Offensive tweaks

[cedarvalleykid14]

It has been encouraging to see the new blocking schemes in the run game. They'e LONG overdue. And the misdirection the Hawkeyes showed, especially in the red zone against Pitt, was fabulous. There are at least 3 ball carriers for the defense to worry about, plus the option of passing from that formation, so it does what many of us have been calling for--it puts the defense on its heels and forces it to try and cover multiple options instead of all 11 defenders lying in wait for the Iowa ball carrier on a stretch play.

The quick-hitters off tackle and the occasional counter action force the defense to read before reacting, and that's huge.

Add the vertical passing game and CJ's ability to ad lib and you finally have the unpredictable offense that has been lacking for so many seasons in Iowa City.

None of these changes would be notable in most programs, but for KF's Iowa operation, they are monumental and just in time.

And that's a big reason why I believe Iowa can get outta Madison with a huge, program-defining win on Saturday.

 

[soybean]

It has been encouraging to see the new blocking schemes in the run game. They'e LONG overdue. And the misdirection the Hawkeyes showed, especially in the red zone against Pitt, was fabulous. There are at least 3 ball carriers for the defense to worry about, plus the option of passing from that formation, so it does what many of us have been calling for--it puts the defense on its heels and forces it to try and cover multiple options instead of all 11 defenders lying in wait for the Iowa ball carrier on a stretch play.

The quick-hitters off tackle and the occasional counter action force the defense to read before reacting, and that's huge.

Add the vertical passing game and CJ's ability to ad lib and you finally have the unpredictable offense that has been lacking for so many seasons in Iowa City.

None of these changes would be notable in most programs, but for KF's Iowa operation, they are monumental and just in time.

And that's a big reason why I believe Iowa can get outta Madison with a huge, program-defining win on Saturday.

Please go ahead and spell out the details of these new blocking schemes. I know a little bit about football and have not noticed these differences, all I see is better execution all across the front and some more effective play calling.

 

[KOKhawk]

Please go ahead and spell out the details of these new blocking schemes. I know a little bit about football and have not noticed these differences, all I see is better execution all across the front and some more effective play calling.

I wouldn't necessarily say we've gone away from the zone blocking, but I've noticed more pulling from our guards than in past years.

 

[Bulldogs1974]

well I wouldn't say i've seen much in the way of different blocking schemes, but I did like the reverse action that we only saw on two plays. It was a nice wrinkle that's been used by most teams for over a decade. Kind of like the two toss sweep plays we've seen since shawn greene took one 40 yards to the house against wisconsin in 2008.
Sorry to be negative but we do somethings well but just refuse to do them again and I find that baffling.

 

[codflyer]

I wouldn't necessarily say we've gone away from the zone blocking, but I've noticed more pulling from our guards than in past years.

We have a lot more wrinkles. We have been running a lot of split zone, which is a little easier for our Tackles, since they are basically man-blocking, and our more experienced center and guards are zone blocking. Canzeri has been really good with this pressing forward to get the LB's to commit, but still able to put a foot in the ground and cutback to where they have vacated. We have also been pulling guard and center more than we have in the past. We have run relatively little of the classic zone-stretch that we have seen so much of over the years.

 

[soybean]

well I wouldn't say i've seen much in the way of different blocking schemes, but I did like the reverse action that we only saw on two plays. It was a nice wrinkle that's been used by most teams for over a decade. Kind of like the two toss sweep plays we've seen since shawn greene took one 40 yards to the house against wisconsin in 2008.
Sorry to be negative but we do somethings well but just refuse to do them again and I find that baffling.

1974: I can't help but think that reverse was run for the benefit of the Wisconsin scouts. I don't pretend how they plan to use it but I do know it wasn't just a random play call, especially taking into account the time and score of the game last Saturday. Just another of the many things I love about football.

 

[soybean]

We have a lot more wrinkles. We have been running a lot of split zone, which is a little easier for our Tackles, since they are basically man-blocking, and our more experienced center and guards are zone blocking. Canzeri has been really good with this pressing forward to get the LB's to commit, but still able to put a foot in the ground and cutback to where they have vacated. We have also been pulling guard and center more than we have in the past. We have run relatively little of the classic zone-stretch that we have seen so much of over the years.

codflyer: Are we likely to see more zone stretch this week against this Wisconsin defense...and do you expect Bucky to be able to stick with their base 3-4 defense against the Hawks?

 

[theVoicefromtheTomb]

Please go ahead and spell out the details of these new blocking schemes. I know a little bit about football and have not noticed these differences, all I see is better execution all across the front and some more effective play calling.

Clearly KF has completely re-thought everything he ever knew about football and recognized the fans knew more about football than he did. Armed with that knowledge he has instituted exactly what the fans wanted.

Not sure why we need him, but he makes a nice figurehead for the program.

 

[mazda1]

My guess is the tight ends have a good day. We haven't seen them used as much as normal and we are getting healthy again.

 

[codflyer]

codflyer: Are we likely to see more zone stretch this week against this Wisconsin defense...and do you expect Bucky to be able to stick with their base 3-4 defense against the Hawks?

