I just have a feeling Desmond King plays big tomorrow

[king_james_23]

Just got the feeling he's gonna play well for a couple reasons. Coming off a bad game against Nebraska in which he was held out a quarter for missing a team meeting. I think he comes out and plays well, He's a Detroit kid and didn't get any offers from either MSU or Michigan, one would think that lights a fire under him and he comes out and proves Sparty wrong.

Additionally here's a little quote from his UI Bio regarding the only other time he's faced Michigan State:
"started at cornerback in 26-14 loss to Michigan State . . . career-high 11 tackles vs. MSU", this was his Freshman season.

Linked is an interesting article from a Detroit newspaper chronicling how they didn't offer him and how he came to be a Hawk.

http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sp...sed-iowa-star-crockett-product-king/76693000/

 

[SDHawkDoc]

Hope so.
He did not have a great finish to his season. Last 3 games were subpar.
They could certainly use a pick or two.

 

[RAIDERHAWK]

Just got the feeling he's gonna play well for a couple reasons. Coming off a bad game against Nebraska in which he was held out a quarter for missing a team meeting. I think he comes out and plays well, He's a Detroit kid and didn't get any offers from either MSU or Michigan, one would think that lights a fire under him and he comes out and proves Sparty wrong.

I have the same feeling/hope. Remember his bowl game performance against LSU's, now big-time, NFL receivers?

 

[HawktimusPrime]

I have the same feeling/hope. Remember his bowl game performance against LSU's, now big-time, NFL receivers?

If only they didn't have those NFL RB's also. LSU's running game was ridiculous that day.

 

[StormHawk42]

Just needs to get back to what made him great in the first place. Last few weeks, he seems like he's either trying too hard for the 9th pick or he gets cocky in his abilities and blows an assignment.

 

[HawktimusPrime]

Just needs to get back to what made him great in the first place. Last few weeks, he seems like he's either trying too hard for the 9th pick or he gets cocky in his abilities and blows an assignment.

He almost had that pick on multiple occasions. I do agree though that he needs to relax and refocus a bit though.

 

[citizenHawk]

With the Nebraska game lingering, and the new accolades, I think he may end up pushing to make a big play. Could be a good thing or bad, maybe an up and down mixture of both. Best case scenario would have him making a big play early, so he can focus.

 

[David1979]

People are crazy to think he hasn't been playing good at CB the last couple of games. What exactly did he do wrong at CB against Nebraska?

 

[Menace Sockeyes]

People are crazy to think he hasn't been playing good at CB the last couple of games. What exactly did he do wrong at CB against Nebraska?

Agreed. His coverage was good. I think the muffed punt and the potential interception he let bounce off his chest between the numbers overshadowed this.

 

[bagdropper]

I don't think he had bad games so much as Iowa changed tactics a bit and started playing softer knowing Ott wasn't there to create mayhem - as well as making teams who were good at passing but not necessarily rushing put together long drives.

I'm no coach, but if you're getting pressure regularly, you can play tighter because the passes should come out quicker. If you're not getting pressure, then you have to have deeper drops in coverage and protect more against the big play because the QB has more time to find the open guy.

Make them prove they can go 80 yards in 12 plays all game long. See the Nebraska game as an example. It's true that the Purdue, Indiana and Minnesota game rattled nerves because they were able to find cracks...but in the end, Iowa won all three employing the strategy defensively they used.

I'm more worried about Iowa's offense than defense. Iowa will need 30+ I believe. Both teams are going to put up points. Late season game, both teams tired a bit from the grind as well as beat up. I have a hard time seeing either defense shut the other down.

My fear with Desmond is he gets a little too keyed up no doubt going up against guys he knows and getting out his normal "routine" I'll call it.

Keep it simple, Des. Do what you normally do. Don't try to be something you're not.

If he plays like that, he'll be fine.

