Reality check: Iowa's quarterback situation

[BigD]

MSN

 

[BigD]

I would hope for a dual threat type of QB, but if neither one of them can throw the pigskin then my vote goes to the one that is the most fleet of foot. If the offensive line is really that good the an elusive QB should be able to run the ball with some success.

 

[longtimer]

I would hope for a dual threat type of QB, but if neither one of them can throw the pigskin then my vote goes to the one that is the most fleet of foot. If the offensive line is really that good the an elusive QB should be able to run the ball with some success.

By all reports of the internet “experts” we have a very good OL. Good and deep at RB. Maybe the deepest potential at Wr in awhile as usual good TEs. Some holes in DL and youth at LB but some good potential at a number of Defensive positions with a great Defensive Coordinator. AND the worst QBs in the Big Ten. Maybe the freshman QB will break out? When has that happened at Iowa

 

[NorthKCHawk]

This should be every Iowa fans biggest concern. The most inexperienced and important position on the field for Iowa are one and the same.

That said, there seems to be a healthy bromance between the fans on this Board and Lester as the OC. Lester's calling card is being a QB whisperer. While consensus is always best for the coaches, the decision on which QB plays should be Lesters. I think Heck provides more upside and playmaking with his feet and arm, but Hank is the more traditional, safe, conservative KF choice at QB. I believe in Lester to get the most of the QB position. Both of these guys had good offers coming out of high school, and both have been in the system for 2 years now. They don't have to be great, but pretty good would be nice.

 

[haydensly]

By all reports of the internet “experts” we have a very good OL. Good and deep at RB. Maybe the deepest potential at Wr in awhile as usual good TEs. Some holes in DL and youth at LB but some good potential at a number of Defensive positions with a great Defensive Coordinator. AND the worst QBs in the Big Ten. Maybe the freshman QB will break out? When has that happened at Iowa

Based on what? Neither QB has had enough extended play to judge them as "worst". We just don't know yet. I happen to have faith in Lester to bring at least some competence to the position. And the fact that we did not bring in a transfer tells me that there is confidence among Lester, KF and the staff that one of these guys will be serviceable if not better. I don't think it happens overnight but by season's end it will show.

 

[NorthKCHawk]

A good running game and talented TEs are a rookie QBs best friends. Iowa should have both. Its obviously not hard to hand the ball off, and throwing to TEs generally presents an easier read and throw than pushing the ball outside and downfield to WRs. I trust Lester to keep the offensive manageable for whichever QB plays so they have time to grow into the position. I would not expect the WRs to be a huge part of the game at first.

 

[Fryowa]

A good running game and talented TEs are a rookie QBs best friends. Iowa should have both. Its obviously not hard to hand the ball off, and throwing to TEs generally presents an easier read and throw than pushing the ball outside and downfield to WRs. I trust Lester to keep the offensive manageable for whichever QB plays so they have time to grow into the position. I would not expect the WRs to be a huge part of the game at first.

The problem is even Tim Lester can't out Deacon Hill a Deacon Hill. I know the Pillsbury Throwboy wasn't Lester's pick and these two guys are, but QB competency is the absolute #1 most critical ingredient in the success cake. Being as Iowa doesn't have a blue blood mix of WRs and RBs, it's coming down to Hammerin' Hank and Jeremy Hell-Yeahski, both of whom we know zero about in any way, shape or form. This season has a equal chance of ending 3-9, 6-6, or 10-2.

Of the three choices presented above, I'm choosing 6-6 because it's in the middle and closest to all possible choices.

 

[trj]

I’m leaning hard toward the 2027 season. I think 2026 is the year you develop whoever wins the starting job. IMO, this is a 9-3/8-4 year with your eye on 2027.

