What do you do with a QB that struggles to perform in adverse conditions?

[GetOnTheLine]

Stanley has shown the ability to be a good QB. However, I think in addition to accuracy concerns, his biggest achilles heal may be a lack of poise and mental ability to perform under adverse conditions. Whether it's wind, noise, or pressure from a big consequential game, he looks like he can't handle it mentally. Way over or underthrowing, happy feet in the pocket, misses open guys, panics, and he looks visibly uncomfortable.

What should be done to develop him into a QB that can handle pressure. Simulations in practice, hurry up offense in games, call more screen passes and short 5 yard crossing routes? In a game like yesterday, should a QB that is clearly off that day be pulled for a series to get his head right, or pulled for the rest of the game? At what point do the coaches have the responsibility to send next guy in. Thoughts...

 

[HawkGirl57]

I thought he should have been pulled. It was clear he was having a horrible game. I can understand being loyal to your quarterback but he simply could not put it together.

 

[mariner67]

All the answers you are looking for regarding other’s thoughts to the questions you ask are in multiple hreads in this forum.
Just sayin’

 

[GetOnTheLine]

All the answers you are looking for regarding other’s thoughts to the questions you ask are in multiple hreads in this forum.
Just sayin’

Most people just say "bench him" without offering any additional insight as to when, how long, and most importantly how to address the underlying issue in practice so it doesn't continue to happen. So I thought we could use a thread dedicated for people to offer insight on developing a QB that struggles in this type of situation

 

[TheTruthTheWholeTruth]

Maybe sit him for a series or two and see if that helps settle him down. Nate gives Iowa the best opportunity to win 95% of the time. Yesterday was the 5% and it would have behooved the Iowa staff to mix it up a little.

 

[unoHawkeye]

Stanley is one of the most talented QBs Iowa has had since Brad Banks, IMO. A really smart dude with an absolute cannon of an arm. Unfortunately, he seems to lack the mental edge that some of our most successful QBs have had. Ricky Stanzi was a guy who could look downright awful in some games, but when the game was on the line, he’s the guy I wanted with the ball. CJ Beathard didn’t have incredible arm strength or speed, but when I think of CJB, I think of him flying over the pylon for a touchdown, or his last drive against Pittsburgh in 2015, which he executed perfectly. Tate had it too.

When I watch NS, I see a really smart player with a calm demeanor, but doesn’t really “live for” those crunch time game situations. It helps explain why he struggles in “big” games too. Reminds me of a more talented Jake Rudock to be honest. Fortunately he’s still only a junior and will hopefully learn from games like Wisconsin and Penn State and use them to become a better and more confident player. Because, like I said, the guy is insanely talented. If he can consistently play to his potential, Iowa isn’t losing

 

[bigfridaynite]

It's up to BF to coach him through it.
When BF can relax maybe Stanley will follow

 

[SDHawkDoc]

Stanley is one of the most talented QBs Iowa has had since Brad Banks, IMO. A really smart dude with an absolute cannon of an arm. Unfortunately, he seems to lack the mental edge that some of our most successful QBs have had. Ricky Stanzi was a guy who could look downright awful in some games, but when the game was on the line, he’s the guy I wanted with the ball. CJ Beathard didn’t have incredible arm strength or speed, but when I think of CJB, I think of him flying over the pylon for a touchdown, or his last drive against Pittsburgh in 2015, which he executed perfectly. Tate had it too.

When I watch NS, I see a really smart player with a calm demeanor, but doesn’t really “live for” those crunch time game situations. It helps explain why he struggles in “big” games too. Reminds me of a more talented Jake Rudock to be honest. Fortunately he’s still only a junior and will hopefully learn from games like Wisconsin and Penn State and use them to become a better and more confident player. Because, like I said, the guy is insanely talented. If he can consistently play to his potential, Iowa isn’t losing

I don't see the talent at the level that you're suggesting. But, he certainly has skills that can work well in the Ferentz pro style offense.
He does seem to be missing that sense of game situational presence that makes a difference in key moments.

Example, it's one thing if you've been instructed to read the D and audible based on what you see. But a QB that has that innate game sense isn't always going to try to change the play at the opponent 3 yard line with a confused situation and a lot of crowd noise as the play clock is expiring. That's an important part of what separates the guy that's just a good follower of his coaches' orders and the gamer that has presence in the big situations.

 

[Harbinger273]

Hard to watch some of Stanley's play. Just inconsistent and horribly inaccurate at times as evidenced by the wide open TD pass he bombed way over Hockenson. Felt like something was amiss when the first pass play was thrown out of bounds for intentional grounding.

