Reality check: Iowa's quarterback situation

HuckFinn said:
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.
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It's definitely the 800 pound gorilla in the room. Both of the Qb's just have gotten so little experience and so we don't have any idea what to expect from them.

This is where Hayden excelled at preparation at the QB position over Kirk. Hayden would deliberately try to run up the score against obvious inferior opponents so that come late third quarter and on into the fourth quarters he could get backup's into the game to give them game time experience. It was actually entertaining to watch the young guys come in when the game was in hand so we could see what traits and skills they have that got them recruited to a Big Ten program and to get fans excited to see their potential.
 
NorthKCHawk said:
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.
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....and I think we should hit the ground running and air it out some in the early games including ISU which is at home. No get a lead and nurse it home or worry too much about turnovers. Get them some game reps. Some success some experience early against the two cupcakes and a down ISU. Can only help them later on and get any mistakes or TO's early against teams where they can overcome them more easily. Balance is good but stretch the field a bit and be less predictable, less conservative. Why not? Coach Kirk worried about getting fired? Have fun, give us an exciting product, leave more out there, and don't be scared of mistakes or showing more as if you will surprise teams later on. Holding back has surprised some teams in the past but the passes and routes were off and we missed some hook-ups and big plays. In game is the better practice even against weaker squads. Probably most important is getting the QB's sorted out a bit sooner than protecting them more(from the mistakes).
 
Well, part of the reality check is that Iowa was nearly dead last in the FBS in passing last year. I understand what Gronowski brought to the table with his leadership and legs, but the reality is that Iowa was extremely one dimensional and Lester - for the second year in a row - could not truly run his offense.

Finally, he has two guys he picked who will have been practicing through two full training camp cycles. And apparently Lester has suggested he'll be allowed to play both of them if need be. So if one doesn't seem to quite have it in live action, there is a pretty good option ready to go.

I understand the fact that neither has much game experience. But this a pretty good situation, from the stability across the coaching staff, to the solid defense and special teams, to the overall identity of the program, to the nice talent across the o-line, TEs, RBs and WRs, to simply ask a QB to play within himself.

I get the schedule likely has a few Ls on it, but suggesting there is potentially a floor of only 3 wins seems way off base to me. This program is simply way too healthy - and frankly outright humming at this point - to think it would fall down to 3 wins.
 
I am mildly hopeful that Lester is starting to get his guys, and that those guys are learning his system before being thrown into game situations. Gronowski was a pretty special player for Iowa as the year progressed, but he was injured, missed practice time, and wasn't very good early in the year last year. He really was much, much better later in the year. So, I have some hope.

I see lots of posts talking about KF's usual offenses, but I do think Lester has the reigns to this offense and it is taking some time to get things into place. The offense improved quite a lot in terms of PPG throughout the year last year.

I'm overly hawktimistic this time of year, so please forgive me.
 
ajdwhs87 said:
....and I think we should hit the ground running and air it out some in the early games including ISU which is at home. No get a lead and nurse it home or worry too much about turnovers. Get them some game reps. Some success some experience early against the two cupcakes and a down ISU. Can only help them later on and get any mistakes or TO's early against teams where they can overcome them more easily. Balance is good but stretch the field a bit and be less predictable, less conservative. Why not? Coach Kirk worried about getting fired? Have fun, give us an exciting product, leave more out there, and don't be scared of mistakes or showing more as if you will surprise teams later on. Holding back has surprised some teams in the past but the passes and routes were off and we missed some hook-ups and big plays. In game is the better practice even against weaker squads. Probably most important is getting the QB's sorted out a bit sooner than protecting them more(from the mistakes).
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BTN played the Iowa Michigan game from 2016 this weekend. KF went for it on fourth and goal in the first half. Went for two to tie the game. Remember that brief stint when we had "New Kirk" who started going for it on 4th and taking chances? That must have been a midlife crisis or something, because we have not seen that guy in a long time.

I agree that KF should take the governor off for the first three games and try to rack up some stats.
 
Westernhawk said:
I am mildly hopeful that Lester is starting to get his guys, and that those guys are learning his system before being thrown into game situations. Gronowski was a pretty special player for Iowa as the year progressed, but he was injured, missed practice time, and wasn't very good early in the year last year. He really was much, much better later in the year. So, I have some hope.

