Season Midway Point: Grades

[StallmanCurse]

We're halfway through the season, what are your grades for each unit? Obviously, this is a subjective measure, so use whatever criteria you like; vs conference counterparts, vs preseason expectations, vs years past, etc.

Offense
QB: B+. I wouldn't argue with anyone that wants to give Stanley an A, but personally, he still has a few too many bad misses and it'd be nice for this trend of WTF Int's to stop. That may be nitpicking, and he's not far off from an A grade.

RB: B. I think we have three capable running backs and no great ones. IKM and Young both have pros and cons, and Sargent seems to be overall just okay.

WR: B-. They seemed to have turned a corner the last couple weeks, and could even become a strength for this offense. It's been soooo long since we could say that.

TE: A+. Just over-the-top successful. I'm thrilled with their play as a unit, and I think Hockenson might be my favorite player on the team.

OL: B. Pass blocking, B+. They lead the league in sacks allowed, but gave up a ton of QB pressures to a middle-of-the-pack defensive unit yesterday. Run blocking, C+. They're improving, and I think mixing up the play-calling has helped them a little bit, but they started off pretty bad. Overall, I think they have a chance to finish the year in B+/A- territory.

Offense Overall: B. I'm satisfied so far, but I see potential for more.

Defense
DL: A. 2nd in the conference in sacks, 2nd in rushing defense. I don't know if I'm ready to say better than 2009 just yet, but they're right there.

LB: B. The job they've done considering their inexperience and injuries, A+, but that's not enough to override my grade. There's competence, depth, and toughness there. Not yet a great unit compared to years past, but could be very solid by the end of the season.

DB: B. Building depth in front of our eyes, and I don't think there's any glaring weaknesses there. But also not an elite unit, yet.

Defense Overall: B+. Near the top of the league in rush D, pass D, and scoring D. Red Zone D needs some work.

Special Teams
P: B. An improvement over last year, but still toward the bottom of the league.

K: B+. I'd say the 38 yard miss against ISU is Recino's only fault so far, as I don't hold the blocked FG vs UNI against him. I consider 50 yarder's to be a crapshoot, so I don't ding him much for that, either.

PR/KR: D. 2 out of the last 3 games has been very sloppy.

Special Teams Overall: B-

 

[ANYCHawk]

In what friggin world does Stanley deserve an a?

(Not by you, but how can you make that argument? Hell I think B+ is a little of joy-of-an-Indy-butt-kicking influenced)

 

[Hawkfan_08]

Our return men (not return teams per se) have been pretty good.

 

[cheerscoach]

I'll disagree with your pass blocking comments. The OL did a fabulous job of pass blocking yesterday. Hell, AJ came off his guy to pick up the inside blitz on the pass interception, but Stanley panicked. If the defense rushes one more than we have blockers (which they did on several occasions), it is up to the QB to beat that one guy, which Stanley was able to do on some plays, either by breaking the tackle or getting the ball out quick. They have given up the least sacks and have kept Stanley pretty clean the majority of the time. I think they have earned an A, but of course there is always room for improvement.

 

[StallmanCurse]

In what friggin world does Stanley deserve an a?

(Not by you, but how can you make that argument? Hell I think B+ is a little of joy-of-an-Indy-butt-kicking influenced)

There's a fine line between trend weighting and recency bias, and I'll fully admit to weighting the last few games more than the first few. Here's what I see:

• Through coaching or experience, he's trusting his receivers more.
• He's increased his accuracy on short throws, but still needs to improve.
• He's increased his accuracy on deep balls, but still misses a couple per game.
• He's somewhat increased his composure under pressure, but still panics a bit, IMO.
• His decisions on those INT's need to improve.

Statistically in conference, he's 5th in yards per game, 3rd in yards per attempt, 2nd in TD's, and 3rd in QB Rating. That's pretty good, IMO.

 

[hknation]

Additional data to add to discussion; here's this weeks PFF ratings for DL, OL, and DB's:

LINK: https://iowa.rivals.com/news/pro-football-focus-grades-defense-3

 

[BeepBeepInMyJeep]

In what friggin world does Stanley deserve an a?

