Friday, March 26, 2010

Pre Spring Offensive Line

One thing that has been a constant with the Iowa Hawkeyes under head coach Kirk Ferentz is that as the offensive line goes, so goes the team. The upcoming season will be no different as the Hawkeyes will have to find replacements for two 1st team All Big Ten players and two 2nd team All Big Ten players. The offensive scheme that Iowa uses is not one that you can easily plug and play any player. It is one that requires timing and cohesiveness. Even though they had four players on the 1st and 2nd teams last season, they had enough injuries last season that they are returning two players with significant playing experience. Junior Riley Reiff burst onto the scene last year playing both tackle and both guard spots at times. Look for Reiff to replace Bryan Bulaga at left tackle and protect Ricky Stanzi’s backside. The former defensive lineman has shown an athleticism that allowed him to block some of the Big Ten’s best last season. The other player returning with significant starting experience is Julian Vandervelde. The senior to be from Davenport, IA will be a four year starter after taking a grey shirt his first year at Iowa. Vandervelde will be the leader of the line from his guard position and will probably have to help whoever ends up at center with the line calls.

Earlier this week Kirk Ferentz said that the offensive line could be an 8 or 9 man fight. With Reiff and Vandervelde penciled in as starters, which leaves 6 or 7 guys for the final 3 spots. First, let’s look at the battle at the right tackle position that was manned by Kyle Calloway last season. Markus Zusevics was listed as the backup for most of last season and figures to have the inside track for the position in 2010. Markus will be a fourth year junior with some game time, but not any meaningful minutes. He has been mentioned several times in the last year by Coach Ferentz and being an upperclassman he should know the offense. The other player looking to break into the stating lineup at right tackle will be sophomore Nolan MacMillan. The transplant from Canada was injured several times last year or else we could have heard his name last season. MacMillan is a player that has the body size and skill to find himself in the starting lineup sooner rather than later.

Players vying for the guard position opposite of Vandervelde will be Adam Gettis and Cody Hundertmark. Gettis got the start last year against UNI when Vandervelde was unable to play and experienced a lot of growing pains. Adam is a fourth year junior and will no longer have the youth excuse and he will get pushed by both Hundertmark and whoever doesn’t get the starting nod at right tackle. Hundertmark came to Iowa with lots of accolades but was not able to break into the starting lineup on the defensive line after playing as a true freshman in 2007. Last fall in bowl preparation practices he moved to the offensive line and was listed as the #2 guard coming into this spring. Hundertmark will attempt to make the same transition that Riley Reiff made last year moving from a backup defensive lineman into the starting lineup as an offensive lineman.

The final and possibly the most important position on the offensive line to fill will be the center position that had been manned by Rafael Eubanks three of the last four seasons. While Eubanks wasn’t an All-American or anything, when you run a zone blocking scheme like Iowa does, the line calls a center makes are very important and you can’t teach experience. Looking to man the center position this year will be a pair of former teammates at Iowa City, City High. Josh Koeppel will be a senior and had he been able to put weight on may have broken the starting lineup in the last couple of years. He will get pushed by James Ferentz, son of head coach Kirk Ferentz and brother of former starting center Brian Ferentz. To say that he has the pedigree to be the starting center at Iowa is an understatement. Had it not been for off the field issues, you could have seen him get some playing time last season. Now he comes into his sophomore year with an opportunity to prove that he has put his troubles behind him and become the starting center.

Some other players to keep an eye on for playing time include Drew Clark, Woody Orne, Casey McMillan, and Kyle Haganman. Clark made some great strides as a true freshman last year in bowl preparations and should benefit a lot from a year in the weight room with Coach Doyle. Woody Orne is a dark horse, the transfer from South Dakota State played one season for the Jackrabbits after redshirting his first season. He sat out last season and will push for playing time at both guard and tackle. Casey McMillan came to Iowa from Montana, where he was the Gatorade player of the year for that state his senior year. He has not seen the field in two years at Iowa, but he has the skills to find his way to the field. Kyle Haganman will be a senior who is looking to become the next walk on success story at Iowa. The expectations will be high for the Iowa Hawkeyes in 2010 and it will all hinge on the ability of the offensive line to control the line of scrimmage and it all starts with spring ball.

