James Daniels is not very good.

[LVCabChronicles]

It's hard to say but it's true. The superlatives mean nothing. I've watched a ton of tape on this guy, I watch games and reruns specifically to watch the center on every down and I am telling you that it is not pretty. The guy simply cannot stay on his feet. That is his biggest problem, that he is on the ground waaaaay too much. He will make contact and go to his knees all the time. His pass pro is highly suspect and was responsible for getting Beathard killed on multiple occasions. The first half of the Michigan game was especially ugly. In the Purdue game he gets pushed back into the RG who was lucky to not get his leg broken. The two point play in the Minnesota game he's just flat on his stomach while we're trying to run a power play to make it a seven point game. There's at least a dozen plays in every game where I'm shaking my head at this guy. It's just a disaster. I don't get it. It's almost like he's too tall for the C position and has a hard time getting leverage on people. But even when his technique is decent he just seems lackadaisical in general.

I'm sure this won't be a popular opinion but I urge you to go watch the film if you disagree. I sincerely hope he has made big strides in the off-season this year, because James Daniels has a long way to go before he belongs in the class of some of the great Hawkeye centers of the Ferentz era.

 

[DaCDiggity]

He was a true sophmore he'll definitely improve I don't pay that much attention to him but his athleticism sure stands out when not even watching him

 

[HawksRMe]

LOL

 

[kwik44]

He was a true sophmore he'll definitely improve I don't pay that much attention to him but his athleticism sure stands out when not even watching him

Everything I've heard about him has been the exact opposite. The BTN crew were gushing over him. Unless maybe he's made the biggest strides this past spring/summer?

 

[DaCDiggity]

Everything I've heard about him has been the exact opposite. The BTN crew were gushing over him. Unless maybe he's made the biggest strides this past spring/summer?

That's what I've heard as well like I said last year he was a try sophmore in first year playing center in college

 

[Suterman]

I guess those Rimington and Outland award watch people don't know what they are seeing.

 

[bigfridaynite]

Good lord you don't play on the oline as a true freshman at Iowa and not be good.Every lineman that plays football misses blocks and gets knock down at one time or another. Focus on all the great blocks he had. Takes about 2 minutes to find many of them.

 

[percyland]

He was offered by Alabama and Ohio State out of high school.

Comes to Iowa and plays as a true freshman which is unheard of while beating out offensive lineman who have been in Doyle's strength program for 4-5 years. I'm betting he's pretty good.

 

[elipse]

Sound of Crickets chirping ......

 

[StormHawk42]

You're right it won't be a popular opinion because it's not correct

 

[Quintana]

tell you what, why don't you put together a video of all his bad plays and someone else can put together a video of all his good plays and we'll see which one is longer. i'm betting on the latter.

 

[LarryMullenJr.]

You strike me as someone who might have a few bodies buried under your basement floor. Watching that much film on college football?
Unless you make six-figures as an assistant somewhere, you scare me.

 

[WDMHawk72]

It's hard to say but it's true. The superlatives mean nothing. I've watched a ton of tape on this guy, I watch games and reruns specifically to watch the center on every down and I am telling you that it is not pretty. The guy simply cannot stay on his feet. That is his biggest problem, that he is on the ground waaaaay too much. He will make contact and go to his knees all the time. His pass pro is highly suspect and was responsible for getting Beathard killed on multiple occasions. The first half of the Michigan game was especially ugly. In the Purdue game he gets pushed back into the RG who was lucky to not get his leg broken. The two point play in the Minnesota game he's just flat on his stomach while we're trying to run a power play to make it a seven point game. There's at least a dozen plays in every game where I'm shaking my head at this guy. It's just a disaster. I don't get it. It's almost like he's too tall for the C position and has a hard time getting leverage on people. But even when his technique is decent he just seems lackadaisical in general.

I'm sure this won't be a popular opinion but I urge you to go watch the film if you disagree. I sincerely hope he has made big strides in the off-season this year, because James Daniels has a long way to go before he belongs in the class of some of the great Hawkeye centers of the Ferentz era.

Really coach?

