The conditioning of out front four?

[Thawki]

The conditioning of our front four?

Has anyone addressed the fact that our defensive line seems to be winded more this year than anyone can remember in the KF era? We have always prided our program on being tougher and in better shape than our opponents. When it gets late in games that will wear other teams down in body and spirit and we will beat them by shear will of force and desire on mental and physical toughness, based upon endurance of the mind and body.

But this year AC has appeared to be winded late in games in numerous games. Ballard appeared to be tired late in the game yesterday, along with AC. The guys doing the game even commented on it if I recall correctly.

Typically we have had guys at DE that have been a little lighter than AC and Ballard. I am not trying to call these guys out, but I believe this is a legitimate point to debate. On top of everything, we are rotating in a fifth player when in the past we have had lines as good as this we rarely rotated in anyone.

What does everyone think of this endurance factor? When you are that tired late in the game it is harder to make the stops we haven't been making that we have in the past.

I'd be interested to hear some other opinions.

 

[HaydenHawk56]

Fat cats. But, it must suck for the defensive line to more or less just play push and shove with the offensive linemen all game long with no real special blitz package being brought into the mix. It must also be real frustrating to play push and shove to only turn your back and see another completed and wide open 7 yard pass on first, second, third, or 4th down.

 

[SeattleHawkeye]

It's the scheme. It's the scheme. It's the scheme. It's the scheme. Get the point?

When you play the bend but don't break and give teams the underneath throws, teams that are willing to take those (such as IU and NW) will nickel and dime and dink and dunk your *** all day, resulting in long, taxing drives...meaning your defense is on the field all day. Also, rushing the QB is very taxing on the DL, in particular chasing a mobile QB that can scramble. And lastly, when your O is largely non-existent at points throughout the game, your D doesn't get any rest.

The thing is this scheme has worked for years against most teams, but been less successful against some other teams, namely spread passing teams that will take the underneath throws. All that being said, the D only gave up 21 points yesterday, so while they couldn't make a key stop at the end, hard to really fault them too much.

 

[McNutt7gets6]

**** the scheme. It's lack of heart plain and simple. We have no spark on the team this year. This always happens with a high expectation KF team - we lose the chip on our shoulder and don't play with that extra drive and toughness. It breaks my heart having to watch the lack of effort. Mistakes will happen but we need 110% out there not 75% (i.e., standing on the sidelines gasping for air during the most important part of the game).

 

[racerhawk]

I've wondered about the conditioning all year. I'm not sure, though. It could be the scheme that we play, but I agree that AC has looked really, really tired at crucial times in games throughout the year. I dunno.

 

[AHawk1]

The 1st period is won by the best technician. The 2nd period is won by the kid in the best shape. The 3rd period is won by the kid with the biggest heart.” Dan Gable


I'm not calling the kids out. I just always liked that quote.

 

[JPOHawk]

It's the scheme. It's the scheme. It's the scheme. It's the scheme. Get the point?

When you play the bend but don't break and give teams the underneath throws, teams that are willing to take those (such as IU and NW) will nickel and dime and dink and dunk your *** all day, resulting in long, taxing drives...meaning your defense is on the field all day. Also, rushing the QB is very taxing on the DL, in particular chasing a mobile QB that can scramble. And lastly, when your O is largely non-existent at points throughout the game, your D doesn't get any rest.

The thing is this scheme has worked for years against most teams, but been less successful against some other teams, namely spread passing teams that will take the underneath throws. All that being said, the D only gave up 21 points yesterday, so while they couldn't make a key stop at the end, hard to really fault them too much.

Plus add to the equation the offense's pathetic third down conversion rate, 2 of 14 and it is the icing on the cake. That puts the Defense on the field much, much too long. I don't care what kind of shape you are in, chasing receivers from sideline to sideline that long will gas ANYONE. We need to have the offense stay on the field, manage the drive, clock and S-C-O-R-E.

Certainly IMHO, the hallmark of KF teams is they improve as the season moves forward. I just do not see this team improving dramatically and getting better week to week this season. Given the number of team injuries and loss of key position personnel, I believe we have attempted to fill in the blanks and hope for the best. It is what it is.

 

[hawkijustin]

**** the scheme. It's lack of heart plain and simple. We have no spark on the team this year. This always happens with a high expectation KF team - we lose the chip on our shoulder and don't play with that extra drive and toughness. It breaks my heart having to watch the lack of effort. Mistakes will happen but we need 110% out there not 75% (i.e., standing on the sidelines gasping for air during the most important part of the game).

Been watching to much Remember the Titans my friend.

Its the scheme. It always has been and always will be. A team like NW doesnt beat you as much as they do for no reason.

 

[LDHawkfan]

I think the only reason our front four were so winded was because of the complete failure of our offense. 3 and outs kill a defense. And NW ran 50 plays in the second half. Our defense may not be what we all thought it was gonna be but our offense is the BIG dissapointment. We have too much talent to play the way we do. What is the problem? KOK!

