NikeHawk21
Well-Known Member
I agree with the second part of your post, I’m not sure the interior line was that good. The backs could be a lot better I don’t question that, but you just didn’t see the holes that we are used to for an Iowa team.
Which Tackle (s) can slide into Guard?
- Thread starter NikeHawk21
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Fryowa
Administrator
Ok. I thought you meant move Wirfs and Jackson inside. That would be insane.
NikeHawk21
Well-Known Member
I think is would be surprising, but not necessarily insane. Not saying I’d advocate for it either just interesting.
As CP mentioned, what if Jackson was an awesome guard who could maul people with his size and run blocking ability? I recall not too long ago posters ripping him for not being able to pass protect in one game this year. If Mark K was as good at one of the Tackle spots it might make the move worth it. Imagine Wirfs and Jackson next to each other on the line, that would be nice to run behind.
TulipCityHawk
Well-Known Member
Great thread.
If you are going to be solid anywhere on the line, it's best to be solid at the tackles. Wirfs and Jackson are going to be rock solid there. It will be a dogfight for 2 of the 3 interior spots. I think we will be better at OLine next yet.
If you are going to be solid anywhere on the line, it's best to be solid at the tackles. Wirfs and Jackson are going to be rock solid there. It will be a dogfight for 2 of the 3 interior spots. I think we will be better at OLine next yet.
skinnykilmer17
Well-Known Member
I tend to agree with you. Regarding the center position, it wasn't that long ago that Blythe was playing it and playing it well. He was easily under 300 lbs. So was James Daniels at 295.
Going back I am not sure we have ever had a 300 pounder?
Hilgenberg
Sindlinger
Weigmann
Devlin
Eubanks
Ferentz
Blythe
Daniels
Render (maybe 300 lbs)
I know I have left out at least a few but surprisingly, or not, the majority of these guys were/are pros. But yesterday it sure looked like our interior was outsized and outmatched big time. A lot of that could be coaching. R. Morgan coached up a lot of the undersized lineman who had success. As did KF back in the day.
But a solidly built 310 lb center would be interesting to see. No one on the roster fits that description.
I just have a gut feeling that one, if not both, of the Paulsen boys makes a decision to become the very best they can be, after realizing that this is their last go around.
Levi seems to get more snaps when a back-up is needed, they both have the size and by now, they should have the technique down.
My best guess is left to right: Aleric, MK, Banwart, Levi, Wirfs. If Linderbaum really comes on, they insert him and push Banwart to RG. Then the Paulsen boys are next men in, regardless of where the injury happens.
Huge opportunities for the younger guys in 2020, when presumably we will need a LG and RT. Plumb was inserted at RT vs Illinois, so he is ahead of schedule. I always thought he was a great tackle possibility, but thought it would take longer to beef up. My guess in 2020 left to Right: MK, Jenkins, Linderbaum, Ezra and Plumb. Wait! Is Banwart a junior or Sophomore right now? He would be there if he is only a sophomore right now.
Levi seems to get more snaps when a back-up is needed, they both have the size and by now, they should have the technique down.
My best guess is left to right: Aleric, MK, Banwart, Levi, Wirfs. If Linderbaum really comes on, they insert him and push Banwart to RG. Then the Paulsen boys are next men in, regardless of where the injury happens.
Huge opportunities for the younger guys in 2020, when presumably we will need a LG and RT. Plumb was inserted at RT vs Illinois, so he is ahead of schedule. I always thought he was a great tackle possibility, but thought it would take longer to beef up. My guess in 2020 left to Right: MK, Jenkins, Linderbaum, Ezra and Plumb. Wait! Is Banwart a junior or Sophomore right now? He would be there if he is only a sophomore right now.
NikeHawk21
Well-Known Member
Oline recruiting has improved over the recent years and I think it will materialize with some very good Oline groups over the next few years.
Technically Wirfs and Alaric are sophomores this year. They could but I’m not so sure both go pro after next year but who knows.
