Also Rugumba injured after PSU game, didn't realize it til later in the week. Hope he is back next week. Worked on ball security harder this year than in prior years.
Ferentz Says "There's no magic answers"...
- Thread starter IowaHawkeyeFBnBB4Life
- Start date
I don't believe in magic but I do believe in common sense.
Play action is not magic. Well, not to anyone outside our coaching staff.
No magic answers, but here are a couple of things that will help.
1. More creativity and less predictability in the offensive game calling - more play action, more Wadley in the slot, more chances for T. Young to come in and be a bruiser type of running back, more use of the tight end in the middle of the field, more slants for Vandeberg and Easely, at least a couple of deep ball attempts a game - eventually Stanley will figure out the touch needed to complete a bomb and at least make the defense think about playing both of their safties in the box.
2. Better ball security - can't coach not fumbling, but I have a feeling we won't be seeing much of Brandon Smith for the next few games. For as bad as the Hawks played today, if Stanley runs in for the TD instead of fumbling and Brandon Smith hangs on to his pass, the Hawks actually probably stood a good chance of getting out of East Lansing with a win today.
3. Have to create a more consistent pass rush. Everyone knows we play a bend but don't break type of zone defense. We have created virtually no pass rush whatsoever this year outside of AJ. Mix some things up and send more blitzes - unleash Josey on a first or 2nd down, maybe rush 5 D Lineman with AJ, Hesse, A. Nelson all going after the QB at once. Turnovers are most often caused by rushed and poor decision making by opposing QB's and we are playing our "soft" zone coverage way too much with a 10 yard cushion on the outside receivers and creating no pass rush, which is making it way too easy for opposing QB's to continually make big plays in critical situations. The defense as a whole has performed pretty well, especially Jewell, but just like the offense, there has to be some creativity used to at least TRY to create some havoc and put our offense in some positive field postion once in while.
1. More creativity and less predictability in the offensive game calling - more play action, more Wadley in the slot, more chances for T. Young to come in and be a bruiser type of running back, more use of the tight end in the middle of the field, more slants for Vandeberg and Easely, at least a couple of deep ball attempts a game - eventually Stanley will figure out the touch needed to complete a bomb and at least make the defense think about playing both of their safties in the box.
2. Better ball security - can't coach not fumbling, but I have a feeling we won't be seeing much of Brandon Smith for the next few games. For as bad as the Hawks played today, if Stanley runs in for the TD instead of fumbling and Brandon Smith hangs on to his pass, the Hawks actually probably stood a good chance of getting out of East Lansing with a win today.
3. Have to create a more consistent pass rush. Everyone knows we play a bend but don't break type of zone defense. We have created virtually no pass rush whatsoever this year outside of AJ. Mix some things up and send more blitzes - unleash Josey on a first or 2nd down, maybe rush 5 D Lineman with AJ, Hesse, A. Nelson all going after the QB at once. Turnovers are most often caused by rushed and poor decision making by opposing QB's and we are playing our "soft" zone coverage way too much with a 10 yard cushion on the outside receivers and creating no pass rush, which is making it way too easy for opposing QB's to continually make big plays in critical situations. The defense as a whole has performed pretty well, especially Jewell, but just like the offense, there has to be some creativity used to at least TRY to create some havoc and put our offense in some positive field postion once in while.
Lack of a power RB is killing us. The OL is crap but the traditional Iowa power back could still pick up 2-4yds after contact. Wadley doesnt run past DL's when he has to run into them. D's know this, they know we dont have that RB on the roster so they force Wadley outside where our OL is dirt slow and bingo they have killed the Iowa run game.
Stanley is getting a lot of criticism on here but I actually give him some props. How many Iowa QB's would look good with no run game? For a first year starter he has been very solid. Bad audibles can be coached out and hopefully the bad deep ball can be corrected. A lot of pressure has been thrown at him to make up for the poor OL and run game.
Stanley is getting a lot of criticism on here but I actually give him some props. How many Iowa QB's would look good with no run game? For a first year starter he has been very solid. Bad audibles can be coached out and hopefully the bad deep ball can be corrected. A lot of pressure has been thrown at him to make up for the poor OL and run game.
Get used to it again this season. Same boring football from same boring game plan. Iowa will beat the crap teams on the home schedule... Illinois/Minny/Purdue... tossup games with Nebby/NW... guaranteed losses from tOSU/Wisky. 7-5/6-6.
