Desmond King on Offense

[Todd Lickliter]

Heard some rumors from a buddy who is friends with someone on the staff saying they saw King practicing a bit on offense today.

Said it looked like only certain plays, but they've been trying to come up with more ways to get the ball in his hands. I'm personally worried about losing him in the defensive backfield but what does everybody else think?

 

[hawkbleeder]

Interesting...hope it happens and he makes some big plays and ends up in the running for the Heisman next year.

 

[shoot_the_three]

I would be thrilled. Iowa has a playmaker in King and anyway that they can get the ball in his hands is a good thing.

 

[meatloaf55]

I am not against it. Obviously he needs to stay healthy as our best player on defense but I have always felt if someone is a great D1 football athlete they are capable of playing both sides of the ball. It would be a lot of fun that is for sure.

 

[goodbyebobby]

Make him a decoy right after a nice punt return.

 

[Mantyhawk]

I am all for it! He is VERY exciting to watch. Do it coach. A play that gives us a huge boost at a crucial time

 

[Mantyhawk]

Wildcat q.b. formation. Run like the "wind"!

 

[IOA_Hawkeye]

Wildcat q.b. formation. Run like the "wind"!

Can he play tackle?

 

[Derekd3408]

I don't know if I want our best defensive player in the game on offense, if he gets injured we are in trouble fellas.

 

[SDHawkDoc]

Mixed feelings.
Love to see him with the ball in his hands. Also concerned that they can't afford to lose him on D.

 

[TS568]

Mixed feelings.
Love to see him with the ball in his hands. Also concerned that they can't afford to lose him on D.

A couple weeks ago I thought this may be a bad idea, but considering the injuries on offense they may need a spark. With CJB gimpy and unproven line I'm guessing they aren't going to be dropping back much, better make them count. Could use him on sweeps too.

 

[SiouxCityHawkFan]

Let's face it. Hillyer isn't getting open, Vandeberg is being doubled and Jerminic Smith has only done something in one game. I am like the previous poster. I was against this before, but now I am ok with him getting 15-20 snaps on offense.

 

[j0nnyHB]

Jet sweep .... we haven't used it this year very much (if at all, I cannot remember seeing it) or bubble screen.

 

[wyldhawk9]

What the hell has gotten into Ferentz? I'm all in favor of this, but it got me thinking... Has there ever been a two way player under KF?

 

[Hawk12345]

King might be a better decoy than Hillyer is, thereby allowing our other receivers a better chance of getting open.

 

[Hawk68]

Do you really want to put our top DB, KO and punt returner on offense too? Maybe he could sell peanuts during timeouts and march with the band at the half.

 

[Hawk68]

Do you really want to put our top DB, KO and punt returner on offense too? Maybe he could sell peanuts during timeouts and march with the band at the half.

 

[Stephen Hawk King]

Michigan's last undefeated team says "Do it!"

 

[wyldhawk9]

Do you really want to put our top DB, KO and punt returner on offense too? Maybe he could sell peanuts during timeouts and march with the band at the half.

Obviously this is something the coaches will take into consideration. But if king is a bona fide stud who can be a playmaker in all of these positions and in the hour of greatest need we overlook him, why that's just what Old Kirk would do. If he can create a wrinkle, or an advantage on offense, I say use him! It's a significantly better play than bringing Parker in for the end around.

 

[MadDogC]

Been a couple DB's in the B1G do it over the years--two Woodson's come to mind--play D, returns, play some O...they turned out okay...Rod still has a couple NFL records...

 

[RocknRollface]

That's new Ferentz.

 

[wneff]

What the hell has gotten into Ferentz? I'm all in favor of this, but it got me thinking... Has there ever been a two way player under KF?

Maybe Tim Dodge. Think he played both sides, but don't recall if in the same game. Probably some linemen in goal line situations; maybe Barkema or someone like that.

 

[wneff]

Wildcat q.b. formation. Run like the "wind"!

I would think DMX might make more sense in the wildcat. Wasn't he a QB in high school? And want to say he used to portray running QBs on the scout team.

 

[nu2u]

I would think DMX might make more sense in the wildcat. Wasn't he a QB in high school? And want to say he used to portray running QBs on the scout team.

Yep, HS QB mainly but played a couple other positions also. That would be somewhat intriguing. Allow Mitchell to roll out on a run/pass option from the wildcat formation. His recruiting videos showed a pretty good arm and we know he can run.

