What's Up With DJK?

by Oops Pow Surprise on Apr 13, 2009 10:04 AM CDT in Football Comment 35 comments

There's rumblings afoot that Derrell Johnson-Koulianos-Popadopalis has once again worked his way onto Kirk Ferentz's bad side, to the point where DJK is only a second-stringer on the spring two-deeps; Trey Stross and Colin Sandeman are the starters.

Now, clearly, a lot can change between spring and the first weekend in September. Recall, if you will, that 12 months ago, the starting tailback was ~~Seamus Patel~~ Paki O'Meara. That situation changed a bit.

But this isn't the first time DJK has lost his starting spot; he was coming off the bench midway through the Big Ten slate before earning his job back. Here's what Ferentz said about him this past week:

"He's got to improve just like everybody else," Ferentz said of the man known as DJK. "There's a lot of little things that he can do better. With receivers, when they make plays, it's pretty obvious, but there are a lot of things that go on during the game that go unnoticed by the average person watching. That's a challenge for all the guys."

This, presumably, is a reference to downfield blocking and route running; we're not sure what else a receiver can do (or, in this case, neglect to do) that would merit being taken out of the starting lineup.

Moreover, this isn't just any starting receiver. Let's make an unlikely prediction and say that DJK doesn't improve his production one bit, and his stats over the next two seasons end up being the same as his first two seasons. That'd leave him with 162 catches and 2,242 yards for his career. As Morehouse pointed out, that's 30 yards away from Tim Dwight's record at Iowa, and 5 catches more than Kevin Kasper's record. So what we're really talking about is a player who's on pace to be on a very short list of the greatest receivers in Iowa history.

So then at some point, DJK's starting spot becomes a question of priority for Kirk Ferentz. At what point do you take the offense's only dynamic playmaker (sorry, Trey Stross) out of the game, and in favor of what in return? How relevant is downfield blocking when there's nobody to keep the defense from stacking 8 or 9 guys in the box on every play outside of 3rd and 25? I mean, no offense to Colin Sandeman, Trey Stross, Paul Chaney, or the comically porntastic Marvin McNutt, but... we're talking about the best Iowa receiver of at least the last 10 years. If Ferentz is going to start benching star players, he'd better be damned sure he's putting a better product on the field instead.

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Glad your on this

In noticed the same thing in Rittenberg’s piece (also something at Hawkmania). This could be a good thing if, by some miracle, Sandeman has suddenly come on incredibly strong in spring ball and is now ready to be a starting Big Ten WR. But as that is as likely as my winning the AVN Award for Best Stunt Cock this year, I’m a bit skeptical that is the situation. I wonder what DJK has done to get himself back in the KF dog house, everything written about him this offseason and the (very) limited interviews DJK has given indicate someone who is dedicated to improving.

DJK’s production the last two years have been incredibly solid, especially since Iowa isn’t exactly a team known for airing it out. And it’s not like his down-field blocking has been bad, not super, but it’s not like he has been ignoring that responsibility. Last year, Brodell was very good at it, but, from what I saw, DJK was right in there taking care of people (and occasionally blocking teammates).

In the end, I hope this is short-lived. With Tony Moreinjury and Trey “Moeaki” Stross as or other top returning receivers, it’s not like we have a bunch of proven results in the passing game.

I ate the blue ones ... they taste like burning.

by HoyaGoon on Apr 13, 2009 10:57 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I guess I haven't been paying enough attention.

I was always sure that DJK was the best receiver on the team, but was not aware of his nearly unprecedented success. Up until now, I just assumed he’d been outplayed, but now must agree that something is going on that has to be, at least partially, unrelated to his football talents. On the other hand, considering the absolute lack of any negative news about DJK during the offseason, I see no reason that he should be in any sort of trouble with the staff, and would still like to give KF & Co. the benefit of the doubt and simply assume that this year Iowa will field two IGWIRs.

¿Quieres chiclets?

by The Mexican't on Apr 13, 2009 12:42 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Lack of negative stories

It’s true that we haven’t heard anything. But then again, there never seemed to be any specific incident that landed Paul Chaney, Jr. in trouble last year but he spent the entire season in KF’s dog house.

