en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/618634 Comments by cmhawks99 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/blogs/on-iowa/2010/09/12/the-last-call-the-long-ball#IDComment98448962 Coming back too Arizona they have a surprisingly similar O to ISU. A very heavy and somewhat immobile O-line (I wathced them and they are very "thick" ) with small quick backs and a short passing game that isn't very effective down the field. Too their credit they are much quicker on D, but also fairly light, and as was said still pretty green. The key for us as always is, will we be ready? So far so good. Chad Mon, 13 Sep 2010 00:42:32 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/blogs/on-iowa/2010/09/12/the-last-call-the-long-ball#IDComment98448962 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/blogs/on-iowa/2010/09/12/the-last-call-the-long-ball#IDComment98447400 A couple quick things before I pack it in for another week. I sweated this ISU game, but it played out how I "thought" it could, and as was said above Zona has a similar offense. To me the spread is already passé. You can not toss 3 & 5 yard dumps down the field all day long versus teams like Iowa. Teams that can run, hit and cover. The key is having Kellen Lewis, Antwan Randle El, Troy smith, Vince Young as your QB. Guys who are electric athletes who are also very efficient passing QB.s Denard Robinson will not prove too be that when he plays a decent defense. Don't get me wrong he is fun to watch and he'll win them some games, but he is too short to throw those sidearm passes very effectively vs the Iowa's & OSU's of the world. They'll eventually need more than him. I watched the highlights' of that ND game. Holy out of position batman. Not too mention they are still quite limited athletically on that side of the ball. Chad Mon, 13 Sep 2010 00:28:25 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/blogs/on-iowa/2010/09/12/the-last-call-the-long-ball#IDComment98447400 http://gazetteonline.com/blogs/on-iowa/2010/08/29/hawkeyes-2010-5-reasons-why#IDComment95899998 Yes that leadership thing is paramount. At my place of business as well. It is easy to say now, but I honestly thought we got off track clear back in 2005! Ironically enough that's when I first began to be anti-message board. I'm typically pretty Pro-KF and encourage all to be far-sighted & fair about their evaluations & critiques. With that said I was very disgusted by those UM & NW losses that year. That was a disappointing season in my mind. That leaped frogged (only worse) to 2006 and 2007 was the result off those attitude, off-field/chemistry related defections. This team does seem to be a lot stronger as a whole and the entirety of the program really. Here is too a good season. I'll check in a little as the season goes. C-ya and Go Hawks! Chad Mon, 30 Aug 2010 04:29:09 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/blogs/on-iowa/2010/08/29/hawkeyes-2010-5-reasons-why#IDComment95899998 http://gazetteonline.com/blogs/on-iowa/2010/08/29/hawkeyes-2010-5-reasons-why#IDComment95869771 Something else of note. Gerry Dinardo said on BTN, everyone plays better when nothing is expected of them and he is dead on. Its the nature of the beast. To consistently be the best you have to learn to play with expectations. Honestly Iowa should have been higher thought of coming in last year, but 2006 & 2007 still lingered in peoples minds. Honestly as I've mentioned before if Texas, OU, USC etc, returned most all of their D, along with experienced depth. All their wide outs and Rbers and a QB who is 18-4 they'd all be unanimous number 1's!! So in all actuality we are likely still under ranked. Besides the fact that many a team has failed to live up to expectation and many have. Stop and look at Kansas, Syracuse, Arizona, (Iowa and Mizzou to a lesser degree). If you followed college b-ball like I used to you'll note those teams had a reputation for flaming out early in the tournament in any given year. Buuuttt they also had the capability of turning it on and winning it all. Sometimes it just is what it is. Luck of the draw, the bouncing ball and making the most of your opportunities have more to do with our successes than anything. Life is very similar. Chad Sun, 29 Aug 2010 23:22:23 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/blogs/on-iowa/2010/08/29/hawkeyes-2010-5-reasons-why#IDComment95869771 