Right. My assumption in the above post is that both our OT go pro after next season. I think that is pretty realistic. Hopefully, they both play in the bowl game since it will be a CFP game!
I also think both of our DE’s go pro, too, assuming Anthony Nelson returns for his senior year and AJE dominates.
I also think both of our DE’s go pro, too, assuming Anthony Nelson returns for his senior year and AJE dominates.
#1DieHardHawk
Well-Known Member
Keep an eye on Jeff Jenkins. He was oozing potential coming in. If he's not injured, I fully expect him to compete for minutes next season.
WinOneThisCentury
Well-Known Member
I would tend to agree, you leave the tackles alone and figure out the three interior spots. Banwart's got one of them...but the others are up for grabs. Iowa has a history of young tackles playing guard to get the best five on the field. After seeing what Kallenberger did against NIU in the first game against Sutton Smith (he's overrated...but), I think you will be hard pressed to keep him on the sideline because he's a natural tackle. I think he plays guard. The real intriguing thing for me is how much bigger Linderbaum gets. I don't think you remove a guy that was likely going to be in the DT rotation next year, so he can sit as a back up at center on offense. That's not fair to Linderbaum. They must be pretty damn confident in his ability and he can win the job.
The other guy that is going to be hard to keep out of the guard spot is Ezra Miller. He's going to come in at 310 and he moves really, really well. I just don't know that there will be three interior guys "Better than Ezra". I never get tired of saying that.
Then you have the usual suspects...Paulsons, etc.
It's going to be an interesting spring.
The other guy that is going to be hard to keep out of the guard spot is Ezra Miller. He's going to come in at 310 and he moves really, really well. I just don't know that there will be three interior guys "Better than Ezra". I never get tired of saying that.
Then you have the usual suspects...Paulsons, etc.
It's going to be an interesting spring.
NikeHawk21
Well-Known Member
I suppose Ezra could compete for a spot given his size. He’s enrolling early I believe which should help. Just didn’t expect a true freshman to crack the lineup but I suppose it’s possible.
tksirius
HN's Love Doctor
Do y'all think the move is more to do with the coaches' lack of confidence in current Center backups, excitement over Linderbaum's potential at the position, or a combination of the two?
skinnykilmer17
Well-Known Member
Good question. I was wondering the same thing.
Inquiring minds want to know.
Our listed backup center for at least part of the season was Duwa. Another smallish lineman who moved back to defense again. Hesse was a small d-lineman so who knows. This is curious because there is a lot more depth on the d-line and you would think harder for someone like Duwa to crack the lineup there.
I saw both Lindenbaum and Duwa play in high school. Definitely studs at that level. Ferentz and staff do a good job of developing players but you just never know if a kid can handle the transition from small town high school ball to P5 level of ball.
More hits or misses in the past twenty years??
SpiderRico
Well-Known Member
KF often starts high potential OL at guard...think Bulaga, Scherff, Reiff, and Yanda. I think Mark K is a starting LG (moving to tackle when Wirfs/Jackson leave, with Ezra at the other tackle) with Banwart and one other rotating at RG. I think Tyler is a 4 year starter at Center. He’s up to 6’2” and 285 according to Dochterman and KF loves him some multi year starting centers.
NikeHawk21
Well-Known Member
If it plays out this way I’d be super excited about the potential of our Oline. We know what the tackles can do. I’m pretty high on Mark K, and Linderbaum could be a very good one at center. Barnwart was steady this year and should improve next year.
Polasek mentioned they aren't going to touch the tackles. Those guys will be third year starting tackles and ill be even better next year. My guess is Kallenberger will be at one of the guard spots. They are high on Plumb but he seems like strictly a RT. Linderbaum and Banwart will compete for center but one of them could play guard and I think some younger guys like Jenkins or Ince could emerge. the better Paulsen will be probably be in play at RG.
The competition should be interesting from now till fall.
