MoseSchrute
Well-Known Member
Smarter, faster linebackers.
Why is the Defense so much better?
- Thread starter ibahawkeye
- Start date
This. Jewel has been a great surprise. And Nieman has good coverage skills for the position, which is a big lift for us since Iowa stays in its base defense when many teams would go to a nickle.
Bigtenchamp
Well-Known Member
Our linebackers can run x10 better then the last server years.
This allows us to play our zone coverages and stop the run at the same time.
This allows us to play our zone coverages and stop the run at the same time.
By the time he's a senior, Jewell is going to be as good as Morris or hitchens or angerer or greenway, who I consider the best LB of the KFz era.
QuadCityHawkeye
Well-Known Member
Adjustments. They seem to have made a lot of them this season. Phil Parker is doing a fantastic job.
ICHawk24
Well-Known Member
Agree that the linebackers are 100x better than last year.
I'd pick Jewell as the best, but Niemann is pretty damn awesome at his job. Unfortunately, his job usually doesn't get noticed (coverage, setting the edge). After his sack today, he now has 3.5, which is a huge number from that position in our offense.
Kirksey had 5.5 total sacks at Iowa, and I thought he was excellent at getting home. Niemann may turn out to be as good as Kirksey, which is really saying something.
I'd pick Jewell as the best, but Niemann is pretty damn awesome at his job. Unfortunately, his job usually doesn't get noticed (coverage, setting the edge). After his sack today, he now has 3.5, which is a huge number from that position in our offense.
Kirksey had 5.5 total sacks at Iowa, and I thought he was excellent at getting home. Niemann may turn out to be as good as Kirksey, which is really saying something.
EstronHawkKing
Well-Known Member
Our LB's are twice as good as last year. They said on the radio post game show that Jewell had 15 tackles today
SweatHawk
Active Member
Linebacker play is much improved. Not far behind is the play at safety. Miles Taylor is a much better safety than the player he replaced, IMO. Lomax is playing well more consistently this year. I also think the coaches are doing a better job with more/better defensive line rotations this year and with situational packages.
