Shout out to the "little guys"

[HawkfaninWA]

I was just watching a few replays from this season and I gotta give a shout out to a couple of players that don't always get love.

First, to McNutt. The guy could've sat at back-up QB and sulked, but instead the guy moves to a totally different position and excels. He AGAIN had a solid game (what, 93 yards receiving?) and totally bailed out Stanzi on a low thrown ball last weekend. Did you see that finger tip catch? Never says much but continues to be a stud receiver. I hope he continues to excel and even get a chance in the NFL someday.

Second, to Chaney, Jr. He has a huge season ending injury and comes back to be an asset when we need him. Had an awesome end around and continues to show flashes of brilliance. I hope we can continue to use him in those situations. And I never hear anything bad about him. Talk about be a role player. Shout out to Chaney.

Finally to Paki. Often times he gets relegated to the backup role and I've heard him bad-mouthed several times on the boards. He'll probably never be the next Shonn Greene or Tavian Banks, but he had a sweet punt block for a TD in our first game this season and also fills a role. Never complains, just puts in his time. A great team player.

Who am I missing?

 

[GoHawks24]

I was just watching a few replays from this season and I gotta give a shout out to a couple of players that don't always get love.

First, to McNutt. The guy could've sat at back-up QB and sulked, but instead the guy moves to a totally different position and excels. He AGAIN had a solid game (what, 93 yards receiving?) and totally bailed out Stanzi on a low thrown ball last weekend. Did you see that finger tip catch? Never says much but continues to be a stud receiver. I hope he continues to excel and even get a chance in the NFL someday.

Second, to Chaney, Jr. He has a huge season ending injury and comes back to be an asset when we need him. Had an awesome end around and continues to show flashes of brilliance. I hope we can continue to use him in those situations. And I never hear anything bad about him. Talk about be a role player. Shout out to Chaney.

Finally to Paki. Often times he gets relegated to the backup role and I've heard him bad-mouthed several times on the boards. He'll never be the next Shonn Greene or Tavian Banks, but he had a sweet punt block for a TD in our first game this season and also fills a role. Never complains, just puts in his time. A great team player.

Who am I missing?

There you go. Fixed it for you and took out the probably. I agree that all of these guys deserve shout-outs though. The dogging on Paki got pretty ridiculous at some points. I'll give a shout-out to Sandeman, too. He's always done a solid job and it's not easy to be a punt returner.

 

[tm3308]

Sandeman is a good choice, as mentioned. No love for Morse? Fullback is quite possibly the most thankless job in football, and Morse does an excellent job both at blocking and receiving.

How about Weinke? He's been putting in the time, and at this point doesn't appear to have much of a chance to ever be our starting QB.

 

[HawkfaninWA]

I'd have to say I'm waiting on Weinke. Not sure what's going to happen there.

Morse is a good add to the list, especially as he got some plays his way last week. Loved the screen pass to him.

Sandeman I go both ways on. He's a good player, he hasn't messed up on punt returns, and I'd love to give him a shout out. But he hasn't really DONE much with the opportunity at punt returns either. Let's just say he's serviceable at this point.

 

[tm3308]

I'd have to say I'm waiting on Weinke. Not sure what's going to happen there.

Morse is a good add to the list, especially as he got some plays his way last week. Loved the screen pass to him.

Sandeman I go both ways on. He's a good player, he hasn't messed up on punt returns, and I'd love to give him a shout out. But he hasn't really DONE much with the opportunity at punt returns either. Let's just say he's serviceable at this point.

For the record, I'm only passing up this opportunity because it's too easy.

Sandeman pretty quietly led the Big Ten in punt return yards last year. Who's the last guy we've had do that? He's also a dependable 3rd down receiver. And he doesn't get the fanfare of Keenan Davis (who I'm also very high on, but he's done less than Sandeman).

 

[CGHawk]

Thank you for making this thread!

All of these guys really deserve some appreciation. McNutt has been one of my favorites since last season, especially after the Michigan State game.

P.S. I was really happy for Paki that he blocked that punt.

 

[CAARHawk]

Wouldn't call McNutt a little guy. He has been a two year starter and had a lot of big plays this year. David was also saying he and DJK will break Iowa's streak of not having receivers drafted.

The thing about the Hawks is they have now got to the point where they are recruiting so well that there aren't as many legit little guys. I mean Sandeman? He has played since he was a freshman and has been a starter on O or ST for a considerable amount of that time. Chaney is a decent selection, but in other years and without the injury he would be a much bigger part of the picture.

Paki is about it right now.

 

[GoHawks24]

I'll nominate Koeppel as well (sp?). The guy has been busting his butt in the program for 5 years now, had a very good chance to start (or at least that's what they told us- I think they knew they wanted Ferentz to be the starter all along to get him the experience) and gets smoked by a moped. That's gotta be tough. At least he got to be on National TV I guess.