Things are going to get worse so buckle up...

[dahawkeyes]

I now believe that KF is all in with James Vandenberg this season no matter what cards fall from here on out. What does this mean to Hawkeye fans?

Lets start here. In 2009 Vandenberg came in to the Northwestern game with a lead and our undefeated season on the line and possibly a national title run who knows, he was awful and he missed everyone and we generated no offense for the rest of the game. It was a lot of pressure to say the least and he did not respond well. Next week OSU game and no one had any expectations for Vandenberg other than just get us out of there alive. He through several INT's some called back but he play pretty well considering.

Move on to last year and he does well at home. For some reason can not get that road win though expert for a Purdue win that we had to rely on the fumble throat goal line safety to win. Starting to seem like Vandenberg does not respond well to pressure and uncomfortable environments away from home.

Now this year new offensive coordinator and system (lots of change). Kirks comments James has really bought into this system and loves it. First game he plays poorly and gets sacked six times. That first game killed Vandenberg and the season I really do believe. He has made it a point not to ever get sacked again and gets the ball off carelessly early and often. He had his worst performance against Michigan State and then the week after gets even worse.

Is everyone else seeing this too? The pressure is mounting and he is getting worse. I love the guy and I do think he is trying to work through this, but I think its just going to tumble from here. I think the defense is going to realize they are making stops for a team that only gets five first downs in a first half with no points. Don't look for them to be stepping up anything soon. Jake may be horrible but I don't know we would be able to see a negative difference in bringing him in. That said its unlikely that will happen barring a injury.

I am afraid we are loosing the rest of our games this year and I am not sure how thats going to shake out for the coaches. I hope I am wrong and the James gang proves me wrong.

 

[hawkfarmer]

Can't argue with much here. It's all in his head, plain and simple.

 

[kicker22]

Part of me understands Kirk wanting to stand behind a QB that has put so much into the program the past 5 years. However, regardless of his intentions, if Kirk continues to stand by and do nothing while Vandy struggles he could see that player he's so fond of go down as one of the biggest disappointments in recent Hawkeye history.

If Rudock, given an opportunity actually produces, regardless of where he's at in development behind Vandy, could actually aid in Kirk saving face and quietly closing Vandy's career as a Hawkeye. Regardless of who Vandy is a person and what he has put into this program, if he continues at the rate he is going he will only be remembered as a failure, whether it was his fault or not.

 

[kmajhawk]

Can't argue with much here. It's all in his head, plain and simple.

I would say it's all in two heads inside of Fort Kinnick ...

 

[NickM]

Things could get worse, but there is plenty of season left for things to get better, and Iowa is very much alive for a decent bowl game. I don't know whether there is another guy on the bench that could play better, but it's clear KF is all in with JVB. So for the love of god I hope they start adjusting to the things he does well to help him out. If KF is putting JVB out their to take all of the physical and mental bullets being shot his way he owes it to him to make adjustments to try to help JVB out. I hope there is some serious analysis going on with the coaches along the lines of "forget what we want to do on offense. What can we do to help JVB play better?" At this point I think the answer is go vertical - order him to throw the fade, call deeper routes, and...wait for it... be unpredictable. Try some things completely out of character like the flea flicker.

 

[hawkforlife9]

I totally disagree. Looks for a change in QB this week. Capt is a bright man, he would of made the change in the Penn State game had he given somebody else some snaps in practice that week. He had no idea the level of the meltdown he'd see in JVB. He now understands it. He's giving others a chance to practice this week.. JVB starts out very hot - or he's out first quarter. Don't question the coaching intellegence of the Capt... he's brilliant.

 

[hawkfarmer]

I totally disagree. Looks for a change in QB this week. Capt is a bright man, he would of made the change in the Penn State game had he given somebody else some snaps in practice that week. He had no idea the level of the meltdown he'd see in JVB. He now understands it. He's giving others a chance to practice this week.. JVB starts out very hot - or he's out first quarter. Don't question the coaching intellegence of the Capt... he's brilliant.