 

[TheTruthTheWholeTruth]

Stanley is one of the most talented QBs Iowa has had since Brad Banks, IMO. A really smart dude with an absolute cannon of an arm. Unfortunately, he seems to lack the mental edge that some of our most successful QBs have had. Ricky Stanzi was a guy who could look downright awful in some games, but when the game was on the line, he’s the guy I wanted with the ball. CJ Beathard didn’t have incredible arm strength or speed, but when I think of CJB, I think of him flying over the pylon for a touchdown, or his last drive against Pittsburgh in 2015, which he executed perfectly. Tate had it too.

When I watch NS, I see a really smart player with a calm demeanor, but doesn’t really “live for” those crunch time game situations. It helps explain why he struggles in “big” games too. Reminds me of a more talented Jake Rudock to be honest. Fortunately he’s still only a junior and will hopefully learn from games like Wisconsin and Penn State and use them to become a better and more confident player. Because, like I said, the guy is insanely talented. If he can consistently play to his potential, Iowa isn’t losing

Jay Cutler, perhaps?

 

[Hawkfan5220]

It's up to BF to coach him through it.
When BF can relax maybe Stanley will follow

I can buy that. However when you have "play calling sucks" literally every game thread by fans and second guessed by rapid armchair quarterbacks I don't blame him for being tense.

 

[bumpstock]

Be a big supporter!

 

[SB_SB]

I don't see the talent at the level that you're suggesting. But, he certainly has skills that can work well in the Ferentz pro style offense.
He does seem to be missing that sense of game situational presence that makes a difference in key moments.

Example, it's one thing if you've been instructed to read the D and audible based on what you see. But a QB that has that innate game sense isn't always going to try to change the play at the opponent 3 yard line with a confused situation and a lot of crowd noise as the play clock is expiring. That's an important part of what separates the guy that's just a good follower of his coaches' orders and the gamer that has presence in the big situations.

I'm with you, I don't see the talent level that everyone sees. He doesn't have very good touch. I think he's good and I'm glad we have him but he seems to struggle when he starts to think. 99% of the time he's unaware of the play clock. We never see him call time out. He seems to only be focused on one thing and when the defense starts to make him think, he struggle with execution.

 

[bigfridaynite]

I can buy that. However when you have "play calling sucks" literally every game thread by fans and second guessed by rapid armchair quarterbacks I don't blame him for being tense.

I really thought BF called a pretty good game.
From my couch but for some reason Stanley was off.
It very well could of been the wet ball IDK

 

[unoHawkeye]

I'm with you, I don't see the talent level that everyone sees. He doesn't have very good touch. I think he's good and I'm glad we have him but he seems to struggle when he starts to think. 99% of the time he's unaware of the play clock. We never see him call time out. He seems to only be focused on one thing and when the defense starts to make him think, he struggle with execution.

I guess when I was talking about talent, I meant more in terms of raw potential. He’s got the arm strength, size, and smarts to be a first round draft pick - as indicated by multiple draft analysts. However, unless he gets out of his own head and plays like he’s capable of, that won’t happen.

As far as touch, we’ve seen him complete some pretty crazy and impressive passes where he’s displayed great touch. I struggle to believe that a KOK coached junior QB wouldn’t have the touch to complete some of the wide open passes he had yesterday. It felt to me more like Nate was living in his own head.

 

[anon_01irjibf16qqj]

Create another thread about it. That's what I would do

 

[RocknRollface]

Stanley is one of the most talented QBs Iowa has had since Brad Banks, IMO. A really smart dude with an absolute cannon of an arm. Unfortunately, he seems to lack the mental edge that some of our most successful QBs have had. Ricky Stanzi was a guy who could look downright awful in some games, but when the game was on the line, he’s the guy I wanted with the ball. CJ Beathard didn’t have incredible arm strength or speed, but when I think of CJB, I think of him flying over the pylon for a touchdown, or his last drive against Pittsburgh in 2015, which he executed perfectly. Tate had it too.

When I watch NS, I see a really smart player with a calm demeanor, but doesn’t really “live for” those crunch time game situations. It helps explain why he struggles in “big” games too. Reminds me of a more talented Jake Rudock to be honest. Fortunately he’s still only a junior and will hopefully learn from games like Wisconsin and Penn State and use them to become a better and more confident player. Because, like I said, the guy is insanely talented. If he can consistently play to his potential, Iowa isn’t losing

Overestimating Stanley, underselling Beathard imo.

 

[longliveCS40]

Stanley has shown the ability to be a good QB. However, I think in addition to accuracy concerns, his biggest achilles heal may be a lack of poise and mental ability to perform under adverse conditions. Whether it's wind, noise, or pressure from a big consequential game, he looks like he can't handle it mentally. Way over or underthrowing, happy feet in the pocket, misses open guys, panics, and he looks visibly uncomfortable.

What should be done to develop him into a QB that can handle pressure. Simulations in practice, hurry up offense in games, call more screen passes and short 5 yard crossing routes? In a game like yesterday, should a QB that is clearly off that day be pulled for a series to get his head right, or pulled for the rest of the game? At what point do the coaches have the responsibility to send next guy in. Thoughts...