Spread the field and run. What's Iowa's yards per carry running out of the shotgun? Bringing in more tightends isn't a recipe for taking defenders out of the box.
It will take magic for him to recruit better.
I don't know if this is a magic answer or not, but this team isn't going anywhere until the offensive line decides to show up and actually compete. We have way too many nice guys on the oline who are content to just get shoved right back into our own backfield. There is little urgeny with this group, and rather than playing with an edge, they act like they're still in camp with plenty of time to work things out. These guys are playing soft.
A really great point, something that may have been overlooked. Too many negative plays, a lot of that is the o line so I'm not sure how well Daniels or Young would do
we don't have a run game because we don't have a qb who can make passes downfield and because no one can catch the ball again
They've had 8 years to either maintain or further build program. EIGHT.
MSU did and does.
Wisconsin same.
Under Ferentz, Hawks will always dwell below these two teams. Offense is almost always a painful bore to watch.
They should be fairly even as far as general record in and out of conference.
Blah, blah, blah.
Same old complaints season after season.
There is an answer, it's not magical.
MSU did and does.
Wisconsin same.
Under Ferentz, Hawks will always dwell below these two teams. Offense is almost always a painful bore to watch.
They should be fairly even as far as general record in and out of conference.
Blah, blah, blah.
Same old complaints season after season.
There is an answer, it's not magical.
C'mon guys, we just need to clean some things up. It's not sexy, but that's what has to happen. Hopefully we don't have too many guys who are not in good standing.
That's football.
Thank you. Thank you. You've been a great audience. Ol' Doodle will be here all week. Two shows on Friday and Saturday.
Don't forget to tip your waitress.
Try the veal.
That's football.
Thank you. Thank you. You've been a great audience. Ol' Doodle will be here all week. Two shows on Friday and Saturday.
Don't forget to tip your waitress.
Try the veal.
Transcript of KF's pressers the rest of the season:
"That's football." Mic drop. Walks out.
If you ever played it is a true statement.... those of you that make fun of it might of been out but never "played". Does that make yesterday any better...nope it was awful and they are a long way away. If you can not threat with the pass then there is no room to run. Field position was the major player yesterday. Defenses can take a heck of a lot more chances with the offense backed up.
1) I think we are trying, but not connecting very often on our deep passes, I hope we can improve on this in the next three weeks of practice for the NW game. We have to do more variety and qty and execute better.
2) Ball security is always important. Between Stanley, Smith, Kelly Martin, ISM, we have very little experience, what 5 starts combined? Not even many snaps, mistakes are going to happen to young players. Just have to shake your head at the necessity of having to play 3 true freshmen at wide out.
3) We can't let the opposing QB get so comfortable early in the game as we do. D has played well, but it seems like we spot the opposing team 14 pts before we start tightening the screws.
Too many three and outs yesterday. A first down, or even two, prevents what we saw yesterday. Eventually those possessions starting on your side of the field lead to a score. Seldom does that change unless MSU has a turnover.
Some are saying Stanley should have seen more playing time last year. I tend to agree. Fans are frustrated with the play calling and the execution. I tend to blame the special team play that constantly felt the need to field 5-6 punts inside the 10 yard line.
I agree with everything you've posted. MSU is a very average team and might struggle to make a bowl game. OLine play has normally been a team strength. Saturday was a team loss. It starts at the top.
there were 8 FR that played in the 16 season and now 9-10 FR have played this year, these are the new skill players that are 1st year starters or are playing
SO QB Stanley
RSFR RB Young
FR RB Martin-Manley
FR WR Smith-Marsette
FR WR Brandon Smith
JR JUCO transfer Easley
TE SO Fant
TE RSFR Hochenson
then there is LT RSFR Jackson
that makes 9 new players on Offense just getting started and will be here the next 2-4 years, but hey keep crying if it makes you feel better,
as for recruiting these are waiting , FR OL Wirff a 4* US Army AA. at 6'5 315 lbs will replace 6'3 295 lb Welsh at RT, Welsh is a very good interior OL but he lacks the height and weight to fight off rushing DE's,
Iowa is going after bigger OL players
6'6 Kallenberg
6'5 Kirkpatrick was a DT that is being converted to the OL,
in this class so far
6'8 Plumb a TE that will turned into a OL
6'6 Ince
6'3 Jenkins the typical C in a good Iowa OL
the 19 class is off to a good start with these
6'6 315 lb Miller as a JR in HS
6'6 285 lb Endres as a JR in HS
this class and next years class they are focusing in on the more truer Tackle players.
