Which Is Better: 2017 Hawks or 2018 Hawks?

IowaLawWasRight

IowaLawWasRight

Well-Known Member
Each year, Kirk downplays the season by saying that we are a "young team." Some years we are, some years we aren't (I mean, Illinois starts 14 true freshmen on its roster...THAT is a young team).

This year, we start 3 senior LBs (including perhaps the best LB in Ferentz history), a senior RB who may be the best under Ferentz as well, our top WR, Vandy, is a 5th year senior as well, and our top two OL, Welsh and Meyers, are 5th year seniors. With that said, we have a lot of young talent on the roster and a lot to look forward to next year.

In 2018, we get our QB back (he should be considerably better with a season under his belt), Easely and the true frosh WRs, our entire DL (minus Bazata), the DBs, and some future stars at TE.

So the question marks would have to be, who steps up at RB, and who on the roster can play LB besides the 3 seniors who have played nearly every snap for the past 3 years. If Ferentz would break his tendencies and sub LBs in and out to get them experience, it could go a long way toward a really solid 2018 season.

I'm going to go out on a limb and say...despite losing an all-American LB (those don't come along very often) and a superstar RB (those come around even less often), we are going to be even better next year than this 2017 team. QB, WR, OL, TE, and WR play will be improved and RB will take a step back. DL, and DB will be improved, while LB will take a huge step back.
 
Our DL should be improved, but I'm not sure it's enough to overcome losing the linebacking trio. Wadley will be a big loss, but the OL should be better (as long as Daniels returns) along with a more experienced Stanley and WRs. Even if Daniels doesn't turn pro, it might be a rough start to '18, IMO.

It's a good thing our first 4 games will be at home. Wisconsin being the 4th game isn't ideal, but Pedo St wasn't ideal either and we almost pulled off that upset.
 
The real question mark is LB. Losing 3 seniors will hurt and I don't have a good feel for who will be coming in next. But I think that next year's strength will be on both lines. This year's O Line has been disappointing. Coming off that national award for top O Line unit last year... this group has under performed. I have no doubts that they'll be stronger next year with Ike back. The same is true for this year's D Line. They have incredible size and talent. But they're not very fast and they haven't generated any push into the A gaps. Next year, I think they'll be greatly improved and will help new LBs adjust.

I've always been disappointed with Iowa's WR based passing game, with the exception of 2010 with DJK, Marvin McNutt, Keenan Davis, KMM. That was a solid core that was somewhat well utilized. Other than that, Iowa WR talent/production has never been up to par.

I'll be curious to see Stanley's dual threat progression. I think this could go in two directions. 1) He never evolves into much of a runner, instead staying in the pocket and truly developing as a legit NFL talent. 2) He utilizes his obvious athleticism and improved comfort level within the offense, evolving into more of a running threat. Either way, I like the outcome for the offense.

Wadley will be greatly missed. So often we lack that explosiveness on offense and I think he's the most explosive player we've had under Ferentz. He's not the best RB we've had under Ferentz. He's the 2nd or 3rd best RB we've had out of NJ
 
2018 is going to be better.
Stanley will be established. He will have chemistry with some dynamic skill players. Our O line will have 2 tackles that will anchor it.
Losing 3 LBs will be tough. But our D line will be light years better. And our DBs are going to be really good.

I am really looking forward to next season.
 
IowaLawWasRight said:
Each year, Kirk downplays the season by saying that we are a "young team." Some years we are, some years we aren't (I mean, Illinois starts 14 true freshmen on its roster...THAT is a young team).

This year, we start 3 senior LBs (including perhaps the best LB in Ferentz history), a senior RB who may be the best under Ferentz as well, our top WR, Vandy, is a 5th year senior as well, and our top two OL, Welsh and Meyers, are 5th year seniors. With that said, we have a lot of young talent on the roster and a lot to look forward to next year.

In 2018, we get our QB back (he should be considerably better with a season under his belt), Easely and the true frosh WRs, our entire DL (minus Bazata), the DBs, and some future stars at TE.

So the question marks would have to be, who steps up at RB, and who on the roster can play LB besides the 3 seniors who have played nearly every snap for the past 3 years. If Ferentz would break his tendencies and sub LBs in and out to get them experience, it could go a long way toward a really solid 2018 season.

I'm going to go out on a limb and say...despite losing an all-American LB (those don't come along very often) and a superstar RB (those come around even less often), we are going to be even better next year than this 2017 team. QB, WR, OL, TE, and WR play will be improved and RB will take a step back. DL, and DB will be improved, while LB will take a huge step back.
Click to expand...

Fire up the Delorean! We are heading to 2019!
 
Motigerhawk said:
2018 is going to be better.
Stanley will be established. He will have chemistry with some dynamic skill players. Our O line will have 2 tackles that will anchor it.
Losing 3 LBs will be tough. But our D line will be light years better. And our DBs are going to be really good.

I am really looking forward to next season.
Click to expand...
Who are the dynamic skill players he is going to have chemistry with? Just asking because every year everyone says this. This year, Brandon Smith, Quarrels, Young, etc. were all looking so good, and they have 2 catches between the three of them maybe? Stanley might be better next year, but I see no real improvement in the talent level at receiver. Thats a problem, and has been for some time now. We lose the one dynamic skill player we do have, Wadley.
 
