After rewatching the game, it's Beathard.

[luvmyhawks]

Correct. O Line has been leaky has heck, and not great run blocking either.
RBs have missed their assignments on defensive blitzes as well.

In the NDSt game, there were several dropped passes, that literally hit guys right on the numbers. That's not the QBs fault.

We had a big penalty on the frigging sideline for bumping the side judges that killed great field position to start a drive.

Blaming the QB may be chic, but there are tons of other issues this team needs to clean up to be more competitive. Put the 'run defense' near the top of that list, too.

I would agree with this. Our run defense, particularly up the middle, is dreadful. Also, o line play was putrid last week. Getting Daniels back was nice, so they were a little better this week, But they still have to improve.
We could also use some better receiver play. No separation whatsoever. I think there is potential with jerminic. When he made that nice grab, my hopes went way up that maybe the light was starting to go off.

Cjb hasn't been great, but he isn't the problem. Get some of these other things fixed, and his confidence will go up. Here's to hoping it happens. Hoping.

 

[hawkeyeinboise]

I agree CJ does not appear to have the mobility he displayed last year and is not 100%.

I thought the offensive line came together in the second half yesterday and started to play much better. Remember this group of starters has not had much time to work together in live play.

The biggest problem is the receivers are not getting separation. I think we need to throw deep at least three times a game even if it just results in incomplete passes. They need to make the opposing defense honor CJ's arm. The opponents DB's are just crowding the line and do not honor the deep threat. I think if the Hawks show they can throw deep it will open up the running game and short passing game.

 

[Buffhawk]

Beathard's instincts seem to be off. Noticed this during the NDSU game. He does not seem to anticipate or feel the pressure coming and hangs on to the ball too long. Last year, even while hurt, he seemed to make faster decisions. Not sure if he has re-injured himself, but I wonder if he is conscious of his groin injury of last year to the point he is playing to avoid re-injuring himself. Or perhaps he did not heal like we are all led to believe.

 

[mlb1399]

I think blaming him is a gigantic oversimplification

This. For the casual observer, its hard to quantity how much is the QB vs teammates. People want to give all the blame or credit to the QB when it really comes down to the 11 guys on the field by your side. Look at the Patriots, who would have thought without Brady or Gronk that their offense could thrive without them.

When your teammates aren't stepping up or just flat out aren't doing their job, it makes things way more difficult. When you don't have good receiving options, you are forced to throw balls that have a lower chance of being caught. You throw in tighter windows to guys who may not be open hoping that they can make a play.

When your OL isn't doing a good job of protecting you, you can't step into throws, you get jittery feet, you can't keep your eyes downfield and many other issues. He has been taking a pounding this year. Whether it's sacks or hits, he is spending too much time on the ground. This was supposed to be the strength of this team and they are flat out failing at picking up blitzes. Croston has done a poor job of pass pro from the blind side. In spite of all of this, he is staying in there and throwing the ball, knowing full well he will likely get hit.

Our offensive issues go way beyond Beathard.

 

[Zarkus Ali]

He's a bible thumper and he's having a child out of wedlock. He knows he shoulda put a rock on.

 

[DewHawk]

So, why does it seem like every year our line sucks? Supposedly we have great line coaches.........

 

[EpenesaEpenesa]

Iowa doesn't run a screen unless it's 3rd and 25. They run zero draws with the tailbacks. They do absolutely nothing to slow the pass rush playcall wise. Teams just pin their ears back because they know it's a very low percentage they'll get burned. Stubborn and stupid playcalling

 

[Oldgold51]

Looked at the stats this morning in the paper. Surprised to see AW averaged 7 yds. on 12 carries and LD averaged 5.9 yds. on 13 carries. If LD's Ist play of second half counted, as it should have, he would have averaged over 10 yds. per carry . So, O line, at least on rushing plays, was not too shabby.

We need another viable option at receiver. Mitchell?

 

[24 so far]

Based on how the line has been playing, he really cannot count on them right now.
Loads of WR drops, too.

That was one thing that really seemed to stand out last year. Very few dropped passes. That sure helps, but I wouldn't call a season like that "the norm" at Iowa.

Beathard has one possession receiver and a decent tight end in Kittle. Then he's got a slow white dude in McCarron and a guy in Smith who has hands of stone and doesn't seem to get open much anyway. Throw in QB Scheel and that isn't your murderer's row of Wide Receiver options.

C.J. looks average right now, that's for sure. Some of that's probably on him and some on who and what he has to play with. Wadley being on the sideline more than he's on the field certainly doesn't help him either.

