Anyone going to Sat's FB practice? Would love to hear any comments

[eyesofhawk]

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.

Why do you insist on making stuff up?

You really should consider not trying to speak for others. It's truly a disgusting habit you have.

I am capable of speaking for myself. And pretty much everyone has demonstrated an ability to read better than you

 

[NWHawk33]

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

I have to imagine you don't get invited to many cookouts or after work gatherings

 

[Max Rebo]

Run. A. Balanced. Offense.

 

[Bierhalter]

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.

Go for it.

(crazy that people still think this guy is serious)

 

[Iron Doc]

Go to a Spread offense.
FILL the air with footballs, like God intended.
A glorious thing.

 

[Grayhair1981]

Go for it.

(crazy that people still think this guy is serious)

Yeah I am coming back around to the likelihood he is a clever troll. If so, he is pretty good.

 

[UIAlumFireFighter]

The fear that Iowa football (post KF) becomes too much of something they haven't been is very real

Yeah I bet a lot of people share your fears………

You are a crazy person.

 

[Hawkeye1984]

Run. A. Balanced. Offense.

In order for that to work you need to be able pass the ball without getting sacked and being behind the sticks. Also, Iowa’s pass plays tend to be long developing plays so if you have a QB who has happy feet or is not very mobile that doesn’t work well. This has been Iowa’s monkey on the back for years, especially when they have a statue for a QB (aka Hank Brown).

 

[Roncuba65]

@eyesofhawk You are dumb. That's All!

 

[Max Rebo]

In order for that to work you need to be able pass the ball without getting sacked and being behind the sticks. Also, Iowa’s pass plays tend to be long developing plays so if you have a QB who has happy feet or is not very mobile that doesn’t work well. This has been Iowa’s monkey on the back for years, especially when they have a statue for a QB (aka Hank Brown).

 

[Istvan Teleky]

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

Did you check the Run vs Pass play percentages for 2025? Let me know what you find out.

Lester is running the 49er/Packer offense which are both slightly higher in the run percentage vs pass percentage every year.

Lester needs to increase the amount of pass plays and needs to improve the YPA stat if they want get a slot in the Playoffs.

He may finally have the pieces to do that if the QBs pan out.

 

[Hawkeye1984]

Guys like you that sit here and attack other people randomly are the most insufferable people imaginable. Just for minute imagine how boring your life must be, and little you must feel to try and tear someone down needlessly on a forum that you know nothing about. Get a life my guy!

 

[RuggieC]

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.

Even though I thought Heck looked better, I would agree with you that there is some concern on the height.

 

[Max Rebo]

Guys like you that sit here and attack other people randomly are the most insufferable people imaginable. Just for minute imagine how boring your life must be, and little you must feel to try and tear someone down needlessly on a forum that you know nothing about. Get a life my guy!

 

[eyesofhawk]

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.

"Manila", Leistikow. You get paid to write.

"Manila" is "plain".

"Vanilla" is not "plain". It's "vanilla"

 

[eyesofhawk]

Go to a Spread offense.
FILL the air with footballs, like God intended.
A glorious thing.

Serious question....

Why does the substantial reasoning that's been presented against this, not seem to mean anything to you?

 

[eyesofhawk]

Yeah I bet a lot of people share your fears………

You are a crazy person.

Assuming that was sarcasm, why would my fears be widely shared? 85% of football fans are completely clueless, when it comes to football

 

[eyesofhawk]

Did you check the Run vs Pass play percentages for 2025? Let me know what you find out.

Lester is running the 49er/Packer offense which are both slightly higher in the run percentage vs pass percentage every year.

Lester needs to increase the amount of pass plays and needs to improve the YPA stat if they want get a slot in the Playoffs.

He may finally have the pieces to do that if the QBs pan out.

Did you check the posts in this thread? You attached a post of mine that literally was in response to those numbers.

Obviously, those numbers do nothing to ease my fears. Again, Iowa will throw much more this season. And again, even with "high" rush attempts, at several key moments, TL has chosen to not take advantage of the opportunity to pound on and wear down the defense.

Is a functional passing game needed to make the playoffs? That's probably fair to say.

But fans way overrate the importance of the passing game, as a means to justify what became a completely toxic level of negativity in the community, amidst a peak level of winning

 

[eyesofhawk]

Go for it.

(crazy that people still think this guy is serious)

I know many of you around here are allergic to the truth. But here you go.

13:01 in the link. KF: "(throwing the ball around) makes it tougher to win, tougher to have a good defense"

 

[Max Rebo]

"Manila", Leistikow. You get paid to write.

"Manila" is "plain".

"Vanilla" is not "plain". It's "vanilla"

Per the Cambridge dictionary:

vanilla: “used to describe a product of service that is basic and has no special features”

manila: “made of strong, stiff, usually light brown paper”

So unless the playbook used on Saturday was printed on strong, stiff, light brown paper (which I suppose is possible), “vanilla” was the proper term to be used (assuming he did, indeed, mean “plain.”)

