Iowa Kid's Day

[Hawkfan_08]

Well, thank god for that. Punting is such a huge part of Iowa football.

I talked to him a bit after when signing my daughters autographs. He's a great dude. Loves Iowa and said he wouldn't want to play anywhere else. Another guy made the punting is winning joke and he laughed about how much we love our special teams guys.

 

[thunderstruck1]

Great post, thunder. We have a freaking unbelievable defensive backfield. We are weeks into a new offense, with young and unproven WRs. I'm not concerned that on Aug 10 we didn't look great. August 24... we need to look better than we did today.

Yeah I think the biggest thing they need to decide is who is going to get how many reps with the ones. I would hope they take a couple practices and split the reps and then make a decision. KF said reps are important now and he is right, so you need to figure out who is going to get the bulk of them with the ones fairly fast. Hopefully in the next couple of practices I would say. The good news for fans is, they seem to be pretty even, so there is no wrong choice, because all that could be argued at that point is who has the higher ceiling and that is pure speculation and a worthless argument to even consider getting into. I would say run each with the ones and the two's both and see how they do as a whole against both levels of competition, because not every team has a defense as stout as ours. (like I said I would be shocked if our defense does not end up top 5 in the country and probably top 3) Championship level for sure.

 

[Ladell-hawk]

I felt a sense of relief with the comments and observations about the OL. It sounds like this group looks improved and are going to finally be a strength this year. The offense will only be better if the OL is better.

I thought the OL looked quicker off the ball and moved their feet better.

 

[Zooropa_NCR]

Yeah I think the biggest thing they need to decide is who is going to get how many reps with the ones. I would hope they take a couple practices and split the reps and then make a decision. KF said reps are important now and he is right, so you need to figure out who is going to get the bulk of them with the ones fairly fast. Hopefully in the next couple of practices I would say. The good news for fans is, they seem to be pretty even, so there is no wrong choice, because all that could be argued at that point is who has the higher ceiling and that is pure speculation and a worthless argument to even consider getting into. I would say run each with the ones and the two's both and see how they do as a whole against both levels of competition, because not every team has a defense as stout as ours. (like I said I would be shocked if our defense does not end up top 5 in the country and probably top 3) Championship level for sure.

Has Iowa / Kirk ever really split reps in practice ? Maybe in the JC - Stanzi 2008 season since they each would play a Q

But since then it’s appeared to be once Kirk names you the starter you get 99.999999999% of practice snaps with first team

It’s part of the reason why when most Iowa backups come in they look completely lost

 

[2D_]

Offense Highlights



I have to say, our run game actually looks... Good? Like, surprisingly good.

 

[Hawkfan_08]

I say this every year but my kids have started to get the same autographs almost every year because of the guys who make sure they get to the kids in the south end of the stadium. Shoutout to:
Drew Stevens
Rhys Dakin (obviously new but Tory did too)
Deonte Craig
Luke Lachey
Logan Jones

Every one of them personable and good to the kids and us dorky dads.

Man I want these guys to succeed.

 

[TRHawkeye145]

Offense Highlights

View embedded media

I have to say, our run game actually looks... Good? Like, surprisingly good.

Oline forming a wall and moving them backwards ...instead of the other way around lol

Very encouraging to see

 

[Zooropa_NCR]

Offense Highlights

View embedded media

I have to say, our run game actually looks... Good? Like, surprisingly good.

It’s hard to tell on the running game cause clearly tackling is optional on a lot of plays.

The passing game….sorry but what is different from the Brian offense ? That we put a guy in motion? Only one pass completion where the ball traveled over 10 yards, and it was an acrobatic catch for gain of maybe 11 haha

99% of the passes where at or behind the LOS. I did like a couple of the screen passes….but we’ll run into the same damn issue as the last few years if we cannot throw the ball over the top. Having 11 defenders within 8 yards of the line will be tough sledding for OL and RB

 

[Birky]

It’s hard to tell on the running game cause clearly tackling is optional on a lot of plays.

The passing game….sorry but what is different from the Brian offense ? That we put a guy in motion? Only one pass completion where the ball traveled over 10 yards, and it was an acrobatic catch for gain of maybe 11 haha

99% of the passes where at or behind the LOS. I did like a couple of the screen passes….but we’ll run into the same damn issue as the last few years if we cannot throw the ball over the top. Having 11 defenders within 8 yards of the line will be tough sledding for OL and RB

I feel like there is a chance we didn’t see much…

 

[Zooropa_NCR]

Which is also a line we hear every year

We don’t want to tip our hands!! This spills over into our non conference games….we’re saving the playbook for conference….

