Blocking Observations

[StallmanCurse]

Watched the game again this morning with a bit of emphasis on the OL. I did not watch every play 5x to grade each OL, but mostly just backed up plays to see who missed the block.

OL
Kallenberger exceeded my expectations, especially in the run game. I was very nervous about him getting the start after seeing a few fall camp videos. He did give up the one sack/FF to Sutton Smith, but IKM was helping him out and IKM didn't stick with the block.

Ferguson had a rough game. He missed three run blocks in the first couple series that resulted in negative or minimal gains. Moved to RT in the second quarter and gave up two QB hits, plus an unnecessary (although pretty weak call) holding penalty that negated a 15+ yard run. He moved back to LT later in the game and seemed to settle down a bit.

EDIT: I'm watching the game, again(!), a day later and want to point something out. First time through, I mostly took notes on negative plays, but here's a positive for Ferguson that deserves attention: At 7:43 in Q1, it's 2 & 8, we line up in shotgun and Smith lines up wide outside of Ferguson. Smith goes speed rush to the outside and Ferguson makes a very athletic play to cut Smith down at the hip. Very impressive!​

Levi Paulsen was solid, which is all we needed. IMO, he's definitely our 6th man if he stays healthy.

Reynolds and Banwart were OK. Reynolds had the unnecessary cut block penalty being discussed in another thread. They both missed a couple blocks here and there, but for the most part had acceptable performances.

Render was also solid. Didn't see anything exceptionally positive or negative, which is fine with me.

Overall, maybe a B- grade. Not awful, considering the first game of the year. I'm excited to get Wirfs and Jackson back, and I think we may see Paulsen rotating in at G quite a bit.

FB
There is a noticeable drop-off from Kulick to Ross. He wasn't terrible, but hopefully we see some improvement as the season progresses.

TE
Weiting and Hockenson were both solid, Fant still wildly inconsistent.

 

[And1Hawk]

Kallenberger is a stud. We need to get him into the starting 5. Would love to see Wirfs move to guard and put Kallenberger at tackle. That’s a yo line then.

 

[Harbinger273]

Sounds like we have 2 solid depth guys in Le. Paulsen and Kallenberger. If the interior can maintain at a B level we'll be solid.

 

[Wasnt-drunk-didnt-troll]

I have been waiting for someone with O line knowledge to talk about this, thank you. Imo if Kallenburger can hold down the fort at RT at all you put TW and AJ side by side and allow Stanley to not worry about his backside AT ALL. Excited to hear more from the gurus.

 

[Harbinger273]

Check out @hawkeyegamefilm on Twitter for good analysis.

 

[Harbinger273]

 

[StallmanCurse]

Check out @hawkeyegamefilm on Twitter for good analysis.

View embedded media

Iowa scored on that play at least twice last year. Easley vs wyoming and fant vs Minnesota.

 

[grayhair81]

I went back and watched the second half. Banwart was outstanding for his first game starting. He won all but one play I saw him in on. They switched him out for Landan Paulsen and he played well, too. Banwart seems quicker and more fluid than LP. Not surprising considering how much Landan has been hurt. Probably the best thing to come out of the game Saturday was the number of O linemen that showed they can play and contribute.

 

[gonegolfing]

I really like the Brady Ross story. Seems like a great kid. He just isn't a great fullback. I'm not so sure Austin isn't a better option, but yes, quite the drop off from Drake. He doesn't square guys up very well and doesn't finish.

 

[LakeviewHawkeye]

Kallenberger is a stud. We need to get him into the starting 5. Would love to see Wirfs move to guard and put Kallenberger at tackle. That’s a yo line then.

I think its possible Wirfs moves to LT with Jackson going to LG and Kallenberger at RT but I doubt we see Wirfs at G. The coaches already tried to move Wirfs to LT this spring but it sounds like Jackson struggled on the right side. IMO, both Wirfs and Jackson are NFL guys but Wirfs could be elite.

 

[HawkandTackle]

I think Kallenberger should at least be in the rotation at guard going forward.

Bulaga worked as a guard early on.

 

[ghostOfHomer777]

I think Kallenberger should at least be in the rotation at guard going forward.

Bulaga worked as a guard early on.

I'll be really curious to see what the Hawks do with Kallenberger moving forward. The media has asked earlier in the year if he might get moved to OG ... but the coaches mentioned about keeping him at OT (probably so that he can refine his craft at that spot).

But yeah, once they see the tape there ... and if they determine that "he belongs" ... I could see them trying to work him at LG and then rotating with Reynolds. Part of the story initially was to get his feet wet and see how things go ... then they could determine where to go from there.

 

[grayhair81]

I think Kallenberger should at least be in the rotation at guard going forward.

Bulaga worked as a guard early on.

Bulaga's body type and skill set translated well to guard. Not sure the same is true of Kallenberger. But I agree he has a bright future somewhere. Hopefully he CAN make the transition because unless Alaric leaves after this year, Mark will be a backup next year as well.

