Petras

[N8theGr8]

Exactly. To have the most important position pretty much locked up and in not good but great shape should only allow them to springboard forward. Most teams can't find one or make a decision between a couple guys. We've been fortunate there between CJ and Stanley the last couple that we've had solid play there and Stanley should only get better too. If a couple weapons can develop holy cow. Could you imagine this offense with a DJK or Marvin McNutt type of receivers to go with our TEs? Good lord the potential is right there to be had I think. We aren't that far off...

Watch out. ISM played at 175 last fall and if he can carry 190 by next fall, I wouldn't be surprised to see him triple or quadruple his production to DJK/McNutt levels. He's one of the fastest players we've ever had and his biggest problem was getting manhandled at the line by aggressive DBs. I'd bet on one of the other receivers from either the incoming class or the sophomore class making the jump too. Combine that with some TE split wide sets....this may be the most fun year to year offensive progression we've seen since 01 into 02.

 

[Hawkfnntn]

Watch out. ISM played at 175 last fall and if he can carry 190 by next fall, I wouldn't be surprised to see him triple or quadruple his production to DJK/McNutt levels. He's one of the fastest players we've ever had and his biggest problem was getting manhandled at the line by aggressive DBs. I'd bet on one of the other receivers from either the incoming class or the sophomore class making the jump too. Combine that with some TE split wide sets....this may be the most fun year to year offensive progression we've seen since 01 into 02.

Yeah ISM was pretty scrawny looking. (relatively speaking) I'm not sure if he'll be able to get up to a 190. With that type of frame (Wadleyesque) it's just easier said then done perhaps. Either way I like what he brings to the table. If he can get more consistent with his hands he'll be a huge part of the O. I hope Brandon Smith comes on.... His size and measureables are just too much to keep on the sidelines.

 

[MoseSchrute]

Mark my words, the next two years will turn the haters into supporters of KF's move to put Brian in this role. He's going to make his mark...and Iowa will be a very good offensive football team.

I honestly hope you are right.

 

[ArvadaHawk]

That's pretty funny, but no propaganda plan here. Think about it. Brian Ferentz won 8 games starting a first year QB, two freshmen offensive tackles, and playing two freshmen WRs a huge number of snaps. Point out where Iowa has ever started two freshmen offensive tackles in the Ferentz era. The interesting thing is, if Penn State doesn't come up with a miracle, and his young players don't make turnovers at the worst possible time, MSU and NW could have been wins too. This season was actually very close to being 10-2.

If you factor in the fact that it was his first year on the job...and the injuries that happened...you have to say, this was a very successful start to his career at OC. Iowa played with one arm behind their back in some of those games due to the inexperience up front.

He's determined to throw the ball down field too. He used his tight ends brilliantly throughout the year...getting them in the seams and getting Fant deep against linebackers and safeties. His only downfall was having 18-19 year olds at critical positions...and they make mistakes...and are inconsistent.

Mark my words, the next two years will turn the haters into supporters of KF's move to put Brian in this role. He's going to make his mark...and Iowa will be a very good offensive football team.

WOTC, brian had multiple horrible games: MSU, jNW, MN (even though we won), PU and WUs. I would even say that PSU was a bad game by brian, but just not in the horrible category. The non con was ok, but we didn't look like a juggernaut at all in the non con. I just think you're taking more of a leap to say brian IS good than if you were to say he is NOT good. but, the good news for brian fans is that he'll have the next 7 or 8 seasons to really figure it out before he becomes head coach. (sarcasm button)

 

[ArvadaHawk]

I honestly hope you are right.

I hope WOTC is right. But in order for brian to successfully turn around the "opinion" of the Iowa program from an offensive side of the ball, he needs to be much more aggressive and downfield oriented. If that does happen, great and wonderful. But then I'd have to wonder why it took kirk 19 or 20 seasons to reach that frame of mind.

 

[WinOneThisCentury]

I hope WOTC is right. But in order for brian to successfully turn around the "opinion" of the Iowa program from an offensive side of the ball, he needs to be much more aggressive and downfield oriented. If that does happen, great and wonderful. But then I'd have to wonder why it took kirk 19 or 20 seasons to reach that frame of mind.