I see lots of posts talking about KF's usual offenses, but I do think Lester has the reigns to this offense and it is taking some time to get things into place. The offense improved quite a lot in terms of PPG throughout the year last year.

I'm overly hawktimistic this time of year, so please forgive me.
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+1. The difference between BF and Lester is night and day. Lester's offenses look competent and there is an identity. Lester also played to his strengths. Despite the fact that our starting QB last season could not hit the broad side of a barn, Lester still cobbled together an offense that finished respectably in the middle for scoring. He now has QBs that fit his desired system. We only need one of them to surprise us and they don't need to be awesome, just competent and passing and playmaking.
 
Northern Illinois
ISU
UNI
@Michigan
OSU
@Washington
@Minnesota
Wisconsin
@NW
Purdue
@Illinois
Nebraska

That schedule allows you to find and develop a quarterback…maybe not for a playoff run in 2026, but definitely in 2027.
 
trj said:
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.
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This is where I was a couple months ago. One of these QBs will have a decent year. Gain some confidence and emerge next year as a slightly above average Big 10 throwing QB. Which, for an Iowa team can be huge.

But, you know....this time of year. All the other sports stuff has wrapped up. I don't pay so much attention to baseball anymore, so we're in the doldrums of sport and just waiting....waiting....for the sweet nectar of college football. Getting all kinds of emails about move in dates, mini fridge rentals and whatnot from UI...
This is where I start to lose it. Rationality just goes right out the window.

This is the year man. THIS is the year! They fly this year.

Also, ask me again after week 4. Or 5. Or even 6.

The good news is, hopes of greatness will be dashed quick and ensuing losses won't bite so much.

But I do think we'll see some life at QB. I mean. We have to right. It can't be like it was before? Right?
 
If we go based on history the QB position will suck and we will get offense done slowly and painfully with a mixed up as you can have running game and minimal passing from mediocre stretch at best QB's.

Now I'm hoping for a deviation from the normal history we've seen and an amazing surprise of a passing game with the heavy return of TE play and surprising to anyone at all a WO or two catching passes instead of running around for no apparent reason. It's a dream but what is wrong with dreaming??? 1 out of 20 seasons wouldn't be too much to ask would it?
 
I am cautiously optimistic on our QB play heading into the season. Tim Lester has said that both of our two QBs now know the offense better than Gronowski did last year at this time. The only difference is he had tons of experience, which is important too. Chad Leistikow had a good article recently on hawkcentral.com. He had Gronowski's passing numbers over the last nine quarters of the year. That includes the 4th quarter comeback against Michigan State and the Nebraska and Vanderbuilt games. Those numbers were quite impressive. I know, it was only the last two games plus but the point to understand is that this is when the offense really clicked for him (and he was close to full health).

I don't expect miracles early on and there will be some growing pains. We may well lose our first three B1G games but regardless of what happens early, this team will be a force over the second half of the season.
 
The other reason to be optimistic that the QB play will be okay is just the existence of a competent OC/QB coach. Maybe Petras isn't so awful if there was a competent coach to develop him and then call non-stupid plays during a game.

Lester has shown that he can tailor the system to the strength of the QB to bring out the best in them. The Shanahan system is a rythym system that is supposed to simplify reads. I think Iowa's QB play will be a pleasant, albeit mild, surprise to most this season, whichever QB plans.
 
Gibsonian said:
1 out of 20 seasons wouldn't be too much to ask would it?
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Something I worry about. And started thinking about last year...when we had a QB who wasn't exactly the greatest passer. Certainly, not terrible as a passer. Guy was just a dual threat...AND...a winner type. Certainly fun to watch. And very effective.

Let's say one of these new guys turns out to be a decent-but-not-awe-inspiring QB. And the rest of the offense does what it normally does. Runs the ball effectively, and often very well. Tight ends do what they do. WRs who show a little more life than we've seen in awhile. And Iowa doesn't wind up in the bottom third of a whole bunch of offensive categories like we've seen lately. They even show the ability to score points.