 

[hawkfan1319]

Should we start wearing paper grocery bags over our heads during the games?

 

[latrans]

I totally disagree. Looks for a change in QB this week. Capt is a bright man, he would of made the change in the Penn State game had he given somebody else some snaps in practice that week. He had no idea the level of the meltdown he'd see in JVB. He now understands it. He's giving others a chance to practice this week.. JVB starts out very hot - or he's out first quarter. Don't question the coaching intellegence of the Capt... he's brilliant.

 

[hawkfarmer]

Should we start wearing paper grocery bags over our heads during the games?

NO. They are Iowa Hawkeyes and we support them no matter what. The players dedicated a lot of time and health to this program and you support them at all times.

 

[urohawk]

It will get worse because Schreff (our best player) is now out. We had our chance to pad wins and we blew it. Now making a bowl is a long shot.

 

[STILLBUSTER]

Should we start wearing paper grocery bags over our heads during the games?

Perhaps ... or, it would be apropos to storm the D Y K E Stadium field chanting, "We're the worst! We're the worst!" after NwU tops the 38 PSU just tagged on the Hawks.

 

[ihawkeye]

I totally disagree. Looks for a change in QB this week. Capt is a bright man, he would of made the change in the Penn State game had he given somebody else some snaps in practice that week. He had no idea the level of the meltdown he'd see in JVB. He now understands it. He's giving others a chance to practice this week.. JVB starts out very hot - or he's out first quarter. Don't question the coaching intellegence of the Capt... he's brilliant.

Man i hope your right. But this would be very unlike KF to do something like this.

 

[1hawkeye1]

One man's worse is another man's more entertaining.

 

[kameltoez102]

I now believe that KF is all in with James Vandenberg this season no matter what cards fall from here on out. What does this mean to Hawkeye fans?

Lets start here. In 2009 Vandenberg came in to the Northwestern game with a lead and our undefeated season on the line and possibly a national title run who knows, he was awful and he missed everyone and we generated no offense for the rest of the game. It was a lot of pressure to say the least and he did not respond well. Next week OSU game and no one had any expectations for Vandenberg other than just get us out of there alive. He through several INT's some called back but he play pretty well considering.

Move on to last year and he does well at home. For some reason can not get that road win though expert for a Purdue win that we had to rely on the fumble throat goal line safety to win. Starting to seem like Vandenberg does not respond well to pressure and uncomfortable environments away from home.

Now this year new offensive coordinator and system (lots of change). Kirks comments James has really bought into this system and loves it. First game he plays poorly and gets sacked six times. That first game killed Vandenberg and the season I really do believe. He has made it a point not to ever get sacked again and gets the ball off carelessly early and often. He had his worst performance against Michigan State and then the week after gets even worse.

Is everyone else seeing this too? The pressure is mounting and he is getting worse. I love the guy and I do think he is trying to work through this, but I think its just going to tumble from here. I think the defense is going to realize they are making stops for a team that only gets five first downs in a first half with no points. Don't look for them to be stepping up anything soon. Jake may be horrible but I don't know we would be able to see a negative difference in bringing him in. That said its unlikely that will happen barring a injury.

I am afraid we are loosing the rest of our games this year and I am not sure how thats going to shake out for the coaches. I hope I am wrong and the James gang proves me wrong.

The thing that disappoints me is that we know Vandenburg can play in big spots and have good performances because he has done it. I don't think it is just the new system as he misses completely wide open receivers and is making too many mistakes. I stand by Kirk letting him play as coach also knows what he can do and sees him in practice every day. The difference is Ruddock is a complete unknown. Maybe he would perform great I don't know. From a coaching stand point it is a tough decision to play the guy you know can make plays but is struggling or test your waters on an unproven guy. I do think if Vandy continues to struggle Ruddock has to get some snaps whether it be a few series or something else. Maybe that is what Vandenburg needs to light a fire under him. I think it is a much more complicated problem then what we on the forums think. If something doesn't happen if Vandy struggles again then Something is very wrong. The season can still be a success but we are sitting on the edge of a razor right now.

