Epenesa...

[hawkeye_power]

Fielded an interesting question about Eppy's playing time from a Wisconsin friend... He only played what equals to a quarter on Saturday night? I've read the back story regarding him learning the system, etc... He just seems to really be a mismatch and a total beast. Is he being underutilized? Twist and stunt blitz package? More playing time? What do you guys think?

 

[redghost1974]

As much as I want him to see the field more, you have to have a consistent rotation to keep gassing to a minimum and build depth. I still can see Adrian Clayborn gassing several time in the 4th quarter his last year due to lack of rotation.

 

[hoffmkr]

The problem is that I've seen Hesse make quite a few stunts inside that lead to big running plays on him losing containment. Last touchdown for example and also some of the bigger runs in first drive versus ISU. I've defended AJ not playing more as he learns to play his run responsibilities, but......

 

[JLDHAWK]

I think it is Kirk's loyalty to Parker Hesse being an upperclassmen more than the learning curve at this point. How does you deny his ability to play and production? Hesse was getting pushed around Saturday night and AJ should have played more.

 

[anon_gjzkhykcp9iuj]

We need him to get more PT. Agree with other posts.

 

[Herkmeister]

He didn't play enough.

AJ knows it. The coaches know it. We fans know it.

Football is not a game of perfect. Players or coaches. Errors are made.

I expect to see this improve.

 

[IsaacHarrison]

When we play a run heavy O, he will see limited playing time. Hes a much better pass rusher.

 

[Johnsoda123]

The problem is that I've seen Hesse make quite a few stunts inside that lead to big running plays on him losing containment. Last touchdown for example and also some of the bigger runs in first drive versus ISU. I've defended AJ not playing more as he learns to play his run responsibilities, but......

Was not one of his better games. His contain was not good.

 

[citizenHawk]

I didn't see a lot of difference in anyone on the D-line vs. Wisconsin. They didn't have a lot of answers, hoping they could do just enough to stall drives. That Wisconsin O-line played tough.

 

[HawkeyeInKC]

The problem is that I've seen Hesse make quite a few stunts inside that lead to big running plays on him losing containment. Last touchdown for example and also some of the bigger runs in first drive versus ISU. I've defended AJ not playing more as he learns to play his run responsibilities, but......

Nelson seems to stand up a bit high for my taste in the run

 

[brokenarrow73]

As much as I want him to see the field more, you have to have a consistent rotation to keep gassing to a minimum and build depth. I still can see Adrian Clayborn gassing several time in the 4th quarter his last year due to lack of rotation.

well that rotation didn't seem to help as our d-line was gassed all night and especially on that last Drive where we couldn't stop them or should I say the last two drives what we need is a cupola Big Boy defensive tackles if we can find them somewhere

 

[anon_i8nzeu2gbf0ba]

Daviyon Nixon, a big-boy DT, is on campus and is expected to man one of those D-tackle slots next year after he makes the academic transition from Iowa Western CC. But a big part of the D being gassed late, despite the rotation, is on the offense. With that 17-14 lead, the O only needed to generate a couple of first downs--it didn't have to score--but it couldn't do it, and that gave the ball back to Wisconsin for what turned out to be the game-winning drive. If the offense does its part, the defense has longer to rest and might not even have to take the field again. It's a team game, and too many times in the KF era the offensive team has let the defensive team down.

The same damn thing happened vs. MSU in the 2015 Big Ten championship game, not to mention PSU last year. Just a few first downs at crunch time, and wow, what a difference that would make in Iowa football.

 

[cidhawkeye]

When we play a run heavy O, he will see limited playing time. Hes a much better pass rusher.

He is a much better pass rusher. On Saturday he was far better than Hesse at setting the edge and maintaining position.

 

[Harbinger273]

Time has come to get AJ more experience in each game including more running downs. Have to have talented playmakers on the field more. Jesse has been solid his whole career but Epenesa must be ushered in.

 

[Crazy Hawk]

Only at Iowa it takes a DE who is physically ready multiple years to play starter snaps....due to learning the system.

 

[tdhawkz]

I'm a big fan of Hesse. But on Saturday, he took a beating. On the last drive we knew they would have to pass to drive the length of the field. We didn't put Eppy II in until after they'd crossed the 50.. I wish he'd have had more shots to disrupt that drive.

 

[Hawk_4shur]

I think it is Kirk's loyalty to Parker Hesse being an upperclassmen more than the learning curve at this point.

We have Reese Morgan as DL coach and Phil Parker as DC. These guys are good and know what they are doing, and KF is not going to overrule their decisions.

