Reason Why to Keep Playing JVB

[BQuastU]

I think he is an average QB, having a terrible year. However, continuing to play JVB appears to give the team the best chance to salvage the year, go to at least a bad bowl, and otherwise keep the wheels from completely falling off. That's not to say that its guaranteed by any stretch. But, if your team's worst years involve going to a bowl, then you are a pretty good program. The program then does not have to climb that much higher to get back near the top.

The risk is that by making a change, the team may be even worse, causing the team to finish with the worst record in a decade, losing recruits, not selling out, etc., etc. You then have to completely rebuild.

Plainly stated, keeping JVB in place is a hedge.

Obviously this is just one view, but I think a real consideration. Also, its pretty shocking that no other QB (not considering JW a QB any more) has seen the field.

Of course, if the losses keep coming, this would no longer be a consideration.

Finally, buying into this reasoning as a fan requires putting the weekly frustration aside.

 

[BLKNGOLD48]

I've said for 7 weeks that JVB would shake this slump that he is in, but I just don't see it anymore and don't think Saturday will be any different. His confidence is completly gone, now the pressure of being successful, losing 2 OL, and his record on the road is far from stellar. Hate to say it, but I just don't see this turning around and I don't agree he gives us the best chance to win. The sad part is, the Big 10 is so weak that we are still in the mix of for a division title, wow.

 

[theboat]

Most people aren't calling for rudock to take over fully, but give someone, anyone, snaps out there

 

[Travisam]

I think he is an average QB, having a terrible year. However, continuing to play JVB appears to give the team the best chance to salvage the year, go to at least a bad bowl, and otherwise keep the wheels from completely falling off. That's not to say that its guaranteed by any stretch. But, if your team's worst years involve going to a bowl, then you are a pretty good program. The program then does not have to climb that much higher to get back near the top.

The risk is that by making a change, the team may be even worse, causing the team to finish with the worst record in a decade, losing recruits, not selling out, etc., etc. You then have to completely rebuild.

Plainly stated, keeping JVB in place is a hedge.

Obviously this is just one view, but I think a real consideration. Also, its pretty shocking that no other QB (not considering JW a QB any more) has seen the field.

Of course, if the losses keep coming, this would no longer be a consideration.

Sadly, I believe this is precisely what needs to happen.

 

[TritonHawkeye]

If Rudock can throw 7 yards with even the slightest ability to get some air under it would be the start of a successful change.

I just wonder if Rudock has some Tate style gunslinger in him which worries the ultra conservative KF.

No one wants turnovers but come on you have to take some chances with your passing game or you end up with....well, this.

 

[kmajhawk]

I think he is an average QB, having a terrible year. However, continuing to play JVB appears to give the team the best chance to salvage the year, go to at least a bad bowl ...

Pretty unlikely the Iowa travel office will be booking any bowl trips this year, don't you think.

 

[hawkforlife9]

Why not prepare for next year? Giving snaps to JVB why? To help his draft stock????? We probably stand an equal chance of winning with anybody else at QB.

 

[Hawkfromnorwalk]

Why not prepare for next year? Giving snaps to JVB why? To help his draft stock????? We probably stand an equal chance of winning with anybody else at QB.

This sounds too logical for Kirk.

 

[STILLBUSTER]

That's what I've been saying in my diatribes over the past few days. Of course it's a hedge, guided by the never-changing, risk-aversive dogma that has been consistently practiced by The Corporal over the last 6-8 years.

I believe that Rudock (or whatever backup) is not completely ready to be the starter and that KF is honestly believing JVB is the best (of the worst) overall options in terms of skill, experience and knowledge. I refuse to believe the drop off is as significantly more horrible than 7 games worth of JVB evidence as KF and the apologists are crutching on.

The risks are:
Need 2 more wins to become bowl eligible, so, KF's thought is JVB offers a greater possibility of that happening. Avoid the risk of increasing the possibilities that it won't happen, which, in KF's mind would happen by going with Rudock.
-- That's a reasonable hedge for the big picture, however, it falls flat on its face in the situational here and now. No one is asking for Rudock to permantly become the starters, but simply get reps when the situation calls for it, i.e. down 30 + points and all evidence through 3 quarters says The Offensive has zero chance of mounting a come-back. Not to mention (well, I have numerous times) that you would want to protect your "best chance" guy from the risk of injury.

KF knows that Rudock could not possibly be that much more horrible than JVB, therefore, there is the possibility than he might actually outperform JVB during a game.
-- Avoid the "QB controversy" risk by refusing to play him even when all rationality says the situation supports it.
Q. Is Jake Rudock ready? Is he ready to play?
COACH FERENTZ: We won’t know that until he starts playing.
Crafty circular logic keeps the controversy in the speculative realm, rather than risking the possibility it is a legit reality.

-- Avoid the "broken confidence" risk that a benching, or even a substitution rotation might cause to JVB. KF lauded JVB as being competitive, smart, tough with a great work ethic who is into it. I have a hard time believing that a guy with those characteristics would be ego-shattered by recognizing the truth of his performance but wouldn't have the integrity to accept a situational substition to see if it can make a difference for his team. It's a laughable consideration but it's still being tossed around as plausible.