http://gazetteonline.com/blogs/on-iowa/2010/08/29/hawkeyes-2010-5-reasons-why#IDComment95849882 Thanks Marc, I've been looking for reasons why this season is different. One thing I've realized about human nature is we all have history that we reflect back on to gauge our future and honestly one is independent of the other. History is of course important, if for no other season than to do things different or better. But past mistakes don't guarantee future failures or vice versa. Already in Kirk's tenure we have reversed a lot of trends. We have won games while losing in the fist half and lost games we were winning. At one time we never lost while leading in the 4th quarter and then that went away. Last year however we proved we can go into the 4th quarter losing and still win. At times we couldn't win a close game and at times we couldn't lose. The one constant has been even in our difficult seasons we have mostly been in the game always. If you look back over the last 10 years there have been very, very few 10 point plus losses. With an experienced, deep, talented roster I like our chances in close games. Chad Sun, 29 Aug 2010 20:12:04 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/blogs/on-iowa/2010/08/29/hawkeyes-2010-5-reasons-why#IDComment95849882 http://gazetteonline.com/blogs/on-iowa/2010/08/27/your-eastern-illinois-two-deeps#IDComment95779860 One other thing, man does it seem like a lot of top shelf teams have had some social unrest and major injuries already this year. Is it just me or is it more outlandish than normal? Maybe its just more reported I don't know?! Chad Sun, 29 Aug 2010 05:41:43 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/blogs/on-iowa/2010/08/27/your-eastern-illinois-two-deeps#IDComment95779860 http://gazetteonline.com/blogs/on-iowa/2010/08/27/your-eastern-illinois-two-deeps#IDComment95779690 One thing I keep thinking about is how lucky Iowa is that they don't play Illinois or Purdue this year. I don't necessarily think they'll be great, but they do have some athletes and they are exactly the kind of teams that have snuck up and beat very good Iowa teams in the past especially PU, I think they'll upset some people. Illinois for what its worth sounds like they are having a tough camp injury wise. I'm really intrigued by ISU, I honestly think they'll take a big step back this year, starting with Northern Illinois. I'm glad we don't have to play the Huskies. Chad Sun, 29 Aug 2010 05:39:03 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/blogs/on-iowa/2010/08/27/your-eastern-illinois-two-deeps#IDComment95779690 http://gazetteonline.com/blogs/on-iowa/2010/08/27/your-eastern-illinois-two-deeps#IDComment95699063 I’ve sworn of message board reading for the season. Current company excluded of course…LOL. But I have to assume if it’s not a break Gettis will be able to play. An ankle sprain on an O-linemen isn’t quite as devastating as it would be on say a skill player or a Lber/DE. Heavy tape and I’d think he could still play at a pretty decent level. As far as that goes, continuity is my biggest concern there as I think we have a couple other guys who can play OG at a high level. The meshing is the key. Prater I have to think is cautionary, but all the same I think we have as many as 5-DB’s that are as good as most CB’s we have had in the past. I even think B J Lowery could play if needed, he reminds me of Hyde a ton. Chad Sat, 28 Aug 2010 16:47:43 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/blogs/on-iowa/2010/08/27/your-eastern-illinois-two-deeps#IDComment95699063 http://gazetteonline.com/blogs/on-iowa/2010/08/20/ferentz-on-petros-money-wegher-remains-absent#IDComment94686099 One last thing I've been thinking (can u tell I'm over thinking this season...LOL) I really don't care if Iowa wins the NC. Don't get me wrong it would be excellent, and I think good for college football. But it is my hope and belief that Iowa is at the point where they really shouldn't win less than 9 games hardly ever. And I think 10-plus is a realistic goal every year. From my vantage point, their amount of NFL alumni, staff continuity and recruiting evaluation suggests that should be the norm. Keep in mind Miami and FSU weren't what they are now until the early 80's and late 80's for FSU. Bobby Bowden in particular still struggled mightily to win a NC until what 1999?! My worry isn't that