Has Iowa’s well run dry?
I spent a lot of time on NFL.com while tracking the outgoing Iowa players in this weekend’s NFL Draft, and I spent some time looking back at the past few drafts. They have a feature on there with which you can search the history of the draft for each school, and a search on Iowa explains why the program is in a bit of a slide.
The past three drafts, drafts following seasons in which the Hawkeyes have a combined record of 19-18, Iowa has had eight players selected. Now, look at the three seasons before that, the Hawkeyes’ 31-7, two-Big Ten-title run, and Iowa had 15 players go on draft weekend. That’s a huge difference. Blame offensive scheme or injuries or bad luck or whatever you want for the Hawkeyes’ struggles of late, but it’s hard to argue with a lack of talent. That’s twice as many players drafted out of Iowa from 2003-05 than from 2006-08.
Here’s the question, though: How much NFL-caliber, draft-able talent will be on the roster in 2008? It’s tough to project what these players will be, but looking at it now, the names I’d throw out there would be Bryan Bulaga, Seth Olsen, A.J. Edds and Tony Moeaki … maybe Mitch King, DJK, Jordan Bernstine, Adrian Clayborn and Christian Ballard, too, but I think those are much tougher to tell at this point.
That’s a handful of guys who look draft-able over the next three seasons. So, if there is a correlation here, between a team’s record and the number of players drafted off that team, it doesn’t look as though Iowa’s stock will be rising.
BUT … are the players drafted because the team wins games?
Or does the team win games because it has so many draft-able players?
Chicken or the egg?
April 28th, 2008 at 8:55 am
I think you will see alot of draft able guys on the field this year. I think the hawks will turn it around this year and suprise alot of people. I also believe that the oline will step up and have a big year, as much as I like the seniors on the line (Olsen, Bruggeman) I still have to believe that Bulaga will impress the most. Overall I would have to say the hawks will be 10-2 at the seasons end and playing in a Jan 1st bowl game!
Go Hawks!
May 2nd, 2008 at 10:44 am
I hope you’re right, Hawkfan, but Eric has a really good point here. One reason Iowa’s record slipped so dramatically the past few years is that they stopped winning those close games that came down to a play or two in the 4th quarter. Those are the exact same games Iowa consistently WON during their great 2002-04 run.
The reason they won in 02-04, but not 05-07, IMHO, is that these great players did what great players do: they stepped up and made playes when the team really needed them. Whether it was Gallery opening a big hole, Clark making a huge catch, Sanders making a bone-rattling hit, or Kaeding drilling the huge kick, Iowa had players who consistently delivered in money time.
That said, Eric’s list is a good starting point, but it can certainly grow. That is, IF the would-be NFL-ers have a bit of talent, a lot of work ethic, and buckets of heart and competitiveness. If Iowa can again find players who can go make a huge play when the team needs it most, the record will follow suit and these guys will get gobbled up on draft day, just like Clark, Sanders, etc.
May 6th, 2008 at 1:47 pm
I think the coaching staff needs to be mentioned as much as the player talent when addressing Iowa’s previous 3 years of under achievement. back in 04 I was completely stoked about having a recruiting class full of talented players. I remember thinking, “If they can make a Dallas Clark & a Chad Greenway, I can’t wait to see what they make out of THESE kids!”. Sadly, that class has been a relative bust as far as production goes. I believe that when KF and his staff came to Iowa that they had a fire burning to build a team that could compete with anyone in the Big Ten year in and year out, but it seems that after a good 3 years of success that something the falme has nearly gone out. It’s up to the staff to figure out how to motivate these kids into over achieving, but it’s up to the head coach to motivate his staff and I just haven’t seen KF do much of anything to do that. He all but guarantees job security for his staff, and I don’t know how it is where you work but if I had guaranteed job security I would be on the golf course right now. After the defensive play call at the end of the ISU game NP should have been begging to keep his job. KF must owe a lifedebt to KOK, because his offense is as predictable and ineffective as they come. Look what happened to Wisconsin after they dumped off their dead-weight D coordinator on Nebraska… change can be good and is sometimes necessary to succeed.
Eric has a good point, but let’s not forget that Dallas Clark & bunch didn’t teach themselves… You can put a heavy amount of blame on KF’s content coaching staff for lack of player development these past 3 years.
May 7th, 2008 at 1:32 pm
Good point about the coaches, Hawkzilla. They definitely seem to have lost their mojo lately.
Reminds me of a conversation I had back in 2000, when I was a TA and Andy Lightfoot was in one of my classes. I was a bigtime member of the “we should’ve gotten Stoops” crowd, and after class one day, I asked Andy what he thought of the new staff in light of the terrible season the Hawks had just suffered through.
