Spring Ball Storylines

[Hawkfnntn]

I think part of it is we really haven't had a playmaker at WR since Smith (whom Davis criminally underutilized), and McNutt before that.

Sure, we've had dependable guys like KMM, Vandeberg, and Easley, who will make the tough catches and move the sticks. But very rarely were they big play or redzone threats on their own.

The thing that excites me is both Smith and ISM have that potential. Some of the jump balls Smith came down with were absolutely ridiculous, and ISM has the speed and shake to do some great stuff with the ball in his hands. They're gaining confidence as well. Once they fully realize their potential (both figuratively and literally), they might be a damn good pair of WRs.

OMG yes T Smith was a heck of a talent. B Smith is a different kind of talent but he's a big time talent in his own way for sure. With a guy that big strong and athletic in todays football where jump balls and back shoulder throws (that are pretty much indefensible minus drawing a flag) are the rage we need to be going to him more and more with them. ISM I hope we can find more creative ways to get him the ball in space too. I'm not as big a fan of giving him reverses and using him around the LOS so much due to his slight built and how he tends to carry the ball. But down field I want him getting touches for sure. If Tracy can step into Easleys shoes even just a little those other two can step up their production and what do you know Stanley is cooking with bacon. (Assuming the running game can get going too)

 

[Fryowa]

Unless we find another guy who has Hooker's flex ability, I think we go back to our base 4-3 look.

This.

Unless you have a super capable flex like Hooker, and by that I mean a guy who can truly play S and LB equally well, the 4-2 is a bad idea in the B1G. If your DL doesn’t stuff the middle immediately you are screwed, especially with two TEs or TE+slot blocking that you see a lot of nowadays.

Parker said himself that the only reason they could even attempt a set like that is because they had a beast like Hooker. It wasn’t built around a situation or certain look, it was built around the player.

 

[4thngoal]

This.

Unless you have a super capable flex like Hooker, and by that I mean a guy who can truly play S and LB equally well, the 4-2 is a bad idea in the B1G. If your DL doesn’t stuff the middle immediately you are screwed, especially with two TEs or TE+slot blocking that you see a lot of nowadays.

Parker said himself that the only reason they could even attempt a set like that is because they had a beast like Hooker. It wasn’t built around a situation or certain look, it was built around the player.

Jayden McDonald.

 

[NikeHawk21]

We've got a ton of young talent at LB, a lot of whom got experience last year. I look forward to seeing the battle for the 3 LB spots.

I think the 4-2-5 goes back to being a situational package rather than a base look. Unless we find another guy who has Hooker's flex ability, I think we go back to our base 4-3 look.

I’m with you on the 4-2-5 being more situational. I’m also interested to see what type of pass rushing package we employ and hope to see a true nickel look in the secondary with it.

 

[CP87]

I’m with you on the 4-2-5 being more situational. I’m also interested to see what type of pass rushing package we employ and hope to see a true nickel look in the secondary with it.

I could see taking a page out of the Norm Parker playbook and going with 3 DL (AJE blindside, and either Gholston LDE and Reiff DT, or Gholston slide inside like last year and pass-rush specialist DE comes in), and then always sending at least 1 blitzer (LB or DB).

If we stay with 4 DL, I see Gholston sliding inside like last year, and I would like to see some of the talented but unused LBs converted to pass-rush specialist DEs.

 

[Hawkfnntn]

Jayden McDonald.

Yup. I'm late to this party but yeah he's pretty much exactly that isn't he? He's like 205 which puts him on the slighter side of being a LB anyway. He's a hybrid in every sense of the term. Granted he should put on 10-15 lbs pretty easily in time. But having him occasionally blitz and cover guys shouldn't be a problem for him. He's so fast and quick. Should be a heck of an X factor for us. Let's not waste him on the bench too much. If he's not ready day 1 I can understand that but I bet you he'll be out there for us at some point this year. Just a matter of does he play in more than 4 games and to what extend does he make an impact

 

[4thngoal]