The short of it is, no matter how you look at it, DJk is our best returning receiver. This is true from both a production standpoint, skill (presumed, but still), and reliability. Given that neither Stross nor Moeaki have shown an ability to stay healthy for an entire season, DJK’s resiliency there is even more impressive, and necessary.

I trust in Ferentz and Co., I just hope this is a temporary thing, not a taste of things to come.

I ate the blue ones ... they taste like burning.

by HoyaGoon on Apr 13, 2009 12:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Motivational Tool?

I agree that DJK is our best receiver. He’s no steady Eddie [Hinkel], but he does have flashes of brilliance. And to my surprise, great statistical projections. So I would guess that Ferentz doesn’t like DJK’s attitude and is just using this threat to his starting position as a motivational tool.

by Duez I say on Apr 13, 2009 1:13 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I must agree

on every level. DJK was a dominate high school player and roasted defenses in those high school all-star games. He has done an exceptional job for a converted QB in his first 2 years on campus. I love having him on the field but I trust Kirk knows what he is doing by putting DJK on the second team.

Let’s be honest we know in the Iowa WRs are rotated in and out on just about every play. Being a second team WR can still mean you get more than 50% of the snaps. It could just be a pride thing to be listed as the full time starter and have you name announced before the game.

by jommie on Apr 13, 2009 4:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

dominant

I do what I can.

by Anonymous Hero on Apr 13, 2009 8:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thank you.

HUUUUUUUGE pet-peeve.

by Bucketochicken on Apr 13, 2009 11:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Playing the Best players

“If Ferentz is going to start benching star players, he’d better be damned sure he’s putting a better product on the field instead.”

If the DJK is the best receiver then he’s going to be on the field. Isn’t it as simple as that? I mean, Coach Ferentz and staff want to win a hell of a lot more than we do. To think that he’s not going to play the best players is silly, and I haven’t got a clue as to where something like this comes from.

by Stein on Apr 13, 2009 1:30 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

That's unnecessarily reductive

Especially if Ferentz’s definition of what constitutes “best” differs from the traditional logic.

And look, nobody’s questioning Ferentz’s “will to win” or whatever. All coaches want to win. That doesn’t mean that personnel mistakes are never made (and it certainly doesn’t mean that a heightened level of competitiveness minimizes their frequency). That’s a non sequitur at best.

I got more rhymes than Wade Lookingbill's got dunks

by Oops Pow Surprise on Apr 13, 2009 2:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Its likely very simple...

“I agree that DJK is our best receiver. He’s no steady Eddie [Hinkel], but he does have flashes of brilliance. And to my surprise, great statistical projections. So I would guess that Ferentz doesn’t like DJK’s attitude and is just using this threat to his starting position as a motivational tool.”

I am sure, as can be when there is no hard evidence available, that this is the case. What puzzles me is why create a post trying to create more rumors on unfounded speculation?

“At what point do you take the offense’s only dynamic playmaker (sorry, Trey Stross) out of the game”

Last I checked…this was spring practice, not a game situation. Ever good coach will use 2-deep for motivation during these periords, and Ferentz has a long record of being no exception to this rule.

As the original poster already pointed out, DJK has past instances of being in the doghouse and even banned from media interviews for his attitude. So why is it a surprise that he may again be in the dog house. An attitude problem is not something that is going to make the papers…so it makes 100% sense that there is nothing to go off of here. I guess I just really dont agree with jumping to conclusions on what is likely nothing, or on furthering the annointing of an internet legend with things like…

“we’re talking about the best Iowa receiver of at least the last 10 years. If Ferentz is going to start benching star players, he’d better be damned sure he’s putting a better product on the field instead.”

…based off of projections of current statistics. And again….no one is being “benched” because there ARE NO BENCHES….because there ARE NO GAMES. Ferentz is likely just trying to teach the kid a thing or two about his attitude, work ethic, etc. Nothing to get worked up about.

by rpmhawk on Apr 13, 2009 5:22 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Best Iowa receiver of the last 10 years? Really?

