Jerminic Smith

[Auger]

Do we see him against Nebraska? Teams have had success throwing downfield against Nebraska's DB's and when you do that Nebraska's D starts to spring leaks like an old waterbed. Problem is if you play a short game Nebraska's D is able to hide the weaknesses and can play the bend but don't break D right with teams like Iowa. Just look at the Wisconsin game against Nebraska. Wisconsin racked up almost 500 yds of O but could only muster 23 pts against Nebby because they couldnt connect and produce big plays for TD's. Wisconsin ended up kicking 5 FG's only making 3.

Iowa can break this game open if they can attack Nebraska downfield and open their D up. Jerminic Smith has shown speed and has shown speed that can get open. Do KF and GD have some plays for him this game to spread him and Tevaun out and let Beathard launch a few deep and attempt to open this game up. I don't want Nebraska to hang around until late in the 4th and turn this into a game where Iowa needs to make its FG's.

 

[INXS83]

Do we see him against Nebraska? Teams have had success throwing downfield against Nebraska's DB's and when you do that Nebraska's D starts to spring leaks like an old waterbed. Problem is if you play a short game Nebraska's D is able to hide the weaknesses and can play the bend but don't break D right with teams like Iowa. Just look at the Wisconsin game against Nebraska. Wisconsin racked up almost 500 yds of O but could only muster 23 pts against Nebby because they couldnt connect and produce big plays for TD's. Wisconsin ended up kicking 5 FG's only making 3.

Iowa can break this game open if they can attack Nebraska downfield and open their D up. Jerminic Smith has shown speed and has shown speed that can get open. Do KF and GD have some plays for him this game to spread him and Tevaun out and let Beathard launch a few deep and attempt to open this game up. I don't want Nebraska to hang around until late in the 4th and turn this into a game where Iowa needs to make its FG's.

I expect you will see him during normal rotation; after Tevaun has run a couple of long or deep routes and needs a breather. Don't look for any drastic changes in personnel or offensive game planning 12 games into a successful season. You are who you are at this point.

Will they try to exploit UN poor pass coverage? YES, but with execution rather than personnel changes.

 

[Herkmeister]

Good post. Let's hope conditions and CJ's health permit him to go deep often.

 

[whatsup13579er]

Iowa hasn't had a problem getting open shots down field no matter who is in at WR. The problem has been connecting on those chances. It seems CJB needs to put a little more air under the ball and let his WRs go get it rather than trying to make the perfect throw.

 

[Curt Furence]

I agree, there have been chances, just slightly overthrown on a lot of them. Be nice to have one of them connect

 

[Auger]

I expect you will see him during normal rotation; after Tevaun has run a couple of long or deep routes and needs a breather. Don't look for any drastic changes in personnel or offensive game planning 12 games into a successful season. You are who you are at this point.

Will they try to exploit UN poor pass coverage? YES, but with execution rather than personnel changes.

I agree with this somewhat. Will Iowa try to exloit them downfield yes I think they will. However sometimes you have to make key personnel changes for 5-15 plays in the game to put yourself in position to execute. Hillyer or Vandeberg going downfield plays more into the strengths of the Nebraska DB's however Jerminic Smith going downfield is an completely different beast for those DB's.

I think in this game the best D for Iowa will be the Iowa O and if they can hold on to the ball and score TD's and not FG's. It will put the pressure on Armstrong and push him to take risks. Nebraska is going to throw some big punches in this game.

 

[milehighhawkeye24]

I think we attempt and prevail at running it right at and down their throat.....Iowa has a very unique running offense that not many teams run....I assume they do what most do and bring their DE or OLB hard down the line on a zone play away, which in turn will open the "naked" boot and our TE/FB will be wide open in the flat

 

[revkev73]

Iowa running game will be used a lot if effective...will keep the more gassed and weak Iowa defensive line off the field longer...get a lead, run the clock, let the Huskers make some mistakes...

 

[Hawkeyenuts66]

I would like to see Iowa run Canzeri and Wadley early and often. Stretch the defense east and west. Nebraska's defense seems aggressive, so hit them with some misdirection and wear them down chasing the faster backs. Sprinkle in some play action and screens to keep them off balance and then pound them between the tackles with Daniels in the 3rd and 4th quarters. If Iowa can keep the clock running while wearing down the defensive front there is a good chance of getting out of Lincoln with the "W".

 

[Auger]

If Daniels can't get to the edge and he has to run between the OT's he will be running right at the strength og the Nebraska D. Why have a gameplan that plays to the strengths of a a D with several leaks? Why not just poke at the leaks all game long.

 

[Freyvet]

If Daniels can't get to the edge and he has to run between the OT's he will be running right at the strength og the Nebraska D. Why have a gameplan that plays to the strengths of a a D with several leaks? Why not just poke at the leaks all game long.

Somewhat agree but you don't have "Strengths" if you are changing a lot every game.

 

[millah_22]

Hillyer or Vandeberg going downfield plays more into the strengths of the Nebraska DB's however Jerminic Smith going downfield is an completely different beast for those DB's.

Hillyer and Vandeberg aren't out there to go deep. Hillyer is out there to block and get open when he can. Vandeberg is running mid level routes going deep maybe once a game.

Both the Smiths are Iowa's deep threats if they can get 1-on-1 man on the outside.

Throw in Kittle and K-C down the seam and the flats, Iowa has a lot of options.