Andy told me, absolutely and unequivocally, that KF was a great coach with a real plan to win, and even went on to mention that Iowa would win a B10 championship before his playing days were done. He wasn’t wishing, or hoping…he was confident. He knew this for a fact. You can imagine how good I felt watching Andy prove himself right as a senior. He was a smart and classy guy, and it was great watching him end his career as a champion.
Makes me wonder if some other football-crazed TA asked some other frosh lineman the same question this year, what kind of response they’d get. Somehow I doubt it would have the same confidence and competitive fire as Andy’s response to me.
May 21st, 2008 at 6:29 am
A quick thought. The press keeps us opimistic with the football team’s future. King and Kroul are good and most likely very good players with mcuh experience. What one forgets is that Ohio State just might have five to six defensive linemen just as good if not better.
TP
June 1st, 2008 at 10:40 pm
I was one of the fortunate one’s that spoke to an Iowa player and he stated that Ferentz is one of the most honest guys you can count on. I beleive that no matter the score of the games you can count on integrity for our program. The recent bouts with the law are due to the fact that Iowa has strayed away from the honest, hard working, mentallity that has put us here. You may disagree but I would take the integrity over the wins any day.
June 4th, 2008 at 12:32 pm
Chambers - That seems to be a common debate between Iowa fans, the only problem I have with that is why do people tend to think it has to be one or the other?? I’m all about our team having integrity and being respectable in that regard, however I believe that can be achieved along with winning games. First off, lets keep it real here and accept the fact that as of the last two years the program has not been showing much integrity. I lived in Lincoln during the Lawrence Phillips/Christian Peter era and Iowa currently is as big of a joke as Nebraska was back then. And you can’t just dismiss it as the kids being bad seeds, it takes integrity to decide not to recruit someone who they know is talented but they also know is a high risk. KF has been quoted as to being opposed to running up the score out of respect for the other coaches, and has also been high on playing seniors (ie Manson) out of respect to the players… but I ask you this: doesn’t he have an obligation to win games & be successful out of respect for the FANS?? We lost at least 3 games in the past 2 years out of him laying off when he thought the game was wrapped up, and it at least appears that he’s finally getting the picture that he needs to have his best players on the field and if a senior isn’t good enough to play then too bad. I don’t know about the rest of you but I’m tired of hearing about what a great guy KF is, if that’s all that qualifies to be a Iowa HC then lets give Conan Obrien a shot… he seems like a really nice guy too. I say it’s time to quit with the Mr. Nice Guy act, take out the trash, cut the dead weight and right this ship before it’s too late.
June 11th, 2008 at 10:57 am
Iowa would have a hard time beating ill. state…everything is cyclical
and I believe there run is way over…
June 11th, 2008 at 3:51 pm
ronclop - I believe you might be sick-lical… If your theory holds water then tell me this… Iowa had a three year run of top-ten finishes, followed by a three year run of mediocrity… so according to you “cyclical” theory, Iowa should be due for another three year run of success, correct? Well heck, I’m down with that! BRING ON THE CYCLICALICY-AL-TY ER OR WHATEVER THE HECK YOU CALL IT!!! GO HAWKS!!!!!
June 13th, 2008 at 1:08 pm
Hawkzilla, I challenge you to a fight!!!!!
Go Illni 60 iowa 14 2008 and for the next 10yrs…Boyeeeeeee
June 13th, 2008 at 1:10 pm
Pukezilla, Go fill up some sand bags Hommer!!!!!!!!!!!
Your Daddy
June 13th, 2008 at 1:37 pm
ronflop - you have got to be one disturbed individual to use the misfortune of thousands of people as a punch-line in your infantile tantrum. Do you possess the brain cell capacity to realize that people are losing their lives and their homes?? You need to seek some serious psychiatric treatment, friend-o.
And you challenge me to a fight? Are you 8 years old or do you only have the intelligence of an 8 year old? Or even more likely the endowment of an 8 year old?
Sadly, I’m guessing you are the daddy of quite a few illegitimate kids out there, but it’s safe to say that our gene pools are on opposite ends of the spectrum… thank God.
Oh wait a second… you’re still upset that your team laid a big fat egg on national TV against my Hawks last year… I’m sorry little buddy, better luck next year.
June 13th, 2008 at 1:53 pm
Sorry Hawk…I give… you win…Me bad, but illini still will crush the hawks just as iowa state has your number also….Later Punk
June 13th, 2008 at 2:06 pm
We don’t have too much longer to find out if you’re right. But until then, you are completely entitled to your opinion.
Later, little buddy.
