Anyone going to Sat's FB practice? Would love to hear any comments
- Thread starter uihawk82
- Start date
Would love to hear reports, even general impressions, from anybody who goes Saturday.
This year will mark the ninth straight year that I have made it to Kinnick to check out the spring open practice. Every year I have watched exactly what you are inquiring about so I will let you know!
Thanks. We lived in Iowa City/Cedar Rapids from '73-85 and I went to most if not all of Hayden's Spring GAMES and they were GAMES. After moving to Des MOines I still went to many of them with friends and family up until about 10-15 years ago.
Wish I could but my fiancé would absolutely kill me if I took off for a few days .. hoping somehow it’s on TV or watching it on an app so if anyone knows please post it. I have IPTV with like 28K live channels and if I can find find it I will record it and provide a link on my YouTube channel…. But will see!
FIANCE!!!!!! FIANCE!!! lol. just kidding. I have been there myself in the past. I am at a point now my spouse wants me to get OUT of the house for a few days!
If she'd "absolutely kill you" for going to watch Iowa football, you may wanna rethink things.
EDIT: not kidding. If your wife doesn't appreciate or allow your passions (other than her) it's gonna be a problem.
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Just remember we barely knew of DJ Vonnahme last year at this time he was just being awarded a scholarship after spring ball after walking on.
BTN may show a visit of their reporters to Fort Kinnick and also may show spring practice video. Remember Iowa does not do a spring game, only a practice type scrimmage
They should have a broadcast live feature on here like Fakebook Live
I was there for about an hour and 30 minutes. General observations. The DEFENSE is WAY ahead of the OFFENSE right not. They were not messing around. Lots of stunts and blitzes. It did not seem to matter who was in...they were after it!
I did expect the O to be behind the defense at this early stage with new faces to the starting lineup. Certainly plenty to work on. While I was there, almost zero running game.....not many holes at all. There seemed to be a real concerted effort to thrown the ball and I am guessing that has something to do with trying to get to a QB1.
Speaking of QB1....JH looked better than Hank. JH can hit tighter spots. Keep in mind both QBs had to get rid of it pretty quick in many cases. JH looked confident and smooth out there. Hank did NOT look too bad though. Frankly I think he makes a pretty good backup as Sullivan is not the guy. One thing that surprised me a bit is that JH did not really force anything. Only surprised because I had heard he was more of a gunslinger and though he would throw some 50/50 balls but he really did not. Again, he made some very nice tight throws.
WR, the one that stood out while I was there was KJ Parker....made some very nice plays. Certainly Reece is still Reece and you can see the talent building in the WR group. Lance Beeghley and Tony Diaz will get a bunch of minutes for sure.
TE we are in great shape with Zach and DJ. Dj made a couple of good route adjustments against blitzes coming back to the ball. He is the man.
Punting....I believe we are in real good shape. Most of Boston/s kicks (Aussie) were in the 45 plus range with good hang time. The kid from Waukee was not bad either (Tanner Philpott).
FG kicking......started out great with Eli Ozick (North Dakota State Transfer). Pretty strong leg and was accurate on first 10 kicks or so then started to stray a bit after that. He has the leg for 55.....accuracy was the only thing I could say MIGHT be a struggle.
Defense.....all I could say really was they were ALL aggressive and got after it....no matter who was in. I was worried a bit about this group before today. I am MUCH less worried today, but again it is not a shocker they are ahead of the O at this stage. The DBs did get burned a few times deep but for the most part they were keeping the receivers in front of them and running with them stride for stride.
All for now. Would love to hear other takes from the day......had to leave a bit early so there are some things I may have missed.
I did expect the O to be behind the defense at this early stage with new faces to the starting lineup. Certainly plenty to work on. While I was there, almost zero running game.....not many holes at all. There seemed to be a real concerted effort to thrown the ball and I am guessing that has something to do with trying to get to a QB1.
Speaking of QB1....JH looked better than Hank. JH can hit tighter spots. Keep in mind both QBs had to get rid of it pretty quick in many cases. JH looked confident and smooth out there. Hank did NOT look too bad though. Frankly I think he makes a pretty good backup as Sullivan is not the guy. One thing that surprised me a bit is that JH did not really force anything. Only surprised because I had heard he was more of a gunslinger and though he would throw some 50/50 balls but he really did not. Again, he made some very nice tight throws.