 

[trj]

The problem is even Tim Lester can't out Deacon Hill a Deacon Hill. I know the Pillsbury Throwboy wasn't Lester's pick and these two guys are, but QB competency is the absolute #1 most critical ingredient in the success cake. Being as Iowa doesn't have a blue blood mix of WRs and RBs, it's coming down to Hammerin' Hank and Jeremy Hell-Yeahski, both of whom we know zero about in any way, shape or form. This season has a equal chance of ending 3-9, 6-6, or 10-2.

Of the three choices presented above, I'm choosing 6-6 because it's in the middle and closest to all possible choices.

Given how the schedule sets up, it screams 9-3/8-4.

 

[BuiltLikeWilt]

The problem is even Tim Lester can't out Deacon Hill a Deacon Hill. I know the Pillsbury Throwboy wasn't Lester's pick and these two guys are, but QB competency is the absolute #1 most critical ingredient in the success cake. Being as Iowa doesn't have a blue blood mix of WRs and RBs, it's coming down to Hammerin' Hank and Jeremy Hell-Yeahski, both of whom we know zero about in any way, shape or form. This season has a equal chance of ending 3-9, 6-6, or 10-2.

Of the three choices presented above, I'm choosing 6-6 because it's in the middle and closest to all possible choices.

I'm going 7-5 with a rough start and come on strong late ...like we always do

 

[NorthKCHawk]

The problem is even Tim Lester can't out Deacon Hill a Deacon Hill. I know the Pillsbury Throwboy wasn't Lester's pick and these two guys are, but QB competency is the absolute #1 most critical ingredient in the success cake. Being as Iowa doesn't have a blue blood mix of WRs and RBs, it's coming down to Hammerin' Hank and Jeremy Hell-Yeahski, both of whom we know zero about in any way, shape or form. This season has a equal chance of ending 3-9, 6-6, or 10-2.

Of the three choices presented above, I'm choosing 6-6 because it's in the middle and closest to all possible choices.

I don't know that our RB room is "blue blood" but its damn good. That room is deep and while we may not have a Akrum Wadley in the group, we have a lot of talented RBs to throw at a defense. Lock in for a lot of stretch plays this season. We gonna run the ball or die trying.

I agree that Lester is not a miracle worker, and Andy Reid wouldn't have turned The Deacon into a serviceable DI QB. Lester picked both QBs in the hunt, and both were decent prospects coming out of high school. Both have been in the system going on two years now. Odds are decent one of them steps up and thrives under Lester's system and tutelage. We don't even need thrive. We just need Nate Stanley level competence. Move the chains some, make a play here and there, protect the ball, and rely upon the team as a whole to carry the bacon.

 

[trj]

I don't know that our RB room is "blue blood" but its damn good. That room is deep and while we may not have a Akrum Wadley in the group, we have a lot of talented RBs to throw at a defense. Lock in for a lot of stretch plays this season. We gonna run the ball or die trying.

I agree that Lester is not a miracle worker, and Andy Reid wouldn't have turned The Deacon into a serviceable DI QB. Lester picked both QBs in the hunt, and both were decent prospects coming out of high school. Both have been in the system going on two years now. Odds are decent one of them steps up and thrives under Lester's system and tutelage. We don't even need thrive. We just need Nate Stanley level competence. Move the chains some, make a play here and there, protect the ball, and rely upon the team as a whole to carry the bacon.

Moulton left a lot of yardage on the table. You are hoping those 10 yard runs become 20 and 30. Lester has stated publicly that Moulton needs to grab the hidden yardage that is there. If he can’t do it…plenty of dudes in that runningback room that can.

 

[HuckFinn]

This should be every Iowa fans biggest concern. The most inexperienced and important position on the field for Iowa are one and the same.

That said, there seems to be a healthy bromance between the fans on this Board and Lester as the OC. Lester's calling card is being a QB whisperer. While consensus is always best for the coaches, the decision on which QB plays should be Lesters. I think Heck provides more upside and playmaking with his feet and arm, but Hank is the more traditional, safe, conservative KF choice at QB. I believe in Lester to get the most of the QB position. Both of these guys had good offers coming out of high school, and both have been in the system for 2 years now. They don't have to be great, but pretty good would be nice.