Then it’s 8 games in and we’re like this is the same thing we saw at kids day

Guess wait and see.

It’s just interesting when you watch other teams open practices / scrimmages there seems to be more of an open playbook. Even in Iowas practices they look extremely tight and nervous. There’s not a lot of fluidity to the offense

 

[uihawk82]

IDK, I just don't think they are going to show a lot in an open practice anyway. Plus, we have probably a top 3 defense that knows more of Lesters playbook then any other defense out there. So I don't think anyone is going to just march up and down the field on our defense. So I am not to worried. If anything I am encouraged with the QB competition and the fact that all things I am hearing says our OL is greatly improved and we are developing some depth in that room as well. Reps reps reps at this point and I suspect like every good year, we will get better and better as the season plays out and that is ideal if we plan to make a deep run at it this year.

If the offense can put up 35+ points in the non-conf, maybe 24-28 against ISU, and control the ball then that will be a good sign. The last few years Brian's Offense had trouble against teams we used to handily beat.

 

[uihawk82]

I felt a sense of relief with the comments and observations about the OL. It sounds like this group looks improved and are going to finally be a strength this year. The offense will only be better if the OL is better.

Good points and if the running game is better even against 8 in the box then that opens the QB reads to go to a pass play

 

[uihawk82]

Offense Highlights

View embedded media

I have to say, our run game actually looks... Good? Like, surprisingly good.

I am very surprised to see the QB under center on so many plays and RBack in a deep I formation position. I thought we were going mostly shotgun.

 

[thunderstruck1]

If the offense can put up 35+ points in the non-conf, maybe 24-28 against ISU, and control the ball then that will be a good sign. The last few years Brian's Offense had trouble against teams we used to handily beat.

Right and another thing we have going against us for much time with the ones in practice is neither the projected 1 or 2 QB was playing in spring ball. That really puts them in crunch time in fall camp. I am sure Lester knows what it takes to not only develop a QB but to get some depth in the room. But I don't know if I agree with your comment about it just being the last few years under Brian, because I don't ever remember an Iowa #2 QB getting any real game time experience. (I am talking more then the last 3-4 min of the game and all they do is hand it off). SO yeah it's hard to build depth without that and I hope to see it change at some point in the future.

 

[Beattheohiostate]

There's no real reason to "hide" anything in an open practice. Everybody knows Iowa will run the Green Bay-SF offense, so what's the big deal? Run your plays and get some actual practice. Every team in the NFL knows the GB and SF offenses, but that doesn't seem to help their opponents much.

This open practice smacked of KF's ultraconservative philosophy, and that's the worst take-away for me. If KF doesn't get the hell outta the way, Iowa will waste yet another season of top defense on a team with no offense.

I thought Lester was going to be given free reign, but if yesterday is any indication, I now have my doubts. Lester can turn this thing around. Iowa has the talent to field a good offense, but will KF allow it? That, as always, is the question.

 

[Birky]

Which is also a line we hear every year

We don’t want to tip our hands!! This spills over into our non conference games….we’re saving the playbook for conference….

Then it’s 8 games in and we’re like this is the same thing we saw at kids day

Guess wait and see.

It’s just interesting when you watch other teams open practices / scrimmages there seems to be more of an open playbook. Even in Iowas practices they look extremely tight and nervous. There’s not a lot of fluidity to the offense

You’re absolutely correct.

It’s a pet peeve of mine too. “Well, they won’t show much against Illinois State”…I hate that.

The difference between other teams, and Iowa is two fold. One, Iowa has some complex about anything ever getting out. Other teams let media in to a lot, if not all practices.

Two, they have practiced this offense for about 10 minutes. They can’t show anything, because they probably don’t know anything. Let’s give them a chance. If it looks like shit on October 15th, then it’s time to worry.

 

[Zooropa_NCR]

I am willing to give a bit of slack for the offense this year because it’s a new scheme. We’ve seen other schools struggle to adapt….so to think the Iowa players will buck that trend….especially the players we have, it’s not realistic

What I’m looking for is better routes, play calling. And based on the “highlights” the best the offense could do was the same old LOS throws to sideline

 

[EvilMonkeyInTheCloset]

If the brand new offense isn’t humming on all cylinders by August 10th, I think we can go ahead and call the 2024 season a loss.

It’s all over, boys.

Well at least nobody died yesterday.........

 

[twindman]

To my untrained eye, it seemed the QB had to get rid of the ball in 2 seconds or less on maybe half the plays. Some longer times were maybe 3+ seconds. This leads me to think the line is still not blocking well on pass plays. Any other thoughts?