we miss our NC shot, but that we drop the ball and lose 4 or 5 games. This is a 10 plus win team and program really. As USC can attest, past that you really need to get pretty lucky to when all of them. I just want Iowa to be in that club that pretty much always wins 9 or 10 and people remember. I think we are close, but it takes more than just talent, it takes an attitude, and some fear on the part of other teams. Chad Sun, 22 Aug 2010 15:20:35 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/blogs/on-iowa/2010/08/20/ferentz-on-petros-money-wegher-remains-absent#IDComment94686099 http://gazetteonline.com/blogs/on-iowa/2010/08/20/ferentz-on-petros-money-wegher-remains-absent#IDComment94600912 Here is something else that is only now occurring to me. Way too much has been made of Stanzi’s INT’s. The problem is 4 were pick-6’s and that “is” bad for sure. But he threw 5 INT’s vs IU alone, in a game we won?!?! In the other 10 games he threw 10. Not great but certainly not heinous. They certainly weren’t game changers, obviously. The point being there were a lot of good QB’s who threw 13, 14 or 15 INT’s. Now it’s worth being said, many threw the ball more than we do, but still. In all honesty, with what Iowa is returning you’d have thought we could have been ranked higher. Now I’m not saying they should have been, but seriously, If our name was USC or OU and we returned exactly what we do, where do we get ranked? Chad Sat, 21 Aug 2010 22:33:40 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/blogs/on-iowa/2010/08/20/ferentz-on-petros-money-wegher-remains-absent#IDComment94600912 http://gazetteonline.com/blogs/on-iowa/2010/08/20/ferentz-on-petros-money-wegher-remains-absent#IDComment94575314 As for AZ, Stoops is a defensive guy, but they got absolute lit up at times last year, and quite frankly they only return 4 guys and they won’t be better on that side of the ball. Really for Iowa things have actually been very good. Although we are getting publicity it’s not like we are a no-brainer pick and honestly if it was Bama, or Florida, or Texas returning the amount of players that we are, everyone in the country who has a voice would be screaming NC. We have made it through camp pretty good and we have more overall talent than ever. Our O-line, though new isn’t inexperienced and they have some continuity for a change. Things are in place, now can we walk the line? Time will tell. Chad Sat, 21 Aug 2010 18:37:19 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/blogs/on-iowa/2010/08/20/ferentz-on-petros-money-wegher-remains-absent#IDComment94575314 http://gazetteonline.com/blogs/on-iowa/2010/08/20/ferentz-on-petros-money-wegher-remains-absent#IDComment94574575 In addition to the above that is currently being reviewed…LOL….I have really thought about our opponents. First lets all agree Iowa could lose to any 1 or 2 or 5 teams they play this year. That’s how football works. Sadly more talented teams than Iowa have stumbled to 4 and 5 loss seasons. But as I have said before most if not all of Iowa’s opponents, especially early on, are in some form of defensive repair on the DL in particularly. Furthermore like most I really sweat playing ISU, but did you know they only played 5 teams that went to a bowl game last year, not counting Minnesota. In fact counting Minne they only played 4 teams with a winning record at season end. They did beat NU, (good win by them), but the other 5 teams had a combined record of 21 and 29. The 6 teams they lost to outscored them 104 to 203 & I honestly think they are going to struggle to win 2 games this year. They won’t sneak up on anyone (us included thank goodness) and although I like their staff, I didn’t realize how soft that schedule last year really was. I now see a tough year for them. Chad Sat, 21 Aug 2010 18:30:24 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/blogs/on-iowa/2010/08/20/ferentz-on-petros-money-wegher-remains-absent#IDComment94574575 http://gazetteonline.com/blogs/on-iowa/2010/08/20/ferentz-on-petros-money-wegher-remains-absent#IDComment94572018 As I’m sure many of you are, I’m very excited yet nervous for the season to start. Here are some things I’ve pondered. First it would be quite a shame if this team stumbled. They seem to have the attitude, character, and desire you hope your favorite team has. Per their photos, they are really going at it. Those Friday night