MelroseHawkins
Well-Known Member
1) Do not underestimate two areas of the Iowa f-ball team that will have an impact on the success of the 2010 season.
a) Ryan Donohue - With a stout D & prob the best D-line in the nation, one cannot put a price on a punter that can change field position & knock kicks within the 10 yrd line as Donohue & his teammates covering those punts. Iowa's Donohue & D can control the line of scrimmage which can give Iowa a field goal here & there which is so important to Iowa in close games. Deadly weapon.
b) Success of O-line - Yes, it's obvious that an outstanding season balances on the success of the O-line, but the point I want to make is not to overlook that this young O-line gets to practice against maybe the nations best D-line on a daily basis. That will be huge in an excellerated development which many teams don't have as a luxery.
2) Iowa is really seeing the dividends of hiring coach Erik Cambell - In years back, Iowa was never known as being a strong team with regards to the WR position & more importantly depth at this position. Iowa had players that were "serviceable" at WR but not many that would really scare another team. With coach Cambell, Iowa has really seen great development at this skills position along with some quality depth. He has shown he can take a raw talent in Marvin McNutt & mold him into this position. This will pay dividends down the road with recruiting WR's at Iowa & should be fun to watch.
3) Depth of Whole Iowa Team - This has been a nice development over the past 5 or so years. Iowa got caught with lack of depth in the 2005 season (especially at d-back) & ended under expectations. The coaches have done a good job of developing depth, especially in the CB's & safeties. They haven't just developed depth but quality depth with players getting experience. More young players are getting game experience. This has really helped in transitioning from year-to-year.
4) Coaching changes in the Big10 - The Big10 didn't have any coaching changes prior to the start of the 2010 season. The start of the 2011 season could be interesting with the possibility of up to 4 coaching changes taking place: Ron Zook (If Illini is willing to eat the $) - Tim Brewster - Rich Rodriquez (Michigan will not put up with a mediocre year) - & unfortunately Bill Lynch (A nice guy & he really doesn't have a prayer with what he has to work with).
5) Dave Revsine - He does a really good job at the Big10 network. I have always been impressed with him as he seems down-to-earth & a legitimately nice guy. He doesn't go to the extreme of either side with his thoughts or information.
On a side note, I think Brad Nesserly & Sean McDonough are two of the better play-by-play guys in the business. I like Griese thrown into the mix as well.
6) Brandon Wehger - I realize I shouldn't comment on this & this is the 1st & only comment I will make. I was on vacation when this circus happened & have honored Jon's request not to comment or start a thread. So please don't ban me Jon. Support this young man as I am sure it is tough to decide what he wants.
Let me preface my statement with that I don't know anything or have any facts about the Wehger situation so don't run with anything & create rumors. The point I want to make is that none of us knows what is really going on (besides his coaches & teammates), so we should let him have his space. We don't know, it could be some sort of health problem that is not disclosed or other situation. I guess it makes me wonder when going back to the Iowa - OSU game last year when he warmed up & something came on abruptly. It makes me wonder if there is some kind of naggy health issue he has to deal. KF has always honored his players privacy (see Brian B. last year) sec to health problems. Everybody nails KF for being so hush hush all the time, but in actuality, he is only doing what is respectful & correct. Again, this is just pure speculation but makes me wonder. Again, support the young man & let him have his space.
7) Brett Bieliema - Has seemed to ridden the waves at Wisky & building a solid program. Has solidified his place as an up-&-coming coach in the college f-ball ranks. Hayden Fry's coaches have done an outstanding job over the years & all should be proud who are affiliated as teams, coaches or fans. It will be interesting to watch the success of Scott Tolzien this year. He put up some nice #'s last year & is really coming into his own as a solid Big10 QB. He & Stanzi have some similarities as do Wisky & Iowa in general. It will be interesting how he succeeds if a team is able to stop Wisky's run. Hopefully, Iowa can get some pressure on him from its front four. More than likely Wisky will get its running yrds, the key is not to let Tolzien beat you when he has to.
8) Starting out Fast - Iowa really needs to start out fast by putting a good whooping on E Illinois. They cannot play down to the level of teams anymore & need to set the precedence, especially with lower rated teams. This is more important this year than any other. Iowa has not had a good blow-out win in its first game for many years now. Iowa vs Montana was too close & I believe there hasn't been a "blow-out" since a year prior to the Montana game. Long gone are the days when Hayden's team would blow-out its first competitor 62 - 10.
