On Bulaga's Early Entry
by Adam Jacobi on Jan 7, 2010 4:00 PM CST
in Iowa Hawkeyes Football
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PrintOver the course of the season, we lamented the growing possibility that Bryan Bulaga would not return for his senior season, especially once word started circulating that he was a near-lock for first-round status; rumor had it that the Packers had all but guaranteed they'd take him in the first if he were still there.
We've long held that Bulaga was not as good this season as he was in 2008, awards excepted; even given that as a fact, the correct move is for Bulaga to declare for the draft right now.
Here's the deal: after his sophomore season, Bryan Bulaga didn't just look like a first round pick, he looked like a top 5 pick. And he certainly did regress this season; any close, objective observer would agree. But it certainly seems like there was a legitimate and impermanent medical reason for that: the thyroid issue. So while that mean streak that manifested itself as such--
--has yet to reappear, his physical gifts were at least back on display and sharpening as of the Georgia Tech game. Bulaga excels in the run game getting to the next level and taking on linebackers, and he did that ably in the Orange Bowl.
So while there's no more "top 5" talk for Bulaga, the potential's still obviously there, and that is just begging for the attention of a team in the middle of the first round who's looking to upgrade at the tackle position. To get #5 talent for #15-20 money? Yes and please and thank you.
Of course, selfishly, we'd all like Bulaga to come back for his senior year, reestablish his dominance, and then stride triumphantly back into the draft next season to collect an outrageous paycheck. That's an optimistic prpjection, though; college football is a really rough sport, and there's a large amount of players who, regardless of physical ability, don't make it through the season unscathed or as good as before. It happens a lot. And as it stands right now, the one scenario in which Bulaga doesn't get several millions of dollars for playing football is if he returns to Iowa and his senior year is as filled with hardship as this season was.
Compounding that potential for stock devaluation is the "Stankin' Plankton from Yankton," one Riley Reiff. Reiff was pretty inarguably better at left tackle than was Bulaga this season; when Bulaga returned, Reiff quickly found himself starting elsewhere on the line, just to get him on the field more often. So for 2010, who do you suppose gets that coveted LT spot? Because if you immediately assume it's Bulaga, Kyle Calloway and his last-game switch to right guard would like to have a word with you. Getting upstaged at left tackle--even for a potential star like Reiff--would devastate Bulaga's stock as a first-round pick at tackle.
This isn't to say that Bulaga's departure is addition by subtraction or anything; even if Reiff's the better LT, we'd much rather have Bulaga at LT and Reiff at RT than Reiff at LT and "Inexperienced Lineman X" at RT. This is a substantial loss for the line, and someone's going to need to step up in a big way if Iowa's looming spot in 2010's preseason top 10 is to be properly defended.
Still, seriously: go get that NFL money now, Bulaga. It's the right move and you have our tear-stained blessing. We'll always have Eat Bulaga.
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I’m with you 100%. Although it’s sad to see him go, it’s the right move for him, his family and the NFL team that will be drafting him. Luckily for the Hawkeyes, they’ve cemented themselves as O-Lineman U, and although Bulaga’s production will not be replaced, there’s probably a solid player waiting in the wings.
Mr. Bulaga, I wish you the best.
Kirk Ferentz has four words for ya:
Next Man In, Bitches!
Seriously, all the best to Bulaga. I would love nothing more than to see him join my Niners as they begin their renaissance.
I've sentenced boys younger than you to the gas chamber. Didn't want to do it. I felt I owed it to them.
-- Judge Smails
When the article has a negative tone,
or portends of impending DOOM, there is really no need to even look at the byline. Bulaga’s loss is signifcant, but there really shouldn’t be much of a dropoff at left tackle. Slide Vandervelde in beside him, and that’s a pretty good left side.
Remember, Rieff was “inexperienced player X” when he started at ISU in week 2. That turned out all right, so lets wait and see what happens.
He's not saying it definitely won't work
But you’re insane if you don’t think there’s at least some cause for concern. 3 of the 5 lineman are going to be brand new, with only Gettis have received much playing time. Expecting them all to work out like Reiff did is pretty unrealistic.
Right,
and I share that concern, but I think it’s a bit too early to start wringing our hands about it. Kirk Ferentz coached o-line in the NFL for what 6 years? It’s his bread and butter, and he’ll get the best 5 out there next September like he does every year.