WR, the one that stood out while I was there was KJ Parker....made some very nice plays. Certainly Reece is still Reece and you can see the talent building in the WR group. Lance Beeghley and Tony Diaz will get a bunch of minutes for sure.
TE we are in great shape with Zach and DJ. Dj made a couple of good route adjustments against blitzes coming back to the ball. He is the man.
Punting....I believe we are in real good shape. Most of Boston/s kicks (Aussie) were in the 45 plus range with good hang time. The kid from Waukee was not bad either (Tanner Philpott).
FG kicking......started out great with Eli Ozick (North Dakota State Transfer). Pretty strong leg and was accurate on first 10 kicks or so then started to stray a bit after that. He has the leg for 55.....accuracy was the only thing I could say MIGHT be a struggle.
Defense.....all I could say really was they were ALL aggressive and got after it....no matter who was in. I was worried a bit about this group before today. I am MUCH less worried today, but again it is not a shocker they are ahead of the O at this stage. The DBs did get burned a few times deep but for the most part they were keeping the receivers in front of them and running with them stride for stride.
All for now. Would love to hear other takes from the day......had to leave a bit early so there are some things I may have missed.
We were there for 90% of it. Defense was obviously ahead of the offense. I’ve been coming to spring practices for almost 25 years and it’s always been that case.
Hard to get a feel for how things went down in the trenches. Defense really threw a lot at the offense pressure wise. Wasn’t much effort in trying to run the ball.
At quarterback I thought Hank Brown looked like the better QB. Heck is so dang small and he had issues I thought throwing in the pocket. If Sullivan sees the field we’ll be in trouble. Gonna be a close battle.
Lot of guys sitting out so it’s tough to get a feel. It’s spring ball so you’re basically looking for players to flash and gain trust with the staff once practice starts.
Hard to get a feel for how things went down in the trenches. Defense really threw a lot at the offense pressure wise. Wasn’t much effort in trying to run the ball.
At quarterback I thought Hank Brown looked like the better QB. Heck is so dang small and he had issues I thought throwing in the pocket. If Sullivan sees the field we’ll be in trouble. Gonna be a close battle.
Lot of guys sitting out so it’s tough to get a feel. It’s spring ball so you’re basically looking for players to flash and gain trust with the staff once practice starts.
I thought for this one practice Brown looked better at QB.
A concerted effort to throw the ball and all of the sudden no rush lanes. Not one bit surprising.
Do NOT fall in love with the toys, Iowa
Only an idiot would proclaim that throwing the football is a “toy”.
Was at the practice.
Heck is a better passer than Brown. Brown's momentum is backwards on most throws.
Lutmer looks bigger than his listed weight. Kinda funny to see an almost LB-sized guy lining up to return punts.
Not sure what i think about the new FG kicker. Factoring in that conditions were nearly perfect...his distance and accuracy were acceptable for spring practice.
More passing than rushing in the scrimmage.
DL would have had several sacks had they been allowed.
The receivers mostly did a good job of catching the ball.
Lauck makes almost everyone else look small.
Heck is a better passer than Brown. Brown's momentum is backwards on most throws.
Lutmer looks bigger than his listed weight. Kinda funny to see an almost LB-sized guy lining up to return punts.
Not sure what i think about the new FG kicker. Factoring in that conditions were nearly perfect...his distance and accuracy were acceptable for spring practice.
More passing than rushing in the scrimmage.
DL would have had several sacks had they been allowed.
The receivers mostly did a good job of catching the ball.
Lauck makes almost everyone else look small.
Quite the take from one post about one practice. Heavy derp.
Spring is not the time to have your running backs crashing the lanes. Kirk has entered a few seasons starting #3 and #4 backs and has learned a few lessons.
BAU for him. Summer, Fall, Winter, and now Spring.
Speed at receiver. Speed at tight end. Qb that can sling it. Cute plays. Yes, toys.
Stuff that will temp the large egos of play-callers to much too often grasp for what amounts to more shine and less substance.
You know, the stuff that can make it easier to forget what you need to be, and lead to throwing the ball around, which according to KF makes it tougher on the defense and tougher ro win. I can link the qoute, if need be.
Yes, shiny toys
how about a write up describing the handful of plays that stood out…TIA
Enjoy Lauck this year. It is his last in Iowa City.
Sure, it's early.
