Who went to spring scrimmage and what are the big news items

[HaydenHawk56]

It blows my mind how at other places they put true freshmen out there. Keep in mind when they do that they are doing it despite having more experienced people on the roster.

Somehow at Iowa the system is soooo difficult for players to grasp. It takes years to be ready...as if it were a complex wine vintage.

It has to be a code word to cover for seniority.....so the coaching staff can cut off the media from questioning why the chosen one continues to get the bulk of the minutes with xyz years of experience (even if the chosen one's play is questionable) over the other players on the sidelines. We saw it with McCann/Banks and JakeS/Stanzi.

I think they want their hand-picked guy to work out so much that even when it is apparent to everyone else a change is needed, they are resistant to it...or late to the party.

 

[Hawkfnntn]

The public scrimmage results by QB’s will have 0 impact on who starts next fall.

The results yes you're right have no impact and mean next to nothing.

But who played with the 1st team and against 1st team D the most does... It's the Petras show again and expect more of the same. Next season will be ground hog day all over again if the Oline and running game doesn't improve because the passing game will struggle....

 

[NorthKCHawk]

Someone mentioned in another post about how different Iowa's system is than most. Very few teams let their QB audible. The majority of teams call a play from the sideline and then if they don't snap, look to the sideline for a check. Sometimes its just the QB who calls the check and sometimes the whole damn team looks over for the check. In any event, setting aside that such a system takes away the entire presnap read and adjustments from the QB, these same spread systems usually have exactly one read per play for the QB.

You can see why, in such systems, a young and talented guy can pick that up quickly. That may be why the vast majority of teams run that kind of offense. Its also what most high schools are running now too.

I don't mind KF running a pro style offense. Its sort of like running the triple option at Georgia Tech. Your defense is not used to defending this weird ass offense.

What has baffled me is why---given that the majority of NFL teams still run some variation of the pro style offense---why KF has not been able to attract even one blue chip pro style QB in 20+ years. There are only like 5 teams in the country that really run it. We should have backed into a great pro style QB by now just by the law of averages.

 

[HaydenHawk56]

Someone mentioned in another post about how different Iowa's system is than most. Very few teams let their QB audible. The majority of teams call a play from the sideline and then if they don't snap, look to the sideline for a check. Sometimes its just the QB who calls the check and sometimes the whole damn team looks over for the check. In any event, setting aside that such a system takes away the entire presnap read and adjustments from the QB, these same spread systems usually have exactly one read per play for the QB.

You can see why, in such systems, a young and talented guy can pick that up quickly. That may be why the vast majority of teams run that kind of offense. Its also what most high schools are running now too.

I don't mind KF running a pro style offense. Its sort of like running the triple option at Georgia Tech. Your defense is not used to defending this weird ass offense.

What has baffled me is why---given that the majority of NFL teams still run some variation of the pro style offense---why KF has not been able to attract even one blue chip pro style QB in 20+ years. There are only like 5 teams in the country that really run it. We should have backed into a great pro style QB by now just by the law of averages.

Just like Fran struggles to get a blue-chip point guard. We have lacked a field general in both sports.

 

[HaydenHawk56]

The results yes you're right have no impact and mean next to nothing.

But who played with the 1st team and against 1st team D the most does... It's the Petras show again and expect more of the same. Next season will be ground hog day all over again if the Oline and running game doesn't improve because the passing game will struggle....

In fact, I fully expected nothing to change when it comes to the offense. Zero, zip. In fact, they may triple down on things.

We may see another blimp on the radar where we run a where the F has that offense been all year when we beat someone we are not expected to....but then the Genie goes back in the bottle.

Maybe we will see more straight ahead running like Wisconsin does....looked like we were doing some of that at the end of the year as I recall. Groundhog day indeed. Watch out for that first step it is a dozy.

But, I fully expect to see the zone blocking scheme to resurface and we see more 4 more yard tackles to the short side of the field for losses on first down. Then hope our defense bails us out again and again.

I tell you what....I would rather have a 1-3 yard gain than a 4 yard loss on first down.

At least they did get to the Big Ten Title game last season.....the accomplishment of the year IMHO...then the game happened....but we sure had them frustrated in that 2nd quarter. I hope we pound Michigan like we did to OSU at Kinnick this year. Maybe that will be our what the F game.

