Comments on: Spring fever http://football.hawkmania.com/2008/04/14/spring-fever/ Quad-City Times Iowa football beat writer give his thoughts and commentary on college football -- the Hawkeyes, the Big Ten and beyond Mon, 08 Sep 2008 00:01:18 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: tom http://football.hawkmania.com/2008/04/14/spring-fever/#comment-141 tom Sun, 20 Apr 2008 00:17:32 +0000 http://football.hawkmania.com/2008/04/14/spring-fever/#comment-141 WENT TO THE SPRING GAME TODAY. DEFENCE LOOKS GOOD. SAME PROBLEM WITH THE O-LINE. THEY NEED A LOT OF WORK. I LIKED STANZI AND MCNUTT AT Q-BACK. JAKE JUST HAS A PROBLEM. RB'S NEED WORK BUT WILL WAIT FOR GREEN TO COME BACK. FB'S LOOK GOOD. WENT TO THE SPRING GAME TODAY. DEFENCE LOOKS GOOD. SAME PROBLEM WITH THE O-LINE. THEY NEED A LOT OF WORK. I LIKED STANZI AND MCNUTT AT Q-BACK. JAKE JUST HAS A PROBLEM. RB’S NEED WORK BUT WILL WAIT FOR GREEN TO COME BACK. FB’S LOOK GOOD.

]]> By: Jersey Brian http://football.hawkmania.com/2008/04/14/spring-fever/#comment-140 Jersey Brian Fri, 18 Apr 2008 20:00:17 +0000 http://football.hawkmania.com/2008/04/14/spring-fever/#comment-140 Good point Ohio...I'd never really considered that before. Now that I think about it, I'd add the Wisconsin game to your list, making the Hawks pretty close to 9-3. Not too shabby. I think one of the most important factors in eking out W's in those close games is experience at key positions. Guys that have been in that situation before, especially in the skill positions, know what it takes to snatch the victory in the 4th quarter. I'm a little worried about the situation at RB, but hopefully Christensen—with a year as a starter under his belt and, ideally, an O-line not intent on getting him killed—will help the Hawks pull out the close ones. I'd sure like to ring in 2009 on a vacation someplace warm. Good point Ohio…I’d never really considered that before. Now that I think about it, I’d add the Wisconsin game to your list, making the Hawks pretty close to 9-3. Not too shabby.

I think one of the most important factors in eking out W’s in those close games is experience at key positions. Guys that have been in that situation before, especially in the skill positions, know what it takes to snatch the victory in the 4th quarter. I’m a little worried about the situation at RB, but hopefully Christensen—with a year as a starter under his belt and, ideally, an O-line not intent on getting him killed—will help the Hawks pull out the close ones. I’d sure like to ring in 2009 on a vacation someplace warm.

]]> By: Hawkzilla http://football.hawkmania.com/2008/04/14/spring-fever/#comment-139 Hawkzilla Fri, 18 Apr 2008 15:16:54 +0000 http://football.hawkmania.com/2008/04/14/spring-fever/#comment-139 Amen PhillyHawk. I just recently started reading Eric's blogs and it's good to see there is a writer out there in the state of Iowa, Andy Hamilton excluded, that can write an article on Iowa football without being pretentious enough to think they can read the minds of all fans and then proceed to scold us for not thinking the "right way". Pat Hardy could take a lesson from Mr.Page... Keep up the good work, Eric! I agree 100% that the "spring game" is for the fan and I feel that KF approaches it much like he does his game plans... very conservative. I would LOVE to see us do a Florida or Nebraska type spring game that gets the fans and (I'm guessing here) players jacked. Iowa football has been slowly losing its luster over the last few years and it's not only because of our record. I think highly of KF but I wish he had a little killer instinct in him and didn't have to always take such a cautious approach to everything. And don't give me the "injuries" excuse because we all know injuries happen whether there is contact or not. So give us back a spring game & let us fans that count the days to kick off have something to chew on till fall! Amen PhillyHawk. I just recently started reading Eric’s blogs and it’s good to see there is a writer out there in the state of Iowa, Andy Hamilton excluded, that can write an article on Iowa football without being pretentious enough to think they can read the minds of all fans and then proceed to scold us for not thinking the “right way”. Pat Hardy could take a lesson from Mr.Page… Keep up the good work, Eric!

I agree 100% that the “spring game” is for the fan and I feel that KF approaches it much like he does his game plans… very conservative. I would LOVE to see us do a Florida or Nebraska type spring game that gets the fans and (I’m guessing here) players jacked. Iowa football has been slowly losing its luster over the last few years and it’s not only because of our record. I think highly of KF but I wish he had a little killer instinct in him and didn’t have to always take such a cautious approach to everything. And don’t give me the “injuries” excuse because we all know injuries happen whether there is contact or not. So give us back a spring game & let us fans that count the days to kick off have something to chew on till fall!

]]> By: Ohio Hawk http://football.hawkmania.com/2008/04/14/spring-fever/#comment-138 Ohio Hawk Wed, 16 Apr 2008 00:38:27 +0000 http://football.hawkmania.com/2008/04/14/spring-fever/#comment-138 My wife and are driving in from Ohio to attend the spring game. We were already coming back this weekend to visit family anyway. I am looking forward to seeing some of the younger players and how they have continued to develop. Iowa played 29 redshirt and true freshman last which lead the country! Strength Coach Doyle has indicated that some of the freshmen have made significant strides in the weight room. That can only help Iowa in the fall. I am also looking forward to seeing what combinations are used on the offensive line. I have said before that if the Iowa offense line can continue to develop and stay healthy we can have a good football team. Iowa was not that far from having an 8-4 football team last fall (Iowa State & Western Michigan). The key to 2008 will be the play of the offensive line. I know Coach Ferentz has taken a personal interest in the offensive line this spring - that can also only help! My wife and are driving in from Ohio to attend the spring game. We were already coming back this weekend to visit family anyway. I am looking forward to seeing some of the younger players and how they have continued to develop. Iowa played 29 redshirt and true freshman last which lead the country! Strength Coach Doyle has indicated that some of the freshmen have made significant strides in the weight room. That can only help Iowa in the fall. I am also looking forward to seeing what combinations are used on the offensive line. I have said before that if the Iowa offense line can continue to develop and stay healthy we can have a good football team. Iowa was not that far from having an 8-4 football team last fall (Iowa State & Western Michigan). The key to 2008 will be the play of the offensive line. I know Coach Ferentz has taken a personal interest in the offensive line this spring - that can also only help!

]]> By: PhillyHawk http://football.hawkmania.com/2008/04/14/spring-fever/#comment-137 PhillyHawk Tue, 15 Apr 2008 17:34:45 +0000 http://football.hawkmania.com/2008/04/14/spring-fever/#comment-137 Eric, it is refreshing to see a football article withholding judgement. Thank you for the level headed perspective. I only wish other media outlets could be the same sometimes (starts with a "P" and ends with an "at Harty"). Eric, it is refreshing to see a football article withholding judgement. Thank you for the level headed perspective. I only wish other media outlets could be the same sometimes (starts with a “P” and ends with an “at Harty”).

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