A busy life of work and school including a complete change in my work schedule has made writing anything other than my homework basically impossible.  I have a few minutes on this beautiful Sunday morning after suffering through another lackluster performance by the Hawkeyes yesterday and I thought I would take this opportunity to say thank you to the Golden Gophers for being worse than the Hawks yesterday, I truly appreciate it.

Oh what a difference a year makes.  Last year was all about New Kirk, he was nothing like New Coke, everybody loved New Kirk, New Kirk got a 10 year contract extension that guarantees he’ll coach at Iowa as long as he likes.  Well apparently Old Kirk escaped the dungeon he was locked in and has taken back over and New Kirk is nowhere to found.  And why is Greg Davis calling plays again?  Where’s the guy that was calling plays last year?  Don’t tell me that Jordan Canzeri and Tevaun Smith made that big of a difference in Iowa’s offense.  LeShun Daniels and Akrum Wadley are the most talented RB duo Iowa has had in about a decade (Shonn Greene was a one-man show).  The loss of Matt Vandeberg is huge, I know, I get it but who the hell decided that Riley McCarron was all of the sudden the go-to guy?  I get that the entire WR corps is struggling to get separation but why are you running plays like bubble screens, that are designed to get guys open quickly, to Riley McCarron?  Where is he going with it?  Why are not running those plays to Jerminic Smith or Jay Scheel?   God forbid you try it to a kid like Devonte Young, you already burned his redshirt you might as well try to use him.  I get that Ronald Nash is older and may know what he’s supposed to do but if he can’t get open or catch the ball when he is what good is he.  That makes him a wide receiver in name only.

Kirk Ferentz is supposed to be an offensive line guru but it took him five weeks to realize his line was playing poorly and that Cole Croston is not a left tackle.  Croston had one of the worst offensive line performances possible against Northwestern and he played better at RT against Minnesota but that’s probably as much a product of a team not having a great pass rusher on his side than him actually getting better.  His footwork is abysmal for a tackle and switching sides doesn’t help that it just lessens the impact because of an inferior opponent.  I understand that Brett Waechter, Iowa’s third OT going into the year, is banged up and hasn’t suited up lately but having no depth at OT is on Ferentz and the coaching staff and their recruiting.  Boone Myers was better at LT against Minnesota than Croston was the first five weeks but that’s setting the bar pretty low.  If Waechter gets healthy I think he’s worth a look.

The defense finally got their s#it together and it couldn’t have come at a better time.  No matter how bad Minnesota is they almost always have a good running game and they have two talented RBs in Smith and Brooks.  Luckily Mitch Leidner is still a terrible passer (and any idiot draft guru that thinks Leidner is even draftable should give up his job and give it to me, I’m looking at you Todd McShay).  Jaleel Johnson and Nathan Bazata finally decided to show up and not get rolled this week, that was very thoughtful of them.  Bazata was blowing people up and Johnson was anchoring very well.  The Hawkeye defense starts up front and I’m not sure what DC Phil Parker or DL coach Reese Morgan said to those two this week but it worked.

FS Brandon Snyder and LB Bo Bower has been the whipping boys the past few weeks and rightfully so, they have been downright awful at times.  This week they both played much better, Bower still struggles in coverage and so does Snyder for that matter but they both made plays this week.  It’s a step in the right direction but they still need work.  The one guy that hasn’t taken as much heat but should is SS Miles Taylor.  Last year he was a tackling machine at times and played well but this year he has regressed badly.  His tackling technique is pitiful and he’s getting routinely trucked by opposing RBs.  I’m starting to wonder if the Hawkeyes should move Snyder to SS where his coverage issues would be lessened and try someone like Jake Gervase or Amani Hooker at FS.  Taylor has taken a noticeable step back and Ferentz may need to consider senior backup Anthony Gair even if it’s just for a series or two to wake Taylor up.

I’m no kicking expert but bringing a kid that has no game experience on a road trip to be your “long” field goal kicker and then asking him to kick a 50-yarder in a hostile environment is probably a bad idea.  Actually I know it’s a bad idea because that’s what Ferentz did yesterday to Miguel Recinos.  The kid lost the place kicking job to true freshman Keith Duncan (sorry Beth Mowins it’s not Keith Urban) and his kickoff job to Ron Coluzzi and then you make him come up to Minnesota and his first attempt is from 50 yards away.  Not a great plan considering his kick came up about 8 yards short, how is he your “long” kicker?  Just let Duncan take the shot at it, he’s your kicker let him kick.

This team has plenty of problems and quite frankly I can’t wait to see next year’s recruiting class with WRs like Brandon Smith, Gavin Holmes, Beau Corrales and hopefully Oliver Martin, hopefully the coaching staff will give them a chance.  Along with playmakers like RBs Eno Benjamin and Ivory Kelly-Martin the Hawkeyes will potentially have some real playmakers, assuming Riley McCarron doesn’t get a 6th year of eligibility and these guys sit on the bench.

END RANT…for now.

Okay, so my work schedule is getting crazier by the day and my Master’s classes are kicking my ass daily so I don’t have a ton of time to write out my thoughts on the NFL season so this is going to be the Quick Hits version.

AFC East

1) New England  2) Miami  3) NY Jets  4) Buffalo

I don’t care if Brady is out for the first four games that still leaves 12 games and they may only need 11 wins to win this division (Brady’s revenge return is going to be scary).  I think Adam Gase can get the Dolphins’ offense moving in the right direction but the defense I’m not so sure about over the full season.  There is no way Ryan Fitzpatrick can repeat his performance from last season, I mean he’s Ryan Fitzpatrick for heaven’s sake.  I like Tyrod Taylor in Buffalo but the injuries are piling up on defense and they need LeSean McCoy and Sammy Watkins to stay healthy all year, I’ll believe that when I see it.

AFC North

1) Cincinnati  2) Pittsburgh  3) Baltimore  4) Cleveland

The Bengals and Steelers are going to duke it out for this division and I think Cincinnati has just enough to pull it out.  I like the Bengals defense a little bit better than the somewhat changing of the guard the Steelers are going through.  Baltimore can’t stay healthy and they are counting on Elvis Dumervil and Terrell Suggs to not just vanish into dust so that’s not comforting.  The Browns are the Browns until they prove otherwise, Hue Jackson is a good coach but he’s not a magician.  The Browns just traded uber-bust CB Justin Gilbert to the Steelers, nothing like sabotaging your competition.  I’m even more convinced about the Bengals over the Steelers now.

AFC South

1) Jacksonville  2) Houston  3) Indianapolis  4) Tennessee

Yep, I’m on the bandwagon.  I think Blake Bortles is going to have a fantastic year and Gus Bradley has many toys to play with on defense.  The Jags have rebuilt the right way and their patience with a plan and a coach is about to pay off.  There is a lot of skepticism about Brock Osweiler’s big contract in Houston but I think he’s the right trigger man for Bill O’Brien’s offense and there is no looming Peyton Manning shadow.  He’s got a very good WR group and Lamar Miller to hand off to, oh and the Texans defense is pretty good. A healthy Andrew Luck makes the Colts good on offense but that defense isn’t very good and looking around the division the offenses look pretty solid so that could be trouble.  Tennessee is still in the rebuilding phase but a solid offensive line with two good RBs and Marcus Mariota is a really good place to start.  The Titans defense still needs work.