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Pre Spring Presser

Kirk Ferentz today addressed the media for the first time since signing day. Here is a rundown of what he had to say:

Tyler Sash, Brent Greenwood, Kyle Haganman, Steve Bigach, and Adam Robinson will not be participating in spring practice due to injuries. None of those injuries are expected to effect fall camp.

Paul Chaney will be limited, Jewell Hampton will have no contact, and Bernstein will be participating

Offensive Line:
Could be as many as 8-9 guys fighting for the starting 5
Julian Vandevelde and Riley Reiff have a leg up
Hundertmark has moved to the OL
Nolan MacMillan back after a sports hernia late last season
Dominic Alvis will be slowed by a groin injury
Guys mentioned be Ferentz: Nolan MacMillan, Adam Gettis, Dominic Alvis, Markus Zusevics, and Cody Hundertmark
Per Marc Morehouse's picture tweet the two deep looked like this:
Reiff /Haganman
Vandevelde/Drew Clark
Koeppel/Ferentz
Gettis/Hundertmark
Zusevics/MacMillan

RB:
Likes the position they are in with three guys with experience. Probably won't find out much in the spring with Robinson not going and little contact for Hampton

TE:
Little concerned about the backup but feels good about Reisner as the starter.

WR:
Top heavy group with three seniors on the squad.
Thinks McNutt could have an Adrian Clayborn like coming out season
Likes Sandeman, he just needs to stay healthy
Likened the experience that Keenan Davis got last fall to that of AJ Edds his true freshman year, looks for a big step forward from Keenan

DL:
Couldn't stop singing the praises of Clayborn
Said he say were the guys up for the DL of the year award last year were all seniors, likes Adrian's chances
His contacts stated the Clayborn would have been a first rounder this season in the draft
Last spring when there were some injuries Clayborn and Ballard both jumped inside without being asked, said that speaks for their character
Klug and Clayborn are the leaders of the defense, said Klug wasn't far behind Clayborn as far as impact goes
Clayborn will have some punishment for his recent guilty plea, but not miss any game time
Mentioned Clayborn having a possible "Suh" like season

LB:
Mentioned Tyler Nielsen, Bruce Davis, Troy Johnson, and Jeff Tarpanian as battling for the two open spots
Saw good things from all four last season at times
Tarpanian made every kickoff tackle last year in the Orange Bowl, Ferentz thought it has "clicked" for him

DB:
Prater probable as on starter
Bernstein, Lowe, Castillo, and Hyde going after the other spot

K:
Thinks they can get better, likes the fact that they have two guys with experience.

Doesn't expect much from freshman class, thinks a couple might play special teams.

Said that he informs the team that their margin of error is very slim, three wins last year could have easily been losses. Need to remain focused and rest on the accolades of last season.

Monday, March 22, 2010

Pro Day Results

Looks like everyone improved their numbers besides Spievey.  Edds, Moeaki, and Angerer look like thier wallets just got fatter with their performances today.

Offensive tackle Bryan Bulaga put up 27 reps on the bench and took part in positional drills. He stood on the rest of his results from the combine.


Cornerback Amari Spievey ran a 4.57 40-yard-dash, which is up from the 4.51 he ran at the combine in Indianapolis last month. Spievey also put up six reps on the bench press (225 pounds). (Note: We are in the process of confirming Spievey's 40-time with a third source).

Tight end Tony Moeaki ran a 4.62 40-yard-dash (he ran 4.71 at the combine) and 6.98 three-cone drill. He also recorded a 36.5 vertical jump, 10-2 broad jump and 20 reps on the bench.

Linebacker A.J. Edds ran a 4.63 40-yard-dash (he ran 4.68 at the combine) and posted a 35.5 vertical jump, 10-0 broad jump and 18 reps on the bench.

Linebacker Pat Angerer ran a 4.63 40-yard-dash (he ran 4.71 at the combine) and posted a 39.5 vertical jump.

