Where did warp speed Wetjen go?

[Legs94]

he certainly can’t do worse than the current group of WRs.. I understand we have to have stone hands Ragaini on the field because he made a good play once, but maybe we could rotate him out a little more.

 

[Fan In Black]

Stars don’t matter, trust the coaches on reaching on recruits, unless it’s walk ons

Thank you. The spin of some posters makes me dizzy.

 

[Obviously Oblivious]

You'd assume since he's penciled in as a return specialist that his hands and his ability to catch the football are at least above average. If that's the case, then yes, please utilize him in the passing game as a deep threat to take the top off of the defense and force defenders to stop keying on the run and crowding the line of scrimmage.

 

[coorsoriginal02]

He probably wants to get the ball in his hands and make fun things happen.

We don’t need that sorta thing.

 

[Rooster51]

How do you know Kirk had anything to do with it? Levar is his position coach and would be the person to work with returners on when they fair catch. Determining how deep the kick is, the hang time, and if the gunners got free.

Kirk gave word to fair catch KOs in PSU game. This is fact.

 

[iahawkeyes17]

He’s the new Paul Cheney jr. Kickoffs and if he’s in the game only way he’s getting the ball is on an end around or reverse. But BF already played that hand vs Utah st so teams are well aware what’s happening if he’s in there.

 

[Incredible Hawk]

Guessing he fumbled a few punts in practice, was late to a workout, skipped class, or talked back.....any or all of the above....

 

[bradaf]

Bradaf I understand what your are saying, but:

He was a third string WR for Iowa? How is that possible? How does a guy who obviously had a ton of talent, not just by Purdue standards, but NFL standards, get buried at Iowa, and when we were in desperate need of skill at the WR position, like we are now. Fans, like me, are going to start to second guess the coaches and now you have this display of a passing offense.

It is frustrating to fans because we expect our coaches to be able to recruit and then develop talent, that is what they get paid A LOT of money to do. I also realize that sometimes guys just don't pan out, but here was Jones on our own team and we didn't get him on the field enough his junior year. Then he came back for spring ball to see if things had changed and they obviously didn't.

Maybe we couldn't have prevented him for leaving for Purdue but that doesn't excuse his lack of use in 2021. He went from 21 catches and 321 yards to 110 catches and 1361 yards! WOW, nearly 6 times the amount of catches and 12 times the amount of yards.

We can't afford to lose or not use, in this case, NFL wide receivers that are on our roster.

If Iowa was turning out average or above average WR's this conversation doesn't happen, but the coaches lack of production has allowed these conversations to arise and believe it or not they should be questioned and answered.

If I had an employee that rarely got used but showed glimpses of talent or even NFL potential and everyone around could see it and I let him/her go to a competitor to work and they excelled, not survived, but went to the top of the profession, increased their sales by 12 times, you don't think people would be doubting my ability at evaluating talent?

It is all water under the bridge now and you are right it is just my opinion, but to me this was such a colossal fail by our coaching staff. And I bet a few others on this board have that opinion. I have been on this board a long time and I don't post much, I know there is a lot more to life than winning, but Iowa football, for the most part, has always had tough defenses and special teams, but to not have some sort of offense, especially in the passing game is inexcusable, in my opinion.

I would say that the 2021 team had receiver talent. Laporta lead the team in receiving with 53-670-3 then Ragaini 26-231-1, Bruce 25-209-1 and 3 TDs rushing, Jones 21-323-3, Johnson 18-352-2, Tracy 15-106-1 and running back Goodson 31-247-1.

Two of the players were true freshman and appeared to have very bright futures. Then Purdue thought enough of two other players to give them scholarships.

I thought Bruce and Johnson would have stellar careers at Iowa after the promise they showed as freshman and of course they both got scholarships in the Big 12 after 2022.

 

[MeetTheFerentzes]

He's busy preparing to make the jump to ludicrous speed.

 

[CatCoach]

I would say that the 2021 team had receiver talent. Laporta lead the team in receiving with 53-670-3 then Ragaini 26-231-1, Bruce 25-209-1 and 3 TDs rushing, Jones 21-323-3, Johnson 18-352-2, Tracy 15-106-1 and running back Goodson 31-247-1.

Two of the players were true freshman and appeared to have very bright futures. Then Purdue thought enough of two other players to give them scholarships.

I thought Bruce and Johnson would have stellar careers at Iowa after the promise they showed as freshman and of course they both got scholarships in the Big 12 after 2022.

That's part of my frustration. I feel like the whole offensive team was mismanaged: everyone was mad that Ragaini was getting the most touches, Johnson was always in the dog house/hurt, Tracy showed burst of talent, Bruce was throwing/betting games, the whole Goodson family was unhappy, and then there was Charlie third string and he is now in the NFL.

I know coaches can't control injury's, gambling, frustration and dropped balls, but Brian Ferentz has zero margin for error with is contract and the general overall apathy of this years offense is growing.
2021 was the start, in my opinion, of where Brian lost trust of the fan base to "Coordinate" a respectable, not even good, but respectable offense.

Much like our QB, OL and WR development, the whole offense has been trending downward for at least 3 years.

 

[HawkMachine]

He played 4 snaps in a game this year.

Got the ball 3 of the times.

It was so freaking obvious.

Duh Brian, duh.

 

[bansheexyz]

Bump my old thread from last year. First Wetjen sighting at receiver confirmed (finally). Easy separation, great hands, turned upfield quickly. Should absolutely be starting there.

 

[Bierhalter]

Bump my old thread from last year. First Wetjen sighting at receiver confirmed (finally). Easy separation, great hands, turned upfield quickly. Should absolutely be starting there.

Those great hands muffed a punt. Think he tries a little too hard to make something happen on punt returns. I happen to believe there are reasons he hasn't broken into a spot at 2nd or even 3rd receiver since he's been here.

 

[bansheexyz]

Those great hands muffed a punt. Think he tries a little too hard to make something happen on punt returns. I happen to believe there are reasons he hasn't broken into a spot at 2nd or even 3rd receiver since he's been here.

meh, not worried. Every player makes mistakes. That was a tantalizing ball to grab off a high bounce.