Parker Hesse - The man deserves more respect

[Herkmeister]

Here's another incredible player who seldom gets his dues. IIRC he was rated the 8th best defensive end in the country last year. No doubt AJ is learning a great deal from him.

Not bad for a QB from Waukon, Iowa. The 3rd video is pretty fun to watch.

 

[Hawkeyeinsoutherncalifornia]

AMEN! great post! Kids a winner and a stud on the line..

 

[LaQuintaHawkeye]

This D-line better freaking dominate in 2018 or it will be a disappointment. I’m talking top 10 nationally in rushing yards allowed and in QB pressures. Time to bring the noise.

 

[ghostOfHomer777]

Here's another incredible player who seldom gets his dues. IIRC he was rated the 8th best defensive end in the country last year. No doubt AJ is learning a great deal from him.

Not bad for a QB from Waukon, Iowa. The 3rd video is pretty fun to watch.

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I especially like the interview of Hesse and Brincks. Those guys probably continue to drive each other - both in support and in competition. I could definitely see how it could add a little extra fuel to the tank ....

 

[DodgerHawki]

This D-line better freaking dominate in 2018 or it will be a disappointment. I’m talking top 10 nationally in rushing yards allowed and in QB pressures. Time to bring the noise.

I would be surprised if Iowa finishes Top 10 in the country in either of those categories. Not that the defense will be bad or even not good, just that replacing 3 starting linebackers and one of the starting d-tackles from a defense that finished 42nd in the country last year in rush defense, allowing 144 yards per game and 4.1 yards per carry. Those numbers aren't bad, but certainly not great. Iowa was 51st in the country in sacks with 29. What Iowa was great at was pass efficiency defense (11th in the country) and in scoring defense (19th in the country at 19.9 points per game). Iowa picked off 21 passes, allowed just a 55% completion percentage and opponents averaged just 6 yards per pass attempt. Those are very, very good numbers. Basically Iowa limits big plays, takes the ball away when the opportunity is there, and is good at making teams kick FG's in the red zone. In 40 red zone attempts last year, Iowa defense held the opponent to just 18 touchdowns.

The best way for the d-line to dominate this year is for Iowa's offense to be better and get leads in games. That would allow the d-line to focus on getting after the QB and not having to play the run.

 

[ghostOfHomer777]

This D-line better freaking dominate in 2018 or it will be a disappointment. I’m talking top 10 nationally in rushing yards allowed and in QB pressures. Time to bring the noise.

The MIKE LB plays a role with that too ... in making sure that the DL is lined up right based on what he sees pre-snap. But overall, yeah, I'd hope for a really good performance by the DL .... there just too much experience and talent in the group for them not to be productive.

 

[ghostOfHomer777]

I would be surprised if Iowa finishes Top 10 in the country in either of those categories. Not that the defense will be bad or even not good, just that replacing 3 starting linebackers and one of the starting d-tackles from a defense that finished 42nd in the country last year in rush defense, allowing 144 yards per game and 4.1 yards per carry. Those numbers aren't bad, but certainly not great. Iowa was 51st in the country in sacks with 29. What Iowa was great at was pass efficiency defense (11th in the country) and in scoring defense (19th in the country at 19.9 points per game). Iowa picked off 21 passes, allowed just a 55% completion percentage and opponents averaged just 6 yards per pass attempt. Those are very, very good numbers. Basically Iowa limits big plays, takes the ball away when the opportunity is there, and is good at making teams kick FG's in the red zone. In 40 red zone attempts last year, Iowa defense held the opponent to just 18 touchdowns.

The best way for the d-line to dominate this year is for Iowa's offense to be better and get leads in games. That would allow the d-line to focus on getting after the QB and not having to play the run.

4.1 ypc isn't a historically good number for a Hawk D at all.

