2013 Iowa Football Positivity Thread

[BBK]

What's with all the Negative Nancys around here? There's all kinds of things to be positive about heading into next season. You guys need to pep up and realize that last season was just an outlier, and that ol' Kirk and Greg Davis will have this thing turned around in no time this year.

Things to be positive about:

QB should be better (couldn't be any worse)
RBs should be as good if not better
OL should be very good
TEs should be better
Should have 3 senior starters at LB
DL should be as good if not better
We've had some coaching turnover which is probably a good thing.

See, there's all kinds of things to be excited about heading into this season. I'm sick and tired of the negative tone around here. Where's the excitement and enthusiasm?

[JayHawki]

Tevaun Smith will interesting, imo. I think he's capable of being a real threat, as long as the QB is competent

[AZmess]

Turning over a new leaf, BBK?

[douglasbader]

I know this is a joke thread, but if Iowa is healthy they will be much better than last year.

[Lime]

if healthy, the OL should be pretty good. RBs will probably continue to rotate between deaths and double homicides. if the two guys don't get hurt vs PSU (too lazy to remember who), I think Iowa probably beats Purdue and Indiana.

[RecreationalGynecologist]

I like the idea of Iowa starting over with a more experienced OL

More options at RB (if healthy) with a guy like Weisman who can get the tough yards and wear down a defense with more shifty and traditional RBs like Malloy, Hill, etc in the stable

Bullock could be a dual threat RB..a guy who can fit in the WC offense very well and catch balls out of the backfield..He and Weisman would be an interesting combo if both were in the game.

The DL will be another year stronger and more mature..I thought the DL improved greatly last year...the LB corps will be better too and I think the DBs will be stellar and hopefully safety play will be improved.. Blown coverages and poor communication hurt last year

[douglasbader]

I am also very encouraged by the staff changing in that at the very least it should make everything an open competition at most positions.

As long as Phil Parker or Ferentz isn't dictating to the new position coaches who should start, it will be great to have a fresh start to seeing who plays.

[Kotz]

I'll recap what I posted in "The Rebuild" thread. I'm optimistic about the offense.

The offense might actually be decent pending the QB play. An above average OL and suitable options at RB (AIRBHG thirst pending). WR will be a step down in talent with Keenan gone, but there will be no drop off with him gone as WRs were not much of a factor this year due to a combination of poor play calling, poor blocking, poor QB play, and bad timing (among other things) which never really found a groove. Basically, they won't have the potential of last year's group, but last year's production can't be worse (a la the QB position). The TEs will be another year better, and it seems the last few games Greg Davis seems to have finally started to game plan for them, and used them better the last few weeks of the season. He really tried to go to CJ and I think it was the only part of the passing game that paid off. I'm optimistic he'll carry that strategy into next year.

As I said though, so much will depend on the QB -- whether that's Sokol or Rudock or whoever. The way this offense works accurate throws delivered on time are a necessity. 4 ypc is enough to move the chains, but we have to complete the passes. Efficiency on 1st down is huge in this offense, and if the run isn't clicking we need a QB who can do well in the short game. Whoever our QB is next year, I hope he knows he doesn't need to move mountains, he just needs to move the chains.


Obligatory negativity (sorry, OP):

The D-Line is going to be awful unless they can find some with pass rush ability, or at minimum someone who commands a double team to free up the LBs in the run. If we can't control the line better we're still in trouble -- blitzing LBs means putting pressure on an average secondary unit, while playing zone relies on a sub-par DL and places pressure on an above-average LB unit which isn't quick enough to play coverage that long while being able to contain the QB.

In my view, the D is going to be about the same as this year unless someone on that line makes progress. If we can get one guy to be a stud, it'll be amazing how much the overall Defensive unit improves. One guy will make a world of difference. Our LBs are the strong point, but the way they were forced to play last year had them stuck between a rock and a hard place most of the time. The corners should be decent, and the much maligned safety play will be better than a lot of people expect, but that's mostly because everyone is so down on Tanner Miller that it will impossible for them NOT to be better than expected.

Other highlights? The (place) kicking game. Meyer should be back and another year better. The punting can't get a ton worse, so we can be optimistic there. Hopefully the non-kicking ST play will be better, but that remains to be seen based on who we bring in to coach it and the kind of philosophy he brings to the position.

[bigazzturkeylegs]

Iowa will be one year closer to being able to afford KF's buyout.

[Bob]

Our uniforms are still very nice

[AZmess]

Originally Posted by bigazzturkeylegs

Iowa will be one year closer to being able to afford KF's buyout.

They can afford it now.

[CUIHAWK]

Originally Posted by AZmess

They can afford it now.