And, even with a fresher defense....we've never not seen stars emerge and very effective defense.

On paper, for years it's been "man, if we just weren't a terrible offense"....

What if we get that. Even better than just a serviceable offgense. And in this era with expansion and no Big 10 West with occasionally really favorable schedules....
We're just that. An OK team. The kind of Big 10 team that perennially loses to a team like...Iowa. And that's on top of losses to OSU and some likely losses amongst USC/Wash/PSU/Oregon if they're for real-ish that season. AND the other stray Big 10 team that just happens to have a rare moment of being fairly hot.

I mean, how many times did Illinois, Nebraska, Minnesota, Michigan State, Purdue, and even Indiana pre 2023 have a far better offense on paper? Hell, even Maryland. And maybe even 120 other teams had a better offense based on stats. And yet, I still will take the Deacon Hill era over almost all those 120 teams.

I HATE HATE HATE this playoff nonsense. I'm a "go back to reasonable/sensible conferences.....where the conference championship has huge meaning and should be the only way to reach any kind of post-season" guy. But now, we're going to need to reach playoffs fairly semi-regularly to feel like we did for the last 40+ years.


Edit: Not a knock against anything that the defense might do or not do. I suspect they'll be quite good.
But it's football. And at some point, the on-any-given day is going to come in to play for the other teams even if Parker delivers like he's almost always done....ON TOP....of a statistically top 50? 40? 30? offense.
 
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NorthKCHawk said:
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.
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I like that the QBs Iowas have are all in yr 2 and all that entails. The QB that's more comfortable with the little things early on as the summer practices get going is probably going to get the nod early on. They both outta be comfortable with the playbook and being on the same page with hearing Lesters voice in their helmets.

I know some think which one can make the big plays is who's going to get the job but I think it's the one that makes the fewer mistakes and takes what they give us will. If the big plays start coming then great more the merrier of those. But a couple big plays a game can be negated by a bad TO or decision or two just as easy. Does KF have the stomach for another Drew Tate type gunslinger if that's indeed what Hecklinski is early on?

The BIG schedule right out of the gate is brutal they gotta hit the ground running offensively to have a shot at a big yr. It'll be interesting to see play out I'm not predicting anything yet heck if I know
 
Hawkfnntn said:
I like that the QBs Iowas have are all in yr 2 and all that entails. The QB that's more comfortable with the little things early on as the summer practices get going is probably going to get the nod early on. They both outta be comfortable with the playbook and being on the same page with hearing Lesters voice in their helmets.

I know some think which one can make the big plays is who's going to get the job but I think it's the one that makes the fewer mistakes and takes what they give us will. If the big plays start coming then great more the merrier of those. But a couple big plays a game can be negated by a bad TO or decision or two just as easy. Does KF have the stomach for another Drew Tate type gunslinger if that's indeed what Hecklinski is early on?

The BIG schedule right out of the gate is brutal they gotta hit the ground running offensively to have a shot at a big yr. It'll be interesting to see play out I'm not predicting anything yet heck if I know
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Great points. Listening to Lester speak about his offense, it seems pretty clear that it's not ultra easy to learn, and a "one and done" QB might have a steep learning curve. I'm with you in that it will be good (hopefully) to have a QB who has been in the system a couple of years. I guess we'll see soon!
 
haydensly said:
I am cautiously optimistic on our QB play heading into the season. Tim Lester has said that both of our two QBs now know the offense better than Gronowski did last year at this time. The only difference is he had tons of experience, which is important too. Chad Leistikow had a good article recently on hawkcentral.com. He had Gronowski's passing numbers over the last nine quarters of the year. That includes the 4th quarter comeback against Michigan State and the Nebraska and Vanderbuilt games. Those numbers were quite impressive. I know, it was only the last two games plus but the point to understand is that this is when the offense really clicked for him (and he was close to full health).

I don't expect miracles early on and there will be some growing pains. We may well lose our first three B1G games but regardless of what happens early, this team will be a force over the second half of the season.
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Iowa's offense was decent, even good, at the end of last year. I found that to be really encouraging. Plus, putting loads of points on the rodents, badgers, and bugeaters in any given year is a huge plus.
 
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