I like your post. The biggest takeaway for me on the QB discussion is that the coaching staff decided to stay in house. They know what a solid QB looks like and ignored the transfer portal in response. Then they landed a 4-5**** dude for down the road. Also return a couple of guys with a year under their belts to back up the two favorites. Sure makes sense. Lots of teams will start the season with an untested QB. So it goes, says Kurt Vonnegut.

 

[ChosenChildren]

MSN

Wow. Not that worried about our quarterbacks. I'm more worried about our wide receivers. With our stout offensive line, the QBs will make the throws if the WRs are open.

If, like last year, the WRs are rarely open, you will be seeing a lot of throws to the TEs and QB runs, just like last year.

Maybe Diaz and Howard will break out.

 

[NorthKCHawk]

Wow. Not that worried about our quarterbacks. I'm more worried about our wide receivers. With our stout offensive line, the QBs will make the throws if the WRs are open.

If, like last year, the WRs are rarely open, you will be seeing a lot of throws to the TEs and QB runs, just like last year.

Maybe Diaz and Howard will break out.

I would not be counting on a huge break out season for our WR corp, but that said, Lester has preached that he wants to be more balanced. We don't have a tank back there at QB this season, so I have to believe the Hawks will attack down field through the air more than we have seen in a while.

 

[Gander Hawk]

I don't know that our RB room is "blue blood" but its damn good. That room is deep and while we may not have a Akrum Wadley in the group, we have a lot of talented RBs to throw at a defense. Lock in for a lot of stretch plays this season. We gonna run the ball or die trying.

I agree that Lester is not a miracle worker, and Andy Reid wouldn't have turned The Deacon into a serviceable DI QB. Lester picked both QBs in the hunt, and both were decent prospects coming out of high school. Both have been in the system going on two years now. Odds are decent one of them steps up and thrives under Lester's system and tutelage. We don't even need thrive. We just need Nate Stanley level competence. Move the chains some, make a play here and there, protect the ball, and rely upon the team as a whole to carry the bacon.

I'd be thrilled to see one of the new QBs play at a Nate Stanley level.

 

[BigD]

Wow. Not that worried about our quarterbacks. I'm more worried about our wide receivers. With our stout offensive line, the QBs will make the throws if the WRs are open.

If, like last year, the WRs are rarely open, you will be seeing a lot of throws to the TEs and QB runs, just like last year.

Maybe Diaz and Howard will break out.

I totally understand where you are coming from. History avails itself to what your concerns are. I do have a lot of faith in Lester over what we have had at the OC position for a long, long time. I hope that by the time the Lester era is over we will look back and say he was among one of the best OC's we had at Iowa.

 

[BigD]

I would not be counting on a huge break out season for our WR corp, but that said, Lester has preached that he wants to be more balanced. We don't have a tank back there at QB this season, so I have to believe the Hawks will attack down field through the air more than we have seen in a while.

I hope so as that could cut down on those Saturday naps that start half way through the second quarter and end halfway through the forth quarter.

I got some of my best sleep while Brian was the offensive coordinator.

 

[BigD]

By all reports of the internet “experts” we have a very good OL. Good and deep at RB. Maybe the deepest potential at Wr in awhile as usual good TEs. Some holes in DL and youth at LB but some good potential at a number of Defensive positions with a great Defensive Coordinator. AND the worst QBs in the Big Ten. Maybe the freshman QB will break out? When has that happened at Iowa

I don't know if I would judge them as being the worst QB's as they have played so little. I think a better choice of word's would be to say they may be among the least experienced in the Big Ten at this point in their careers. Lester has coached at both levels, college and pro, and if he went out and got these guys then they must have something going for them.

 

[HuckFinn]

What is the deal here? We have outstanding, proven receivers in Vanderzee and a stable of tight ends likely better than any team in the BT. We have great competition in the receiver room. In the meantime, worry about who can throw the ball to them.