en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/622706 Comments by enatlanta http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/blogs/on-iowa/2010/09/15/steel-sharpens-steel#IDComment98998620 I think back in the day, Ferentz and Mac had to 'sneak' in work with the 1s v 1s on the O and D lines as Hayden Fry didn't want to lose any depth in practice. Bad enough on Saturdays and all. The compelling thing about this DL group is it's pretty salty having to take on the 2s. In watching some of the early season games of other programs (mostly good ones, too) it's remarkable how the DL (especially Klug and Daniel) play so low. There's no standing up and the physics of a lower center of gravity means harder to move - not to mention faster forward. IF the Iowa OL can be effective against that technique - the rest sort of sorts out. Wed, 15 Sep 2010 19:49:30 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/blogs/on-iowa/2010/09/15/steel-sharpens-steel#IDComment98998620 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/blogs/on-iowa/2010/09/14/tuesday-talk-arizona#IDComment98815196 Stoops#41 was Strong Safety -- Devon Mitchell #21 was Free Safety. I believe Keith Hunter - maybe Kenny Sims?- was one corner and Nate Creer (father of Illinois QB Nathan Scheelhause (spelling help) was the other corner. Jay Norvell (I believe he's currently the QB coach for Bob Stoops at OU) was the guy who followed Mike Stoops and wore #41. Wed, 15 Sep 2010 02:17:08 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/blogs/on-iowa/2010/09/14/tuesday-talk-arizona#IDComment98815196 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/blogs/on-iowa/2010/09/13/true-test-in-tucson#IDComment98584066 Stoops understands Iowa Football 100% when he says, “I think we had something close to 50 plays. You can’t do that and expect to beat them." Iowa has 2.5 great defenses. One is a ball control offense, one is the defense that has a top5 front seven and the point5 is a punter who will bury it between the 20 and the 3 about 85% of the time. The Arizona 3-4 will present the first serious blitz pickups and multiple defensive front assignments for the Hawkeyes to work out. Also, the Iowa kick coverage has every reason and need to improve as Arizona springs yardage with their guy back there. One thing about 'manning up' to play a physical opponent, though, if it's not something you do every day -- it's a jump to go from tough in theory to punch in the nose reality. You can strategize to 'contain' an opponent's speed but it's another thing to defeat force. Mon, 13 Sep 2010 19:27:56 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/blogs/on-iowa/2010/09/13/true-test-in-tucson#IDComment98584066 http://gazetteonline.com/blogs/on-iowa/2010/09/09/the-big-analysis-iowa-state-2#IDComment97817007 I don't know if Iowa's offense is under-rated but I'm sure Iowa State will attempt to attack Iowa up the middle. Iowa's success is going to be spelled GCG - if they hold up it's a good day. If they put in a top performance we won't be worrying about FGs because there will be plenty of PATs. Speaking of kickers, though... Mossbrucker is a work in progress, for sure, according to Ferentz. So, enough said. However, I'm going from memory here but I would guess he has about 40 kicks in his career between PAT and FG. The kid was a gritty QB in high school. He may have limited range - I don't think he'll drill many 50 yarders. I thought he had a 3 FG day somewhere in the B10 - maybe at Michigan State? Thu, 9 Sep 2010 15:04:26 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/blogs/on-iowa/2010/09/09/the-big-analysis-iowa-state-2#IDComment97817007 http://gazetteonline.com/blogs/on-iowa/2010/09/01/big-ten-to-announce-divisions-tonight#IDComment96470319 If you're going to have a network and you're going to make news - it makes sense to make the news on your network. With a 90 minute time slot - I'm wondering if they will really go big and have an interactive element to it with B10 audience able to respond/question the B10 'deciders'? That would be newsy. Also, I assume most of us regard this as a football thing. Won't the divisions have some significance for Basketball? I don't really care how things get split - I'm certain the border rivals will be on the schedule- but I do think it's rather important for recruiting purposes that Iowa maintain links to our friends in the east coast bias (PA, NJ, MA, MD.) TV coverage is one thing-- getting out there and in front of people is critical, too. Wed, 1 Sep 2010 19:47:10 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/blogs/on-iowa/2010/09/01/big-ten-to-announce-divisions-tonight#IDComment96470319 http://gazetteonline.com/blogs/on-iowa/2010/08/27/your-eastern-illinois-two-deeps#IDComment95563186 These items caught my eye. 1) Perhaps it's the ambiguity of the depth chart but it looks like Tobin has 'made a move.' 2) Lance Tillison is a junior? Thought he was a senior. 