 

[HuckFinn]

Someone mentioned in another post about how different Iowa's system is than most. Very few teams let their QB audible. The majority of teams call a play from the sideline and then if they don't snap, look to the sideline for a check. Sometimes its just the QB who calls the check and sometimes the whole damn team looks over for the check. In any event, setting aside that such a system takes away the entire presnap read and adjustments from the QB, these same spread systems usually have exactly one read per play for the QB.

You can see why, in such systems, a young and talented guy can pick that up quickly. That may be why the vast majority of teams run that kind of offense. Its also what most high schools are running now too.

I don't mind KF running a pro style offense. Its sort of like running the triple option at Georgia Tech. Your defense is not used to defending this weird ass offense.

What has baffled me is why---given that the majority of NFL teams still run some variation of the pro style offense---why KF has not been able to attract even one blue chip pro style QB in 20+ years. There are only like 5 teams in the country that really run it. We should have backed into a great pro style QB by now just by the law of averages.

Exactly. Precisely!

 

[NorthKCHawk]

I am expecting marginal improvement in both QB play and offensive performance for the following reasons:

1. I mean really, do we have anywhere to go but up?
2. I like the chatter about simplifying the offense for the QBs
3. Even with the loss of Lindy, the OL should be more veteran, bigger and better as a whole
4. Having two bigger, downhill running backs will stop drive killing 3 yard loss runs.
5. Our WRs and TEs should be salty
6. Petras is a system guy, not a playmaker. The system should be better. So will he.

Not expecting miracles, just praying for average.

 

[racerhawk]

In fact, I fully expected nothing to change when it comes to the offense. Zero, zip. In fact, they may triple down on things.

We may see another blimp on the radar where we run a where the F has that offense been all year when we beat someone we are not expected to....but then the Genie goes back in the bottle.

Maybe we will see more straight ahead running like Wisconsin does....looked like we were doing some of that at the end of the year as I recall. Groundhog day indeed. Watch out for that first step it is a dozy.

But, I fully expect to see the zone blocking scheme to resurface and we see more 4 more yard tackles to the short side of the field for losses on first down. Then hope our defense bails us out again and again.

I tell you what....I would rather have a 1-3 yard gain than a 4 yard loss on first down.

At least they did get to the Big Ten Title game last season.....the accomplishment of the year IMHO...then the game happened....but we sure had them frustrated in that 2nd quarter. I hope we pound Michigan like we did to OSU at Kinnick this year. Maybe that will be our what the F game.

Iowa was really young last year on offense. Michigan was a really bad matchup. They have, arguably, two first round DEs that demolished our inexperienced Tackles. It was ugly.
Iowa actually had a great year last year, given the youth. We had freshmen WRs stepping up (iOwA nEveR PlaYs FrEshMEn!). We had a lock down defense most of the year. And... we had Goodson dancing around with a relatively weak offensive line.

I didn't expect Iowa to be good last year, but they actually were pretty good. I think they take a step forward this year.

So many internet Iowa fans are ridiculously negative. They won 10 games last year with the second youngest team in the big ten. Go Hawks.

 

[racerhawk]

It has to be a code word to cover for seniority.....so the coaching staff can cut off the media from questioning why the chosen one continues to get the bulk of the minutes with xyz years of experience (even if the chosen one's play is questionable) over the other players on the sidelines. We saw it with McCann/Banks and JakeS/Stanzi.

I think they want their hand-picked guy to work out so much that even when it is apparent to everyone else a change is needed, they are resistant to it...or late to the party.

I mostly agree with you, but some teams have 4-5 star guys who come ready to play (physically) right out of HS. Iowa generally doesn't have that. I actually do think Iowa plays the guys that are ready and better than their older peers (WR last year, for example). I think Xavier plays this year, and he is a rare find at a school like Iowa. tOSU, PSU, UM have several of these types of players, and Iowa does not. Go Hawks.

Your points about McCann and Jake C are valid, I think. I watched Jake play at Purdue one year and throw the ball into the dirt every play.

Having said that, are the guys behind Petras really better??? Conversely, do we need to just get much better at recruiting and developing QBs?

 

[Hawkfnntn]

I am expecting marginal improvement in both QB play and offensive performance for the following reasons:

1. I mean really, do we have anywhere to go but up?
2. I like the chatter about simplifying the offense for the QBs
3. Even with the loss of Lindy, the OL should be more veteran, bigger and better as a whole
4. Having two bigger, downhill running backs will stop drive killing 3 yard loss runs.
5. Our WRs and TEs should be salty
6. Petras is a system guy, not a playmaker. The system should be better. So will he.

Not expecting miracles, just praying for average.