 

[24 so far]

Looked at the stats this morning in the paper. Surprised to see AW averaged 7 yds. on 12 carries and LD averaged 5.9 yds. on 13 carries. If LD's Ist play of second half counted, as it should have, he would have averaged over 10 yds. per carry . So, O line, at least on rushing plays, was not too shabby.

We need another viable option at receiver. Mitchell?

Daniels had a good game yesterday, and he moves well in the open field for a big fella, but he doesn't get into the open field on his own. When the line opens up a big hole for him he does just fine running in a straight line thru it. They've had two big holes in two games and he ran straight and pretty fast, and both got called back.

Wadley can create those situations on his own, not that you'll be able to tell while he's sitting on the bench. The Offense moves far better with him in the game. I know, shocking that a playmaker would help the Offense more.

 

[EpenesaEpenesa]

Looked at the stats this morning in the paper. Surprised to see AW averaged 7 yds. on 12 carries and LD averaged 5.9 yds. on 13 carries. If LD's Ist play of second half counted, as it should have, he would have averaged over 10 yds. per carry . So, O line, at least on rushing plays, was not too shabby.

We need another viable option at receiver. Mitchell?

Daniels and Welsch really solidified the running game. They're both very very good. Just watch the last play with James Daniels quick enough to pull and throw the key block, made the entire play go. Nothing against Legrand, but that doesn't work with him at center. James Daniels is a ridiculously talented player

 

[caseyballzz]

Daniels and Welsch really solidified the running game. They're both very very good. Just watch the last play with James Daniels quick enough to pull and throw the key block, made the entire play go. Nothing against Legrand, but that doesn't work with him at center. James Daniels is a ridiculously talented player

This^^^! There isn't many 300 pound centers that can make that block.

 

[hwk23]

You can only 'take shots down the field', when you have that 4-5 seconds to wait for those long plays to develop. If your line isn't blocking, and your RBs can't pick up any blitzers, those plays simply do not work, and your playbook is reduced to running plays and 'quick passes'. If you cannot get first downs with that reduced playbook, you end up punting a lot...

That's too bad because taking shots downfield is a talent that sets CJ apart. Maybe Captain Obvious here, but coaches need to do everything possible to make sure CJ is successful and gameplan to CJ's strengths. If CJ is successful everything else will fall in place. That might also mean running the ball more to take pressure off, especially when we are averaging over 6 yards a carry like against Rutgers.

 

[championhawk]

1) He seems banged up
2) He's pressing
3) He doesn't trust his line and WR's

Reminds me of Drew Tate.

Unfortunately it is obvious that his receivers can't create separation and his line doesn't give him enough time to go through all of his reads. It's unreal how many on here can't see that.

 

[Ladell-hawk]

He looks like ruddock. He been broken by ferentz/Davis.

moronic post.

 

[Ladell-hawk]

We have tons of issues. Beathard is not himself. Maybe he's hurt. He's always changing the play this year (not usually checking into something positive). Stop over thinking everything and just run the play. O-line has been terrible the last 2 games. Getting pushed around. Defense is flat out getting pushed down the field. Faith E is not getting it done. Neither is Niemann, Bower or Snyder(big hitter and that is it). We've got major problems right now and we won't win 7 games this year if things don't change. JMO

The O-line play wasn't terrible at all yesterday. The 2 fourth quarter sacks were on CJ and the receivers.

 

[K OKeefe]

So when do the Stanley calls begin?

In all seriousness, he is playing with a possession WR and a decent TE and nothing from the other WR's. Smith did make one good play today.

Teams are loading 8 up and daring one of our WR's to do something.

Again, we kept hearing Scheel, Scheel Scheel....but when games come....poof

And an offensive line that cannot pass block on basically any down that the defense knows is a sure passing down.

 

[ghostOfHomer777]

This. For the casual observer, its hard to quantity how much is the QB vs teammates. People want to give all the blame or credit to the QB when it really comes down to the 11 guys on the field by your side. Look at the Patriots, who would have thought without Brady or Gronk that their offense could thrive without them.

When your teammates aren't stepping up or just flat out aren't doing their job, it makes things way more difficult. When you don't have good receiving options, you are forced to throw balls that have a lower chance of being caught. You throw in tighter windows to guys who may not be open hoping that they can make a play.