No one is doubting that he's a really good coach
Doesn’t mean we can’t have down years on the offensive line. Those take time to build, no matter how great the coach is. Look at 2007.
I think we can all agree on that
although I think then that the team was still trying to recover from the “disaster” that was the 2005 class. Kirk went outside the box with that class, and ended up getting burned to an extent. Hopefully these are guys in the same mold of Yanda, Gallery, and Steinbach.
No he didn't
The only thing outside the box with that class was that more of the highly ranked kids they offered actually signed.
Which guys?
Hopefully these are guys in the same mold of Yanda, Gallery, and Steinbach.
Which guys? The guys being recruited now or the guys already on the team?
Although it doesn’t really matter — we need to hope the guys we have (or the guys coming in) are more like Bulaga or Mike Jones or Dace or Reiff — guys who can step in and play as freshmen at a pretty high level. The guys you cited became fantastic, but it took them a few years to get there (Yanda just happened to do his developing in the JUCO ranks). We can’t afford to wait a few years for guys to develop that much. Our window is NOW, so we need guys who can contribute immediately.
Big junkies come from little junkies.
Let's chill out...
I love you Ross, but you are making it sound like if we don’t win the Big Ten or a national title next year, then we never will.
Yeah, it would be nice to do really well while we have Stanzi and Clayborn and the WRs and DBs, but we are still a program that needs to keep building. We have two BCS bowls (and one win in them) to show for 8 years. We can (and I hope we do) improve steadily to get to the elite level. We can still take some guys that will take time to develop.
Tonight’s Texas-Bama game should show us that even the elite programs sometimes have to take guys that need time to develop (Gilbert).
Finally, we do need good fortune. If we had gone undefeated this year, who knows if we even would have done any better in terms of bowls.
Short-term mentality in recruiting often gets you in trouble (just ask any coach that takes mostly JUCOs).
I've sentenced boys younger than you to the gas chamber. Didn't want to do it. I felt I owed it to them.
-- Judge Smails
by WaterlooChazz on Jan 8, 2010 12:31 AM CST up reply actions
You're reading the wrong things into Ross' comment.
Ross’ point isn’t that there’s never going to be another window, it’s that the current one isn’t open much longer—the list of seniors includes Stanzi, DJK, Clayborn, Ballard, Klug, Greenwood, Bernstine, Spievey if he sticks around, Vandervelde, and on and on. Looots of seniors, and Iowa’s talent replacement structure isn’t perfect yet.
Iowa’s likely going to be back to this level again, but if there’s any indication from their previous stay in the top 10, there’s probably going to be some rough patches inbetween. And I can’t imagine a bigger accelerant to those valleys than losing three starting linemen from a very good unit (lol good unit). Line stability matters. It’s the hallmark of just about any great college team. Trying to cheerlead Iowa’s way out of that fact is more disingenuous than the concerns Ross raises. Iowa needs 5 BXI-ready lineman ASAP, and we’re only certain of the fact that Reiff and MAYBE Vandervelde fit that bill.
I got more rhymes than Wade Lookingbill's got dunks
Here's to hoping that Andrew Donnal becomes the next Bulaga again.
He has a very similar build to what BB had coming out of high school, and from what I’ve read he’s a solid run blocked but a very solid pass blocker, especially technique wise. I highly doubt he’ll start next year, because he’d really have to show up in camp and perform like Bulaga and Mike Jones did, but a man can wish.
Also, I don’t know if anyone has read about this yet, but Cody Hundertmark is making the move to offensive line next season. Obviously the coaches are making this decision largely because of how solidified the current defensive line is, but maybe he’ll contend as someone who might fly under the radar until season starts?
/O'keefe'd
by Smokin Herb Grigsby on Jan 8, 2010 3:40 AM CST up reply actions
Additionally (in that article)...
Raffy Eubanks (who I’m really going to miss… I loved watching that guy play) mentions several of the offensive linemen returning next year that could contend. It’s an interesting read. Apparently both he and Bulaga think Adam Gettis will step up…
/O'keefe'd
by Smokin Herb Grigsby on Jan 8, 2010 3:43 AM CST up reply actions
Next year's O-line play
is going to be huge. The good thing is, our skill players are such that we may be able to mask some weaknesses on the line, but only to an extent. A hurried Stanzi in the pocket is not my idea of fun next year. Nor are those Wegher v. Wisc. tackles in the backfield.
