Athleticism

[dbleagle1]

So, I keep hearing about Nebby's "athleticism" and speed vs Iowa's lack of both.......Let's take a look.......

QB - Beathard vs Armstrong - Probably equal on athleticism and speed but Beathard is a better QB - Advantage - Hawks

RB - Newby/Cross vs Daniels/Canzeri/Wadley - Wadley is probably the fastest RB on the field and Canzeri is right there speed wise. Although Newby/Cross are decent RB's, speed advantage definitely goes to Iowa here......

WR - Westercamp/Moore/Reilly/Turner vs Vandeberg/Smith/Hillyer/McCarron - Westercamp is the best of this group because of his combination of speed and experience. Vandeberg isn't necessarily fast but good at getting open and both Smiths are fast. However, Nebraska has the advantage here.

TE - Carter/Cotton vs Krieger Coble/Kittle - Speed probably about the same, experience Hawks. Advantage Hawks.

OL - Both decent offensive lines. I will call this a draw or slight advantage to Hawks

DL - Collins/Vanentine/Gangwish vs Meier/Johnson/Hesse - Nebraska has a good d line when Valentine decides he wants to play. So, it will depend on that. Speedwise, Meier might be the most athletic and fastest of this group. However, have to give slight advantage to the Fuskers on this one

LB - Banderas/Newby/Young vs Niemann/Jewel/Fisher - Athleticism about the same, Jewell is a beast. I will call this a draw

DB - Jones/Cockrell/Gerry/Kalu vs Mabin/Taylor/Lomax/King - Lomax and Taylor are pretty fast. No real athletic advantage here for either side - Mabin can be a liability at times. However, Desmond King is the best DB on the field on Friday, period. Slight advantage Hawks

Kicker - Who cares other than as good as Koehn can be from 57 yards on the left hash, the dude needs to be able to string together several extra points in a row for crying out loud.

So, I fail to see how NU is more "athletic" and faster. It's easy to sit around and argue it but when you get down to it, they seem fairly equal to me.......Just my 2 cents........I am also going to post this on the NU board and see what I get from their perspective........

Iowa - 31 Nebraska - 28

 

[CUHawkeye91]

I don't have a good feel for the talent in some of these areas, but I'll wager there aren't many tight ends in the nation faster than Kittle.

 

[IACub]

Koehn still averaging 12.5 yards per carry. Just sayin'.

 

[cedarvalleykid14]

Just realize the fact that "athleticism" as it's generally used in sports is a pretty transparent euphemism for "black." Iowa football and basketball have usually had a greater number of white players than most other top programs, thus the Iowa white farm boy image means Iowa isn't "athletic." And don't think for a second that isn't a major reason why 11-0 Iowa gets dissed. Many commentators are thinking, "With all those white guys, how could they possibly be that good?"

A perfect example came in the Iowa-Marquette basketball game last week when the black announcer said, "By just looking at Gesell, you wouldn't think he would be so quick, so fast, and such a good leaper."

No, I guess not, if by "looking" you only see color, not actual athleticism. BTW: Woody notwithstanding, the movie that claims "White Men Can't Jump" could be construed as just a little tiny bit racist.

We're a loooooooooooong way from a color-blind world, so just admit it. The stereotype is that you see a black guy you expect "athleticsim." You see a white guy and you don't. And since that's the preconception, white guys who don't fit it are overlooked. Consider McCaffery at Stanford. If a black RB were having the year that kid has had, the Heisman would be his in a landslide. And you know it. But in spite of it all, white athletes matter.

 

[Hawk_4shur]

Just realize the fact that "athleticism" as it's generally used in sports is a pretty transparent euphemism for "black." Iowa football and basketball have usually had a greater number of white players than most other top programs, thus the Iowa white farm boy image means Iowa isn't "athletic." And don't think for a second that isn't a major reason why 11-0 Iowa gets dissed. Many commentators are thinking, "With all those white guys, how could they possibly be that good?"

A perfect example came in the Iowa-Marquette basketball game last week when the black announcer said, "By just looking at Gesell, you wouldn't think he would be so quick, so fast, and such a good leaper."

