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Akrum Wadley

nu2u

nu2u

HB Legend
Aug 10, 2006
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This young man has the potential to be an outstanding RB in my very humble and amateur opinion. Some of that potential has already been displayed on game day. But what about the fumbles?

If past seasons are any indication, Wadley will be counted on to step-in and play when injury(s) hit. That call often happens at opportune times ... say right in the thick of the B10 schedule. Daniels and Canzeri have visited the rehab room more than once in their respective careers.

Disappointed to see him fumble in the opener. You could tell he was upset as well. I really hope the coaches continue to send him in for relief duty. He needs to get back in the saddle and get this behind him because I could easily see him taking Canzeri's spot (next year, fingers crossed) and having a pretty good career at Iowa,
 
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My guess is if he fumbles one more time we may never see him on the field again. Wonder if he has ever played defense
 
"A fumbling RB is about as good as a one legged punter."

haha never heard that one before QC
 
That's why he isn't likely to see more touches.
He appears to have good elusiveness. But, poor ball security.
 
I felt bad for the kid... I'm sure that was the last thing he ever wanted to have happen after last season. I wonder if it between the ears now?
 
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CAhawki said:
I felt bad for the kid... I'm sure that was the last thing he ever wanted to have happen after last season. I wonder if it between the ears now?
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Could be. If so -he needs to get on the field again ASAP.
 
nu2u said:
Could be. If so -he needs to get on the field again ASAP.
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I agree... Get back on that horse. Whatever it is...if doesn't figure it out, he's gonna sit. And the crap part is, he looks like a gamebreaker.
 
Totally agree - he has speed and shifty - I like him and Parker - run some jet sweeps or reverses with them!!
 
QChawks said:
Agreed. Its really unfortunate he has wood club for hands.

A fumbling RB is about as good as a one legged punter.
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His problem is that he doesn't protect the ball in traffic. He should have had the ball tucked into his side and even had more than one hand on it during that fumble. He leaves the ball exposed, and that is his biggest problem.
 
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HawkeyeinOmaha said:
As far as I'm concerned he just had his last chance.
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Lighten up on the kid he just needs to figure out his ball security problem. It's really not that big of a deal as long as it happens in mop up duty when the game has already been decided.

As nu2u pointed out in the OP Wadley will likely be Daniels back up next year.

So just relax he'll be fine.
 
Jonesingforhawkeyes said:
Lighten up on the kid he just needs to figure out his ball security problem. It's really not that big of a deal as long as it happens in mop up duty when the game has already been decided.

As nu2u pointed out in the OP Wadley will likely be Daniels back up next year.

So just relax he'll be fine.
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It is a big deal. He had a big problem with this last year. I wish he could work it out, but if he hasn't figured it out by now it doesn't look good. It's a real shame because he is so explosive.
 
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Jonesingforhawkeyes said:
In his defense the fumble yesterday was caused by a defender punching the ball out from behind. I'm thinking if Doyle would work with strengthening Wadley's hands and forearms this might help. I'm probably wrong but it couldn't hurt.
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There will always be defenders coming from behind. I was working so I was listening to the game and when the fumble happened Ed was saying how with Wadley, its always the guy from behind. He doesn't honor the football enough to get it tucked in tight. You can probably coach that be we have seen this before with Kirk. This kid may be done barring injury at least this season.
 
It would be a real shame if the coach punishes the RB with the highest yards per carry on the team with a lifetime ban due to one fumble. Obviously he plays rb in practice and gets tackled each day. He must not fumble much in practice. Do we bench a field goal kicker if he misses two kicks in a row? Or a WR who drops a couple? Go easy on Wadley.
 
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HawkeyeinOmaha said:
It is a big deal. QUOTE]

[QUOTE="OmahaHawkFan, post: . This kid may be done barring injury at least this season.
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I understand what your saying, it is a big deal when the game is close or on the line but this was mop up.

If Wadley is riding the pine and getting no game time experience then how is he going to learn ball security.

We are all aware of his fumbling problems from last year. All 2 of them.
 
Jonesingforhawkeyes said:
I understand what your saying, it is a big deal when the game is close or on the line but this was mop up.

If Wadley is riding the pine and getting no game time experience then how is he going to learn ball security.

We are all aware of his fumbling problems from last year. All 2 of them.
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It was 3 if I remember correctly, and doing it on his first few carries of the year is a cause for concern. He's too electric to be making mistakes like that constantly. His ability is for real, but if he turns over the ball, then it is not worth having him there when Canzeri and Daniels are already performing so well.
 
Jonesingforhawkeyes said:
I understand what your saying, it is a big deal when the game is close or on the line but this was mop up.

If Wadley is riding the pine and getting no game time experience then how is he going to learn ball security.

We are all aware of his fumbling problems from last year. All 2 of them.
Click to expand...

I agree with everything you say. See my post right above yours. I could have swore it was more than 2, but I guess I was wrong.
 
Jonesingforhawkeyes said:
In his defense the fumble yesterday was caused by a defender punching the ball out from behind. I'm thinking if Doyle would work with strengthening Wadley's hands and forearms this might help. I'm probably wrong but it couldn't hurt.
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Either the tv game announcers or Podolak and Dolphin mentioned that the staff had been working with him A LOT during the off season on his fumbling. First game BANG. With the staff being high on the converted WR Mitchell yesterday MAY have an impact on how the RB rotation goes. And I am one that has been critical of the staff not playing the young guys. Hope he gets things straightened out.
 
nu2u said:
This young man has the potential to be an outstanding RB in my very humble and amateur opinion. Some of that potential has already been displayed on game day. But what about the fumbles?

