Ross Pierschbacher
- Thread starter HawkeyeDenis
- Start date
I think you are right that Iowa prioritizing development over gameplanning gives our players a huge boost in preparedness. The other fact that really gives them a boost is that Iowa players are forced to think on the field, we do not put them at the LOS and then have them all look over as our OC calls the play out for them (and they check their wrist pads). Likewise, the defense has to diagnose and react, we don't play a hyper-aggressive, gambling D.
But the trajectory thing is tough. A 3-star or 2-star has a lot more room for growth then a high-4 or a 5 star. But often times it is the last little % of improvement that is the toughest to accomplish.
No one is slamming Iowa's ability to develop. But Saban and Ferentz come from the same school of thought, and you know they are doing things pretty much as well, just from a much higher starting point.
Adam
Well-Known Member
I personally have assumed nothing. I never claimed that Iowa would guarentee better results. Only that the possibility exists that it might have been better. People need to have an expanded frame of reference. It might not behoove someone to just assume that Bama is the better option. There is worthy debate about it.
Adam
Well-Known Member
Thanks for setting the record straight. Now will you state your true opinion on the Ross scenario? Does there exist the possibility that Iowa might have done it better for Ross?
I think this is mostly coming in response to the, "Pierschbacher made a stupid decision and cost himself millions!" tweets. This was the starting point of pretty much all that twitter discussion. To assert that he, without question, cost himself millions is just silly considering the Iowa 4- and 5-star OL that have failed to pan out (as I said above, recruiting and development involve a large amount of luck).
To get into a more nuanced discussion of whether or not Pierschbacher would have gone higher had he come to Iowa is another deal. I think you could make the argument, but you better realize you have no definitive proof to back it up. Kind of like Rafael Eubanks does (see tweet below and the replies):
And that is what most on here are doing, trying to bring some nuance to this discussion. Very few are claiming they have the definitive answer. I think it is unlikely going to Iowa would have made a huge difference, but maybe he goes 2nd day instead of 3rd with more experience at OT?
RobHowe
Administrator
Where did I say there wasn't that possibility?
Adam
Well-Known Member
Agreed. Noone knows anything, but we all have our opinions. The scenario is hypothetical and can never be definitive. It to me is the most interesting topic to discuss currently.
Since you have no way of knowing about hypotheticals, I would rather hear about what you can tell us about our current team.
Kallenberger was ranked as high as Wirfs coming out of high school. Polasek kind of tore into him in his spring press conference. Any word on how he responded? How did Kallenberger look last Friday? Can anyone look good when lining up against AJE and Golston when they know what is coming?
What are your feelings on Plumb? I am not sure if I should see 265 on the #2 line and think that is worrisome, or if I should be excited that this guy clearly hasn't finished filling out and the coaches still think he is worthy of that spot.
What about those other young guys: Duwa, Jenkins, Ince, and Kirkpatrick?
Are you as high on the '19 OL recruiting class as me? I think this might be the best OL haul since I don't know when.
Adam
Well-Known Member
You didn't, but I don't believe that I'm the only one who read your posts to mean just about that. I'm not accusing or attacking. I only mean to seek a worthy debate to illuminate another perspective that I may have over looked. I may have fixated on engaging specifically with you because I respect your years of experience and occasional inside info. A well made rebuttal from you would have likely carried more weight. I apologize if my posts were too aggressive and made you feel some kind of way.
Yea I think the few random extreme posts are ruining the conversation. I think the debate on whether he would have made more money coming to iowa is fun and would be even more fun if guys like Rob and Scott would engage on what they think. Instead they seem to lump everyone into the same category with the guys ripping on the kid for his choice, and even go as far to belittle Iowa's success to prove a point. I personally think Iowa has had enough success developing linemen that it makes this a good debate worth having.
SpiderRico
Well-Known Member
These are the facts:
1. In the last 10 years, Alabama has had 11 OL drafted in the first round, Iowa has had 4.
2. RP started all 4 years at Alabama, indicating that his skill level AND development was such that even though Alabama reloads every position every year with 4 and 5 star talent, he was still able to beat out those guys each and every year.
I think it's pretty safe to assume that, given the above, RP maximized his potential at Alabama.
I love the Hawks as much as anyone....but I think there's a little too much black and gold colored opinions flying around.....
1. In the last 10 years, Alabama has had 11 OL drafted in the first round, Iowa has had 4.
2. RP started all 4 years at Alabama, indicating that his skill level AND development was such that even though Alabama reloads every position every year with 4 and 5 star talent, he was still able to beat out those guys each and every year.
I think it's pretty safe to assume that, given the above, RP maximized his potential at Alabama.
I love the Hawks as much as anyone....but I think there's a little too much black and gold colored opinions flying around.....
hawkeyebob62
Well-Known Member
Uh..."Bama"="getting your $ up-front"
Adam
Well-Known Member
What? Alabama has 6 first round OL's drafted since 2009. Where did you get 11 from?
Also 4 of the 6 were 4* or higher.
3 of the 6 were ranked in the top 4 of their position in High School.
I will let you guess how many top 4 position ranked OL's we have gotten since 09.
The data here doesn't show that Alabama is all that special at OL development.
P.S. Iowa has only had 3.
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Adam
Well-Known Member
You bash actual Iowa players with no concern. I don't recognize your moral objection here.
hawkeyebob62
Well-Known Member
HuckFinn
Well-Known Member
Whoa, Adam. I have an iron clad rule about bashing college kids involved in any sport. I just do not do it, period. I think you have me mixed up with someone else.
Adam
Well-Known Member
That is possible. For now I will take you at your word, but all the same even if this were bashing Ross (which in no way is it). He would have no reasonable expectation to find an Iowa football chat board as having any particular well wishes for him. Just saying.
When a school has the best recruits every single year they are going to put a lot of guys in the NFL. I've also seen people on this board say Kentucky is a good place to go if you want to get to the NBA.
okeefe4prez
Well-Known Member
My recollection when Ross was being recruited was that he wanted to play guard. I don't know his thought process, but it doesn't take a rocket surgeon to figure out that Ferentz would have pressured him to immediately play tackle because he would have been the best or second best lineman on the team as a freshman or RS freshman.
He made the right call going to Alabama. The guy went up against the best every week save for a couple of weeks when Bama plays a few softer teams. He got to go toe to toe with those sick interior linemen from Mississippi State, Clemson, Georgia, LSU, Auburn, etc. He and the left tackle were the lone bright spots on that o-line this year.
He is way more NFL ready than he would have been had he gone to Iowa. Unless he gets hurt, I could see him easily sticking in the League for a decade and making some Pro Bowls. That kid can play and he has already prepped against way better talent than playing against cupcakes in the Big Ten West every week.
He made the right call going to Alabama. The guy went up against the best every week save for a couple of weeks when Bama plays a few softer teams. He got to go toe to toe with those sick interior linemen from Mississippi State, Clemson, Georgia, LSU, Auburn, etc. He and the left tackle were the lone bright spots on that o-line this year.
He is way more NFL ready than he would have been had he gone to Iowa. Unless he gets hurt, I could see him easily sticking in the League for a decade and making some Pro Bowls. That kid can play and he has already prepped against way better talent than playing against cupcakes in the Big Ten West every week.
