Over-recruited at DE

[Adam]

Just to clarify, a "1-technique" defensive tackle is a one-gap lineman, not a tackle designed to eat up blockers. That applies more to 0-technique (nose guard in a 3-4) or 5-technique (ends in a 3-4). In a 4-3, the tackles are in the 1 and 3 positions. Traditionally, those tackles are "one-gappers" that penetrate and are more disruptive.

Iowa's defense is a bit of an odd-ball. It runs a 4-3 cover-4 scheme, but doesn't scheme the traditional responsibilities (not always a good thing). Even though the tackles play in the 1 and 3 gaps, Iowa generally asks the tackles to eat up blockers to allow the linebackers to fill the gaps. The staff also tend to recruit and play ends that are stouter but not as athletic as one would expect in a 4-3 scheme. The end result is that you keep everything in front of you, but, at the same time, you're essentially eliminating one playmaker (the extra LB in a 3-4 scheme). That puts more pressure on the safeties to play the run, which, in turn, puts more pressure on the corners to cover deep. That is why most teams attack our defense with short routes to the flat. Those zones are going to be open since the corners have to play off.

When Iowa has poor defenses, it's almost always due to having a combination of tackles that are not disruptive, and ends that are not explosive. You need one or the other. When we have good, experienced LBs, a lot of those issues can be "covered up," but, when we don't, the line gets exposed.

So how will it work out when we have NFL DE's, Questionable DT's and completely unproven LB's?

 

[HawkleberryFinn]

Why not just recruit DT's as opposed to making projects. You've got Matt Nelson, who probably could've been a 1-2 round OT selection converted to DT at 6'8". You've got Chauncey Golston converted, who could still be a hell of a DE---he has the prototypical DE body--what a waste. Then you have guys like Reiff and Jansen who are walk-on level projects. Why not get more bodies like Jaleel and Carl Davis? This isn't Iowa's biggest problem, but there is talent being wasted and misused on the D-line due to recruiting strategy missteps. Scholarships that could've been used elsewhere.

 

[#1DieHardHawk]

So how will it work out when we have NFL DE's, Questionable DT's and completely unproven LB's?

Well, we're about to find out.

I hope we have "NFL DE's." A. Nelson flashes at times, but he also can disappear for long stretches. Hesse is not an NFL caliber DE. AJE certainly has the potential.

Overall, I'm not as high on the D-line as most posters. We have a lot of bodies, but few impact athletes. We desperately need Lattimore to take a huge leap, along with Reiff. M. Nelson is who is who he is - a smart strong guy with a high center of gravity and very limited movement skills. Golston is a complete unknown. Brincks and Jansen? Um, no. An injury or two at DT, and it could get ugly real, real fast.

 

[WinOneThisCentury]

Why not just recruit DT's as opposed to making projects. You've got Matt Nelson, who probably could've been a 1-2 round OT selection converted to DT at 6'8". You've got Chauncey Golston converted, who could still be a hell of a DE---he has the prototypical DE body--what a waste. Then you have guys like Reiff and Jansen who are walk-on level projects. Why not get more bodies like Jaleel and Carl Davis? This isn't Iowa's biggest problem, but there is talent being wasted and misused on the D-line due to recruiting strategy missteps. Scholarships that could've been used elsewhere.

Well, there are two guys they just recruited that fit this bill (true DT size)...Nixon and Shannon. The problem is, Nixon is ineligible this year...and Shannon is a true freshman. The thing about Shannon is that he really could play this year...and I wouldn't be surprised if he does. He has a low center of gravity and a very strong lower body...if his technique is somewhat sound...he's going to be a load to move. It's just tough to put a guy in the mix at 18 years old against a line like Wisky...21 to 22 year old 320 pound men. The big get, then big miss, then big get, then big miss in recruiting may have been Juan Harris...and I know people laugh...but he's talented and has size. I really hope he considers Iowa and the coaches take him on.

 

[WinOneThisCentury]

Well, we're about to find out.

I hope we have "NFL DE's." A. Nelson flashes at times, but he also can disappear for long stretches. Hesse is not an NFL caliber DE. AJE certainly has the potential.

Overall, I'm not as high on the D-line as most posters. We have a lot of bodies, but few impact athletes. We desperately need Lattimore to take a huge leap, along with Reiff. M. Nelson is who is who he is - a smart strong guy with a high center of gravity and very limited movement skills. Golston is a complete unknown. Brincks and Jansen? Um, no. An injury or two at DT, and it could get ugly real, real fast.

