Spring Football: Examining the Hawkeye Defense
- Thread starter RobHowe
- Start date
AreWeThereYet
Well-Known Member
I haven't heard too much about injury or surgery rehab going into spring ball this year. Toks Akinribade on offense is the only one that seems unlikely. Over the last few years we've had a number of defensive backs who either missed spring or were no contact/light duty.
Three strengths that have tended to project an above average season for Iowa:
An experienced and safe, yet, play-making QB...check
A talented and deep defensive line, able to take pressure off the linebackers...check
A reliable and talented punter who is able to enhance Kirk-ball...no check
An experienced and safe, yet, play-making QB...check
A talented and deep defensive line, able to take pressure off the linebackers...check
A reliable and talented punter who is able to enhance Kirk-ball...no check
MoseSchrute
Well-Known Member
Yes...a glaring deficiency that seemingly has not been addressed.
WinOneThisCentury
Well-Known Member
This could be a fun defense to watch. You have guys that can get to the QB...in A. Nelson, Hesse, and Epenesa. You also have guys in the middle that can occupy people. Everything Phil Parker likes to do with the defense starts upfront...and we are deep and talented upfront. If Nixon proves to be as expected...you truly have a rotation of 8 or 9 guys that are going to be relentless.
As far as linebackers...really the unknown at this point. I remember 2015 when we threw Jewell, Neiman, and Fischer in there...all with limited reps...and behind a solid DL...they performed extremely well and got better as the year wore on. I honestly feel much the same about this group. Neiman and Jones were pretty highly recruited and have size and speed. Welsh in the middle has alot to live up to with Jewell's performance over the past three years, but he also comes with some physical tools...nearly 240 and my understanding is that he runs well. I agree with the article...Colbert may be one to watch. The cupboard is not bare.
One thing Iowa has shown over the past 3-4 years is that they can coach defensive backs. We have recruited well and we have guys coming back that have played. I really think we end up with Stone and Hooker on the back end...hitters and guys that can run.
If they stay healthy...we will be in every game just based on defense. It's time for the offense to make the same strides.
As far as linebackers...really the unknown at this point. I remember 2015 when we threw Jewell, Neiman, and Fischer in there...all with limited reps...and behind a solid DL...they performed extremely well and got better as the year wore on. I honestly feel much the same about this group. Neiman and Jones were pretty highly recruited and have size and speed. Welsh in the middle has alot to live up to with Jewell's performance over the past three years, but he also comes with some physical tools...nearly 240 and my understanding is that he runs well. I agree with the article...Colbert may be one to watch. The cupboard is not bare.
One thing Iowa has shown over the past 3-4 years is that they can coach defensive backs. We have recruited well and we have guys coming back that have played. I really think we end up with Stone and Hooker on the back end...hitters and guys that can run.
If they stay healthy...we will be in every game just based on defense. It's time for the offense to make the same strides.
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AreWeThereYet
Well-Known Member
Can any of those walk on linebackers punt.
My question would be if Phil knows he has the opportunity to really mix things up. I mean, there could be times where speed and moves are far more impactful then the extra size at dt. Imagine 4 ends backed by 2 fast olb and a run stopper mlb.
If that can't find it's way into the backfield, than I can't imagine the talent and depth is what we would like to believe.
Just saying, this D should be stellar, as whatever you can think up, we have one or more that can do that!!
If that can't find it's way into the backfield, than I can't imagine the talent and depth is what we would like to believe.
Just saying, this D should be stellar, as whatever you can think up, we have one or more that can do that!!
LicThawk
Well-Known Member
I'm definitely "all in" with excitement for the upcoming season. I will say, however, it will come down to one thing. Play calling. Unfortunately, the Achilles heel with every good/talented Iowa team is Ferentz. Every year the team is stuck on repeat. Get the ball to play makers. Don't be ultra conservative. Run a counter for a change, and add more play action.
Adam
Well-Known Member
As far as defense goes, this experienced D Line sure needs to live up to the hype. They need to be the best D Line since Clayborn, Daniels and Binns. If the D line is dominate then the LB's will not have to learn on such a big curve.
