Bo Bower, no holler???

[Muskie5]

Funny, I haven't been hearing all the hollering about how bad Bo Bower is lately. Well, I'll clue you in, he was has never been 'bad' the last 2 yrs. as some of you 'think' he is, somehow he was made a scapegoat for when things went 'bad'. I think Mr. Gamefilm started the whole thing. But he has been playing lights out lately. He stepped up huge in the Northwestern game and was calling the game even though they moved Niemann to the middle. He played lights out yesterday and is quietly having a damn good year. He's playing as well or better than Fisher did in 2015. There are some defensive players have not played up to their potential this year, but Bower isn't one of them.

P.S.- Yes, I know, if I defend Bower I get called 'Mrs. Bower'. So fire away.
Sincerely yours,

Mrs. Bower

 

[Johnsoda123]

Funny, I haven't been hearing all the hollering about how bad Bo Bower is lately. Well, I'll clue you in, he was has never been 'bad' the last 2 yrs. as some of you 'think' he is, somehow he was made a scapegoat for when things went 'bad'. I think Mr. Gamefilm started the whole thing. But he has been playing lights out lately. He stepped up huge in the Northwestern game and was calling the game even though they moved Niemann to the middle. He played lights out yesterday and is quietly having a damn good year. He's playing as well or better than Fisher did in 2015. There are some defensive players have not played up to their potential this year, but Bower isn't one of them.

P.S.- Yes, I know, if I defend Bower I get called 'Mrs. Bower'. So fire away.
Sincerely yours,

Mrs. Bower

Mrs. Bower. Your son played a rea

Funny, I haven't been hearing all the hollering about how bad Bo Bower is lately. Well, I'll clue you in, he was has never been 'bad' the last 2 yrs. as some of you 'think' he is, somehow he was made a scapegoat for when things went 'bad'. I think Mr. Gamefilm started the whole thing. But he has been playing lights out lately. He stepped up huge in the Northwestern game and was calling the game even though they moved Niemann to the middle. He played lights out yesterday and is quietly having a damn good year. He's playing as well or better than Fisher did in 2015. There are some defensive players have not played up to their potential this year, but Bower isn't one of them.

P.S.- Yes, I know, if I defend Bower I get called 'Mrs. Bower'. So fire away.
Sincerely yours,

Mrs. Bower

Mrs Bower. Your son played an excellent game yesterday. His pass coverage was very good. JJ was a step slow yesterday. I wonder if he is hurt. I also thought Ced played well. Hope he is taking the next step.

 

[bojihawk44]

Bo has quietly had a really good year. Funny that many don't talk about it, but if he was a liability he would be getting endlessly ridiculed on here by fans.

 

[Muskie5]

Mrs. Bower. Your son played a rea

Mrs Bower. Your son played an excellent game yesterday. His pass coverage was very good. JJ was a step slow yesterday. I wonder if he is hurt. I also thought Ced played well. Hope he is taking the next step.

I thought Ced had his best game of the year. Rugamba seems to be having a little 'sophomore slump'. I think he's guessing too much instead of just trusting his instincts. He's plenty quick.

 

[Johnsoda123]

I thought Ced had his best game of the year. Rugamba seems to be having a little 'sophomore slump'. I think he's guessing too much instead of just trusting his instincts. He's plenty quick.

I counted 9 players rotated on the DL which has to help them all. AJ is going to be a really good pass rusher but he got lost in the wash on several runs.

 

[ROCKY MOUNTAIN HAWK]

Bo played a great game yesterday! Glad you mentioned him. Jackson was the other & he already has a thread going.

 

[EvilMonkeyInTheCloset]

Poor Iowalaw.....

First he gets banned and has to get a new account and now his resident punching bag, Bo Bower isn't having the terrible year that he was trying to convince people he was having.

 

[greenelite]

Bower has played well the past couple of games. He's done a great job picking up Josey's slack. It's about time.

