Hooker at LB?

[ichawk24]

The guy who makes the decision thinks it is possible.

http://www.hawkcentral.com/story/sp...l-decision-ferentz-chasing-badgers/961229001/

“I think there’s opportunities that we might be able to put in a skill guy there at times,” Parker said of the team’s traditional outside linebacker spot, especially against teams that use three wide receivers. “It’d be a safety type of guy. It could be Amani Hooker if we wanted to — a down safety that, basically, you’re playing man-to-man at times and run with the flat. It’s not really a hard position.”

Parker said starting to identify next season’s linebackers has been a focal point of the 10 practices the team has had this month, preparing for its bowl game. Junior Aaron Mends and sophomore Kristian Welch are two options for the inside spots. Parker said sophomore Amani Jones has also been making a strong case for playing time in recent practices.

At the outside spot, it could be redshirt freshmen Nick Niemann or Barrington Wade stepping up, Parker said. Nick Niemann is actually faster than Ben, his older brother, Parker said.

Or it could be a safety like Hooker.

 

[hawkeye bb n fb fan]

Might just be me, but I think I would prefer Snyder. Not sure why, just a gut feeling that he would be better

 

[Hawkfan_08]

Why can't we let Hooker and Stone play together?

 

[Im4Iowa]

I don’t know much about Jones, but if he plays the linebacker position like he plays on special teams, he’s going to be a good one.

 

[ANYCHawk]

Why can't we let Hooker and Stone play together?

because then our secondary sounds too much like a bible verse.

 

[pacnorthhawkeye]

I don’t know much about Jones, but if he plays the linebacker position like he plays on special teams, he’s going to be a good one.

I was wondering this myself....he’s almost always one of the first guys downfield to the ball on kicks but I wonder if his lateral quickness isn’t there for coverage...? Time will tell I guess. He definitely gets going on kicks in a hurry and hits with aggression.

 

[pink shizzle]

As long as he's on the field I will be excited.

 

[deanhawk88]

What the article said " Nick Niemann is actually faster than Ben, his older brother, Parker said."
What Phil Parker actually said " Nick might be a little bit faster than Ben."

Stop Playing with us! How fast is he?!?!?!

 

[Harbinger273]

I don’t know much about Jones, but if he plays the linebacker position like he plays on special teams, he’s going to be a good one.

There's alot more to playing sound every down at a lb position than there is to running down on kick off. I agree, he has great passion and hits like a truck. I really hope he has the smarts to start at backer next year. Need some physicality and excitement back there.

I think we have a couple great candidates for this hybrid Safety/Linebacker position like we are seeing in the NFL now. Somebody who is physical and can hit but also very capable in coverage.

 

[Eternal Return]

The guy who makes the decision thinks it is possible.

http://www.hawkcentral.com/story/sp...l-decision-ferentz-chasing-badgers/961229001/

“I think there’s opportunities that we might be able to put in a skill guy there at times,” Parker said of the team’s traditional outside linebacker spot, especially against teams that use three wide receivers. “It’d be a safety type of guy. It could be Amani Hooker if we wanted to — a down safety that, basically, you’re playing man-to-man at times and run with the flat. It’s not really a hard position.”

Parker said starting to identify next season’s linebackers has been a focal point of the 10 practices the team has had this month, preparing for its bowl game. Junior Aaron Mends and sophomore Kristian Welch are two options for the inside spots. Parker said sophomore Amani Jones has also been making a strong case for playing time in recent practices.

At the outside spot, it could be redshirt freshmen Nick Niemann or Barrington Wade stepping up, Parker said. Nick Niemann is actually faster than Ben, his older brother, Parker said.

Or it could be a safety like Hooker.

It's not a terrible idea, that's for sure. What would really make sense would be playing him in Ben Niemann's linebacker spot on third downs or obvious passing downs and have him cover TEs and RBs. That's where Hooker's value as a LB would be best because he still has the strength and instincts (I think) to play the run from that position. But I see him as a situational LB for passing downs if none of the current LBs have good coverage skills. It would be one way for Parker to stay in his base D, but it would be a sort of "tweener" nickel package, too.

 

[madmax1191]

Djimon Colbert was a safety that have moved to LB due to his size. Curious about how he’s been progressing. He could be a candidate for for a safety/ LB hybrid on the horizon.

 

[David1979]

Sounds basically like he was saying they could use Hooker like a hybrid player where he would be a safety but then maybe on passing downs move him to the LB spot.

 

[anon_2zMXH429BhxV1Npk]

Sigh...we're going to get Snyder-Gervase as our starting safeties for the first half of the season aren't we?

 

[ghostOfHomer777]

Sounds basically like he was saying they could use Hooker like a hybrid player where he would be a safety but then maybe on passing downs move him to the LB spot.

Yeah, it seems to deal more with how Phil Parker sees us packaging some personnel to deal with more pass-oriented offenses. It seems to deal less with a long-term change in how we treat our personnel for our base-D.

