In the day and age of the portal it should not take 4 years. We had better be developing and accessing now so we know exactly what we need when the portal opens.
When does the Offense become Lester’s Fault/Responsibility?
- Thread starter IChawkeye45
- Start date
After Kirk is gone, Lester can start getting blame.
What Lester has done w/the running game has been phenomenal. Think about it. We still have the worst group of receivers in the Big Ten and it doesn't look like Lachey is 100% and of course we see what we have in McNamara. Does anyone think w/Brian as the OC we'd be running the ball like this? The pass out of the backfield and scheme to get Kaleb open was a thing of beauty. Obviously having a back like him who can break off a 50 yard run at any time helps, but I like what I've seen so far from Lester w/the limited weapons we have on offense.
Iowa would again have the worst offense in the country with Brian Ferentz managing this roster and calling the plays.
LOL, this is a gross over-exaggeration. The one time that Cade actually put the ball on a WR in stride it went for a TD. 3INT for 5 TDs, and a 63% completion rating, but it's on the WRs? I will stand by placing Sullivan in the game will be a difference maker. Both Gill and Reece need to be targeted when they are 1 v 1 on the sideline, Washington was begging Cade to throw one deep.
It's Lester's playbook and he calls the plays. Regarding personnel, my impression fits what you suggest here. Kirk is actively involved in establishing the two-deep in conversation with the coaches and as HC gets to make the final decision. He can be persuaded, though, even at QB, as we've seen with the two Jakes being supplanted by Stanzi and CJ. We know there was disagreement among the staff in 2022 regarding Petras/Padilla, but I think it is clear that Kirk made the right call by sticking with Petras despite the problems he had.
If KJ leaves for the NFL after this season, is there any chance Leshon could return? Unlike KB, he's still in good standing with the coaches.
With Moulton, Washington, Jaz...etc he is better heading to greener fields.
The receivers are more talented, and I think they’ll grow into being quality producers, but they’re not very good against legit competition right now, and they have a QB who is struggling to see the field and make throws as he plays behind an OL that struggles in pass protection. The receivers are blocking downfield though. And this offense has generated more big plays in the run game in half a season that we have seen since the USC game in 2019.
Clearly this. @squeezebox have you seen VanderZee try to get separation against top corners? He’s not there yet. Gill was a backup at Northwestern. It’s saying something that he’s by far our best receiver. I’m with you that McNamara has not been as accurate as needed, and I’d like to see more Sullivan but we know it’s not going to happen.
I have seen it, and I've seen Gill open deep on routes that you cannot see on the TV, it is clear that the line fails McNamara at times, but it is just as clear he isn't looking to throw the deep ball. Vanderzee 1 on 1 against a 6' corner is an advantage whether he has separation or not.
I give the man an A so far. It would be and A+ if he could start Sullivan. When was the last time Iowa scored 40 pts on a conference foe? This is a team that beat Michigan. We made it look easy. Hopefully we get in the playoffs.
Sullivan damn near handed them the ball when we were inside their 5. What the hell was he trying to do flipping that ball????
And he tripped over his own feet trying to run at Minnesota and lost 6-8 yards. I had high hopes for him. Maybe he'll improve.
Are you saying you are happy sticking with Cade at QB, just want to be clear.
Spencer Petras, Remember Petras.
He's having a solid year. Rating above Nebraska's once in a decade wonder boy QB.
I've tried to make this point on this board for years. Ferentz has not adequately recruited skilled players. A WR makes one or 2 catches in a game and the fans have orgasms. He has concentrated on his systems needs and the program has paid for it.
Sure, win totals seem adequate. But I maintain we never made it to the apex b/c we run out of gas on the talent level. Why he hasn't been willing to compete with his peers for premier recruits has mystified me and why Iowa fans have tolerated it has pissed me off.
I attribute it to loyalty to the program and ignorance of recruiting patterns and history. It's becoming obvious patience with Ferentz is wearing off. I'm saying it symptomatic.
Kinnick Stadium has been sold out. Iowa fans are for the most part happy. But man, what could have been.