There are two main things to look at (as has been mentioned.
Technique. Whoever can pick up the play book and reading defenses the fastest and the best.
Size/strength. With more and more teams wanting to run a 3-4, the nt is at a premium. A big 330 pounder that you have to double team, thus losing an extra blocker there or risking him creating a hole for one of the mlb. To counter that you need some big and strong bodies in the middle. I expect there to be some good competition with Doyle this winter.
I'm not going to get into the details about a bunch of stuff and the trickle down effect in the multiple ways, but yeah we need a couple of big boys, strong boys, with good football knowledge to step up by spring. Which for the first time in..... Maybe forever some young guys are going to get looked at seriously. Ol has always been a position of upper class men at Iowa. That's more open now as TW has shown.
There are several who fit the bill, now it's up to them.
It will be fun watching how it all plays out between now and fall.
There are two main things to look at (as has been mentioned.
Technique. Whoever can pick up the play book and reading defenses the fastest and the best.
Size/strength. With more and more teams wanting to run a 3-4, the nt is at a premium. A big 330 pounder that you have to double team, thus losing an extra blocker there or risking him creating a hole for one of the mlb. To counter that you need some big and strong bodies in the middle. I expect there to be some good competition with Doyle this winter.
I'm not going to get into the details about a bunch of stuff and the trickle down effect in the multiple ways, but yeah we need a couple of big boys, strong boys, with good football knowledge to step up by spring. Which for the first time in..... Maybe forever some young guys are going to get looked at seriously. Ol has always been a position of upper class men at Iowa. That's more open now as TW has shown.
There are several who fit the bill, now it's up to them.
It will be fun watching how it all plays out between now and fall.
Robowe
Well-Known Member
What I am surprised with regarding the Linderbaum move, is that Jeff Jenkins came in and was lauded for his athleticism on the OL. This tells me he is quick for a big man, and given the success we had with Daniels as a really quick center, I thought Jenkins would be an ideal center candidate. Apparently he isn’t or they don’t move Linderbaum.
2020 is a real make or break year for the OL IMHO. First, I think Aleric and Tristan are in the NFL, so there is rebuilding involved. Second, you have a first year QB. 3rd, the defense that has done all of the heavy lifting will have had really important players graduate to the NFL, like A Nelson, AJE, Hooker and Lattimore and Reiff. Total rebuild on the DL. Because of that, 2020 may be a year that the offense has to do the heavy lifting for a change.
DT looks very, very thin after next year. Nixon and ...?
2020 is a real make or break year for the OL IMHO. First, I think Aleric and Tristan are in the NFL, so there is rebuilding involved. Second, you have a first year QB. 3rd, the defense that has done all of the heavy lifting will have had really important players graduate to the NFL, like A Nelson, AJE, Hooker and Lattimore and Reiff. Total rebuild on the DL. Because of that, 2020 may be a year that the offense has to do the heavy lifting for a change.
DT looks very, very thin after next year. Nixon and ...?
NikeHawk21
Well-Known Member
Good post.
I think we will still be okay on the Oline with Mark K, Barnwart, Linderbaum, Ezra, Plumb and plenty of other options.
As far as the Dline we certainly will feel the pain of those losses, but should return basically a three year player in Golston, hopefully Nixon impresses next year at DT. Waggoner was a highly touted guy who could emerge at DE. Inside we would have Shannon, I saw him on the sideline at the outback bowl and he already looks the part. Jalen Hunt looks like he will probably be a DT and many are high on him.
One other thing I’d add would be Phil has shown in recent years the ability to be multiple in our defense especially on passing downs. Could you see a pass rushing package with Waggoner, Nixon, Golston, and maybe Jestin Jacobs kind of in a stand up edge rusher position. Who knows, but it’s fun to think about. A few years ago we flirted with a “raider” package where we had guys standing up and had mixed results. This year we just put our best four pass rushers out there in third and long and got after the QB with four guys.