He has to chance to be if he improves, but just going off what he’s done so far, Solomon was way better, and I think Hinkel was pretty close. Plus, that one crazy year out of Mo Brown.

I do agree, however, that him not starting would suck. He’s clearly the best big play threat on the team, and I actually though his downfield blocking was fantastic last year (in fact, for a big chunk of the season it was basically the only fantastic thing he was doing). He does run shitty routes though, and his hands have been shaky in the past. Plus, his attitude seems to rub Ferentz the wrong way for whatever reason. Hopefully this sends a message and everything gets worked out by the time the season starts. As others have pointed out, that’s still a long ways off, and even if he’s still second string that doesn’t mean he won’t see more snaps than the guys ahead of him (see: Holloway technically starting over the Solomon or Calvin Davis starting over anyone).

by NorseHawk on Apr 13, 2009 5:23 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Agree with all of that.

Who’s listed in the two-deeps now just isn’t that relevant re: who will be playing the significant snaps come September. The rumors I’ve seen re: DJK have more to do with him missing some off-season practices earlier this spring and less to do with anything he is or isn’t doing on the field. Much like his “benching” midway through last year, I think this is definitely a motivational ploy to get DJK more focused. And I agree that WR is one of the few spots where it matters even less who’s listed as the starter, because there’s a good chance that the top four guys (at least) will all get on the field and see quite a bit of action (although our rotation last year did seem to get sliced down to about three — DJK, Brodell, and Stross).

As far as the best Iowa receiver of the last 10 years… he definitely has that potential and he’s flashed it strongly a few times (against Penn State and Minnesota, most notably), but at this point I still think Solomon was better (especially as a deep threat) and Hinkel was more reliable (it’s interesting to me that Hinkel’s reputation outpaces his actual statistical producivity… I think we all have very fond memories of how many clutch catches Hinkel made, but his actual numbers are not particularly eye-popping, aside from his Senior Day showing against the LOLphers). I also think DJK’s numbers have been inflated a bit by circumstances — he got so many catches in 2007 because our top three pass-catching options (Douglas, Brodell, Moeaki) went down in flames before the season or early into the season.

by RossWB on Apr 13, 2009 6:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

maybe Sandeman runs better routes?

i just thought that Chaney didn’t play because he sucked trying to catch 4 foot jChristensen groundballs.

this place smells like feet. i’ll bring a can of lysol next week.

by pfac51 on Apr 13, 2009 9:15 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Well that's not fair

Chaney sucks at catching pretty much every type of pass.

by NorseHawk on Apr 13, 2009 9:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I remember two good catches from Chaney

1) The TD catch in OT against Sparty in 2007.

2) A behind-the-back catch while going across the middle in the Illinois game in 2007 (and getting killed after the catch).

But other than that… a whole lot of nothin’. Be nice if he could turn things around a little this year.

by RossWB on Apr 13, 2009 11:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

take it for what its worth

but rumor on campus is he was late to a couple spring camp practices and didn’t really play his hardest….. Dropping balls, not laying good blocks, and not being aggressive enough when going after the ball.

by jesuspiece on Apr 13, 2009 10:15 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

We talkin' 'bout practice, man!

We not even talkin’ bout the game, the actual game, when it matters.

I ate the blue ones ... they taste like burning.

by HoyaGoon on Apr 14, 2009 9:07 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I still remember Dominique..

Douglas, or was it “Dougie Fresh,” and spring ball after his amazing true freshman season. KF, when asked about the amazing frosh, was quoted as saying, “As long as he [DD] doesn’t turn into a jerk.”

At the time, I was stunned by KF’s choice of words. A few months later, they made much more sense.

I would infer that something more is afoot, and KF knows it far better than we. I choose to trust him on this one.

looking for someone smarter than KOK...

by not so fast, my friend on Apr 13, 2009 11:24 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

The news guys...??

