Sunday notes: Snyder is Iowa’s Wolverine, Bye Week To-Do List

[RobHowe]

HN's David Schwartz writes about Brandon Snyder's comeback and Iowa's to-do list for the bye week:

LINK

 

[vork22]

Eliminate jet sweep to tight ends.

 

[Adam]

HN's David Schwartz writes about Brandon Snyder's comeback and Iowa's to-do list for the bye week:

LINK

I think Snyder is a game changer on Defense. I like Snyder and Hooker back there. Now that we finally look solid at Safety, I would like to see Parker get creative and find ways to get Taylor and Gervase in there on passing downs and start subbing out Bower at the least. I think they are both capable of coming up on the run and certainly a plus on coverage vs Bower. I think they are better options than a 3rd CB in the nickel or 2 extra CBs in the dime.

 

[HawkeyeWalker]

I think we'll see more raider/nickel packages with Snyder back. Possibly more blitzing.

 

[#1DieHardHawk]

I think Snyder is a game changer on Defense. I like Snyder and Hooker back there. Now that we finally look solid at Safety, I would like to see Parker get creative and find ways to get Taylor and Gervase in there on passing downs and start subbing out Bower at the least. I think they are both capable of coming up on the run and certainly a plus on coverage vs Bower. I think they are better options than a 3rd CB in the nickel or 2 extra CBs in the dime.

That's an interesting thought. No doubt Bower is a liability, especially covering WRs in the flat. I thought for sure Illinois would try to isolate Dudek on him more in the second half but it didn't happen.

Of the two, I would definitely go with Gervase. I've felt for a long time that Taylor was/is a liability. He's not a particularly good athlete and compounds that with poor angles and poor tackling technique. He was basically pulled yesterday after being primarily responsible for that long run in the first. Bulk up Gervase a bit and use him more in a hybrid role.

 

[#1DieHardHawk]

The other addition to the "To-do" list would be more plays like the one Wadley scored on yesterday. Teams are recklessly attacking the LOS when we run the zone blocking scheme. The announcers didn't mention it, but what Brian did on that play was call a zone right, and everybody, including the FB shifted right. Wadley received the hand-off to the left and wasn't touched until the goal line. I wish we could have seen some of that creativity the last two weeks when PSU and MSU were completely selling out by reading the OL and FB. A little misdirection can go a long way.

 

[Adam]

The other addition to the "To-do" list would be more plays like the one Wadley scored on yesterday. Teams are recklessly attacking the LOS when we run the zone blocking scheme. The announcers didn't mention it, but what Brian did on that play was call a zone right, and everybody, including the FB shifted right. Wadley received the hand-off to the left and wasn't touched until the goal line. I wish we could have seen some of that creativity the last two weeks when PSU and MSU were completely selling out by reading the OL and FB. A little misdirection can go a long way.

Zone counter running is a staple in the NFL. I think what we are seeing is concepts being added to the game plan based on what teams have decided to take away from us. Is it late? Maybe, but remember the offense didn't struggle so much until PSU and MSU. So 2 games I can live with as a learning curve for a rookie play caller. I think Brian likely implemented the basic power run game in the off-season and like most of us probably thought who is going to stop this run game lol. It is clear we spent a lot of time on shoring up the passing game this off-season and I think that was critically important. The run game has suffered some because in the 2 losses the passing game didn't ever get clicking. I think we are so much better in the passing game this season and I think our run game will start shaping up after the bye week. Even against NW.

 

[hawkeyemark]

Zone counter running is a staple in the NFL. I think what we are seeing is concepts being added to the game plan based on what teams have decided to take away from us. Is it late? Maybe, but remember the offense didn't struggle so much until PSU and MSU. So 2 games I can live with as a learning curve for a rookie play caller. I think Brian likely implemented the basic power run game in the off-season and like most of us probably thought who is going to stop this run game lol. It is clear we spent a lot of time on shoring up the passing game this off-season and I think that was critically important. The run game has suffered some because in the 2 losses the passing game didn't ever get clicking. I think we are so much better in the passing game this season and I think our run game will start shaping up after the bye week. Even against NW.

Spot on observation here. I mentioned in commenting after the game that for those who watched it on tv Glen Mason drove me nuts talking about how as a run first team Iowa had to establish the running game and never mentioned how the passing game plays into that. I watched a completely different game than he did enjoying how we went to screens, passes with Standley under center and play action in the first half and then finally started running the ball off that which set up more play action. Kirk talks balanced offense but has always wanted to establish the run first. With Brian I can see us starting to move more towards a balanced offense where we may emphasize run or pass first depending on how the defense plays us. Major step forward that I think bodes well for our future.

