Playmakers....

[tm3308]

I don't get the love for Canzeri. I'm not saying he wouldn't have success, but some people seem to think he's some kind of superstar that KF is wasting on the bench, for no other reason than he didn't die when he played against Oklahoma. He ran for 58 yards and averaged 2.6 ypc.

 

[tm3308]

There is a legit and long history not to trust the head coach's personnel decisions. It is well documented. Everyone can forgive a few but there have been a number across the years and they have cost this program.

If lowdermilk is one of the 4 best then he plays but why not get both guys Law and him on the field when both are better than miller?

As far as Lowrey it was his first game and there is a learning curve but I will state this that if he does not produce go to the next guy. Same with every position and I do not care if the guy is an upper classman, 4 star player or starter the year before. I am a firm believer in competition at all positions and that you have to produce on game day.

When a program is on a 7 game losing streak, disappointing seasons and there are long term starters who have been a part of that each needs to have real competition and likely replacement.

What is the motivation for KF? He has an IRON CLAD deal.... Even if he never wins another game.

It was Lomax's first game, not Lowery's. And yes, Lomax got burned on the one TD. He was also glued to his man for the rest of the day and broke up at least a couple passes (and he had excellent coverage on a perfect pass that was dropped). He's going to be a good one, IMO.

 

[SpecialKHawk]

It was Lomax's first game, not Lowery's. And yes, Lomax got burned on the one TD. He was also glued to his man for the rest of the day and broke up at least a couple passes (and he had excellent coverage on a perfect pass that was dropped). He's going to be a good one, IMO.

Correct I mis-typed as I was speaking of Lomax. My point play your best 22 and create accountability and competition that makes everyone better. It's very selective ... Favorites start forever regardless of on the field performance and we keep on losing and disappointing.... but it's all the play calling to some despite having two different coordinators. Can never be we play faulty personnel in spots.

 

[NCHawker]

oh for crying out loud people. If bullock is playing WR it is because the formatioin called for him to be split wide (flanker). It's not about a position change but what they are calling. And the situation dictates that. For all I know he WAS split wide a few times yesterday - can't tell on TV.

 

[SheagleHawk]

Bullock and Rudock handled themselves fine yesterday.

We've been told Loudermilk plays because Law gets caught out of position from time to time. Hmmmm....

Rudock didn't well considering, but Bullock doesn't see the field on a good team. As others have pointed out he breaks very very few tackles and makes the wrong read often. He killed a couple series by trying to bounce outside instead of taking the 3 yds and 1st down given to him. Too much dancing and does not hit the hole fast or hard. Lots of yds left out there yesterday. And that dropped screen just can't happen. That was terrible.

 

[tm3308]

Correct I mis-typed as I was speaking of Lomax. My point play your best 22 and create accountability and competition that makes everyone better. It's very selective ... Favorites start forever regardless of on the field performance and we keep on losing and disappointing.... but it's all the play calling to some despite having two different coordinators. Can never be we play faulty personnel in spots.

I don't think Lomax is "faulty personnel". He is, IMO, going to be the next great corner for us. Lowery is good, but he's been overrated by many, IMO. Still good, but he's not lockdown like Spievey, Godfrey, etc. Lomax has that potential, I think, and he demonstrated that by completely shutting his man down after giving up the early score.

 

[SpecialKHawk]

I don't think Lomax is "faulty personnel". He is, IMO, going to be the next great corner for us. Lowery is good, but he's been overrated by many, IMO. Still good, but he's not lockdown like Spievey, Godfrey, etc. Lomax has that potential, I think, and he demonstrated that by completely shutting his man down after giving up the early score.

I just said it was Lomax's first meaningful game.

My comment on faulty personnel is there are a few guys on both sides of the ball that have been making a lot of mistakes and may not be capable of playing at this level. They have been starting multiple years so it is a trend and there seems to be no accountability for them like there is others.

I think it is worth giving some other guys a look. I am sorry but if you do not want to lose playing time then you had better produce. We have lost 7 in a row several to MAC teams, BAD B1G schools and 2 in a row to our in state rival. It cannot get any worse so every position should be open for competition until I find the best 22. No entitlement or favorites. Losing has to have a consequence or it will continue forever.

 

[HawkeyeWalker]

I don't get the love for Canzeri. I'm not saying he wouldn't have success, but some people seem to think he's some kind of superstar that KF is wasting on the bench, for no other reason than he didn't die when he played against Oklahoma. He ran for 58 yards and averaged 2.6 ypc.