 

[DodgerHawki]

Sigh...we're going to get Snyder-Gervase as our starting safeties for the first half of the season aren't we?

There would be worse things than what you describe. Parker has a good enough track record I'll trust him to put the best 11 out there to win games. Sounds like he wants Hooker on the field and will explore ways of making it happen.

 

[ghostOfHomer777]

Sigh...we're going to get Snyder-Gervase as our starting safeties for the first half of the season aren't we?

When healthy, Hooker proved himself to be a starter. When healthy ... and when his head isn't up his own ass off the field, Snyder is also a starter. However, for a guy who has suffered 2 ACLs ... will he be healthy enough? Gervase has a ton of quality experience ... but there are critical elements of his game that need to improve. If they don't ... much like we saw with Taylor in '17 ... young guys who are ascending the learning curve faster CAN and WILL overtake older guys .... IF the older guys are stagnating development-wise.

Stone is a young guy who is clearly ascending the learning curve quickly. I could easily see him surpass Gervase come the fall. However, we were expecting the same kind of rise from Rugamba ... and didn't get it. Thus, I could easily see the opposite happen if the young up-and-comers take their feet off the gas.

Right now ... when guys are healthy ... I see Iowa having 4 guys who are capable of starting at safety. That is a very healthy situation. It's also a situation that will likely sort itself out. Phil Parker is a guy who will get the best guys out there who are capable of helping us to win games.

 

[kceasthawk]

What the article said " Nick Niemann is actually faster than Ben, his older brother, Parker said."
What Phil Parker actually said " Nick might be a little bit faster than Ben."

Stop Playing with us! How fast is he?!?!?!

I'd bet he ends up being pretty good. Nick was more heavily recruited then Ben, and he seems to be doing very well on special teams.

 

[anon_2zMXH429BhxV1Npk]

There would be worse things than what you describe. Parker has a good enough track record I'll trust him to put the best 11 out there to win games. Sounds like he wants Hooker on the field and will explore ways of making it happen.

Yeah, I don't like to doubt the staff in almost all cases and definitely trust Parker to develop and coach our guys in the secondary. He's earned the benefit of the doubt.

But as you point out, I think we need Hooker on the field in some capacity. I personally think he has proven to be better than both Snyder and Gervase when healthy. I think Snyder has come a long way and would have no problem with him starting, especially with Hooker next to him if possible. He usually makes good reads and puts himself in the right position, but having Hooker back with him would complement his style and strengths.

I trust Parker, but I'm still going to be incredibly nervous if there are games where Snyder and Gervase are the final line of defense.

 

[David1979]

Yeah, I don't like to doubt the staff in almost all cases and definitely trust Parker to develop and coach our guys in the secondary. He's earned the benefit of the doubt.

But as you point out, I think we need Hooker on the field in some capacity. I personally think he has proven to be better than both Snyder and Gervase when healthy. I think Snyder has come a long way and would have no problem with him starting, especially with Hooker next to him if possible. He usually makes good reads and puts himself in the right position, but having Hooker back with him would complement his style and strengths.

I trust Parker, but I'm still going to be incredibly nervous if there are games where Snyder and Gervase are the final line of defense.

Gervase had his struggles this year but he improved a ton from the first few games. Why the hate for Snyder?

 

[pocha444444]

Your 2018 Iowa Linebackers...

SLB - Brandon Snyder
MLB - Amani Hooker
WLB - Brandon Smith

 

[anon_2zMXH429BhxV1Npk]

Gervase had his struggles this year but he improved a ton from the first few games. Why the hate for Snyder?

No hate for Snyder. He's not perfect, but he's gotten a lot better and have no problem with him starting for the most part.

Gervase still leaves a lot to be desired despite improving. Hooker, in my untrained opinion, is at least as good as he is but much rawer. I really don't see what Gervase offers that Hooker doesn't other than he's played more.

 

[DodgerHawki]

No hate for Snyder. He's not perfect, but he's gotten a lot better and have no problem with him starting for the most part.

Gervase still leaves a lot to be desired despite improving. Hooker, in my untrained opinion, is at least as good as he is but much rawer. I really don't see what Gervase offers that Hooker doesn't other than he's played more.

In terms of who has played more, I don't know what the total snap counts for the year are, but they have to be rather close and it wouldn't surprise me if Hooker had more overall than Gervase this year. From the first series of the North Texas game, Hooker took over and basically played every meaningful snap until he got hurt and didn't play in the last 3 games.

Given the reports of Taylor being hurt, we'll likely see some combination of Gervase, Stone and Hooker in the bowl game. In terms of next year, things have a way of working themselves out either to injury, performance or movement to other positions.

 

[Harbinger273]

Hooker is a budding star and Gervase has good experience from this season. I think Hooker should be a starter. Stone needs some more work but is not far away. I dare say his ball hawking and playmaker mentality should give him the benefit of the doubt. I hope Snyder is still the same player after these 2 acl injuries. If so, he should start.