 

[CAhawki]

The same James Daniels that would pull and be the lead blocker for his brother? Yeah that guy cant stay on his feet.

 

[InHeavenThereIsNoBeer]

Daniels has the potential to turn pro after this year, ya dope

 

[DodgerHawki]

It's hard to say but it's true. The superlatives mean nothing. I've watched a ton of tape on this guy, I watch games and reruns specifically to watch the center on every down and I am telling you that it is not pretty. The guy simply cannot stay on his feet. That is his biggest problem, that he is on the ground waaaaay too much. He will make contact and go to his knees all the time. His pass pro is highly suspect and was responsible for getting Beathard killed on multiple occasions. The first half of the Michigan game was especially ugly. In the Purdue game he gets pushed back into the RG who was lucky to not get his leg broken. The two point play in the Minnesota game he's just flat on his stomach while we're trying to run a power play to make it a seven point game. There's at least a dozen plays in every game where I'm shaking my head at this guy. It's just a disaster. I don't get it. It's almost like he's too tall for the C position and has a hard time getting leverage on people. But even when his technique is decent he just seems lackadaisical in general.

I'm sure this won't be a popular opinion but I urge you to go watch the film if you disagree. I sincerely hope he has made big strides in the off-season this year, because James Daniels has a long way to go before he belongs in the class of some of the great Hawkeye centers of the Ferentz era.

Might just be best to stay off the Interwebs for a while. Troll efforts need to be a bit moe solid than this.

 

[HawksAndChiefs24]

It's hard to say but it's true. The superlatives mean nothing. I've watched a ton of tape on this guy, I watch games and reruns specifically to watch the center on every down and I am telling you that it is not pretty. The guy simply cannot stay on his feet. That is his biggest problem, that he is on the ground waaaaay too much. He will make contact and go to his knees all the time. His pass pro is highly suspect and was responsible for getting Beathard killed on multiple occasions. The first half of the Michigan game was especially ugly. In the Purdue game he gets pushed back into the RG who was lucky to not get his leg broken. The two point play in the Minnesota game he's just flat on his stomach while we're trying to run a power play to make it a seven point game. There's at least a dozen plays in every game where I'm shaking my head at this guy. It's just a disaster. I don't get it. It's almost like he's too tall for the C position and has a hard time getting leverage on people. But even when his technique is decent he just seems lackadaisical in general.

I'm sure this won't be a popular opinion but I urge you to go watch the film if you disagree. I sincerely hope he has made big strides in the off-season this year, because James Daniels has a long way to go before he belongs in the class of some of the great Hawkeye centers of the Ferentz era.

Did you ever play line in high school or anything? Not insinuating you did or didn't but if you don't know his responsibility on each play its hard to judge any lineman's performance. I did not myself but I have a hard time believing this. A lot of times the Center's job is to simply get a hand on someone so that a pulling guard has a chance to hit the block. It varies play-to-play and I can't bring myself to watch hours of tape on our Center. I'll trust all the guys who vote him as one of the best in the nation at his position over your film analysis. There's a lot more to O-Line than what appears on film to a fan.

Furthermore, his athleticism at the position is rare and coveted. There's not many Center's who can pull like he does. The bottom line is that if you are focusing on the bad of course it will stand out more, just like anything in life. I guarantee he is major + to this team.

 

[mvhomerj]

Who the hell has time to re-watch games and only look at one player?

 

[nu2u]

Next up: "Josey Jewell is a Terrible MLB"

 

[HawksAndChiefs24]

Next up: "Josey Jewell is a Terrible MLB"

This one time I saw him get pancaked. We should probably pull his scholarship IMHO

 

[wj]

It's hard to say but it's true. The superlatives mean nothing. I've watched a ton of tape on this guy, I watch games and reruns specifically to watch the center on every down and I am telling you that it is not pretty. The guy simply cannot stay on his feet. That is his biggest problem, that he is on the ground waaaaay too much. He will make contact and go to his knees all the time. His pass pro is highly suspect and was responsible for getting Beathard killed on multiple occasions. The first half of the Michigan game was especially ugly. In the Purdue game he gets pushed back into the RG who was lucky to not get his leg broken. The two point play in the Minnesota game he's just flat on his stomach while we're trying to run a power play to make it a seven point game. There's at least a dozen plays in every game where I'm shaking my head at this guy. It's just a disaster. I don't get it. It's almost like he's too tall for the C position and has a hard time getting leverage on people. But even when his technique is decent he just seems lackadaisical in general.

