Random thoughts after watching the film

[tm3308]

Also, regarding McNutt: he seemed WAY more intense than I've ever seen him before. He's said several times that he's expected to be more of a vocal leader, and I think he's really embracing that role. He was chomping at the bit to get going today (not unlike what Jon described at the ISU game with DJK), and he certainly brought his A-game.

 

[bcl20]

It's so hard to take anything from this game really. For one thing, Tennessee Tech just doesn't compare to a BCS team in talent so any time Iowa looked good, it's hard to say if that matters because, quite frankly, they should. Also, the weather was clearly messing with Iowa. It seemed whenever that rain started coming down they struggled a bit.

That said, I am happy that they took care of business. I was a little concerned that with a new QB and RB starting full time for the first time, that Iowa would look a lot worse than they did yesterday.

 

[bcl20]

Also, regarding McNutt: he seemed WAY more intense than I've ever seen him before. He's said several times that he's expected to be more of a vocal leader, and I think he's really embracing that role. He was chomping at the bit to get going today (not unlike what Jon described at the ISU game with DJK), and he certainly brought his A-game.

That's cool that he said that. McNutt has a chance to go down as one of the best Hawkeyes ever, if he hasn't already, so it's cool to see that he is trying to embrace that and play like it. Hopefully he keeps it up.

 

[CAARHawk]

Lots of things to work on, which is good. Coker needs to speed things up dramatically. Looks like he is waiting to hit the home run each play. But that might be one of those coaches preaching patience things.

Don't be too worried about the QB sack misses. That QB was tiny. Big guys going full steam take longer to change direction than little guys who aren't going full steam. Give these guys some decent footing and that will change.

Alvis did look fast once he got off the ball, but he was a little slow off the snap. Needs to work on that this week.

 

[cmhawks99]

Lots of things to work on, which is good. Coker needs to speed things up dramatically. Looks like he is waiting to hit the home run each play. But that might be one of those coaches preaching patience things.

Don't be too worried about the QB sack misses. That QB was tiny. Big guys going full steam take longer to change direction than little guys who aren't going full steam. Give these guys some decent footing and that will change.

Alvis did look fast once he got off the ball, but he was a little slow off the snap. Needs to work on that this week.

　
Very true and THAT is good....

I also agree very much with the 2nd thought as well. I was very pleased with our D-line push, explosiveness and ability to shed blocks and flow back to the ball even on miss direction. We did have a couple little holes' were we sholud have been able to get to the ball, but a very good first game for them.

By the by....for a guy who is supposedly only 255, I thought Alvis looked HUGE on the field.

Question for those who watched it a couple times...I think I watched Bigach make some plays and I do remember seeing Gags, but didn't have an overall impression of him yet. Anyone else pay attention to those 2 guys....

Also any impressions on anyone else, frosh??!

Grant and Hamilton looked the part....

Chad

 

[racerhawk]

cmhawks,

Thanks for the thoughts. I agree with just about everything you said.

I also was impressed with how fit the hawks look this year. I think that may pay off...

 

[hawkdrummer1]

Coker's fumbles don't bother me. His tentative running style does.

Without mentioning McCall (oops, I just did) we do need a solid change-up guy from Coker. Whether it's Bullock, Johnson, or we have to take the redshirt off of Canzeri...we need that change up. Coker will be too easy for defenses to key on.

I realize this is a pretty broad statement...but unless another back steps up as that second guy...the loss of McCall costs us two wins this year.

 

[cmhawks99]

It's so hard to take anything from this game really. For one thing, Tennessee Tech just doesn't compare to a BCS team in talent so any time Iowa looked good, it's hard to say if that matters because, quite frankly, they should. Also, the weather was clearly messing with Iowa. It seemed whenever that rain started coming down they struggled a bit.

That said, I am happy that they took care of business. I was a little concerned that with a new QB and RB starting full time for the first time, that Iowa would look a lot worse than they did yesterday.

I mostly agree with this, though as I said above, I refreshed the score page all day while I was working car deals and most of the games appeared to be ugly like this. It was very good for Iowa to face an experienced, albeit poor team like this and I'll go so far as to say in these conditions too. It showed our metal and preparedness and our resourcefulness at the very least.

If I had to pick 4 things that stood out to me as I am watching yet again this morning.....

1. The fitness and athleticism of this team is as advertised! They are very fast and very active on defense.

2. Vandy, in terrible conditions was unflappable and threw great balls. That screen to McNutt was a misdirection play with a very quick turn and throw and it was a perfect spiral and right to his hands chest high with touch.. Very difficult throw timing wise and ability wise.