In fairness, manila folders are pretty vanilla, so I can understand where the confusion happens.

 

[eyesofhawk]

Per the Cambridge dictionary:

vanilla: “used to describe a product of service that is basic and has no special features”

manila: “made of strong, stiff, usually light brown paper”

So unless the playbook used on Saturday was printed on strong, stiff, light brown paper (which I suppose is possible), “vanilla” was the proper term to be used (assuming he did, indeed, mean “plain.”)

In fairness, manila folders are pretty vanilla, so I can understand where the confusion happens.

No, "manila" is the term that was originally used.

"Vanilla" has widely, and incorrectly been adopted, to the point where it's now included in the dictionary.

That's not the only garbage in the dictionary these days. Literally, "conversate", is now in the dictionary, because Tupac needed a rhyming word. But, "converse" was just fine for the dictionary all along.

Again, vanilla is not plain. It's vanilla

 

[Hawx224]

Did you check the posts in this thread? You attached a post of mine that literally was in response to those numbers.

Obviously, those numbers do nothing to ease my fears. Again, Iowa will throw much more this season. And again, even with "high" rush attempts, at several key moments, TL has chosen to not take advantage of the opportunity to pound on and wear down the defense.

Is a functional passing game needed to make the playoffs? That's probably fair to say.

But fans way overrate the importance of the passing game, as a means to justify what became a completely toxic level of negativity in the community, amidst a peak level of winning

So most fans are clueless, but you just so happen to be smarter than Lester?

 

[nu2u]

No, "manila" is the term that was originally used.

"Vanilla" has widely, and incorrectly been adopted, to the point where it's now included in the dictionary.

That's not the only garbage in the dictionary these days. Literally, "conversate", is now in the dictionary, because Tupac needed a rhyming word. But, "converse" was just fine for the dictionary all along.

Again, vanilla is not plain. It's vanilla

You weren’t merely dropped on your head as a child. You were intentionally held upside down from the 2nd floor balcony and then released.

 

[Istvan Teleky]

Did you check the posts in this thread? You attached a post of mine that literally was in response to those numbers.

Obviously, those numbers do nothing to ease my fears. Again, Iowa will throw much more this season. And again, even with "high" rush attempts, at several key moments, TL has chosen to not take advantage of the opportunity to pound on and wear down the defense.

Is a functional passing game needed to make the playoffs? That's probably fair to say.

But fans way overrate the importance of the passing game, as a means to justify what became a completely toxic level of negativity in the community, amidst a peak level of winning

A much more than just functional passing game is required. Consistently pounding and wearing down high-level defenses isn't realistic.

Iowa ran the ball over 60% last year. They absolutely need to pass the ball much more this season.

I agree that a solid run game is needed, however, an offense which is closer to 50% pass/50% run (tilted slightly more towards the pass) with a high YPA has a much better shot at making the playoffs and winning a championship at the college or NFL level.

The importance of the passing game should never be "overrated" by any fan. Its vital in this era of football.

 

[eyesofhawk]

A much more than just functional passing game is required. Consistently pounding and wearing down high-level defenses isn't realistic.

Iowa ran the ball over 60% last year. They absolutely need to pass the ball much more this season.

I agree that a solid run game is needed, however, an offense which is closer to 50% pass/50% run (tilted slightly more towards the pass) with a high YPA has a much better shot at making the playoffs and winning a championship at the college or NFL level.

The importance of the passing game should never be "overrated" by any fan. Its vital in this era of football.

Since you mentioned "this era". The teams advancing in the playoffs (college and pro), the last few years, are the most physical teams.

That will always be what's most important.

Do you know what "overrated" means?

 

[_Mjolnir_]

From what I heard from family and friends that were in attendance:

Two completely different QB's. Heck moves the sticks. Hank has the bigger arm. Given that Iowa doesn't take big risks would be shocked if Heck isn't the starter. He is just better between the sticks.

OL seems banged up and still trying to figure out the right mix. Wouldn’t be shocked if this is an issue during the season. Which again seems to favor Heck who has the quicker release and better ability to scramble.

Too many guys out at receiver to really tell what the reps will look like.

Hard to tell what is really going on at DL when you have so many guys mixing in and out on both lines. Clearly DL is miles ahead but that is typical when you have an OL replacing so many starters and a few replacements are out or banged up.

LB could be a real solid group. Same at DB. A lot of growth at CB with 4-5 guys in the mix.

 

[Grayhair1981]

Since you mentioned "this era". The teams advancing in the playoffs (college and pro), the last few years, are the most physical teams.

That will always be what's most important.

Do you know what "overrated" means?