Then why doesn't Barta do something about it?

[Shawneemicks]

Originally Posted by CUIHAWk

Then why doesn't Barta do something about it?

That's MY line!

[AZmess]

you guys!!

[hawkeyealum]

Originally Posted by JayHawki

Tevaun Smith will interesting, imo. I think he's capable of being a real threat, as long as the QB is competent

I agree with this.

[FrodoTBaggin]

Originally Posted by douglasbader

i am also very encouraged by the staff changing in that at the very least it should make everything an open competition at most positions.

As long as phil parker or ferentz isn't dictating to the new position coaches who should start, it will be great to have a fresh start to seeing who plays.

+1,000,000

[Revolver Ocelot]

Originally Posted by hawkeyealum

I agree with this.

Absolutely.

[Gushawk]

I'm excited about the potential for the running game to be quasi-dominant against average or worse defenses.

I'm excited to about the young interior DL, and look forward to them being more disruptive than last season. If they improve significantly over last year, the back 7 is solid enough for this to be an above average defense (even moreso if the physically and mentally overmatched Miller is relegated to the pine).

I'm excited for Jordan Cotton to have a full year as our primary KR, and for Mike Meyer to get a chance to win a couple games late.

[Kotz]

Originally Posted by Gushawk

I'm excited about the potential for the running game to be quasi-dominant against average or worse defenses.

I'm excited to about the young interior DL, and look forward to them being more disruptive than last season. If they improve significantly over last year, the back 7 is solid enough for this to be an above average defense (even moreso if the physically and mentally overmatched Miller is relegated to the pine).

I'm excited for Jordan Cotton to have a full year as our primary KR, and for Mike Meyer to get a chance to win a couple games late.

I hope he doesn't have to (in a good way), but I have a lot of faith in him if ever such an occasion should arise.

[atemp]

I'm glad Darrell Wilson is gone. He may be o.k. at recruiting and whether I'm right or not, I still blame him for the countless special teams debacles year after year. Wisconsin fake punt, Northwestern onside kick, crappy kick coverage, etc.

The performance of the Iowa secondary at Michigan was the biggest joke I've seen in a long time at Iowa. It's one thing if you're getting beat because of speed or size, it's a whole other situation when you have blown coverage after blown coverage all game long in the later part of the season.

I also think Iowa should have a good offensive line and kicking game. I think the defense won't be very good so that hurts Iowa's template to win - but save that for the negativity thread.

[Gushawk]

I think if the DL is noticeably improved, the D will be stout. Big "if", but not completely unrealistic to hope for.

[roseboundhawk]

I see no reason to assume the QB play will be better.

[ChipHilton]

Originally Posted by atemp

I'm glad Darrell Wilson is gone. He may be o.k. at recruiting and whether I'm right or not, I still blame him for the countless special teams debacles year after year. Wisconsin fake punt, Northwestern onside kick, crappy kick coverage, etc.

The performance of the Iowa secondary at Michigan was the biggest joke I've seen in a long time at Iowa. It's one thing if you're getting beat because of speed or size, it's a whole other situation when you have blown coverage after blown coverage all game long in the later part of the season.

I also think Iowa should have a good offensive line and kicking game. I think the defense won't be very good so that hurts Iowa's template to win - but save that for the negativity thread.

Wilson- Gone!
Erb- Gone!
Kaz- Gone!
Campbell- Gone!

I like.

[douglasbader]

The one somewhat shitty thing is that Parker is the DB coach again. It means you will almost certainly see Tanner Miller starting.

[MikeyJoe]

Originally Posted by douglasbader

The one somewhat shitty thing is that Parker is the DB coach again. It means you will almost certainly see Tanner Miller starting.

Didn't Wilson have DBs last year?

[douglasbader]

Originally Posted by MikeyJoe

Didn't Wilson have DBs last year?

Didn't Parker have them the year before that? You are misinterpreting my use of "again".

[Gushawk]

Tanner Miller: 3 year starter.

[Alan Lomax]

Originally Posted by Gushawk

Tanner Miller: 3 year starter.

Tanner Miller wasn't that bad two years ago. Last year was a fucking debacle though.

[Gushawk]

Originally Posted by Alan Lomax

Tanner Miller wasn't that bad two years ago. Last year was a fucking debacle though.

He does seem to be regressing...I thought he looked more physical as a freshman in the Coker insight bowl than he has since

[AZmess]

Yep. Regressing. Lol.