What separates good programs from great programs. Good coaches from great coaches.
He's having a solid year. Rating above Nebraska's once in a decade wonder boy QB.
I've tried to make this point on this board for years. Ferentz has not adequately recruited skilled players. A WR makes one or 2 catches in a game and the fans have orgasms. He has concentrated on his systems needs and the program has paid for it.
Sure, win totals seem adequate. But I maintain we never made it to the apex b/c we run out of gas on the talent level. Why he hasn't been willing to compete with his peers for premier recruits has mystified me and why Iowa fans have tolerated it has pissed me off.
I attribute it to loyalty to the program and ignorance of recruiting patterns and history. It's becoming obvious patience with Ferentz is wearing off. I'm saying it symptomatic.
Kinnick Stadium has been sold out. Iowa fans are for the most part happy. But man, what could have been.
What separates good programs from great programs. Good coaches from great coaches.
That’s what was so infuriating about Spencer Petras at Iowa. If you could protect him and give him time and a running game, he’s probably all right. But we couldn’t do either and Brian couldn’t scheme anything for a running quarterback so we just kept doing the same thing with a statue at quarterback.
When Kirk isn't around and he can run it his way. Which will never happen so I'm never going to blame Lester.
No. 1 is scary. Revamping a OL by a group of coaches that has given us the present OL
Recruit WRs dammit. Enough of this growing into shit. It takes massive, often ongoing effort to go after the big guns and maintaining an inventory of capable of receivers. Injuries, transfers. Various talent levels.
How can you get big time QBs interested in a program refusing to recruit WRs. The gates closed for Ferentz. He piddled away attention and exposure gained from major bowls with weak follow-up recruiting classes.
I'll never understand why a coach at a major program like Iowa with its relatively strong recent history would not devote himself to make the program as strong possible. It takes talent throughout the roster, which takes recruiting effort, which can be the toughest part of coaching. And the easiest to ignore. Damn the worship factor.
Combine this with the archaic offensive mindset and Iowa is a graveyard waiting for revival. Modern offensive players want to play in contemporary offenses. 3 yards is not a turn-on. Defense is not a stimulus. Do Iowa fans watch other football games? 20 or 30yard pass/run plays are what players and fans want.
Brian destroyed our receiving depth and recruitment. We literally had guys on our roster that are currently returning kicks in the NFL for touchdowns, starting at running back for the NYG (and a backup at Iowa), and Brian had no idea how to scheme or use them. His ineptitude continues to be felt by this offense.
This is what i don’t get. How can you not be as good as the worst QB in the Big10 ??
Sullivan started for NW and while they didn’t blow up the score board he did show one stat that Iowa QBs haven’t hit since maybe 2010….>60% completion
When Cade has an accurate game it’s like 15-21 95 yards 0TD 1 INT
The talk of learning the offense is dumb. Players transfer all the time and pick up a new system. Yet at Iowa it’s assumed you need 3 years of study before you’re allowed to play.
It’s simple, Kirk doesn’t want to get proven wrong again. Cade is healthy, Cade starts until he breaks
My expectation for the offense was to crack the 100th spot this year and they are right there. We will lose a lot on the OL, Cade, Lachey, and KJ2 next year. HOPING that an extra year of the system coupled with a QB that can make the easy throws keeps us going in the right direction. We have heard for a bit now about how good the younger lineman are so we will see. Not worried about RB or TE.
Unless Iowa hires from within, I would be surprised if Lester would be retained as the new HC’s OC. It’s too bad, because I think that he is a good coordinator. However, I don’t think we are seeing all of what he can bring to the table. He is limited in what he can call because of McNamara’s immobility. I don’t think we will ever see the full measure of Lester‘s offense with McNamara as the quarterback. For that reason, I don’t think we can put much responsibility for the offense on him this year.
The answer is simple: when Kirk is gone.
Kirk hired him - the buck should stop with him.
Even after he's injured, he'll still be playing - see CJ Beathard in the bowl game.
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