Addressing your points on 3. I've heard lots of people in media say that sort of thing and it makes some sense. But man those dudes struggled last yr so I'll have to see it to believe it.

4. Totally agree Goodson lost a boat load of yards on 1st down runs because of a combination of reasons. Predictability of the play calls for one and because he wasn't able to physically break tackles and fall forward like those other two guys can. They can gain 2 yards instead of losing 1 and every inch matters with how we play.

6 Yes Petras is not a play maker. He needs everything around him to go right for him to succeed. So that includes play call and teammates executing all around him. If he has to go to 2nd/3rd read or tuck it and run you can just about forget it. Mostly we just have to stay out of 3rd down and long obvious passing situations too.

 

[HaydenHawk56]

Iowa was really young last year on offense. Michigan was a really bad matchup. They have, arguably, two first round DEs that demolished our inexperienced Tackles. It was ugly.
Iowa actually had a great year last year, given the youth. We had freshmen WRs stepping up (iOwA nEveR PlaYs FrEshMEn!). We had a lock down defense most of the year. And... we had Goodson dancing around with a relatively weak offensive line.

I didn't expect Iowa to be good last year, but they actually were pretty good. I think they take a step forward this year.

So many internet Iowa fans are ridiculously negative. They won 10 games last year with the second youngest team in the big ten. Go Hawks.

Very good points.....I just hope this year's schedule does not overwhelm them....then again there have been years where we had said that schedule looks manageable and it was tougher than we thought.

 

[NorthKCHawk]

Addressing your points on 3. I've heard lots of people in media say that sort of thing and it makes some sense. But man those dudes struggled last yr so I'll have to see it to believe it.

4. Totally agree Goodson lost a boat load of yards on 1st down runs because of a combination of reasons. Predictability of the play calls for one and because he wasn't able to physically break tackles and fall forward like those other two guys can. They can gain 2 yards instead of losing 1 and every inch matters with how we play.

6 Yes Petras is not a play maker. He needs everything around him to go right for him to succeed. So that includes play call and teammates executing all around him. If he has to go to 2nd/3rd read or tuck it and run you can just about forget it. Mostly we just have to stay out of 3rd down and long obvious passing situations too.

I think all of the items listed will help Petras. When you get a 3 yard loss on first down, BF, the mad scientist, is unlikely to formulate his way out of that mess. Petras is unlikely to convert 3 and 8. With a simplified offense that stresses hitting and not thinking, we get positive yards on first down, can be less predictable on second down, and then have the entire playbook on third and short.

Petras could move the offense last year. It was just rare he could move it more than 1 or 2 chain movings. So when the D stopped turning the ball over and giving the O the ball at the 20, the offense could not score.

If Iowa can get more consistent line play, Petras can be a decent game manager and sustain drives.

 

[uihawk82]

I mostly agree with you, but some teams have 4-5 star guys who come ready to play (physically) right out of HS. Iowa generally doesn't have that. I actually do think Iowa plays the guys that are ready and better than their older peers (WR last year, for example). I think Xavier plays this year, and he is a rare find at a school like Iowa. tOSU, PSU, UM have several of these types of players, and Iowa does not. Go Hawks.

Your points about McCann and Jake C are valid, I think. I watched Jake play at Purdue one year and throw the ball into the dirt every play.

Having said that, are the guys behind Petras really better??? Conversely, do we need to just get much better at recruiting and developing QBs?

I was at that Purdue game in 2007 iirc and yes Jake C was terrible and the rest of the team had some good players.

 

[HaydenHawk56]

I was at that Purdue game in 2007 iirc and yes Jake C was terrible and the rest of the team had some good players.

"And he wants to be your Quarterback."

 

[Hawkfnntn]

I think all of the items listed will help Petras. When you get a 3 yard loss on first down, BF, the mad scientist, is unlikely to formulate his way out of that mess. Petras is unlikely to convert 3 and 8. With a simplified offense that stresses hitting and not thinking, we get positive yards on first down, can be less predictable on second down, and then have the entire playbook on third and short.

Petras could move the offense last year. It was just rare he could move it more than 1 or 2 chain movings. So when the D stopped turning the ball over and giving the O the ball at the 20, the offense could not score.

If Iowa can get more consistent line play, Petras can be a decent game manager and sustain drives.

I agree the Oline is what'll dictate to what extent Petras can reach his ceiling. Question is how high is that? Nobody thinks it's all that high and is that enough to win the West again or more? It just sucks that being a 'decent game manager' is what we are hoping for as a fanbase for the QB position for a 3rd strait yr (more then that at different times too).

