Can I write in embarrassment
Ahhh! Even with all the concerns here, thinking about football is a pleasant distraction at this point. Question for you, any chance that Ferentz gets a look at guard, particularly if no one stands out this spring? I could be wrong, but I thought Eubanks moved over into the guard rotation in 08 to make room for Bruggeman. I am not sure if that is what helped Eubanks be more successful last year, but it would seem an ideal way to get Ferentz in the mix without having the responsbility of calling out assignments. My only concern is that he may be a little small for guard.
Honestly, given Stanzi's comeback history and Ferentz's know penchant for sticking with his man (see Pitt game) and would take the most putrid performance and bad attitude for him to get benched.
By biggest problem is to blame the interceptions on the deepball/taking risks. I don't have any sort of break down, but by the smell test the picks that are killing Stanzi are the short outs and underneath routes. Picks on a deep ball are bad, but often the net result isn't that much than a so-so punt. However, picks on the short pass flip the field or (all too often) turn into six for the other team. IMHO, these short pcks are going to need to be reduced next year if the Hawks really want to be in line for a B10 crown.
Is there a reason that DJK or McNutt are listed as a starter over Stross? Ignoring Stross' struggles on Saturday, DJK and McNutt both simply much more dynamic than Stross.
Certainly no OC, but couldn't his inexperience blocking be compensated somewhat by only passing on play action when he is in. After selling the fake, I think the RB only has middle contain, thus limiting the decision making. Granted he still has to recognize an inside blitz and have the technique, but by limiting the field his odds of success should increase. Of course, you have to actually give him the ball occassionally for play-action to work.
I think Sims is different in that in '04 he seemed drastically undersized. The 220 plus of Rogers pretty much takes that concern out. Nothing against Paki, but what could have changed in the last 8 weeks since UNI where he wasn't breaking many (if any) tackles and always seemed a step late to the whole. Rogers may not be better, but he might be, and if Paki struggles, I can't see not giving the kid a look.
Marc-
What is the word on Prater? Would he have gone if Michigan had been last weekend? If not, it seems like that is fairly fast turn around time for knee injury to a corner.
The postive from last week, if there is one, second wake-up call to this team. If Iowa had held the 14-21 point lead, complaceny and entitlement may have become even more entrenched and this team just is not that good yet. Anything less than 100% in any of the remaining games will likely lead to a loss. However, games like this, give KF and the staff all the fuel they need to keep on the team and should prevent their words from falling on deaf ears. The potential is certainly there, but they have yet to "put it together" the way it happened in '02 and '04.
I assume you blocking out the drops during the Penn State game.
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Invention