I'm sure this won't be a popular opinion but I urge you to go watch the film if you disagree. I sincerely hope he has made big strides in the off-season this year, because James Daniels has a long way to go before he belongs in the class of some of the great Hawkeye centers of the Ferentz era.

I'd suggest you return to your lab and read the Chronicles of Stupid.

 

[ghostOfHomer777]

Did you ever play line in high school or anything? Not insinuating you did or didn't but if you don't know his responsibility on each play its hard to judge any lineman's performance. I did not myself but I have a hard time believing this. A lot of times the Center's job is to simply get a hand on someone so that a pulling guard has a chance to hit the block. It varies play-to-play and I can't bring myself to watch hours of tape on our Center. I'll trust all the guys who vote him as one of the best in the nation at his position over your film analysis. There's a lot more to O-Line than what appears on film to a fan.

Furthermore, his athleticism at the position is rare and coveted. There's not many Center's who can pull like he does. The bottom line is that if you are focusing on the bad of course it will stand out more, just like anything in life. I guarantee he is major + to this team.

The OP is clearly a troll. While I do feel like Daniels still has a lot of room for improvement .... the kid does a great job of getting down field and blocking on the 2nd level. That flies in the face of what the OP was saying. Daniels also happens to be one of the biggest and strongest guys at C we've had ... usually to get the requisite quickness and foot-speed we've had to opt for smaller guys at C. This also allows Daniels to handle stay puft DTs better.

As just a true sophomore, Daniels was pushing Welsh as our #1 O-lineman. That's saying something.

 

[EpenesaEpenesa]

Ya he sucks. Fast forward to 49 seconds

 

[anon_8rcdnbko1jbe0]

A well thought out and executed troll - kudos! Hard to believe someone waste that much time to elicit a response - but here we are so please enjoy your raging yet miniature hard-on!

Thread hijack question - does it bug anyone when someone says they watch "tape"? Maybe just me!

 

[anon_2zMXH429BhxV1Npk]

Not saying that Daniels is perfect, but this is also the kid who started as a true frosh at guard by year end and was arguably our 2nd best OL behind Blythe and in discussion with Walsh.

It's easy to nitpick and cherry pick specific plays, but overall Daniels is head and shoulders above all our OL not name Welsh. He's done nothing but improve each season, so this year he should be pretty special.

 

[mander1211]

It's hard to say but it's true. The superlatives mean nothing. I've watched a ton of tape on this guy, I watch games and reruns specifically to watch the center on every down and I am telling you that it is not pretty. The guy simply cannot stay on his feet. That is his biggest problem, that he is on the ground waaaaay too much. He will make contact and go to his knees all the time. His pass pro is highly suspect and was responsible for getting Beathard killed on multiple occasions. The first half of the Michigan game was especially ugly. In the Purdue game he gets pushed back into the RG who was lucky to not get his leg broken. The two point play in the Minnesota game he's just flat on his stomach while we're trying to run a power play to make it a seven point game. There's at least a dozen plays in every game where I'm shaking my head at this guy. It's just a disaster. I don't get it. It's almost like he's too tall for the C position and has a hard time getting leverage on people. But even when his technique is decent he just seems lackadaisical in general.

I'm sure this won't be a popular opinion but I urge you to go watch the film if you disagree. I sincerely hope he has made big strides in the off-season this year, because James Daniels has a long way to go before he belongs in the class of some of the great Hawkeye centers of the Ferentz era.

First off, I do not agree at all with your assessment. I too have watched a lot of tape on him. We must be watching different guys.

Second, and probably more importantly, he's a college football player. He's not a professional. For you to start a thread saying James (or anyone else for that matter) is not good, is shameful. He's still a kid playing a game. He's an amateur. To have a thread titled what you titled it is awful.