 

[NorthKCHawk]

I agree the Oline is what'll dictate to what extent Petras can reach his ceiling. Question is how high is that? Nobody thinks it's all that high and is that enough to win the West again or more? It just sucks that being a 'decent game manager' is what we are hoping for as a fanbase for the QB position for a 3rd strait yr (more then that at different times too).

I think we all know what Petras is. His ceiling is probably a skinnier version of Nate Stanley.

Is he good enough to win the West? Iowa did last year despite poor OL and QB play. If both of those things improve, Iowa is most definitely the team to beat.

If I am BF, I put together packages for Labas like they did for Brad Banks. Get a playmaker on the field for some limited purposes and see what happens. As long as the kid does not turn things over, you don't have a whole lot to lose.

 

[HaydenHawk56]

I think we all know what Petras is. His ceiling is probably a skinnier version of Nate Stanley.

Is he good enough to win the West? Iowa did last year despite poor OL and QB play. If both of those things improve, Iowa is most definitely the team to beat.

If I am BF, I put together packages for Labas like they did for Brad Banks. Get a playmaker on the field for some limited purposes and see what happens. As long as the kid does not turn things over, you don't have a whole lot to lose.

To add Petras....in all likelihood....is the difference between having a realistic chance to win a BTT game (even with the other pieces in place), to win a NY6 bowl/or way upper mid-tier bowl game, or trying to get into the bar/casino with a fake id and getting booted out Vegas Vacation Style (before getting a real fake id...and that is still not saving Petras from getting to the bar/casino with his under and over throws).

I think back to the Monty Python movie about the tale of Sir Robin:

Sir Robin the Not-Quite-So-Brave-As-Sir-Lancelot — who had nearly fought the Dragon of Angnor, who had nearly stood up to the Vicious Chicken of Bristol, and who had personally wet himself at the Battle of Badon Hill.

Bottom line, all things considered, good but not great. Where is our fing Sir Lancelot to sling the ball down the field?

Now we could be totally wrong and Petras grows some balls and accuracy in the next several months. That would be totally awesome. Because if Petras is on fire, we are likely doing really well.

But, then again, QBs and receivers at Iowa...as we all know....get so hamstrung by the buggy and axle offense we run. Iowa's offense can be like playing the Oregon Trail.....axle just busted off, Ox gets poisoned by snake and dies, and the Banker from Boston breaks both of his arms and legs.

 

[racerhawk]

I agree the Oline is what'll dictate to what extent Petras can reach his ceiling. Question is how high is that? Nobody thinks it's all that high and is that enough to win the West again or more? It just sucks that being a 'decent game manager' is what we are hoping for as a fanbase for the QB position for a 3rd strait yr (more then that at different times too).

I agree. It's unfortunate that Iowa, despite consistently finishing in the top 25, cannot recruit and produce better QBs. I don't know how much better Petras will look this year (hopefully enough to allow the team to compete for another West title). The other issue is that maybe the guys behind him aren't better, either.

I know Iowa fans are all about bringing in the backup, but I wonder if the backups are an improvement. Padilla was just okay last year. Maybe there will be some good surprises, but I'm not holding my breath.

I hope they can run the damn ball.

 

[Hawkfnntn]

I think we all know what Petras is. His ceiling is probably a skinnier version of Nate Stanley.

Is he good enough to win the West? Iowa did last year despite poor OL and QB play. If both of those things improve, Iowa is most definitely the team to beat.

If I am BF, I put together packages for Labas like they did for Brad Banks. Get a playmaker on the field for some limited purposes and see what happens. As long as the kid does not turn things over, you don't have a whole lot to lose.

We can only hope. Other schools aren't sitting on their hands hoping to win despite their QBs limitations. They are actively trying to improve. Not that Iowa isn't but continuing to go with Petras feels like settling for mediocrity and hoping that's enough.

A kid I think who could be difference making in a role like that would be Cooper DeJean. Especially since he may not be a full time starter on D yet. Work him in as a 'wildcat' qb with a small package of plays in short yardage or whatever. That kid was the playmaker of all playmakers at the HS level with the ball in his hands and I'd be all for that. But since that's the case it'll never happen...

 

[Hawkboys]

I'm not sure what to make of it, but even tho QB and offense seems to always be mediocre at best, there have been several QBs/WRs/RBs on NFL rosters every year.