 

[bojihawk44]

Bower has played well the past couple of games. He's done a great job picking up Josey's slack. It's about time.

Yes, give him credit but then be sure to tear him down! Thataboy.

 

[greenelite]

Yes, give him credit but then be sure to tear him down! Thataboy.

2 or 3 games doesn't erase a career of empty production. Looks like he's turned a corner and playing faster. I'm also kind of a dick and don't believe in coddling union carded seniors that have seen significant time since they were FR.

 

[Slappy Pappy]

Shhh...don't jinx. OSU is coming, and Urban schemes to isolate his fastest slot guy on the weakest pass coverage lb...

 

[bojihawk44]

2 or 3 games doesn't erase a career of empty production. Looks like he's turned a corner and playing faster. I'm also kind of a dick and don't believe in coddling union carded seniors that have seen significant time since they were FR.

He's a kid doing his absolute best, you loser. Why do people feel they have an obligation to call players out who aren't performing up to their standards?

 

[greenelite]

He's a kid doing his absolute best, you loser. Why do people feel they have an obligation to call players out who aren't performing up to their standards?

Because we might (probably) have better talent behind him. He definitely is trying his best, but that doesn't mean he doesn't deserve criticism for his body of work.

My beef really is with Parker and Ferentz for putting him in this position and not developing anyone behind him. Neimann and Jewell deserve every snap, but that's not the case with Bower.

 

[bojihawk44]

Because we might (probably) have better talent behind him. He definitely is trying his best, but that doesn't mean he doesn't deserve criticism for his body of work.

My beef really is with Parker and Ferentz for putting him in this position and not developing anyone behind him. Neimann and Jewell deserve every snap, but that's not the case with Bower.

Provably have better talent behind him based on what? Yeah man, you better criticize that kid because he deserves it. That'll teach him.

 

[greenelite]

The "based on what?" question is exactly what I'm talking about. There's nothing to base it on because Bower plays damn near 100% of snaps. Mends and Jones have flashed great potential in their limited run and so have others. That question will be answered next year cuz Bower ain't coming out of a game for the rest of the year.

He's 3 days from turning 23 and less than a year away from a potential NFL career/the real world. He's not a kid anymore.

And like I said, my issue is with PP and his refusal to rotate at the LB spot.

 

[EvilMonkeyInTheCloset]

2 or 3 games doesn't erase a career of empty production. (Ignorance is no excuse for making up statistical production, or a lack thereof, either.....) Looks like he's turned a corner and playing faster. I'm also kind of a dick (At least you're honest.) and don't believe in coddling union carded seniors that have seen significant time since they were FR. (Yeah you be tough on those college athletes by posting on this message board. That'll learn 'em............)

You're Iowalaw?

He's the only one I've seen touting the 'union card' derogatory comment when referring specifically to Bo Bower..................

 

[greenelite]

You're Iowalaw?

He's the only one I've seen touting the 'union card' derogatory comment when referring specifically to Bo Bower..................

I'm not IowaLaw, but I do agree with most points that he hammered on in the past, particularly this one.

 

[EvilMonkeyInTheCloset]

I'm not IowaLaw, but I do agree with most points that he hammered on in the past, particularly this one.

But you're both wrong though.

And he's been wrong a lot in the past as well. Maybe that just says that you like being wrong........

 

[greenelite]

We'll see who's right next year.

 

[bojihawk44]

I'm not IowaLaw, but I do agree with most points that he hammered on in the past, particularly this one.

Yikes...

 

[And1Hawk]

I've been critical of his performance but not effort and heart. I do not believe he reads the play as quickly as Jewell and spends too much time fighting with blockers instead of attacking the ball carrier.

He has made more plays these last two games so that is great to see but still there were at least 3 times he flat out missed tackling the opponent out in space last night. One time he cost the defense 5 yards in a big spot allowing Minny to get very close to picking up the first inside our 10. He's not alone as there has been a lot of fundamentally poor tackling executions with flailing arm tackles and no wraps by our D. We are not great tacklers like I'm used to seeing.