I honestly don't think there's anything you can do about it. He has that type of non-firey personality. Even watching him in interviews on BTN, he's just really soft spoken and almost timid.

He will have good games and he will have bad games. Has the physical tools but just doesn't have the attitude and mental side to be a great QB and team leader.

 

[unoHawkeye]

Overestimating Stanley, underselling Beathard imo.

Fair re: CJ - you don’t become a starting NFL QB without a lot of talent, and he was a great on the ground too. I still think that he had an edge that Stanley currently doesn’t.

And you don’t make it to the top of big boards at your position at QB without having the tools to be great. Whether NS is ever able to put it together, or whether he ends up as a Josh Allen type is tbd

 

[Harbinger273]

UnfortuNately the state of the program right now cannot make up for adverse conditions on the road against good teams. At times it is a problem at home like Wisconsin this year. The overall leadership isn't there, the talent gap is real the mental focus and ability to execute is missing. These are areas that need improving for the program to take the next step.

 

[scotthawk1964]

I see a lot of people who say they don't see the talent in Stanley, but the NFL obviously does. Stanley has all the tools to be a great quarterback, but the one skill he lacks is consistency. I personally think the consistency will come he just needs to settle down cuz I think all the problems are in his head. I personally thought that Iowa should have went up Tempo when Stanley was struggling because Stanley seems to get in a rhythm when they go up tempo. I would have tried that for a series or two and then if he didn't come around then consider bringing in Mansell for a couple series. Compared to Beathard, Nate has much more god-given Talent. I don't recall beathard having too many if any game winning drives and I know he hasn't had any in the NFL. The only comeback I can remember Stanley having was against Iowa State last year where he was great. But I still think Stanley is our best shot to win and he still has another year.

 

[unoHawkeye]

I see a lot of people who say they don't see the talent in Stanley, but the NFL obviously does. Stanley has all the tools to be a great quarterback, but the one skill he lacks is consistency. I personally think the consistency will come he just needs to settle down cuz I think all the problems are in his head. I personally thought that Iowa should have went up Tempo when Stanley was struggling because Stanley seems to get in a rhythm when they go up tempo. I would have tried that for a series or two and then if he didn't come around then consider bringing in Mansell for a couple series. Compared to Beathard, Nate has much more god-given Talent. I don't recall beathard having too many if any game winning drives and I know he hasn't had any in the NFL. The only comeback I can remember Stanley having was against Iowa State last year where he was great. But I still think Stanley is our best shot to win and he still has another year.

Game winning drives against Pittsburgh in ‘15 and Michigan in ‘16 - although he threw a pick late, defense got the ball back, they picked up a couple first downs, and Duncan made the kick

 

[CO_hawk]

Iowa needs a dome. That will cover most of the games.

 

[Dick Rambone]

if Stanley actually did hurt His throwing hand in addition to crapping the bed with His performance it sure would have been nice to have Mansell in there 1st and goal from the 3, You know a guy who has better mobility than Herman Munster.

 

[Nihilist Rodgers]

Stanley is simply mediocre.. whenever he plays against a strong pass rush he wilts. He is mechanical and seems best in the quick game with a single read type scenario. If you had a dominant OL and RB he would look better, but you don' this year. Only Iowa and Stanford try and run a pro style offense, it's very tough to do anything when your QB is off. In all fairness DB's don't fear your WR's at all either.

 

[HawkeyeLaker]

UnfortuNately the state of the program right now cannot make up for adverse conditions on the road against good teams. At times it is a problem at home like Wisconsin this year. The overall leadership isn't there, the talent gap is real the mental focus and ability to execute is missing. These are areas that need improving for the program to take the next step.

I agree with your overall sentiment about some of the x-factors associated with not only the football team but basketball as well. The basketball team under Fran McCaffery still has an abysmal win-loss record in games decided by 5 points and lower. I can only recall two game-winning shots by our basketball team in the last 10-15 years (one by Jarrod Uthoff vs Minnie and the other Bohannon vs Wiskie which I personally attended). There have been so many late game collapses and last shot misses it seems to defy the law of averages.

The football team seems to display the same trend. I can only remember the last second win over MSU led by Stanzi and the Beathard victory against Pitt and the last second field goal against PSU. When the game is in crunch time whether we need a defensive stop or we need to get a late drive TD, I have gotten to the point I don't expect it to happen anymore.

I've wondered for awhile now if the athletics department doesn't need a full-time sports psychologist for both the players and the coaches (and I'm being serious). If they already have one, they need to cancel it and start anew because it's not working.

 

[ctghawk]

Stanley has Analysis Paralysis. He is so afraid of making a mistake, he loses sight of the big picture.