3) Bernstein at #2 CB behind Hyde instead of getting the start at the other corner (a guess is this is partially related to his situation downtown.) Impressed that Ballard is going to start at both DT and DE. Beefy! And the lamest thing I may ever post here... but Alvis' #79 seems like an odd number for a DE. Fri, 27 Aug 2010 18:38:00 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/blogs/on-iowa/2010/08/27/your-eastern-illinois-two-deeps#IDComment95563186 http://gazetteonline.com/blogs/on-iowa/2010/08/26/roster-update#IDComment95473035 Knowing nothing about Gray but... I would imagine leaving prior to starting classes has to do with preserving options in terms of eligibility. Last year, this happened with the TE from the east coast. It has to be frustrating however it does seem like it's much more often than not a guy leaves upon arriving. I can't get too bent on any of these guys making their decisions. In some ways, it's a refreshing reminder these guys really are kids. Fri, 27 Aug 2010 03:05:03 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/blogs/on-iowa/2010/08/26/roster-update#IDComment95473035 http://gazetteonline.com/blogs/docs-office/2010/08/26/analyzing-iowas-mens-basketball-schedule#IDComment95413032 Reading the analysis and the best one can do is throw out, with great intention and vigor, all references to Iowa basketball outcomes. We might as well have been traveling with the Globetrotters. What's most interesting to me is how that opening game in B10 play versus Illinois will play out in the stands. Will Illinois fans have to contact the ICPD to register another 'house party?' One would think that ticket, in particular, should go heavily black and gold. Thu, 26 Aug 2010 20:31:00 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/blogs/docs-office/2010/08/26/analyzing-iowas-mens-basketball-schedule#IDComment95413032 http://gazetteonline.com/blogs/on-iowa/2010/08/26/big-tens-clemenza-speaks#IDComment95384509 Here's the thing. No matter what they say the future isn't 25 or, even, 10 years anymore. No offense to Jon Miller but anxiety over the divisions just doesn't take you anywhere. The news that only 14 FBS schools are operating in the financial black indicates there's much to change. Most, probably, sooner than later. Most likely, the B10 will announce divisions. It'll shake out over a couple of seasons. And then change. Again. That's the modern era. By the time things get figured out... they're changing. Thu, 26 Aug 2010 18:07:43 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/blogs/on-iowa/2010/08/26/big-tens-clemenza-speaks#IDComment95384509 http://gazetteonline.com/blogs/on-iowa/2010/08/24/iowa-rbs-three-better-than-two-but-two-out-of-three-aint-bad#IDComment95252855 This is almost a classic allocation of resources economics essay topic. Given the Iowa Way at RB - I'd look for Iowa to play a freshman at that position almost every season for 'depth' and development. Durability is not assured. This is a game to establish the run. There should be maximum carries available... spread 'em across the top 5 guys. What's the news on the EIU dope smokers? If they come in to Iowa City minus 10+ players ..... Thu, 26 Aug 2010 02:17:49 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/blogs/on-iowa/2010/08/24/iowa-rbs-three-better-than-two-but-two-out-of-three-aint-bad#IDComment95252855 http://gazetteonline.com/blogs/on-iowa/2010/08/24/iowa-rbs-three-better-than-two-but-two-out-of-three-aint-bad#IDComment95138620 I'll stick up for the news value here. The 'actual reportage' would be the analysis of how carries are split as well as updating the status of Hampton. It's worth remembering (and not instantly known) he didn't have a ton of carries in his freshman season. Sometimes the latest news is we still don't know. Most NFL running games are managed 'by committee' (or partnership.) I think Iowa's will be, too. And Hampton and Robinson are compatible. Wegher, in some ways, was a little bit different element and some of what he brought can also be picked up by the receiver corps depth. Wed, 25 Aug 2010 13:16:49 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/blogs/on-iowa/2010/08/24/iowa-rbs-three-better-than-two-but-two-out-of-three-aint-bad#IDComment95138620 http://gazetteonline.com/blogs/on-iowa/2010/08/20/ferentz-on-petros-money-wegher-remains-absent#IDComment94842096 Agree on the NC. In fact, the NC is so low on my list it's not even on the list for 2 reasons. 