 

[bigfridaynite]

Op's sound like a family member of a backup very sad but I'm guessing this is the case

 

[Fan In Black]

what you’ve just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.

 

[Blair Sanderson]

It's hard to say but it's true. The superlatives mean nothing. I've watched a ton of tape on this guy, I watch games and reruns specifically to watch the center on every down and I am telling you that it is not pretty. The guy simply cannot stay on his feet. That is his biggest problem, that he is on the ground waaaaay too much. He will make contact and go to his knees all the time. His pass pro is highly suspect and was responsible for getting Beathard killed on multiple occasions. The first half of the Michigan game was especially ugly. In the Purdue game he gets pushed back into the RG who was lucky to not get his leg broken. The two point play in the Minnesota game he's just flat on his stomach while we're trying to run a power play to make it a seven point game. There's at least a dozen plays in every game where I'm shaking my head at this guy. It's just a disaster. I don't get it. It's almost like he's too tall for the C position and has a hard time getting leverage on people. But even when his technique is decent he just seems lackadaisical in general.

I'm sure this won't be a popular opinion but I urge you to go watch the film if you disagree. I sincerely hope he has made big strides in the off-season this year, because James Daniels has a long way to go before he belongs in the class of some of the great Hawkeye centers of the Ferentz era.

 

[ChosenChildren]

Daniels will be fine. I'm worried about our quarterback and wide receiver positions, not our offensive line.

The OL was fine last year as well; did you watch the Nebraska and Michigan games????

 

[ichawk24]

 

[BigOHawk]

what you’ve just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.

 

[Stormn Norman]

what you’ve just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.

LOL! Gotta love Billy Madison and it fit like a glove right here..

 

[hexumhawk]

I actually agree with some of his points. He does need to get stronger and create more direct push. That is were he lacks a little still. He is unmatched with athleticism at that position. Think you will see a lot of pulling and traps this year with how quick he is for his size.

 

[rivercityjazzman]

It's hard to say but it's true. The superlatives mean nothing. I've watched a ton of tape on this guy, I watch games and reruns specifically to watch the center on every down and I am telling you that it is not pretty. The guy simply cannot stay on his feet. That is his biggest problem, that he is on the ground waaaaay too much. He will make contact and go to his knees all the time. His pass pro is highly suspect and was responsible for getting Beathard killed on multiple occasions. The first half of the Michigan game was especially ugly. In the Purdue game he gets pushed back into the RG who was lucky to not get his leg broken. The two point play in the Minnesota game he's just flat on his stomach while we're trying to run a power play to make it a seven point game. There's at least a dozen plays in every game where I'm shaking my head at this guy. It's just a disaster. I don't get it. It's almost like he's too tall for the C position and has a hard time getting leverage on people. But even when his technique is decent he just seems lackadaisical in general.

I'm sure this won't be a popular opinion but I urge you to go watch the film if you disagree. I sincerely hope he has made big strides in the off-season this year, because James Daniels has a long way to go before he belongs in the class of some of the great Hawkeye centers of the Ferentz era.

You clearly are aware of the controversial nature of your opinion, as your first sentence acknowledges this. Yet, you provide no evidence to support your opinion (game clips, outside assessments, etc).

You specifically mentioned the Michigan game of last year. I have not reviewed the tape of that game, but I did find an article by Marc Morehouse that referenced Daniels' blocking abilities in that game. He received a favorable assessment for his run blocking (in fact, he was the only Iowa lineman to receive a favorable review in that game) by Pro Football Focus.

http://www.thegazette.com/subject/sports/depth-chart-monday-20161114

 

[ichawk24]

The two point play in the Minnesota game he's just flat on his stomach while we're trying to run a power play to make it a seven point game.

Nice misrepresentation of what actually happened.

There is a guy 1 technique the the play side that Daniels and the LG double team off the snap and move to the outside. Then Daniels releases and moves upfield towards the LB, he does lose his footing yet still partially shields the LB and a DB from the play while Leshun gets into the end zone.

 

[EpenesaEpenesa]

Nice misrepresentation of what actually happened.

