TONY DIAZ!!!
- Thread starter squeezebox_1
- Start date
I think Stanley was a decent QB, and he looks better with hindsight.
Things do look brighter now, for sure, regarding the passing game.
I agree with you on Stanley. I didn't clarify, but meant in ISM's last year when he had Petras and a poor Iowa offensive line.
It’s rare for Kirk to do overtly praise a young offensive skill position player this much. The hype train is full speed ahead.
I was listening to the Swarmcast (247 reporters podcast) and one of the 2 asked all the player representatives as well if Diaz was worth all the hype. All 3 gave an emphatic yes.
I hope he lives up to the hype. But we all may need to chill a bit. I don't want him to have unrealistic expectations
I expect Diaz to be very good, given a strong enough commitment to the run game, and solid QB play.
But expectations that receivers are going to take Iowa to the next level, as a program, is always unrealistic.
And that seems to be a common sentiment around here
They haven’t because Kirk has an inability to recruit or develop top end receivers.
Which wouldn't make the expectation any less unrealistic/uninformed.
For one thing, there are only a handful of those top end receivers (that fans seem to think the game evolves around) in the country. Guess what. Those guys will never end up at Iowa, on a year to year basis.
But for another thing, it's pretty reasonable to assume that there is a 4 year window remaining for Iowa to try to level up, as a program, under KF. There may be a couple add on years. Who knows?
But what Iowa has to do, in the near future, to fight an uphill battle to sustain as a program, let alone level up, comes down to so much more than receivers.
And what Iowa has done, to be the most consistent program in the country over the last 24 seasons, has had almost nothing to do with receivers.
It's just an entirely overplayed narrative by fans. And much of that is to justify, in their minds, what has been completely unjustifyable negativity levied upon the program.
Sure, there's a level of talent just below the handful of top end receivers, that Iowa would love to be able to tap into, at least on a semi-yearly basis. But even those guys, just aren't the difference makers that people believe them to be.
I'm not sure PSU had one explosive pass play in the last few games of their final four run two seasons ago.
National champion Michigan had two long passes of 14 yards, both to RB's, in their '23 big ten title game vs Iowa. I'm not sure they even attempted to throw downfield, IIRC.
The game just isn't what many of you believe it to be. And if it were, there's nothing to show that to be a more sustainable method. Even in the NFL, top end receivers are more like frosting, than an ingredient fundamental to baking the cake. KC was great before and after Tyreek Hill. While the Dolphins, as a program, felt no impact from the presence of Hill.
And fans don't seem to have an answer for how the program is supposed to invest more into receivers without it compromising the program in other areas. Overall, more talent at receiver would amount to more financial investment. Guess what. Funds aren't unlimited. And guess what. I think I'm just fine with how funds are presently being allocated
Both were to WR's. Unless you consider 3 and 1 carries respectively on the season to be running backs. 47 and 48 receptions in 2023 as well. And also throwing downfield against a team that couldn't move the ball (51 yards of offense at half) is asking for something dumb to happen.
You're right. I had misremembered them being shorter completions that were run for yardage after the catch. But both were out routes.
Regardless, Michigan wasn't throwing down field much.
Absolutely, part of that is because Iowa would have trouble scoring.
But then fans conveniently don't look at it that way when it's Iowa's offense forfeiting meaningless yardage for the sake of closing out games
The difference being Iowa does it up one score while Michigan was winning by 3+ touchdowns.
If they both end in W's there is no difference.
So I think you're making my point for me. What should truly be valued?
Glorious misdirection that dodges and minimizes the point I made while encouraging me to respond again to keep the ragebait going. This is why you are my GOAT eyes.
I get your point, but I am more interested in how he looks the last game in September or first one in October. Iowa State is a meh game this year and probably won’t tell us much of anything, unless Iowa just sucks in that game.
It’s been a long time since we saw a difference maker on offense show up against a team like Michigan or Ohio State. Even if Iowa wins neither, I still want to see some life on offense against a top ranked opponent.
If we see nothing of note offensively in either of these two games, and Iowa loses something like 9-20 against Michigan, or 13-42 against Ohio State, or whatever, and Diaz averages something like 3 catches for 14 yards in those two games, then it makes whatever numbers he put up against Iowa State meaningless IMO.
Big time players show up in big time games.
I am sitting 20 miles or so from san marcos tx. interested to know his baseball skills as well. that seems to help wide receivers. I may ask around. he wore number 14 on baseball as well
No, it was actually direct response to your post. If both scenarios end in a W, then I don’t see what "difference" you are trying to present.
And the question was rhetorical. Fans are valuing meaningless stats, over doing what it takes to close out W's.
Think you might be looking a little too much into things at times
I wonder if runs back kicks? I thought his stats said he had one punt return for a score in HS maybe...
If our team approaches ISU game as meh we lose either the game, a key player, or both!
we know how they play US regardless of their talent level. Kirk should be pushing the “Stomp them” narrative in preparation!
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