(Not by you, but how can you make that argument? Hell I think B+ is a little of joy-of-an-Indy-butt-kicking influenced)

In this system, a guy who seems to be settling in with 60+ comp% and frequently getting over 300+ is at least a solid B+. But against the elite teams, the 1 or 2 mistakes could be, and often is enough to cost the team the game and that keeps him from an A.

 

[StallmanCurse]

I'll disagree with your pass blocking comments. The OL did a fabulous job of pass blocking yesterday. Hell, AJ came off his guy to pick up the inside blitz on the pass interception, but Stanley panicked. If the defense rushes one more than we have blockers (which they did on several occasions), it is up to the QB to beat that one guy, which Stanley was able to do on some plays, either by breaking the tackle or getting the ball out quick. They have given up the least sacks and have kept Stanley pretty clean the majority of the time. I think they have earned an A, but of course there is always room for improvement.

I'm just getting ready to re-watch the game, so I'll try to focus on the pressures via blitz. You're probably right. However, I think the one sack allowed came on a 3-man rush.

 

[ANYCHawk]

In this system, a guy who seems to be settling in with 60+ comp% and frequently getting over 300+ is at least a solid B+. But against the elite teams, the 1 or 2 mistakes could be, and often is enough to cost the team the game and that keeps him from an A.

I see far too many non coaching issues to give him a high mark. Too many times he overthrows or underthrows the receiver by 14 yards. Then you have the dumb interceptions and the lack of a clock inside his head.

And competition percentage is meaningless without context.

 

[hawkeyeinmo]

I'll disagree with your pass blocking comments. The OL did a fabulous job of pass blocking yesterday. Hell, AJ came off his guy to pick up the inside blitz on the pass interception, but Stanley panicked. If the defense rushes one more than we have blockers (which they did on several occasions), it is up to the QB to beat that one guy, which Stanley was able to do on some plays, either by breaking the tackle or getting the ball out quick. They have given up the least sacks and have kept Stanley pretty clean the majority of the time. I think they have earned an A, but of course there is always room for improvement.

I’d hardly say Stanley “panicked” on the INT. First read was the slant that looked open but LB lined up over the center dropped into coverage. Perfect defensive call for the slant. Watch Kurt Warner fooled on a similar play right before halftime in Super Bowl XLIII. Probably cost Arizona the Super Bowl when James Harrison dropped off the line right into the slant route and returned it for a TD. I’d say Stanley was fooled into thinking the defender was blitzing than “panicking”.

 

[StallmanCurse]

I’d hardly say Stanley “panicked” on the INT. First read was the slant that looked open but LB lined up over the center dropped into coverage. Perfect defensive call for the slant. Watch Kurt Warner fooled on a similar play right before halftime in Super Bowl XLIII. Probably cost Arizona the Super Bowl when James Harrison dropped off the line right into the slant route and returned it for a TD. I’d say Stanley was fooled into thinking the defender was blitzing than “panicking”.

I haven't taken a look at it since yesterday, but I believe the intercepting LB bailed on a blitz look and they brought a different one untouched off/near the corner. If I'm remembering the play correctly, you're both right. It was a great defensive call, and Stanley had to get rid of the ball quickly / panicked a bit.

 

[cheerscoach]

I’d hardly say Stanley “panicked” on the INT. First read was the slant that looked open but LB lined up over the center dropped into coverage. Perfect defensive call for the slant. Watch Kurt Warner fooled on a similar play right before halftime in Super Bowl XLIII. Probably cost Arizona the Super Bowl when James Harrison dropped off the line right into the slant route and returned it for a TD. I’d say Stanley was fooled into thinking the defender was blitzing than “panicking”.

I use 'panic' because he checked down right away. I think he had more time than he realized. But my point wasn't about Stanley, it was about how well AJ kicked out the end and stepped in to pick up the blitzer. Sorry if you didn't care for the term 'panic'. I didn't think it was that great of a defensive call, Stanley just didn't read the coverage well, but I appreciate your perspective. Thanks.

 

[hawkeyeinmo]

I haven't taken a look at it since yesterday, but I believe the intercepting LB bailed on a blitz look and they brought a different one untouched off/near the corner. If I'm remembering the play correctly, you're both right. It was a great defensive call, and Stanley had to get rid of the ball quickly / panicked a bit.