[nolookpass]

I'm positive Iowa wont utilize their 6'7 TE when in the red zone.

and btw, heres something for you "CJ isnt that good" morons to chew on..

http://cfn.scout.com/2/1258141.html

[Kotz]

Originally Posted by nolookpass

I'm positive Iowa wont utilize their 6'7 TE when in the red zone.

and btw, heres something for you "CJ isnt that good" morons to chew on..

http://cfn.scout.com/2/1258141.html

I have a lot of confidence that CJ (and TEs in general) will be used a lot more this year. GD seemed to figure out towards the end of last year that they can actually do some good things. It certainly seemed like they there schemed in a little more, and I imagine that carries on into next year.

[Gushawk]

GD talked a fair amount last offseason about how he'd never had TEs like this, was going to make them an integral part of the offense, blah, blah, blah. I'll believe he can scheme to his roster's strengths when I see it. I'm sure we'll hear it. Again.

[AZmess]

Lol poor Gus.

[L. Wade Childress]

Originally Posted by Gushawk

GD talked a fair amount last offseason about how he'd never had TEs like this, was going to make them an integral part of the offense, blah, blah, blah. I'll believe he can scheme to his roster's strengths when I see it. I'm sure we'll hear it. Again.

Positivity mother fucker!!!!!

[Kotz]

Originally Posted by Gushawk

GD talked a fair amount last offseason about how he'd never had TEs like this, was going to make them an integral part of the offense, blah, blah, blah. I'll believe he can scheme to his roster's strengths when I see it. I'm sure we'll hear it. Again.

He sure did. Which is why it was infuriating when it didn't happen. But by the end of the year there were a lot of plays to the TE. Unless Vandy magically started finding them, I'm guessing it was schemed that way. I'm hoping (that being the operative word) that it's something that will be carried into this season, especially with a young QB.

This is the positivity thread. It's borderline whether or not you belong in here at all, Gusford.

[Gushawk]

Oops.

Chris White seems like a good ... even somewhat bold ... pick!

I love Jim Reid's accent and delivery!

[Whatever]

Originally Posted by nolookpass

I'm positive Iowa wont utilize their 6'7 TE when in the red zone.

and btw, heres something for you "CJ isnt that good" morons to chew on..

http://cfn.scout.com/2/1258141.html

I'm suprised at Blythe's ranking. According to that, Iowa will have 3 guys in the top 15 at their position on offense next year.

[Gushawk]

Blythe seems to be getting a ton of love and accolades relative to his actual level of play, IMO. I think he can be really good, just not sure he's really shown much to this point

[Alan Lomax]

Originally Posted by Kotz

He sure did. Which is why it was infuriating when it didn't happen. But by the end of the year there were a lot of plays to the TE. Unless Vandy magically started finding them, I'm guessing it was schemed that way. I'm hoping (that being the operative word) that it's something that will be carried into this season, especially with a young QB.

This is the positivity thread. It's borderline whether or not you belong in here at all, Gusford.

He had 45 catches so targeted plenty. I can see issues with routes and lack of red zone usage, but the latter I blame on Vandy for being so terrible before the snap. So on the positive Vandy won't be so fucking terrible before the snap.

[HawkLax6]

CJF was targeted 4.8 times per game in the first 10 games of the year and 8.5 over the last two games.

[CamelTones]

I really like the young talent on the team, guys like Flemming, Lomax, Lile, Johnson, Ekakatie, Beathard, Smith, Cooper etc. I don't think a lot of people truly understand just how horrible the 08' and 09' classes were. It appears Iowa is being a lot more aggressive with their recruiting now and they are really hammering the Dallas and Houston areas.

[Kamala]

Nobody has been arrested, and it's almost March!

[Vepr]

We have not seen the spring game so we can keep pretending there is hope.

[Fair and Balanced]

Originally Posted by nolookpass

I'm positive Iowa wont utilize their 6'7 TE when in the red zone.

and btw, heres something for you "CJ isnt that good" morons to chew on..

http://cfn.scout.com/2/1258141.html

Maybe he'll break a tackle this year.

[Uff Da]

Since basketball is likely done again, time to get fired up for football.

If Scherff is back and cj becomes a force, maybe the running game can carry the team.

If the d line could become somewhat domiate again, that would solve a number of problems.

[roseboundhawk]

Is it next basketball season yet

[PipeDaddy]

Originally Posted by Gushawk

I'm excited about the potential for the running game to be quasi-dominant against average or worse defenses.

This line makes me laugh every time I open this thread.

[Gushawk]

Originally Posted by PipeDaddy

This line makes me laugh every time I open this thread.

And some don't think I'm trying hard enough to be positive.

[Southsidehawk]

I'm positive there will be a degree of suckage. Although, I sat through 0-11 Lauterbur in the 70s, I will be there to see what this crew of monrons are doing.