Might just allow KF to take a more strident get-your-shit-together-or-no-playing-time tone with DJK. I am not sold on DJK as the be all of the Iowa offense anyway. We have never relied on superior athleticism, speed and skill with the wide out position. We are a play action team. If a guy can run a route and block, he’ll be productive. I would be MUCH more concerned if we had a Jewel in the doghouse problem.

By the way, how come we never hear about Brinson? I mean, that guy is so under the radar it’s crazy. We are going to need a 5-8+ carry a game back-up and I was hoping this guy was the real deal. His H.S. accolades were no joke.

Also, I am far more concerned with the TE position…I am hoping one of these guys really steps up. I am not sold that the Hawaiian will make it through the season and he is not a great blocking TE anyway.

"When you don't know that you don't know, it's a lot different than when you do know that you don't know." Bill Parcells

by StoopsMyAss on Apr 14, 2009 6:59 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Over/under on the games Moeaki plays? 2? I’m too lazy to look at a depth chart, but isn’t KF and crew always coming up with a TE? Somehow I can’t get too worked about that in the spring. More concerned with Hampton’s hamstrings and limiting Fulmer Cup points.

by txhawkeye on Apr 14, 2009 8:05 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Reisner has made some good plays, so I think he'll be a good #2 option

Or #1 when Mr. Glass inevitably goes down with something. Beyond that, I’m not sure what’s there. Brad Herman is listed as #3… I remember he played a few snaps early in the year last year and then seemed to disappear. But, yeah, TE is not a position I worry about a lot at Iowa – we seem to mold good ones.

by RossWB on Apr 14, 2009 7:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

"...but isn't KF and crew always coming up with a TE?"

Uh, I seem to remember this guy that walked on as a linebacker a few years ago, and became the best TE in the country. What was his name? Oh yeah, Dallas Clark. So yes, they come up with good TE.

by shada's revenge on Apr 14, 2009 8:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Directly to the point. Not to look too far ahead but my biggest concern about next fall is the away games:

@ ISU (hate this already)
@ PSU
@ Wisconsin
@ Michigan State and
@ OSU

Throw in Arizona and Michigan at home (not forgetting jNW). Fuck

by txhawkeye on Apr 15, 2009 8:47 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Receivers

We have never relied on superior athleticism, speed and skill with the wide out position.

I ate the blue ones ... they taste like burning.

by HoyaGoon on Apr 14, 2009 9:11 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oops

Meant to say:

Yes, but isn’t that more a fact that we rarely, if ever, have had superior athleticism speed and skill at the position? And, wouldn’t it be nice if we actually took advantage of those attributes when they’re there?

I ate the blue ones ... they taste like burning.

by HoyaGoon on Apr 14, 2009 9:12 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Um, hello?

Jon Filloon?

by Bucketochicken on Apr 14, 2009 9:14 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Touche'

However, your subsequent oversight of Bill Happel is simply inexcusable.

I ate the blue ones ... they taste like burning.

by HoyaGoon on Apr 14, 2009 10:43 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

No oversight.

I just assumed Ol’ #40 goes without saying. You know, like Hap Peterson in a discussion about nosetackles.

by Bucketochicken on Apr 14, 2009 11:01 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I would love a WR stud

But, our stock and trade is what it is…trenches. My point is that our entire offense scheme does not break down if DJK suddenly is in the dog house. If our RBs suddenly cannot perform or are not good citizens worthy of playing time, we’re fucked—Stanzi is fucked, the defense is fucked. The whole thing goes up in smoke.

Having said all that, the word on the street is that the two key freshmen WR are loaded with size, skills, speed, hops, quickness, etc., etc., etc. so that just might be reassuring to Ferentz. If you look at Stanzi’s passing last year, he went to the TE relentlessly and to the RBs too infrequently. He wnet to the wideouts in in some situations but not consistently. We just didn’t go downfield a lot.

Like many on this blog, I noticed Shonn Greene uncovered on nearly every pass play that he sprinted into the flat. Yet, he often dropped the passes thrown to him or was completely ignored. I would love to see us develop a third down back and a deep threat.

We’ll see.