When your OL isn't doing a good job of protecting you, you can't step into throws, you get jittery feet, you can't keep your eyes downfield and many other issues. He has been taking a pounding this year. Whether it's sacks or hits, he is spending too much time on the ground. This was supposed to be the strength of this team and they are flat out failing at picking up blitzes. Croston has done a poor job of pass pro from the blind side. In spite of all of this, he is staying in there and throwing the ball, knowing full well he will likely get hit.

Our offensive issues go way beyond Beathard.

By and large, a good post. However, I'd place the largest emphasis on the problem relating to ALL 11 players. There's a lot of stuff that still needs to come together. A bunch of guys are doing good stuff ... but there still a lot of room for improvement too.

If you looked through our initial games - Croston had graded out as being pretty decent on pass-pro. However, he certainly had some issues in the game against Rutgers.

On the flip side, Boettger had seemed previously to be one of our better run blockers ... and yet he made a few costly errors in the game against Rutgers. I think that we're reminded here of how only Welsh has more than a season of starts under his belt.

For folks who are complaining about how the OL is being coached ... you're going to get issues when you have personnel transitions on the OL. For 2 games, we've effectively had LeGrand and Render playing. Now, we have Welsh and Daniels back ... there's going to be some transition there. Besides, Rutgers actually does have some good talent on their DL.

 

[K OKeefe]

I agree CJ does not appear to have the mobility he displayed last year and is not 100%.

I thought the offensive line came together in the second half yesterday and started to play much better. Remember this group of starters has not had much time to work together in live play.

The biggest problem is the receivers are not getting separation. I think we need to throw deep at least three times a game even if it just results in incomplete passes. They need to make the opposing defense honor CJ's arm. The opponents DB's are just crowding the line and do not honor the deep threat. I think if the Hawks show they can throw deep it will open up the running game and short passing game.

A QB needs time to throw down field. In addition, you need receivers that can scare people with their speed down field. Heck, the offensive line does not give enough time for a receiver to attempt a double move.

 

[Whinny]

All I can say at this point is don't expect to see CJ treating his O linemen to a steak dinner any time soon. He must be frustrated beyond belief with them. They aren't opening up holes for our running backs, and aren't giving him the time he needs to throw. How many times has he been knocked to the turf in the last two games? How in the heck is he supposed to stay (relatively) healthy when he continues to be an unprotected target? I never in a million years would have predicted that our O line would be our downfall this season.

 

[MeetTheFerentz]

 

[toadfrog68]

Love it MeetTheFerentz.

 

[papabeef]

He looks like ruddock. He been broken by ferentz/Davis.

Broken by the coaches? B.S. he just is not playing well, the coaches let him do what he wants.

 

[hawkeyeinboise]

This belief that the only way to throw the ball down field is to have the OL maintain the pocket for 5 seconds is incorrect. It is possible to move the pocket, get the QB out side, buy some time for receivers to get down field. The idea that CJ must stand in a pocket like a statue to throw down field is wrong.

 

[hawkeyeguy69]

He flat out looks like dog poo right now.

WTH happened to him?

Talk about taking a step back.

Others are correct though, why does this seem to happen with most Hawkeye QB's going into their final season?

Running game looks ok, we never have any quality receivers of course, which is a common theme.

D has been holding up, mostly because of 2 guys, but it's been working.

All comes down to Beathard. Is he gonna turn it around or what?

Our receivers are not that great. Nobody was open all game long... I feel sorry for CJ.

Unless the young guys really step up AND are given the chance, this could be a long season for him...

 

[Slappy Pappy]

He's a bible thumper and he's having a child out of wedlock. He knows he shoulda put a rock on.

Eh, he's from Tennessee. They all have illegitimate kids down there. Only difference is here it's not with his cousin.

 

[ottumwan in tx]

Broken by the coaches? B.S. he just is not playing well, the coaches let him do what he wants.

maybe the coaches are setting out to ruin people on purpose?

 

[FBletterman]

He flat out looks like dog poo right now.

WTH happened to him?

Talk about taking a step back.

Others are correct though, why does this seem to happen with most Hawkeye QB's going into their final season?

Running game looks ok, we never have any quality receivers of course, which is a common theme.

D has been holding up, mostly because of 2 guys, but it's been working.

All comes down to Beathard. Is he gonna turn it around or what?[/QUOTE
Your crazy if you think he has the same weapons. No HKC, no smith, no duzey no Hillyar. This is why we are challenged

 

[aintlifeordeath]

CJ was never as good as he was made out to be by the fans. When you have people talking about him for the Heisman or even saying he is the best QB in the conference, you have to know he is being overrated. Nice player, glad we have him, but he just isn't as good as so many expect him to be. And he is not our biggest problem by a long shot, that would be the big boys on both sides of the line, as well as our overall team speed.