Because we lost. And also, as you know, KF never plays the playmakers.

I hope Canzeri can contribute, but there is literally Zero evidence that he us the best option. We know he's fast, that's about it.

Again, we lost another close game, in a gut wrenching way, to a team that may or not be good, so second guessing is standard procedure

 

[SpecialKHawk]

Because we lost. And also, as you know, KF never plays the playmakers.

I hope Canzeri can contribute, but there is literally Zero evidence that he us the best option. We know he's fast, that's about it.

Again, we lost another close game, in a gut wrenching way, to a team that may or not be good, so second guessing is standard procedure

I am not talking about using Canzeri as a hammer back. That is not his skill set. What I am talking about is getting him on the field to give us another guy to attack the edges and flats. I want combinations of our playmakers on the field at all times; Powell, Cotton, Smith, Canzeri.

For Canzeri I am putting him in the slot at times and running the jet sweep as we give the stretch look in the opposite direction. I am putting him in the backfield for the screen game and to dump the ball out of the backfield. Again get him in space.

If you put enough of these guys on the field you force the defense to account for them and possibly draw an additional safety, etc. Then your TE's can work the seam and KMM the underneath routes. You still have the hammer threat at times as well.

I want to pressure the opponent with our personnel and possibilities. You cannot do that with them on the sideline.

If we bust 4 big plays a game that could lead to 28 pts by itself.

 

[ICHawk24]

oh for crying out loud people. If bullock is playing WR it is because the formatioin called for him to be split wide (flanker). It's not about a position change but what they are calling. And the situation dictates that. For all I know he WAS split wide a few times yesterday - can't tell on TV.

Bullock lined up a number of times split wide with a slot back on his side. A number of times they'd come out in an I-formation with Bullock at RB and Weisman at FB. Next play, Weisman lone RB with Bullock split wide in a 3 WR set.

 

[ICHawk24]

I don't get the love for Canzeri. I'm not saying he wouldn't have success, but some people seem to think he's some kind of superstar that KF is wasting on the bench, for no other reason than he didn't die when he played against Oklahoma. He ran for 58 yards and averaged 2.6 ypc.

Agreed. Coming into the year, Canzeri has 41 career touches, 37 from the line of scrimmage. He has averaged 3.7 ypc on 31 rushes and 4.7 ypr on 6 catches. 4 KR for 19.5 per. He may be something, but I don't know why you would clamor for him over Bullock at this point.

Jordan Canzeri Bio - Iowa Official Athletic Site

 

[bitmap]

...300 yds in the 1st half with these players and 24 pts yet then in the second half they can't do it anymore...come on that change happened because of playing too cute. 3rd and 1 passes are over thinking the situation. GD thought he was smarter than the niu staff when he didn't need to be smart he just needed to stick with what was working.

This.
.
Does it matter if they know you are going to run the ball when they can't stop it?

Balance doesn't win games, points win games. Play calling for balance's sake is just plain dumb. Knowing when to run and when to throw is the key.

I wonder if GD was even aware of how much time the defense was on the field in the 2nd half? The best defense against NIU is to keep the ball out of Lynch's hands. The first half was outstanding. We threw the ball when it made sense to and we ran it down their throats. We owned time of possession and the scoring reflected it.

When they consistently stop us then think about changing but not when we own them. And changing may just mean upping the tempo, adding a 4th RB to the rotation and just be merciless keeping the hammer down.

 

[HaydensHawk]

Agreed. Coming into the year, Canzeri has 41 career touches, 37 from the line of scrimmage. He has averaged 3.7 ypc on 31 rushes and 4.7 ypr on 6 catches. 4 KR for 19.5 per. He may be something, but I don't know why you would clamor for him over Bullock at this point.

Jordan Canzeri Bio - Iowa Official Athletic Site

That is the problem right there. People get caught up in stats, kind of like the ones Ferentz writes down on his little Steno pad. Canzeri is not going to be a 30 carry per game type of back. He should get the ball 10-15 times per game and he will likely break a couple of long runs. Powell should get 5-7 touches per game and you will see a big play or two. Remember Bob Sanders? He wasn't the best cover guy and not even the smartest safety, but he made big plays and people feared what he can do.

Big plays in football are very important, without big plays, NIU would have gotten beat handily. We had better players on both sides of the ball, but they made big plays and won.