AFC West

1) Oakland  2)Kansas City  3)Denver  4)San Diego

I’m on the Raider bandwagon too.  They have also been doing the rebuild the right way and they have their QB in Derek Carr and some really nice pieces on offense.  They invested in the line to protect Carr and that helps a lot.  Their defense should be salty with Khalil Mack leading the charge.  I like what KC has done just being steady and Andy Reid will always have them ready to go.  Denver’s vaunted defense took a couple of key hits that I don’t think they adequately replaced (Malik Jackson and Danny Trevathan). Certainly Von Miller will dominate but their offense is led by Trevor Simien.  The sooner they turn the keys over to Paxton Lynch at QB the better and I’m betting DeVontae Booker takes CJ Anderson’s job before week 6.  The Chargers are not off to a great start having rookie Joey Bosa holdout, it’s been quite a while since a rookie held out.  They need him on defense and now he’s going to be behind.  A healthy offensive line would go a long way to curing their ills on that side of the ball and they play in a division with some fantastic defenses.  They need Melvin Gordon to show up too.

NFC East

1) NY Giants  2) Washington  3) Philadelphia  4) Dallas

No offense to Kirk Cousins but when in doubt about a division go with the team with the best QB and in this division that’s Eli Manning.  The Giants defense should be greatly improved and if their offensive line gives Manning half a second he can throw it to Odell Beckham a lot.  Two names on the Giants to remember; WR Sterling Shepard and DE Owa Odighizuwa, break out players.  Cousins has to come back to Earth a little bit and I’m not sure the running game is built to bail them out.  I like Doug Pederson but it’s year 1 in Philly and he just pushed all his chips in on Carson Wentz.  Bradford was never a great solution and getting a first round pick for him was highway robbery.  The Cowboys are going to get a long look at rookie QB Dak Prescott and find out if he’s the QB of the future (and by future I mean right now).  He looked good in the preseason but lots of guys have looked good in the preseason before.  Oh yeah, and no one has any idea who’s rushing the passer for the Cowboys for at least the first 4 weeks of the year.  It’s a pick’em for last place in this division between the two rookie QB led teams, I’m going with the Philly D over Dallas’ D…but just by a little.

NFC North

1) Green Bay  2) Detroit  3) Minnesota  4) Chicago

Teddy Bridgewater’s knee injury essentially hands this division to Aaron Rodgers and the Packers.  It would have been a fun fight to watch between those two teams.  The Packers are clearly better on both sides of the ball than the rest of the division now.  I’m giving Detroit 2nd place because their offense actually looked solid last year after the coordinator change to Jim Bob Cooter.  I mention this only because it’s the only way I get to say Jim Bob Cooter (that’s really his name).  The Detroit defense is better than you think. Minnesota now has Shaun Hill at QB for week one presumably, Hill is a solid veteran backup QB, the key words there are solid and backup.  The desperation trade for Sam Bradford might help but this isn’t a baseball team plugging a new starting pitcher into the rotation, this is a much tougher transition.  By the way, the irony of a team trading for Sam Bradford to replace their injured starting QB is epic.  Good luck Adrian Peterson, it’s tough when you have 6 blockers and the defense has 9 guys within 3 yards of the line of scrimmage.  John Fox is still trying to work some magic on that defense in Chicago and in the mean time he’ll lean on Jay Cutler and Jeremy Langford on offense.  Sorry Bears fans that was supposed to be comforting but then I read “Cutler” and “Langford” and it just doesn’t feel all that comforting.

NFC South

1) Carolina  2) Tampa Bay  3) New Orleans  4) Atlanta

The Panthers were a surprise last year going 15-1 and making the Super Bowl and I’m going to believe they don’t drop off that much.  Cam Newton took a major step forward and won the MVP award but he needs someone to help him because teams are going to figure out ways to at least slow him down.  I think Tampa Bay makes a small leap this year with Jameis Winston and Doug Martin leading the way on offense and the defense improving just enough.  New Orleans defense can’t be as bad as it’s been and I think Drew Brees will have the offense moving right along, watch out for rookie WR Michael Thomas.  The Falcons got off to hot start last year and then fell off a cliff.  I’m not sure they did enough on defense to improve much and besides Julio Jones I’m not sure who Matt Ryan is planning on throwing the ball to…and don’t say Mohamed Sanu, that’s not scaring anyone (except Falcons fans).

NFC West

1) Arizona  2) Seattle  3) Los Angeles  4) San Francisco

Arizona’s offense should continue to be potent as long as they can keep Carson Palmer upright and breathing.  The defense got a nice boost with their trade acquisition of Chandler Jones from the Patriots, he’s a difference maker for that front seven.  Seattle is still tough even if their defense isn’t quite up to their Super Bowl caliber squad and Russell Wilson will keep the offense going but he might be running for his life behind a suspect offensive line.  The Los Angeles Rams (hell yeah, got it right) are a work in progress but any team with Case Keenum at QB and Jeff Fisher as their coach should be picked to finish last, unless of course they are in a division with this 49ers team.  Chip Kelly’s experiment failed in Philly and now he’s trying it with Blaine Gabbert at QB.  The 49ers roster was deep and talented about 4 years ago…oh how quickly things change in the NFL.  The good news for 49er fans is Chip Kelly has a really good chance of coaching Deshaun Watson next year…if he comes out a year early.

AFC Playoffs

New England, Cincinnati, Jacksonville and Oakland

Wildcard teams: Pittsburgh and Houston

AFC Championship: New England vs. Cincinnati

AFC Champion: New England

NFC Playoffs

NY Giants, Green Bay, Carolina and Arizona

Wildcard teams: Tampa Bay and Washington

NFC Championship: Green Bay vs. Arizona

NFC Champion: Green Bay

Super Bowl Champion:  New England Patriots (Roger Goodell has to hand the Lombardi Trophy and the Super Bowl MVP trophy to Tom Brady)

 

Individual Awards

MVP Award

Favorites: QB Cam Newton, QB Aaron Rodgers, QB Andrew Luck, DE JJ Watt, QB Tom Brady

Dark horse: QB Blake Bortles

Newton could repeat but that’s fairly hard to do so don’t bet on it.  Rodgers and Luck will always have to be considered when they are healthy.  Watt just keeps racking up Defensive Player of the Year trophies so sooner or later he has to get legitimate MVP consideration.  Bortles is poised to make the leap and the Jags offense looks ready to shine.

My Pick: QB Tom Brady

I’m going with the pissed off, back for revenge and redemption with fully inflated footballs, Tom Brady.  He only gets 12 games but he will be on a mission.  Call it a homer pick, I don’t care…anything to stick it to Goodell.

Defensive Player of the Year

Favorites: DE JJ Watt (it’s his award until he gives it up).  Just in case Watt’s back injury slows him down.  LB Von Miller and  DE/OLB Khalil Mack would be my other top choices.