I expect that of the three replacements, one will overperform slightly and we will have to be patient and endure the other two spots. I also expect a lot of movement in the beginning as guys go from spring ball, to camp to the real world. Some guys look good in a jersey, some guys look good in 7 on 7 drills and some guys are game dayers. Look at Reiff…the whole weight issue was probably a concern for some in camp, but he just went out and performed. I love the guy. He is my new #2. Behind Derrell of course.
I have to say though that how Ferentz talks about the line will be huge. He is not a Mac Brown spin artist. If he has concerns, big concerns, we’ll hear abo9ut it right away. Probably at the spring game.
"I think it's safe to say our concerns are many." -- Kirk Ferentz
Point, missed.
Like OPS said, I’m not saying we’ll never ever have a chance to win big again if we don’t do it next year. That would be ridiculous, considering we’ve had four 10+ win seasons in the last eight years. And I am pretty happy with the way things have been trending the last few years and the talent that KF has been able to bring into the program the last few years.
That said, if you can’t see the fact that we have an opportunity for a very, very special season next year, you’re utterly blind. We have more experienced talent returning at the offensive skill positions, along the defensive line, and in the defensive backfield than at any time in recent memory. I’m slightly concerned about the LB positions, too, but I have more confidence there because (1) their potential replacements have played well so far (albeit in limited minutes), (2) we have a solid tradition of developing good LBs (everyone was panicking after Hodge and Greenway left, and while Klink and Humpal weren’t as good, they were solid), and (3) we should have an utterly nasty defensive line to take the pressure off whoever’s at LB.
But the OL could make or break the season. We were maddeningly inconsistent this year — and that was with guys who’d already played a lot of snaps or been in the program a long time. We won’t have that luxury next year.
Yes, long-term, taking guys that we can develop is perfectly fine and I have no problem with that.
Tonight’s Texas-Bama game should show us that even the elite programs sometimes have to take guys that need time to develop (Gilbert).
The only “development” Gilbert needs is actual playing time, which is something he didn’t get this year because they didn’t think he would be needed until next season. I am sure by next fall you will see a much better Gilbert.
Finally, we do need good fortune. If we had gone undefeated this year, who knows if we even would have done any better in terms of bowls.
I’ve seen this elsewhere, and it puzzles me. If we go undefeated, we’re in the Rose Bowl, period, assuming Texas and Alabama did exactly what they did this year. We weren’t going to jump the established 1-2 teams. That said, of course we need luck – everyone needs a little luck. Bama had to block a pair of field goals against Tennessee; Texas had to pray for time to move slowly at the end of the B12 title game. That doesn’t mean you should blindly trust in luck to assemble you a good team, though. We need to have five offensive linemen who can play at a high level next year to have any chance of realizing our hopes for next season. Right now, we have two we can be confident in — and that’s assuming we can chalk up Vandervelde’s 2009 to injury problems.
Big junkies come from little junkies.
So I don't really know...
where you expect an Iowa program to find “guys who can step in and play as freshmen at a pretty high level.”
I’m not even real sure Seantrel Henderson is one of those guys. If Iowa is as good at developing players as we all hope they are, then how do we get MULTIPLE frosh who are ready to jump over dudes who have been in the system for a couple years and play next year?
I was kind of ticked off that we dropped two of our last four this past year (while most people have reached consensus it was still one of the greatest seasons in memory.) And now, I am starting to wonder if I am more forgiving of a possible “just very good” (8 to 10 wins) season in 2010 than some others will be.
I just looked at the Scout rankings for O Linemen for high school class of 2010, and outside of Donnal and Henderson (who is obviously not a lock for us), I don’t see a lot of uncommitted top-level recruits.
I think the guys below are the more likely players (and their status in 2010) to step in on the O-Line and help us have a great year next year:
Casey McMillian RS soph
Josh Koeppel sr
Adam Gettis jr
Markus Zusevics jr
(gulp) James Ferentz RS soph
Now, before OPS or Ross step up to bat to roast everything I said, please know that I am not disagreeing with you guys merely to be a provocateur (I have been guilty of that in the past). I just honestly do think we will see guys from inside the fold here at Iowa make the O-Line what it will be in 2010, for better or slightly worse. And that is also why I would also love to see Dace come back (even though it ain’t going to happen).
