Leadership

[Muskie5]

Senior leadership has been a hallmark of any Iowa offense that has been part of a successful year. It's not about the 'numbers' or stats, but about making plays when it matters, moving the chains at key times, and sometimes just wearing a team down and exerting your 'will' on them. This offense is talented (most of it young) but doesn't seem to have that senior leadership to keep the youngsters focused or bleeds, 'we got this- follow me'. Meerkat I think has done quite a bit helping the young receivers, but has never appeared fully healthy this year and can just say, 'throw it to me, I got this', like a McNutt said on the last play of the game against Mich. St. Welsh is a very good lineman, but I think with his on-going emotional issues he doesn't exude 'hey, just get behind me, I'll dominate', like a Gallery. And Wadley is a great talent, but I don't think anyone would ever mistake him for a leader, like a Canzeri was. And unfortunately, that's about all we have for seniors regularly on the field (besides under-used and dinged up Kulick). I think how well this offense finishes the season has a lot to do with how well these seniors step up and get the youngsters settled down (mistakes, penalties, and drops are killin us), and get some 'attitude' and confidence. The defense has, and I believe will, keep us in every game, but to win those games, the offense has to make some plays. I'm not throwing our seniors under the bus, they are great Hawks, just making an observation and hoping they can get these kids more 'disciplined' and confident in their assignments. It's always a process.

 

[TKingpin]

Um ... Josey Jewell???

Edit: sorry - you did say Offense.

 

[kceasthawk]

Senior leadership has been a hallmark of any Iowa offense that has been part of a successful year. It's not about the 'numbers' or stats, but about making plays when it matters, moving the chains at key times, and sometimes just wearing a team down and exerting your 'will' on them. This offense is talented (most of it young) but doesn't seem to have that senior leadership to keep the youngsters focused or bleeds, 'we got this- follow me'. Meerkat I think has done quite a bit helping the young receivers, but has never appeared fully healthy this year and can just say, 'throw it to me, I got this', like a McNutt said on the last play of the game against Mich. St. Welsh is a very good lineman, but I think with his on-going emotional issues he doesn't exude 'hey, just get behind me, I'll dominate'. And Wadley is a great talent, but I don't think anyone would ever mistake him for a leader, like a Canzeri was. And unfortunately, that's about all we have for seniors regularly on the field (besides under-used and dinged up Kulick). I think how well this offense finishes the season has a lot to do with how well these seniors step up and get the youngsters settled down (mistakes, penalties, and drops are killin us), and get some 'attitude' and confidence. The defense has, and I believe will, keep us in every game, but to win those games, the offense has to make some plays. I'm not throwing our seniors under the bus, they are great Hawks, just making an observation and hoping they can get these kids more 'disciplined' and confident in their assignments. It's always a process.

Excellent post Muskie. Sometimes people forget the small intangible things that make all the difference. Look back at Iowa's losses, and all of them were close enough for that little bit to have made of difference. Not an excuse, just what it takes sometimes. If we had a Jewell type player on Offense, I think we'd be right there. Have hope we'll see that in upcoming years as the offense matures, but we'll need someone to step into Josey's considerable shoes.

 

[bigfridaynite]

I think Stanley has shown he is a leader and it takes time for everybody to get on board that last drive against NW Stanley look very confident to me.

 

[Muskie5]

I think Stanley has shown he is a leader and it takes time for everybody to get on board that last drive against NW Stanley look very confident to me.

I think he is confident and steady, but everything I've heard he's a 'quiet' leader. Kind of like what they said about Rudock. He's not a CJ or a Banks that everyone believes will make a play at any time and risk their bodies to do it. He's just not there yet, hopefully he will.

 

[kceasthawk]

I think he is confident and steady, but everything I've heard he's a 'quiet' leader. Kind of like what they said about Rudock. He's not a CJ or a Banks that everyone believes will make a play at any time and risk their bodies to do it. He's just not there yet, hopefully he will.

I think we'll see some real growth from Stanley by next season. Yes he's a quiet guy, but people forget that he wasn't even named the starter until days before the season, and he's had to put up a resume for his teammates to belief in. CJ had that "IT" factor. With Rudock, I think there was more to it. Jake never came across as one of the guys, whether it was his premed classes or the competition with CJ the more charismatic of the two.