**Official Albany vs. Iowa Football Thread - 5:10pm - FS1**

[Pedro]

The Albany drive in the first half where our defensive backs made their QB look like an All-American was very concerning. We're going to face much better QBs with much better receivers this season. Gronowski was bipolar, he flubbed several easy throws, missed some open targets, but then showed signs of what he's capable of on other great passes.

The list of teams in this country that could produce a 100yrd rusher against this defense is extremely short. I fear the number of teams that could produce a 100yrd receiver is much, much longer.

 

[StinkyMcFadden]

On a completely different note, did one of the announcers actually say "tuddy". If so, I'd like to shit in a bag and light it on fire on the guy's front porch.

Ok, kiddo.

Maybe take your doggos shit.

 

[douglasbader]

Very concerning!!!!!!!

 

[douglasbader]

Ok, kiddo.

Maybe take your doggos shit.

He'll do that right after he makes his sammich.

 

[StinkyMcFadden]

I hated the LB in the first half, but I think most of that was communication and confidence, not athletic ability.

Harrell is not athletic and most of what you hated was a result of that.

 

[douglasbader]

I must have watched a different game, because I saw the DB's cover and tackle well. It wasn't like any of them got burned or even close to it, quite the opposite. Albany QB / OC main completions were all thrown to the hole in the zone that Iowa was sitting in for a drive where Phil wasn't doing anything other than sitting in a standard Iowa zone.

 

[Thomas Wolsey]

Harrell is not athletic and most of what you hated was a result of that.

It could be.

 

[douglasbader]

Harrell is not athletic and most of what you hated was a result of that.

Harrell is the #1 weak spot and guessing he isn't starting by Week 4 in favor of a younger and more athletic LB.

 

[Hawk&Balls]

Lee had a nice break up the one time we sent everyone

 

[Pedro]

I must have watched a different game, because I saw the DB's cover and tackle well. It wasn't like any of them got burned or even close to it, quite the opposite. Albany QB / OC main completions were all thrown to the hole in the zone that Iowa was sitting in for a drive where Phil wasn't doing anything other than sitting in a standard Iowa zone.

The Albany QB missed several of his receivers when they were left open for big plays. Plays that could have changed the momentum of the game.

 

[Pedro]

The defense definitely got better as the game went on. I'm hoping that continues next week.

 

[CleteyColgate]

I'd like to see a QB who can sling it to our incredible stable if wide receivers. I'm guessing these guys came to Iowa thinking they could catch a pass every now and then.

 

[CamelTones]

I don’t know why they didn’t review that Graves sack. The QB clearly fumbled it. There were a couple of seconds there where their QB might have actually been dead. Spun out of a tackle only to get murdered when he looked up.

 

[Monster]

I must have watched a different game, because I saw the DB's cover and tackle well. It wasn't like any of them got burned or even close to it, quite the opposite. Albany QB / OC main completions were all thrown to the hole in the zone that Iowa was sitting in for a drive where Phil wasn't doing anything other than sitting in a standard Iowa zone.

Yeah but don't you realize the defense allowed 134 yds passing and 177 total yds???

 

[douglasbader]

The Albany QB missed several of his receivers when they were left open for big plays. Plays that could have changed the momentum of the game.

When? I must have missed those. The momentum of the game and the result were never ever in question.

 

[OlePeep]

When? I must have missed those. The momentum of the game and the result were never ever in question.

The only ones I recall were rushed throws when we were finally getting consistent pressure. They weren’t QB errors

 

[douglasbader]

Phil, as usual, wasn't even trying in the first half until the last drive. Just sitting there in base defense figuring things out and now unleashing the d-line to rush much. Then in the second half they came out and ramped up the pressure immediately and resulted in Albany having like 1 total yard of offense.

 

[RecreationalGynecologist]

I wouldn’t say they weren’t trying but just getting settled in. Iowa had some misreads defensively early on, especially on that 3rd down and short in the 1st quarter. I think (Merriweather) took the RB out of the play but Harrell ran right past the QB, who kept the ball, picking up 5 yards for the 1st down. Just little stuff like that.

There’s a lot to pick apart in the passing game but the execution on that TD pass to Wetjen on 4th and goal was promising. That’s not an easy play to make.

Love our RB depth and Xavier Williams looks really instinctive.

 

[Thanksgiving Dinner]

Washington didn't really impress me. He's alright, but he goes to the ground too easily and seems to have a lower ceiling than all the other backs who played yesterday.

 

[Thanksgiving Dinner]

Albany looked better than I expected

I thought they would make a lot more mistakes than they did

 

[L. Wade Childress]

Very concerning!!!!!!!

thank you for your attention to this matter

 

[RecreationalGynecologist]

The defense definitely got better as the game went on. I'm hoping that continues next week.

That DL looked quick and aggressive. The newcomers, Pace and Hawthorne are both quick off the ball, I was pleasantly surprised. Merriweather is going to murder a couple QBs this year. Really rangy, violent and fast.

LBs will be above average, FFS, we went 11-2 with Bo Bower and Cole Fisher (and Jewell) in 2015, and I think our current LBs are better athletically as a group.