Dark horses: OLB Anthony Barr; OLB Chandler Jones

Barr could be a wrecking machine for the Vikings and if they are going to overcome Teddy Bridgewater’s injury they are going to need an elite season on defense and it starts with Barr.  Von Miller is a beast so he will make some noise.  Chandler Jones looks like a great fit in Arizona at OLB and this may be a trade that comes back to haunt the Patriots.  I understand they have a number of young guys on defense and can’t pay them all but they may have given up the wrong guy.

My Pick: DE/OLB Khalil Mack

He is about to be let loose on the NFL and with a couple of guys like free agent Bruce Irvin and rookie DE Shilique Calhoun around to take some attention away Mack could be in for a 20 sack season.

Offensive Rookie of the Year

Favorites: RB Ezekiel Elliott, WR Will Fuller, WR Tyler Boyd, WR Sterling Shepard

Dark horse: Devontae Booker

Elliott could run away with this award (sorry about the pun) and the only thing holding him back will be teams stacking up to stop him and daring the Cowboys to count on Dak Prescott to win games.  Elliott is special and so is the Cowboys offensive line.  Fuller has made some noise in the preseason being Brock Osweiler’s deep ball threat, if he doesn’t drop too many balls he will put on a show.  Sterling Shepard is a great fit in the Giants offense and the only thing that might slow him down is if Victor Cruz actual gets back to being his old self…yeah I don’t see that happening either.  I sincerely believe Booker will take CJ Anderson’s job and he will excel in Gary Kubiak’s run game.  He’s the steal of the draft but he doesn’t have the greatest QBs around to take a little pressure off.

My Pick: WR Tyler Boyd

Elliott is just too easy of a pick so I’m going against the grain.  I loved this guy throughout the draft process, I had the Bengals picking him and they did and now he’s stepped up to be the slot receiver they were looking for.  He won’t be the #1 WR because the Bengals have AJ Green but that actually helps him because Boyd will feast on single coverage.  He’s also the reason I don’t think the Bengals offense misses a beat this year.

Defensive Rookie of the Year

Favorites: LB Myles Jack, DB Jalen Ramsey, LB Darron Lee

Dark horses: LB Deion Jones, DE Noah Spence

Jack isn’t even a starter in Jacksonville but he’ll play in a lot of sub packages and in many places.  Ramsey is the best defender in the rookie class but we will see how he is used and how many INT opportunities he gets.  Winning the rookie award is about stats, especially on defense (Sacks and interceptions make headlines). Deion Jones doesn’t get a lot of pub but he’s going to rack up the tackles in Atlanta where their other LBs don’t tackle enough.  Speaking of tackling Darron Lee is going to be playing behind one of the best defensive lines in football for the NY Jets which means he’ll be plenty clean to run around tackling everything in sight.  Lee is a speed demon and is in the perfect place for his skills.  Big, huge tackle numbers for Lee in New York.

My Pick: DE Noah Spence

I said the award was about stats and truthfully there isn’t a dominant looking DE from early in the draft with Joey Bosa’s holdout putting him behind in development, Shaq Lawson being injured and DeForest Buckner not really in a position to put up big sack numbers.  Spence starts the season as the third DE in Tampa Bay but he’ll be the designated pass rushing specialist and he could be dominating in that role.  He’ll make the most of his snaps and put up a sack total in the mid teens.

 

The Hawkeye Defense

It’s Desmond King’s world and we’re just living in it. This is King’s defense for sure but he won’t have to do it all himself.  LB Josey Jewell looks to build on his breakout sophomore season in the middle of the Hawkeye defense and he lines up behind behemoth DT Jaleel Johnson who also had a great year last year as a first time starter.  The Hawkeyes also returns starters DT Nathan Bazata, LB Ben Niemann, CB Greg Mabin and SS Miles Taylor giving the Hawkeyes a solid foundation on the defensive side of the ball.  The loss of DEs Drew Ott and Nate Meier, LB Cole Fisher and FS Jordan Lomax will be felt but the team has some players ready to step up.

Let’s get into it.

Defensive Line

Starters

Defensive End: Parker Hesse   (So)                                           Matt Nelson   (So)

Hesse stepped in last season as the starter when Drew Ott went down with his injuries and for a guy that has only switched from LB to DE late the year before and was still undersized he played pretty well. He wasn’t Drew Ott but he held his own and his future looks bright.  He’s put on some more size, which is good, and hopefully he will advance with his pass rush skills and bring a little heat off the edge.  Matt Nelson was a big get in recruiting a few years ago and at 6’8 he brings an intriguing frame to the position.  That 6’8 frame is part of the reason it has taken him a few years to get on the field as he needed to add weight and strength and learn how to use leverage before getting out there against college competition.  My sincere hope is that Nelson has learned some ideas about getting his hands in the passing lanes if he can’t get to the QB because with his height and wingspan batting down passes should be quite natural.

Defensive Tackle: Jaleel Johnson   (Sr)                                       Nathan Bazata   (Jr)

Johnson waited his turn behind previous DT stalwarts Carl Davis and Louis Trinca-Pasat and he didn’t miss a beat once he took over the starting role last season. He is a beast on the interior not just plugging up running lanes but collapsing the pocket.  Johnson has made a name for himself and he’s made life easier on the LBs playing behind him and the guys next to him.  Speaking of the guys next to him Bazata wasn’t the first name people thought of a year ago that would start next to Johnson but he earned his starting spot.  He’s not the biggest bull in the shop but he’s one of the strongest.  Bazata doesn’t give ground and when Johnson isn’t collapsing the pocket Bazata is.  They make for a very effective duo in the middle of the defensive line and that’s where it all starts for this defense.

Backups

Defensive End: Anthony Nelson   (RS Fr)                                     Sam Brincks   (So)

That’s right people the two deeps at DE are three sophomores and a redshirt freshman. To say there isn’t much help in the upperclassmen ranks is not true…there is NO help because there are no junior or senior DEs on the roster.  Anthony Nelson (no he’s not Matt’s brother) faces the same problem Matt faced in getting ready to play, he’s 6’7 so he still needs to add bulk and learn a few things but he’s hopefully going to help out as a pass rusher while he learns.  Sam Brincks is a walk-on that has earned his spot in the two deeps going into fall camp but he’s got a whole host of youngsters that will be nipping at his heels by the time camp is over.  Brincks has a little more size to him at 6’5 and around 270 lbs. so that and his practice experience gives him an advantage over some of the incoming freshmen for sure.

Defensive Tackle: Faith Ekakitie   (Sr)                                            Jake Hulett   (Jr)

Ekakitie got plenty of playing time last year and he should be a really good third DT in a rotation with Johnson and Bazata, he has the ability to backup both of them and that’s helpful. He hasn’t blossomed into the dominant defensive lineman many hoped he would be when he was a four-star recruit so many moons ago but he’s a player and he’s a solid talent for a backup.  Much like DE the DT depth chart isn’t exploding with upperclassmen talent and Jake Hulett is another walk-on that has worked his way up the depth chart and earned a place in the two deeps.  Like Brincks, Hulett has a physical and experience advantage over the youngsters but that might not stop them from breaking through.

