Gronowski getting Heat from the local media

[eyesofhawk]

"

Sure, sure, sure. I mean, I wasn't challenging you about the state of where things are now but you can at least accept that Iowa State got 5 L's in a row. That's getting your *** kicked, it doesn't matter what the games looked like. But I get it, I'm not going to get hung up on the past here as this season is the one that matters. If it makes you feel any better if Iowa State loses it will be a significant upset.

"Significant" upset? LMAO.

The spread is 3.

This is the type of stuff that gives ZERO credibility to so many sports fans.

If you're ever not quite sure just what it is you're saying, it's safe to assume that Iowa beating ISU, in anything, is never a significant upset

 

[The Big Z]

"

"Significant" upset? LMAO.

The spread is 3.

This is the type of stuff that gives ZERO credibility to so many sports fans.

If you're ever not quite sure just what it is you're saying, it's safe to assume that Iowa beating ISU, in anything, is never a significant upset

I agree. All this **** talking on here about the “clowns” and little bro and they don’t have any money and now half the people on here are already tossing in the towel. Here’s the thing. All the money that’s “rolling in” well besides the top 4-5 programs the rest of the conference (including Iowa) needs to step up their recruiting and their game. If the Clones beat us this year it will be 3 of 4. We’re the program with a way bigger stadium, way bigger budget and we’re getting outcoached and outworked. That needs to change.

 

[eyesofhawk]

You'd have to pretend because it wasn't close to 8 years in a row. He beat Campbell 5 years in a row. The only real "beat the crap out of" was the first year which was 42-3. Campbell is now 2 of 3 (neither of which would have happened with a competent Iowa offense) likely to be 3 of 4. The trend has shifted.

I tend to agree with some that KFz should have retired several years ago. He's going to stay too long and it's going to get ugly

So 2 of 3, with another "likely" win, reverses a previous trend of 5 in a row (under same coaches)?

Do you have any idea how stupid that sounds?

 

[WeBeHerkin]

Maybe Jake Christensen will pay him a visit in practice this week to work out the kinks.

 

[WeBeHerkin]

I believe it would help if Lester were on the sideline. At least a game or two.

 

[BunchofAholes]

So 2 of 3, with another "likely" win, reverses a previous trend of 5 in a row (under same coaches)?

Do you have any idea how stupid that sounds?

To you, anything short of "Kirk is god" sounds stupid, so there's that huge grain of salt. Campbell looks to have a stronger team. If they win, that's 3 out of 4. That doesn't erase the 5 in a row, but it establishes a more recent pattern.

If KFz pulls it out, then No. Hope that happens.

 

[WeBeHerkin]

So he was cramping badly in second half. Was the dude upchucking? Like when Chuck Long puked on Hayden's white pants on the sideline during a game?

 

[eyesofhawk]

To you, anything short of "Kirk is god" sounds stupid, so there's that huge grain of salt. Campbell looks to have a stronger team. If they win, that's 3 out of 4. That doesn't erase the 5 in a row, but it establishes a more recent pattern.

If KFz pulls it out, then No. Hope that happens.

You said the "trend (has already) shifted in post #99

 

[BunchofAholes]

You said the "trend (has already) shifted in post #99

IMO it has. We'll see Saturday. I'd love to be wrong.

 

[rchawk]

Like when Chuck Long puked on Hayden's white pants on the sideline during a game?

I don't remember that and I was at all the home games. Do you remember the game?

 

[WeBeHerkin]

I don't remember that and I was at all the home games. Do you remember the game?

It was his first game at Lincoln, Nebraska. He was nervous as hell and Nebraska blew us out. Chuck has talked about it from time to time.

 

[HMB Trumpet]

Kirk built this program as a developmental program. He has an OC with a reputation for developing good QBs. Don't really see why we should look at the portal as the only viable option.

The Hawks annually have at least one QB recruit. There are two true freshmen on the roster now.

 

[rchawk]

It was his first game at Lincoln, Nebraska. He was nervous as hell and Nebraska blew us out. Chuck has talked about it from time to time.