I've sentenced boys younger than you to the gas chamber. Didn't want to do it. I felt I owed it to them.
-- Judge Smails
by WaterlooChazz on Jan 8, 2010 11:57 PM CST up reply actions
...
You:
where you expect an Iowa program to find ‘guys who can step in and play as freshmen at a pretty high level.’
I’m not even real sure Seantrel Henderson is one of those guys. If Iowa is as good at developing players as we all hope they are, then how do we get MULTIPLE frosh who are ready to jump over dudes who have been in the system for a couple years and play next year?
This is what I said (emphasis added):
Although it doesn’t really matter — we need to hope the guys we have (or the guys coming in) are more like Bulaga or Mike Jones or Dace or Reiff — guys who can step in and play as freshmen at a pretty high level.
It’s not just getting new guys (although those guys will play if they’re good enough, the same way Bulaga or Jones or Dace did; there were guys who’d spent more time in the program then, too — they got bypassed), it’s finding out what we have with the existing guys.
I was kind of ticked off that we dropped two of our last four this past year (while most people have reached consensus it was still one of the greatest seasons in memory.)
Find me more seasons where Iowa:
- Beat all of its rivals
- Won a BCS bowl
- And featured innumerable incredible comebacks and ridiculous plays
— and I’ll accept your argument.
I just looked at the Scout rankings for O Linemen for high school class of 2010, and outside of Donnal and Henderson (who is obviously not a lock for us), I don’t see a lot of uncommitted top-level recruits.
I am not – nor did I ever – saying Iowa needs to go out and grab whatever elite offensive line talent is out there.
I think the guys below are the more likely players (and their status in 2010) to step in on the O-Line and help us have a great year next year:
Hmm, that sounds familiar. What did I say earlier?
Although it doesn’t really matter — we need to hope the guys we have (or the guys coming in) are more like Bulaga or Mike Jones or Dace or Reiff — guys who can step in and play as freshmen at a pretty high level.
Oh, right. Bulaga, Jones, and Dace made an impact as true freshmen, and while that would be nice to see again, it may not be all that realistic. Reiff, on the other hand, was not a true freshman, was not hugely touted recruit (as an OL anyway), and did not even come here as an offensive linemen. Yet he was arguably our best offensive lineman this year. We can only hope we have another guy or two like him on the team.
Casey McMillian RS soph
Josh Koeppel sr
Adam Gettis jr
Markus Zusevics jr
(gulp) James Ferentz RS soph
I would list Nolan MacMillan before our beloved man-bear Casey, based on buzz elsewhere. I would also think Woody Orne (a transfer from SDSU who has been praised highly elsewhere) and Cody Hundertmark (making the move from DL to OL) would be possibilities. And Eubanks specifically praised Van Sloten during bowl prep, which would suggest that he might be in the best position to blossom like Reiff did this year.
So we have promising option… we just haven’t seen most of them play any actual snaps. Which is a bit concerning for the time being.
Big junkies come from little junkies.
I did completely miss where you said...
“the guys we have”. My bad.
Here is another question for anyone out there. Does anyone know when Iowa looks for its walk-ons, transfers, etc? Is it fluid, or is there a certain point where they focus on the team we have? Do they just give these dudes a jersey when the player is eligible?
The reason I ask this is, there was some dude who I saw on the bench at the Orange Bowl, and his name was Joe Forgy. I had never heard of him before. Same deal with some of the dudes you just mentioned: Van Sloten and Orne.
I've sentenced boys younger than you to the gas chamber. Didn't want to do it. I felt I owed it to them.
-- Judge Smails
by WaterlooChazz on Jan 9, 2010 1:27 PM CST up reply actions
Van Sloten was a recruit last year.
Orne was a walk-on who transferred from SDSU.
They tend to get walk-ons at the end of the normal scholarship process when there are guys they like but don’t have a scholarship for. Those are the guys usually deciding between walking on at a place like Iowa and getting some sort of scholarship to a lower-division school. They usually don’t turn down offers to other FBS schools to walk-on at Iowa.
Don’t know who Joe Forgy is, but if you look through the roster on Hawkeye Sports (or elsewhere) you’re bound to find a few names you don’t recognize. Hell, I had no idea who Joe Conklin was until he came into the Michigan State game.
Big junkies come from little junkies.
You're missing the point.
