Things setting up for 2012 ....

Homer - I'm with you. I expect a better than expected 2011 and a really good 2012. I think our OL will be one of the best in the nation next year and get better in 2012. Coker and company may go for some big yards and I see D Johnson having a nice year too. If our D can hold up I think we will be really good in 2011 and better 2012.
 


I really don't agree with the above assertions AT ALL!

Iowa rotated guys on the DL with pretty great frequency. Both Binns and Daniels saw a lot of action ... and Daniel even saw a good bit of positional action too. Frankly, that is MORE substitution on the DL than we usually see.

As for coaching ... a lot of the coaching was pretty darn solid. The coaching was frankly one of the reasons why Iowa stayed in several of the games. That's not to say that mistakes weren't made ... however, when things go right, much of the credit goes to the players for their execution. When things DON'T go right ... much of the blame is also ATTRIBUTABLE TO THEM. It's a little thing called accountability.

Whenever you lose close games ... the outcomes could have hinged on any one of dozens of different things. One of the biggest things that hurt Iowa early in the season was absolutely terrible special teams play. As the season progressed ... it seemed that it was then largely injuries and emotional deflation that brought down the team.

This is where we disagree- Iowa rotated a lot of defensive lineman for IOWA. Most schools will play 6 to 7 players, and while it was refreshing to see Ballard be able to line up all over the D-line, Iowa didn't do them any favors when you compare to most schools. I know Clayborn has remarked on it multiple times.

My point about Prater and Hyde is less about their play than the philosophy of this year's defense- Iowa wasn't aggressive enough on third down. We can debate all day about how we personally would have fixed things (don't get me wrong- I love the basics and think the blitz packages have improved in the last couple of seasons), but it is my contention that the coaching staff was slow to adjust to teams ability to get rid of the ball. Iowa's third down defense was not good comparatively to the previous two seasons. The defense as a whole was a let down.

I don't think that Morris screwed up lining up the defensive line either. Everything I have read and heard about him says he was extremely prepared and did a very good job of lining up the defense. He was quick to the ball in the run game and has a ton of potential as a cover linebacker- but I will never worry about a middle linebacker at Iowa's prep. As much as I wish they were more aggressive on third down this season, I was satisfied with Iowa's run defense on 1rst and 2nd downs.
 


This is where we disagree- Iowa rotated a lot of defensive lineman for IOWA. Most schools will play 6 to 7 players, and while it was refreshing to see Ballard be able to line up all over the D-line, Iowa didn't do them any favors when you compare to most schools. I know Clayborn has remarked on it multiple times.

TOP wasn't against Iowa all that much this year ... so if Clayborn attempted to make that argument, I'm not sure that I buy it.
 


lack of LBs in '10 put more pressure on the DL. Easier to be a real effective DL when you have quality cover guys behind you - that xtra second, xtra step, xtra confidence that the guys will make the plays will make all the difference in the world.

had nothing to do with being 'out of condition'.


Here is the point that most casual fans don't get. Almost every team last year ran max protect vs Iowa D line. Keeping seven in chipping with backs and Te's. Slowing down the pass rush and putting more pressure on a young and weak linebacker crew. This being said its on the staff to adjust to this, and this is why I feel Iowa missed Norm last year more than anyone will ever know.
 




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