 

[racerhawk]

The 2 of 14 third down conversion rate was probably huge. Against the spread offense, the best defense is a good offense, and we didn't have that yesterday.

 

[racerhawk]

I think the only reason our front four were so winded was because of the complete failure of our offense. 3 and outs kill a defense. And NW ran 50 plays in the second half. Our defense may not be what we all thought it was gonna be but our offense is the BIG dissapointment. We have too much talent to play the way we do. What is the problem? KOK!

I didn't realize they ran 50 freaking plays in the second half! That explains a lot.

 

[PDXHawkeye]

Can you imagine if we played Oregon and their hurry-up O. Play every 20 sec. We would probably have to quite after the 3rd period....

 

[Billso]

50 plays in the 2nd half, and 80 total offensive plays by NW. There's your answer. Any defense in America would be winded. Scheme's got nothing to do with it.

 

[tm3308]

50 plays in the 2nd half, and 80 total offensive plays by NW. There's your answer. Any defense in America would be winded. Scheme's got nothing to do with it.

Scheme's got EVERYTHING to do with it. Because offenses like Northwestern are allowed to take the underneath stuff, they can put together long drives, thus the 50 2nd half plays.

 

[HerkyDog]

50 plays in the 2nd half, and 80 total offensive plays by NW. There's your answer. Any defense in America would be winded. Scheme's got nothing to do with it.

I couldn't disagree with you more. This performance was not an anomaly this past week.

This is the first time I have ever seen an Iowa team constantly gassed in the 4th quarter. If you think back to Arizona (and you could make an argument for ISU), every 4th quarter, Iowa's defense has been out of gas. Not sure you can apply this to the offensive skill players and special teams, they just haven't been making plays as consistently as we expected throughout the course of the game, but the entire defense, and one could make a case for including the O line, is out of gas every game by the 4th quarter... and I think every opponent Iowa has played since Arizona knows it. Let's take a short trip down memory lane:

ISU 4th quarter 7-0 ISU (eh, game was wrapped up. No prob)
'Zona " 13-7 Iowa (we know how that ended, and it was HOT, so... pass)
Ball State " 10-0 Iowa (no starters in 4th quarter, no issue)
Penn State " 7-0 Iowa (2nd half paint dry. Awww, Kirk...)
Michigan " 21-10 Michigan (first raised eyebrow, scary)
Wisconsin " 10-7 Iowa (first all out gas at the end. Ummm... worried after last week)
MSU " 6-0 MSU (blowout, but pattern is now bothersome)
IU " 9-0 Iowa (Iowa tongues hanging at end, lucky to win. Alarm sounding)
NU " 14-0 NU (I've seen enough)

I can't remember a season when I felt comfortable stating this, and I've been a regular at Kinnick since 1972.

For those of us that just look at the 4th quarter scores, and are casual game watchers, it looks bad but not terrible, or out of the ordinary. Those of us that watch these games with intent and maybe even more than once, with fresh memories of these games know the feel of the 4th quarters above.

Unfortunately, I think we are witnessing a pattern. We'll see if it continues with a mighty big test this week... I guarantee you that Tressel is preaching 60 minutes this week, and they had a nice little tune up to that end yesterday.

 

[PatrickAdamovicz]

Scheme....all the way. When you allow soft cushions on the corner almost every play you negate any pass rush you may get. If people have noticed Iowa seems to be a step or two from getting to the QB on a lot of plays. This is a direct result of allowing the QB easy short throws because the scheme calls for the corners to play off and give up the 6 to 7 yard route. Happens time an time again resulting in long, taxing drives.

 

[ForeverHawk]

Is there any chance this coaching staff could possibly alter the scheme during the course of a game? Just asking, and that is all I was looking for!!!

 

[LDHawkfan]

Is there any chance this coaching staff could possibly alter the scheme during the course of a game? Just asking, and that is all I was looking for!!!

I don't see any chance of that happening. I am praying that we alter our scheme for the OSU game but I don't think we'll do that either. As far as altering a scheme during a game...don't hold your breath.

 

[LDHawkfan]

Is there any chance this coaching staff could possibly alter the scheme during the course of a game? Just asking, and that is all I was looking for!!!

I don't see any chance of that happening. I am praying that we alter our scheme for the OSU game but I don't think we'll do that either. As far as altering a scheme during a game...don't hold your breath.

 

[okeefe4prez]

I don't see any chance of that happening. I am praying that we alter our scheme for the OSU game but I don't think we'll do that either. As far as altering a scheme during a game...don't hold your breath.

Alter the schemes in a week? Not going to happen. Tressel can just dust off the 2006 video of the Iowa-OSU game and change a few guys' numbers and show them exactly how they are going to beat Iowa. We're going to see a lot of 7+ minute drives by the Buckeyes. Sanzenbacher will probably move up draft boards based on the stat padding he will receive in this game after Tressel throws him into the slot for a few drives. Well, that's assuming our front 7 can stop the run. Anyone remember what they did to us up front last year?