
Optimistic. This defense could be one of the best we have seen at Iowa. Maybe not this year, but next year.
The OL is good, they just need to get settled into their positions. QB, TE and RB are not problems. Though the QB play could be better. The WR's are average. KF offense's always seem to take 3 or 4 games to get settled. They'll get settled by the B1G season.
There is a lot to look forward to next year and 2014.
 
hawkinn3 said:
We scored 6 points, how is that the right direction? We went from a close win to a close loss. I don't see an upward trend here. I seen a team with the worst skill position players in the big ten and possible Division 1. I see a team that was at home against a mediocre defense and couldn't score a single touchdown.
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Wow, no where near being anywhere close to accurate statement. Not saying we've got the greatest, but come on man. There's alot of teams that are worse than we are in those areas and you know it. I understand being upset but lets remain rational.
 
Golfer said:
Optimistic. We are witnessing the beginning of something. The improvements made between the first and second halves of the NIU game, and between the NIU game and ISU game are like nothing we have ever seen in the KF era.

I was on record after the hiring of Davis as this might be painful for a while, and am on record that we are heading the right direction.
Click to expand...

I'm still on board, even with Greg Davis. To Golfer's point, we've seen more screens and misdirection runs the last two games than most two-game stretches with O'Keefe. I think Parker is some sort of genie with his locker room adjustments.

The most encouraging thing about our fourth quarter yesterday where the offense, although admittedly still not scoring, did show a pulse and moved the ball, was that we started hitting some RB swing passes for 8-9 yards on first down. I thought that was going to be a big piece of the GD offense, and honestly, if we start doing that more, and then playing off the open middle of the field once teams adjust, it's a totally different ballgame.

I have little confidence in JVB, though, so chalk me up as optimistic program-wise, but 'guardedly pessimistic' (if that's a thing) for 2012. I would love to see Rudock get a series here or there while keeping JVB the starter, just so we're not starting over from this point next year.
 
I honestly think that the defense has been very impressive given the circumstances and kept us in the game yesterday. For the majority of the preseason assumption of this defense it has been a major bright side. If the defense continues to keep us in games and the offense makes minimal improvements they could still put together a very good season.

I think if a few of the red zones ended in touchdowns rather than field goals the a great majority of the irate fans step back from the ledge. Whether we like it or not, ISU was the better team yesterday and I was very impressed with their defense, however that said it was a game that we could have won. Hopefully things go the other way against UNI next weekend and our offense makes a stride in the right direction and gets itself back on track.
 
Some things about the offense that were positive. More sustained drives. Better 1st down production. Gave up fewer sacks. (0?)
 
kicker22 said:
I think if a few of the red zones ended in touchdowns rather than field goals the a great majority of the irate fans step back from the ledge. Whether we like it or not, ISU was the better team yesterday and I was very impressed with their defense, however that said it was a game that we could have won. Hopefully things go the other way against UNI next weekend and our offense makes a stride in the right direction and gets itself back on track.
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Agree. I thought ISU would play a cleaner game, and honestly, I was prepped for a loss, but once the Clones started screwing up, all the pregame 'bracing for the loss' went out the window. We needed to win that game with the way they played.

As for the red zone, that needs to no longer be an 'if'. Our O-line is athletic but not Wisconsin-big, and we feature a small back now. We need to spread it out down there, and even threaten a QB draw now and then. We get into the red zone, and all of a sudden we're playing 10-on-11. JVB is clearly no Vince Young, but he is quick enough to pick up 4-5 yards most times if we get him on the edge. That's never been a threat with Iowa, and frankly, I see it as the biggest reason why I dread 3rd-and-2 whether the Hawks are on offense or defense. We have inordinate trouble picking them up, our opponents, it seems, often pick them up by threatening the edge, and giving their players/QBs options.
 
I consider myself to be an optimistic pessimist...I really think the team can do better...but they probably won't.

I think the defense has done better than expected and seems to learn quickly. The offense seems to the same as it ever was, same as it ever was, same as it ever was.


Sorry, couldn't resist the Talking Heads reference.:)
 
i was pessimistic yesterday after the loss but after a good night's sleep, i am optimistic. the offense still struggles in the red zone but showed signs of life between the 20s. i thought the offense overall was improved from week 1 albiet at the sacrfice of the run game. plus, the jury is still out on the ISU defense.
i also feel we came out with passion in this game, the players both offensively and defensivley showed passion that there should be in a rivalry game. i like it! i am very optimistic in this team later this year, next yr and beyond.

i believe ISU is going to be a strong team this year. paul rhoades (tho irritates me watching him get excited during iowa games) is fun to watch. i love his passion. i will still take ferentz over rhoades. give this offense time to adjust, we're not going to win a conf championship in the first year of major schematic changes.

the defense played absolutely amazing last week and even better yesterday. morris stepped up big as did the dline. i believe our defense is going to be carrying this team.

congrats to iowas state for playing a hard fought game. time to focus our attention on UNI.
 
Can I go with a third option? -- Realistic

I think Iowa is going to struggle through September and then Ferentz & company will figure out a way to scratch out 3/4 B10 wins because that is what they usually do.

Ferentz will also find a way to lose at least one of the following teams:

NW, IND, & Minnesota. Once again, because they usually do.

I think Iowa will win one game against the following team in which they will be underdogs:

Michigan, Purdue, Nebraska

Because Ferentz usually beats a team with superior talent and coaching at least once a season.
 
Optimistic...the D is better than I even hoped it would be at this point, we had improved play from the O-line and if our QB would stop throwing 1 yard crossing passes to receivers who are double covered and the receivers actually CATCH THE BALL when he does throw it deeper than that, things will get better.
 
Pessimistic yesterday, but more optimistic today. The defense looks to have the makings of being a good defense, and is young yet, it could and should continue to improve. I think the offense will also get better (as it can't get any worse).
 
Optimistic


The schedule allows for growth and improvement. The bye week comes at a perfect time. Might be able to pick off Nebby or Mich. at the end of the year to compensate for the ISU loss.
 
Golfer said:
We'll know with more certainty by the end of this season. And further within three years.

I stand by what I said.
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I agree with you completely.

Time will tell. KF knows this is the youngest team he's ever had. There are going to be growing pains with the new offense, and some players probably don't fit that scheme very well. We had a couple of rough years recruiting, but the last couple have been good. These young'uns will get older, and the team will improve this year, and will continue to improve the next two years.
 
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