 

[ihawkeye]

Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.

 

[HobbieHawk]

It will get worse because Scherff (our best player) is now out. We had our chance to pad wins and we blew it. Now making a bowl is a long shot.

What the doctor said

 

[hawkeyebob62]

I now believe that KF is all in with James Vandenberg this season no matter what cards fall from here on out. What does this mean to Hawkeye fans?

Lets start here. In 2009 Vandenberg came in to the Northwestern game with a lead and our undefeated season on the line and possibly a national title run who knows, he was awful and he missed everyone and we generated no offense for the rest of the game. It was a lot of pressure to say the least and he did not respond well. Next week OSU game and no one had any expectations for Vandenberg other than just get us out of there alive. He through several INT's some called back but he play pretty well considering.

Move on to last year and he does well at home. For some reason can not get that road win though expert for a Purdue win that we had to rely on the fumble throat goal line safety to win. Starting to seem like Vandenberg does not respond well to pressure and uncomfortable environments away from home.

Now this year new offensive coordinator and system (lots of change). Kirks comments James has really bought into this system and loves it. First game he plays poorly and gets sacked six times. That first game killed Vandenberg and the season I really do believe. He has made it a point not to ever get sacked again and gets the ball off carelessly early and often. He had his worst performance against Michigan State and then the week after gets even worse.

Is everyone else seeing this too? The pressure is mounting and he is getting worse. I love the guy and I do think he is trying to work through this, but I think its just going to tumble from here. I think the defense is going to realize they are making stops for a team that only gets five first downs in a first half with no points. Don't look for them to be stepping up anything soon. Jake may be horrible but I don't know we would be able to see a negative difference in bringing him in. That said its unlikely that will happen barring a injury.

I am afraid we are loosing the rest of our games this year and I am not sure how thats going to shake out for the coaches. I hope I am wrong and the James gang proves me wrong.

You know, it's high time someone brought all this up. I really have been waiting. I figured we'd NEVER get to talking about JVBs issues or whether or not KF will insert another QB.

 

[SirJamaLot]

A lot of Hawkeye fans are frustrated when a team like Penn State with a new coach and new system can come in an humilate us at home. When they announced davis as the new offensive co. I was hoping for the best but worried that he could be worse than O'Keefe. If JVB played for a top ten program he would have been benched long ago. I would love it if he could get it turned around but it doesnt look good. There is something wrong with our offense and it is not just the QB. If we cant run over people then we are screwed.

 

[dahawkeyes]

The thing is they cant play worse at QB than they are now, not really anyways. I think you are right that even if it just lights something under JV's buttocks it may be beneficial. I think practice is the thing Kirk is watching, but again we go back to a comfort level and I am sure he is lighting up the practice field with awesome throws on those days but not on the game-field. Even if he could play like he did the last 8 minutes of the game when it was already in the tanker and he was just throwing the ball around with no purpose last Saturday.

The thing that disappoints me is that we know Vandenburg can play in big spots and have good performances because he has done it. I don't think it is just the new system as he misses completely wide open receivers and is making too many mistakes. I stand by Kirk letting him play as coach also knows what he can do and sees him in practice every day. The difference is Ruddock is a complete unknown. Maybe he would perform great I don't know. From a coaching stand point it is a tough decision to play the guy you know can make plays but is struggling or test your waters on an unproven guy. I do think if Vandy continues to struggle Ruddock has to get some snaps whether it be a few series or something else. Maybe that is what Vandenburg needs to light a fire under him. I think it is a much more complicated problem then what we on the forums think. If something doesn't happen if Vandy struggles again then Something is very wrong. The season can still be a success but we are sitting on the edge of a razor right now.