Thanks! That was 1982, I was in the stands for that game. The Nebraska fans were very cordial, polite even. We beat them in Iowa City the previous season, the Rose Bowl year.

UN got their revenge 42-7. Freshman LB Larry Station from Omaha Central sacked Turner Gill. I was watching the field more than the sidelines so I missed Chuck upchucking on Hayden's pants and shoes. Too bad, it would be a fun memory.

 

[hawkeyemark18]

The Hawks annually have at least one QB recruit. There are two true freshmen on the roster now.

Those kids never have a chance to move up the roster if we keep bringing in QBs from the portal. If Kirk stands pat in the spring we will have three portal QBs competing for the starting job. I like all three but we have to get back to developing QBs again. I see a new coaching staff when they come in going in that direction.

 

[Pawkhawk1]

I don't think we'll be going portal QB for a while. They like Hank, wake forest dude, and Jimmy Sullivan...finally

 

[MAKhawks]

Connect that to recruiting. No current high school player has seen Iowa throw for 300 yards since 2019. No wonder our QB recruiting is for sh**. How do you sell a kid on playing for your offense when that's the history?

Iowa now with 60 consecutive games without a 300 yard passer. Next closest, Rutgers with 30 consecutive games.

 

[Jonesy5960]

Meanwhile, Purdue's QB threw for over 300 yards. Why is it so easy for other teams to find a QB that can throw but so hard for Iowa?

Because those teams have cut a deal with the devil. Do you think Kirk should subject himself to eternal damnation purely for your entertainment? I think not good sir!

 

[UIAlumFireFighter]

Those kids never have a chance to move up the roster if we keep bringing in QBs from the portal. If Kirk stands pat in the spring we will have three portal QBs competing for the starting job. I like all three but we have to get back to developing QBs again. I see a new coaching staff when they come in going in that direction.

We have to get back to fielding good quarterbacks. However they chose to do that....just field a good quarterback.

 

[UIAlumFireFighter]

Iowa now with 60 consecutive games without a 300 yard passer. Next closest, Rutgers with 30 consecutive games.

SMFH

 

[Opie Oids]

Meanwhile, Purdue's QB threw for over 300 yards. Why is it so easy for other teams to find a QB that can throw but so hard for Iowa?

 

[Hawkfan_08*]

Well he just got blasted on CBS Sports Network. 3 of 4 analysts picked state. All reluctantly. All picked state because of Iowa's offense.

 

[Jonesy5960]

Well he just got blasted on CBS Sports Network. 3 of 4 analysts picked state. All reluctantly. All picked state because of Iowa's offense.

I didn't see what you're talking about, but this is why I believe the road to a victory isn't quite as desolate as some feel it's been made out to be. The only obvious problem Iowa showed on offense is Gronowski. It's a huge problem given the importance of the position, but it's still just one guy. A few years ago it was essentially the entire offense and every unit that appeared broken. There's no fixing that. If MG can somehow turn it around this week then the team has an excellent shot. I'm confident that Iowa will be able to run the ball If Mark is able to just keep the defense honest. If he can they're going to score some points. Otherwise ISU loads the box and it's going to be a real struggle to move the ball. Saturday's outcome hinges solely on Gronowski having a good bounce back game. If he can manage 150+ yards passing which isn't a whole lot to ask for frankly, the Hawks can win the game.

 

[hawkeyemark18]

We have to get back to fielding good quarterbacks. However they chose to do that....just field a good quarterback.

I really think you have to decide what direction you want to go in this new era of the portal and pay for play. I like listening to Ben McCollum talking about the culture he wants to establish. He wants to attract kids who will buy in and want to stay at Iowa.

If you recall we lost the well regarded QB recruit from CA. If high school QBs see that you regularly bring in QBs from the portal they will look elsewhere where they have an opportunity.

 

[hahkize]

What happens when you are not in an institution and in the portal waiting to sign with a school and want to get your surgery soon so you make the start of the season?

What about scheduling appts for trays, therapy and prep work for surgery? Is there co-pay and a deductible?

Why would MG go on record saying that if you think it smells?