 

[#1DieHardHawk]

Zone counter running is a staple in the NFL. I think what we are seeing is concepts being added to the game plan based on what teams have decided to take away from us. Is it late? Maybe, but remember the offense didn't struggle so much until PSU and MSU. So 2 games I can live with as a learning curve for a rookie play caller. I think Brian likely implemented the basic power run game in the off-season and like most of us probably thought who is going to stop this run game lol. It is clear we spent a lot of time on shoring up the passing game this off-season and I think that was critically important. The run game has suffered some because in the 2 losses the passing game didn't ever get clicking. I think we are so much better in the passing game this season and I think our run game will start shaping up after the bye week. Even against NW.

I think Brian is learning just like the players, and that includes learning how to make in-game adjustments. Nevertheless, running counter or misdirection plays after it became clear that PSU was selling out whenever they read the OL and FB run the zone scheme should have been a strategy heading into the MSU game at the very least. I'll cut him some slack, though, since his dad sometimes took 10 years to make adjustments... . And, yes, I agree, we are definitely seeing improvement in the passing game, so he deserves props for that.

 

[thetrza]

I sure hope Ferentz read the to-do list for the bye week!

 

[Xerxes]

The other addition to the "To-do" list would be more plays like the one Wadley scored on yesterday. Teams are recklessly attacking the LOS when we run the zone blocking scheme. The announcers didn't mention it, but what Brian did on that play was call a zone right, and everybody, including the FB shifted right. Wadley received the hand-off to the left and wasn't touched until the goal line. I wish we could have seen some of that creativity the last two weeks when PSU and MSU were completely selling out by reading the OL and FB. A little misdirection can go a long way.

"Reckless" is a very accurate term to describe how defenses are attacking Wadley. The PSU game was incredible. Herby pointed it out early. Their LBs were completely selling out following Wadley. They were crashing into the LOS before Wadley would even touch the ball. I think Iowa could have PA bootlegged them to death in the game.

 

[HawkeyeWalker]

"Reckless" is a very accurate term to describe how defenses are attacking Wadley. The PSU game was incredible. Herby pointed it out early. Their LBs were completely selling out following Wadley. They were crashing into the LOS before Wadley would even touch the ball. I think Iowa could have PA bootlegged them to death in the game.

It's been a while so not sure about this, but I think PSU was keeping a backside end or LB home on almost every play waiting for boot. It's how they got the safety on the misdirection pitch.

 

[kameltoez102]

That's an interesting thought. No doubt Bower is a liability, especially covering WRs in the flat. I thought for sure Illinois would try to isolate Dudek on him more in the second half but it didn't happen.

Of the two, I would definitely go with Gervase. I've felt for a long time that Taylor was/is a liability. He's not a particularly good athlete and compounds that with poor angles and poor tackling technique. He was basically pulled yesterday after being primarily responsible for that long run in the first. Bulk up Gervase a bit and use him more in a hybrid role.

I have mentioned it before on another thread but I feel Snyder should be moved to OLB to replace Bower. Bower is such a liability in the pass game and Snyder can more than hold his own on the run. Especially with Iowa's scheme on D I feel he is a better fit and Bower can fill in for all three or get him on some blitz packages. There are some guys that seem to just make plays and Snyder is one of them.

 

[guffus]

Rob got a few facts wrong. No big deal, but just to clarify.

Indiana did play the first week, against Ohio State. Indiana was supposed to play FIU the 3rd week but that game got cancelled because of the hurricane. This last week was supposed to be Indiana's bye week, but Indiana scheduled a replacement game with a FCS team to take the place of the FIU game.

Iowa did not have fake punts in 2 straight games, but it did have fake kicks in 2 straight games.

 

[mrolympia]

has snyder ever called anyone else "bub"?

 

[hawkfan2679]

The other addition to the "To-do" list would be more plays like the one Wadley scored on yesterday. Teams are recklessly attacking the LOS when we run the zone blocking scheme. The announcers didn't mention it, but what Brian did on that play was call a zone right, and everybody, including the FB shifted right. Wadley received the hand-off to the left and wasn't touched until the goal line. I wish we could have seen some of that creativity the last two weeks when PSU and MSU were completely selling out by reading the OL and FB. A little misdirection can go a long way.