 

[CamelTones]

That DL looked quick and aggressive. The newcomers, Pace and Hawthorne are both quick off the ball, I was pleasantly surprised. Merriweather is going to murder a couple QBs this year. Really rangy, violent and fast.

LBs will be above average, FFS, we went 11-2 with Bo Bower and Cole Fisher (and Jewell) in 2015, and I think our current LBs are better athletically as a group.

2015 was Jewell, Niemann and Fisher. Bo Bower was benched that year.

 

[RecreationalGynecologist]

Bo Bower was benched that year.

You're 100% correct

 

[Monster]

Did Hawthorne even play?

 

[CamelTones]

Did Hawthorne even play?

Yes, he played a lot.

 

[Hawk&Balls]

Yes

 

[RecreationalGynecologist]

Did Hawthorne even play?

#96, played early and often. I think we'll be ok at DT.

 

[Hawk&Balls]

In whammos defense I don't remember him recording a stat

 

[BBK]

Just to confirm, will we still be making excuses for Gronowski if he looks like shit against Iowa State?

 

[LifelongHawk]

If we win

 

[shoot-the-three]

When Iowa had the ineligible receiver penalty, guy behind me started bitching about paying our coach 3M and can’t even teach our players basic shit.

What are the odds, 70,000 seats and you end up with L. Wade sitting behind you?

 

[Revolver]

I was Kinnick Edging yesterday and I have to say, I much prefer sitting in section 126. Aside from the easy access to the pisser and concessions, not really that great IMO.

 

[CamelTones]

Just to confirm, will we still be making excuses for Gronowski if he looks like shit against Iowa State?

I will not. If he looks like that again they need to move on to Brown.

 

[Hawkeye_Pierce]

Of course.

What several dipshits in this thread obviously missed in my post is the term "a factor", as in one of several. The most obvious factor was Gronowski played terribly, he was clearly nervous, missed easy throws, had poor footwork, etc. But this was a very scaled back gameplan. Now whether that was due to Gronowski being new to the offense, or the coaching staff knowing they didn't really need to lift up their skirts against a team they were favored to beat by 40, who really knows.

I think Gronowski will be fine. But it's nice to have Brown too.

I will allow for the possibility that I’m jumping the gun in declaring Gronowski terrible. However, “new to the offense” isn’t really an excuse. It’s not like they traded for him mid-season. Even in those cases (NFL), we’ve seen guys signed on a Tuesday and starting the following Sunday. He’s had plenty of time to learn the offense. Fans have to hope it was just first game nerves.

 

[StinkyMcFadden]

I will allow for the possibility that I’m jumping the gun in declaring Gronowski terrible. However, “new to the offense” isn’t really an excuse. It’s not like they traded for him mid-season. Even in those cases (NFL), we’ve seen guys signed on a Tuesday and starting the following Sunday. He’s had plenty of time to learn the offense. Fans have to hope it was just first game nerves.

"Am I supposed to actually throw it to the open WR in this offense?"

 

[Greg Obrecht]

Gronowski missed Spring practice and had off season surgery on his shoulder. He was rusty. He’s not Cade or Spencer. All he needs to really do is be average for this to be a 8-9 win team. Iowa will be fine.

 

[Greg Obrecht]

That’s what my head is telling me.

 

[BBK]

I really like that he can run. It's amazing to have a mobile QB again.

Maybe that's all he should do

 

[Greg Obrecht]

He trucked a few dbs on Saturday

 

[Monster]

Just to confirm, will we still be making excuses for Gronowski if he looks like shit against Iowa State?

I want to go on record saying I like Hank Brown and would be in favor of him playing.

 

[Hawk&Balls]

He trucked a few dbs on Saturday

So did whoever Brant rode with

 

[Monster]

In whammos defense I don't remember him recording a stat

He didn't. I haven't seen a snap breakdown.

 

[douglasbader]

I will not. If he looks like that again they need to move on to Brown.

Bingo. If he looks like this or close to it and blows it against those clown fuckers, he can fuck right off.

 

[L. Wade Childress]

What are the odds, 70,000 seats and you end up with L. Wade sitting behind you?

I don’t say anything at games. Not even my own kids games.

 

[Monster]

Bingo. If he looks like this or close to it and blows it against those clown fuckers, he can fuck right off.

I took that position in the second half yesterday. Hank is going to be good. Give him PT.

 

[OlePeep]

He’s not Cade or Spencer.

coulda fooled me

 

[Orestes]

I don’t say anything at games. Not even my own kids games.

Is this a new ethos? Didn't you get kicked out of one your girls' softball games a couple years ago?

 

[Thomas Wolsey]

coulda fooled me

11 runs for 39 yards, including sacks.

 

[Nobody]

I'm banking on he was just nervous for whatever reason. His entire history shows he's a pretty damn good QB.

I decided to watch him during the team's entrance to Back in Black, and I'm not sure I've seen a more deer in the headlights look. Thought I either misread it or that things might get interesting, and, well....

But he did appear to settle down nicely after Albany went ahead, as others have also noted. Probably a good thing they have multiple sports psychologists available, I suppose.