Downfield Blocking

[Auger]

One observation I made this last weekend is that the coaching staff is still trying to find the downfield blocking the team benifited from last season. One of the biggest overlooked positives from last year was the downfield blocking from Hillyer and HKC. Hillyer IMHO was the best downfield blocker in the B1G if not the country at WR. If you look at a lot of our biggest runs last season Hillyer and HKC played a huge role in springing many of those runs. Many of the guys this year look improved but nowhere yet near Hillyer and HKC.

If you watch a lot of what happens away from the ball you can see that the Iowa coaches move their WR's and TE's into downfield blocking positions more so then most other coaches. You will also see WR's at Iowa crash down on LB's more then most teams. You can see the RB's run to designed holes downfield made possible by crashing WR's that take out LB's, or SS's. The Iowa coaching staff run a very complex blocking scheme all over the field and they do it brilliantly for the most part. I think the coaching staff will coach up some guys by this fall but you could tell they are not getting what they want yet. You could get that feeling with Outsey to name one guy. It seems like the coaches are challenging him right now to step up and claim that role.

 

[milehighhawkeye24]

One observation I made this last weekend is that the coaching staff is still trying to find the downfield blocking the team benifited from last season. One of the biggest overlooked positives from last year was the downfield blocking from Hillyer and HKC. Hillyer IMHO was the best downfield blocker in the B1G if not the country at WR. If you look at a lot of our biggest runs last season Hillyer and HKC played a huge role in springing many of those runs. Many of the guys this year look improved but nowhere yet near Hillyer and HKC.

If you watch a lot of what happens away from the ball you can see that the Iowa coaches move their WR's and TE's into downfield blocking positions more so then most other coaches. You will also see WR's at Iowa crash down on LB's more then most teams. You can see the RB's run to designed holes downfield made possible by crashing WR's that take out LB's, or SS's. The Iowa coaching staff run a very complex blocking scheme all over the field and they do it brilliantly for the most part. I think the coaching staff will coach up some guys by this fall but you could tell they are not getting what they want yet. You could get that feeling with Outsey to name one guy. It seems like the coaches are challenging him right now to step up and claim that role.

This is spot on, also why some "talented" WR's have trouble finding the field and staying on the field (not going to mention names)

 

[cmhawks99]

One observation I made this last weekend is that the coaching staff is still trying to find the downfield blocking the team benifited from last season. One of the biggest overlooked positives from last year was the downfield blocking from Hillyer and HKC. Hillyer IMHO was the best downfield blocker in the B1G if not the country at WR. If you look at a lot of our biggest runs last season Hillyer and HKC played a huge role in springing many of those runs. Many of the guys this year look improved but nowhere yet near Hillyer and HKC.

If you watch a lot of what happens away from the ball you can see that the Iowa coaches move their WR's and TE's into downfield blocking positions more so then most other coaches. You will also see WR's at Iowa crash down on LB's more then most teams. You can see the RB's run to designed holes downfield made possible by crashing WR's that take out LB's, or SS's. The Iowa coaching staff run a very complex blocking scheme all over the field and they do it brilliantly for the most part. I think the coaching staff will coach up some guys by this fall but you could tell they are not getting what they want yet. You could get that feeling with Outsey to name one guy. It seems like the coaches are challenging him right now to step up and claim that role.

Way back "when" the Internet and message boards was used for information and not just vexing your anger and frustrations for something you can't control...doh! This is the kind of information I enjoyed and taught me something. The Truth is Sports emulates life whether people see that or not. Its why we get our kids involved in sports to begin with and life, like sports is all about processes. If you can't do the little things you can't do the big things...

As a general rule if you don't block down the field in the NFL you can't play. The longs runs typically don't happen without it. Some but not many.

If you fumble in the NFL you can't play.....Bill Belichik has benched many a stud Rber for multiple games for fumbling once and getting it back.

These insights are nice to learn and honestly shows what most of us already know. We are doing things they way top level coaches do them.

 

[Proud_Illini_Native]

One observation I made this last weekend is that the coaching staff is still trying to find the downfield blocking the team benifited from last season. One of the biggest overlooked positives from last year was the downfield blocking from Hillyer and HKC. Hillyer IMHO was the best downfield blocker in the B1G if not the country at WR. If you look at a lot of our biggest runs last season Hillyer and HKC played a huge role in springing many of those runs. Many of the guys this year look improved but nowhere yet near Hillyer and HKC.

