What does everyone think of the offensive play calling this year?.

[Hawkfnntn]

B... The passing game is 100% better compared to the Dreg Gavis years. Guys seem to be getting open downfield and we are actually throwing to them. We aren't connecting on some of those passes, but to get better at something you need to keep at it until you get it right.

So far we have been able to sling it around without any turnovers. I am scared that the first bad INT will cause Kirk to throw the anchor on it and turtle up back to the run on first and second down, and then a 5 yard square out on third down approach.

Yeah and he was oh so close to having one of those in the red zone yesterday on that lucky tip to TJ. That ball wasn't going to come close to getting into Marsette in all that traffic. If that'd have been picked that'd have been pretty bad...
But it wasn't and here we are.
One thing that I think is different between GD and BF is that BF seems to be ok putting the QB in a position to be a star. Not just the game managing guy. Think about the all the shots that he's called already for Stanley to throw. And in crunch time how he called plays against ISU for him. This is a true Soph that's never played till now and he's let him go play without a leash if you ask me. GD seemed to not want QBs to be in that kind of role. He wanted to just dink it all day long and hope the defense missed tackles. All I know is that through 3 games I don't think trying to scout us and get a read on what we are trying to do in the passing game is nearly what it used to be. And that's half the battle in the chess match that football is.

 

[proudhawkfan21]

Mark it down. Late yesterday, that stretch run into the short sideline actually gained yards, IKM went for about 15.

That's the 1 time out of 20 that it works. Enough already.

Score didnt matter. Running the clock did. Good call. See Atlanta vs. New England for reference to, go for more points/1st downs vs. running down the clock.

 

[proudhawkfan21]

I disagree, it has been very predictable. When we are in a one back set it's a run or play action. Did you notice how well North Texas keyed on the run in that formation while keeping a guy on the QB in case of play action roll out? Stanley only play actioned a couple times and each time the defender was on him. If we are in shotgun with one back it's a read option even though we don't ever run the QB (Stupid play). TE in motion from wide is an end around that never works. Any check at the line is a run change in direction never to a pass (this has always been a problem). We are as predictable as ever. I do like the throws to RBs out of the backfield but in general this is an easy offense to prepare for.

Newsflash, EVERY offense is easy to prepare for. EVERY ONE OF THEM. Scheme is easy. You have to stop it. There arent any tricks. You know EXACTLY what Alabama is gonna do...Ohio State...USC....every one of them. They are going to do what they do. So will we. We are still a 7-5 type of team. The playcalling is MUCH better. And yes, if you are bored with us doing what wins 8 or so games a year, so be it. The playcalling this year is much more aggressive even if we rely on old faithfuls a lot. Its called an identity. Are you in the fake ID camp?

 

[Motigerhawk]

I really love our pass calling. That part of the offense is fantastic.
Our run game needs tweaking. It is still pretty obvious where we are going to run. And our O line isnt man handling defenses right now. Maybe throw in some misdirection. And start using the zone blocking a little less.

I give it a 7 out of 10. When we get our run game a little less obvious it will go up.

 

[HawkeyeDenis]

I disagree, it has been very predictable. When we are in a one back set it's a run or play action. Did you notice how well North Texas keyed on the run in that formation while keeping a guy on the QB in case of play action roll out? Stanley only play actioned a couple times and each time the defender was on him. If we are in shotgun with one back it's a read option even though we don't ever run the QB (Stupid play). TE in motion from wide is an end around that never works. Any check at the line is a run change in direction never to a pass (this has always been a problem). We are as predictable as ever. I do like the throws to RBs out of the backfield but in general this is an easy offense to prepare for.

Did you notice how Iowa ran the ball down their throat and challenged them to stop it? Second half was all Iowa.

 

[Motigerhawk]

Yeah, we wore them out. But will we wear out PsU? or MSU? or OSU?
I hope so.

 

[hawkeyes87]

I would say the O looks better so far, but they haven't played even a decent D yet. So, grade is "Incomplete".