1999: 5.0 ypc
2000: 4.5 ypc
2001: 3.2 ypc
2002: 2.6 ypc
2003: 2.5 ypc
2004: 2.8 ypc
2005: 3.2 ypc
2006: 3.6 ypc
2007: 3.2 ypc
2008: 3.1 ypc
2009: 3.5 ypc
2010: 3.2 ypc
2011: 3.7 ypc
2012: 4.1 ypc
2013: 3.6 ypc
2014: 4.4 ypc
2015: 3.6 ypc
2016: 4.0 ypc
2017: 4.1 ypc

For whatever reason, in recent years, the Hawks haven't been defending the run terribly well. Whatever the reason, hopefully we see some improvement there sooner rather than later.

 

[HawkPowered]

Look for the YPC # to go down in 2018.
With guys like Sam Brincks, Brady Reiff, Parker Hesse pushing for more
& more Playing time, it is going to be a Raucous, Salty bunch on the
Hawkeye front.

GO HAWKS !

 

[MeetTheFerentz]

 

[Herkmeister]

I would be surprised if Iowa finishes Top 10 in the country in either of those categories. Not that the defense will be bad or even not good, just that replacing 3 starting linebackers and one of the starting d-tackles from a defense that finished 42nd in the country last year in rush defense, allowing 144 yards per game and 4.1 yards per carry. Those numbers aren't bad, but certainly not great. Iowa was 51st in the country in sacks with 29. What Iowa was great at was pass efficiency defense (11th in the country) and in scoring defense (19th in the country at 19.9 points per game). Iowa picked off 21 passes, allowed just a 55% completion percentage and opponents averaged just 6 yards per pass attempt. Those are very, very good numbers. Basically Iowa limits big plays, takes the ball away when the opportunity is there, and is good at making teams kick FG's in the red zone. In 40 red zone attempts last year, Iowa defense held the opponent to just 18 touchdowns.

The best way for the d-line to dominate this year is for Iowa's offense to be better and get leads in games. That would allow the d-line to focus on getting after the QB and not having to play the run.

4.1 ypc isn't a historically good number for a Hawk D at all.

1999: 5.0 ypc
2000: 4.5 ypc
2001: 3.2 ypc
2002: 2.6 ypc
2003: 2.5 ypc
2004: 2.8 ypc
2005: 3.2 ypc
2006: 3.6 ypc
2007: 3.2 ypc
2008: 3.1 ypc
2009: 3.5 ypc
2010: 3.2 ypc
2011: 3.7 ypc
2012: 4.1 ypc
2013: 3.6 ypc
2014: 4.4 ypc
2015: 3.6 ypc
2016: 4.0 ypc
2017: 4.1 ypc

For whatever reason, in recent years, the Hawks haven't been defending the run terribly well. Whatever the reason, hopefully we see some improvement there sooner rather than later.

And don't forget in what league we play.

 

[Herkmeister]

I especially like the interview of Hesse and Brincks. Those guys probably continue to drive each other - both in support and in competition. I could definitely see how it could add a little extra fuel to the tank ....

I liked that too Ghost. I'd never seen it before this. Good stuff for sure.

Plus I never knew that game came down to the final field goal like that. We have the IHSAA to thank for never letting us watch these games. But don't get me started.

 

[CanadaHawk]

I would be surprised if Iowa finishes Top 10 in the country in either of those categories. Not that the defense will be bad or even not good, just that replacing 3 starting linebackers and one of the starting d-tackles from a defense that finished 42nd in the country last year in rush defense, allowing 144 yards per game and 4.1 yards per carry. Those numbers aren't bad, but certainly not great. Iowa was 51st in the country in sacks with 29. What Iowa was great at was pass efficiency defense (11th in the country) and in scoring defense (19th in the country at 19.9 points per game). Iowa picked off 21 passes, allowed just a 55% completion percentage and opponents averaged just 6 yards per pass attempt. Those are very, very good numbers. Basically Iowa limits big plays, takes the ball away when the opportunity is there, and is good at making teams kick FG's in the red zone. In 40 red zone attempts last year, Iowa defense held the opponent to just 18 touchdowns.

The best way for the d-line to dominate this year is for Iowa's offense to be better and get leads in games. That would allow the d-line to focus on getting after the QB and not having to play the run.