Yup. I'm late to this party but yeah he's pretty much exactly that isn't he? He's like 205 which puts him on the slighter side of being a LB anyway. He's a hybrid in every sense of the term. Granted he should put on 10-15 lbs pretty easily in time. But having him occasionally blitz and cover guys shouldn't be a problem for him. He's so fast and quick. Should be a heck of an X factor for us. Let's not waste him on the bench too much. If he's not ready day 1 I can understand that but I bet you he'll be out there for us at some point this year. Just a matter of does he play in more than 4 games and to what extend does he make an impact

He red shirted last year.
He should be ready to go if he still has the quickness and understands his position (the game).
If not get him up to speed. He was fast, heck of a Blitzer, could cover and hit pretty solid as well. Can't be wasting athletic ability like that. I suspect if he hits it hard this off season and knows the game, they are going to have to find a spot for him.
But yeah the cash position seems like a logical fit.

 

[NikeHawk21]

I could see taking a page out of the Norm Parker playbook and going with 3 DL (AJE blindside, and either Gholston LDE and Reiff DT, or Gholston slide inside like last year and pass-rush specialist DE comes in), and then always sending at least 1 blitzer (LB or DB).

If we stay with 4 DL, I see Gholston sliding inside like last year, and I would like to see some of the talented but unused LBs converted to pass-rush specialist DEs.

My dream scenario would be Golston and the new transfer on the inside. AJE and Jestin Jacobs or Waggoner on the outside. If it’s Jacobs he can have his hand in the ground or stand up. Not sure they are ready just yet for that though.

 

[Hawkfnntn]

He red shirted last year.
He should be ready to go if he still has the quickness and understands his position (the game).
If not get him up to speed. He was fast, heck of a Blitzer, could cover and hit pretty solid as well. Can't be wasting athletic ability like that. I suspect if he hits it hard this off season and knows the game, they are going to have to find a spot for him.
But yeah the cash position seems like a logical fit.

HA YES I know who you are talking about and I had him confused with the 4 star kid Jacobs we just got in this class my bad. McDonald is a little bigger and is probably going to be in the mix for a spot too. Those LB spots are all up for competition again I would say. Any combination of lineups and depth charts wouldn't surprise me much.

 

[kameltoez102]

Number 1 storyline hands down that I want to see is.......... No Injuries! Can't afford to have any guys out

 

[uihawk82]

We've got a ton of young talent at LB, a lot of whom got experience last year. I look forward to seeing the battle for the 3 LB spots.

I think the 4-2-5 goes back to being a situational package rather than a base look. Unless we find another guy who has Hooker's flex ability, I think we go back to our base 4-3 look.

If Amani or Welch play great as middle linebackers I think Niemann and Colbert have enough speed on most downs to play the pass but better stop the run. I also agree the 4-3 will probably be used more but if we get a good consistent rush on long yardage plays their is no reason for Phil Parker to not take out on or two lbkrs, and play extra dbacks against most good passing teams.

 

[hawkeyebob62]

I can't explain why, but I am interested in the Amani Jones redemption story.

The coaches saw something in him last year to make him the starting MLB. The athletic talent must be there. Just needs to show he has the head for the game. I am rooting for him.

Also I feel like Ojemudia has had an up an down career, it would be intersting if he can step it up in 2019.

Finally, its put up or sit down time for Brandon Smith. The coaches have been patient. It's time to take it to next level.

What, the circus catches he made over defenders last season didn't impress you?

 

[NCHawker]

It would be really fun to see Iowa WR get open down field...you know catch the ball as they are running away from the line of scrimmage.

 

[NikeHawk21]

Jayden McDonald.

Yup. I'm late to this party but yeah he's pretty much exactly that isn't he? He's like 205 which puts him on the slighter side of being a LB anyway. He's a hybrid in every sense of the term. Granted he should put on 10-15 lbs pretty easily in time. But having him occasionally blitz and cover guys shouldn't be a problem for him. He's so fast and quick. Should be a heck of an X factor for us. Let's not waste him on the bench too much. If he's not ready day 1 I can understand that but I bet you he'll be out there for us at some point this year. Just a matter of does he play in more than 4 games and to what extend does he make an impact

The thing that separated Amani Hooker was his elite coverage skills.