I need to watch again. Of course I screamed at Stanley at first then when I saw the replay I thought it wasn’t THAT bad on Stanley’s part. Can’t wait to throw on the slant and they just happened to drop the guy over nose into lane. At least that’s how I recall.

 

[StallmanCurse]

I need to watch again. Of course I screamed at Stanley at first then when I saw the replay I thought it wasn’t THAT bad on Stanley’s part. Can’t wait to throw on the slant and they just happened to drop the guy over nose into lane. At least that’s how I recall.

OK, I just saw it. Drive 3, 12:57 Q2.

As you mentioned, MLB lines up in a blitz look and bails into coverage. They brought the slot LB on a blitz to the inside of the DE. Jackson slides over and picks up the blitz, but the abandoned DE is closing in on Stanley. It's definitely a quick decision moment, and quite clear Stanley never saw the MLB.

 

[StallmanCurse]

As an aside, Stanley missed 3 straight TD passes on drive #2 (underthrew ISM, threw behind Easley, overthrew Fant), and then drops a dime to Fant for the TD.

 

[hawkeyeinmo]

OK, I just saw it. Drive 3, 12:57 Q2.

As you mentioned, MLB lines up in a blitz look and bails into coverage. They brought the slot LB on a blitz to the inside of the DE. Jackson slides over and picks up the blitz, but the abandoned DE is closing in on Stanley. It's definitely a quick decision moment, and quite clear Stanley never saw the MLB.

I don’t remember who ran the slant but I think it looked like he had the DB beat prett bad. I still would call it Stanley was “suckered” into it more than a panicky decision.

 

[Ronman]

I see far too many non coaching issues to give him a high mark. Too many times he overthrows or underthrows the receiver by 14 yards. Then you have the dumb interceptions and the lack of a clock inside his head.

And competition percentage is meaningless without context.

Two weeks into the schedule, I might have agreed with you, but Stanley has looked more relaxed and has been extremely accurate the past few games. When he overthrows a target, it is usually with a purpose.

 

[IAHawk2011]

I see far too many non coaching issues to give him a high mark. Too many times he overthrows or underthrows the receiver by 14 yards. Then you have the dumb interceptions and the lack of a clock inside his head.

And competition percentage is meaningless without context.

Agree, that is why Stanley’s increased completion percentage is even more impressive when you consider how much they are throwing the ball down the field this year.

 

[StallmanCurse]

I'll disagree with your pass blocking comments. The OL did a fabulous job of pass blocking yesterday. Hell, AJ came off his guy to pick up the inside blitz on the pass interception, but Stanley panicked. If the defense rushes one more than we have blockers (which they did on several occasions), it is up to the QB to beat that one guy, which Stanley was able to do on some plays, either by breaking the tackle or getting the ball out quick. They have given up the least sacks and have kept Stanley pretty clean the majority of the time. I think they have earned an A, but of course there is always room for improvement.

OK, I finished the re-watch, and below are my notes on the QB pressures. I should also note these comments are on negative plays only, and not indicative of their overall play on the day.

#1 - PA Pass, Young doubles DE instead of picking up LB. (-1 RB's)

#2 - Jackson slides inside and picks up LB, leaving DE. Stanley quickly throws INT. (-1 QB)

#3 - Jackson blocks down and doubles DE w/Reynolds. OLB goes untouched, Stanley breaks tackle and throws TD. (-1 OL)

#4 - Missed block by Young. (-2 RB's)

#5 - One DL drops in coverage and they bring LB from the other side. Rush 4 and Stanley flips the ball out to Easley. I think this was Ferguson's miss. (-2 OL)

#6 - Stunt on 3-man rush. Wirfs slides out to pick up stunt and sack comes up the middle w/Reynolds draped on him and Render and Ferguson standing around. (-3 OL)

#7 - One DL drops in coverage and they bring an LB plus S from the other side. Rush 5 total and Young stays in to make 6 in protection. This one is a mess. I'd say 50/50 Wirfs/Young. (-3.5 OL, -2.5 RB's)

#8 - Faked MLB rush on one side, brought OLB on the other. No one picks up the LB and he gets a hit on Stanley. Rushed 4, I think it's Wirfs' miss. (-4.5 OL)

#9 - Austin Kelly whiffs on DE. (-3.5 RB's)

So all-in-all, I think I was attributing more of the pressures to the OL than I should have, and the RB's didn't have a great day either. (I'm also seeing why Young may not be getting as many snaps as I would like.) I can't say the pass blocking was fabulous, though. Indiana mixed 3 and 4-man fronts, and the OL did a poor job of picking up the stunts in 3-man situations.