Through 7 games not including last night he has 22 solo tackles and 0.5 TFLs. No other impact play stats like sacks, INTS, forced fumbles, fumble recoveries and pass deflections. If you look at the last 7-8 years of inside LB play at Iowa his stat lines the last 2 seasons are the among the weakest if not the weakest. Our D is designed to funnel everything to our LBs to make plays!!

Bower 2016
44 solos, 0.5 TFLs, 4 pass deflections and 1 forced fumble

Bower 2017 thru 7
22 solos, 0.5 TFLs, ZERO anything else

Here's Cole Fishers 2015 production right before Bower took over...
60 solos, 5.5 TFLs, 2.5 sacks, 1 INT, 6 Pass Delections & 1 forced fumble.

How about Hitchens????....
54 solos, 13.5 TFLs, 2.0 sacks, 1 INT, 2 pass defeldctions, 2 forced fumbles and 1 fumble recovery

The stats do not lie....

 

[IowaNiceHawk]

Yes, give him credit but then be sure to tear him down! Thataboy.

My guess would be that the 'fans' speaking poorly of a great
HAWKEYE kid, like Bo Bower never played football, past powder-puff in
kindygarten.

GO HAWKS

 

[bojihawk44]

I've been critical of his performance but not effort and heart. I do not believe he reads the play as quickly as Jewell and spends too much time fighting with blockers instead of attacking the ball carrier.

He has made more plays these last two games so that is great to see but still there were at least 3 times he flat out missed tackling the opponent out in space last night. One time he cost the defense 5 yards in a big spot allowing Minny to get very close to picking up the first inside our 10. He's not alone as there has been a lot of fundamentally poor tackling executions with flailing arm tackles and no wraps by our D. We are not great tacklers like I'm used to seeing.

Through 7 games not including last night he has 22 solo tackles and 0.5 TFLs. No other impact play stats like sacks, INTS, forced fumbles, fumble recoveries and pass deflections. If you look at the last 7-8 years of inside LB play at Iowa his stat lines the last 2 seasons are the among the weakest if not the weakest. Our D is designed to funnel everything to our LBs to make plays!!

Bower 2016
44 solos, 0.5 TFLs, 4 pass deflections and 1 forced fumble

Bower 2017 thru 7
22 solos, 0.5 TFLs, ZERO anything else

Here's Cole Fishers 2015 production right before Bower took over...
60 solos, 5.5 TFLs, 2.5 sacks, 1 INT, 6 Pass Delections & 1 forced fumble.

How about Hitchens????....
54 solos, 13.5 TFLs, 2.0 sacks, 1 INT, 2 pass defeldctions, 2 forced fumbles and 1 fumble recovery

The stats do not lie....

Christ. No one is saying the kid is an All-American, but he's been more than serviceable this year. I just can't understand why fat slobs sitting on their couch at home feel the need to criticize kids on the field as if it will make them play better or the posters sound really smart or something.

 

[And1Hawk]

Christ. No one is saying the kid is an All-American, but he's been more than serviceable this year. I just can't understand why fat slobs sitting on their couch at home feel the need to criticize kids on the field as if it will make them play better or the posters sound really smart or something.

The OP started the thread not me making claims that are statistically not true. This is a messsge board where fans should be able to debate performance not a cheerleading clinic. Never questioned our players efforts or heart did I? How is questioning a single TFL in over 19 games as an inside LB a bad or unfair observation? My comments were not laced with ridiculous hyperbole like the OP.

 

[greenelite]

The OP started the thread not me making claims that are statistically not true. This is a messsge board where fans should be able to debate performance not a cheerleading clinic. Never questioned our players efforts or heart did I? How is questioning a single TFL in over 19 games as an inside LB a bad or unfair observation? My comments were not laced with ridiculous hyperbole like the OP.

The proof is in the pudding in your previous post. Bottom line - He plays a hugely important position in this defensive scheme, and, more often than not, he's ain't getting it done. His play is improving, but we need a lot more out of him or he needs to be rotated out for guys who have the capability of making something happen.