I believe there were three or four things going on last year as to why you didn't see BF's aggressive nature come out.

1) He had an inexperienced QB...true soph who had almost zero snaps the year before.
2) Significant injuries on the offensive line...at both tackle spots.
3) He was new to play calling, although I would put less emphasis on this.
4) We are weak on the outside in regard to playmakers.

The recipe to beat Iowa is man coverage on the outside, load up to stop the run, and blitz on 2nd and 3rd and long situations. If you don't have people on the outside who can consistently beat one on one coverage...you are going to struggle period. Couple that with the fact that we had two freshman starting at two of the most importance positions (tackle), and you get the challenges in both the running game and protecting the QB. Team were so aggressive stopping the run, to the point that all three linebackers were stepping forward at the play onset. Teams just attacked the outside zone getting upfield before the play ever even got going. Why? Because they didn't respect our passing game. Granted, most teams schemed to guard Fant with a safety...but other than the TEs, there were really no concerns with getting beat deep.

People couldn't figure out why we kept running into eight man fronts. The reason was simple...in most of those games, we couldn't protect the QB long enough to hurt the defense. The only way to get any respect with play action is to actually run the football. It also took the pressure off Stanley...for a play or two.

The reason I'm so optimistic is that we will be better on the offensive line, even losing Daniels and Welsh. There is so much talent (see Wirfs/Jackson) from recent recruiting classes, that protecting the QB is going to be much, much better. There are several guys in the program that have reached a level of maturity that they should be able to step in without a drop in play (Paulson twins, Williams, Render, & Reynolds and others) The other reason for optimism is Smith, Smith-Marsette have another year to get stronger. I'm also hopeful one of the true freshman can be a playmaker. If we establish a WR that can stretch a defense and require two deep zone play...well, Fant and Hockenson are going to kill you and keep the chains moving.

I think the blueprint for the offense was there last year...we just weren't ready to execute it consistently. Like I said...I'm excited to see this offense develop. I think BF is the right guy...he just didn't have enough players to execute the vision.

 

[ArvadaHawk]

I believe there were three or four things going on last year as to why you didn't see BF's aggressive nature come out.

1) He had an inexperienced QB...true soph who had almost zero snaps the year before.
2) Significant injuries on the offensive line...at both tackle spots.
3) He was new to play calling, although I would put less emphasis on this.
4) We are weak on the outside in regard to playmakers.

The recipe to beat Iowa is man coverage on the outside, load up to stop the run, and blitz on 2nd and 3rd and long situations. If you don't have people on the outside who can consistently beat one on one coverage...you are going to struggle period. Couple that with the fact that we had two freshman starting at two of the most importance positions (tackle), and you get the challenges in both the running game and protecting the QB. Team were so aggressive stopping the run, to the point that all three linebackers were stepping forward at the play onset. Teams just attacked the outside zone getting upfield before the play ever even got going. Why? Because they didn't respect our passing game. Granted, most teams schemed to guard Fant with a safety...but other than the TEs, there were really no concerns with getting beat deep.

People couldn't figure out why we kept running into eight man fronts. The reason was simple...in most of those games, we couldn't protect the QB long enough to hurt the defense. The only way to get any respect with play action is to actually run the football. It also took the pressure off Stanley...for a play or two.

The reason I'm so optimistic is that we will be better on the offensive line, even losing Daniels and Welsh. There is so much talent (see Wirfs/Jackson) from recent recruiting classes, that protecting the QB is going to be much, much better. There are several guys in the program that have reached a level of maturity that they should be able to step in without a drop in play (Paulson twins, Williams, Render, & Reynolds and others) The other reason for optimism is Smith, Smith-Marsette have another year to get stronger. I'm also hopeful one of the true freshman can be a playmaker. If we establish a WR that can stretch a defense and require two deep zone play...well, Fant and Hockenson are going to kill you and keep the chains moving.

I think the blueprint for the offense was there last year...we just weren't ready to execute it consistently. Like I said...I'm excited to see this offense develop. I think BF is the right guy...he just didn't have enough players to execute the vision.

I actually don't disagree with you on several things, WOTC. I guess I am just way more guarded in believing kirk is going to unleash brian and look the other way and allow him to "just go for it." I hope you're right.