When did Gronk's injury happen and what exactly was the injury?

 

[hawkeyemark18]

Well he just got blasted on CBS Sports Network. 3 of 4 analysts picked state. All reluctantly. All picked state because of Iowa's offense.

We had some of this last season too. I don't care who they pick to win the game. I do care when the talking heads openly blast Kirk and the way he runs the offense.

Media matters in this modern age of football and it impacts how potential recruits look at your program. We have begun the inevitable descent a program takes in the twilight of a long time coach's tenure. This particular game really matters because it seems a bellwether to how the rest of the season will go.

 

[squeezebox_1]

Media matters in this modern age of football and it impacts how potential recruits look at your program. We have begun the inevitable descent a program takes in the twilight of a long tenured coach's tenure. This particular game really matters because it seems a bellwether to how the rest of the season will go.

based on what exactly? The class is small, but it is certainly solid. OLine absolutely reloaded in this class. The only miss would be at QB, and that room is full right now.

 

[hawkeyemark18]

based on what exactly? The class is small, but it is certainly solid. OLine absolutely reloaded in this class. The only miss would be at QB, and that room is full right now.

Not commenting on the class as I don't follow recruiting that closely. I look at the big picture and want to see us develop quarterbacks. We have the right OC to do that. Recruiting QBs from the portal becomes a different ballgame.

 

[squeezebox_1]

Not commenting on the class as I don't follow recruiting that closely. I look at the big picture and want to see us develop quarterbacks. We have the right OC to do that. Recruiting QBs from the portal becomes a different ballgame.

from the other comments you have made, the first statement is blatantly true. So let me help you, go to that FB recruiting tab, click on the commits link, and give it a look. The QB room for now is fine, I don't know how Gronowski will turn out, but he was far and above the best option at the time.

 

[hawkeyemark18]

from the other comments you have made, the first statement is blatantly true. So let me help you, go to that FB recruiting tab, click on the commits link, and give it a look. The QB room for now is fine, I don't know how Gronowski will turn out, but he was far and above the best option at the time.

We can agree to disagree about Gronowski. I don't think we needed to bring in another QB from the portal in the first place.

 

[squeezebox_1]

We can agree to disagree about Gronowski. I don't think we needed to bring in another QB from the portal in the first place.

Just to be clear, you think Hank Brown should be starting?

 

[hawkeyemark18]

Just to be clear, you think Hank Brown should be starting?

Don't have an opinion on that one way or the other.

 

[squeezebox_1]

Don't have an opinion on that one way or the other.

Bro, make it make sense. You just said we shouldn't have brought in another QB from the portal. So by this logic, had Iowa brought in no one last year, Jimmy Sullivan/Jackson Stratton would be starting. Iowa would have a freshman and a walk-on in the QB room, that would be it.

 

[UIAlumFireFighter]

I really think you have to decide what direction you want to go in this new era of the portal and pay for play. I like listening to Ben McCollum talking about the culture he wants to establish. He wants to attract kids who will buy in and want to stay at Iowa.

If you recall we lost the well regarded QB recruit from CA. If high school QBs see that you regularly bring in QBs from the portal they will look elsewhere where they have an opportunity.

First in bold: Of course but if those players aren't showing promise, you bring in transfers. You don't play them simply because they're "bought in" and committed to the program.


Second in bold: Yes. That kid committed to Indiana.
Indiana signed 2 quarterbacks from the transfer portal in 2025......so there's that.

 

[UIAlumFireFighter]

Not commenting on the class as I don't follow recruiting that closely. I look at the big picture and want to see us develop quarterbacks. We have the right OC to do that. Recruiting QBs from the portal becomes a different ballgame.

The problem is...We Don't do this currently and haven't done such a thing in years. When Kirk Ferentz departs for the beach life, I'm sure we'll improve in regards to offensive development.

 

[hawkeyemark18]

First in bold: Of course but if those players aren't showing promise, you bring in transfers. You don't play them simply because they're "bought in" and committed to the program.


Second in bold: Yes. That kid committed to Indiana.
Indiana signed 2 quarterbacks from the transfer portal in 2025......so there's that.

