Can coaches trust Amani Jones? Had Two Penalties on Special Teams in FIRST HALF

[Franisdaman]

The first mistake was on a punt return, which negated a huge punt return. instead of starting mid field, Iowa was backed up near the goal line. HUGE penalty.

The second penalty was being offside on a kick off. Brian Ferentz grabbed him by the arm and had a chat with him on that one.

His head just doesn't seem in the game. Too many mistakes, even on special teams.

Hope he gets things turned around and fast. We need everybody.

 

[justinjdry]

I don't know what to make of Jones and I don't understand why he is so highly touted. I like the Hock. But yes, I hope he gets it together.

 

[Harbinger273]

Your question was answered in week 1 vs NIU. He was pulled in the 1st quarter. Hockaday has the mlb position locked down and clearly Jones has lost focus.

 

[Kinnick.At.Night]

I don't know what to make of Jones and I don't understand why he is so highly touted. I like the Hock. But yes, I hope he gets it together.

It’s really an odd situation. He was the first linebacker to win a job in the preseason. And the coaches talked him up regularly. That clearly demonstrates an understanding of the defense. Now, it’s like he’s brand new to the game. What happened?

 

[justinjdry]

It’s really an odd situation. He was the first linebacker to win a job in the preseason. And the coaches talked him up regularly. That clearly demonstrates an understanding of the defense. Now, it’s like he’s brand new to the game. What happened?

Don Julio happened.

 

[ichawk24]

The guy is trying too dang hard. Seems like one of the few you need to reel in his intensity.

 

[justinjdry]

The guy is trying too dang hard. Seems like one of the few you need to reel in his intensity.

This I can agree with. Outside of penalties he has missed some critical assignments too.

 

[TKingpin]

No, he is a very capable and physical force.

He is over-compensating to show the coaches how valuable he can be, right now.

He was too hyper during the first game to just settle down and play his position.

Anyone that watched him lead the kick and punt return teams last year knows just how much potential he really has.

But, he MUST get his head and emotions straight on the field in order to be the contributor they think he can be. Easier said than done, possibly.

 

[Crazy Hawk]

I wouldn't say his "head is not in the game". Head not in the game is more along the lines of not wanting to be there, jacking around etc. I thought it was telling when he came off after the penalty on the punt return and he was visibly upset. To me that was a sign of a dude who allowed himself to get inside his own head instead of just playing the game.

I also thought it was telling how important the staff feels he is moving forward when BF was over calming him down. Another interesting tidbit on that, BF was his lead recruiter. I say that because at a lot of other schools if they land a guy on the opposite side of the ball the relationship drys quickly upon their arrival to campus up due to no contact.

 

[Kinnick.At.Night]

Don Julio happened.

At least it’s not all bad then. Party.

 

[pkongsh]

He's a talented kid. Both penalties show that he's pressing to make a play which is affecting his focus. It can't be easy to watch the season you had envisioned slip away. I have faith that our staff will coach him thru it and he'll make a contribution this season. I love a good redemption story.

 

[Kinnick.At.Night]

He's a talented kid. Both penalties show that he's pressing to make a play which is affecting his focus. It can't be easy to watch the season you had envisioned slip away. I have faith that our staff will coach him thru it and he'll make a contribution this season. I love a good redemption story.

There’s next season for him as well.

 

[Franisdaman]

Your question was answered in week 1 vs NIU. He was pulled in the 1st quarter. Hockaday has the mlb position locked down and clearly Jones has lost focus.

but dang, if we can't trust him on special teams, that is not good at all.

bone headed penalties against Wisconsin? We lose.

 

[hexumhawk]

He is a physical freak but none of that matters if he doesn't know what he is doing or where to be on the field. I think he is trying too hard if that is a thing. Needs to settle down during games and focus.

 

[Franisdaman]

I wouldn't say his "head is not in the game". Head not in the game is more along the lines of not wanting to be there, jacking around etc. I thought it was telling when he came off after the penalty on the punt return and he was visibly upset. To me that was a sign of a dude who allowed himself to get inside his own head instead of just playing the game.

I also thought it was telling how important the staff feels he is moving forward when BF was over calming him down. Another interesting tidbit on that, BF was his lead recruiter. I say that because at a lot of other schools if they land a guy on the opposite side of the ball the relationship drys quickly upon their arrival to campus up due to no contact.

I said "head not in the game" because being offside on a kick off is rare and should not happen; you simply have to have your head in the game and be aware of where you are as the kicker goes to kick

ALSO, Jones was all by himself on the sideline and then Brian grabbed him by his left arm and had a chat with him

 

[DaCDiggity]

The football teams Josh Oglesby

 

[HawkIDrummer]

I said "head not in the game" because being offside on a kick off is rare and should not happen; you simply have to have your head in the game and be aware of where you are as the kicker goes to kick

ALSO, Jones was all by himself on the sideline and then Brian grabbed him by his left arm and had a chat with him

This shouldn't happen. This where leadership is critical...somebody should have been with Jones, supporting him.

 

[TheTruthTheWholeTruth]

I’m really rooting for the kid. He had a terrible fist game and was pulled very quickly. I think that is still messing with his head. It’s a long season so he’ll have plenty of opportunities to contribute if he can clean up the mental aspect and play assignment football.

 

[GetOnTheLine]

From what I've seen from Amani he appears to be a big strong run-stopping MLB. His weakness is he has gotten caught out of position a few times in the passing game.

I hope he starts in the Wisconsin game, just my opinion.

 

[hexumhawk]

From what I've seen from Amani he appears to be a big strong run-stopping MLB. His weakness is he has gotten caught out of position a few times in the passing game.

I hope he starts in the Wisconsin game, just my opinion.

Agree, think he will be a major run stopping force but seems to be reading things wrong out there.