After the Michigan game last year NCHawker posted a video from a site that broke down Wadley's game vs. Michigan. One of the plays in that game was very similar to what we ran on Saturday (except in the Michigan game the FB followed Wadley). It also reminded me of a play we ran way back when Shonn Greene was here. So that particular play has spanned the KOK era, the GD era, and now the BF era.

Play 4 - This is Iowa's version of misdirection. Entire OL blocks zone left, RB steps left and path starts as if it's zone left...CJB even extends ball to left. All of this creates flow from the defense...what the OL is really doing is setting up the seal blocks for the play to go back towards the right. Iowa always has a TE that can handle (or at least stalemate) a DE, and with Kulick for the OLB, it's the safety who has to come down to make a play. He promptly doesn't and Wadley is able to gain extra yardage. From the "I'm not sayin', I'm just sayin'" department...anyone who doesn't think this is a KF offense here's exhibit A:
Instead of a full back a TE is used, but the scheme remains the same...in this case work inside in tandem with the TE from the DE to the OLB to seal it, and poor Frank Duong is left grasping at Kinnick air.

And one more time, just for good measure...this time the same play, almost to a T:

I do like the wrinkle of motioning to bunch. That way our motioning WR (Easley or MVB, can't recall) can get off the LOS in the same manner regardless of whether it's this misdirection play or if they are running a shallow route. It looks the same to the defense...but it (counter action) needs to be more consistent if it's going to have an impact on the running game. Teams aren't going to slow their flow because you run 2 or 3 counter plays per game.

 

[earlkoppelman]

I think we'll see more raider/nickel packages with Snyder back. Possibly more blitzing.

Synder blitzing sounds quite interesting.

 

[Adam]

After the Michigan game last year NCHawker posted a video from a site that broke down Wadley's game vs. Michigan. One of the plays in that game was very similar to what we ran on Saturday (except in the Michigan game the FB followed Wadley). It also reminded me of a play we ran way back when Shonn Greene was here. So that particular play has spanned the KOK era, the GD era, and now the BF era.



I do like the wrinkle of motioning to bunch. That way our motioning WR (Easley or MVB, can't recall) can get off the LOS in the same manner regardless of whether it's this misdirection play or if they are running a shallow route. It looks the same to the defense...but it (counter action) needs to be more consistent if it's going to have an impact on the running game. Teams aren't going to slow their flow because you run 2 or 3 counter plays per game.

True. Teams will not adjust flowing with the play just because of one or 2 counters, but we are a team built around keeping every game close until we either break the other team late or we lose. So in this landscape if Iowa's defense can keep us in games 1 or 2 counters for big plays or scores maybe just enough to pull out some wins. If you overuse it to establish a drive those plays maybe taken away later in the game and not be as effective to help turn the tide. Any way you slice it though, we broke Illinois back with the passing game and we won't beat any B1G teams without a competent passing performance. It is just too easy to shut down a running game if there is no danger of getting beat through the air. We simply must convert the passing plays that are called and that are open. We do that and there is nothing to talk about, because we will be winning.

 

[#1DieHardHawk]

After the Michigan game last year NCHawker posted a video from a site that broke down Wadley's game vs. Michigan. One of the plays in that game was very similar to what we ran on Saturday (except in the Michigan game the FB followed Wadley). It also reminded me of a play we ran way back when Shonn Greene was here. So that particular play has spanned the KOK era, the GD era, and now the BF era.



I do like the wrinkle of motioning to bunch. That way our motioning WR (Easley or MVB, can't recall) can get off the LOS in the same manner regardless of whether it's this misdirection play or if they are running a shallow route. It looks the same to the defense...but it (counter action) needs to be more consistent if it's going to have an impact on the running game. Teams aren't going to slow their flow because you run 2 or 3 counter plays per game.

I think a lot depends upon how successful those counter plays are. A few 7 or 8 yard runs probably wouldn't be much of a deterrent, but a couple of scores or 30 yard plays definitely will get the defense thinking. Also, the play doesn't have to be a counter per se. Other options for punishing the LBs would be having a receiver run a crossing route behind the linebackers from the back side, or releasing the TE down the seam after feigning a block on the strong side, both off of PA. Hitting a couple of those will make the DC think twice about selling out to attack the zone scheme.