Position by Position Look Ahead

[CJSHawk]

Wadley and Parker- the 2 FR RB worked a ton on punt and kick returns this year. I am told the coaches really like Watley a lot. has some wiggle and he is fast.

Wiggle and Fast......Those are two words we haven't been able to use to describe an Iowa RB or WR in awhile!

 

[WinOneThisCentury]

Based on the bowl practice photos I've seen he's still practicing at LB.

I think they plan on playing him at LB next year. My thoughts though are that he ends his career as a DE. He's 17 years old and he came to Iowa a legitimate 225, with a large frame. The kid still has a growth spurt in him and when he gets the Doyle program, with the nutrition, I have to think he comes into Fall camp 15-20lbs heavier. It's not out of the question he could be 255 lbs by the time he graduates.

We need lbs, so I hope he earns the nod there, but his future may be as a DE.

 

[hawkinn3]

Everyone has to get better this offseason, the bowl prep should help. I am most interested to see our passing game evolve. Jake knows the playbook so its time to let him have at it. And for the love of god, I want drops to be a rare sight in 2014.

 

[dave3912]

"I don't understand why people keep assuming Powell would be some dynamite kick returner. He didnt return kicks at Juco, and he won't return kicks here. It takes more than just speed to be a good returner. Canzeri would be the favorite to return kicks next year, IMO."

I agree, Canzeri would be my choice to return kicks too. Powell is blazing fast, but at least for now, he's maybe 160lbs. I think he'd get crushed and I haven't seen enough of him to know whether he's sure handed. A good off season with Doyle and I think next year his speed will be more of a weapon.

I am pretty sure OU's KR, PR and best WR is only 157 pounds.

 

[Tkingpin]

Mike Hardy isn't getting any respect, here, and he deserves some. When he came in for Dom, I thought he played VERY well. In a perfect world, that DE can play the run as well as become a pass-rushing monster. Well, one thing that people are forgetting is how many dual threat QBs that we play in the conference (and OOC, for that matter). The DE absolutely MUST set the edge and contain those QBs from getting outside. Also, they cannot Race upfield so fast that they create another lane for the QB to get through that new open lane.

Nate Meier was guilty of that a few times this year. Mike Hardy did a terrific job of both setting that edge and keeping his lane plugged up during the pass rush.

If every offense we faced were a pure drop-back passing offense, then you would definitely want that speed rusher off the edge, but I think we face more running QBs than we do pure passers these days. With the exception of a couple of runs by Braxton Miller, I think the Defensive line did a terrific job keeping those dangerous running QBs in the pocket and forcing them to actually complete passes to beat us. More often than not, they didn't.

Now, when it is 3rd and long, I really do like that Raider formation and I am all for bringing in a pass-rushing specialist. It is something we have needed for a long time, IMHO, and I think it is working beautifully.

 

[bigjim]

I don't understand why people keep assuming Powell would be some dynamite kick returner. He didnt return kicks at Juco, and he won't return kicks here. It takes more than just speed to be a good returner. Canzeri would be the favorite to return kicks next year, IMO.

I agree I would love to see Canzeri get the chance to return a few