Some have suggested disgruntled fans like me write to Barta and complain about KF's miserable offense. Well, I did email Barta back in September of 2014. Just for fun, here's part of that message:
"Coach Ferentz has offended every Iowa fan for at least the last five seasons with his arrogance and refusal to accept any responsibility for the most boring, uninspired, totally predictable offense in America. I am also offended by his snide remarks about specific players, particularly today about CJ Beathard. If Beathard's no good, I dare Kirk to put the kid in the game and let him prove it. Shut us up by showing us the mysterious mistakes Beathard supposedly makes in practice . . . The evidence seems clear that the fundamental reason Iowa's offense is such a laughingstock is that Coach Ferentz chose the wrong kid to play QB . . . again.
"Anyway, I just want you to know that Iowa fans do not deserve and do not appreciate the condescension from a man who blames everything and everybody but himself. It's getting to the point where bringing the late Frank Lauterbur back would be an upgrade.
"It's clear to most people who know talent that CJ Beathard is a big-time QB, but he sits on the bench. Ed Podolak compares CJ's arm to Joe Namath. That little series CJ was permitted against Ball State showcased that Podolak is right. It's been a long, long time since any Iowa QB threw passes like that, and with the flick of a wrist. Our current QB has to wind up and put his entire body behind it to get anywhere beyond 15 yards. Trying to run an offense in a phone booth is pretty tough.
"Daniels and Canzeri are Iowa's best RBs, so Bullock and Weisman get most of the carries. The whole offensive scheme is just bizarre. No misdirection. No continuity. No deep threat.
"Until the best players play, and until the offensive scheme joins the 21st century, Iowa will continue to be a prime laughingstock across the country . . . There is no joy in Iowa football anymore. No excitement, just resignation that we have a stubborn old man running things."
So as things change, they stay the same--at least with KF's offense, his choice of QBs, and his inclination to mock his own players. (No, the slander of Deuce Hogan wasn't the first time.) It would seem my email from seven years ago is at least as true now as it was then. Yes, 2015 happened, but only because CJ's family threatened that he would transfer so--out of the blue--he was named the starter in January after riding the pine all season.
Obviously what any of us have to say to Barta is less than meaningless to him, so I won't be wasting any pixels in that direction this time. But I have to admit it is gratifying to have the evidence to prove that KF's critics were right then, and we are right now.
"Coach Ferentz has offended every Iowa fan for at least the last five seasons with his arrogance and refusal to accept any responsibility for the most boring, uninspired, totally predictable offense in America. I am also offended by his snide remarks about specific players, particularly today about CJ Beathard. If Beathard's no good, I dare Kirk to put the kid in the game and let him prove it. Shut us up by showing us the mysterious mistakes Beathard supposedly makes in practice . . . The evidence seems clear that the fundamental reason Iowa's offense is such a laughingstock is that Coach Ferentz chose the wrong kid to play QB . . . again.
"Anyway, I just want you to know that Iowa fans do not deserve and do not appreciate the condescension from a man who blames everything and everybody but himself. It's getting to the point where bringing the late Frank Lauterbur back would be an upgrade.
"It's clear to most people who know talent that CJ Beathard is a big-time QB, but he sits on the bench. Ed Podolak compares CJ's arm to Joe Namath. That little series CJ was permitted against Ball State showcased that Podolak is right. It's been a long, long time since any Iowa QB threw passes like that, and with the flick of a wrist. Our current QB has to wind up and put his entire body behind it to get anywhere beyond 15 yards. Trying to run an offense in a phone booth is pretty tough.
"Daniels and Canzeri are Iowa's best RBs, so Bullock and Weisman get most of the carries. The whole offensive scheme is just bizarre. No misdirection. No continuity. No deep threat.
"Until the best players play, and until the offensive scheme joins the 21st century, Iowa will continue to be a prime laughingstock across the country . . . There is no joy in Iowa football anymore. No excitement, just resignation that we have a stubborn old man running things."
So as things change, they stay the same--at least with KF's offense, his choice of QBs, and his inclination to mock his own players. (No, the slander of Deuce Hogan wasn't the first time.) It would seem my email from seven years ago is at least as true now as it was then. Yes, 2015 happened, but only because CJ's family threatened that he would transfer so--out of the blue--he was named the starter in January after riding the pine all season.
Obviously what any of us have to say to Barta is less than meaningless to him, so I won't be wasting any pixels in that direction this time. But I have to admit it is gratifying to have the evidence to prove that KF's critics were right then, and we are right now.