It all continues to boil down to the consistency of KF over the years ... if it's going to stray too far from his steadfast devotion to "conventional wisdom", let alone if there is the possibility of adverse risk, it's best to stay the course, regardless of how stagnant and complacent the status quo is. It's the overwhelming, pervasive theme throughout his tenure and has been exemplified in every aspect of his coaching -- from schematic strategy, to personnel decisions, to situational play-calling.

 

[tweeterhawk]

I once thought Kirk Ferentz had a burning desire to win. I'm no longer convinced of that. I don't know what goes through his head right now.

 

[atxhawk]

Without some sort of serious change in the gameplan or QB play, this team is unlikely to win another game this year. Well, unless the defense and special teams manage to score 2-3 TD's each game, then we might win one.

 

[hawkfan33]

Why not prepare for next year? Giving snaps to JVB why? To help his draft stock????? We probably stand an equal chance of winning with anybody else at QB.

WE STILL CONTROL OUR OWN DESTINY FOR THE ROSE BOWL.

You want to give us on a possible magical season, concluding with a showdown with USC or Oregon in Pasadena to prepare for next year? Give me a break.

 

[UweBlab]

If Rudock can throw 7 yards with even the slightest ability to get some air under it would be the start of a successful change.

I just wonder if Rudock has some Tate style gunslinger in him which worries the ultra conservative KF.

No one wants turnovers but come on you have to take some chances with your passing game or you end up with....well, this.

I have heard that Rudock is an aggressive passer and conservative Kirk doesnt really care for that.

 

[trj]

Cross your fingers and hope the defense can hold teams under 20, find 40+ carries a game among Cazeri, Rogers, Weisman or Bullock and hit on one or two big pass plays...... maybe(big maybe) that is enough to squeeze out 2 or 3 more victories.

The 15 extra bowl practices are needed so Sokol/Rudoch(sp?) get as many reps as possible. This program really, really needs a 8+ win season next year.

 

[HawkeyeHypnosis]

JVB should be starting. Ruddock should have gotten reps last game. That's all it is. A bowl game is not out of the picture and I think we can play well enough to win at least 2 more. With Wesiman back, the passing game will be better than last week. Last week was bad, but no one can say that we need to only play for the future when were 2-1 in the B1G.

 

[SpiderRico]

Cross your fingers and hope the defense can hold teams under 20, find 40+ carries a game among Cazeri, Rogers, Weisman or Bullock and hit on one or two big pass plays...... maybe(big maybe) that is enough to squeeze out 2 or 3 more victories.

The 15 extra bowl practices are needed so Sokol/Rudoch(sp?) get as many reps as possible. This program really, really needs a 8+ win season next year.

Apparently those 15 extra practices last year weren't enough to get Rudock ready to even play scrub minutes in a blowout loss on Saturday. And I sure as $hit know that those 15 extra practices didn't help JVB.

This is my wish at this point: I want us to find lightening in a bottle and win the Legends and then beat up on a mediocre Wisky team to go to the Rose Bowl. Barring that, I think the next best thing for this program is to hit rock bottom and lose out in order to force some sort of change because of the poor results. To me, the worst thing you can be in sports is simply mediocre year after year.

 

[Travisam]

Apparently those 15 extra practices last year weren't enough to get Rudock ready to even play scrub minutes in a blowout loss on Saturday. And I sure as $hit know that those 15 extra practices didn't help JVB.

This is my wish at this point: I want us to find lightening in a bottle and win the Legends and then beat up on a mediocre Wisky team to go to the Rose Bowl. Barring that, I think the next best thing for this program is to hit rock bottom and lose out in order to force some sort of change because of the poor results. To me, the worst thing you can be in sports is simply mediocre year after year.

this

 

[trj]

Apparently those 15 extra practices last year weren't enough to get Rudock ready to even play scrub minutes in a blowout loss on Saturday. And I sure as $hit know that those 15 extra practices didn't help JVB.

This is my wish at this point: I want us to find lightening in a bottle and win the Legends and then beat up on a mediocre Wisky team to go to the Rose Bowl. Barring that, I think the next best thing for this program is to hit rock bottom and lose out in order to force some sort of change because of the poor results. To me, the worst thing you can be in sports is simply mediocre year after year.

Yeah, those 15 practices can be overrated.......but those extra reps can't hurt I'm trying to stay positive.

 

[hawkforlife9]

I once thought Kirk Ferentz had a burning desire to win. I'm no longer convinced of that. I don't know what goes through his head right now.

Capt has a burning desire to drop off his check every other week at Wells Fargo.

 

[tweeterhawk]

JVB should be starting. Ruddock should have gotten reps last game. That's all it is. A bowl game is not out of the picture and I think we can play well enough to win at least 2 more. With Wesiman back, the passing game will be better than last week. Last week was bad, but no one can say that we need to only play for the future when were 2-1 in the B1G.

Iowa needs two more wins to become bowl eligible. Where, honestly, do you think this team gets them? I don't see even one game on the remaining schedule where Iowa will or should be favored.

10/27 - @ Northwestern
11/3 - @ Indiana
11/10 - Purdue
11/17 - @ Michigan
11/23 - Nebraska