No, I guess not, if by "looking" you only see color, not actual athleticism. BTW: Woody notwithstanding, the movie that claims "White Men Can't Jump" could be construed as just a little tiny bit racist.

We're a loooooooooooong way from a color-blind world, so just admit it. The stereotype is that you see a black guy you expect "athleticsim." You see a white guy and you don't. And since that's the preconception, white guys who don't fit it are overlooked. Consider McCaffery at Stanford. If a black RB were having the year that kid has had, the Heisman would be his in a landslide. And you know it. But in spite of it all, white athletes matter.

Don't forget that good white BB players are always "smart".

I don't know about 40 times, but this defense is very fast to the ball. Yes, even the white guys.

 

[icu81222]

I have noticed a real drop off in the talking heads and announcers spewing the "speed" factor when playing Midwest/northern schools.

That's one myth that has been over played and they've finally realized that isn't based on facts.

 

[Hawk_4shur]

I have noticed a real drop off in the talking heads and announcers spewing the "speed" factor when playing Midwest/northern schools.

That's one myth that has been over played and they've finally realized that isn't based on facts.

Agree - but another myth that has been debunked is the notion that Northern teams are stronger.

There are a dozen schools in the country that have a big advantage in talent. (Nebraska isn't one of them). The rest of the teams are on reasonable footing vs. each other. The game comes down to effort, knowledge of your opponent, coaching, preparation and other intangibles.

Oh, and whomever has the best QB!

 

[milehighhawkeye24]

As far as O line and DB's I give a strong edge to Iowa, Huskers can not establish run and they rank 100+ in pass defense and it is not like teams are airing it out to catch up because Nebby has trailed most of 4th quarter in several games, unlike Iowa who has not trailed at all in 4th quarter (that is very impressive BTW)

 

[whatsup13579er]

VandeBerg is just as fast as any other Iowa WR except maybe Parker. He is white and he is fast. That is why he is open a lot.

 

[artradley]

Just realize the fact that "athleticism" as it's generally used in sports is a pretty transparent euphemism for "black." Iowa football and basketball have usually had a greater number of white players than most other top programs, thus the Iowa white farm boy image means Iowa isn't "athletic." And don't think for a second that isn't a major reason why 11-0 Iowa gets dissed. Many commentators are thinking, "With all those white guys, how could they possibly be that good?"

A perfect example came in the Iowa-Marquette basketball game last week when the black announcer said, "By just looking at Gesell, you wouldn't think he would be so quick, so fast, and such a good leaper."

No, I guess not, if by "looking" you only see color, not actual athleticism. BTW: Woody notwithstanding, the movie that claims "White Men Can't Jump" could be construed as just a little tiny bit racist.

We're a loooooooooooong way from a color-blind world, so just admit it. The stereotype is that you see a black guy you expect "athleticsim." You see a white guy and you don't. And since that's the preconception, white guys who don't fit it are overlooked. Consider McCaffery at Stanford. If a black RB were having the year that kid has had, the Heisman would be his in a landslide. And you know it. But in spite of it all, white athletes matter.

Truf

 

[ft254]

Don't forget that good white BB players are always "smart".

I don't know about 40 times, but this defense is very fast to the ball. Yes, even the white guys.

Don't forget that good white BB players are always "smart".

I don't know about 40 times, but this defense is very fast to the ball. Yes, even the white guys.

Hawk_4shur, this seems to imply that if you are not white you are to assume, you are not "smart". So a black player is probably dumb. That is your what you are saying right?

 

[soybean]

VandeBerg is just as fast as any other Iowa WR except maybe Parker. He is white and he is fast. That is why he is open a lot.

Please defend this statement.

 

[artradley]

Hawk_4shur, this seems to imply that if you are not white you are to assume, you are not "smart". So a black player is probably dumb. That is your what you are saying right?

I think you're missing his point. He's observing the conventional wisdom from sports reporters who tend to describe white players as "heady" and smart, and black players as "athletic". He's making of them.

 

[whoboppin]

CJ might be a better QB, but he certainly isn't more athletic than Armstrong. It doesn't mean as much at this position, but Armstrong is definitely more athletic.

