2017 IOWA Linebackers

[Ngnosis hwk scence]

I am no expert and , never played Pop Warner football, let alone coached or called a game and pretended.

I do wonder if this is the best trio of Iowa linebackers that we have watched over the last 50 years... ummm, last 5 years.

Name a better senior group.

Hopeful that Iowa may blow out an opponent or 2 over the coming weeks so that some of the younger back-ups will get some game experience.

Love these senior line backing leaders but if this keeps up by the end of the year they will be worn out, exhausted and have nothing in the gas tank. Way too many snaps without any back ups.

Love the depth and youth on the D-line and in the back 4.

Comfortable in my QB arm chair.

 

[And1Hawk]

I do not think this group is anything remarkable at all so we see things differently. I really like Jewell but Neimann is ok and Bower tries hard but makes zero plays of significance.

It's hard to top Kirksey, Hitchens & Morris... and that group is tons better as a whole compared to these 3 collectively.

 

[hawkeye bb n fb fan]

I do not think this group is anything remarkable at all so we see things differently. I really like Jewell but Neimann is ok and Bower tries hard but makes zero plays of significance.

It's hard to top Kirksey, Hitchens & Morris... and that group is tons better as a whole compared to these 3 collectively.

Agreed: Hitchens, Morris, and Kirksey is the best

 

[HawkLogic]

I do not think this group is anything remarkable at all so we see things differently. I really like Jewell but Neimann is ok and Bower tries hard but makes zero plays of significance.

It's hard to top Kirksey, Hitchens & Morris... and that group is tons better as a whole compared to these 3 collectively.

Kirksey, Hitchen, Morris---> two of them in NFL is easily better. 2009 was also much better. Also years with Greenway/Hodges and Miles much better.

I think Jewell is up there with the best MLB, but Bowers lacks speed sideline to sideline and Niemen is solid but not spectacular speed.

 

[McHatin]

I am no expert and , never played Pop Warner football, let alone coached or called a game and pretended.

I do wonder if this is the best trio of Iowa linebackers that we have watched over the last 50 years... ummm, last 5 years.

Name a better senior group.

Hopeful that Iowa may blow out an opponent or 2 over the coming weeks so that some of the younger back-ups will get some game experience.

Love these senior line backing leaders but if this keeps up by the end of the year they will be worn out, exhausted and have nothing in the gas tank. Way too many snaps without any back ups.

Love the depth and youth on the D-line and in the back 4.

Comfortable in my QB arm chair.

Kirksey, Morris and Hitchens were the best IMO.

 

[SDHawkDoc]

Another ridiculously hyperbolic post.

Bower doesn't even make the top 30 of Iowa linebackers since the Fry era. Niemann is OK as a cover backer, but hardly spectacular. Kirksey and A J Edds of recent memory both better.
Jewell is the only standout.

 

[CAhawki]

Initially thought the Kirksey Hitchens and Morris squad... but i dont know if a back ever went crazy on Greenway and Hodge. Maybe 100 yards here and there, but certainly, not for over 300. That LB squad was salty af. That DL was awesome and really helped that 2002-04 team

 

[IowaHawkeyeFBnBB4Life]

This group is far from the best. Jewell is a stud and Niemann is ok. I still think Bower is a liability in coverage and on the outside run game.

Kirksey, Hitchens, Morris
Greenway, Hodge, Miles
Barr, Steen, Worthy

Even groups with Diaco and Rollins were solid.

So as a WHOLE I'd put those groups ahead of this years, but like I said Jewell is a stud.

 

[bigfridaynite]

Niemann did a awesome job last night on that TE. IMO BN is way better than a lot of fans think

 

[EvilMonkeyInTheCloset]

In the Ferentz era, I'd go:

Greenway, Hodge, Miles 04-05

Angerer, Edds, Hunter 08-09

Hitchens, Kirksey, Morris 12-13

Barr (2002), Steen, Worthy/Lewis 2003* Greenway and Hodge also started seeing time in 2002 and much more so in 2003

Jewell, Bower, Neimann 15-16-17

 

[Qued18]

I'd go with Angerer Edds and Hunter...Orange Bowl D was loaded with players at each position what a great team.

 

[shoot_the_three]

Greenway, Hodge, and Miles or whoever else played the LB spot with Greenway and Hodge.

 

[soybean]

Jewell is out best LB since Larry Station, but this is not the best group in the last 50 years... not even close.

 

[unoHawkeye]

Worth considering that the '09 squad had the likes of Karl Klug, Christian Ballard, Adrian Clayborn, Broderick Binns, and Mike Daniels opening up gaps and occupying blockers.

2013 had Dominic Alvis, Carl Davis, Trinca-Pasat, Darian Cooper, Mike Hardy and Drew Ott.

I'll take the 2013 LB crew, and this year remains to be seen

 

[shoot_the_three]

Jewell is out best LB since Larry Station, but this is not the best group in the last 50 years... not even close.

While both of these guys are/were great, Greenway was special and Hodge was a beast. For my money Greenway is the best linebacker I have seen at Iowa. Ok maybe Tippett then Greenway even though Tippett was listed as a DE.