I think we will be fine at CB, but we will need to be strong at Safety. It feels like great Safeties is what we have been missing defensively the last few years. I hope we get that sorted out this year.
I think we will be fine at CB, but we will need to be strong at Safety. It feels like great Safeties is what we have been missing defensively the last few years. I hope we get that sorted out this year.
#1DieHardHawk
Well-Known Member
It will be very interesting to see how LB shakes out, both in terms of who starts and with scheme. As already discussed, PP has hinted that we may see that LB/safety hybrid position this upcoming season. My gut says that Welch and Niemann will start, but everything is up for grabs. Don't be surprised to see true freshman McDonald in the mix, and I think Wieland is a guy to watch.
CB almost is as wide open. I personally don't think that Rugamba has earned anything at this point. I hope the coaches are willing to let talent rise to the top. Turner has all the tools (He has star potential, IMO), and even true frosh Johnson could push his way in. Ojemudia to me is more of a safety but there's no room there.
I think Epenesa ends up as a starter at DE and moves inside in passing situations, with Hesse in more of a specialist role at DE. Nixon is the wildcard, here. If he can dedicate himself and focus, the sky's the limit. We have a lot of bodies on the D-line, but what's needed is more impact plays there, especially with new LBs.
CB almost is as wide open. I personally don't think that Rugamba has earned anything at this point. I hope the coaches are willing to let talent rise to the top. Turner has all the tools (He has star potential, IMO), and even true frosh Johnson could push his way in. Ojemudia to me is more of a safety but there's no room there.
I think Epenesa ends up as a starter at DE and moves inside in passing situations, with Hesse in more of a specialist role at DE. Nixon is the wildcard, here. If he can dedicate himself and focus, the sky's the limit. We have a lot of bodies on the D-line, but what's needed is more impact plays there, especially with new LBs.
Adam
Well-Known Member
I believe your take is valid. Couple of variations for me personally. First I think Doyle starts at LEO. Hockaday at MLB leaving Welch, Jones, Niemann, and McDonald to battle it out for Bowers (WILL) spot.
I think that group will be good. Hockaday has the strength and experience to stop the run. Doyle has the speed and open field fluidity to cover the TE's and RB's out of the backfield. I think Parker will swap the LEO and the WILL LB's out for safeties in obvious passing situations. So hopefully these young LB's don't have to cover WR's very often.
About the Secondary. Parker has proven IMO that he will play whoever is the best. Jackson is a prime example. I don't know who will start, but I am confident that both starters will be at least average to above average B1G CB's.
D line. Like I said this unit absolutely has to be dominate for us to be better than 7 or 8 wins. We have the size, speed, talent, experience, and depth. There are no excuses. This unit must provide. I hope that AJ doesn't start. I hope they move him over all 4 spots. I want to see them line him up on whatever gap they believe a run play would go through. Tell him just bull rush the shit out of that guy in front of you. Blow that gap up in the backfield. He will pull a double everywhere he goes. That is a scheme advantage and it is something we could definitely use against the newer spread out offenses in the B1G.
#1DieHardHawk
Well-Known Member
Yeah, a lot of unknowns at this point.
I think Doyle will see the field this season, but primarily on STs. When it's all said and done though, he will be at least a two year starter for us.
Hockaday to me has been a bit of a disappointment. I really liked his tape coming in, but objectively on the field he appears to lack instincts and suddenness, and struggles to get off of blocks. Welch is a much better athlete.
Not that I'm down on the unit, but many fans are higher on the talent of the D-line than I am. We have a lot of bodies and experience, but other than Eppy, I don't see consistent impact players. A. Nelson flashes, but can disappear for long periods of time, Hesse has a motor but is limited, and Lattimore has been nothing but potential to this point. M. Nelson, Jansen and Brincks are slow-twitch effort guys. Nixon and Reiff (all he needs is a little more size and strength) are the wild cards. Our defensive scheme is at it's best when we can generate pressure from the front four, and, I hope this season we see that dominance. I'd love to see a couple of the younger guys really step up this season, like Golston and Simon, or even McKnight.
Adam
Well-Known Member
Iowa values trench power over edge speed. I'm guessing that most years you are disappointed with our rush speed.
Eppy is a freak of nature so we all know and agree he will be a stud.
A Nelson will blow your mind this year. My personal guarantee. 10+ sack season with a couple strip sacks. A Nelson is poised for a giant leap this year in reading and reacting. My bet is he is our next NFL D-lineman. Remember Drew Ott sophomore year vs junior year? I think we will see a similar trajectory for Nelson. I hope he stays healthy.
It's the other guys that are question marks to me, but I think Hesse is a gamer. Little undersized, but that never stopped Matt Roth.
#1DieHardHawk
Well-Known Member
Well, you can have both.
Much like at WR, we've struggled for years recruiting athletic DEs. In most cases, we've been forced to play smallish tackles at end (Mike Hardy is a perfect example). In terms of a true explosive edge rusher, we haven't really had one probably since Leroy Smith. Clayborn and Roth were great, but in both cases, their primary attributes were outstanding hand fighting and the ability to rip and shred. Binns was close, but only had one move and tailed off when other teams adapted. Smith was pure explosion off the edge and gave opposing coaches nightmares.
I agree that Hesse is a gamer but his skill set is very different from Roth's. He gets the most out of limited athletic ability. I hope you're right about Nelson. Like I said, he flashes, just needs to show up more consistently.
Foregoing something like inability to adjust to college life or not grasping an aspect of the game, I can't see Nixon and McDonald not having serious play time. Same with Eppy.That combined with what we already have should be enough to make a run. Add in the ones like Doyle and that DB we pulled in from out east (sorry can't recall the name off hand) and we have the pieces in place. Let's just hope everyone understands the opportunity they have in front of them and has a great spring and summer.
I think they very much have the opportunity to be the best D Iowa has ever fielded and that is saying something.
This won't matter if we can't move the ball however.
I'm much higher on our defense than our offense.
That said, we should see a pretty good jump on that side as well.
I'm just excited for the season. Lol gotta start fast and beat Wisconsin. Get the ball rolling early.
I think they very much have the opportunity to be the best D Iowa has ever fielded and that is saying something.
This won't matter if we can't move the ball however.
I'm much higher on our defense than our offense.
That said, we should see a pretty good jump on that side as well.
I'm just excited for the season. Lol gotta start fast and beat Wisconsin. Get the ball rolling early.
Adam
Well-Known Member
Lol I am not as hyped defensively as yourself. I always expect the unit as a whole to be upper echelon, but with quite a few large question marks littering the roster it is hard to imagine a unit that gels immediately and sustains top level performance through the season. My guess is top 30 defense. That is even a little bit of faith based on historical results. I don't see much upside for top 20. However I think they will be helped immensely from the top 60 offense I believe we will achieve this year.
Think 09. There were times when that defense was clicking and while we weren't putting up 40 plus points, our offense put up a more consistent number.
Adam
Well-Known Member
I believe our offense will be respectable this year, but I can't find alot of comparison to the 2009 team. That 09 squad had like 10+ future pros. IMO the 2009 team was by far Iowa's best ever under Ferentz. Maybe we could be that good this year, but I just can't make that leap yet.
It's a leap, I won't deny. We are going to need everyone to make a jump and a couple incoming guys to push hard enough to get some play time.
Not an impossible feat for sure.
I still think between first and second string by the time we start conference play, we will have the most (including both sides of the ball) nfl'ers so far in program history. I think we pulled two for sure with a strong consideration of three, just coming in. Wirfs, AJE, Stanley, another DB already on the team and I still hope one of our backs (not coincidence that Wisconsin has been winning and had backs drafted!!!) and hope for Brandon Smith to put in the work to make it. Plus we know our TE's are going to be looked at pretty close by the NFL for the next few years.
Exciting times for sure!
For me it all depends on how fast and far they can come. Along with play calling and substitutions.
It will be interesting to see what happens.
See how the o coaches do after a year. What rotations subs and schemes are dialed up on both sides of the ball.
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