The Future:

Michael Slater (RS Fr), Brady Reiff (RS Fr), Garrett Jansen (RS Fr), Cedric Lattimore (Fr), Chauncey Golston (Fr), Austin Schulte (Fr), Brandon Simon (Fr), Romeo McKnight (Fr)

I was going to break these guys down into DE and DT but the other than Garrett Jansen almost certainly being a DT I’m not sure the decision of where to play any of these guys is a certainty. There is a very high likelihood that a couple of these guys play on the line this year but it’s up to them to beat out the others.  Jansen is a natural fit at DT but he’s still a little light, not that that has ever stopped a DT at Iowa.  The other two redshirt freshmen Slater and Reiff could earn some time but both are still growing and they could contribute as DEs or they could be quick, undersized players inside at DT.  Schulte, Simon and McKnight are all incoming freshmen that missed their senior seasons in high school because of injury so they are looking to come in and continue their rehab but any one of them could surprise and earn some time.  Lattimore and Golston are high school teammates from Michigan and either could contribute but Lattimore has a size advantage and could help out at either DE or DT.  If I were a betting man I would put my money on Lattimore making some noise in camp and probably not redshirting.

Linebacker

Starters

Outside Linebacker: Ben Niemann   (Jr)

Niemann has the thankless job of playing the OLB spot in the Hawkeye defense where he gets to lineup over the TE and cover slot receivers from time to time. He did a fantastic job last year stepping in as a first year starter.  He has the length and athleticism to cover down field and yet he’s an excellent tackler and knows how to play the run.  Niemann was overshadowed a bit by the spectacular play of MLB Josey Jewell and the great story of fifth-year senior Cole Fisher earning a starting spot and being Iowa’s top tackler but he’s a fantastic player who should only get better with experience.

Middle Linebacker: Josey Jewell   (Jr)

“The Outlaw” Josey Jewell spent his sophomore season breaking out and earning his nickname. After a tough redshirt freshman season replacing the Morris, Kirksey and Hitchens LB corps Jewell settled in at MLB last season and was sensational.  He found his place and his comfort zone and became a leader of the team even earning the title of captain.  Jewell was breaking in with his classmate Niemann on one side and veteran Fisher on the other and this year he’ll take on an even bigger role as a leader with Fisher gone from the position and breaking in a new starter on the weakside.  It is Desmond King’s defense but there is no doubt who the defensive quarterback is out on the field, it’s Jewell.

Weakside Linebacker: Aaron Mends   (So)

Cole Fisher stepped up big last year as a fifth-year senior and took the WLB spot and made it his own. He had spent years playing special teams and he never stopped fighting for a chance and it paid off.  Mends is an undersized LB with speed to burn and fits the mold of the run-and-chase LB.  Fisher was a tackling machine in 2015 and it’s up to Mends to fill those shoes, he also has the task of trying to hold off his competition for the job, Jack Hockaday.  It won’t be an easy task.

Backups Outside Linebacker:  Bo Bower   (Jr)

It feels like Bower has been around forever but that’s only because a few years ago he was a walk-on that earned the starting job replacing James Morris at MLB during his redshirt year. He played pretty well for a redshirt freshman walk-on that was replacing a four-year starter but he was never going to live up to that level.  Bower moved around some and now he’s settled in behind Niemann and he’s a pretty valuable, versatile backup that can help out all over and play special teams.

Middle Linebacker: Angelo Garbutt   (RS Fr)

Out of the 11 backup defensive players this is probably the one the coaches’ least want to see have to play, no offense to Garbutt but he has the unenviable task of backing up Jewell. If Desmond King has to come out of a game the coaches know Josh Jackson can play a little.  Garbutt is a redshirt freshman that would have to replace the quarterback of the defense.  He is young and he’ll probably get lots of snaps on special teams but unless the Hawkeyes are up by 35 pts in the fourth quarter he probably isn’t lining up at MLB.

Weakside Linebacker: Jack Hockaday   (So)

This is still a bit of a position battle but Mends has so far held off Hockaday in the race to replace Cole Fisher. Hockaday brings a little more size to the position but isn’t quite as fast.  The coaches played Hockaday last year on special teams to get him some experience and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him get regular playing time replacing Mends from time to time or potentially backing up the other spots.

The Future

Nick Wilson (RS Fr), Barrington Wade (Fr), Kristian Welch (Fr), Kyle Taylor (Fr), Nick Niemann (Fr), Amani Jones (Fr)

The Hawkeyes have three guys in Hockaday, Garbutt and Nick Wilson (they had Justin Jinning too but he left) in the 2015 class and they played Hockaday and redshirted the other two and then decided to load up in the 2016 class with five prospects. It seems highly unlikely to keep 7 players at one position in one class so some of the true freshman are likely to see time on special team’s coverage units.  It is unlikely any of them get playing time at LB but stranger things have happened.  Barrington Wade was a highly productive RB in high school and he still needs to grow into the LB position but his athleticism could make him a candidate to play.  Kristian Welch has the size to play LB or he could eventually move to TE if LB gets too crowded and he gets bigger, I could also see him at DE down the road (although that doesn’t seem like a need position either).  Kyle Taylor and Nick Niemann are the younger brothers of two Hawkeye starters (SS Miles Taylor and OLB Ben Niemann) and both need to physically mature but they bring good size and good genes to the position.  Amani Jones was a bit of a forgotten man in the 2016 recruiting class but he has good athleticism for the position.  I’m going with Wade and Jones contributing on special teams, no good reason just a hunch (that means there’s a 99.1% chance they redshirt, I may have made up that statistic).

Defensive Back

Starters

Cornerback: Desmond King   (Sr)                                              Greg Mabin   (Sr)

Desmond King was sensational last year and he won the Jim Thorpe Award for the best defensive back in college football to prove it then somehow he made the decision to forgo the NFL draft to return to the Hawkeyes. He has a chance to get his name and number up on the press box at Kinnick Stadium by becoming a two-time consensus All-American and become one of the most decorated players in Iowa history.  He’s been a special player since day one and he is the epitome of what Kirk Ferentz has used to build the Hawkeye program, an overlooked recruit that was just a great football player with a great work ethic and fantastic instincts.  By the way, no one has ever won the Thorpe Award twice, not even Jim Thorpe, go get it Desmond.  Greg Mabin will go down as the most overshadowed three-year starter in Hawkeye history.  Mabin is a very good CB with a few issues here and there (he’s a little inconsistent) but he has been up to the challenge of lining up across from one of the most feared CBs in college football.  It takes a certain level of confidence to know the other team prefers to throw it your way as much as possible and Mabin has never backed down.  He could really get on NFL teams’ radars with a big year because at 6’2 200 lbs. he’s exactly the type of big corner teams like, not as much as they like King but they still like guys like Mabin.