 

[bigfridaynite]

Jewell should pass Bob Sanders this week and get into top 10 in all time tackles. Has good shot to catch Greenway and finish in top 5 if he stays healthy and the board keeps him piss off

 

[Big Hawk D-Port]

Jewell is excellent; Neiman and Bower are in the company of Humpal/Klinkenborg/Steen. Good Hawkeyes, all of them.

 

[Big Hawk D-Port]

Jewell is out best LB since Larry Station, but this is not the best group in the last 50 years... not even close.

Greenway was excellent in coverage and in run support. He was the best IMO. I'd put Greenway Hitchens and Jewell as the best trio.

 

[Stormn Norman]

I do not think this group is anything remarkable at all so we see things differently. I really like Jewell but Neimann is ok and Bower tries hard but makes zero plays of significance.

It's hard to top Kirksey, Hitchens & Morris... and that group is tons better as a whole compared to these 3 collectively.

jewell would have been amazing in the middle with those two on either side as well.

 

[EvilMonkeyInTheCloset]

Jewell is excellent; Neiman and Bower are in the company of Humpal/Klinkenborg/Steen. Good Hawkeyes, all of them.

Steen was better than all of those guys except Jewell.

 

[ChiHawk21]

Greenway, Hodge, Miles

Edds, Angerer

Hitchens, Kirksey


I can put Jewell in Angerer territory for sure. The other 2 are formidable but as of now, we won't be talking about like the guys above. I hope they change that this season!!

 

[24 so far]

Jewell should pass Bob Sanders this week and get into top 10 in all time tackles. Has good shot to catch Greenway and finish in top 5 if he stays healthy and the board keeps him piss off

If we keep allowing opposing teams to run 100 Offensive plays per game, Jewell may be #1 in tackles before the season is out.

 

[cecilB]

This group is far from the best. Jewell is a stud and Niemann is ok. I still think Bower is a liability in coverage and on the outside run game.

Kirksey, Hitchens, Morris
Greenway, Hodge, Miles
Barr, Steen, Worthy

Even groups with Diaco and Rollins were solid.

So as a WHOLE I'd put those groups ahead of this years, but like I said Jewell is a stud.

Bahahaha on Diaco/Rollins.

 

[MuskieCy]

Jewell is out best LB since Larry Station, but this is not the best group in the last 50 years... not even close.

Ask the outlaw what he thinks about David Montgomery.

Losing on the last play of the game sucks.

 

[DutchyFunStar]

Niemann is doing a great job when you don't hear his name. Great in coverage. What JJ and BB do well is communicate and get others into proper alignment.

But Hodge/Greenway/Eddy Muscle and Hitch/Kirksey/Morris were more athletic. Angerer/Edds/Hunter were a wrecking crew too who could cover.

 

[Phenomenally Frantastic]

Is OP 12 years old?

 

[Phenomenally Frantastic]

hard to call this group the best ever when they just gave up 600 yards of offense and repeatedly failed to bring down the other teams RB. tackling air approximately 60% of the time, including Jewell repeatedly.

I'll go with Larry Station.

 

[rivalhawks]

Outside Jewell this group is nothing special imo. Jewell is a stud. Little concerning to me that we haven't had anyone better than Nieman and Bower the last 2-3 years. I'm sure they play good assignment football which is most important to KF but they are not making many "wow" plays.

 

[bigfridaynite]

hard to call this group the best ever when they just gave up 600 yards of offense and repeatedly failed to bring down the other teams RB. tackling air approximately 60% of the time, including Jewell repeatedly.

I'll go with Larry Station.

The game has change so much since Station played teams don't line up and run right at you play after play inside the tackles.

 

[mlb1399]

Jewell is among the best LB's to play the position at Iowa. The rest leave a lot to be desired.

 

[David1979]

Ben Niemann is a really good LB. I don't think people understand how good. But he is not better than Kirksey was. Jewell is better than Morris but Hitchens is a lot better than Bowers. That is why I give that group the edge. But this group isn't far behind.

 

[cecilB]

the Niemann critique in this thread is absolutely hilarious. Message boards never fail to to entertain...and expose football iterate people

 

[soybean]

To me Jewell is in the Top 5 without a doubt. In no particular order...

Station
Hodge
Greenway
Hitchens
Hilgenberg

 

[speed4power]

Jewell is awesome. Neimann is good/ok.

If you want a good trio of Iowa linebackers, take a look at Morris, Hitchens, and Kirksey.

 

[bigfridaynite]

http://draftanalyst.com/week-4-risers-sliders

 

[BG2004]

this can't be a serious post

 

[nitewing]

Kirksey, Hitchen, Morris---> two of them in NFL is easily better. 2009 was also much better. Also years with Greenway/Hodges and Miles much better.

I think Jewell is up there with the best MLB, but Bowers lacks speed sideline to sideline and Niemen is solid but not spectacular speed.

Nieman is a converted WR so not sure how fast you think he has to be.