1) until Iowa wins the B10 there's nothing to say, wish, hope or wonder about vis-a-vis NC. 2) The NC is means what, really? Are we going to be 'bigger or better fans' with an NC than without? It's a nice thing but it's not the ultimate measure of the season. I think the season exists to win the B10 - everything after that is a different shade of great. Regarding Stanzi's interception situation - what offset the INTs was Iowa's defense against the pass. The Iowa offense should do better at producing points - you can't get there with the frequency of INTs we had last year. BTW, no one is a bigger fan (or apologist - and I'll prove that in the next paragraph) for Stanzi than me. Taking the IU game out of the equation still puts him at 1 INT every Saturday and the Iowa offensive 'design' doesn't require that much risk - even when going for bigger plays. Stanzi does get credit from me on the INTs for, for the most part, making throws in which he's 'trusting' the play or his read or his gut. I viewed many of his INTs as errs in trying to get the ball out on time versus throwing poorly. So, with that in mind, when I read he's logging super film study and he and KOK are echoing the exact same sentiments and optimisms regarding the wrong way balls I reckon a 15% improvement is nearly a certainty and the hope for 35% reduction is within reason. Take those percentages of 'bad plays' out of the mix - figure half of them turn into zeros (being conservative) and looking at 33% of the remainder going for big plays (15 yards plus) and a lot of things will go Iowa's way in more ways than one. Mon, 23 Aug 2010 17:43:01 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/blogs/on-iowa/2010/08/20/ferentz-on-petros-money-wegher-remains-absent#IDComment94842096 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/blogs/docs-office/2010/08/20/tea-leaves-say-iowa-in-division-with-nebraska-michigan-msu-illinois-and-northwestern#IDComment94832461 Iowa and Wisconsin are unlikely to, ever, achieve sustained 'power status' as Ohio State or, perhaps, Penn State. That's what makes Iowa and Wisconsin such great rivals. The key, here, to all of this is two-fold. 1) a fair shot a championship season 2) all things are never equal and in such cases it's almost always better to be in 'tougher' side of things. Mon, 23 Aug 2010 16:14:19 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/blogs/docs-office/2010/08/20/tea-leaves-say-iowa-in-division-with-nebraska-michigan-msu-illinois-and-northwestern#IDComment94832461 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/blogs/docs-office/2010/08/20/tea-leaves-say-iowa-in-division-with-nebraska-michigan-msu-illinois-and-northwestern#IDComment94484285 From an Iowa and B10 perspective Iowa - Wisconsin is a pretty salty engagement with regional, if not national appeal, that would seem to usurp the longer history with Minnesota. So I'd guess Northwestern swaps spots with Wisconsin. Either that or Illinois with the gambit being Illinois, somehow, manages to compete at a level comparable/above Northwestern (which they haven't really done over the past 20 years.) Sat, 21 Aug 2010 03:00:50 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/blogs/docs-office/2010/08/20/tea-leaves-say-iowa-in-division-with-nebraska-michigan-msu-illinois-and-northwestern#IDComment94484285 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/blogs/on-iowa/2010/08/19/iowa-o-line-the-name-on-the-back#IDComment94386257 The thing, I think, with splitting the Centers into a Center and Guard combo would be a problematic deployment of resources at best. 1) it would zero out depth at Center and indicate the Guard starters aren't better than the number 2 Center. That doesn't seem to be the case. 2) Playing an 'undersized' Center is one thing. Matching him shoulder-to-shoulder with an even 'more' undersized guard would put an awful lot of pressure right on the football right at the start of every play. 3) Vandevelde is as much of a linchpin to the OL and the offense as we've had in some time. He is the 5th year guy in the mix. He's, really, the only guy playing under the pressure/preparation of serious expectation. Gettis is a 'technician' guard he's been nurtured for this spot (RG) for 3 years. In the event of unfortunate injury to either Gettis or Vandevelde - I think it's a loose ball for us 'outsiders' to have any clue as to what happens. But I'm certain the coaching staff has both a plan A and a plan B. I doubt either are radical. Fri, 20 Aug 2010 17:37:03 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/blogs/on-iowa/2010/08/19/iowa-o-line-the-name-on-the-back#IDComment94386257 