But every opportunity to educate football fans is needed.
And Iowa not committing enough to the run is easily my biggest fear for this season.
With all of KF's previous OC's, they would attempt to get too cute, and usually around the start of November he would spank them into shape, and Iowa would get to running the ball. Through two seasons so far, KF has yet to spank Lester into shape. No matter what the reason for that may be, it's very concerning.
TL understands the value of the run. He isn't going to completely abandon it. But he's shown over and over again, that a heavy commitment to the run isn't what's truly in his heart. Ultimately, TL wants to be creative and set up shot plays.
Now, Iowa has the most speed at receiver since TL arrived. Heck would seem to be able to sling it a bit, if he wins the job. Lester wants to take a jump in the passing game and it appears that's going to happen.
But how much will the run game suffer? Because it will.
And how much identity gets lost? Iowa football is approaching a transition period. The fear that Iowa football (post KF) becomes too much of something they haven't been is very real
Eyesofhawk, what you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever read. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone on this board is now dumber for having read it. I award you no likes, and may God have mercy on your soul.
I don't take much stock in Spring practice. I think they like to show off a little flash for the fans, but it's early, there's a lot to work on. Keep in mind a lot of our guys are much better than teams will be playing this year. I am relieved to hear the defense is getting after it, despite the attrition. I can see why the QB room is still a dead heat right now. Not sure who I would pick, seems like Heck is eager to tuck and run too often.
I've got faith.
I've got faith.
Was there. Even with receivers banged up I thought the unit was strong.
QB- Thought Jeremy was more dynamic and consitent, really good at making multiple reads and hitting his 2nd/3rd option. Accurate, precise. Biggest issue is his jitteriness under pressure. Mechanics breaks son and he just kinda heaves the ball. But also elusive and shifty.
Hank was solid but I worry about him being a one trick pony. Great at those long sideline throws and fades. Showed some relative quickness. Also under threw a few balls where receivers had a step and coulda been hit in stride.
QB- Thought Jeremy was more dynamic and consitent, really good at making multiple reads and hitting his 2nd/3rd option. Accurate, precise. Biggest issue is his jitteriness under pressure. Mechanics breaks son and he just kinda heaves the ball. But also elusive and shifty.
Hank was solid but I worry about him being a one trick pony. Great at those long sideline throws and fades. Showed some relative quickness. Also under threw a few balls where receivers had a step and coulda been hit in stride.
Lesitekow
Let’s talk quarterbacks right away
First things first, the Iowa offense was saddled with a vanilla playbook and four wide-receiver injuries. Expected impact transfers Tony Diaz and Evan James were out. Offensive coordinator Tim Lester warned us three days earlier that we wouldn’t see anything new at Kinnick Stadium, where Michigan State coaches Pat Fitzgerald and LeVar Woods were on hand to watch their Hawkeye-playing sons.“Yeah, just our base plays,” tight end DJ Vonnahme confirmed afterward.
Quarterbacks Jeremy Hecklinski and Hank Brown, competing for the starting job in a battle that won’t be decided until at least August, probably played to a draw. If pressed, I’d give the slight nod to Hecklinski, who was able to get more attempts with more chain-moving throws. His quicker release of the football also seems to marry well with Lester’s NFL system. Brown's arm strength was more impressive, though.
what game was it at the end of the season when Iowa could have easily run it in near the goal line and Lester called a boneheaded pass play. That’s exactly what getting too cute is.
Seriously? Iowa was probably the most run dominant during the past two seasons since the Commings era. This past season they ran 504 times and threw 286 passes. In 2024 it was 501 and 260.
He openly believes that passing the ball is always a bad choice. He also believes that every Iowa fan hates the run but him. In reality, very few Iowa fans have any issues with running the ball. We all know it's our bread and butter, we just want a passing threat too. That way we can keep defenses honest. We've had too many games where we become 1 dimensional and the other team dares us to throw. Last year was when you started to feel the change thanks to Mark and Lester getting better as the season went on. Eyes is just a psycho who hates the pass. Luckily, he'll never be on the coaching staff at Iowa.
"But every opportunity to educate football fans is needed."
-----------and we have THIS to endure another season.
And TL has forfeited many opportunities to pound on the defense.
In many key moments, he has tried to get cute. The opportunity to show what's really in his heart has been there. And it has shown to not be a commitment to pounding