 

[cidhawkeye]

We have Reese Morgan as DL coach and Phil Parker as DC. These guys are good and know what they are doing, and KF is not going to overrule their decisions.

I disagree. I think Kirk makes the final call.

 

[Hawk_4shur]

I disagree. I think Kirk makes the final call.

Well, ok, I guess we can't prove who's right. I assume the HC has the final say on everything.

So, I guess you are saying if Reese Morgan and PP think that AJ should start, KF could or would overrule them and say that Hesse should start? I don't think so.

 

[greenelite]

Hesse is too small to consistently stand up to 315+ lb lineman in the running game. I made a big deal about this in the offseason and it's playing out damn near exactly how I feared. Generational talent playing 2nd fiddle to a 2 star from Waukon. AJE does literally everything better than Hesse but union card trumps all. BAU.

If I were AJE, I'd leave after this year. He's good enough and big enough to play in the NFL right now. Hesse never was and never will be.

 

[ukiddinme]

When we play a run heavy O, he will see limited playing time. Hes a much better pass rusher.

He was NOT in during final Badger drive or at least td pass when QB had 20 secs to throw. I agree with the "seniority rules & loyalty" post.

 

[CAhawki]

Am i the only one who cringes when we run stunts with our DL? I loathe it so much. I feel like we never get home.

 

[HawkGem11]

Only at Iowa it takes a DE who is physically ready multiple years to play starter snaps....due to learning the system.

"chews gum" that's football at Iowa.... "chews gum"

 

[cidhawkeye]

Well, ok, I guess we can't prove who's right. I assume the HC has the final say on everything.

So, I guess you are saying if Reese Morgan and PP think that AJ should start, KF could or would overrule them and say that Hesse should start? I don't think so.

I think as smart employees there is a tendency to follow the well established views of their boss.

 

[HawkLogic]

Well, ok, I guess we can't prove who's right. I assume the HC has the final say on everything.

So, I guess you are saying if Reese Morgan and PP think that AJ should start, KF could or would overrule them and say that Hesse should start? I don't think so.

If KF puts in an expectation of who should play, then his assistants are not going to rock the boat or they risk getting replaced by one of BF's siblings. I didn't watch Hesse a lot, but the plays I did see he was getting manhandled by the Wisconsin OT and Eppy was manhandlng that same OT when he was in the game. When you lose, which we did, it is fair game to question why a 5-star can't find a way on the field more often.

 

[Hawk_4shur]

I think as smart employees there is a tendency to follow the well established views of their boss.

If KF puts in an expectation of who should play, then his assistants are not going to rock the boat or they risk getting replaced by one of BF's siblings. I didn't watch Hesse a lot, but the plays I did see he was getting manhandled by the Wisconsin OT and Eppy was manhandlng that same OT when he was in the game. When you lose, which we did, it is fair game to question why a 5-star can't find a way on the field more often.

It is completely fair to question why AJ isn't on the field more. My disagreement lies with who makes the call that Hesse should play more than AJ.

There are freshman and sophs playing all over the field. It appeared that Brandon Snyder was going to lose his starting spot to one of them. But when a senior starts over a sophomore, some assume that KF is the guy making that call, even over the objections of his very experienced coaching staff (in this case).

There was a case, a decade ago, when the word was KF wanted to start JC and KOK wanted to start Stanzi. True or not, this QB "disagreement" lasted one and a half games. At the time, Stanzi was untested and coming off a year when he admitted that he wasn't focused on football. The story may have been true.

But, I just don't buy this particular image of KF intimidating experienced assistants to play the guy he wants. It doesn't fit my view of Reese Morgan or Phil Parker, or KF for that matter.

 

[hexumhawk]

I think it comes down to the mindset (especially against teams like Wis) that we need to hold the edge on the run game. That seems to be PH strong suit right now and think that is some of the thinking.

 

[EpenesaEpenesa]

He is a much better pass rusher. On Saturday he was far better than Hesse at setting the edge and maintaining position.

It’s time to take the training wheels off AJ. He’s Iowa’s most talented defender. Throw him to the wolves on gameday and see what happens

 

[Bearhawk0505]

Leistikow’s DVR Monday article in DSM Register hits on this. He only played 22 snaps, and made a game changing play that should have been reviewed. I was personally annoyed at the game when we had Brincks in the game on Wiscy’s game winning drive. I like Brincks as a role player, but you have to roll your best 4 out there on that drive. Put Hesse inside for Brincks and get Eppy in.

