To answer hawkinn3's question

[Joshbrown]

Yeah I've read the posts . . . "I'm concerned so and so graduates . . . I'm concerned about depletion at such and such position" . . . etc.

QB - improved. And deep.
RB - ah ha, you want to panic, admit it. Don't worry. Iowa will be alright. Wadley will be missed. But someone will make a name for themselves.
WR - improved
OL - improved
TE - more depth than any other team in the B1G

Special Teams - improved

DL -improved
LB - we'll be okay. Possible slight regression. But there is depth.
DB - improved

So there you have it. Da thoroughbreds will be even better next year.

 

[HungryHawk]

Good assessment, I agree with almost everything. I think you're definitely right about the RBs, the instinct is to panic but I think we will be much better off than some might think.

I think the LB spot will be more than a slight regression, but I sure hope I am wrong. I also think the DB group may take a step backward (maybe 1/2 step) because I think Jackson is gone, although I do believe we have some depth there as well as well as some promising newcomers on the slate.

 

[Joshbrown]

Good assessment, I agree with almost everything. I think you're definitely right about the RBs, the instinct is to panic but I think we will be much better off than some might think.

I think the LB spot will be more than a slight regression, but I sure hope I am wrong. I also think the DB group may take a step backward (maybe 1/2 step) because I think Jackson is gone, although I do believe we have some depth there as well as well as some promising newcomers on the slate.

Good reply.
I think many share your fear about the LB position. But who knew the Outlaw or Pat Angerer were gonna be special?
If JJ isn't gone, then I think we can agree that the DB position will be well manned.
Overall, the coaches should be pleased with what they'll have to work with.

 

[HawkeyeDenis]

I think the loss of Outlaw and the others will be felt, but hopefully they left their influence on the younger players. I don't think an Outlaw is in the mix however, he was just a special player we were lucky to watch.

 

[deanvogs]

Year I've read the posts . . . "I'm concerned so and so graduates . . . I'm concerned about depletion at such and such position" . . . etc.

QB - improved. And deep.
RB - ah ha, you want to panic, admit it. Don't worry. Iowa will be alright. Wadley will be missed. But someone will make a name for themselves.
WR - improved
OL - improved
TE - more depth than any other team in the B1G

Special Teams - improved

DL -improved
LB - we'll be okay. Possible slight regression. But there is depth.
DB - improved

So there you have it. Da thoroughbreds will be even better next year.

Good breakdown Josh. I agree, I'm not gonna panic about the RB position. We have kind of disappointed in the running game overall this year. I think the staff takes care of that, plus Jackson, Wirfs, Daniels and Render all come back and we should have an improved ground attack.

The LB play will be the big ??? I do like the fact our DL should be fully stocked, and play at an even higher level, which should allow LB to just make plays in space. I think Iowa has been stockpiling talented LB/TE athletes and we will be ok at the LB position. Obviously a drop off from this year, but overall should be ok.

 

[guffus]

LB is going to be a big problem, who is getting any experience behind the starters?

If josh Jackson turns pro, there will be a dropoff at CB.

There will be a dropoff at RB. Wadley is a special talent.

 

[eledmonster]

Year I've read the posts . . . "I'm concerned so and so graduates . . . I'm concerned about depletion at such and such position" . . . etc.

QB - improved. And deep.
RB - ah ha, you want to panic, admit it. Don't worry. Iowa will be alright. Wadley will be missed. But someone will make a name for themselves.
WR - improved
OL - improved
TE - more depth than any other team in the B1G

Special Teams - improved

DL -improved
LB - we'll be okay. Possible slight regression. But there is depth.
DB - improved

So there you have it. Da thoroughbreds will be even better next year.

Looks good Josh! I totally agree with everything on the offensive side of the ball. As for the defense, LB may be interesting but I suspect that everything will be fine. There is a lot of depth right now even if we aren't seeing it with the trio of excellent starting seniors. The DS's should be better if Jackson comes back. If he doesn't, it will likely be a push. Snyder at 100% will help the safeties will help, replacing Jackson will be less easy.

 

[Hawkfnntn]

Good assessment, I agree with almost everything. I think you're definitely right about the RBs, the instinct is to panic but I think we will be much better off than some might think.

I think the LB spot will be more than a slight regression, but I sure hope I am wrong. I also think the DB group may take a step backward (maybe 1/2 step) because I think Jackson is gone, although I do believe we have some depth there as well as well as some promising newcomers on the slate.

I'm with you there's no way there isn't a step back at LB and with Jackson I'm sure leaving he won't be easily replaced. For him to slide in for King like he did was lightning striking twice kinda luck.

 

[HawkInATX]

Year I've read the posts . . . "I'm concerned so and so graduates . . . I'm concerned about depletion at such and such position" . . . etc.

QB - improved. And deep.
RB - ah ha, you want to panic, admit it. Don't worry. Iowa will be alright. Wadley will be missed. But someone will make a name for themselves.
WR - improved
OL - improved
TE - more depth than any other team in the B1G

Special Teams - improved

DL -improved
LB - we'll be okay. Possible slight regression. But there is depth.
DB - improved

So there you have it. Da thoroughbreds will be even better next year.

Who of us last season thought to ourselves "Man, we might miss Bo Bower out there..."? And yet here we are.

 

[thejumper5]

There will likely be a pretty massive step backward at LB. You don't lose Jewell, Niemann, and Bower and not see the drop off. It will be as drastic a drop off as we saw in '06 and '10--maybe more. Hopefully the coaches can get creative with Raider formations and nickel sets to overcome it.

Beyond that, RB will probably take a small step backward, and CB is up in the air until Jackson's status is known. Other positions *should* see improvement between now and next year.