 

[HawkNole09]

I understand trying to get your best 5 out there, but I thinknKallenberger would benefit most from playing as the swing tackle, which will also probably benefit the program at some point this or next season

 

[gojojo]

I'd be shocked if they moved AJ or TW from T to guard. They've got a bit of size on MK, perhaps he'll move inside.

Nice problem to have. Lots of depth on both sides of LOS.

 

[JStandefer]

Check out @hawkeyegamefilm on Twitter for good analysis.

View embedded media

There was also a weird double fake handoff on that play, just strange. It almost looked like a broken play

 

[And1Hawk]

The first thing that happens after Tristan is drafted into the NFL is he will be moved to guard - bank on it. Jackson is a definite tackle as is Kallenberger. It would serve us better to get all three on the field sooner rather than later.

This is what Wisconsin would do.

 

[Frosty7130]

Iowa scored on that play at least twice last year. Easley vs wyoming and fant vs Minnesota.

Fant also caught a long pass against Nebraska on it.

 

[deanhawk88]

The first thing that happens after Tristan is drafted into the NFL is he will be moved to guard - bank on it. Jackson is a definite tackle as is Kallenberger. It would serve us better to get all three on the field sooner rather than later.

This is what Wisconsin would do.

This! I've always had that in the back of my mind that Tristan would likely play Guard in the NFL. If Kallenberger can play RT effectively, and will only get better as the season progresses, sliding Wirfs over next to Jackson would be lethal! Too bad we probably won't see this lineup for whatever reason.

 

[millhawk]

MK will not take Wirfs or AJ's spot this year. Not big enough yet. Next year, maybe, but I doubt it. '19 season we need to replace both guards as Banwart moves to center. Overall Banwart had a very nice game saturday, good looking young player. He has some nastiness in him. Levi will get a spot at guard and still be capable of helping at tackle if needed. Don't forget about Landan, he looked a tad quicker than Levi when they played side by side. Great battles next spring.

Don't forget about Ezra. He comes in January and Blair has said the coaches think he can help as a true freshman. He's that good.

 

[David1979]

View embedded media

View embedded media

Banwart really showed some power in some of the run blocking. I thought Render had a really good first game at Center as well. Kallenberger looks like he could be a stud down the road.

 

[David1979]

Thought Paulsen and Ferguson showed they can step in if someone gets injured. Those reps will only make them better.

 

[millhawk]

Banwart really showed some power in some of the run blocking. I thought Render had a really good first game at Center as well. Kallenberger looks like he could be a stud down the road.

Banwart at center next year relieves some of my worry about that position for '19. Of course there's the mental side but not to worried about that.

 

[TKingpin]

So, maybe 2019 looks like Jax, MK, Banwart, Levi and Wirfs from left to right? That looks to be a salty line and MK gets to learn right beside a future NFL LT, much like Bulaga and Reiff and Scherff did.

I like that a lot. If they really want to keep MK at OT only, I suppose it would be both Paulsen boys at guard. 6th man would be Duwa and Banwart moves to a guard? Seems to me you need to get MK on the field though.

Let’s all hope Aleric avoids strike 3 between now and then. Even though Aleric and Tristan will only be juniors after 2019, I strongly suspect we will need to break in 2 new OTs in 2020. MK for one and ...Ezra? Plumb? Ince? Coy? Jenkins (seems like a guard to me)? I bet they are hoping Plumb can beef up and be the guy. Britt will be 2years recovery time from his recent ACL, but maybe he is a G or C. Fenske? The competition for LG and RT will be pretty intense for 2020. Hockensen and Beyer will still be there at TE. All 3 of our RBs should still be there. Lots of weapons for breaking in either Mansell or Petras.

 

[INXS83]

Banwart at center next year relieves some of my worry about that position for '19. Of course there's the mental side but not to worried about that.

Will Levi Duwa ever get big enough/be good enough to be a legit B1G C? I know he's a 'work in progress' now, but can he be ready in 2019? 2020?

 

[millhawk]

Will Levi Duwa ever get big enough/be good enough to be a legit B1G C? I know he's a 'work in progress' now, but can he be ready in 2019? 2020?

Don't know but I think Banwart will be a better option.

 

[Buckwatcher]

Why Move Wirfs or Jackson. They are true tackles big and tall and both have good feet. Take the Kallenberger, who has less playing time and work him through the guards. I would think that would make much more sense. That gets him a taste of playing and learning more positions which makes him more valuable.

 

[ghostOfHomer777]

Will Levi Duwa ever get big enough/be good enough to be a legit B1G C? I know he's a 'work in progress' now, but can he be ready in 2019? 2020?

Ideally you want there to be a competition at each spot. Right now, I'd agree with millhawk and TKingpin that Banwart looks more likely to be the heir apparent at C.

However, maybe Duwa ups his game to the point that getting our best five on the field dictates that he's at C and Banwart is at OG. The aforementioned scenario is entirely possible.

You also want to keep in mind that the Hawks, at least in part, recruited Justin Britt at C. Thus, the talent level at C could be pretty good in the coming years.