 

[dbleagle1]

CJ might be a better QB, but he certainly isn't more athletic than Armstrong. It doesn't mean as much at this position, but Armstrong is definitely more athletic.

Athletic from the perspective of having the ability to move to WR and being a better WR? Ok. Athletic from the QB perspective? I disagree. CJ is underrated for his athleticism.......quick release, ability to throw on the run, ability to outrun the defense when needed.

 

[smallcenter]

How the two QBs compare to each other is irrelevant. How the WRs and RBs compare against the NU WRs and RBs means nothing. How the Iowa OL matches up athletically against the NU DL is what matters. How Beathard matches up against the NU DBs and LBs is what matters. How the Iowa LBs match up against the NU RBs is what matters. Anaylze that.

 

[DavenportHawk8]

CJ might be a better QB, but he certainly isn't more athletic than Armstrong. It doesn't mean as much at this position, but Armstrong is definitely more athletic.

Armstrong is the more athletic QB and it ain't even close. His foot speed and ability to throw on the run is better than CJB. But CJB is the smarter QB and will make "safe" throws as where Armstrong likes to force it sometimes.

BUT the problem with Armstrong is he wants to throw, he does not like to run the ball. HE will run at times, but he knows if he takes off he gets hit and he does not like that. So Iowa will have to watch for him to run, but also know when he does, to LAY THE LUMBER to him.

 

[talmid27]

Armstrong is the more athletic QB and it ain't even close. His foot speed and ability to throw on the run is better than CJB. But CJB is the smarter QB and will make "safe" throws as where Armstrong likes to force it sometimes.

BUT the problem with Armstrong is he wants to throw, he does not like to run the ball. HE will run at times, but he knows if he takes off he gets hit and he does not like that. So Iowa will have to watch for him to run, but also know when he does, to LAY THE LUMBER to him.

Good points.....but TA has punished some defenders in the run this year. He's big and strong and can bring the wood himself. It's beautiful to behold. And I doubt they plan on saving his body much for this game.

 

[YeahToast]

Collins and Valentine are each as good or better than Jaleel. Not sure what kind of a pass rush Nebraska has, but I expect Collins and Valentine to cause problems for Iowa's running game. We'll have to make big time plays through the air Friday -- not that that's shocking insight or anything.

 

[Hawk_4shur]

Hawk_4shur, this seems to imply that if you are not white you are to assume, you are not "smart". So a black player is probably dumb. That is your what you are saying right?

I think you're missing his point. He's observing the conventional wisdom from sports reporters who tend to describe white players as "heady" and smart, and black players as "athletic". He's making fun of them.

Thanks Art.

 

[Floyd_Of_Rosedale]

Good points.....but TA has punished some defenders in the run this year. He's big and strong and can bring the wood himself. It's beautiful to behold. And I doubt they plan on saving his body much for this game.

So he is going to be sacrificed?

 

[whatsup13579er]

Please defend this statement.

What is there to defend? Everyone talks about VandeBerg saying he is quicker than fast, a great slot WR, knows how to get open, yadda yadda yadda. Pretty much every generalization given to every white WR that happens to be good because he certainly couldn't be as fast or as athletic as his black counterparts, but he is. That is why he is always open. He is a very good athlete and can run by people if he needs to.

 

[dbleagle1]

Armstrong is the more athletic QB and it ain't even close. His foot speed and ability to throw on the run is better than CJB. But CJB is the smarter QB and will make "safe" throws as where Armstrong likes to force it sometimes.

BUT the problem with Armstrong is he wants to throw, he does not like to run the ball. HE will run at times, but he knows if he takes off he gets hit and he does not like that. So Iowa will have to watch for him to run, but also know when he does, to LAY THE LUMBER to him.

Completely disagree with ability to throw on the run.......CJB is every bit as able to throw on the run.......Actually, when CJB throws on the run, it is typically a lower trajectory stronger throw than Armstrongs........Armstrongs throws on the run look like punts........Just going by what I see.

 

[EvilMonkeyInTheCloset]

So he is going to be sacrificed?

Roasted on a spit....

 

[cidsports]

Sapp Clemmons put rumors to rest with a dunk against Marquette as the athleticism discussion never gets old for Iowa.

peace