RB Depth Chart for 2011

[remohawk]

One factor that folks aren't accounting for is that Coe played on a pretty mediocre team. However, on the flip side, at least his team was schematically similar to Iowa. Thus, if the similarities are as close as he's suggested, the transition scheme-wise might be easier for him to get used to.

Another thing is that Coe is physically mature enough that it shouldn't be too overwhelming for him to step up and handle the blocking responsibilities of the job. Furthermore, consider that Coe has pretty nice ball skills, so he could prove to be a threat when it comes to catching the ball out of the backfield.

This is what I think is important, the one thing I keep hearing about this guy is that he is very good catching the ball out of the backfield. The possibility here is that he might be a bigger, stronger, and slightly faster version of Arob and if he can manage to pick up blocking schemes it could be like having a 6th lineman out there helping out. I for one am excited about this kid. Hes got potential to be very good no matter where he ends up but if he stays at RB he'll be pretty freaking good.

 

[DexterMorgan]

Coe is a great athlete and many of the "not to good" type comments are really over the top. He would be a great smash mouth back. He may be a great DE. Let's see how it plays out

JC

I don't think anyone has said that.

 

[dmShortSaledude]

The RB tandem will be Coeker

Nice Mac. I agree Coker & Coe will be an incredible 1-2 punch that not many teams will be able to handle moving at full speed behind the best o-line in the Big Ten. A third RB would be a nice touch to mix it up. That would be either one of Johnson, McCall or Canzeri.

Although, if Coe is as good as they say on the defensive side of the ball, we could use him there quickly and frequently.

 

[Foval21]

Watch the tape of Coe and you see a lot of direct snaps...Last I've checked that doesn't happen in the Iowa system. Also few high school teams can teach the one cut zone blocking scheme that Ferentz utilizes because of how much practice it takes to move as a group like that. Coe is slow with his cuts. He is an average B10 RB...He is an All-B10 LB or DE. I just don't see him keeping his weight at 250 lbs with his frame. He could prove me wrong and good for him if he does but watching the tape of McCall I see a back that will thrive in Iowa's system runs like Greene and Coker.

BTW nowhere have I read anyone say he is not good, just that we see him being better on defense.

 

[Hawksel]

I don't see why Iowa can't have different styles of backs. I think it may be true that Coe won't be a great cutback style running back, and I know that is important with Iowa's blocking scheme, but he looks to be a running back that will really punish the opposing team when he gets to the secondary. Some examples of this type of back that have recently been successful in the Big Ten have been John Clay and T.J. Duckett. In addition to Bell, Coe reminds me a bit of LaGarrette Blount from Oregon, not that he'll be that good, but he could be that type of player.

If you add that style of back to a sort of sift through the pile runner like Coker, a slasher like McCall, a low to the ground shifty runner like Johnson, and a home run hitter in Canzeri and Iowa will have a lot options, much more than they've had really since the Fred Russell and Jermelle Lewis duo in 2002.

I'd much rather have Coe try to learn a position he wants to play at than stick him at linebacker or end just because he has the measurables.

 

[DP5555]

Coach Johnson said that Coe was not pleased that he had to play LB in the Army All-American game. I realize that doesn't necessarily mean anything about his future at Iowa, however, it tells me that at this point he is focused on becoming the best RB he can be. Obviously at this point he would rather play RB. It's likely part of the reason he picked Iowa is because the program has had success with power backs and the coaches told him he could play RB here. For that reason alone he deserves a fair shot at cracking the lineup as a RB. It's rare you see a RB with his combination of size and hands. I think he will end up making Hawk fans delighted that the coaches kept him on the offensive side of the ball. If I had my choice tho I'd let him play FB and LB (like the kid from Stanford).

 

[tweeterhawk]

I would be absolutely shocked if AROB ever returns to Iowa.

I would NOT be shocked. The more silence there is on the question, the more I would tend to think it will happen. But we won't know it until the opening of pre-season camp. KF certainly is not going to say anything publicly. If A-Rob manages to get a sit-down, my guess is part of the message will be keeping his nose clean and his mouth shut.

OTOH I would not be surprised at all to read that A-Rob transfers.

 

[tweeterhawk]

No offense to the OP but you do realize that every time we think we have this figured out injuries, the turf monster, personal circumstances, etc., come along to muck it all up.

Will be very happy if we have two solid backs at the beginning of the season. As we've learned, though, two is never enough.