Well, that's all for now. Feel free to comment.
a) Ryan Donohue - With a stout D & prob the best D-line in the nation, one cannot put a price on a punter that can change field position & knock kicks within the 10 yrd line as Donohue & his teammates covering those punts. Iowa's Donohue & D can control the line of scrimmage which can give Iowa a field goal here & there which is so important to Iowa in close games. Deadly weapon.
b) Success of O-line - Yes, it's obvious that an outstanding season balances on the success of the O-line, but the point I want to make is not to overlook that this young O-line gets to practice against maybe the nations best D-line on a daily basis. That will be huge in an excellerated development which many teams don't have as a luxery.
2) Iowa is really seeing the dividends of hiring coach Erik Cambell - In years back, Iowa was never known as being a strong team with regards to the WR position & more importantly depth at this position. Iowa had players that were "serviceable" at WR but not many that would really scare another team. With coach Cambell, Iowa has really seen great development at this skills position along with some quality depth. He has shown he can take a raw talent in Marvin McNutt & mold him into this position. This will pay dividends down the road with recruiting WR's at Iowa & should be fun to watch.
3) Depth of Whole Iowa Team - This has been a nice development over the past 5 or so years. Iowa got caught with lack of depth in the 2005 season (especially at d-back) & ended under expectations. The coaches have done a good job of developing depth, especially in the CB's & safeties. They haven't just developed depth but quality depth with players getting experience. More young players are getting game experience. This has really helped in transitioning from year-to-year.
4) Coaching changes in the Big10 - The Big10 didn't have any coaching changes prior to the start of the 2010 season. The start of the 2011 season could be interesting with the possibility of up to 4 coaching changes taking place: Ron Zook (If Illini is willing to eat the $) - Tim Brewster - Rich Rodriquez (Michigan will not put up with a mediocre year) - & unfortunately Bill Lynch (A nice guy & he really doesn't have a prayer with what he has to work with).
5) Dave Revsine - He does a really good job at the Big10 network. I have always been impressed with him as he seems down-to-earth & a legitimately nice guy. He doesn't go to the extreme of either side with his thoughts or information.
On a side note, I think Brad Nesserly & Sean McDonough are two of the better play-by-play guys in the business. I like Griese thrown into the mix as well.
6) Brandon Wehger - I realize I shouldn't comment on this & this is the 1st & only comment I will make. I was on vacation when this circus happened & have honored Jon's request not to comment or start a thread. So please don't ban me Jon. Support this young man as I am sure it is tough to decide what he wants.
Let me preface my statement with that I don't know anything or have any facts about the Wehger situation so don't run with anything & create rumors. The point I want to make is that none of us knows what is really going on (besides his coaches & teammates), so we should let him have his space. We don't know, it could be some sort of health problem that is not disclosed or other situation. I guess it makes me wonder when going back to the Iowa - OSU game last year when he warmed up & something came on abruptly. It makes me wonder if there is some kind of naggy health issue he has to deal. KF has always honored his players privacy (see Brian B. last year) sec to health problems. Everybody nails KF for being so hush hush all the time, but in actuality, he is only doing what is respectful & correct. Again, this is just pure speculation but makes me wonder. Again, support the young man & let him have his space.
7) Brett Bieliema - Has seemed to ridden the waves at Wisky & building a solid program. Has solidified his place as an up-&-coming coach in the college f-ball ranks. Hayden Fry's coaches have done an outstanding job over the years & all should be proud who are affiliated as teams, coaches or fans. It will be interesting to watch the success of Scott Tolzien this year. He put up some nice #'s last year & is really coming into his own as a solid Big10 QB. He & Stanzi have some similarities as do Wisky & Iowa in general. It will be interesting how he succeeds if a team is able to stop Wisky's run. Hopefully, Iowa can get some pressure on him from its front four. More than likely Wisky will get its running yrds, the key is not to let Tolzien beat you when he has to.
8) Starting out Fast - Iowa really needs to start out fast by putting a good whooping on E Illinois. They cannot play down to the level of teams anymore & need to set the precedence, especially with lower rated teams. This is more important this year than any other. Iowa has not had a good blow-out win in its first game for many years now. Iowa vs Montana was too close & I believe there hasn't been a "blow-out" since a year prior to the Montana game. Long gone are the days when Hayden's team would blow-out its first competitor 62 - 10.
Well, that's all for now. Feel free to comment.
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