Iowa's RBs and the running game

[cedarvalleykid14]

I think Iowa may have at least 4 legitmate RBs, but I think the top two may turn out to be Mitchell and Wadley with Canzeri and Daniels being above average as well. I hope KF shows a new aggressive offensive style so Iowa can be up on Illinois State by at least 3 TDs by halfime so all four backs get some good reps in the opener.

I'd also like to see Iowa's new run game coordinator use two RBs in the same backfield, no FB. Not every play, of course, but maybe a third to half of the time. I'd love to see Mitchell and Wadley as split backs and the use of some misdirection. Sometimes one could shift into the slot. I also wish someone would point out to Iowa's offensive coaches that if you fake some defenders out, you don't have to block them. Not a new concept in football, but it might come as a shock to KF.

Especially with a young and inexperienced O-line, misdirection can be especially useful so that perfect blocking isn't required for a play to be successful.

I believe the Hawkeyes, with CJ at the helm and a good group of RBs, have the potential to be an exciting and even an explosive offense, but I also believe it will depend on the coaches making the most of that potential. And that, of course, is where things get dicey.

 

[Cardsnhawks]

 

[Kurt Warner]

NO, PLEASE NO for the love of GOD

 

[EpenesaEpenesa]

Id just like to see Iowa not have to block 5 on 9 every time they run the ball.

 

[cedarvalleykid14]

I think you see my point, EpenesaEpenesa. Isn't it incredible that an entire major college coaching staff can keep doing the same crazy stuff season after season? Gotta hope for a miracle so that 5 trying to block 9 stuff will never be seen from the Hawkeyes again.

 

[Kurt Warner]

Yes, yes it is incredible but im afraid we will see more of the same until this coaching staff is gone.

 

[tony0051]

Iowa QB's are simply told if more than 7 in box throw if 7 or fewer run. A good running game should be able to run against a 7 man box. Every time Iowa has had two quality backs their run game has been very good.
Russell/Lewis
Young/Sims
Greene/Hampton
The problem is a lack of quality depth

 

[ghostOfHomer777]

Opposing defenses just tend to load the box against the Hawks - when Iowa's OL is clicking, that can sometimes be the only way to defend against the strength of our blocking.

The problem has been our inability to exploit the fact that opposing Ds tend to do this. Contrary to what many of you seem to think, Ferentz WANTS balance - and, hence, he wants us to also be able to pass the ball. The primary problem has been that the last QB we had who was willing to throw deep with some frequency was Stanzi. Of course, I Stanzi had the benefit of having BOTH DJK and McNutt as receiving targets ... so he was definitely more than a bit "spoiled" in that regard.

Of course, a whole other part of the issue has been that Greg Davis has had a bit of learning curve with regard to learning how to successfully run the O with the personnel that we have. Davis clearly wants to spread the field more horizontally - but, personnel-wise, we're a team built more to use TEs and FBs - thus, we still need a healthy dose of spreading the ball vertically.

I'll be curious to see how the O works with Beathard consistently behind center. Both Vandenberg and Rudock were more high-percentage short- to mid-range passing guys. Beathard appears to have a bit of Stanzi and maybe even Drew Tate in him ... and given how our running game operates ... that might just be what the doctored ordered.

 

[ghostOfHomer777]

I believe the Hawkeyes, with CJ at the helm and a good group of RBs, have the potential to be an exciting and even an explosive offense, but I also believe it will depend on the coaches making the most of that potential. And that, of course, is where things get dicey.

The O won't be explosive until the passing game also "pulls its weight." That is on Beathard, the WRs, and the TEs this year. Frankly, our WRs are "okay" but not outstanding ... thus, I'll be happy if our O can just prove to be competent. I expect our D to be improved from last year - and hopefully that will be enough to produce more Ws this year.

 

[GnarlyBoy]

Agree with all the above. Plus I wish somebody with a key to the archives would dig out Hayden's 'Exotics' and lay copies on KF/GD's desks. Sh*t, lets have some damn fun.

 

[cedarvalleykid14]

GnarlyBoy, I agree. For 16 years I've wondered how Ferentz could be so conservative on offense after spending all those years coaching for Hayden. My conclusion I came to a few years ago is that KF, consicously or not, has been trying to be the opposite of Fry. Don't be an offensive innovator. Don't run any trick plays. Don't even think about ever blowing anybody out. Be as predictable as possible. Apologize for being little ole Iowa. Talk incessantly about how Iowa is a "developmental" program unable to compete with great powers like Michigan State, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. Ferentz is a mystery wrapped in an enigma inside a riddle. Why can't he understand the simple and well-known fact that being so conservative is actually the riskiest thing he could do--especially when it has failed so miserably the last five years?

Gimme me some naked bootleg, some Statue of Liberty, a fake punt, an onside kick...hell, gimme a simple counter or throwback. And it's true that players love these plays just as much as the fans.

Fry realized college football should be fun for the players and entertainment for the fans. KF has spent many of his16 years swimming against reality. That's why he's drowning.

 

[bagdropper]

Hayden Fry certainly wasn't the wild and crazy offensive wizard he's made out to be. He merely threw the ball a lot more than Iowa ever did prior.

Of course there were games where he'd have to open it up, but for the most part those were games Iowa was trailing. The Indiana Hartlieb game for example. Chuck wouldn't have had 558 yards if Iowa was leading that game throughout.

I always though, as Iowa got successful and tenured under Fry, the more "Big 10" his offenses were. Sure, they passed a lot by comparison, but it certainly wasn't a wild west show out there every week. Look at all those tapes of his games out there. 2 back, standing single TE, 2 WR, lots of play action. Pretty conventional if you ask me.

 

[NomisHawk]

Iowa QB's are simply told if more than 7 in box throw if 7 or fewer run. A good running game should be able to run against a 7 man box. Every time Iowa has had two quality backs their run game has been very good.
Russell/Lewis
Young/Sims
Greene/Hampton
The problem is a lack of quality depth

Yes I agree. I think it feels like a lot is wrong with the offensive system (which I think there is merit to), but as fans, I think that we forget about the last time we have had a full stable of talented running backs. And by running backs, I mean real running backs, not the hybrid Mark Weisman back. Loved watching that guy hit people, but I don't think that he was the best thing for our offense as a whole. It may look, feel totally different for run game than the last couple years if Daniels takes the step he appears to have, Mitchell becomes a good role playing back (3rd down). I also hope we can get a full season of health out of Canzeri, which will be possible if we don't have to give him more than 10 -15 carries a game. I think he is a good back, just not durable. I will be interested to see if Wadley put on some more weight. For some reason, I don't think that this year will be his year. With Canzeri gone, I think we will see more Wadley