 

[AuroraHawk]

I'll believe it when I see it on the field. The OnIowa podcast contained some wild speculation regarding whether it would make sense to try it. The OP seems like it is nothing more than guesswork.

 

[ICWestfan]

Des King SAB....just sayin....

 

[C/Seahawk]

Heard some rumors from a buddy who is friends with someone on the staff saying they saw King practicing a bit on offense today.

Said it looked like only certain plays, but they've been trying to come up with more ways to get the ball in his hands. I'm personally worried about losing him in the defensive backfield but what does everybody else think?

I'll be the first to admit I was initially against King returning punts and handling kickoffs, but I was obviously wrong on that one, he has been outstanding on special teams. If the staff elects to use him on a handful of plays on offense, I say go for it. He is a dynamic playmaker, and at the least he could act as a decoy, best case scenario he could help us with a few big plays per game. I don't think many people expected us to be 6-0 at this point...if the staff elects to go all in on this season, I would support it 100%. I applaud them for doing what they have to do to keep this season going. Despite the injuries, they have a ton to play for at this point in the season and I'm pleased the staff is considering all options to win games.

 

[SlabHawk]

I am in the camp of "I will believe it when I see it", however, as someone in their mid-40's who has only seen Iowa pursuing 7 - 0 about three times in my lifetime, I say go for it! Kids are resilient. Love the play to win, 'calculated riverboat gambling style' Kirk has bought into this year and talk about yet ANOTHER thing they could sell to potential recruits ("Hey, want to be the next Desmond King who does everything on the field? We aren't afraid to do that with superior athletes!")

 

[Mantyhawk]

Did Des King play any offense in high school?

 

[Titanhawk2]

Did Des King play any offense in high school?

Has he ever run a pass route?

 

[David1979]

Can he play tackle? Otherwise I don't see the need for him on offense.

 

[TankHawk]

I am in the camp of "I will believe it when I see it", however, as someone in their mid-40's who has only seen Iowa pursuing 7 - 0 about three times in my lifetime, I say go for it! Kids are resilient. Love the play to win, 'calculated riverboat gambling style' Kirk has bought into this year and talk about yet ANOTHER thing they could sell to potential recruits ("Hey, want to be the next Desmond King who does everything on the field? We aren't afraid to do that with superior athletes!")

Exactly. K.J. Sails are you watching?

 

[icantfindausernamethatisntused]

King certainly has the talent to play WR, but there is almost no chance he can make a significant impact offensively this year. If he has any route running experience, it was in high school. He and CJB have no experience together which causes timing issues - last year we could hardly complete screen passes to Willies because of his inexperience in timing.

My guess is that the most King will be used is on a jet-sweep or a decoy. I would be shocked if King ends up with a pass reception this year.

However, give him a full offseason to practice at WR and I think we could have one hell of a two-way athlete. He has pretty good straight-line speed and elite footwork/agility. I would be all for getting him the ball more often.

 

[whatsup13579er]

Run King on a couple of bubble/rocket screens then fake the screen and go up top to J Smith for 6 on the opposite side!

 

[soybean]

Heard some rumors from a buddy who is friends with someone on the staff saying they saw King practicing a bit on offense today.

Said it looked like only certain plays, but they've been trying to come up with more ways to get the ball in his hands. I'm personally worried about losing him in the defensive backfield but what does everybody else think?

Todd - Is that the same guy who said CJ was having sports hernia surgery?

 

[ichawk24]

Bad idea. Not going to happen.

 

[Packer54]

I would say as a decoy or a deep shot or a 3 wide set and he curls behind the other 2 that block for him to try to break something.....I am not for bringing him across the middle or a bubble screen. But, that's just me. Maybe 4 or 5 plays that has to make NU think and react differently.

 

[jerbob36]

What are the chances J Smith stays on the field when T Smith comes back? Would love to see him slide over and take Hillyer's spot on 3 WR sets. Any chance it will happen?

 

[hawkeyeheaven08]

What the hell has gotten into Ferentz? I'm all in favor of this, but it got me thinking... Has there ever been a two way player under KF?

His son and assistants have more say now.

 

[milehighhawkeye24]

With t smith out maybe a a handful of plays, needs to stay healthy but we need to get through this week somehow with a W heading into bye week....all hands on deck