Safety: Miles Taylor   (Jr)                                                                Brandon Snyder   (So)

At this time last year Taylor was holding off Brandon Snyder in a competition to start opposite Jordan Lomax and when he won Snyder slid over to backup Lomax and now he’s the new starter at free safety. Taylor was better equipped to play strong safety and he proved it by being a good enforcer not only in the passing game but in the running game.  Taylor knows how to hit people so they remember him and Snyder is better suited to play center field.  Snyder is continuing the long line of walk-on safeties to earn a scholarship and a starting job.  Everyone just hopes he turns out the way those guys did on the field.  The team would be best off if these two remain healthy because the depth behind them leaves a lot to be desired.

Backups

Cornerback: Josh Jackson   (So)                                                  Michael Ojemudia   (RS Fr)

Jackson stepped up last season to become the nickel back and while he was limited in spring practice he showed some nice skills and has matured on the field. Ojemudia came to Iowa as a safety but moved to CB and has found a home.  He is still raw but with Greg Mabin missing spring practice with a shoulder injury and Jackson being limited with his own shoulder problem Ojemudia got plenty of reps and the coaches seemed to take a liking to him at CB.  The top 4 CBs are solid but after Ojemudia it gets very thin.

Safety: Anthony Gair   (Sr)                                                            Jake Gervase   (So)

Compared to safety the CB position is in great shape. Anthony Gair had a few nice moments last year but he’s a fifth-year senior that has always been just good enough to not be a starter.  He’s fine here and there but if Taylor or Snyder go down for any length of time things could get interesting.  Gervase is a sophomore walk-on that played well enough in the spring to come into fall camp in the two deeps.  I don’t know much about Gervase and I hope we keep it that way.

The Future

CB Manny Rugumba (Fr), CB Cedric Boswell (Fr), S Amani Hooker (Fr-his future is now)

Behind the top 4 CBs the team has incoming freshmen Rugumba and Boswell (fellow incoming freshman Lance Billings already quit the team during the summer and went home). Rugumba is a fantastic athlete that could play WR but with the lack of depth he’s needed at CB.  He could play if need be but the team has to be hoping the top 4 hold up all year.  Boswell has a little bit farther to go but he could be called on in a pinch.  Amani Hooker is the one to watch in defensive backfield.  He was a major playmaking safety in high school and I have a feeling he’s going to make his way up the depth chart behind Taylor and Snyder rather quickly.  It is possible if the Hawkeyes need him he could play CB especially in the nickel covering the slot.  Hooker has immense talent and Phil Parker has never shied away from playing freshman in the secondary (hello Desmond King).  I think Hooker brings the type of instincts King showed early in his career just at a different position, they both have an awareness about their positions that can’t be taught.  We can only hope he has the same type of impact.  The secondary could be quite short if injuries pile up at one position and with Mabin and Jackson having shoulder issues during the spring that is a legitimate concern.  I haven’t mentioned the 2017 recruiting class much except at WR (it is coming together quite nicely) because those guys aren’t signed yet and won’t be until February of 2017 but there is a reason Iowa has 4 verbal commitments at DB and isn’t done recruiting the position yet.

Punter

You know I don’t know anything about punting except I know good punting when I see it and bad punting when I see it. Redshirt freshman Colton Rastetter is listed as the starting punter on the depth chart backed up by kicker Miguel Recinos.  We can all hope Rastetter can do it or incoming fifth-year senior Central Michigan transfer Ron Coluzzi can take the job otherwise Recinos may be kicking and punting.

 

 

 

 

 

2016 Iowa Hawkeye Preview

What a difference a Rose Bowl makes. At this time last year, I was wondering if we were witnessing the beginning of the end of the Kirk Ferentz era of Iowa football and now the Captain is going to be staying as long as he likes.  That’s what happens when you go 12-0 in the regular season to win the Big Ten West, take Michigan St. down to the wire in the Big Ten Championship game and end Iowa’s 25-year absence from the Rose Bowl.  The MSU loss was heartbreaking and the Rose Bowl was awful but that 12-0 regular season gives everyone hope for 2016.  QB CJ Beathard returns to lead the offense and hopes to actually be healthy this year and Jim Thorpe Award winner CB Desmond King surprisingly returns to lead the Hawkeye defense.  I say surprisingly because King would have been a 1^st round draft pick in 2016 and has nothing left to prove at Iowa.  King is one of the major returning stars in college football this season and Beathard is one of the more underappreciated players nationally but he’ll be greatly appreciated by the Hawkeye faithful.

Beathard leads the charge on offense and now that his groin injury is healed he hopes to stay healthy and that’s a scary thought for the rest of the Big Ten given the season he had last year when he was never really 100% during the Big Ten season. The running game should be in good hands if LeShun Daniels Jr. can stay healthy (that’s a big if) and if Akrum Wadley can build on the good parts of his game and limit the rough parts (no fumbling issues Akrum).  Third-down back Derrick Mitchell has a specific set of skills the Hawkeyes like to use and there are a couple of young freshmen RBs waiting in the wings.  The offensive line is surprisingly experienced considering the loss of starters C Austin Blythe and G Jordan Walsh.  The line is always a major piece of the offensive puzzle on a Kirk Ferentz coached team and all five starters return with at least some starting experience.  TE George Kittle should be one of Beathard’s favorite targets but he’s the only TE with any real playing time.  The WR corps is high on potential and low on production.  WR Matt VandeBerg is Beathard’s favorite target but after him the WRs are anyone’s guess.

Here’s the more in-depth breakdown of the offense.

Quarterbacks

Starter: CJ Beathard   (Sr)

Desmond King may be the star of the team but the Hawkeye will only go as far a Beathard takes them. His gritty performance last year after injuring his groin and staying in the lineup to lead the team to a 12-0 regular season earned him a lot of points with the fans and even more with his teammates.  He had already taken control and shown the leadership the team was a looking for before the injury but nothing gains the loyalty of your teammates like gutting it out when they know you’re hurting.  There were times last year when Beathard looked like an elderly man walking gingerly back to huddle after a play but from the time the ball was snapped to the time the whistle blew he was playing as hard as anyone on the field.

Backup: Tyler Wiegers  (So)

Wiegers didn’t have a good spring game when Beathard had to sit out with a banged up shoulder (don’t worry, he’s fine now). It doesn’t give people much confidence in him if something were to happen to Beathard but Wiegers was in a strange spot.  Beathard had been playing all spring and then just a day or two before the spring game he was thrust into the starting lineup.  The starters on offense were moving around a bit and he obviously doesn’t have any chemistry with the receivers on that unit (I’m fairly certain Beathard only has chemistry with VandeBerg at this point so it’s understandable).  He is in his third year on campus and he has some talent he just needs some reps with the big boys and hopefully with Beathard in full control of the offense they can give him a little rest during practice and let Wiegers take some more reps.  He may not look like the ideal solution if Beathard goes down but the rest of the depth chart is a redshirt freshman and a true freshman, for now Wiegers is the best bet behind CJ.