Should you re-watch the game, I'd be interested to know if you agree with my assessment or not.

 

[icantfindausernamethatisntused]

In what friggin world does Stanley deserve an a?

(Not by you, but how can you make that argument? Hell I think B+ is a little of joy-of-an-Indy-butt-kicking influenced)

Stanley is on pace to break the school record for passing TDs in a season and has a passing efficiency rating of 155.88 (which is basically in line with Brad Banks's 157.1 rating when he finished runner up in the Heisman).

Not all that hard to see why there'd be an argument for giving Stanley an A thus far.

 

[ANYCHawk]

Stanley is on pace to break the school record for passing TDs in a season and has a passing efficiency rating of 155.88 (which is basically in line with Brad Banks's 157.1 rating when he finished runner up in the Heisman).

Not all that hard to see why there'd be an argument for giving Stanley an A thus far.

IF you watch the games and don't depend on comparing records from a bygone era, yeah its pretty easy to see why he's not close to an A.

A guys, don't have 1/3 of their games where they go 27/50 for 270 yards and a TD against some also-rans.

As I said, I think some of that is just based on the last two games where he has played much better, but it was Indiana and Minnesota. If you look at the big picture including the first two where efficiency was 106 or below [btw a 106 if it would have continued would have put him 115th out of 121, NCAA qb and he currently ranks around 30. So let's not make a big deal of a number where the baseline is 100] you can't give him an A and I'd be very hard press given him a B+. First two count as much as the last two.

 

[ANYCHawk]

As an aside, Stanley missed 3 straight TD passes on drive #2 (underthrew ISM, threw behind Easley, overthrew Fant), and then drops a dime to Fant for the TD.

Perfect example here.

I don't get why, with Stanley people only focus on pass 4, and ignore 1-3.

For many other players/coaches its just the opposite where we only focus on the negative ones and downplay the good thing.

But, Stanley somehow has this shield where it's like "good outcome, "A!" Nothing else matter"

 

[hawkeyeinmo]

Perfect example here.

I don't get why, with Stanley people only focus on pass 4, and ignore 1-3.

For many other players/coaches its just the opposite where we only focus on the negative ones and downplay the good thing.

But, Stanley somehow has this shield where it's like "good outcome, "A!" Nothing else matter"

But could it be YOU are focusing too much on the negative. You say above too many “dumb” INTs. Well, like I’ve expained above I don’t think yesterday was “dumb” as much as defense had the right call at the right time. Okay the Minnesota INT was just plain DUMB! That leaves 3 more INTs of which I think 2 were tipped balls. Has he REALLY thrown that many “dumb” INTs? I’m not saying he deserves an A but I wouldn’t get too bent out of shape if someone did.

 

[BioHawk]

I don't really disagree with you on these. I think an overall B is about right for the team.

 

[icantfindausernamethatisntused]

Perfect example here.

I don't get why, with Stanley people only focus on pass 4, and ignore 1-3.

For many other players/coaches its just the opposite where we only focus on the negative ones and downplay the good thing.

But, Stanley somehow has this shield where it's like "good outcome, "A!" Nothing else matter"

FFS, nobody in this thread even gave Stanley an A.

Your rhetoric is over the top.

 

[Hawk_4shur]

Re: Stanley - It depends on the grading curve. If an "A" means, one of the top 10 QB's in the country, well then he is not an A, and B+ sounds pretty good to me.

Love him though .... he needs a couple of big W's this year and next to be in the same conversation with Drew Tate and Ricki Stanzi. He's going to have to win a B1G championship to catch CJ and Banks. Not going to catch Chuck Long.

 

[ANYCHawk]

BUMP

 

[mlb1399]

I’m sorry but if you think our receivers are anything above a D- then you don’t understand football. They wouldn’t start for most programs.