If past seasons are any indication, Wadley will be counted on to step-in and play when injury(s) hit. That call often happens at opportune times ... say right in the thick of the B10 schedule. Daniels and Canzeri have visited the rehab room more than once in their respective careers.

Disappointed to see him fumble in the opener. You could tell he was upset as well. I really hope the coaches continue to send him in for relief duty. He needs to get back in the saddle and get this behind him because I could easily see him taking Canzeri's spot (next year, fingers crossed) and having a pretty good career at Iowa,
Click to expand...

You really could tell. He looked really dejected, as if he couldn't believe it had happened and he knew it was going to cost him playing time. I wish him the best. There's no doubt he has talent, but he just has to solve that ball security problem. If I coached him, I'd be running him through gauntlets of guys trying to knock the ball loose constantly. Maybe they're already doing that. This should be a fixable problem, though, through repetitive drills. It's a technique issue, primarily. Get him used to holding onto the ball in traffic and it should carry over to the field eventually. . . hopefully.
 
There was another young RB awhile back, not too far back (Coker?), who had the fumbles also. I can't remember which RB. Anyway, the coaches stuck with him, he continued to play and was effective in quite a few games. Hopefully, that's the blueprint for Wadley.
 
HawktimusPrime said:
His problem is that he doesn't protect the ball in traffic. He should have had the ball tucked into his side and even had more than one hand on it during that fumble. He leaves the ball exposed, and that is his biggest problem.
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High and tight in traffic with 3 pts of contact protecting it.
 
As many times he touched the ball last year 2 fumbles are too many. Im all for giving him another chance, although now he may be so worried about fumbling he won't be the same back. Could he make a receiver?
 
I think you have to keep working with the kid, it can be fixed. I'm sure most of you have heard of a back named Adrian Peterson:D, he had quit the issue with this a few years back but got it worked out pretty well the last few years that he was out their playing. (hope it continues this year too.) and Adrian has one of the strongest grips out there, its just a lack of remembering to do the fundamentals on every play. so I'm sure Akrem can get it fixed also. Like the poster above said, high and tight, tuck it into that elbow and hold it high and tight.
 
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northernboarderhawk said:
I think you have to keep working with the kid, it can be fixed. I'm sure most of you have heard of a back named Adrian Peterson:D, he had quit the issue with this a few years back but got it worked out pretty well the last few years that he was out their playing. (hope it continues this year too.) and Adrian has one of the strongest grips out there, its just a lack of remembering to do the fundamentals on every play. so I'm sure Akrem can get it fixed also. Like the poster above said, high and tight, tuck it into that elbow and hold it high and tight.
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Tiki Barber was another one who had fumblitis early in his career. He turned out ok.
 
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northernboarderhawk said:
I think you have to keep working with the kid, it can be fixed. I'm sure most of you have heard of a back named Adrian Peterson:D, he had quit the issue with this a few years back but got it worked out pretty well the last few years that he was out their playing. (hope it continues this year too.) and Adrian has one of the strongest grips out there, its just a lack of remembering to do the fundamentals on every play. so I'm sure Akrem can get it fixed also. Like the poster above said, high and tight, tuck it into that elbow and hold it high and tight.
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Podolak mentioned that instead of trying to gain that half a yard it is better to fall down and get ready for the next play. He mentioned you should hold the ball so your hand would hit you in the jaw if you didn't have the ball.
 
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Seeing this happen live in the stadium I felt so bad for him. He was visibly disappointed in himself and knew the consequences of putting the ball on the ground.

He missed a golden opportunity also as Mitchell passed him on the depth chart making Akrum number 4. This will not help his cause.

Keep your head up young man.
 
There are WRs who have great hands who experience streaks where they drop just about everything that is thrown their way. Why are they dropping so many balls? The "expert" fan tends to attribute the drops to "stone hands" ... whereas the truth tends to be more subtle. Such drops are typically attributable to a combination of factors, including a lapse in concentration and a confidence issue (even doubts can creep into the minds of NFL players). These issues need not be long-term or chronic.

The obvious parallel here (I hope) is fumbling by RBs. It's the same sort of issue - lapses in concentration and confidence issues. I think that Wadley will work out those issues ... and I expect that the coaches will not abandon the talented young man.
 
I know Ferentz is busy making grocery lists this time of year but perhaps he should find time to watch The Program. That is a guaranteed fix.
 
You know Shonn Greene had ball security issues early in his career. I wouldn't give up on the guy, it's something that can be improved.
 
He needs to cover the ball up with both arms when he starts to hit traffic. Wegher was as fast and shifty as him but he quickly learned to put both arms around the ball.
 
I'm feeling the for kid, but I agree two arms!!!! With this line he could be a nasty weapon.
 
iowalaw said:
It would be a real shame if the coach punishes the RB with the highest yards per carry on the team with a lifetime ban due to one fumble. Obviously he plays rb in practice and gets tackled each day. He must not fumble much in practice. Do we bench a field goal kicker if he misses two kicks in a row? Or a WR who drops a couple? Go easy on Wadley.
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It's not 1 fumble. He's fumbled 4 times in 36 career carries. No one is giving up on him but he's going to need to start not fumbling to play more.
 
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I hope he succeeds at RB, but given his short stature and quickness, I'd think he'd be a better candidate for CB than for safety. He reminds me of Damien Sims, who played both RB and CB for the Hawks. I think Sims could have been a terrific corner if he'd specialized in that position.
 
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