June 18th, 2008 at 5:13 am
Dovezilla, Any players get arrested last week? Or were they busy taking swimming clsses for credit? You guy’s will have a hard time with minn. also…Your Mentor Rclop
June 18th, 2008 at 10:15 am
Oh Ronald, or is it Ronnie? Much like your over-recruited under-coached Illinois football team, you just can’t get enough of looking like a fool in public can you? Actually, no players got arrested this week, but thanks for asking. If that’s all you got, little man, you’d better stay up on the porch where it’s safe. Oh, and here’s a nice article for you… try not to mouth the words while you’re reading it…
http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/2008/06/16/why-does-rashard-mendenhall-hate-ron-zook/
And call it a hunch, but I doubt you could mentor a chia-pet let alone an educated adult! LOL
June 18th, 2008 at 1:10 pm
Ron,
Remind me…how many times has Ron Zook beat Kirk Ferentz?
June 18th, 2008 at 8:44 pm
Nice work, JB! I think you finally shut this clown up!
Lets just let it play out on the turf, Ronald. Sound good?
June 19th, 2008 at 1:20 pm
No way!!! Mendy was made we didn’t pay enough and his bro. didn’t play much..Anyway it looks like iowa has a easy schedule…Maine..come on why not play Drake…Fla. Int.. isn’t that a chefs school???
For your info over all record Ill. 210 vs. iowa 80 total wins chump…boyzzzzzzzzzz.
Your Mentor and spiritual leader, Dr. freakin clop.
June 19th, 2008 at 1:49 pm
Dear Dr. Freakin Flop,
Your rant, while nearly incomprehensible, left out one important detail… you didn’t answer JB’s question.
June 19th, 2008 at 2:04 pm
Ill. 37 wins iowa 29 wins of course trails and 2 ties chumps. The chief has owned the doves wana talk hoop now children????
You idol, Rclop.
or GPA???
You hicks type good so I my hire you for my asst.
June 19th, 2008 at 2:21 pm
Ronald McDonald,
You are making no sense… put the bottle of Boones Farm down, take a deep breath and relax. It’s not really about being able to “type good”, it’s about speaking in an educated manor. A word of advice: I’d be careful about whom you call a “hick”, it could prove embarrassing when you realize you a dumber than one.
And for the record, my dog could carry a 3.5 GPA at Illinois LOL
June 19th, 2008 at 2:49 pm
Zilla, I think you got the answer right? I’m acually drinking a vodka cranberry..
When you are of age I’ll buy you one son.. I did not go to un. of ill.
I graduated from the harvard of the south west New Mexico State U. on a full ride for football 3 yr. starter d-line all american in 1986..
Hawk, maybe I’m giving you to much info, but follower’s need to know who there leaders are…When you get out of iowa city high I may be able to get you a job at one of my companies…
June 19th, 2008 at 3:28 pm
Ronnie,
I’ve ran across your type more than a few times in my 35 years and have many friends that played football for a national championship team (Nebraska early 90s) and a few of them still behave the same way you do… sadly stuck in the past & under the illusion that they’re still hot stuff. This also explains why you challenged me to a fight. lol All meat and no substance eh? Yes, if I wanted to waste 10 mins of my life pulling your stats and posting them for all to get a good laugh I could but you are growing tiresome my has-been friend. Oh, and your many companies must be doing good… it’s warming up so lemonade sales must be booming! HAHAHAHAHA
June 19th, 2008 at 4:45 pm
Ronnie,
Here’s a hint about my stumper of a trivia question: Ron Zook’s record against Kirk Ferentz is the same as his record in bowl games. (At least I think it is. I can’t seem to remember if he gets credit for the 2004 Peach Bowl loss or not).
I mean, come on. Your coach is RON ZOOK. The “Zooker!” He who inspired the first ever netroots movement to get a coach shitcanned because he sucks so bad. You can’t go on to other teams’ boards and talk smack when your coach is Ron Zook. At least not ’til the guy actually wins a bowl game.
Just out of curiosity, has anyone from Illinois ponied up for fireronzook.com yet, or are expectations for that program so low that they’ll gladly take Florida’s sloppy seconds?
June 19th, 2008 at 5:00 pm
Oh, and the Aggies didn’t have any all-Americans in 1986:
http://www.nmstatesports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=9526&SPID=583&DB_OEM_ID=1900&ATCLID=104428
June 19th, 2008 at 8:02 pm
Fraternal All american….harder to make…sonny.
Your Leader- Rclop
St louis Cardnals free agent—left to proceed I.T. CAREER…
WOULD YOU LIKE A AUTOGRAPH PICTURE???
June 20th, 2008 at 1:07 pm
Fraternal?? What, you were the best player on your fraternity inter-murals team? LOL Dude, you are seriously living in your own solar system aren’t you?