There is a guy 1 technique the the play side that Daniels and the LG double team off the snap and move to the outside. Then Daniels releases and moves upfield towards the LB, he does lose his footing yet still partially shields the LB and a DB from the play while Leshun gets into the end zone.

View embedded media

Taking candy from a baby on that play. Great design, great execution

 

[I.C.Hawkeye]

You should get your 1994 to 97 tapes of Tim Dwight. Go ahead and tell us how he was not very good too. After that build a time machine and go back to late 30's and tell us how Nile Kinnick was not a very good player.

Your opinion really does matter to us.

 

[St. Louis Hawk]

It's hard to say but it's true. The superlatives mean nothing. I've watched a ton of tape on this guy, I watch games and reruns specifically to watch the center on every down and I am telling you that it is not pretty. The guy simply cannot stay on his feet. That is his biggest problem, that he is on the ground waaaaay too much. He will make contact and go to his knees all the time. His pass pro is highly suspect and was responsible for getting Beathard killed on multiple occasions. The first half of the Michigan game was especially ugly. In the Purdue game he gets pushed back into the RG who was lucky to not get his leg broken. The two point play in the Minnesota game he's just flat on his stomach while we're trying to run a power play to make it a seven point game. There's at least a dozen plays in every game where I'm shaking my head at this guy. It's just a disaster. I don't get it. It's almost like he's too tall for the C position and has a hard time getting leverage on people. But even when his technique is decent he just seems lackadaisical in general.

I'm sure this won't be a popular opinion but I urge you to go watch the film if you disagree. I sincerely hope he has made big strides in the off-season this year, because James Daniels has a long way to go before he belongs in the class of some of the great Hawkeye centers of the Ferentz era.

Strong 48th post. I look forward to your 49th with great anticipation.

 

[cmhawks99]

It's hard to say but it's true. The superlatives mean nothing. I've watched a ton of tape on this guy, I watch games and reruns specifically to watch the center on every down and I am telling you that it is not pretty. The guy simply cannot stay on his feet. That is his biggest problem, that he is on the ground waaaaay too much. He will make contact and go to his knees all the time. His pass pro is highly suspect and was responsible for getting Beathard killed on multiple occasions. The first half of the Michigan game was especially ugly. In the Purdue game he gets pushed back into the RG who was lucky to not get his leg broken.
I'm sure this won't be a popular opinion but I urge you to go watch the film if you disagree. I sincerely hope he has made big strides in the off-season this year, because James Daniels has a long way to go before he belongs in the class of some of the great Hawkeye centers of the Ferentz era.

Interesting thoughts and to tell you the truth I only read a little bit of the thread and undoubtably I'm sure there are plenty of people that feel like you're trolling.

With that said I find the thoughts interesting in a number of ways…

First...as was said a couple times he was a true sophomore last year playing for one of the top 10 producers of NFL O-lineman so that in and of itself is pretty telling.

Second I'll be honest with you I've seen plenty of pictures of him on his knees or down so I really don't have any real reason to disbelieve some of what you're saying. However in saying that , it's somewhat terrifying for our opponents this coming year because clearly this kid is getting stronger and better every game/season!

And here's the part that really hit me as funny and some of you who know how I think about things might even see this coming....

KF has long been accused of playing kids with less "upside" or less supposed athleticism in favor of a more refined/fundamental product & this clearly flies immediately in the face of that theorem.

It also contradicts the thought that KF doesn't like to play true freshmen for various reasons, mistakes in particular, though to be fair that one has been soundly rebuked for years..LOL

But probably my favorite thing coming out of your critique is something I said to some of these chaps the other day. No matter how great a player is or isn't they're all making mistakes! Our fans love to pick a poster boy for their anger and hostility and don't bother noticing anybody else's failures. I thank you for encapsulating that perfectly with this critique of Mr. Daniels who is pretty close to a sure fire NFLer but again I have witnessed a little bit of what you've talked about. I feel like you've been a little bit overly harsh but no more so than many on here are too some of our other favorite players!

I'm sure Bo Bower thanks you in particular because now maybe the fans can focus their frustrations on somebody new for a change....