It’s not that Bulaga has a good replacement in Reiff, because it wouldn’t be one or the other. Whoever is going to be the worst/5th starter isn’t going to be as good as Bulaga, and that’s who would be replacing Bulaga.
The line might be good. It might be really good. Could even be great. The strong probability is, though, that no matter how good it is, it would be better with an All-American on it. I have National Championship aspirations for next year. Those are hurt by Bulaga leaving. Might not be significantly hurt, but I think it’s blind fandumb to not think that a team at Iowa’s level wouldn’t be worse off for losing one of its very best players.
In the past 10 years, just four team owners have not paid a luxury tax and are not on pace to pay one this year: Donald Sterling, Jerry Reinsdorf, Chris Cohen (Golden State), Bob Johnson (Charlotte).
Two owners’ teams averaged an operating income of over +$10 million per year while their teams have lost over 60% of their games: Donald Sterling and Jerry Reinsdorf.
It stinks that Iowa never seems to have a team with all of its stars intact or returning.
Or that they have a plethora of 4- and 5-stars just waiting to step in.
If, however, they are going to be losing so many good players*, I’m happy that it’s A) at WR where they have massive depth, B) at TE where they DO have a big-time recruit coming in C) at OL and LB where they have consistently had very good players.
*I don’t understand the meme that they “get everyone back” that seems to be going around. While Vandervelde filled in well, he’s still a 6th lineman when everyone was healthy, Stross started and Moeaki was awesome. And Angerer and Edds and Spievey aren’t nobodies either. They lose 8 of 22 starters.
In the past 10 years, just four team owners have not paid a luxury tax and are not on pace to pay one this year: Donald Sterling, Jerry Reinsdorf, Chris Cohen (Golden State), Bob Johnson (Charlotte).
Two owners’ teams averaged an operating income of over +$10 million per year while their teams have lost over 60% of their games: Donald Sterling and Jerry Reinsdorf.
Starters...
most Hawk fans call Vandervelde and DJK starters, even though they have often been fill-ins. So, here are “starters” that we are pretty sure are coming back: Stanzi, RB (Wegher/A-Rob), Morse, McNutt, DJK, Reiff, Vandervelde, Clayborn, Ballard, Klug, Binns, Hunter, Prater, Greenwood, Sash. And maybe Speivey. And both kickers (Murray, and Donahue at punter). I would count that as 15 of 22, or 17 of 24, without Spievey. So 16 of 22 or 18 of 24 if Spievey returns.
Also, you probably have Jewel Hampton returning.
So, that is why many are saying we “get everyone back”, even though they do lose some good OLs and LBs. We pretty much have all the skill players back, and a couple or three of our best defensive players (Clayborn, Sash, maybe Spievey).
You were probably too busy putting a 400-word essay in your signature, Tyger. (Sorry, I know I just jumped over that line between slightly sarcastic, and mean.)
Have a nice day!
I've sentenced boys younger than you to the gas chamber. Didn't want to do it. I felt I owed it to them.
-- Judge Smails
by WaterlooChazz on Jan 7, 2010 5:27 PM CST up reply actions
If only it were funny?
15 of 22? That is 7, right? I said 8. You’re counting Vandervelde which I think is wrong, but whatever.
You just wrote all that to nitpick one player, a 6th lineman?
In the past 10 years, just four team owners have not paid a luxury tax and are not on pace to pay one this year: Donald Sterling, Jerry Reinsdorf, Chris Cohen (Golden State), Bob Johnson (Charlotte).
Two owners’ teams averaged an operating income of over +$10 million per year while their teams have lost over 60% of their games: Donald Sterling and Jerry Reinsdorf.
The last time Iowa had a hot shit class
with a nice dose of 4 and 5 stars, they gave us 2005, 2006 and 2007. So many fond memories. Dominique Douglas, the rape scandal, 2 & 6 in the Big 10……
I’m not saying the highly ranked recruits are worthless, but it seems like Iowa’s biggest stars are the relative unknowns who work their ass off.
In 100 years, we'll all be dead.
Bulaga, Clayborn, Edds, Ballard, Moeaki, Richardson, Wegher, and Hunter were all very highly rated
2005 was a bust mostly because a bunch of kids from the class got hurt. There isn’t something magical about highly ranked kids that makes them not work for Iowa.
One "bad" class does not mean we should turn away from high-rated recruits.