 

[DodgerHawki]

I don't know what to make of Jones and I don't understand why he is so highly touted. I like the Hock. But yes, I hope he gets it together.

It's fairly obvious he has some ability. He won the job in the spring, held it all through camp and into the first game. And then the first game happened. I don't know enough to determine why whatever he showed in practice/scrimmages hasn't translated to into games. The issues on special teams last week are just a matter of trying too hard is my guess. He's trying to impress. He's been a very good special teams player in two previous seasons. If he keeps at it, he will get another shot at some point. When that will be, I don't know. Barring injury to Hockaday, it might not happen this year.

 

[SDHawkDoc]

Every player needs to know his position responsibilities. I'd argue mlb is one of the key defensive spots in their scheme which is of particular import. In game 1, Jones was too often out of position, went the wrong direction, and/or let himself get caught up in the wash when he should have been making a tackle. Hockaday isn't a great athlete as far as superior speed and quickness at the position. But he seems to have a better grasp as to being in the hole at the right time. I hope Jones comes around. He needs a couple of big plays where he is in the right spot at the right time to get some confidence. Hell, even a couple of pedestrian plays where he just carries out his assignment so the coaches can compliment him would do good.

 

[OILCHECKER]

but dang, if we can't trust him on special teams, that is not good at all.

bone headed penalties against Wisconsin? We lose.

Who says we cannot trust him on special teams?

 

[citizenHawk]

He'll be okay. Just wants to make plays, prove himself. We need him this season, so hopefully it all finds its place.

 

[DogBoyRy]

The guy is trying too dang hard. Seems like one of the few you need to reel in his intensity.

This.

 

[anon_i8nzeu2gbf0ba]

Amani Jones deserves everyone's support--coaches, teammates, and fans. By all accounts the young man works hard, has great physical talent, and wants nothing more than to contribute to a successful Hawkeye team. But he appears to be the latest example of the difference between evaluating athletes in practice as opposed to evaluating them in games.

Most athletes play in games about the same way they practice. But a significant minority look great in practice but fail in games, or they aren't especially impressive in practice but they rise to another level in games. Amani, maybe because he has such a fast motor, hasn't been able to translate great practice performances into the games...yet.

I empathize with him and hope the light comes on soon. There is little doubt that the Hawkeyes could use a reliable Amani Jones. Maybe he gets it together Saturday night.

BTW: I noticed Brian talking to him as well, and I was happy to see that the tone appeared instructive rather than punitive. I hate it when coaches grab a kid and get in his face after an honest mistake. Do the coaches think it would be a good idea for the AD to treat them like that when they mess up? Coaches are teachers, and their sideline style should reflect that. I think KF, BF and staff almost always take that positive approach.

 

[OutbackBowl2017]

The kid is pressing too hard instead of just letting his natural instincts lead his play. He just needs to relax, make his reads, get the defense in the right sets, and play ball. The rest will take care of itself.

 

[HawkinK.C.1]

We heard too many good things about him before the season to give up on him. I'm also of the opinion that he was just trying too hard to make an impact and that he really just needs to settle in and do his job. There was a lot of pressure on him to replace Josey. Hope he gets it together and can see some more time on the field. Big hits can change the momentum of the game. Hope the fans will be patient and cut him a little slack.

 

[WhatsTheWord]

The first mistake was on a punt return, which negated a huge punt return.

The second was being offside on a kick off. Brian Ferentz had a chat with him on that one.

His head just doesn't seem in the game. Too many mistakes, even on special teams.

Hope he gets things turned around and fast. We need everybody.

No one on this board knows.

 

[EvilMonkeyInTheCloset]

The first mistake was on a punt return, which negated a huge punt return.

The second was being offside on a kick off. Brian Ferentz had a chat with him on that one.

His head just doesn't seem in the game. Too many mistakes, even on special teams.

Hope he gets things turned around and fast. We need everybody.

Certain sections of our fanbase would want him fired, along with Barta, and have the program replace him with somebody who would do the job better, like if you were running a Fortune 500 company and an employee wasn't up to snuff, you gotta part ways with him before he brings the whole ship down, sort of thing............................


At least that's what they'd say.....

 

[scotthawk1964]

Is he pressing to get coaches attention? Or has he lost his focus because he was the starting MLB and is now back to special teams? Hopefully it gets figured out one way or another.

 

[HawksRMe]

I fear his chance as a starter has come and gone.

 

[H4wkfan4life]

Who says we cannot trust him on special teams?

apparently he is responsible for the 24 penalties we've had so far!

 

[iahawks10]

apparently he is responsible for the 24 penalties we've had so far!

So bad that in week one, the ref called his number for a face mask even though it wasn’t Jones who committed the penalty. Clear proof that the refs have it in for him.

 

[H4wkfan4life]

So bad that in week one, the ref called his number for a face mask even though it wasn’t Jones who committed the penalty. Clear proof that the refs have it in for him.

he indirectly caused the facemask, it was clearly his fault!!

 

[iahawks10]

he indirectly caused the facemask, it was clearly his fault!!

How do you indirectly cause a face mask by making a solid tackle? The DL got ahold of the mask as Jones made a nice play. The ref saw the face mask and assumed it was Jones.

 

[H4wkfan4life]

How do you indirectly cause a face mask by making a solid tackle? The DL got ahold of the mask as Jones made a nice play. The ref saw the face mask and assumed it was Jones.

seriously? i was joking lol

 

[iahawks10]

seriously? i was joking lol

Lol my sarcasm detector is down today. I had to put the on there because my post about the refs having it in for him could be true.

 

[ichawk24]

I fear his chance as a starter has come and gone.

Possibly for this year. Hopefully we see him in the middle next year.

 

[H4wkfan4life]

Well, you were partially right I guess