 

[Auger]

Hillyer and Vandeberg aren't out there to go deep. Hillyer is out there to block and get open when he can. Vandeberg is running mid level routes going deep maybe once a game.

Both the Smiths are Iowa's deep threats if they can get 1-on-1 man on the outside.

Throw in Kittle and K-C down the seam and the flats, Iowa has a lot of options.

Exactly that is my point is to sub one of them out and slot Jerminic in instead to throw deep. I would keep Vandeberg in for the underneath to find the spacing, Kittle or HKC to run a mid range and Mitchell/Canzeri the under. Nebraska's secondary would have fits with that. Iowa has a lot more passing threats then Wisconsin did but thats only if we use them.

 

[HawkeyeDenny]

CJ needs to quit overthrowing the deep ball....Can't think of anything else to complain about...

 

[whatsup13579er]

VandeBerg is just as capable of catching the deep ball as the Smith's. Just because he is white doesn't automatically disqualfy him from being fast.

 

[hawkeyeharv]

CJ needs to quit overthrowing the deep ball....Can't think of anything else to complain about...

That's pretty much his only weakness right now... the deep ball touch. He needs to refine it and master it... other than that he is SOLID!!

 

[Auger]

That's pretty much his only weakness right now... the deep ball touch. He needs to refine it and master it... other than that he is SOLID!!

Its as if Rudock left something behind for him as the starter. Although accuracy can be tough when you have 2-4 guys inches away from planting you into the ground. But thats also the difference between NFL QB's and really good college QB's. You have to make that throw in the NFL even when youre about to become turf food.

 

[bouma1415]

One thing about last game. Iowa used Mitchell as the 3rd down back. He is bigger and stronger than Canzeri, but Canzeri is more evasive in open space. I like Canzeri on the swing pass better than Mitchell. I understand trying to get all of your backs some touches also.

 

[whatsup13579er]

One thing about last game. Iowa used Mitchell as the 3rd down back. He is bigger and stronger than Canzeri, but Canzeri is more evasive in open space. I like Canzeri on the swing pass better than Mitchell. I understand trying to get all of your backs some touches also.

Maybe having Mitchell in the game on 3rd down speaks to the health of Daniels/Canzeri/Wadley. Maybe those guys aren't quite 100% and Mitchell is the best option for the situation?

 

[FranklinHawk]

That's pretty much his only weakness right now... the deep ball touch. He needs to refine it and master it... other than that he is SOLID!!

I think to some extent the groin injury has played a big part in CJ's deep ball (no pun intended) accuracy. A bit tougher to plant the way he is used to and he's trying to make up for that with his arm.

 

[ichawk24]

If you are looking for Jerminic to suddenly get more reps in game #12, I think you are gonna have a bad time.

 

[gojojo]

We need to attempt a screen pass to some one other than Mitchell. When he is in the game it's becoming a little obvious this is a potential play. Purdue picked up on it right away

 

[Kurt Warner]

We need to attempt a screen pass to some one other than Mitchell. When he is in the game it's becoming a little obvious this is a potential play. Purdue picked up on it right away

Yep teams have sniffed this out. Gonna have to change something up here.

 

[sloehawk]

We need to attempt a screen pass to some one other than Mitchell. When he is in the game it's becoming a little obvious this is a potential play. Purdue picked up on it right away

I pick Canzeri.

 

[sloehawk]

That's pretty much his only weakness right now... the deep ball touch. He needs to refine it and master it... other than that he is SOLID!!

Call this a conspiracy theory if you would like, but remember New Kirk isn't all-in New Kirk. I have little doubt that Kirk and everyone else would love to hook up on some of those deep throws. It's been pretty much 100% of those deep throws are several yards too deep. I think part of that is because we know Old Kirk doesn't want any picks, so CJ tosses it where he believes if anybody gets to it, it's our guy.

But those deep throws also let the opposition know that is in the arsenal, and it just might loosen up some other stuff, or have those Safeties not banging down on the run game quite as quickly. So it does serve a purpose, but not near as well as actually connecting on some of them.

 

[wyldhawk9]

I've noticed CJ doesn't throw a deep ball with a lot of air under it, they tend to be a little more on a rope (to my untrained eye). Perhaps some of that is personal preference, perhaps some of that is because he's trying to negate effects of the wind, or perhaps he's just trying to throw a little long to prevent defenders from getting a hand on it and possibly draw PI? I don't know. It would seem that the more practice he has with the deep throw (during practice each week and what not), that he'd be getting closer to connecting on these long throws, but it hasn't worked out that way. Very curious. Perhaps we see him connect with one or two long timing throws deep.

In contrast, he is putting touch on throws that are RB screens, and that toss to Kittle for a TD was a touch pass also, so he can be accurate without the velocity...

 

[hawkeyeharv]

Call this a conspiracy theory if you would like, but remember New Kirk isn't all-in New Kirk. I have little doubt that Kirk and everyone else would love to hook up on some of those deep throws. It's been pretty much 100% of those deep throws are several yards too deep. I think part of that is because we know Old Kirk doesn't want any picks, so CJ tosses it where he believes if anybody gets to it, it's our guy.

But those deep throws also let the opposition know that is in the arsenal, and it just might loosen up some other stuff, or have those Safeties not banging down on the run game quite as quickly. So it does serve a purpose, but not near as well as actually connecting on some of them.

Good point but like you said.... actually connecting on a few of them here and there better supports your theory. I think his hip/groin injuries play a big part as well as the wind the past few games. But like I stated this is being very nit-picking in what is a very stellar CJB.