 

[SpecialKHawk]

That is the problem right there. People get caught up in stats, kind of like the ones Ferentz writes down on his little Steno pad. Canzeri is not going to be a 30 carry per game type of back. He should get the ball 10-15 times per game and he will likely break a couple of long runs. Powell should get 5-7 touches per game and you will see a big play or two. Remember Bob Sanders? He wasn't the best cover guy and not even the smartest safety, but he made big plays and people feared what he can do.

Big plays in football are very important, without big plays, NIU would have gotten beat handily. We had better players on both sides of the ball, but they made big plays and won.

Good post.

 

[ThunderHawk]

GD Greg Davis - (Vince Young + Colt McCoy) = Fired by Texas

 

[tm3308]

That is the problem right there. People get caught up in stats, kind of like the ones Ferentz writes down on his little Steno pad. Canzeri is not going to be a 30 carry per game type of back. He should get the ball 10-15 times per game and he will likely break a couple of long runs. Powell should get 5-7 touches per game and you will see a big play or two. Remember Bob Sanders? He wasn't the best cover guy and not even the smartest safety, but he made big plays and people feared what he can do.

Big plays in football are very important, without big plays, NIU would have gotten beat handily. We had better players on both sides of the ball, but they made big plays and won.

1. Canzeri hasn't shown any big play ability thus far. His longest touch from scrimmage is 15 yards. His low YPC numbers should also tell you that he hasn't busted any big plays (he doesn't have a ton of touches, so any big play would skew his numbers).

2. Nico Law is not Bob Sanders. On that point, there can be no further (rational) discussion. So let's stop pretending KF is wasting the next Hitman.

 

[HawkeyeDenis]

I don't think Canzeri is much of anything. Powell needs to play though.


You're dreaming about Law, Kirk likes white safeties.

Bad line. Stinks of racism on your part. Bob Sanders. Comes to mind. Great safety. Color doesn't make a difference. Heart and skill do.

 

[homes]

Bullock and Rudock handled themselves fine yesterday.

We've been told Loudermilk plays because Law gets caught out of position from time to time. Hmmmm....

It must be "time and time again" for Law, because Loudermilk has the "from time to time" thing already covered (unlike the free running NIU WRs).

 

[HaydensHawk]

1. Canzeri hasn't shown any big play ability thus far. His longest touch from scrimmage is 15 yards. His low YPC numbers should also tell you that he hasn't busted any big plays (he doesn't have a ton of touches, so any big play would skew his numbers).

2. Nico Law is not Bob Sanders. On that point, there can be no further (rational) discussion. So let's stop pretending KF is wasting the next Hitman.

My reference to Bob Sanders was demonstrating the importance of playmakers. I did not compare Law with Sanders ever.

My point is this, Lowdermilk is likely the safe choice. He stays in position, doesn't make a whole lot of mistakes, etc.... He isn't a chance taker and will never be a guy that makes plays. I don't know a lot about Law, but my guess is that he takes chances, goes for the big hits and gets caught occasionally. Ferentz likes the first guy but I'll take the second. I don't want a bunch of guys out thinking so much, I want guys that are willing to take a shot and play football.

Think about that last interception of Rudock. If that corner miss times his jump on the ball, we likely have a long play that puts us into field goal range.. He took the chance to jump that pass and it paid off.

That said, there are times to take a risk and to not. The 3rd and 1 call was not one of those times.

 

[tm3308]

My reference to Bob Sanders was demonstrating the importance of playmakers. I did not compare Law with Sanders ever.

My point is this, Lowdermilk is likely the safe choice. He stays in position, doesn't make a whole lot of mistakes, etc.... He isn't a chance taker and will never be a guy that makes plays. I don't know a lot about Law, but my guess is that he takes chances, goes for the big hits and gets caught occasionally. Ferentz likes the first guy but I'll take the second. I don't want a bunch of guys out thinking so much, I want guys that are willing to take a shot and play football.

Think about that last interception of Rudock. If that corner miss times his jump on the ball, we likely have a long play that puts us into field goal range.. He took the chance to jump that pass and it paid off.

That said, there are times to take a risk and to not. The 3rd and 1 call was not one of those times.

But then based on your next paragraph, I seem to have correctly assumed that was an inference to Law. Sanders got caught out of position from time to time, yes. Law screwed up quite a bit last year, and he wasn't making plays like Sanders did. Another thing to consider is that when Sanders was left to make plays, he had guys like Pagel, Considine, Johnson and Allen to help cover up his mistakes in coverage. We don't have that luxury right now, and so mistakes are a lot more glaring. Realizing that, I'd prefer the guy who makes fewer mistakes.