The Iowa Offense

NCHawker

NCHawker

Well-Known Member
Well mid season one blogger said that nothing has really changed in iowa city since last year...a bit like moving food around on the plate or someting. Since then we've seen games against jNW, Michgian and NU. Iowa finist 92nd in passing and 41st in rushing

None of those games show much offensive prowess. JNW showed 2 drives in the 1st quarter and a TD pass in OT. Michigan - a bit better but still nothing special. While Iowa scored a season high (5 TD) in lincoln, they didn't get much done when they got the ball on their own side of the field.

This offense is still really inconsistent. We all just hang on hoping they'll get first downs and maybe maybe they'll move down the field and get a score. I'm always amazed when I see them mount a drive against a decent team...probably because it doen'st happen very often

What I want for christmas is a good offense....for a change.
 


Go back and see the 2012 numbers and you will feel better. Also, please remember we started a first year QB this year, so you know the passing approach was meant to make sure we didn't turn the ball over. Our defense also improved so much that you saw a bit more reliance on allowing them to stop the other team, and play the field position battle. It all worked out to 8-4, which was a step in the right direction.

Coming into 2014, with a QB with a year of starts under his belt, a receiving corp that is maturing and providing more options (namely Smith and Powell), and an offensive line that should be very, very good. We need to make sure Canzeri and Daniels get touches in the running game as we need the homerun guy in there more often, but the rushing numbers will improve next year. I think in 2014, you will get your offense...it just may not be quite ready on January 1st. And remember, you are going to see a top ten offense at Iowa. If we are in the high 20's, we will be doing great.
 


I have to pull out the KF phrase "execution" when looking at this years offense.

Running game - the Purdue game and games after that was a good blueprint for the upcoming bowl game and next year by showing Canzeri needs touches to give us an explosive burst, Weisman and Daniels can pound, and I think Daniels will show a little more speed and moves than Weisman by next year. But Weisman will get his carries and TDs as it is hard to keep a guy off the field when he just pizz-pounds tacklers like the TD at Nebraska where he gave a shoulder to 2 would be tacklers. Bullock can be useful in running as a receiver.

The passing game - Ah yes, here is where execution needs to improve although it was much improved this year over 2012. Still there are passes being dropped but not as much. Still Jake R is a little late on delivering some passes. But overall it was much improved with Jake R being very accurate, making good reads overall, and I think the receivers catching the ball better.

By the last half of the season I expected us to have good chances of picking up 3rd down and long yardages.

For 2014, I think the execution will be better, crisper, the line great pass and run blocking and the Hawk offense averaging about 6-7 more points a game (if our field goal kicking remains good).
 


The third year under a new offensive coordinator, coupled with improved receivers and a second year at the helm for Jake R. I would almost guarantee that we will see a significant improvement in the offense. Obviously, the offensive line will be equally as good or maybe even better and the schedule works in our favor.
 


^^^that and^^^^
I get tired of big play this and that.
All you have to do is keep them honest. If you cant in an area, that area needs improved. Otherwise just move the chains and you will win.
 


One thing I would really like to see is for Ferentz to open the offense up more than he does. Alot timrs the play calling is down right vannila. Theres quiet a few times during our games I even have a good idea of what were going to run. Its looks like Ferentz hasn't changed his playbook in yrs
 


I think the offense just needs to settle on a scheme. We still seem to mix GD and KF ideas, and it leads to confusion or perception of lack of awareness.

I think exploiting a teams weakness would be a good start, and to continue to "scratch where it itches". Too many times it felt like we were calling plays to balance out the play calling. We'd be running the ball very well, only to come out the next series with three straight passes. If we have an advantage running the ball, don't stop. The best pass call would be play action at that point.

I agree the offense should be better. We have a ton of experience coming back. Jake "should" get better, and I hope we see Canzeri getting more carries. When he started to play more, our offense looked a lot better.
 


bigjim said:
One thing I would really like to see is for Ferentz to open the offense up more than he does. Alot timrs the play calling is down right vannila. Theres quiet a few times during our games I even have a good idea of what were going to run. Its looks like Ferentz hasn't changed his playbook in yrs
Click to expand...

How many flea-flickers did you see in 2002? Reverses?

Exactly. When you have the personnel AND the experience AND the execution, vanilla will beat Flavor of the Month on a regular basis.
 


Iowa is not a big play offense. They rely on sustained drives, and getting multiple sustained drives that result in points is difficult to do. It's like making 18 pars in a round of golf. Very hard to do, and that's why you need birdies, to make up for your miscues. Iowa plays for pars. That's why they'd be a good U.S. Open player, but only so-so in the Bob Hope Classic.
 




I really liked the golf analogy. I think it's time to attack the par fives (Rudock throwing vertical) and try to hit the green in two. I'm so freaking tired of laying up and settling for par, because we aren't very good with a wedge (no big play ability at RB and WR). I do like the fact that our defense is playing more like Tiger Woods though (ie banging everything in sight). That's positive.
 


You must log in or register to reply here.


Latest posts

Share this page






Top