Remember, the GD offense put up 45, 42, and 21 last non-con. They didn't exactly continue that in the B1G.

 

[vork22]

Did you notice how Iowa ran the ball down their throat and challenged them to stop it? Second half was all Iowa.

Yeah that was great they can do that against garbage teams not the likes of Penn St.

 

[vork22]

Newsflash, EVERY offense is easy to prepare for. EVERY ONE OF THEM. Scheme is easy. You have to stop it. There arent any tricks. You know EXACTLY what Alabama is gonna do...Ohio State...USC....every one of them. They are going to do what they do. So will we. We are still a 7-5 type of team. The playcalling is MUCH better. And yes, if you are bored with us doing what wins 8 or so games a year, so be it. The playcalling this year is much more aggressive even if we rely on old faithfuls a lot. Its called an identity. Are you in the fake ID camp?

Where did I say anything about being bored? Are you referring to the undefeated season? Yes then I am in the fake ID camp we played one good team and one great team that year and lost them both one being an embarrassment. Iowa's only chance to win the West is on easy schedule years like Wisconsin has this year. Sad but true. Penn State will exploit the tendencies that I was referring to. I never said our playcalling wasn't better I was disagreeing to it being less predictable. Go read.

 

[vosov]

The play calling has been the biggest upgrade on the entire team.

 

[trj]

I am not sure what to think. Even if GD was brought back they were going to have to change things up. Bringing KOK back was the biggest they made, imo.

 

[ibahawkeye]

I'm not going to criticize individual play calling. I don't know what the offensive game plans are going into games. I don't know what coverage or blitzing schemes are being changed from possession to possession. I don't know if certain plays are ran to set up something later.

So for me, I think it only makes sense to offer a grade based on the results of the offense.


The passing game is so much better than I expected.

The rushing attack hasn't been great but the Defenses we've gone up against have keyed on the run.

The penalties and turnovers have been concerning at moments.

We've missed multiple deep ball opportunities but can't fault the play calling. That's just execution.

I'm going to give an A-.

 

[Thawki]

I am not sure what to think. Even if GD was brought back they were going to have to change things up. Bringing KOK back was the biggest they made, imo.

Why were they going to have to change things up if Greg Davis came back? You could've said that after any season Davis completed at Iowa, but they never changed. And you do realize KOK would not have been brought in if Davis was still there, don't you?

 

[mrolympia]

compared to greg davis, a++++++
for a 1st year coordinator, A-
for an offense who's head coach is kirk ferentz, probably an A or A-
For an offense overall in the modern era of college football regardless of who is coaching, probably a B-

 

[trj]

Why were they going to have to change things up if Greg Davis came back? You could've said that after any season Davis completed at Iowa, but they never changed. And you do realize KOK would not have been brought in if Davis was still there, don't you?

Did you not see how pathetic Iowa's passing attack was at the end of last season? Even if GD didn't "retire" adjustments were going to have to be made.
Everyone and their mom knew it. I am not making any new revelations here. Bottom line, Davis stays or not changes would have been made.

 

[NCHawker]

Bring this up after the first loss

Boom

 

[NCHawker]

I am pleased, I think its a "B". or low A.

If Iowa had executed better we'd be saying A+++.

The passing game has become so much more interesting. The formations are varied and what they run from the formations vary a lot.

 

[ibahawkeye]

I am pleased, I think its a "B". or low A.

If Iowa had executed better we'd be saying A+++.

The passing game has become so much more interesting. The formations are varied and what they run from the formations vary a lot.

How does it make sense to lower your grade for play calling based on execution?

I can't fault Brian for a few over thrown deep balls.

 

[NCHawker]

How does it make sense to lower your grade for play calling based on execution?

I can't fault Brian for a few over thrown deep balls.

No explanation necessary, instead I'll let it keep you up all night

 

[taffaej]

I still see some questionable calls but we seem to be mixing things up a tad more. I credit the success to Stanley who is starting to impress me with his poise. A true test will come against penn state