 

[Zooropa_NCR]

The Iowa defense has shown it can absolutely destroy bad offenses

When faced with a dynamic well schemed offense, it can hold its own for a little while but eventually breaks down (like 100% of college defenses)

My takeaway is the offense is still trash but I’m willing to give Lester time to figure out how to scheme his players into right spots

If Kirk lets him

 

[Birky]

Well at least nobody died yesterday.........

Except for Iowa football. It died yesterday.

 

[EvilMonkeyInTheCloset]

Except for Iowa football. It died yesterday.

Well, at least until Monday when they resume practice again.

They're just mostly dead.

 

[herkyhawk00]

I have to agree with this. There wasn’t a lot of separation between Cade and Sullivan. But to be fair, the receivers weren’t getting open that I saw. There just wasn’t anything there for any QB. With that said, the secondary looked really good.

Rhys is awesome and can’t kick the **** out of the football. Still working on those coffin corner punts, but he’ll get there. He’s definitely going to be able to flip the field just like Tory did.

Zero reason they shouldn’t utilize both qb’s this season especially in the first game. Kirk hates doing that but needs to let Lester make the decision.

 

[Birky]

View embedded media

I am willing to give a bit of slack for the offense this year because it’s a new scheme. We’ve seen other schools struggle to adapt….so to think the Iowa players will buck that trend….especially the players we have, it’s not realistic

What I’m looking for is better routes, play calling. And based on the “highlights” the best the offense could do was the same old LOS throws to sideline

If you came and watched the last round of golf I played, you’d think I had never played the game before. If you came the day I shot 78, you’d think I was a pretty good golfer. You’d have been very wrong both times.

Two years ago, Iowa’s offense looked surprisingly good at the open practice, then sucked for 12 straight games.

I know we don’t have anything else to go on, but the stuff I’m reading on here is akin to deciding a kid is doomed to a life in prison after hitting another two year old at daycare. We have seen one piece of the 500 piece jigsaw puzzle. That, and we have PTSD from the last three years of offense.

 

[nu2u]

The Iowa defense has shown it can absolutely destroy bad offenses

When faced with a dynamic well schemed offense, it can hold its own for a little while but eventually breaks down (like 100% of college defenses)

My takeaway is the offense is still trash but I’m willing to give Lester time to figure out how to scheme his players into right spots

If Kirk lets him

This is the most reasonable outlook until we see an opponent. Brian and Deacon are missing from Fall camp - that alone is good reason to be cautiously optimistic.

 

[BonzoFury]

View embedded media

I am willing to give a bit of slack for the offense this year because it’s a new scheme. We’ve seen other schools struggle to adapt….so to think the Iowa players will buck that trend….especially the players we have, it’s not realistic

What I’m looking for is better routes, play calling. And based on the “highlights” the best the offense could do was the same old LOS throws to sideline

This is the excuse we're going to hear. There's always an excuse for the offense. Phil never needs one.

Install a f***ing offense that guys can learn and execute. Recruit talent to make the plays. 25 years in you should have it figured out.

 

[LaQuintaHawkeye]

Well, at least until Monday when they resume practice again.

They're just mostly dead.

 

[herkyhawk00]

Offense Highlights

View embedded media

I have to say, our run game actually looks... Good? Like, surprisingly good.

I am an optimist but not tackling can certainly make an offensive run game look better than it is.

 

[jonesy5960]

Didn't stay too long, a little over an hour.

OL looks better, especially in run blocking.

Gill and Wetjen getting a lot of reps.

I see no limping from Cade as was mentioned in the camp rumblings thread. That said, I see no real seperation between he and Sullivan. My guess is 12 will get the start but if he doesn't perform I think they'll go to 1. While Cade got the first series, they alternated each series.

Hard to believe, but there isn't a drop off in punting. Rhys is ridiculous. His hang time is absurd. There isn't a better ST unit in the country.

If we can stay healthy I think we'll have a very good season.

So you're saying we should all hang on to our "Punting is Winning" shirts?

 

[Hans81]

Didn't stay too long, a little over an hour.

OL looks better, especially in run blocking.

Gill and Wetjen getting a lot of reps.

I see no limping from Cade as was mentioned in the camp rumblings thread. That said, I see no real seperation between he and Sullivan. My guess is 12 will get the start but if he doesn't perform I think they'll go to 1. While Cade got the first series, they alternated each series.

Hard to believe, but there isn't a drop off in punting. Rhys is ridiculous. His hang time is absurd. There isn't a better ST unit in the country.

If we can stay healthy I think we'll have a very good season.