The Future: Drew Cook    (RS Fr)                                                    Nathan Stanley   (Fr)

With former QB Ryan Boyle making the full-time move to WR at the end of the spring it leaves his classmate Drew Cook and incoming freshman Nathan Stanley as the other scholarship QBs on the roster. Many assumed Cook, the son of Hawkeye legend Marv Cook, would make the switch to TE like his dad but it was Boyle that changed positions.  Cook is big at 6’5 220 lbs. and athletic and he certainly looks the part but he has a lot to learn.  Stanley is the incoming freshman from Wisconsin and he’s almost equally as big at 6’5 212 lbs. and he’s a phenomenal athlete.  When 2017 rolls around I expect both of these two to give Wiegers stiff competition to replace Beathard and any of the three could win the job.  And I wouldn’t be all that surprised if it’s Stanley.

Running Backs

Starters: LeShun Daniels Jr.   (Sr)                                                     Akrum Wadley (Jr)

Daniels is listed as the starter with Wadley listed as his backup but that’s a technicality because we all know they will both get their touches. Daniels is the power back that takes too many hits and can’t seem to stay healthy for a full season so it would be best for him to share the load.  Wadley is a speed back with homerun ability and some questionable ball security issues.  They should make for a very effective duo is they can overcome their question marks.  Jordan Canzeri stepped forward last year because of his reliability and had a good year but both Daniels and Wadley possess the talent to be even better.  The Hawkeyes will rely on the run game because of their lack of proven playmakers in the passing game and an offensive line that should excel as run blockers.  One of these two could emerge and take over the job full-time but I would suspect that each one will actually excel depending upon the weekly matchup.

Backup: Derrick Mitchell Jr.  (Jr)

It isn’t going to just be a two man show in the backfield because Mitchell proved last year he can make a valuable contribution especially on third-down. He is a converted WR which explains his superior pass catching skills but he has put in the work and is a very good blocker in blitz pickup.  Those skills make him invaluable to Kirk Ferentz, Greg Davis and Brian Ferentz on the offense because he can also run the ball a little meaning his presence isn’t a dead giveaway on the play call.  His experience gives him a leg up on his new teammates.

The Future: Toks Akinribade   (Fr)                                                    Toren Young   (Fr)

Iowa did use four different RBs last season so it’s not out of the question that one of these two will get playing time in the backfield (apologies to Marcel Joly but he is going to end up behind both of these guys sooner rather than later). Akinribade has the size and speed to be an immediate contributor while Young has the size for sure and could be a power back replacement for Daniels if (let’s hope it’s if and not when) he gets injured.  Akinribade has a myriad of skills and could give Mitchell a run for his money as the third down back.  Young is big at 5’11 and about 225 lbs. so he has size and he was unbelievably productive as a high school senior (2,776 yards rushing and 28 TDs).  Seriously, those numbers are not a typo and that was just his senior year not a career total.

Fullback

The Hawkeyes lost Adam Cox and Macon Plewa to graduation so the position is a bit wide open. Drake Kulick (Jr) looks like the likely starter while young guys Austin Kelly (So) and Brady Ross (RS Fr) vie for the backup role.  Iowa turned Cox and Plewa into excellent lead blockers and it really enhanced the running game last season and there is no reason these three hard working guys can’t do the same.  It’s not a flashy position and not a lot of college teams use fullbacks any more but Iowa has made some good ones.  The best case scenario for these guys is that you barely hear their names next year, that means they are doing their jobs and not messing anything up.  They are the unsung heroes of the running game but their coaches and teammates no how important a good fullback can be.

Tight End

Starter: George Kittle (Sr)

Kittle is going to be one of the two guys Beathard will trust the most this season right from the start (the other is WR Matt VandeBerg). He is the only TE with any real game experience and he brings real playmaking ability to the position.  Kittle can run all the routes and he’s a matchup nightmare in the passing game.  He has good hands and while his blocking isn’t his strong suit he is willing and able to do it and has gotten better in his time at Iowa.  He could be in for a breakout sort of year and really make a major impact for this team.

Backups: Jon Wisnieski  (Jr), Peter Pekar  (Jr), Nate Vejvoda  (RS Fr), Nate Wieting  (RS Fr)

Behind Kittle it’s a bit of a crapshoot until the incoming freshmen get their shot and things sort themselves out. Two juniors and two redshirt freshmen will try to fend off the talented freshmen class.  Jon Wisnieski was a good prospect when he came to Iowa but he hasn’t been able to stay healthy long enough to earn playing time.  He is in his fourth year on campus and it’s now or never because there are young guys ready to pass him by and playing time behind Kittle is there for the taking.  Hopefully Wisnieski can finally put it all together and become a contributor.  Pekar is a walk-on that has flashed at times during practices but just hasn’t quite figured it all out yet.  He has more time on the team than everyone except Kittle and Wisnieski but that might not be enough to overcome the incoming talent.  Vejvoda redshirted last year and he could make his presence felt this year if he makes some plays.  He’s had a year to get physically ready and learn the offense and he needs to take advantage so he doesn’t become the forgotten man.  Wieting is another walk-on TE and he also redshirted last year and the coaches seem to like his potential but again the incoming talent is pretty impressive so he needs to show what he can do.

The Future: Noah Fant  (Fr)                      TJ Hockenson   (Fr)                        Shaun Beyer   (Fr)

I don’t have any stats to back it up but I would guess it’s fairly rare for a team to recruit three TEs in one class but Iowa did it this year and given the depth chart’s unknowns behind George Kittle it’s not that surprising. There are reports this summer that Shaun Beyer is working out as a WR and given he’s 6’5 210 lbs. he has a ways to go before he’s big enough to play TE but I’m going to guess he’s still going to get there eventually.  Beyer will likely redshirt in order to physically mature and give the coaches a chance to decide where he ends up.  It’s also just a good idea to split up the class of three TEs a bit for the future.  Noah Fant is a special athlete and while he only comes in at 220 lbs. I have a feeling the coaches will find some way to work him into the offense as a pass catcher.  TJ Hockenson is the biggest of the three incoming freshman at 230 lbs. (they all measure in at 6’5) and while he may not be the athlete Fant is he is an accomplished pass catcher.  He rewrote virtually every pass receiving record in Iowa high school history throughout his career and he has incredible hands.  Fant and Hockenson have a chance to move up the depth chart quickly and become two more playmaking TEs for Beathard and the offense.

Offensive Line

The offensive line features five players that all started at one time or another last season; Cole Croston, Boone Myers, Sean Welsh, James Daniels and Ike Boettger. These five are backed up by a bunch of guys that have virtually no playing experience at all.  Kirk Ferentz has always been one to play the best five guys regardless of position and these five all seem to have some versatility so that helps a lot.

Starters:

Left Tackle: Cole Croston   (Sr)

Croston started last year as the third OT behind Boone Myers and Ike Boettger but after a number of different injuries and some shuffling around he ended up at LT and seems to have settled in at the position. The coaches think he is more comfortable outside at OT than inside at guard and everyone is hopeful he can keep CJ Beathard’s blindside protected.  Croston is a former walk-on that earned a scholarship and is looking to have a special fifth year.