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/blogs/the-hlog/2010/08/17/updates-from-the-nfl-on-matt-roth-amari-spievey-albert-young-bryan-bulaga-ladell-betts#IDComment93901299 Regarding Amari Speivey in Detroit -- that's a pretty good coaching staff on the D-side of things with Schwartz as HC and former KC guy Cunningham as DC. Amari's going to make his mark as a tough-guy, sure-tackling DB. Once he gets physically 'right' there will be interesting to see who gets whom's attention. The NFL is a tough way to spell j-o-b. Wed, 18 Aug 2010 15:48:40 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/blogs/the-hlog/2010/08/17/updates-from-the-nfl-on-matt-roth-amari-spievey-albert-young-bryan-bulaga-ladell-betts#IDComment93901299 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/blogs/on-iowa/2010/08/10/wegher-absent-status-unclear#IDComment92032081 The rumors around this kid are incredible and unfortunate. There's an overabundance of interest in this kid and whatever his situation. We don't get to schedule life's events and turns. This is not Brett Favre or Albert Haynesworth or any sort of holdout. Insomuchas Coach Ferentz has made no comment and the UI has issued no statement there's no reason to believe Wegher isn't absent (if he's absent) with permission. Some of the more hyperventilated fan 'concern' starts feeling like stalking. Tue, 10 Aug 2010 20:16:35 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/blogs/on-iowa/2010/08/10/wegher-absent-status-unclear#IDComment92032081 http://gazetteonline.com/blogs/on-iowa/2010/07/26/stanzi-scouting-report#IDComment89190251 I think a nobody lost deep in the shadows (of Jake Christiansen, nonetheless) is a bit overboard. Stanzi wasn't Terrell Pryor out of high school but I think he was "Rivals Rated" as a top 20 in their categorizing of QBs. Stanzi was, mostly, skinny and a freshman's freshman. Nelson, of course, had a bit more buzz (no pun) about him as he rode the Ted Ginn Bus. QBs and OL just don't emerge into legitimacy (certainly with fan expectations) until redshirt soph seasons. Those two positions, OL and QB, are where maturity (physical and intellectual) is critical. Freshman at 18 or 19 years old versus 5th year redshirt senior who is 22 or 23 -- that's a significant age span. Who knows what the full story was on Jake Christiansen and his shadow - it's not important here. I think Stanzi followed a pretty solid, positive and somewhat ordinary progression. The topic now is -- does it continue onward and upward? I expect it will because no one has ever suggested, at any stage, especially not Stanzi that Stanzi is a 'fully developed' QB. His America quote is a famous one but he had a better football one last year -- this isn't it but it was something like "We don't expect it to be easy but we don't expect to fail." Tue, 27 Jul 2010 17:47:27 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/blogs/on-iowa/2010/07/26/stanzi-scouting-report#IDComment89190251 http://gazetteonline.com/blogs/on-iowa/2010/07/26/stanzi-scouting-report#IDComment88988131 I'm a Stanzi fan. I think he's agile enough, most likely savvy enough and has just enough arm strength to get on the draft board for NFL teams. His intangibles are impressive (and his winning percentage probably goes into the intangible category for NFL purposes.) I've heard QB accuracy described in the following way, this is from a few years ago so I imagine collegiate accuracy is a bit tighter today... Prep player - accurate= within a step of the receiver, College - accurate=within an arm's reach, NFL - accurate= within a 'window' = width of 3 footballs. I think we'll see him evolve and 'solve' some of the INT issues. As that goes - so will his NFL reports... I would guess the phrase we'll see attached to Stanzi (if things go well) will be 'under-rated athleticism.' Which I find a bit ironic given that QB is probably the most athletically demanding position on the field (given the demands for accuracy above - you can't do those things without being a way above average athlete.) Mon, 26 Jul 2010 18:42:02 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/blogs/on-iowa/2010/07/26/stanzi-scouting-report#IDComment88988131 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/blogs/the-hlog/2010/07/25/worst-iowa-football-games-in-ferentz-era-nos-7-9-conclusion#IDComment88817216 The Western Michigan game 2007 is the entire list of worst. That game is the epitome of the 'hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard' mantra. I remember the Lauterber years. It doesn't get much worse than that one (through 10.) Mon, 26 Jul 2010 03:13:05 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/blogs/the-hlog/2010/07/25/worst-iowa-football-games-in-ferentz-era-nos-7-9-conclusion#IDComment88817216