 

[SDHawkDoc]

Daviyon Nixon, a big-boy DT, is on campus and is expected to man one of those D-tackle slots next year after he makes the academic transition from Iowa Western CC. But a big part of the D being gassed late, despite the rotation, is on the offense. With that 17-14 lead, the O only needed to generate a couple of first downs--it didn't have to score--but it couldn't do it, and that gave the ball back to Wisconsin for what turned out to be the game-winning drive. If the offense does its part, the defense has longer to rest and might not even have to take the field again. It's a team game, and too many times in the KF era the offensive team has let the defensive team down.

The same damn thing happened vs. MSU in the 2015 Big Ten championship game, not to mention PSU last year. Just a few first downs at crunch time, and wow, what a difference that would make in Iowa football.

I have that sense as well, that there have been several games over the years in which a key clock chewing drive from the O didn't happen in crunch time. Even for a team that predominantly counts on its D to win games that is a problem.

 

[SDHawkDoc]

well that rotation didn't seem to help as our d-line was gassed all night and especially on that last Drive where we couldn't stop them or should I say the last two drives what we need is a cupola Big Boy defensive tackles if we can find them somewhere

The d-line is solid. One thing a bit lacking though is beef in the middle. That seemed to be a significant issue for them against runs between the tackles.

 

[MepoDawg#]

From Hawk Central article, KF quotes.

“We think we have a good, healthy rotation,” he said. “Parker Hesse has been a captain every week and is probably one of our best football players, period. … And Anthony Nelson’s pretty good, too. It’s one of those rare situations where we have three good players.”

“It’s certainly not a knock or a commentary on A.J., anything he’s doing wrong. It’s just that he’s at a position where he’s got two of the better guys on our team. We’re really pleased with what he’s doing, really pleased with his progress. We consider it kind of a luxury item to have three guys that you can play at two spots.”

 

[Harbinger273]

From Hawk Central article, KF quotes.

“We think we have a good, healthy rotation,” he said. “Parker Hesse has been a captain every week and is probably one of our best football players, period. … And Anthony Nelson’s pretty good, too. It’s one of those rare situations where we have three good players.”

“It’s certainly not a knock or a commentary on A.J., anything he’s doing wrong. It’s just that he’s at a position where he’s got two of the better guys on our team. We’re really pleased with what he’s doing, really pleased with his progress. We consider it kind of a luxury item to have three guys that you can play at two spots.”

Epenesa has to get more than 22 snaps. He was making a difference and getting a good push on the OT. Not the right approach at this time. Adjust to who is performing better.

 

[obfuscating]

We have a 5* recruit that every fball person alive and dead is saying "play him more" except our staff...wtf!?

Maybe this is y they dont come here...

 

[Hawk_4shur]

We have a 5* recruit that every fball person alive and dead is saying "play him more" except our staff...wtf!?

Maybe this is y they dont come here...

I believe AJ's father, Epenesa Epenesa, has publicly stated that he agrees with the way they are developing AJ. So, it's everyone dead or alive except the coaching staff and AJ's father.

 

[yrunvs]

It seems a lot of people are saying AJ should play more but I think for now AJ likes his role on the team. He plays just enough to give it his all each play. He's got a long professional career coming soon and he'll be playing a lot next year. You only need one successful year on a Kirk F. coached team to go high in the draft.

 

[cidhawkeye]

I believe AJ's father, Epenesa Epenesa, has publicly stated that he agrees with the way they are developing AJ. So, it's everyone dead or alive except the coaching staff and AJ's father.

I believe that quote was before the season and well before the results against Wisconsin.

 

[obfuscating]

I believe AJ's father, Epenesa Epenesa, has publicly stated that he agrees with the way they are developing AJ. So, it's everyone dead or alive except the coaching staff and AJ's father.

And we wonder why we dont get more 5*.

 

[mazda1]

I question a number of decisions the Hawks have made over the years, but I've long held the view that Reese Morgan is the best coach on the staff at developing and evaluating talent. It's no coincidence we had a dominate o line with him and that the d line is our strength today is our D line.

Reese does a fantastic job and if these are the decisions he makes I'm good with it. My eye's might tell me something else, but I'm confident Reese knows best.

 

[H4wkfan4life]

Well, ok, I guess we can't prove who's right. I assume the HC has the final say on everything.

So, I guess you are saying if Reese Morgan and PP think that AJ should start, KF could or would overrule them and say that Hesse should start? I don't think so.

I'd have to agree. I just can't see them sticking around for so long if they were being micromanaged and hadn't earned his trust by now.