Jewell Makes The Defense Work

[LuteHawk]

Against Miami of Ohio we were missing the important
cog in our defense and it showed. Today, against the
Cyclones, Jewell was on the field in full force. He is
a leader and makes the difference in motivating his
team mates on defense. Hopefully, he leads the Hawks
to victory every Saturday this season.

 

[ScoutRefugee]

Agreed. The middle of our defense is the most important positions for this scheme. DTs and MLB. Everything else works (or doesn't work) off of these spots

 

[NevadaHawk]

Josey definitely made his presentence felt with nine tackles.

 

[brewhawk23]

Jewell is the boss out there. Speed is better than I thought and his toughness is 2nd to none. Missed him last week for sure. Keep improving every week and this is going to be a special season....

 

[backinblack23]

Jewell is the guy directing traffic in the front seven and making the calls and it showed how valuable he is tonight. The other thing I noticed was that ISU made a point to go Lazard and Mabin had safety help most times too.

 

[Eternal Return]

As well as Iowa played on D tonight I notice that the LB squad as a whole lacks the ball-hawking intensity they had last year. Losing Cole Fisher to graduation was a bigger loss than I imagined it would be. EDIT--Still happy with the group, but a little concerned they don't fly around like last year. Maybe that will come in time.

 

[pocha444444]

As well as Iowa played on D tonight I notice that the LB squad as a whole lacks the ball-hawking intensity they had last year. Losing Cole Fisher to graduation was a bigger loss than I imagined it would be. EDIT--Still happy with the group, but a little concerned they don't fly around like last year. Maybe that will come in time.

Only difference is Bower instead of Fisher. I don't notice what you are referencing.

 

[mthawkeyes]

Mends looked good in mop up.

 

[Eternal Return]

Only difference is Bower instead of Fisher. I don't notice what you are referencing.

I don't want to knock Bower, but he isn't as fast, as sure of tackler, or as good in coverage as Fisher was. It might be that Nate Meier and Jordan Lomax helped the linebacking core significantly as well in terms of run support and I'm speaking mostly of the Hawks against the run. If Iowa's offense continues to dominate then run defense may not be that big of a factor. Nevertheless, after watching the bench play, it's clear Bower is the best choice to play that position. We're a little thin at LB this year. It'll be interesting to see if how the run defense holds up against teams like Minnesota, Wisconsin, Penn State, Michigan, and Nebraska. It's in those games where a drop off against the run could be a problem for Iowa. But, they may keep improving -- they often do throughout the year. I'm just saying it's worth keeping an eye on as the year progresses because so far it looks like the only thing close to a weakness on this team.

 

[hawkeyeguy69]

Mends looked good in mop up.

Not really. He got picked up quite easily on a few plays. Made my worst fears seem true. He wasn't hurt, he isn't in the KF doghouse, it's just that - Mends really isn't that good, so you have to start Bower. The WLB will be what brings down this D, if any one position does. There is no question.

But let's see what happens when we play someone half way decent. Maybe the defense as a whole can come thru. Fingers crossed.

 

[Lance Funsten]

Against Miami of Ohio we were missing the important
cog in our defense and it showed. Today, against the
Cyclones, Jewell was on the field in full force. He is
a leader and makes the difference in motivating his
team mates on defense. Hopefully, he leads the Hawks
to victory every Saturday this season.

@LuteHawk , totally agree with your post. Josey is the straw that stirs the drink on iowas defence BUT, I do think Iowa state is of lesser competition than Miami of Ohio. What are your thoughts? Do you think Iowa had an easier time with Iowa state because they lacked the athletes that Miami of Ohio possessed?

 

[bigfridaynite]

When JJ caught Lazzard from behind was one of the best plays of the night JJ came from the other side of the field to save a TD

 

[LuteHawk]

@ Lance Funsten....Until we get to our Big Ten games,
we will not know how good our defense really is. Wis.
Mich. and Neb will provide a real test.

 

[Hawks_Rock_12]

I don't want to knock Bower, but he isn't as fast, as sure of tackler, or as good in coverage as Fisher was. It might be that Nate Meier and Jordan Lomax helped the linebacking core significantly as well in terms of run support and I'm speaking mostly of the Hawks against the run. If Iowa's offense continues to dominate then run defense may not be that big of a factor. Nevertheless, after watching the bench play, it's clear Bower is the best choice to play that position. We're a little thin at LB this year. It'll be interesting to see if how the run defense holds up against teams like Minnesota, Wisconsin, Penn State, Michigan, and Nebraska. It's in those games where a drop off against the run could be a problem for Iowa. But, they may keep improving -- they often do throughout the year. I'm just saying it's worth keeping an eye on as the year progresses because so far it looks like the only thing close to a weakness on this team.

Wait, I thought it was Mabin and our pass defense that was the weakness last week. Now this week it's our run defense. If it keeps changing from week to week I'll get confused.

 

[hawkeyeguy69]

@ Lance Funsten....Until we get to our Big Ten games,
we will not know how good our defense really is. Wis.
Mich. and Neb will provide a real test.

This. We have played two teams that are not going to be in the top 100 by seasons end. Still lots to worry about.

But I think we are rotating well. Getting these yutes some serious reps should be a priority. We will need them.

 

[Eternal Return]

Wait, I thought it was Mabin and our pass defense that was the weakness last week. Now this week it's our run defense. If it keeps changing from week to week I'll get confused.

Yeah, i know others were harping on that, but I wasn't. Iowa struggled mightily against the run last week against a team that they should have crushed at the line of scrimmage. And, yes, they did much better against Iowa State, but Iowa State's offensive line is putrid, much worse than Miami of Ohio. This may turn out to be of little concern this season, but as of now I wonder how they'll do against teams with good offensive lines and real running games, the teams I mentioned in the last post.

But understand this: This is the only aspect of Iowa's game that looks questionable this year. I feel great about the team in pretty much every other category, including pass defense. The coverage against ISU was excellent last night and at least two of the sacks and all of the QB scrambles were caused by good coverage downfield. Not worried about the secondary or pass defense. Just against the run and it could get better week after week as the Nelsons on the edges get better at run-stopping. Johnson's definitely a beast on the inside and Jewell is damn good, so no problems there. The other guys need to step up their run defense, though, and fly to the ball more. My opinion.

 

[LuteHawk]

Jewell is only a Junior and I hope he comes back
for his Senior year. Like his attitude and I think he
returns for his last year.

 

[Lance Funsten]

Jewell is only a Junior and I hope he comes back
for his Senior year. Like his attitude and I think he
returns for his last year.

@LuteHawk i think he returns. The Iowa black and gold is running through his veins. Do you see Akrum wadley returning for his senior season?