 

[jo2knight]

The "based on what?" question is exactly what I'm talking about. There's nothing to base it on because Bower plays damn near 100% of snaps. Mends and Jones have flashed great potential in their limited run and so have others. That question will be answered next year cuz Bower ain't coming out of a game for the rest of the year.

He's 3 days from turning 23 and less than a year away from a potential NFL career/the real world. He's not a kid anymore.

And like I said, my issue is with PP and his refusal to rotate at the LB spot.

I've been critical of his performance but not effort and heart. I do not believe he reads the play as quickly as Jewell and spends too much time fighting with blockers instead of attacking the ball carrier.

He has made more plays these last two games so that is great to see but still there were at least 3 times he flat out missed tackling the opponent out in space last night. One time he cost the defense 5 yards in a big spot allowing Minny to get very close to picking up the first inside our 10. He's not alone as there has been a lot of fundamentally poor tackling executions with flailing arm tackles and no wraps by our D. We are not great tacklers like I'm used to seeing.

Through 7 games not including last night he has 22 solo tackles and 0.5 TFLs. No other impact play stats like sacks, INTS, forced fumbles, fumble recoveries and pass deflections. If you look at the last 7-8 years of inside LB play at Iowa his stat lines the last 2 seasons are the among the weakest if not the weakest. Our D is designed to funnel everything to our LBs to make plays!!

Bower 2016
44 solos, 0.5 TFLs, 4 pass deflections and 1 forced fumble

Bower 2017 thru 7
22 solos, 0.5 TFLs, ZERO anything else

Here's Cole Fishers 2015 production right before Bower took over...
60 solos, 5.5 TFLs, 2.5 sacks, 1 INT, 6 Pass Delections & 1 forced fumble.

How about Hitchens????....
54 solos, 13.5 TFLs, 2.0 sacks, 1 INT, 2 pass defeldctions, 2 forced fumbles and 1 fumble recovery

The stats do not lie....

The proof is in the pudding in your previous post. Bottom line - He plays a hugely important position in this defensive scheme, and, more often than not, he's ain't getting it done. His play is improving, but we need a lot more out of him or he needs to be rotated out for guys who have the capability of making something happen.

Thanks for the facts.

1. Bower plays almost 100% of snaps.
2. Production has dropped significantly since 2015 at Bowers spot.
3. LB position/defense at Iowa needs a more dynamic player than Bower.

Pretty much wraps up the fact the original poster has black & gold shades on.

 

[bigfridaynite]

Bo has done a nice job these last few games.i will always wonder how great of a WLB Jewell would of been. But we never developed a MLB.

 

[Muskie5]

Thanks for the facts.

1. Bower plays almost 100% of snaps.
2. Production has dropped significantly since 2015 at Bowers spot.
3. LB position/defense at Iowa needs a more dynamic player than Bower.

Pretty much wraps up the fact the original poster has black & gold shades on.

Production dropped from 2015 to 2016 at Jewells spot. So he got worse? Sums up nothing. Ever thought teams may be running 'strong' more than 'weak' since then? Production hasn't dropped off 'significantly', lol, Bower is better in pass coverage and I can show you that Fisher gave up more 'big plays' than Bower. Pretty much wraps up that you don't want to look at anything subjectively. Believe what you'd like. No point in arguing with you, discuss it with the coaches and see how far you get. I bet they know a little bit more than both of us.

 

[bigfridaynite]

Fisher was pretty handy in pass coverages

 

[Muskie5]

Fisher was pretty handy in pass coverages

Fisher did a good job especially after not hardly seeing field for 4 yrs. I wasn't insulting Fisher, was just saying that they both did a good job and both blew some plays (like everyone one does once in a while including King) and that there hasn't been a 'significant' drop off. People seem to forget how much even guys like Hitchens struggled at times and lost his spot his Jr. year. For some reason people judge Bower more harshly and I disagree with it.

