Spring Ball Storylines

[Lumberman]

If we had a RB with the vision to plant his foot in the ground and hit the cutback lanes that were there, last year’s OLine May have looked much better, statistically speaking.

One thing I did notice last year on stretch plays is that as the OL was pulling down the line, they were a step or 2 into the backfield instead of straight across the LOS. I don’t recall seeing that in the past. It was like that initial push wasn’t there off of the snap of the ball. Maybe Stanley can help out by varying the snap count a little more. Maybe the OL just needs to fire out a little better. Did anyone else notice this?

 

[Robowe]

 

[NikeHawk21]

I think the coaching staff pretty much expected that when they moved him over. Should be a very good player in there for us for the next few years.

The potential for this line really excites me:
LT: A Jackson
LG: Kallenberger
C: Linderbaum
RG: Barnwart
RT: Wirfs

Obviously it starts with the two 320 pound tackles. Barnwart is just solid in there, has a nice frame and should only get better this year. Kallenberger performed well in his start at tackle last year and hopefully can bring a little nasty in their on the inside. Lastly Linderbaum should be solid a really good athlete and will only continue to get better with more play time.

 

[4thngoal]

If we had a RB with the vision to plant his foot in the ground and hit the cutback lanes that were there, last year’s OLine May have looked much better, statistically speaking.

One thing I did notice last year on stretch plays is that as the OL was pulling down the line, they were a step or 2 into the backfield instead of straight across the LOS. I don’t recall seeing that in the past. It was like that initial push wasn’t there off of the snap of the ball. Maybe Stanley can help out by varying the snap count a little more. Maybe the OL just needs to fire out a little better. Did anyone else notice this?

Yup.
We already know, even against Wisconsin, we can push. What we need to figure out is where to look for the gap.
Having happy feet is good, but when you know the push is coming to create a lane and being able to cut and flat out run, well that's another.
It's flow.
As my girl calls it fill.

 

[HawksMN]

Big time understatement. The run game was bad last yr.

 

[HawkleberryFinn]

O-Line's fallen off ever since Reece Morgan transferred to D-Line. I wish Reece could come back on a part-time basis.

 

[BVHawk95]

O-Line's fallen off ever since Reece Morgan transferred to D-Line. I wish Reece could come back on a part-time basis.

I think "fallen off" is a tad harsh. Brian became OL coach in 2012. That 2012 group was pretty good until Scherff and Donnal went down.

That 2012-2014 stretch was also overshadowed by having a FB as the main ballcarrier. Loved Weisman, but he could not make the necessary cuts and redirections a zone scheme needs from its RB.

2015-16 Were great run blocking groups, but slow on the edges. 17-18 was the opposite.

"Thin" or "1-dimensional" might fit better.

 

[HawkleberryFinn]

I think "fallen off" is a tad harsh. Brian became OL coach in 2012. That 2012 group was pretty good until Scherff and Donnal went down.

That 2012-2014 stretch was also overshadowed by having a FB as the main ballcarrier. Loved Weisman, but he could not make the necessary cuts and redirections a zone scheme needs from its RB.

2015-16 Were great run blocking groups, but slow on the edges. 17-18 was the opposite.

"Thin" or "1-dimensional" might fit better.

Thanks for your input. I'm sticking with "fallen off". The cohesion hasn't been the same since Reese left. Brian was gifted the O-line and O-coordinator positions. Though I don't think he's a bad coach, I wonder where we'd be with someone who worked up the ranks.

 

[HawkleberryFinn]

Ferentz has fired his last two running backs coaches. Is Foster next? Or would he hold Brian to account? ;.)

 

[4thngoal]

Another story line I will be interested in is who is #2 behind Nate???
We should get a pretty good idea, because whoever it is come the end of fall is going to need to get some meaningful snaps. Not talking conservative hand the ball off mop up duty, but pretend we are behind and we need you to go out and win the game mop up duty. We are going to have to get someone ready!!

 

[HawksMN]

Pretty confident Stanley will show flat to a slight decline in perf next season.

 

[Ian Pike Hammer]

What are you most looking forward to seeing from Spring Ball 2019?

Here’s a couple things for me.

-Where will Mark Kallenberger be getting reps? With two established tackles in front of him I’d like to see him slide into a guard spot.

-How does the secondary shake out, specifically OJ? Personally I’d love to see OJ make the switch to Safety. He’s a long rangy athlete who’s a good tackler, but isn’t the greatest cover guy, to me that spells safety. I think Hankins, Brents, and DJ Johnson is a great CB group.

-Does Tyrone Tracy appear ready to emerge at WR?

-This will be are first look at the new TE group, how do they look?

How do the early enrollee freshman Jacobs, Miller, and Padilla specifically, look against college level players?

-If we stick with it, who gets reps at the Cash or Star position? OJ, DJ Johnson, Merriweather, Jacobs?

Those are just a few. What else you got?

Coaching staff. Let's frickin' play like we want to win a natty!!!!!

 

[NikeHawk21]

 

[HawkeyeDenis]

I think "fallen off" is a tad harsh. Brian became OL coach in 2012. That 2012 group was pretty good until Scherff and Donnal went down.

That 2012-2014 stretch was also overshadowed by having a FB as the main ballcarrier. Loved Weisman, but he could not make the necessary cuts and redirections a zone scheme needs from its RB.

2015-16 Were great run blocking groups, but slow on the edges. 17-18 was the opposite.

"Thin" or "1-dimensional" might fit better.

I agree that is a bit harsh. Iowa's line has been young. Now if they don't show good this year, harsh may not be strong enough.

 

[SamBrownlee48]

I agree that is a bit harsh. Iowa's line has been young. Now if they don't show good this year, harsh may not be strong enough.

This could be the strongest line we've had in a decade or more. Huge potential with the tackles, a good mix of experience and talent available at guard, and a frosh center who apparently is wowing them so much he's almost locked it up.

 

[HawkeyeDenis]

This could be the strongest line we've had in a decade or more. Huge potential with the tackles, a good mix of experience and talent available at guard, and a frosh center who apparently is wowing them so much he's almost locked it up.

I agree. Two 320 pound NFL caliber linemen plus the other good Iowa products. The running backs have had a solid year of experience. Could be a good rushing year

 

[HuckFinn]

Pretty confident Stanley will show flat to a slight decline in perf next season.

Nope.

 

[PCHawk]

Anyone know how Nixon did this spring?