Yeah, it’s crazy watching this new punter…he looks like a clone of Tori Tayler. 🤪

 

[Hans81]

Lester has only been here for 7 months, it's going to take a lot longer than that to properly implement an offense. Our QB1 hasn't taken snaps since last October and I'm sure the players are trying to un-learn everything Brian taught them. These are also players that Lester hasn't scouted/recruited. In time, he'll shape this offense into what he's looking for. As long as players can stay healthy, I strongly believe we'll improve as the season goes on. This team just needs more time.

Exactly…and never underestimate Kirk’s ability to not let the offense show much in an open scrimmage. 😉

 

[Hans81]

Yeah I think the biggest thing they need to decide is who is going to get how many reps with the ones. I would hope they take a couple practices and split the reps and then make a decision. KF said reps are important now and he is right, so you need to figure out who is going to get the bulk of them with the ones fairly fast. Hopefully in the next couple of practices I would say. The good news for fans is, they seem to be pretty even, so there is no wrong choice, because all that could be argued at that point is who has the higher ceiling and that is pure speculation and a worthless argument to even consider getting into. I would say run each with the ones and the two's both and see how they do as a whole against both levels of competition, because not every team has a defense as stout as ours. (like I said I would be shocked if our defense does not end up top 5 in the country and probably top 3) Championship level for sure.

While I agree McNamara and Sullivan appear close talent-wise (at the moment) I do like Sullivan’s height (listed at 6’4” vs 6’1” for McNamara) as McNamara had several passes batted down at the line of scrimmage yesterday.

 

[Hans81]

The Iowa defense has shown it can absolutely destroy bad offenses

When faced with a dynamic well schemed offense, it can hold its own for a little while but eventually breaks down (like 100% of college defenses)

My takeaway is the offense is still trash but I’m willing to give Lester time to figure out how to scheme his players into right spots

If Kirk lets him

I think “trash” is a bit of a strong adjective about Iowa’s offense. Lachey didn’t play much (if any) yesterday and I like the depth of Iowa’s running back room. Granted. Iowa’s offense isn’t “above average” at the moment, but appears to have the desire to do so.

 

[jerbob36]

So people think Lester ran an Air Raid at Western Michigan and everywhere he's been? Some seem to think Kirk has forced a guy who throws 60 passes a day to run the same offense as Brian.
1. Lester is a run-heavy OC. He just uses motion/different formations to keep the defense guessing.
2. We're not going to show much at an open practice 2 weeks from the season opener.
3. We're missing our top 2 offensive players in Lachey and Williams.

Step back from the ledge. We will be a much better offense than last year. A new system takes time, even if it's not night and day different from last year. Lester has all new language/verbiage.

I'm excited. We are going to keep getting better and better all year. Just hope we played ISU week 4 instead of week 2.

 

[Zooropa_NCR]

This is the excuse we're going to hear. There's always an excuse for the offense. Phil never needs one.

Install a f***ing offense that guys can learn and execute. Recruit talent to make the plays. 25 years in you should have it figured out.

I don’t get why the Iowa offense cannot run a curl, or a slant, or anything that sits in a damn soft zone.

Everything moves to the sideline.

 

[kceasthawk]

This is the excuse we're going to hear. There's always an excuse for the offense. Phil never needs one.

Install a f***ing offense that guys can learn and execute. Recruit talent to make the plays. 25 years in you should have it figured out.

You'd have to include then that Lester has not had time to "recruit that talent" since he was just hired, and until then no one knew what offense he was recruiting for.....

 

[kceasthawk]

I don’t get why the Iowa offense cannot run a curl, or a slant, or anything that sits in a damn soft zone.

Everything moves to the sideline.

This is the kind of stuff they do with the TE's which is why they've been the most competent part of our offense......

 

[Birky]

This is the excuse we're going to hear. There's always an excuse for the offense. Phil never needs one.

Install a f***ing offense that guys can learn and execute. Recruit talent to make the plays. 25 years in you should have it figured out.

Well, aren’t you a ray of sunshine in every thread, LOL.

 

[BonzoFury]

You'd have to include then that Lester has not had time to "recruit that talent" since he was just hired, and until then no one knew what offense he was recruiting for.....

For sure. But Good coaches can adjust schemes to fit talent and good players can adjust to the scheme...to some extent. As many have said, Lester's scheme is not likely to be a dramatic shift from what came before...mostly some tweaks and additions. Overall lack of offensive talent still appears to be a problem...not just the type of guys.

We'll know soon enough. Lester sounds like a good guy who knows what he's doing. He did walk into quite a train wreck though.

 

[BonzoFury]

Well, aren’t you a ray of sunshine in every thread, LOL.

Fair enough, someone pissed in my cheerios this morning.