 

[Wadzinator]

JJ is still dinged according to Gary and eddie was listening to them yesterday off and on shoulder issue still, didn't hear them specify on what kind of shoulder injury

 

[jo2knight]

Production dropped from 2015 to 2016 at Jewells spot. So he got worse? Sums up nothing. Ever thought teams may be running 'strong' more than 'weak' since then? Production hasn't dropped off 'significantly', lol, Bower is better in pass coverage and I can show you that Fisher gave up more 'big plays' than Bower. Pretty much wraps up that you don't want to look at anything subjectively. Believe what you'd like. No point in arguing with you, discuss it with the coaches and see how far you get. I bet they know a little bit more than both of us.

Stats posted show Bower has almost as much production in 1.5 years as 2 different players at the same position in 1 year.

Bower collectively is much worse in blown plays. In 1st half of 2016 Bower had more blown plays than Fisher & Hitchens combined career's. I can think of at least 2 drives vs Penn State they blew him up multiple times.

Am I thankful he's not regularly getting gashed in running & passing plays this year? You bet, but Bower is far from a strength for us. He's playing because of experience, not talent.

 

[DodgerHawki]

Provably have better talent behind him based on what? Yeah man, you better criticize that kid because he deserves it. That'll teach him.

Yes this I don't get. Do people really think there is a better player on the depth chart, and the coaches choose to not play him? Just this year a 2-year starter (Taylor) at safety was displaced by a sophomore who hadn't yet started (Hooker). And guys like Epenesa, Lattimore and Brady Reiff are all playing ahead of older players. And Hockenson and Fant are playing ahead of Pekar, and Pekar started last year. And Jackson and Wirfs at tackle, when there are older players Iowa could put in there. And all of the true freshmen at WR who are playing. And Stanley over Wiegers. And on and on.

We all can get frustrated when the team doesn't perform as well as we like. If there's anyone to be mad at, it's the coaches who didn't bring in better players. The coaches are the ones who watch the team practice every day and all off-season. It's their careers on the line if the best players don't play. But I will never understand the ripping/going after college players.

 

[DodgerHawki]

The OP started the thread not me making claims that are statistically not true. This is a messsge board where fans should be able to debate performance not a cheerleading clinic. Never questioned our players efforts or heart did I? How is questioning a single TFL in over 19 games as an inside LB a bad or unfair observation? My comments were not laced with ridiculous hyperbole like the OP.

I don't disagree with you. Hitchens is a starting LB in the NFL, he was a borderline great player in 2013 as a senior. But what exactly is bitching and whining about a particular player going to accomplish, if you've already admitted it's not a question of heart or effort? What should Bower do? Just be better? I wish Iowa had great wide receivers and Gallery and Bulaga at tackle. It doesn't make it so.

Yes, the lack of TFL from the weakside LB position is not good. I would be more questioning of the coaches if they hadn't already shown in numerous instances that they are willing to play the younger player if he's better. But in this one position they won't do that? It doesn't make any sense.

 

[ghostOfHomer777]

The "based on what?" question is exactly what I'm talking about. There's nothing to base it on because Bower plays damn near 100% of snaps. Mends and Jones have flashed great potential in their limited run and so have others. That question will be answered next year cuz Bower ain't coming out of a game for the rest of the year.

He's 3 days from turning 23 and less than a year away from a potential NFL career/the real world. He's not a kid anymore.

And like I said, my issue is with PP and his refusal to rotate at the LB spot.

Here's the fault in your logic ... Phil Parker, by now, has an established track record of playing better younger guys over older, veteran guys. Pretty much no other staff member has a better record in this regard. Norm would play the better guy too. However, you have to remember that what constitutes being "better" is to demonstrate that ability not only in "flashes" in games ... but also consistently demonstrating it in practice.

If a younger guy "Allen Iverson's" his practice time because he expects the older guy to get special treatment ... then shame on him. That is his OPPORTUNITY to earn the action that he feels he deserves.

