BF to flirt with the spread offense?

[Mr. Smee]

According to this article, Brian Ferentz admits that a touch of the spread offense could stretch the field, but don't expect the team to go full spread right away. Iowa's bread and butter is the offensive line and running the ball, but he does understand the need to lure some of the 7 or 8 defenders out of the box.

https://www.landof10.com/iowa/iowa-football-offense-brian-ferentz-news-update-spring-practice-2017

 

[Dumpster Fire Smores]

That's what he said before he took the OC position, too, but it hasn't happened, even with VB back and football-magnet-Easley.

 

[speed4power]

don't expect the team to go full spread right away. Iowa's bread and butter is the offensive line and running the ball

I've never really understood this logic. We can still be a run heavy team even with a spread offense. Teams like TCU and Clemson for example right now are running the ball a lot and with plenty of success behind good offensive lines. The spread offense compliments their running game. It doesn't detract from it. My opinion has always been the more you can stretch a defense out, the better, for all facets of your game.

 

[BetterLuckNextTime]

I've never really understood this logic. We can still be a run heavy team even with a spread offense. Teams like TCU and Clemson for example right now are running the ball a lot and with plenty of success behind good offensive lines. The spread offense compliments their running game. It doesn't detract from it. My opinion has always been the more you can stretch a defense out, the better, for all facets of your game.

That's what he said, that the reason Brian installed, or is in the process of trying to install a spread offense was to open up the run game.

 

[BigHawksFan]

IMO, Wadley is the perfect type of back for the spread offense. I can't wait until we get some guys healthy on the OL again.

 

[speed4power]

IMO, Wadley is the perfect type of back for the spread offense. I can't wait until we get some guys healthy on the OL again.

Absolutely. Wadley is an average runningback between the tackles, but he is dangerous when you get him in space. Give Wadley some space to work and he can burn any defense.

 

[naturalmwa]

Does anyone really think we will see a new offence this year? Or even ever? Love what we have, because it's not changing.

 

[ichawk24]

We have seen principles of it. Spreading 4 wide and running 4 verticals is the base play of the Hal Mumme spread, and Iowa has run that play semi-consistently this year.

 

[twindman]

The spread is too sexy!

 

[Hammer93]

I would be interested (not enough to do the work myself) to see what the average yards per rush is when we run out of 3-4 wide receiver/TE sets (spread type sets). I know it is not frequent, but I would guess it is much better then out of our heavy package run attempts. I do think it is a good idea to do more of it to lighten up the defenders remaining in the box at the snap. I like the idea of it.

 

[Crazy Hawk]

I'm a big fan of the spread and have ran it for years. For me, I love when people think that, because we run the spread that we have to throw the ball 40-50 times a game. We like to spread teams out and run the ball between them.

I will not be surprised to see more of these types of sets. Reason being is Iowa's receives/TE's have shown enough development as pass catchers to be able to do this. Whereas at the start of the year, who knew what Iowa had outside of Wadley. Plus, this also doesn't mean Iowa has to go out of the gun. They can simply run their same run game between the tackles under center, but with guys 3-4 guys spread out. to take defenders out of the box.

 

[anon_hc7hkvtk15hp5]

I have noticed that even when the WR or TE split out, they are really only 5-10 yards outside of the Tackle. That allows the safety to play in the box, but maintain some coverage duties as well. I have often wondered why they don't split out wider to take those defenders wider or make it more obvious to the QB where coverage is. Is that really a "spread" offense taking a split end out wider?

 

[ghostOfHomer777]

Does anyone really think we will see a new offence this year? Or even ever? Love what we have, because it's not changing.

I honestly do not know what some folks are talking about. Many of our looks out of shot-gun are inherent "spread looks." The Hawks have implemented run-pass option looks out of the O .... and additionally, many of our runs from shotgun are "spread" in concept.

Many folks seem to miss the boat and not understand that we're not going to implement a full-out spread offense ... however, our O has clearly implemented elements that fit with our offensive philosophy, our blocking schemes, AND our personnel. Obviously, some of the shotgun stuff was designed with getting Wadley and Butler on the field at the same time. However, with Butler injured ... we probably hadn't been executing it with as great of consistency.

Lastly, a lot of our O has looked disjoint at time ... and part of that is attributable to both having a young QB, having a juggled OL, and having WR/TE blocking that had been relatively sub-par.

On the flip side ... even though our completion percentage isn't quite what we'd like ... who would have predicted that the passing game would have been so productive thus far? I think that it is fair to say that Iowa's passing game is well ahead of schedule in many respects ... however, it doesn't help that the O isn't as balanced/well-rounded as is ideal.

 

[KFsdisciple]

The offense has been more dynamic this year than any year in the Ferentz era. The freedom a first-year starter QB has at the line for check-with-me audibles, elements of RPO, we've brought back the bubble screen, WR routes go further than 5 yards, jet sweeps to the TE, screen passes, designed pass plays to the running back position, getting the fullback involved in the passing game, slants, play action, zone runs, power runs, pulling guards and center...