A big swing and a miss here Die Hard. A. Nelson will be playing in the NFL...probably 3rd round draft choice, maybe higher...as he's just going to be a junior. Huge upside to him with his size and quickness. AJ showed flashes of what he will become last year. Once again...he's going to be an NFL guy...he just has that look about him. He did what he did last year as a true freshman...and he did it in limited snaps. If you want to point your finger at the DT's fine...there is some concern there...but usually, guys really start to come into their own on the DL in their Junior year after they have been in the program for three years. I think Lattimore has the potential to be a special player...and I expect him to be disruptive. Now that Matt Nelson is healthy...fully healthy...let's see what he can do...he was playing DT for the first time last year....and somewhat undersized at that. He's now up to 295 or so...that's going to help him tremendously.

 

[Adam]

Well, we're about to find out.

I hope we have "NFL DE's." A. Nelson flashes at times, but he also can disappear for long stretches. Hesse is not an NFL caliber DE. AJE certainly has the potential.

Overall, I'm not as high on the D-line as most posters. We have a lot of bodies, but few impact athletes. We desperately need Lattimore to take a huge leap, along with Reiff. M. Nelson is who is who he is - a smart strong guy with a high center of gravity and very limited movement skills. Golston is a complete unknown. Brincks and Jansen? Um, no. An injury or two at DT, and it could get ugly real, real fast.

You want a side wager for bragging rights that Hesse makes a NFL roster next year?

 

[#1DieHardHawk]

A big swing and a miss here Die Hard. A. Nelson will be playing in the NFL...probably 3rd round draft choice, maybe higher...as he's just going to be a junior. Huge upside to him with his size and quickness. AJ showed flashes of what he will become last year. Once again...he's going to be an NFL guy...he just has that look about him. He did what he did last year as a true freshman...and he did it in limited snaps. If you want to point your finger at the DT's fine...there is some concern there...but usually, guys really start to come into their own on the DL in their Junior year after they have been in the program for three years. I think Lattimore has the potential to be a special player...and I expect him to be disruptive. Now that Matt Nelson is healthy...fully healthy...let's see what he can do...he was playing DT for the first time last year....and somewhat undersized at that. He's now up to 295 or so...that's going to help him tremendously.

I hope you're right.

I'm not saying A. Nelson won't play at the next level. As I said, he shows flashes. I'm just not ready to anoint him quite yet. He needs to show much more consistency, IMO. We've only had a couple of DEs during Kirk's tenure that defenses had to account for on every snap (Clayborn, Roth and Ott), so I'd love nothing better than to see Nelson and AJ join that company. By and large, much like WR, that has been a position of weakness for him.

And, yes, I agree, Lattimore could very well come into his own, a la, Davis or Jaleel. We'll see, but, the point is, of all the players on defense, you could make the argument that he is the one where that "leap" is the most important. We need that from both him and Reiff in a big way.

 

[#1DieHardHawk]

You want a side wager for bragging rights that Hesse makes a NFL roster next year?

LOL

Okay, you got it. If Hesse is on a final regular season roster after the cut-downs, you win (not the practice squad). What's the wager?

The last bet that I made like that was with a local colleague who's a big Iowa fan that insisted that Jok was going to be drafted and make an NBA roster. I laughed and bet him $20 bucks on the spot. I have yet to see it though....

 

[Adam]

LOL

Okay, you got it. If Hesse is on a final regular season roster after the cut-downs, you win (not the practice squad). What's the wager?

The last bet that I made like that was with a local colleague who's a big Iowa fan that insisted that Jok was going to be drafted and make an NBA roster. I laughed and bet him $20 bucks on the spot. I have yet to see it though....

Lol we could make a small monetary wager if you would prefer, but a bet like that over a forum is probably best as a bragging rights deal.

P.S. I in no way think Hesse is an NFL lock. I'm not even confident that he would get drafted. I just have a feeling that he is gonna have a solid statistical year and will catch on with some team as a hybrid DE/LB for the ever evolving 3-4 scheme.

 

[#1DieHardHawk]

Lol we could make a small monetary wager if you would prefer, but a bet like that over a forum is probably best as a bragging rights deal.

P.S. I in no way think Hesse is an NFL lock. I'm not even confident that he would get drafted. I just have a feeling that he is gonna have a solid statistical year and will catch on with some team as a hybrid DE/LB for the ever evolving 3-4 scheme.

That's cool.

We can keep it a bragging rights thing. Plus, my guess is that monetary betting probably isn't allowed on HN anyway.

I really like Hesse, so it's a win-win for me. I'd be happy for him to carve out a niche' in the NFL.

 

[Adam]

That's cool.

We can keep it a bragging rights thing. Plus, my guess is that monetary betting probably isn't allowed on HN anyway.

I really like Hesse, so it's a win-win for me. I'd be happy for him to carve out a niche' in the NFL.

Cool well we can settle it in 12 months lol.

 

[RobHowe]

Sam Brincks will help at DT this season.