Just this season, Hooker and Jansen, among others ... have really elevated their status as it relates to receiving game reps. They EARNED that opportunity.

From everything I've gathered, guys like Jones and Mends are great teammates and they're not foolishly lamenting like you are about their respective lack of positional playing time. First off ... they'll get their chance next year to be "the guy." However, until then, they know that Bower outperforms them in practice with greater frequency.

Talent isn't simply measured in how a guy looks on isolated downs ... but rather, it's more of a cumulative measure of how well he executes the D as a whole.

 

[ghostOfHomer777]

I've been critical of his performance but not effort and heart. I do not believe he reads the play as quickly as Jewell and spends too much time fighting with blockers instead of attacking the ball carrier.

He has made more plays these last two games so that is great to see but still there were at least 3 times he flat out missed tackling the opponent out in space last night. One time he cost the defense 5 yards in a big spot allowing Minny to get very close to picking up the first inside our 10. He's not alone as there has been a lot of fundamentally poor tackling executions with flailing arm tackles and no wraps by our D. We are not great tacklers like I'm used to seeing.

Through 7 games not including last night he has 22 solo tackles and 0.5 TFLs. No other impact play stats like sacks, INTS, forced fumbles, fumble recoveries and pass deflections. If you look at the last 7-8 years of inside LB play at Iowa his stat lines the last 2 seasons are the among the weakest if not the weakest. Our D is designed to funnel everything to our LBs to make plays!!

Bower 2016
44 solos, 0.5 TFLs, 4 pass deflections and 1 forced fumble

Bower 2017 thru 7
22 solos, 0.5 TFLs, ZERO anything else

Here's Cole Fishers 2015 production right before Bower took over...
60 solos, 5.5 TFLs, 2.5 sacks, 1 INT, 6 Pass Delections & 1 forced fumble.

How about Hitchens????....
54 solos, 13.5 TFLs, 2.0 sacks, 1 INT, 2 pass defeldctions, 2 forced fumbles and 1 fumble recovery

The stats do not lie....

Disciplined team D relies upon guys executing their responsibilities and playing within the framework of the D. It also relies upon guys swarming to the ball WHILE maintaining their responsibilities. Thus, there are very few stats that are less valuable than solo stops when you actually care about the performance of the D as a whole.

Now, don't get me wrong, even without free-lancing higher level guys might be able to have greater production. But, if we had guys who were currently "higher level" than Bower ... guys who demonstrated that higher level of Seth and Phil in practice ... then they'd be starting.

If you go off of Hitchen's numbers as a JR ... he had 56 solos ... and yet his play wasn't that terrific (in terms of consistency). Our problem, that year, was that we simply didn't have a better option in '12 at the WILL spot. Fortunately, players aren't static ... they can and will improve. That is what happened with Hitchens from '12 to '13. That's also what we've observed with Bower ... he's tangibly improved from '16 to '17.

An explicit measure of Iowa's defensive improvement from '16 to '17 is immediately evidenced by the fact that Iowa's opponents had a 35.2% conversion percentage on 3rd down in '16, whereas, thus far, in '17 our opponents had a 30.5% conversion percentage on 3rd down. A big part of that is attributable to improvements made by BOTH our DL and LBs .... particularly on early downs.

 

[pacnorthhawkeye]

I thought Ced had his best game of the year. Rugamba seems to be having a little 'sophomore slump'. I think he's guessing too much instead of just trusting his instincts. He's plenty quick.

Also mrs. Rugamba...?

 

[IAHawk2011]

Bower isn't very good. Fisher was much better as a senior than Bower is this year (or has been in the past). I agree that Bower is probably better than the other LBs on the roster at that spot, but that doesn't mean he is good.

 

[pacnorthhawkeye]

Bower isn't very good. Fisher was much better as a senior than Bower is this year (or has been in the past). I agree that Bower is probably better than the other LBs on the roster at that spot, but that doesn't mean he is good.