Ben wants to develop players which he and his staff have shown they can do at their previous stops. Kirk built his football program on the same premise. We brought Lester in and cleared out the QB room last season. Both Brendan Sullivan and Jackson Stratton showed promise when we needed to make a change last season. It makes no sense to me why we went all in on another QB after the season ended.

 

[Jonesy5960]

from the other comments you have made, the first statement is blatantly true. So let me help you, go to that FB recruiting tab, click on the commits link, and give it a look. The QB room for now is fine, I don't know how Gronowski will turn out, but he was far and above the best option at the time.

Far and above the best option? All you know is that Kirk felt that Gronowski was the best option at the time or he wouldn't be here. Just like he thought Cade was the best option before him right up until the moment he decided that he wasn't.

I hope MG turns it around this week and kicks *** the rest of the season, but short of a killer season, we'll never really know if he was the best option at the time. Only that Kirk thought he was, and Kirk is far from infallible.

 

[The Big Z]

Ben wants to develop players which he and his staff have shown they can do at their previous stops. Kirk built his football program on the same premise. We brought Lester in and cleared out the QB room last season. Both Brendan Sullivan and Jackson Stratton showed promise when we needed to make a change last season. It makes no sense to me why we went all in on another QB after the season ended.

You always have to look to upgrade your team, no matter what you do, in business or in sports. I liked Sullivan, and thought he played pretty well against Missouri, honestly. 38-53 for the year, 14-18 against Mizzou and pretty sure that included a couple of drops. And he could run. However, we had the opportunity to go get a 2 time champ at QB with a ton of experience. At the time it certainly looked ( still hopefully looks!) like an upgrade. Of course you're obviously always trying to develop guys but QB has obviously been a huge problem for the program for awhile now. Now if we knew about his injury ( and it looks like we clearly did) and we have another McNamara situation then of course that's on everyone involved. Saturday was really rough to watch. I've been very concerned the minute I heard about the surgery and he was going to miss all of Spring practice. For a guy who is trying to learn a completely new offense plus coming off a pretty big surgery this was a big chance. If the season falls apart and he Saturday was an omen there's going to be a lot of explaining to do!

 

[UIAlumFireFighter]

Ben wants to develop players which he and his staff have shown they can do at their previous stops. Kirk built his football program on the same premise. We brought Lester in and cleared out the QB room last season. Both Brendan Sullivan and Jackson Stratton showed promise when we needed to make a change last season. It makes no sense to me why we went all in on another QB after the season ended.

1) And Iowa has 'paid the price' because of this - many guys have taken the field, starting several games/seasons when they weren't good enough. But hey, they were loyal to the program! Building your program on this premise certainly makes you a nice, well-liked coach, but it means you're not doing everything in your power to win ball games.

2) Because, obviously, neither of those quarterbacks were deemed good enough to take Iowa anywhere in 2025 or beyond.

 

[UIAlumFireFighter]

Far and above the best option? All you know is that Kirk felt that Gronowski was the best option at the time or he wouldn't be here. Just like he thought Cade was the best option before him right up until the moment he decided that he wasn't.

I hope MG turns it around this week and kicks *** the rest of the season, but short of a killer season, we'll never really know if he was the best option at the time. Only that Kirk thought he was, and Kirk is far from infallible.

Kirk doesn't know sh*t about quarterbacks. I like to think bringing in MG was all Tim Lester.

 

[Jonesy5960]

Ben wants to develop players which he and his staff have shown they can do at their previous stops. Kirk built his football program on the same premise. We brought Lester in and cleared out the QB room last season. Both Brendan Sullivan and Jackson Stratton showed promise when we needed to make a change last season. It makes no sense to me why we went all in on another QB after the season ended.

I didn't see enough of Stratton to know what he can really do, but Sullivan had the best numbers of any Iowa QB since Stanley and could also get first downs and extend plays with his legs. I have no idea what was going on behind the scenes between him and the staff but apparently they didn’t see him as their starting QB or he'd still be a Hawk. Brown could have still been added as a depth piece.