Link to article:  http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Iowa-pro-day-results.html

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Record Performances?

With spring practice about to commence, I thought that I would look into some records that stand to be broken:

Just a matter of time:
Career Receptions
157 Kevin Kasper
127 Derrell Johnson-Koulianos (30 back)
Outlook:  Barring injury DJK should surpass this as he has averaged 42/season

Career Receiving Yards
2271 Tim Dwight
1871 Derrell Johnson-Koulianos (400 back)
Outlook:  Again barring injury DJK should surpass this record as well as he has averaged 623/season

Good possibility:
Career Interceptions:
18 Nile Kinnick
11 Tyler Sash (7 back)
Outlook:  In two years Sash has 11 and seems to be a bit of a ball hawk

Career Receiving TD's
21-Tim Dwight
8-Marvin McNutt (13 back)
Outlook:  McNutt burst onto the scene last year with 8 TD's and has two years to get to 21.  McNutt's size makes him a target inside the red zone

Long shot:
Tackles for Loss Season
25- Jonathon Babineaux
Outlook:  Adrian Clayborn had 20 TFL's last year and could press this record by season's end

Sacks in a season
18- Leroy Smith
Outlook:  Adrian Clayborn had 11.5 last year

Rushing TD's career
33- Tavian Banks & Sedrick Shaw
8- Brandon Wegher
7- Jewell Hampton
Outlook:  Depending on how the carries are divided the next three years either one of these players could come close to this record

Friday, March 12, 2010

Incoming Freshman

Some notes on this group:
14 of the 21 recruits received some sort of academic award in their high school career
Marcus Coker is an Astrophysics major
Austin Vier is an Optometry major
Iowa continues to recruit not only great football players, but great young men

Marcus Coker RB 6-0 222 4.55 5.8 Hyattsville, MD
Carl Davis DT 6-5 300 5 5.6 Sterling Heights, MI
A.J. Derby ATH 6-4 218 4.88 5.8 Iowa City, IA
Andrew Donnal OL 6-7 285 4.91 5.8 Whitehouse, OH
Anthony Ferguson DT 6-2 280 5 5.7 Baltimore, MD
C.J. Fiedorowicz TE 6-7 240 4.55 5.9 Johnsburg, IL
Austin Gray LB 6-2 220 4.6 5.7 Warren, MI
Mike Hardy DE 6-5 260 5 5.6 Appleton, WI
Anthony Hitchens RB 6-1 195 4.5 5.4 Lorain, OH
De'Andre Johnson RB 5-8 210 4.46 5.5 Miami, FL
Donavan Johnson DT 6-2 245 4.9 5.7 Arlington, TX
Christian Kirksey ATH 6-2 200 4.5 5.6 St. Louis, MO
B.J. Lowery DB 5-11 175 4.5 5.6 Cincinnati, OH
Kevonte Martin-Manley WR 6-1 190 4.59 5.4 Pontiac, MI
Tanner Miller ATH 6-2 200 4.5 5.1 Wellman, IA
James Morris LB 6-2 215 4.6 5.7 Solon, IA
Jim Poggi LB 6-2 215 4.6 5.7 Baltimore, MD
Brandon Scherff OL 6-6 295 5 5.7 Denison, IA
Don Shumpert ATH 6-2 185 4.45 5.7 St. Louis, MO
Louis Trinca-Pasat DE 6-3 235 4.7 5.6 Chicago, IL
Austin Vier ATH 6-7 220 4.65 5.4 Huxley, IA

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Throwback game?

Iowa's Throwback Game of 2010 When Iowa takes the field in late September at Kinnick Stadium against the Ball State Cardinals, don't be surprised to see a different look to the Hawkeyes as they emerge from the Southwest tunnel. The first time since the 2004 season opener against Kent State the Hawkeyes will participate in a "throwback" game, this to the 1958 season which resulted in the 1959 Rose Bowl.




Pictured above is the helmet of 1958 alongside the current Hawkeye model. No decals will be placed upon the bright gold helmet of the '50s.