IowaTeddy said:
The real question mark is LB. Losing 3 seniors will hurt and I don't have a good feel for who will be coming in next. But I think that next year's strength will be on both lines. This year's O Line has been disappointing. Coming off that national award for top O Line unit last year... this group has under performed. I have no doubts that they'll be stronger next year with Ike back. The same is true for this year's D Line. They have incredible size and talent. But they're not very fast and they haven't generated any push into the A gaps. Next year, I think they'll be greatly improved and will help new LBs adjust.

I've always been disappointed with Iowa's WR based passing game, with the exception of 2010 with DJK, Marvin McNutt, Keenan Davis, KMM. That was a solid core that was somewhat well utilized. Other than that, Iowa WR talent/production has never been up to par.

I'll be curious to see Stanley's dual threat progression. I think this could go in two directions. 1) He never evolves into much of a runner, instead staying in the pocket and truly developing as a legit NFL talent. 2) He utilizes his obvious athleticism and improved comfort level within the offense, evolving into more of a running threat. Either way, I like the outcome for the offense.

Wadley will be greatly missed. So often we lack that explosiveness on offense and I think he's the most explosive player we've had under Ferentz. He's not the best RB we've had under Ferentz. He's the 2nd or 3rd best RB we've had out of NJ
Click to expand...

Stanley dual threat progression? Have you seen him try and run? Looks like he has cement shoes on. He is no threat with his legs.
 
Caddy said:
Stanley dual threat progression? Have you seen him try and run? Looks like he has cement shoes on. He is no threat with his legs.
Click to expand...

I love watching Iowa football. Yes I have seen Stanley run, didn't notice the cement cleats. Currently, he's a minor threat to run at best. I think he has lots more running/athletic talent than he's showing this year. As the game slows down for him, I bet he'll become a more effective runner, knowing when to pick his spots.

He has the talent to be a playmaker QB with big throws and total command of the field. But in Iowa's offense, QBs feel much more like game manager types. As he gets more comfortable in the offense, he'll be better at getting rid of the ball quickly on blitzes, having audible control to get into the right play, and being able to pickup 3rd downs on the ground when the defense drops back. Under the current regime, it seems like we're never going to have or a quarterback with real speed and run breaking ability. When I say dual threat, I mean the ability to move around to setup the pass, turn -5 yard sacks into neutral plays or short gains, bootleg (off power play action), and pickup the occasional third down by tucking the ball and running.
 
IowaTeddy said:
I love watching Iowa football. Yes I have seen Stanley run, didn't notice the cement cleats. Currently, he's a minor threat to run at best. I think he has lots more running/athletic talent than he's showing this year. As the game slows down for him, I bet he'll become a more effective runner, knowing when to pick his spots.

He has the talent to be a playmaker QB with big throws and total command of the field. But in Iowa's offense, QBs feel much more like game manager types. As he gets more comfortable in the offense, he'll be better at getting rid of the ball quickly on blitzes, having audible control to get into the right play, and being able to pickup 3rd downs on the ground when the defense drops back. Under the current regime, it seems like we're never going to have or a quarterback with real speed and run breaking ability. When I say dual threat, I mean the ability to move around to setup the pass, turn -5 yard sacks into neutral plays or short gains, bootleg (off power play action), and pickup the occasional third down by tucking the ball and running.
Click to expand...
Stanley is slow as molasses. He runs like Jared Lorenzen in 3 feet of water.
 
2018 should be better and more consistent play. QB will have a year under his belt and the schedule will be easier. This might be the year to make another 10-11 win run.
 
Caddy said:
Who are the dynamic skill players he is going to have chemistry with? Just asking because every year everyone says this. This year, Brandon Smith, Quarrels, Young, etc. were all looking so good, and they have 2 catches between the three of them maybe? Stanley might be better next year, but I see no real improvement in the talent level at receiver. Thats a problem, and has been for some time now. We lose the one dynamic skill player we do have, Wadley.
Click to expand...


IKM and ISM and Smith and Young and Fant. And we have some possession type guys as we have.

I know it may be a stretch to believe this given our history. But I think these guys will produce.
 
Motigerhawk said:
IKM and ISM and Smith and Young and Fant. And we have some possession type guys as we have.

I know it may be a stretch to believe this given our history. But I think these guys will produce.
Click to expand...


I would say TJ Hockenson has also shown to have talent at catching the ball and running after the catch.

So I am not really worried about our receiver corps moving forward from this year. I think Stanley has good targets out there.
 
We will be better next year. The loss of Jewell will hurt bad, but there is talent behind him that hasn't had a chance yet...but they have been in the program.

I love the way guys are concerned about Stanley's speed. Hilarious. Like Iowa has always made it a priority to recruit dual threat guys. Stanley is on the right track. He's freaking accurate when he gets set and moves his feet...and he can make all the throws. He's got a cannon. He's just young, but man, if you aren't happy with what you are seeing from a first year guy...there is something wrong with you. Ben Rothlisberger couldn't run either...Stanley reminds me a little of Big Ben.

I love the fact that we have two 315lb Freshman tackles that will be around for awhile and they both look like they have huge upside. It sucked losing Ike...and I think that is the primary reason the running game is no where near where it should be. That injury was a serious killer to our offense.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Share this page

Top