 

[hawkeyeguy69]

CJ was never as good as he was made out to be by the fans. When you have people talking about him for the Heisman or even saying he is the best QB in the conference, you have to know he is being overrated. Nice player, glad we have him, but he just isn't as good as so many expect him to be. And he is not our biggest problem by a long shot, that would be the big boys on both sides of the line, as well as our overall team speed.

Numerous NFL scouts have him in their top 5 college QBs. Including some that have him #1.

Say what you will about the fans. But it is Kirk's fault for not getting us the receivers and/or coaching them to be what they need to be. Iowa receivers have been below average, as a whole, for his tenure as head coach. We have the QB to get them the ball...is the problem the coaching, the receivers or both...?

 

[GarryO37]

CJ had an off day yesterday. He was making some questionable decisions. It happens to every QB. If CJ has an off game next week, then I'll start to worry.

CJ has had a number of ugly drops this year from some really sure handed guys like Vandeberg and Kittle. His confidence could be shaken a little and that would be understandable.

 

[aflachawk]

Beathard's instincts seem to be off. Noticed this during the NDSU game. He does not seem to anticipate or feel the pressure coming and hangs on to the ball too long. Last year, even while hurt, he seemed to make faster decisions. Not sure if he has re-injured himself, but I wonder if he is conscious of his groin injury of last year to the point he is playing to avoid re-injuring himself. Or perhaps he did not heal like we are all led to believe.

He hangs on ball too long because he has only a couple receivers that can get any separation. You fix that and CJ will quickly become better

 

[hawkeyeguy69]

He hangs on ball too long because he has only a couple receivers that can get any separation. You fix that and CJ will quickly become better

Separation? Who are these receivers that you speak of?? I am quite curious to know....

 

[spbc7]

CJ himself is not much different from last year (probably a tad more restricted in mobility) and the stats bear that out. It's the pieces around him that are slacking.

 

[BigOHawk]

All this 'separation talk' has me saying throw the ball away CJ! If nobody is open, throw it away and take your chances later. And yes, he's still not moving like he did at the start of last season and we sorely misses HKC at TE.

 

[AuroraHawk]

The biggest problem is the receivers are not getting separation. I think we need to throw deep at least three times a game even if it just results in incomplete passes. They need to make the opposing defense honor CJ's arm. The opponents DB's are just crowding the line and do not honor the deep threat. I think if the Hawks show they can throw deep it will open up the running game and short passing game.

This multiplied by 1,000.

Vandeberg is a nice possession receiver but, at best, he's a #2 or a #3. He's just not going to cause other DC's to lose much sleep when scheming for Iowa's O. Somehow, some way, Iowa needs to find a deep threat. Until then, the field to defend is much smaller ....

 

[David1979]

There isn't anyone getting open most of the time. They were taking away Vandeberg like NDSU did especially on 3rd downs. Also Smith dropped another one right in his hands. Even thought it was tight coverage he should have got that one.

 

[Pepperman]

All I can say at this point is don't expect to see CJ treating his O linemen to a steak dinner any time soon. He must be frustrated beyond belief with them. They aren't opening up holes for our running backs, and aren't giving him the time he needs to throw. How many times has he been knocked to the turf in the last two games? How in the heck is he supposed to stay (relatively) healthy when he continues to be an unprotected target? I never in a million years would have predicted that our O line would be our downfall this season.

You are spot on here. Look at some of CJ's comments about blitzes and how "that was supposed to be picked up". He's flat out telling us, without throwing anybody specific under the bus, that he identified the blitz and somebody else (likely a RB or HB/TE) didn't do their job to pick it up.

What can he do back there when the pocket collapses early, pressure isn't properly picked up, and meanwhile his WRs either don't get separation or drop many footballs that hit them in the hands?

 

[myteamcanbeatupyourteam]

Fifth game upcoming, I expect a huge leap forward with this team on Saturday. I know teams like to say they flush a loss but I think the loss to NDST has taken just a little bit long to get over. I expect a totally different tone here next week. I have a feeling we will be all saying, "where has THIS team been all year."

 

[David1979]

The first two weeks the offense was really clicking. Last week it really struggled in all aspects. This week the run game looked good again and the blitz pickup improved but WRs need to step up. Kittle and Vandeberg can't do everything and teams are now taking away Vandeberg.