Think the Dline will be very good, esp vs the pass, but not great vs the run with the loss of Nixon. That limits the DL’s ability to make up for the inexperience at LB. I agree that this puts more pressure on the offense to produce.

 

[DodgerHawki]

4.1 ypc isn't a historically good number for a Hawk D at all.

1999: 5.0 ypc
2000: 4.5 ypc
2001: 3.2 ypc
2002: 2.6 ypc
2003: 2.5 ypc
2004: 2.8 ypc
2005: 3.2 ypc
2006: 3.6 ypc
2007: 3.2 ypc
2008: 3.1 ypc
2009: 3.5 ypc
2010: 3.2 ypc
2011: 3.7 ypc
2012: 4.1 ypc
2013: 3.6 ypc
2014: 4.4 ypc
2015: 3.6 ypc
2016: 4.0 ypc
2017: 4.1 ypc

For whatever reason, in recent years, the Hawks haven't been defending the run terribly well. Whatever the reason, hopefully we see some improvement there sooner rather than later.

You are correct Homer. There has been some leakage in recent years (basically since 2010). My theory is the greater proliferation of spread offenses make it harder and harder to defend the run and by extension to get to the QB due to the ball leaving the QB's hands so fast. In college, the rushing stats include sack yards. So a rushing defense can look better than it really is by running up sack totals. I have heard KF make semi-complaints about how the NCAA calculates rushing stats over the years. In the NFL, for example, sack yards count against a team's pass yards as the offense was attempting to pass, not run.

The advanced metrics do a good job of weeding this out. And Football Outsiders didn't really like Iowa's rush defense last year either. They had Iowa's Rushing S&P+ as 52nd in the country. Full explanation at their site.

https://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/ncaadef

I am amazed at Phil Parker's ability to have Iowa play very good team defense. It works.

 

[kceasthawk]

Here's another incredible player who seldom gets his dues. IIRC he was rated the 8th best defensive end in the country last year. No doubt AJ is learning a great deal from him.

Not bad for a QB from Waukon, Iowa. The 3rd video is pretty fun to watch.

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Would be a great finale to their Hawk careers to walk off the field in Indy together, holding the BIG trophy. Now that would be a story!

 

[ghostOfHomer777]

You are correct Homer. There has been some leakage in recent years (basically since 2010). My theory is the greater proliferation of spread offenses make it harder and harder to defend the run and by extension to get to the QB due to the ball leaving the QB's hands so fast. In college, the rushing stats include sack yards. So a rushing defense can look better than it really is by running up sack totals. I have heard KF make semi-complaints about how the NCAA calculates rushing stats over the years. In the NFL, for example, sack yards count against a team's pass yards as the offense was attempting to pass, not run.

The advanced metrics do a good job of weeding this out. And Football Outsiders didn't really like Iowa's rush defense last year either. They had Iowa's Rushing S&P+ as 52nd in the country. Full explanation at their site.

https://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/ncaadef

I am amazed at Phil Parker's ability to have Iowa play very good team defense. It works.

Phil is more willing to defend the box with just 5 or 6 hats against more spread-oriented teams. Furthermore, the role of our LEO has continued to evolve. While we still have the LEO go up near the (thus making the defensive front look more like a 5-man front) ... the LEO seems to be considered more like a big safety in some senses. Just as you indicated - part of that is likely predicated on the desire to match-up better against more spread oriented Os.

Also, compared to Norm, Phil likes to play more games with coverages. If you mess around with coverages more - then how the guys respond to the run is a little different for each one. That can impact how well a guy executes his responsibility. The caveat might be that we're then better at defending the pass now ... but it's at the expense of our run D.

Lastly, another key difference between our elite run Ds and our more recent ones ... was that Norm was the main LB coach back then AND Aiken was our DL coach back then. Given that Norm was obviously a LB guru ... not having him train our LBs would have an undeniable impact. As for Reese vs Ron ... that's a tougher call ... given that Reese has coached Outland award winners and seeing the progression in guys like Trinca-Pasat, Davis, Ott, Johnson, and A. Nelson ... I'm somehow doubting the DL standard in coaching has dropped too significantly.