scrimmage shots were brutal, with people upside down and really hammering each other. Also, though some may not agree with this, I honestly think they have as many as 16 or 17 kids on the defensive 2-deeps alone that will find themselves in NFL camps in the next 2 or 3 years. I know that seems like a lot, but I follow college football as close as anyone and this Iowa team has loads of talent on D in particular. Chad Sat, 21 Aug 2010 18:07:18 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/blogs/on-iowa/2010/08/20/ferentz-on-petros-money-wegher-remains-absent#IDComment94572018 http://gazetteonline.com/blogs/on-iowa/2010/08/20/ferentz-on-petros-money-wegher-remains-absent#IDComment94570262 Marc, I sold a car to someone from northwest Iowa this week, and he gave me some inisght here. That coupled with KF's comments about his heart not being in it have me wondering. If you get a chance you might email me at mcclearys@aol.com Chad Sat, 21 Aug 2010 17:51:14 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/blogs/on-iowa/2010/08/20/ferentz-on-petros-money-wegher-remains-absent#IDComment94570262 http://gazetteonline.com/blogs/on-iowa/2010/08/14/ferentz-long-form-on-wegher-prater-and-other-topics#IDComment93169933 This is “the” team. I just sense they are really ready. As I’ve said many times, this team has lots of talent and my concerns are focus and effort related. On that front they have done the work, and have the right attitude. As others have said, they have more DB’s than ever. They have some Lbers, with some impressive youth coming in. They have backup D-linemen. They have Rber s and WR’s The O-line is athletic and coming. I honestly don’t think I could pick out an Iowa team that I ever remember with this much overall depth and top line talent. Chad Sat, 14 Aug 2010 22:35:15 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/blogs/on-iowa/2010/08/14/ferentz-long-form-on-wegher-prater-and-other-topics#IDComment93169933 http://gazetteonline.com/blogs/on-iowa/2010/08/14/mcnutt-sends-prayers-out-to-wegher#IDComment93165339 Another good dude on a team full off them. These guys march in step like a team of very dedicated players who know what is expected of them and what it takes to win. Chad Sat, 14 Aug 2010 21:51:09 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/blogs/on-iowa/2010/08/14/mcnutt-sends-prayers-out-to-wegher#IDComment93165339 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/blogs/on-iowa/2010/08/14/stanzi-on-wegher-situation#IDComment93164443 That is one no nonsense cat. He says it clearly & he is reeeaaadddyyy. I love this team, and they speak more in unison than any Iowa team I remember. Chad Sat, 14 Aug 2010 21:45:05 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/blogs/on-iowa/2010/08/14/stanzi-on-wegher-situation#IDComment93164443 http://gazetteonline.com/sports/2010/08/13/no-wegher-but-plenty-to-see-today#IDComment93138481 Yeah it's pretty tired, We have a very well regarded football program with the 16th best winning percentage in the country since 2001. We are one of only 6 universities to turn a net athletic department profit for 5 years straight and that is only off the strength of the football program. KF doesn’t deserve much critique. Chad Sat, 14 Aug 2010 18:24:06 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/sports/2010/08/13/no-wegher-but-plenty-to-see-today#IDComment93138481 http://gazetteonline.com/sports/2010/08/13/no-wegher-but-plenty-to-see-today#IDComment93137852 Incidentally if we are looking towards our football coaches as roll models for our state we are really missing the mark. Furthermore he has 100 plus kids too handle here basically. Our opinion means very little truth be told. Chad Sat, 14 Aug 2010 18:19:09 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/sports/2010/08/13/no-wegher-but-plenty-to-see-today#IDComment93137852 http://gazetteonline.com/sports/2010/08/13/no-wegher-but-plenty-to-see-today#IDComment93137340 You nailed it brother Pride, Some of the stuff that people think they have a right to amazes me. Or more importantly what they think is “helpful” is earth shattering. It’s why I stay off message bards as a general rule. Most are very unaware of what is or isn’t constructive criticism. Chad Sat, 14 Aug 2010 18:14:53 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/sports/2010/08/13/no-wegher-but-plenty-to-see-today#IDComment93137340