 

[WWDMHawkeye]

At Nebraska, he had the muffed punt, a ridiculous dead-ball personal foul, and at least one dropped interception, and I thought his coverage was overly loose by his standards. NE completed several passes with ease to guys he was covering. He also gave up on that long completion where the receiver bobbled the ball and didn't secure the ball until he was lying on the field; if King had been in good position and fought for the ball to the end of that play, he would have easily broken up what turned out to be something like a 30-yard completion. That said, he did also have a key fumble recovery and deserves credit for his hustle on that play. Overall, though, it wasn't a good game for Dez, especially by his high standards.

That said, I think/hope he rises to the occasion tomorrow, because we're going to need him. His performance on Burbridge could be a huge key to the game. I think he's one of the best Iowa corners I've seen in about 40 years of watching the Hawks, and I'm a huge fan of his. Really pulling for him to have his best game of the year. He's up to the challenge -- I have faith that he'll play great.

 

[theIowaHawk]

I don't think he had bad games so much as Iowa changed tactics a bit and started playing softer knowing Ott wasn't there to create mayhem - as well as making teams who were good at passing but not necessarily rushing put together long drives.

.

This. How many years have some fans been watching Iowa football? Phil has done an excellent job (duh, 12-0!) adjusting to the injuries and defensive changes throughout the season. King has been playing softer coverage. Sure he has been beat on plays this year, but they were early in the season as well as late, he has just always made up for it, and often spectacularly.

His defense has been top notch, but I've always seen him limping/something quite a bit the last two games. Something on him is out of sorts. Coaches were even motioning for him to go down the last home game, but he waved them off. The fact that they didn't send in a replacement shows the respect and confidence they have in him.

Keep it up Des. Whoop that Cook.

 

[gojojo]

He's been so close to taking a kick to the house. It's coming this weekend

 

[gohawkjimmy22]

At Nebraska, he had the muffed punt, a ridiculous dead-ball personal foul, and at least one dropped interception, and I thought his coverage was overly loose by his standards. NE completed several passes with ease to guys he was covering. He also gave up on that long completion where the receiver bobbled the ball and didn't secure the ball until he was lying on the field; if King had been in good position and fought for the ball to the end of that play, he would have easily broken up what turned out to be something like a 30-yard completion. That said, he did also have a key fumble recovery and deserves credit for his hustle on that play. Overall, though, it wasn't a good game for Dez, especially by his high standards.

That said, I think/hope he rises to the occasion tomorrow, because we're going to need him. His performance on Burbridge could be a huge key to the game. I think he's one of the best Iowa corners I've seen in about 40 years of watching the Hawks, and I'm a huge fan of his. Really pulling for him to have his best game of the year. He's up to the challenge -- I have faith that he'll play great.

He also had a huge punt return that setup a score along with jumping on a fumble by McCarron that could have been huge.

 

[bagdropper]

Pretty sure Iowa doesn't flip coverages and their corners don't follow usually. Something like the only time Iowa does this is in nickel when Des is assigned slot on the formation.

Could be wrong though, thought I read this earlier this week. Des might not cover Burbridge at all, and teams all year have picked on Maybin - MSU probably will too.

 

[nu2u]

Not at all worried about King

Greg Mabin is the player who needs a game. If you are a religious man, direct your prayers that way.

 

[WWDMHawkeye]

I mentioned the fumble recovery. Forgot to include the punt return, though. No doubt a key play. Still, overall, not a good game for Dez overall. That said, I think he bounces back and has a big game tomorrow.

 

[gohawkjimmy22]

I mentioned the fumble recovery. Forgot to include the punt return, though. No doubt a key play. Still, overall, not a good game for Dez overall. That said, I think he bounces back and has a big game tomorrow.

You're right, I looked over that part of your post. I agree, Dez hasn't played his best football as of late and needs to tighten things up for our defense to get off the field, especially on 3rd downs.

 

[WWDMHawkeye]

Maybe Dez can get our D off the field on 1st or 2nd down a time or two tomorrow.