3. McNutt was explosive and playing very hard. If teams have to end up bracket covering him, it will be a huge boon for us with our TE's and Davis and that's if we don't have other Wr's step up which I believe we will.

4. The players you'd hoped would be leading the charge....Morris, Prater, McNutt, Herman, Vandy, Daniels, Binns, Hyde, etc... were all inspired and the guys you were hoping would be completely healed or ready to take the last step as their careers close, did...Daniel (very impressed with him) Bernstein (absolutely amazed by him) Nardo, Gettis....Nielsen, wow will he be a force for us this year. Bigger and faster than I remember. And then of course the youngsters, with a special mention to Kirksey and of course McCall, very unfortunate there.

Chad

 

[hawkdoctor]

The TT QB was pretty elusive so that can explain some of the misses. A dry field and a little technique improvement and we have a number of sacks. The DL looked better than I expected them too. The player rotation didn't seem to cause any problems and I think it will be a big asset for the DL. Other than Daniels, who could play in the NFL, the other players don't have that kind of talent yet so it doesn't detract from taking "stars" out.

 

[edr247]

Our vaunted defense has always had a tough time bringing down white scrambling QBs (ie, Northwestern's QBs since 2005).

Coker's tentative running game was likely due to the field conditions and the fumbles (also partly due to the weather). Seeing McCall getting injured likely also messed with his head. He needs to stay focused and stay calm, even if he makes a mistake (which he is bound to do if they are running him 25-30 times a game).

The coaches also need to break out two speed RBs who can switch up and fill in some plays.

 

[cmhawks99]

Our vaunted defense has always had a tough time bringing down white scrambling QBs (ie, Northwestern's QBs since 2005).

Coker's tentative running game was likely due to the field conditions and the fumbles (also partly due to the weather). Seeing McCall getting injured likely also messed with his head. He needs to stay focused and stay calm, even if he makes a mistake (which he is bound to do if they are running him 25-30 times a game).

The coaches also need to break out two speed RBs who can switch up and fill in some plays.

I thought this too...and on that note, He took a viscous hit low later in the game that could have easily injured him. About thigh high and knocked his legs out from under him and he landed sideways. That team did hit hard and they were fairly physical all things considered.

Quick question for those that watched the Oregon game....I didn't notice French or Ebert all game. Now as I said before I was flipping between about 8 games, but I was looking for Ebert in particular. I mention in this thread because there are a bunch of good knowledgeable football fans posting that follow recruiting and football nationwide, so I wondered if anyone was watching for him. Oregon replaced about 7 starters on D and most of their D-line yet the most recent depth chart had him 3rd string, anyone...!??! They gave up about 175 yards rushing so it's not like they couldn't have used a little help, or so it seems?!?!

Chad

 

[JHHawk]

Yes,the sun did come up today, despite the sad loss of McCall in the game yesterday. It really bothered me last nite,and still is,but as they say,next man in!

Clearly, KF will probably take the redshirt off of Canzeri now. We need depth at that position,as insurance. Hopefully Canzeri can help on KO returns,and maybe punts?

I am really hoping that both Marcus and DeAndre can shake off the cobwebs and hit their stride quickly. If so, then we will be fine.

Instead of the ''Fat Elvis'' we have ''Fast Alvis''. Dom is one of my favorites, just from the glimpse I saw last year,and he did not disappoint yesterday.
As for our defense front seven,they do look more like a track team than a football team...sorta, and that is good and bad. Good for speed,and endurance,bad for power team defense. But,as I have noted, in our schedule this year, PSU and MSU are our only pure power team opponents. We miss Wisky and OSU. We might get away with our sleek front seven and even profit from it with this schedule.

Injury is our biggest foe. The LB corp looked very good...stay healthy please!
Bernstine is a big plus for yesterday...if he slides in at safety,and Castillo holds up,at least til Lowery is healthy, our d-backfield is supertough!

Vandy is as good as I expected...and that is very good. I do think that with McCall going down,and our thin rb corp,that KOK and KF have to look at just maybe going with a modified 2004 approach..ie. more passing. It takes some stress off of our rbs,and with Vandy/Marvin/Keenan/Herman/CJ ect, as our best weapons, why not make full use of them? My theory is that we abuse our rbs by trying to run into 9 man walls way too much,resulting in our rbs getting hurt way too much. Do it the easy way,then run later in the game,and in the season.

The o-line was solid also. Pretty happy all the way around,altho some have said that Tobin struggled. When is McMillan going to be ready? Or Scherf?

Guthrie and Meyers also did well considering the rain.

No big complaints from me,outside of the injury to McCall...hang in there young man,bones heal stronger than before!