Some notes on observations from the Coach'ing Clinic in Iowa City this weekend, in no particular order:
- Dayton Howard is a legit P5 receiver. Has the physical specs and an intense work ethic. He'll be fun to watch.
- Iowa has incorporated the helmet communication system on both O & D and are working through the changes and challenges that go along with the new technology (players and coaches). It's a learning process that will take time.
- Cade was in helmet and jersey, no pads, and participated in most QB drills. He's still healing up. Does what he can do physically and is really engaged in mental reps.
- All QBs have constant coaching on read progressions and pocket mobility. It's not in your face stuff, just continuous teaching on mechanics, visual processing, timing and execution,
- QB room spends a good amount of time going through 49ers film cut ups to reinforce on-field teachings.
- Kaleb Brown was not dressed on Saturday. No apparent injury; perhaps a rest day. But, definitely engaged in mental reps across the periods.
- Logan Jones and Jennings Dunker not dressed. Logan got snaps in with Cade a bit. Dunker was a fairly limited with some sort of owie.
- Lots of pre-snap motion. 75% of plays. Part of the QB and WR teaching process.
- Abdul Hodge is really and impressive coach. Smart, communicative, excellent grasp on the right things and INTENSE (not in a Phil Parker way, but you can feel it when talking with him).
- It's no secrete that the OL group lacks a certain level of athleticism that we have been accustomed to, but MAN are they being coached hard (in a great way) by Barnett and KF. The teachings are good and exacting. Technique and tenacity are the way to overcome or balance out physical limitations. Would like to see them grow more nastiness, but first things first on doing things right and together. Excellent chemistry within the group and with the coaches. Could really use a portal transfer at T who can anchor things and set an on-field tone. Proctor wasn't it (more on that later).
- You're really going to like Tim Lester, if not already. There is no such thing as a savior, but there is such a thing as a welcoming breath of fresh air. He has a really positive approach and a quiet confidence about him - you can tell that he's been a successful QB as well has been a head coach. He works with a high level of enthusiasm and empathy, understands the details and constantly teaches the QBs. The players have bought in to what he's giving them. Still a ton of work on install to be done, but early returns are very positive.
- Offense ran fairly heavy on RPO, most likely because of the steep learning curve all around. This is the time to do it.
- KFs attention is on the OL, and he's letting Tim do his install and coaching. A lot of people think they have KF nailed, but they don't. He lets his coaches coach, and other than his passion at OL he focuses more on the bigger picture for the team. It goes without saying that he is extremely bright and thoughtful, and while he's not immediately open to change will come around to it once convinced. He has his rules for Tim and the offense, just as he has his rules and expectations of ever other coach. He has the absolute right to overrule any call or decision, but he has a lot of trust in his staff and is working on gaining it with Tim. KF knows he's in the twilight of his career. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at the nuanced changes.
- Finally, speaking of nuances, there wasn't a lot of chatter about Proctor. Iowa has moved on. However, just through casual conversation there were two things that stuck out about this story. First, Proctor did not give much of an effort to invest in his teammates. Iowa is a VERY tight group of players, and they are open to new faces, but developing chemistry goes both ways. The word repeated to describe the past few months with him was "distant". Second, and I'll be blunt: Iowa is a WORKING football team, and there were questions about Proctor's understanding, grasp and internalization of that very real concept. Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard. I had a great chat with a fellow peer about this very subject, and reminded him the KP showed up to Alabama fall camp at 388 and had to drop 30lbs in season before he could shake his struggles and immobility. My point was that NOBODY gains 30lbs during summer conditioning. That's what the winter program is for. Summer is about leaning out, getting faster and more explosive in prep for the season. You don't work your way to 388 - you eat your way there. Proctor was NOT going to work out at Iowa.