next years OL could look like this
LT 6'7 320 lb RSSO Jackson
LG 6'4 305 lb SR Render
C 6'4 295 lb SR Daniels
RG 6'5 305 lb RSJR Levi Paulson
RT 6'5 315 lb SO Wirffs
that would be the biggest OL in KF's 20 years
SO QB Stanley
RSFR RB Young
FR RB Martin-Manley
FR WR Smith-Marsette
FR WR Brandon Smith
JR JUCO transfer Easley
TE SO Fant
TE RSFR Hochenson
then there is LT RSFR Jackson
that makes 9 new players on Offense just getting started and will be here the next 2-4 years, but hey keep crying if it makes you feel better,
as for recruiting these are waiting , FR OL Wirff a 4* US Army AA. at 6'5 315 lbs will replace 6'3 295 lb Welsh at RT, Welsh is a very good interior OL but he lacks the height and weight to fight off rushing DE's,
Iowa is going after bigger OL players
6'6 Kallenberg
6'5 Kirkpatrick was a DT that is being converted to the OL,
in this class so far
6'8 Plumb a TE that will turned into a OL
6'6 Ince
6'3 Jenkins the typical C in a good Iowa OL
the 19 class is off to a good start with these
6'6 315 lb Miller as a JR in HS
6'6 285 lb Endres as a JR in HS
this class and next years class they are focusing in on the more truer Tackle players.
next years OL could look like this
LT 6'7 320 lb RSSO Jackson
LG 6'4 305 lb SR Render
C 6'4 295 lb SR Daniels
RG 6'5 305 lb RSJR Levi Paulson
RT 6'5 315 lb SO Wirffs
that would be the biggest OL in KF's 20 years
I just hope we stop rotating OL but that probably won't be until next year unfortunately. It's probably messing with chemistry. It took them until the Michigan game last year to gel and it's not so good right now. Could that be why?
they have been rotating because of injuries, RT Boettgers is done for the season, Myer is back and personally would like to see him be moved to RT and move Welsh back to RG and Render to LG, this lineup would look close to being the speculation for this years OL
LT Jackson replace Boettger as he is done for the year.
LG Render end of season starting LG
C Daniels
RG Welsh end of last seasons RG
RT Myer last years starting LT supposed to be the starter at LT
getting Butler back in time for the NW game will be a major lift in the run game, as Butler and Wadley rotate at the RB position, just like Wadley and Daniels did last year.
Boettgers has been out since September 13. Shouldn't we have it figured out by now
You do realize MSU is the youngest team in the B1G with 16 freshman and 8 sophomores playing and the Iowa coaching staff did nothing to exploit these weaknesses?
It's a sad commentary on this staff and how they game plan week to week.
Myer just returned as well, these also have been out with injuries: C Daniels, LG now RG Render, LT now LG Myer just returned from injury.
going forward as I showed 4 of the preseason starters are back 3 of which are at different positions, just in time for the MSU game it still takes a little time to gel. with Illinois and the BYE week they can work together to get ready for the stretch run, RB Butler will be back for the NW game,
the Defense is getting better, as Epenesa gets stronger and more used to the College speed of the game he will get better and make fewer mistakes.
the DB's are gaining more experience RSSO Ojemuda as started and played in a few games, RSJR Jackson is a 1st year starter and is improving, SO Hooker is playing better as the season goes on in his 1st year starting.
RSJR Snyder is expected back and will add depth that is unless he replaces SR Taylor
Pull your head out of your backside. It's Myers not Myer and he has been playing since th ISU game. Yes he's played in all but the first freaking game so 'he's not just coming back'.
Then you listed Martin-Manley earlier who graduated 3 or 4 years ago. It's Ivory Kelly-Martin.
If you are going to make bull crap excuses at least get the facts right.
I'd like to see Levi Paulson and Lucas Legrand get a shot and have a couple of guys sit down. Legrand and Paulson have played well in the past.
This thread is a rinse and repeat from the past 15+ years. There is a common piece that seems to have a direct impact on the ebb and flow.