The biggest thing that's held this offense back has been field position. Iowa managed to put together 90+ yard drives against Iowa State and Wyoming, but good Big10 defenses typically don't let drives go 90+. Iowa has started an insane amount of drives in the proverbial shadow of their own goal line.

It might be time to try some one new on punt returns, someone who has field presence and understands where they are, and isn't afraid to call for and make a fair catch.

 

[NorthDSMHawk]

BF to flirt with the spread offense?

Over his fathers dead body.

 

[HawkNole09]

The spread does a couple things for them though:

1) Stanley can be looking downfield from the snap.
2) Gaps open up as DL hit their rush lanes
3) Freezes LBs, giving out TEs more space

I think it's a great add when our traditional running game isn't working.

 

[BigHawksFan]

I love the spread offense. It makes the game entertaining, but sadly I don't think we'll ever see a high-powered offense at Iowa under a Ferentz.

 

[BetterLuckNextTime]

We'll never get great playmakers on offense under a Ferentz. They prefer strapping Jim Bob farmboys from Iowa who grew up playing 3 yards and a cloud of dust in the hay fields. The scope and reach of our recruiting networks be damned.

 

[nu2u]

I'm a big fan of the spread and have ran it for years

Where?

 

[cleotishaywood]

Doesn't Nick Shimonek operate in a spread offense?

 

[bagdropper]

To me, no matter what...if you don't have great talent, you ain't winning...you can win it all (imho) running the single wing if you have a roster consisting of the best talent in the nation.

Iowa's issues, as they have been through the program's entire history, has and always will be getting a roster full of great talent no matter what systems they run.

I dunno - those looking for "more entertainment"...well, my thinking is losing 56-42 versus 17-10 is still losing.

 

[nitewing]

The offense has been more dynamic this year than any year in the Ferentz era. The freedom a first-year starter QB has at the line for check-with-me audibles, elements of RPO, we've brought back the bubble screen, WR routes go further than 5 yards, jet sweeps to the TE, screen passes, designed pass plays to the running back position, getting the fullback involved in the passing game, slants, play action, zone runs, power runs, pulling guards and center...

The biggest thing that's held this offense back has been field position. Iowa managed to put together 90+ yard drives against Iowa State and Wyoming, but good Big10 defenses typically don't let drives go 90+. Iowa has started an insane amount of drives in the proverbial shadow of their own goal line.

It might be time to try some one new on punt returns, someone who has field presence and understands where they are, and isn't afraid to call for and make a fair catch.

Jackson is calling for fair catches giving Iowa the ball at the 10 vs inside the 5 or closer to the goal line.

 

[KFsdisciple]

Jackson is calling for fair catches giving Iowa the ball at the 10 vs inside the 5 or closer to the goal line."

true... he has been catching most of the balls, some he should, some he shouldn't... that's what I meant on field awareness.

 

[theIowaHawk]

Does anyone really think we will see a new offence this year? Or even ever? Love what we have, because it's not changing.

I'm sure you mean "pro style" or some ten thousand foot overview term, but the offense is different from even last year.

 

[Roy-munson]

Iowa with a fullback average 7.9 yards a play with out 4.3.. the fullback needs to stay in

 

[naturalmwa]

Iowa with a fullback average 7.9 yards a play with out 4.3.. the fullback needs to stay in

Now this is the newfangled offence we should expect.

 

[hknation]

I say full speed/spread ahead. Heck, our defense doesn't need that rest that a balanced run/pass time consuming drives type offense provides. Everyone agrees that we haven't seen the front 7 tire in the 4 qtr yet this year.

 

[hknation]

That's what he said before he took the OC position, too, but it hasn't happened, even with VB back and football-magnet-Easley.

Here's what BF and players said, not that it was going to be speed and spread.......

"It’s the traditional Iowa offense,” Pekar said. “We are only in Day 4. So obviously we don’t know a whole ton about it, but we are learning every day. It’s not anything completely different.”

How Iowa plans to accomplish this, however, is different. Change isn’t just in the plays. It’s also in the imprint Ferentz and his personality leave on the offense and the players.

“We are focused on technique and finishing and just trying to build something and start from (the ground up), Pekar said. “It’s really just trying to create chemistry and create the fundamentals. We are not a real flashy team and that is kind of how Brian is kind of building this whole thing.”

No, the Iowa offense isn’t about standing out. There is a blue-collar nature to it, just like the entire team, but Ferentz is adamant fitting flexibility and scheming to fit player strengths into the established framework.

“Our program’s been built on the mantra of tough, smart and physical, and that won’t change,” Ferentz said during his introductory news conference in January. “Certainly (that) is not going to change offensively.”

 

[Crazy Hawk]

I'm a big fan of the spread and have ran it for years

Where?

Few places.