I don’t think there is any indication that McDonald has cover skills anywhere in the neighborhood of Hooker. He’s a linebacker, which is fine he can be a good one and play in our 4-3 system. There is nothing wrong with having more athletic linebackers like McDonald and Jacobs, I’m all for it, but expecting them to do what Hooker did is pretty unreasonable.

When talking about the star or cash position I have never once heard his name mentioned by one of the Iowa coaches. Also he’s listed at 220 on the Iowa site.

 

[Hawkfnntn]

The thing that separated Amani Hooker was his elite coverage skills.

I don’t think there is any indication that McDonald has cover skills anywhere in the neighborhood of Hooker. He’s a linebacker, which is fine he can be a good one and play in our 4-3 system. There is nothing wrong with having more athletic linebackers like McDonald and Jacobs, I’m all for it, but expecting them to do what Hooker did is pretty unreasonable.

When talking about the star or cash position I have never once heard his name mentioned by one of the Iowa coaches. Also he’s listed at 220 on the Iowa site.

Yeah see I messed up. I had the new kid Jacobs in my head instead of McDonald with what I was thinking. I've seen him listed at 205-210ish at 6'3. No idea if he can cover at this level either till he does it but physically I thought he'd fit that sort of mold to use him creatively like that.

 

[4thngoal]

he’s listed at 220 on the Iowa site.

Avg weight for NFL prospects at safety... 200-215.
Dropping 5-8 pounds in the next 6 months should be easy to do.
Easier to do than add 25-30 pounds.
He was a good coverage lb in high school, so it's just can he move and understand the game.

 

[NikeHawk21]

Yeah see I messed up. I had the new kid Jacobs in my head instead of McDonald with what I was thinking. I've seen him listed at 205-210ish at 6'3. No idea if he can cover at this level either till he does it but physically I thought he'd fit that sort of mold to use him creatively like that.

Yup. Jacobs I could see realistically being a hybrid type linebacker. I think he weighed in at 198 at the Army All American game and sounds like he’s a very good athlete.

My thought is that Iowa would stick more with their 4-3 base defense, but having a more athletic linebacker will only be a positive in terms of pass coverage. I don’t think you want to ask any linebacker to try to cover as much as Hooker did, as he had elite coverage skills.

 

[NikeHawk21]

Avg weight for NFL prospects at safety... 200-215.
Dropping 5-8 pounds in the next 6 months should be easy to do.
Easier to do than add 25-30 pounds.
He was a good coverage lb in high school, so it's just can he move and understand the game.

Again there has no inclination by any of the coaches that McDonald is in the mix for the star or cash position. It much more likely that he’s putting on weight to play linebacker which he can do at 230-240.

A good coverage LB in high school doesn’t compare to an All American level college cover guy which is what Amani Hooker was.

Again I think McDonald is a good looking prospect and can potentially be a very good athletic linebacker, but no way you would ever ask him to cover the way we did with Hooker.

 

[hawkdrummer1]

I’m with you on the 4-2-5 being more situational. I’m also interested to see what type of pass rushing package we employ and hope to see a true nickel look in the secondary with it.

I don't mind the idea of the 4-2-5. One of our key vulnerabilities has been linebackers as pass defenders. As long as we have a hitter that can also defend the run and shed blocks..the "Cash" or what ever he's call seems to fit the bill. We have guys who fit that mold.

Still situational to a degree, but perhaps more related to our game opponent. Go with the 4-2-5 against teams who's offensive scheme gives us trouble.

 

[NikeHawk21]

I don't mind the idea of the 4-2-5. One of our key vulnerabilities has been linebackers as pass defenders. As long as we have a hitter that can also defend the run and shed blocks..the "Cash" or what ever he's call seems to fit the bill. We have guys who fit that mold.

Still situational to a degree, but perhaps more related to our game opponent. Go with the 4-2-5 against teams who's offensive scheme gives us trouble.

If you have the right players absolutely. We have a more athletic crop of linebackers now too, who should be suited to cover a little better than some guys in the past.