The “diamond in the rough” stories are nice, but it’s hard to build a consistent power with them. Iowa’s had a pretty fair amount of success with high-rated recruits.
And Douglas the rape scandal guys weren’t even in the 2005 recruiting class.
Big junkies come from little junkies.
To build on that...
I’m not sure how “bad” the 2005 class really was. I think people get too wrapped up in JC6 and Ryan Bain when they think about that class. To be sure, there were kids like Marcus Wilson who showed a lot of promise and just ran into academic trouble. There were a bunch of injuries that can’t really be helped and seemed to limit the ability of kids like Doering and Kuempel and completely end the career of Alex Kanellis.
That said, Dace managed to be all-conference this year even though he only played two-thirds of the season and when Moeaki was healthy (UNI, Michigan, the OB) he was outstanding. Most importantly, Stross, Calloway, Angerer and Greene were in the 2005 class. So if your class can yield some solid players, at least one kid who will play on Sundays despite his injury-riddled college career, an all-American linebacker and the Doak Walker winner, it can’t be that bad, can it?
by Abbas_Cincinnatus on Jan 8, 2010 12:28 PM CST up reply actions
I usually think pretty negatively about the '05 class,
but I really liked your post, and the way you put it with all the accolades toward the last sentences.
Nice effort!
I've sentenced boys younger than you to the gas chamber. Didn't want to do it. I felt I owed it to them.
-- Judge Smails
by WaterlooChazz on Jan 8, 2010 11:59 PM CST up reply actions
...
You:
where you expect an Iowa program to find "guys who can step in and play as freshmen at a pretty high level."
I’m not even real sure Seantrel Henderson is one of those guys. If Iowa is as good at developing players as we all hope they are, then how do we get MULTIPLE frosh who are ready to jump over dudes who have been in the system for a couple years and play next year?
This is what I said (emphasis added):
Although it doesn’t really matter — we need to hope the guys we have (or the guys coming in) are more like Bulaga or Mike Jones or Dace or Reiff — guys who can step in and play as freshmen at a pretty high level.
I was kind of ticked off that we dropped two of our last four this past year (while most people have reached consensus it was still one of the greatest seasons in memory.)
Find me more seasons where Iowa:
- Beat all of its rivals
- Won a BCS bowl
- And featured innumerable incredible comebacks and ridiculous plays
— and I’ll accept your argument.
I just looked at the Scout rankings for O Linemen for high school class of 2010, and outside of Donnal and Henderson (who is obviously not a lock for us), I don’t see a lot of uncommitted top-level recruits.
I am not – nor did I ever – saying Iowa needs to go out and grab whatever elite offensive line talent is out there.
You:
where you expect an Iowa program to find "guys who can step in and play as freshmen at a pretty high level."
I’m not even real sure Seantrel Henderson is one of those guys. If Iowa is as good at developing players as we all hope they are, then how do we get MULTIPLE frosh who are ready to jump over dudes who have been in the system for a couple years and play next year?
This is what I said (emphasis added):
Although it doesn’t really matter — we need to hope the guys we have (or the guys coming in) are more like Bulaga or Mike Jones or Dace or Reiff — guys who can step in and play as freshmen at a pretty high level.
It’s not just getting new guys (although those guys will play if they’re good enough, the same way Bulaga or Jones or Dace did; there were guys who’d spent more time in the program then, too — they got bypassed), it’s finding out what we have with the existing guys.
I was kind of ticked off that we dropped two of our last four this past year (while most people have reached consensus it was still one of the greatest seasons in memory.)
Find me more seasons where Iowa:
- Beat all of its rivals
- Won a BCS bowl
- And featured innumerable incredible comebacks and ridiculous plays
— and I’ll accept your argument.
I just looked at the Scout rankings for O Linemen for high school class of 2010, and outside of Donnal and Henderson (who is obviously not a lock for us), I don’t see a lot of uncommitted top-level recruits.
I am not – nor did I ever – saying Iowa needs to go out and grab whatever elite offensive line talent is out there.
I think the guys below are the more likely players (and their status in 2010) to step in on the O-Line and help us have a great year next year:
Hmm, that sounds familiar. What did I say earlier?
Although it doesn’t really matter — we need to hope the guys we have (or the guys coming in) are more like Bulaga or Mike Jones or Dace or Reiff — guys who can step in and play as freshmen at a pretty high level.