Left Guard: Boone Myers   (Jr)

Myers started last season at LT but he moves inside this year to let Croston play on the outside where he is more comfortable. Myers brings a physicality inside that should work well in the run game.  He is also a former walk-on that earned a scholarship and while the depth chart lists Brett Waechter as the backup at LT (more on him later) I would be shocked if Myers didn’t slide outside in the event Croston goes down for any reason.

Center: Sean Welsh   (Jr)

Welsh played OG and even RT a little last year and when James Daniels missed spring practice after having surgery the coaches moved Welsh inside to center. He seemed to handle the transition well and for now that’s his spot but it isn’t set in stone.  Daniels is a natural center and these two will likely alternate during training camp between center and right guard.  It’s not a bad idea because other than Daniels the Hawkeyes don’t have a natural center.

Right Guard: James Daniels   (So)

Daniels didn’t even play during spring practice and he’s still listed as a starter, that’s just how good he was last year. Daniels played guard and tackle as a true freshman and neither of those are his natural position.  Welsh earned a shot at center with his play this spring but if I were a betting man I think Daniels ends up with the job and Welsh moves back to his natural guard spot.  Daniels is a future star lineman for the Hawkeyes wherever he lines up but I think he gets his position back eventually.

Right Tackle: Ike Boettger   (Jr)

Boettger is a converted TE with good size and athleticism for the RT position. He was banged up a bit last season and like many of the linemen he struggled in the Rose Bowl but he’s fairly new to the position so he just needs some time to grow.  He should hold down this spot for the next few years and he’ll only get better with experience.

Backups

Left Tackle: Brett Waechter   (RS Fr)

Waechter spent last season redshirting and rehabbing from a previous shoulder injury and yet he came out of spring ball listed in the two-deeps as the backup to a senior at LT. That’s a pretty good sign for a youngster and I think his future is bright.  Like I said I think if there is an injury to Croston Ferentz’s first instinct will be to slide Boone Myers back outside to LT but Waechter could very well be the next man in even if it is at LG.  In the past Ferentz has had a habit of breaking in his young OTs at OG to get their feet wet and Waechter has obviously shown the coaches he has something to work with.

Center: Steve Ferentz   (Sr)         Lucas LeGrand   (So)

If by some chance the Hawkeyes lose both James Daniels and Sean Welsh things could get a little dicey at center. Steve Ferentz is a fifth-year senior walk-on who hasn’t played a meaningful snap in the last four years and is still a bit undersized.  Yes, both his older brothers played center while undersized but they were very good technicians and Steve isn’t on that level.  Lucas LeGrand has practiced at center but it isn’t his natural spot so it could be up to one of the younger interior guys to pick it up.  The truth is the team is counting on Welsh and/or Daniels to hold down the spot for the next three years (Daniels still has 3 years of eligibility).

Guards: Ryan Ward (Sr), Mitch Keppy (Sr), Keegan Render (So), Ross Reynolds (So)

Two seniors that have never really played and two sophomores trying to hold off the youngsters could rotate in at any of the guard positions because none of them have ever been in the lineup. Ward was listed in the two deeps but was replaced by LeGrand and Render is listed in the two-deeps and he could be the first man in at OG if there is an injury. Training camp will sort out the pecking order and if there is an injury there will likely be some shuffling because of the versatility of Welsh, Daniels and Myers.  It is time for Render, Reynolds and LeGrand to step up or get passed by because the redshirt freshmen class has some talent coming up fast.  Ferentz could get a look at guard too but all of these guys need to take the next step in development or they will be relegated to the backup spots for good.

Right Tackle: Dalton Ferguson   (So)

Ferguson is on the Cole Croston/Boone Myers plan as a walk-on who is trying to earn himself a scholarship. For now, he’s listed as Boettger’s backup at RT and he could be in play on the inside if need be.  The biggest obstacle to playing time for him is that the Hawkeyes are doing a better job at recruiting OTs for the future than they had for a few years so his path to a starting job and scholarship might be a bit tougher than Croston and Myers faced.  Don’t get me wrong Croston and Myers earned their starting spots and their scholarships but the Hawkeye OT recruiting, or lack thereof, opened up the opportunity for them to step forward.

The Future: Jacob Newborg (RS Fr), Levi Paulsen (RS Fr), Landon Paulsen (RS Fr), Alaric Jackson (Fr), Spencer Williams (Fr), Cole Banwart (Fr)

Newborg is a guy that could make a move at guard but it wouldn’t be the worst idea if he learned how to snap the ball too. He has the physicality to be a player and there is room to move on the depth chart.  The Paulsen twins, Levi and Landon, are the same size 6’5 305 lbs. as each other, they both have beards and they were numbers 66 and 68 so there is zero chance I will ever be able to tell them apart.  There is a chance they could both eventually end up lining up next to each other on one side of the line or they could flank James Daniels at center someday as the two starting guards.  When I mentioned the Dalton Ferguson may find himself with a tougher road to the OT job because Iowa’s OT recruiting had picked up I was specifically thinking of incoming freshman Alaric Jackson (there are a couple of 2017 commits that might make it tough too).  Unlike guys like Waechter and the Paulsen’s that could play OT or OG Jackson is built to be a tackle.  At 6’7 he has length the Hawkeyes don’t normally find and while he still needs to physically mature he might be ready to play in a year.  Spencer Williams and Cole Banwart are good, tough future interior lineman and could be molded into future starters.

Wide Receivers

Starters: Matt VandeBerg (Sr)                   Jerminic Smith (So)                        Riley McCarron (Sr)

VandeBerg is by far the most accomplished player at WR and he’s Beathard’s security blanket especially on third down. He led the team in catches last year and he’s poised to do it again unless someone really emerges as a major threat.  The guy at the top of the list to breakout is Jerminic Smith who stepped in and started when Tevaun Smith was hurt last year and while he flashed major potential against Illinois the rest of his results were less than overwhelming.  Smith has deep speed and he’s growing into the position but the Hawkeyes need him to grow up fast because he brings a dimension the offense sorely lacks, the deep ball.  Riley McCarron is a former walk-on that should line up in the slot often and while he’s a reliable pass catcher he isn’t scaring anyone.  VandeBerg is the only sure thing at the position so it could shake out in a number of different ways so you’ll hear a lot of different names mentioned as possibly making a contribution.

Backups: Jay Scheel (So)                         Adrian Falconer (So)                     Jonathan Parker (Jr)

If any of these three guys could become a playmaker it would go a long way in upgrading the Hawkeye offense. Scheel has spent most of his three years on campus fighting injuries but if he can get healthy enough to put his athleticism to use he might just be a reliable target Beathard needs.  The updated two deeps released during Big Ten media day had Scheel listed as a co-starter with Jerminic Smith so that’s some good news.  Falconer was the other true freshman WR (Jerminic Smith being the first) to get playing time last season.  He didn’t see much time but the coaches are hoping what experience he did get will help him adjust quickly and maybe contribute this year.  Jonathan Parker is the converted RB with speed to burn but he is only known for two things; 1. The worst kickoff return in history in Iowa’s bowl game against Tennessee and 2. Every time he’s in the game Iowa is running the jet sweep.  It would be a huge help to the offense if they could find a way to take advantage of Parker’s elite speed without his presence in the game being a dead giveaway as to the play call. (Late update: Parker has a foot injury and will miss fall camp).  There are two walk-on WRs that could contribute in Connor Keane (Jr) and Ronald Nash (So) and truthfully nothing would surprise me but there is quite a bit of competition.