Wisconsin will not switch out of their 3-4 whether it is working or not. They are committed to it, besides their strength is in their LB's, not their line. They will dial up a lot of pressure and be trying to crash down with their LB's against the run unless we can keep them honest. Very similar to Pitt in aggression, but more like ISU in personnel alignment. I doubt we attempt much zone stretch. Much like against Pitt, we will likely try to make their aggression work against them utilizing draws, delays, screens, inside/split zone looks, and some man blocking/pulling guard/center with our 22 personnel. CJ can also be very dangerous with his legs on both designed QB draws out of the spread look, as well as on broken plays and blitzes that don't get there. Play action will be extremely effective if our backs can consistently pick up the blitz. We have show a lot more willingness to give our WR's a chance one on one, and I think Wisconsin will play a good amount of tight single coverage that we can target. If they try to bump and bracket Smith, I think we can hurt them with Vandeberg/Hilyer as well as with our TE's and backs. For the first time in a really long time, we have a lot of viable options that we can utilize, and we have show ourselves to be effective using them all this year.

 

[soybean]

My guess is the tight ends have a good day. We haven't seen them used as much as normal and we are getting healthy again.

Good point.

 

[soybean]

Wisconsin will not switch out of their 3-4 whether it is working or not. They are committed to it, besides their strength is in their LB's, not their line. They will dial up a lot of pressure and be trying to crash down with their LB's against the run unless we can keep them honest. Very similar to Pitt in aggression, but more like ISU in personnel alignment. I doubt we attempt much zone stretch. Much like against Pitt, we will likely try to make their aggression work against them utilizing draws, delays, screens, inside/split zone looks, and some man blocking/pulling guard/center with our 22 personnel. CJ can also be very dangerous with his legs on both designed QB draws out of the spread look, as well as on broken plays and blitzes that don't get there. Play action will be extremely effective if our backs can consistently pick up the blitz. We have show a lot more willingness to give our WR's a chance one on one, and I think Wisconsin will play a good amount of tight single coverage that we can target. If they try to bump and bracket Smith, I think we can hurt them with Vandeberg/Hilyer as well as with our TE's and backs. For the first time in a really long time, we have a lot of viable options that we can utilize, and we have show ourselves to be effective using them all this year.

I think you nailed it. I can't wait until Saturday. I won't be going up to Madison this year but I'll be sitting as close to the TV as I can!

 

[cedarvalleykid14]

Thanks for the sarcasm, thevoicefromthe. If KF is so damn smart, where has he been the last five years? And isn't it ironic that as soon as KF plays the players the fans have called for and makes many of the tweaks the fans have called for, suddenly Iowa is playing meaningful football games again.

I didn't know Mary Ferentz posted on here, but I think I do now.

 

[cedarvalleykid14]

And if Soybean and others haven't noticed the wrinkles in the blocking schemes, well, you're not too damn smart and/or haven't been paying much attention.

 

[PHXIowaClub]

Great initial post. The changes have been a huge help.

 

[Kurt Warner]

Clearly KF has completely re-thought everything he ever knew about football and recognized the fans knew more about football than he did. Armed with that knowledge he has instituted exactly what the fans wanted.

Not sure why we need him, but he makes a nice figurehead for the program.

What a waste of words

 

[GolfHacker1]

We don't often pull guards, but we have done more of this in 2015. Also, we sometimes line up with an empty backfield in 3rd and short. It resulted in a time out taken by Pitt. Now we broke the huddle and reverted to traditional play calling, which I think is really what we're likely to see more of as the season progresses, but I have no issue with this.

And as much as some people, probably myself even, hate to admit it, execution makes things look entirely different.

My only play calling criticism is on third and short, we do a delayed zone run. We have the ability to use fullback, or QB sneak almost every time, and I think against better B1G defenses, this is the call. But I'm not getting paid $4mm, so what do I really know anyway? Employees always run a business better than the owners. I know this is day to day life, but forget it with respect to Iowa football.

Also, I've said it every game, I don't want King returning kicks because I don't want him injured. I know it makes no sense, but I've said it every game, and we've won every game, so I'm going to keep saying it. At games people look at me funny and I have to explain I'm superstitious.

 

[wildturkey2]

In the end its all played on the field. But if they lose the TV don't stand a chance. One wasted beer threw the TV screen ....................

 

[theVoicefromtheTomb]

Thanks for the sarcasm, thevoicefromthe. If KF is so damn smart, where has he been the last five years? And isn't it ironic that as soon as KF plays the players the fans have called for and makes many of the tweaks the fans have called for, suddenly Iowa is playing meaningful football games again.

I didn't know Mary Ferentz posted on here, but I think I do now.

Most of the fans, and I include you and me on the list, know very little about football and even less about what actually happens in the program. We don't know how the players perform in practice. what the actual call of the play in the game was, was it changed, how did the team execute the play called etc. To think that we in some way had a dramatic influence on Kirk and caused a change in the program is silly. The offense we run ot me looks very much like the same offense we have been running for the last 4-5 years. If it's been tweaked it's because Ferentz and his staff looked at the product on the field, the player's at hand and said what do we need to do to be more successful. I expect he has done that every year for the last 17 years. I think any good coach would.