If you watch a lot of what happens away from the ball you can see that the Iowa coaches move their WR's and TE's into downfield blocking positions more so then most other coaches. You will also see WR's at Iowa crash down on LB's more then most teams. You can see the RB's run to designed holes downfield made possible by crashing WR's that take out LB's, or SS's. The Iowa coaching staff run a very complex blocking scheme all over the field and they do it brilliantly for the most part. I think the coaching staff will coach up some guys by this fall but you could tell they are not getting what they want yet. You could get that feeling with Outsey to name one guy. It seems like the coaches are challenging him right now to step up and claim that role.

I'm not sure Outsey's heart is into playing TE don't be shocked if he transfers.

 

[SigMaintHawk]

I'm not sure Outsey's heart is into playing TE don't be shocked if he transfers.

Been mentioned by a few posters that he is currently positioned in KF's doghouse...Up to Jameer to find his way out..

 

[Freyvet]

Been mentioned by a few posters that he is currently positioned in KF's doghouse...Up to Jameer to find his way out..

How do posters know that he is in KF's doghouse???? You mean the doghouse like the other 60 non-starters are in????

 

[cmhawks99]

Something of note I never understood. Often times we are pigeon-holed by our fans for being conservative or "easy" to decipher. As an example there were many who lamented Jonathan Parker playing as a sweep "tell". We didn't always sweep for what its worth but that was the prevailing wisdom.

Yet people seem to think its not a tell to play a WR based on if they can block or catch? Honestly how long do you think it would take for an aggressive D-coordinator to catch on to that?

 

[SigMaintHawk]

How do posters know that he is in KF's doghouse???? You mean the doghouse like the other 60 non-starters are in????

Send an E-Mail to the mods of this site, and ask them their opinions about Outsey's present situation. Maybe, just maybe, a couple of them are "posters" you are questioning..

 

[Freyvet]

Send an E-Mail to the mods of this site, and ask them their opinions about Outsey's present situation. Maybe, just maybe, a couple of them are "posters" you are questioning..

I already did, it is right here in black and white. So KF told them Outsey is in the Doghouse? Are you referring to Blair and Tom? They should reply once they see this. I would call this "competition" but I'll wait for their reply.

 

[SigMaintHawk]

I already did, it is right here in black and white. So KF told them Outsey is in the Doghouse? Are you referring to Blair and Tom? They should reply once they see this. I would call this "competition" but I'll wait for their reply.

Posted by Tom Kakert this morning-"Jameer Outsey is listed at #2 on the depth chart and he really didn't play on Saturday and is in the doghouse."

Kakert is not the only person with a good handle on things going on with the team that has mentioned this about Outsey...

 

[cmhawks99]

I don't think we need to get grumpy with each other. You are a good cat Freyvet and Sarge is too. A little bit interesting if not dry at times but a decent guy. I also agree from the outside looking in it does seem something is clearly amiss. This is a young man who switched positions in the fall and then promptly started seeing some minutes above these aforementioned guys who are seeing more looks right now.

So clearly he has some aptitude and ability but something is holding him back?! The coaches or him and likely both...

 

[Freyvet]

Posted by Tom Kakert this morning-"Jameer Outsey is listed at #2 on the depth chart and he really didn't play on Saturday and is in the doghouse."

Kakert is not the only person with a good handle on things going on with the team that has mentioned this about Outsey...

I stand corrected! I apologize my friend!

 

[Herkmeister]

Had not heard this on Outsey. Sad to hear he's thinking of leaving. I will say a couple quick things. I was taken aback by his size last Saturday. He looked huge and very impressive. Second, I visited with one of our former TE's last season. He said that Iowa TE's do well in the NFL for a reason. He said next to QB, the TE position is the most complex in our offense. The way Iowa plays, it prepares our TE's for the NFL. Just wondering if the complexity of the position might create some frustration for Outsey and take away a little of the fun.

 

[Freyvet]

Had not heard this on Outsey. Sad to hear he's thinking of leaving. I will say a couple quick things. I was taken aback by his size last Saturday. He looked huge and very impressive. Second, I visited with one of our former TE's last season. He said that Iowa TE's do well in the NFL for a reason. He said next to QB, the TE position is the most complex in our offense. The way Iowa plays, it prepares our TE's for the NFL. Just wondering if the complexity of the position might create some frustration for Outsey and take away a little of the fun.

And, important to note, all athletes go through times of frustration, disappointment and questioning so hopefully his inner circle is giving him the right feedback to fight through any tough times. "Show me your friends and I'll tell you your future" does hold very true in life.