The Future: Emmanuel Ogwo (RS Fr)          Ryan Boyle (RS Fr)          DeVonte Young (Fr)

Ogwo is a bit on the slim side but he’s got speed that could make him a playmaker. He redshirted last year to get a year of growth under his belt and hopefully it will pay off.  The team doesn’t have a ton of speed at WR so he has a skill they need.  Ryan Boyle was the talk of the spring game because at the end of spring practice he made the move to WR and tried it out during the game and made a couple of plays.  The story is that he is too good of an athlete to waste as the 3^rd or 4^th string QB and he wants to contribute so they are giving him a shot at WR.  I only sort of believe that but I think he could excel as WR and he brings nice size and strength to the position.  He probably isn’t going to burn a lot teams deep on the outside but he could be a good power receiver and give Beathard another reliable pass catcher.  He’s behind in development because he’s been a QB until this point in his life but I think he’ll pick it up fast and I think he’ll get playing time this year.  DeVonte Young is the only incoming freshman WR and I think it’s very likely he redshirts unless he just blows the coaches away.  There are not a lot of guys with real playing experience ahead of him but there are a lot of bodies to climb over.  Maybe Young makes the leap but I’m not counting on seeing that this year.  The 2017 recruiting class should be big for this position in the future.

Kicker

I don’t know much about kicking but I know we may need a good consistent one this year and there should be plenty of competition on hand. Miguel Recinos is listed as the starter and he has a powerful leg it’s just whether or not he can consistently put it through the uprights.  The only scholarship kicker on the team at the moment is sophomore Mick Ellis, he competed for the job two years ago and then after losing the competition he redshirted last year.  If he doesn’t win the job he may be looking for a new home at some point (backup kickers don’t normally get scholarships).  There is some solid walk-on competition in freshmen Keith Duncan and Caleb Shudak and maybe redshirt freshman Josh Proehl.  I say this only knowing that no one has a lock on the job and whoever walks out onto the field to kick Iowa’s first FG attempt of the season won’t shock me.  It will shock me if someone other than Recinos handles Iowa’s first kickoff of the year, that’s a pretty solid bet, he’s got a big boot.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yes, I realize this is my sports blog and I don’t usually tackle subjects outside of the NFL, the NFL Draft or the Iowa Hawkeyes but this weekend was just too much to ignore.  As everyone who isn’t living under a rock knows a crazy man took an assault rifle and shot up a nightclub in Orlando, FL.  He shot over 100 people with around half of them dying from their injuries (the death toll could still rise with some people in critical condition).  This has become the hot topic political issue at the moment and rightfully so.

There are all kinds of hot button issues rising up from this tragedy including gun laws, the NRA, radical Islamic inspiration, LGBT hatred and the choices we have to make this fall in the Presidential election.  It is no secret to anyone that knows me that I’m a Democrat but this issue goes beyond simple party affiliation.  Each side has staked their territory with Donald Trump laying the blame at the feet of Barack Obama because somehow if he says the words “radical Islam” that will save the day and Hillary Clinton because well she’s his opponent so he has to blame her.  Clinton has turned her attention to the NRA and Congress’s inaction on gun laws but she too is blaming Donald Trump because he’s her opponent.  The political finger pointing is ridiculous and the only person who said anything I believe is right was President Obama when he said this is our fault, it certainly is.

The idea that gun law reform alone would solve the problem of mass shootings in this country is incredibly narrow-minded.  Don’t get me wrong we need common sense gun laws that stop obviously unbalanced and dangerous people like the Orlando nightclub shooter from getting his hands on an AR-15 assault rifle and anybody that doesn’t see that is blinded by stupidity.  But that is only treating a symptom, not the disease.  I don’t believe anybody “needs” to own an assault rifle and anyone that tells you they need it for hunting isn’t a very sporting person, if you can’t kill an animal with a regular rifle you should probably find a new hobby.  But as I said that is the symptom not the disease.  The disease is hate.

People want to blame radical Islamic terrorist, ISIS or some other organization because the shooter called 911 and pledged his allegiance to many groups.  Well he was crazy because he actually pledged that allegiance to multiple radical groups that actually oppose each other which leads me to believe he had no frickin’ clue what the hell he was talking about. He was apparently very vocal about his hatred of gay people and was probably motivated as much by that as some dedication to radical Islamic views.  The truth is crazy never needed a reason before why start now.  But whether he was crazy or it was terrorist inspired or it was simply the worst case of homophobia in history it was inspired by hate.

This is the reason why I could never support Donald Trump for President.  I am admittedly not a Hillary Clinton fan and I wish we had better choices overall for this Presidential election but Donald Trump is simply the worst candidate ever for President and he couldn’t come at a worse time.  Donald Trump is only about hate.  He stands for absolutely nothing more than fear and hate.  He does not have moral compass and he has absolutely no conviction in anything because he doesn’t actually believe anything he says.  He only spouts off divisive, mean-spirited vitriol because he is a horrible person, I don’t usually judge people but his rhetoric has left me with no other explanation.  Handing this country over to someone like this at a time when we need to come together is dangerous.  Hillary Clinton was right when she said Trump is temperamentally unfit for the Presidency.

I don’t agree with Democrats that think gun laws are somehow going to save us all and that is the one and only answer to this type of violence.  It’s a piece of the puzzle but it isn’t the whole picture.  We need to address the issues that divide us.  We need to realize that not everyone is like us and that’s okay.  We can agree to disagree and still be civil, well at least there was a time in this country when we could do that.  You’re going to hear a lot of talk from Donald Trump about Second Amendment rights for gun owners but he seems to have forgotten to read the Amendment that comes right before it that guarantees freedom of religion in this country.  We also must understand that the protection of freedom of religion means you are free to practice your religion but it doesn’t mean you get to impose your beliefs on others.  That means if you’re Muslim you don’t get to kill people because you’ve misinterpreted your own faith and it means if you’re Christian you don’t get to pass laws that discriminate against Muslims, gay people, transgendered people or anyone else because you’ve decided to cherry-pick the parts of the bible to believe in.

I had seriously considered not voting for anyone for President this year, just leaving it blank, my own little protest in not choosing between the lesser of two evils  (okay there was never a chance I would vote for the Donald but I was going to abstain because I’m not a Hillary fan).  That is no longer a choice because I have to vote against even the idea of a fear-mongering, hate-spreading, pandering jackass with absolutely nothing remotely redeeming about himself winning the Presidency of the United States.  Trump is part of the problem and he will never be part of the solution.

Okay, I’ll get down off my soapbox now and go back to talking about sports, how ’bout them Hawkeyes.