"When you don't know that you don't know, it's a lot different than when you do know that you don't know." Bill Parcells

by StoopsMyAss on Apr 14, 2009 10:49 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Our collective hope is that Stanzi develops an expanded repertoire and the ability to chunk it to the RB in space and not throw over & over to a 6’6" 270 lb TE wearing the right color jersey 8 yards directly in front of him. The WR has to be able to block/hold the corner however. The KOK WR throw has been the 10-15 yard out for going on 11 years, and likely won’t change much next fall.

by txhawkeye on Apr 14, 2009 11:30 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Watched the PSU game on BTN (again) last night...

Still fabulous, but Greene had a few brutal drops late in the game. I remember him dropping the ball on a few other occasions as well. It’s obvious why we didn’t throw the ball to him more last year. Paki can catch the ball, but he can’t do much the ball after the catch. It would be very nice if either Jewel or Brinson can step up and become a more reliable pass-catching threat. I always thought that was an underrated aspect of Young’s game and during the Great WRpocalypse of 2007, I was hoping we’d see more throws to him in the slot with Damian in the backfield.

Maybe the much-hyped Mr. Wegher can be the explosive pass-catching threat out of the backfield we’ve been hoping for…

by RossWB on Apr 14, 2009 7:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

McNutt...

is now ahead of DJK. I just heard this on the 10 pm news on KWWL in Waterloo. I’m not sure if this means DJK is now the #2 receiver, or if it means that DJK is now #3 and is a second TEAM receiver?

Here is the link to the story:

http://www.kwwl.com/Global/story.asp?S=10182342&nav=menu82_4

by WaterlooChazz on Apr 14, 2009 10:39 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Stross and McNutt are the starters, DJK is the backup to McNutt's position

And again, it’s way too early to make a big deal out of this.

by NorseHawk on Apr 15, 2009 8:21 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

While I'm not too concerned about what this means for DJK's playing time or anything...

it’s kind of interesting that the motivational tactic of placing him behind Sandeman on the depth chart at the start of spring practice was apparently a resounding failure. Now he’s behind a guy who’s played, what, five snaps of real football action as a WR and tied with Dapper Dan Nordeman? Clearly a message is being sent here; hopefully DJK takes off his stylish hats and listens to it.

And while I’m leery of getting too worked up about any news out of spring practice (especially out of Norm Parker; love the man and his defenses, but I still haven’t forgotten that quote about how Klink and Humpal would make us forget about Hodge and Greenway…), the buzz around McNutt is pretty exciting. He sounds like a big, athletic target with good hands and you can never have enough guys like that in the WR ranks. Hopefully he figures out the blocking schemes and route running (being a former QB should help with the latter a bit) quickly and is able to make an impact on the field next year.

by RossWB on Apr 15, 2009 10:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Don't get me wrong

I’m really excited about the possibility of McNutt becoming a good WR and getting significant playing time. I always felt he was the biggest victim of Arvell Nelson’s, um, habit since with Nelson being kicked off the team, McNutt suddenly found himself as the only dual-threat QB in a stable full of traditional, drop-back passers (read: slow, white and Iowan). I’m glad that the transition to WR has gone well and hope he excels on the field, his size alone could make him a dominant WR if he learns the position.

My only concern is this: if there is one flaw that the coaching staff has shown too often in the past ten years (in both good times and bad), it is a penchant for finding ways to favor guys with the right “attitude”. Now, let me be clear, if DJK is having some off-field academic issues or generally acting like a pompous ass, then a demotion is certainly in order. But sometimes, it seems that the coaching staf puts too much emphasis on things that are an annoyance, but not necessarily indicative of a larger problem. Granted, the recent off-field problems have, deservedly, led to greater scrutiny and a lower-tolerance of shenanigans, I still think that needs to be kept in some sense of balance. As mentioned above, if McNutt/Sandeman is going to be starting ahead of DJK, a receiver with proven production, then the coaches better be damned sure that doing so puts at least as good, if not better, product on the field.

All that being said, this is probably more a mountain-out-of-a-molehill since there’s nothing else to talk about.

I ate the blue ones ... they taste like burning.

by HoyaGoon on Apr 16, 2009 12:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs