Story: Hawkeyes Set on Defining Legacy in November
- Thread starter RobHowe
- Start date
ChosenChildren
Well-Known Member
The only legacy this team is going to leave is a 6-7 losing season.
This team stinks on both sides of the ball
This team stinks on both sides of the ball
RobHowe
Administrator
What any of us thinks will happen really is inconsequential.
We've seen them rally before ('08) and fold before ('14).
HawkGold
Well-Known Member
Sorry, but it does come across as rah rah rah click bait. If truly a reporter, you should be asking some really hard questions rather than risking upsetting the Iowa AD and coach. These guys (including coaches) blew it. It's not about a team over achieving and a feel good story. It's about saving some face.
The NW story might be better suited for what you are trying to do.
RobHowe
Administrator
Please tell me you're joking. Please.
Joshbrown
Well-Known Member
Thanx Rob for the article.
“It’s like judging our schedule back in July. As much as people want to categorize and have perceptions about things, it’s all about what happens,” Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said. “That’s one of the great things about sports as opposed to real life, the opportunity is pretty equal. At 7:42 on Saturday, we both got a chance. I know it’s not 50-50, but we both got a chance to win the game. In some situations in life, that ain’t the case. But in this one, it’s a chance to go out there and win a ball game.”
This part of the article sums up the problem IMO. Kirk is referencing how everyone said the first 6 games were a given. He says I know we got a chance. I know it's not 50-50, but look what he says right before that: the opportunity is pretty equal.
What is he doing there? I think he's giving us a window into his thinking. I think when Iowa goes up against the big boys he believes they have an advantage. A win against them requires some luck if your name is Iowa or Iowa State. But when Iowa goes up against anyone else it's 50/50. I bet the day we went up against NDSU he thought they had a 50/50 shot at winning. He doesn't expect Iowa to beat weaklings, he HOPES they win. I think he does look at the Iowa program as being basically equal to the Iowa State program when it comes to an opportunity for victory on any given Saturday. In his mind Iowa is a program with more reasons to fail, than to succeed.
I think his mind is caught up in the "lil ole Iowa" syndrome. But he's smart enough to correct himself when he gives away his poker hand.
“It’s like judging our schedule back in July. As much as people want to categorize and have perceptions about things, it’s all about what happens,” Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said. “That’s one of the great things about sports as opposed to real life, the opportunity is pretty equal. At 7:42 on Saturday, we both got a chance. I know it’s not 50-50, but we both got a chance to win the game. In some situations in life, that ain’t the case. But in this one, it’s a chance to go out there and win a ball game.”
This part of the article sums up the problem IMO. Kirk is referencing how everyone said the first 6 games were a given. He says I know we got a chance. I know it's not 50-50, but look what he says right before that: the opportunity is pretty equal.
What is he doing there? I think he's giving us a window into his thinking. I think when Iowa goes up against the big boys he believes they have an advantage. A win against them requires some luck if your name is Iowa or Iowa State. But when Iowa goes up against anyone else it's 50/50. I bet the day we went up against NDSU he thought they had a 50/50 shot at winning. He doesn't expect Iowa to beat weaklings, he HOPES they win. I think he does look at the Iowa program as being basically equal to the Iowa State program when it comes to an opportunity for victory on any given Saturday. In his mind Iowa is a program with more reasons to fail, than to succeed.
I think his mind is caught up in the "lil ole Iowa" syndrome. But he's smart enough to correct himself when he gives away his poker hand.
RobHowe
Administrator
You might be right. Hard to say what goes through his mind and what's said behind closed doors.
I tend to think coaches think differently than the rest of us. I don't think they pop in game film and are convinced one way or the other on what the game's outcome should be. They treat every opponent as capable of winning and try to scheme ways to beat it. They go in believing they have a chance to win against anyone if they play better. Lot of cliches, yes, but I don't think they consciously analyze what their chances are of winning.
I tend to think coaches think differently than the rest of us. I don't think they pop in game film and are convinced one way or the other on what the game's outcome should be. They treat every opponent as capable of winning and try to scheme ways to beat it. They go in believing they have a chance to win against anyone if they play better. Lot of cliches, yes, but I don't think they consciously analyze what their chances are of winning.
HawkGold
Well-Known Member
It's well written and an easy read. I just think there are harder questions to be asked. Is it fair to think Iowa should be unbeaten...of course not. They should have only 1 loss and with a little offense could be. I'm mostly down on media in general with the election and other stuff. It seems like reporters are more afraid of getting fired than asking tough questions. It comes off somewhat like HN is a part of the Iowa Athletic Dept Marketing division. Sorry... I actually write for a living too (not sports reporting). Criticism is hard. I enjoy your style. It seems reporters are afraid of KF.
RobHowe
Administrator
Thank you for reading and the kind words.
Maybe I'm naive or blind to it, but I feel, for the most part, tough questions are asked. They might not be asked the way some fans would like them to be asked, but they're asked.
The team is 5-3/3-2 right now. We've asked about inconsistent offense, the FG decision against Wisconsin, etc.
We need to see how this season plays out and as it does we'll ask appropriate questions. Let's see what happens.
Joshbrown
Well-Known Member
All valid points. My wife is a psychologist (lots of free therapy for Josh - LOL!). She would probably say - that like the rest of us - Kirk has his conscience ideas/expectations as well as his subconscience ideas/expectations. For 99% of us, those two things spend a lot of time battling each other.
If you're an athlete, you tell yourself, "I can beat this guy." But the winner is usually determined (IMO) by which one of the competitors isn't just positive on the surface, but also positive deep down in their core where fears get vanquished.
Stanzi
Well-Known Member
I just want to see someone ask Ferentz point blank how in the world Davis still has a job. How can you be that consistently below average/bad and keep your job this long? We have talent on offense. We don't utilize it at all. It has been painful watching the offense ever since the ISU game. I just don't understand how changes aren't made at least to the play calling and schemes and personnel. Shake things up. Get creative. What they are doing is clearly, painfully not working and it drives me crazy that changes aren't made.
Stanzi
Well-Known Member
Yea no matter who the OC is KF is going to be involved, but it would give me (and I would guess a lot of fans) at least some hope if Davis retires or is replaced.
thedukeofearl
Well-Known Member
Reminds me of all the negative posts about Ken O'Keefe. Would love to have him back.....
Be careful of what you wish for.....
Be careful of what you wish for.....
Joshbrown
Well-Known Member
The KOK-amnesia-syndrome has been entertaining to witness.
thedukeofearl
Well-Known Member
I really would love to have Ken back. Davis, on occasion, maybe once or twice, perhaps thrice a game, he just might call a mild exotic which, again, on occasion, just might work.....
I don't mean to give the impression that would happen each and every game. That would be the
definitive definition of OverReaching.....
Joshbrown
Well-Known Member
Even Rob is reaching the point where he acknowledges that whether it's KOK or Davis or someone else, Kirk just isn't built for innovation. Vandy had that spectacular comeback against Pitt, but something inside Kirk couldn't see why the miracle happened. Which is how a season with a 3,000 yard/25 TD passer can suck so much.
It would seem that you would not even have to mention Davis by name in the press conference, merely point out that through the Wisconsin game Iowa ranks 113th out of 128 teams in total offense:
http://hawkeyenation.com/football/iowa-football-statistically-speaking
Then when KF responds with the usual BS about execution, or injuries you call him on it. It is the offensive scheme, it is the play-calling. The press is tip-toeing around it, and I really don't understand why.