The teams that have won the natties recently did so due to solid QB play. OSU was plenty physical, especially on defense in 25. Their QB was sub par. He was the difference between their 24 natty and losing to Indiana and Miami this year. And if "physical" is the difference between winning and losing, why didn't Indiana have more OL drafted this year? Their QB was number one and they had two WRs and a TE drafted. Cignetti obviously doesn't know what he is doing.
.

 

[eyesofhawk]

The teams that have won the natties recently did so due to solid QB play. OSU was plenty physical, especially on defense in 25. Their QB was sub par. He was the difference between their 24 natty and losing to Indiana and Miami this year. And if "physical" is the difference between winning and losing, why didn't Indiana have more OL drafted this year? Their QB was number one and they had two WRs and a TE drafted. Cignetti obviously doesn't know what he is doing.
.

OSU got beat up by Indiana and Miami, is what I saw.

Indiana was clearly the most physical team in the playoffs. Iowa was able to give them their toughest game of season by beating them up a little bit.

It's great to be both physical and have good qb play. Both are important.

But Iowa will always be built upon physicality. Most programs would kill to have what Iowa has. It should be something fans are ecstatic about.

But again, they have to make the passing game more important than it actually is. That way, at least in their minds, they are able to justify the highest level of negativity in the community having come during a peak period of winning.

The narrative that Iowa is a passing game away from the playoffs is drastically too simple. For one thing, many of the same people pushing this narrative are the same people that will try to convince you Iowa was good enough to be in the playoffs last season. But also, if a 12 team playoff had existed the past couple decades, Iowa would have made or barely missed out on the playoffs many times. And, as we know, people have been bitching about the passing game for decades.

Iowa will make the playoffs when they play good enough football to do so. There's a high chance that the passing game won't be good enough for many fans when that does take place. Then they will morph the narrative into, "Iowa can't win a national championship without a better passing game."

An absolute gift, of decades of good football, has passed before the eyes of many, without them having a clue of just how special what they were watching actually was

 

[yrunvs]

OSU got beat up by Indiana and Miami, is what I saw.

Indiana was clearly the most physical team in the playoffs. Iowa was able to give them their toughest game of season by beating them up a little bit.

It's great to be both physical and have good qb play. Both are important.

But Iowa will always be built upon physicality. Most programs would kill to have what Iowa has. It should be something fans are ecstatic about.

But again, they have to make the passing game more important than it actually is. That way, at least in their minds, they are able to justify the highest level of negativity in the community having come during a peak period of winning.

The narrative that Iowa is a passing game away from the playoffs is drastically too simple. For one thing, many of the same people pushing this narrative are the same people that will try to convince you Iowa was good enough to be in the playoffs last season. But also, if a 12 team playoff had existed the past couple decades, Iowa would have made or barely missed out on the playoffs many times. And, as we know, people have been bitching about the passing game for decades.

Iowa will make the playoffs when they play good enough football to do so. There's a high chance that the passing game won't be good enough for many fans when that does take place. Then they will morph the narrative into, "Iowa can't win a national championship without a better passing game."

An absolute gift, of decades of good football, has passed before the eyes of many, without them having a clue of just how special what they were watching actually was

"An absolute gift, of decades of good football, has passed before the eyes of many, without them having a clue of just how special what they were watching actually was"

Could not agree more.

 

[83Hawk]

Only an idiot would proclaim that throwing the football is a “toy”.

The forward pass has been around for over a hundred years. Hardly a “toy”.

 

[eyesofhawk]

The forward pass has been around for over a hundred years. Hardly a “toy”.

Read better

 

[Ozzie89]

You can't tell much from these. The defense will be fine. Offense and special teams will be question marks. This is a team, like most under KF, that will more than likely be playing their best football in November. If they can steal 1 of the first 3 Big Ten games, I would be ecstatic.

 

[squeezebox_1]

I thought for this one practice Brown looked better at QB.

His progression is still quite a bit slower, and that arm slot that he throws from isn't overly appeasing. He had some nice balls, but I would not agree with this take. It would have been nice to see James and Diaz at WR.

 

[83Hawk]

Read better

KMA.

 

[Passing Is For COMMIES]

 

[hawkandroll]

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

 

[Iron Doc]

Serious question....

Why does the substantial reasoning that's been presented against this, not seem to mean anything to you?

Because I, like the Buddha, have attained Enlightenment.

 

[Iron Doc]

KMA.

(also a historic radio station in SW Iowa)

 

[eyesofhawk]

Because I, like the Buddha, have attained Enlightenment.

It has been said that, "ignorance is bliss"

 

[IA79Cam]

Run. A. Balanced. Offense.

Balance is great, but balance for the sake of balance is dogwater. If an opponent stacks the box throw it 50 times, kick the ever living **** out of them, and they wont stack the box anymore. Too many damn times kirk will run the ball regardless of situation to maintain "balance" I love a balanced attack but a little common sense goes a long way.