 

[revkev73]

Biggest improvement...IMHO...OC

More experienced

More freedom to be creative

More trust from HC..."He must increase...I must decrease"

 

[earlkoppelman]

Year I've read the posts . . . "I'm concerned so and so graduates . . . I'm concerned about depletion at such and such position" . . . etc.

QB - improved. And deep.
RB - ah ha, you want to panic, admit it. Don't worry. Iowa will be alright. Wadley will be missed. But someone will make a name for themselves.
WR - improved
OL - improved
TE - more depth than any other team in the B1G

Special Teams - improved

DL -improved
LB - we'll be okay. Possible slight regression. But there is depth.
DB - improved

So there you have it. Da thoroughbreds will be even better next year.

Lb

Looks good Josh! I totally agree with everything on the offensive side of the ball. As for the defense, LB may be interesting but I suspect that everything will be fine. There is a lot of depth right now even if we aren't seeing it with the trio of excellent starting seniors. The DS's should be better if Jackson comes back. If he doesn't, it will likely be a push. Snyder at 100% will help the safeties will help, replacing Jackson will be less easy.l

MR.AKRUM,+LB'S.BUTLER would have been very handy.Do not want to losePhil or Reece EITHER.Huge game sat no

 

[HungryHawk]

I think the loss of Outlaw and the others will be felt, but hopefully they left their influence on the younger players. I don't think an Outlaw is in the mix however, he was just a special player we were lucky to watch.

Josey is definitely special, and I think losing all three will be a bigger loss than the sum of their parts. We may definitely have some special players waiting to step up, but I don't think the experience is there to prevent a noticeable drop in production. Luckily I think the DL will take about two or three steps forward next year and help make up some of the difference.

Coming into this season I thought our WR core was hanging on by a thread, and that thread was MVB. I like what I've seen in the passing game so far, and as much as I love what meerkat has done for the hawks, I don't think we'll miss him next year (as far as production goes, that is.)

 

[mrolympia]

dbs will take a hit if jackson goes pro

 

[archiehawk]

I think the loss of Outlaw and the others will be felt, but hopefully they left their influence on the younger players. I don't think an Outlaw is in the mix however, he was just a special player we were lucky to watch.

By suggesting we will improve on special teams are you thinking KF will go searching for a punter?

 

[#1DieHardHawk]

I honestly think we'll absorb almost all of the losses well. Certainly, there will be a learning curve at LB, but I really like the potential. Welch is going to surprise people, and I think there's a good chance that Mends will be looking to make a statement his senior year. The only guy I'm a little concerned about is Hockaday. When given opportunities, he appears to struggle with reactions and getting off blocks, so I could see him being beaten out. Two guys to watch out for are Taylor and Wieland. Apparently, the coaches are very high on Wieland.

As for Jackson, IMO we have outstanding depth at corner. It would hurt to lose him, but Hankins, Turner and Boswell all look like outstanding prospects. I'm really looking forward to seeing what they have to offer.

 

[haydensly]

Linebacker will have a pretty big drop off, at least early in the season. I remember the first year without Kirksey, Hitchens and Morris. Might have been our current LB's first year. We were run on pretty regularly at the start of the season. It got better throughout the year. I think there is decent talent to come in, it's the experience that will be missing and they will need time to gain that. And there probably isn't a Josey Jewell on the roster anyway.

 

[Joshbrown]

I honestly think we'll absorb almost all of the losses well. Certainly, there will be a learning curve at LB, but I really like the potential. Welch is going to surprise people, and I think there's a good chance that Mends will be looking to make a statement his senior year. The only guy I'm a little concerned about is Hockaday. When given opportunities, he appears to struggle with reactions and getting off blocks, so I could see him being beaten out. Two guys to watch out for are Taylor and Wieland. Apparently, the coaches are very high on Wieland.

As for Jackson, IMO we have outstanding depth at corner. It would hurt to lose him, but Hankins, Turner and Boswell all look like outstanding prospects. I'm really looking forward to seeing what they have to offer.

Good post.
To me the improvement areas will make up for any deficient areas. I think even the people worried about certain players or certain positions can admit that the overall improvement will mask areas that need help.
Another thing to remember, fans like to say, "Oh no we have injuries . . . or . . . oh no so and so is graduating." The reason those things don't bother me much is cuz every other team has those issues as well. This weekend we play Wisky and they have multiple players injured or questionable.

 

[Joshbrown]

By suggesting we will improve on special teams are you thinking KF will go searching for a punter?

I think you hit the reply button on the wrong post.
I said we'll be improved on special teams because I can't see how more experience will hurt us in any facet of that unit. If you're saying we have bad punters . . . ok (I think that is overblown but won't argue the point). Are you suggesting they will be worse next year? I would assume either they will improve with time or someone else will step up.

 

[ArvadaHawk]

Good assessment, I agree with almost everything. I think you're definitely right about the RBs, the instinct is to panic but I think we will be much better off than some might think.

I think the LB spot will be more than a slight regression, but I sure hope I am wrong. I also think the DB group may take a step backward (maybe 1/2 step) because I think Jackson is gone, although I do believe we have some depth there as well as well as some promising newcomers on the slate.

i agree with lb's. they should be fundamentally and positionally, sound, but they will lack experience. only thing that can fix that is by playing.

I think we'll be fine next season if...IF...kirk doesn't shrivel up into his shell and shackle Stanley. Look, Stanley looks like he will be a superior talent. Use it. Exploit it. Did anyone happen to notice that every rb who had a carry on Saturday had at least 1 long break away run? Any ideas why? That's right, the passing game.

So, the WR's better hold true and progress, or it could be a longer season than we might anticipate. I'm looking at 9 wins next season, minimum. Who's with me?!