Oh, right. Bulaga, Jones, and Dace made an impact as true freshmen, and while that would be nice to see again, it may not be all that realistic. Reiff, on the other hand, was not a true freshman, was not hugely touted recruit (as an OL anyway), and did not even come here as an offensive linemen. Yet he was arguably our best offensive lineman this year. We can only hope we have another guy or two like him on the team.
Casey McMillian RS soph
Josh Koeppel sr
Adam Gettis jr
Markus Zusevics jr
(gulp) James Ferentz RS soph
I would list Nolan MacMillan before our beloved man-bear Casey, based on buzz elsewhere. I would also think Woody Orne (a transfer from SDSU who has been praised highly elsewhere) and Cody Hundertmark (making the move from DL to OL) would be possibilities. And Eubanks specifically praised Van Sloten during bowl prep, which would suggest that he might be in the best position to blossom like Reiff did this year.
So we have promising option… we just haven’t seen most of them play any actual snaps. Which is a bit concerning for the time being.
Big junkies come from little junkies.
Douglas AND the rape scandal guys weren't even in the 2005 recruiting class, rather.
Big junkies come from little junkies.
Nor were they high-star guys.
Satterfield was 2-star with no other major offers, Douglas had a few typical BXI offers, and Everson was certifiable from the start. Nelson and Cleveland were the average-type recruits that we hail Ferentz for. You can’t use those guys as reasons why to stay away from any recruiting trend.
I got more rhymes than Wade Lookingbill's got dunks
Except "stay away from Detroit," maybe.
And even that’s a bit too much of a generalization.
Big junkies come from little junkies.
I don't think so.
Stay away from Detroit is good advice in recruiting and good advice in life.
by Abbas_Cincinnatus on Jan 8, 2010 12:04 PM CST up reply actions
Where else am I going to see strip clubs surrounded by barbed wire fences, though?
Big junkies come from little junkies.
Ames?
Oh wait, those are feedlots. They just call them strip clubs.
by Abbas_Cincinnatus on Jan 8, 2010 12:29 PM CST up reply actions
"They're nekkid, ain't they?"
(spits wad of chaw)
I got more rhymes than Wade Lookingbill's got dunks
“Look at ‘em there, pretty maids all in a row. I want the one on the left; she’s perfect. Which one d’you want? Huh, huh, huh?”
I've sentenced boys younger than you to the gas chamber. Didn't want to do it. I felt I owed it to them.
-- Judge Smails
by WaterlooChazz on Jan 9, 2010 1:34 PM CST up reply actions
The only reason we see problems like that...
…is because we are not yet considered “elite.” Yes, we’re good enough that some good players will go here, but we get the pick of the dreggs. OSU, Florida, USC, etc pick through the 4/5 star bin, and we get to pick from the ones they didn’t want (often because of injury history, or because they are the kind of kid who takes pictures with stacks of money).
by Eyeheartfreedumb on Jan 8, 2010 12:02 PM CST up reply actions
Stross, Richardson, Doering, Moeaki...
If those guys don’t get hurt all the time, the class is hardly a bust.
In the past 10 years, just four team owners have not paid a luxury tax and are not on pace to pay one this year: Donald Sterling, Jerry Reinsdorf, Chris Cohen (Golden State), Bob Johnson (Charlotte).
Two owners’ teams averaged an operating income of over +$10 million per year while their teams have lost over 60% of their games: Donald Sterling and Jerry Reinsdorf.
Doering is the most interesting example
He was, I believe, the only 5 star member of that class, and the one deemed by “experts” to be the most immediately play ready and a “can’t miss prospect” only to basically get injured often and get passed up on the depth chart when he wasn’t.
I ate the blue ones ... they taste like burning.
Here's hoping Bulaga stays in the Black and Gold
I’d love to see him on the Steelers.
I check cheddar like a food inspector
Skins fan - and boy do "WE" need O-line help.
by YouCanPutYourEddsInIt on Jan 8, 2010 12:10 PM CST up reply actions
The 'Skins need a lot more help then just the O-Line.
Cowboys fan here.
"You don't become a Hawkeye fan, You're born with Black and Gold in your veins." - Me
by BStylin Hawkye on Jan 8, 2010 2:45 PM CST up reply actions
The local Richmond, VA Redskins radio show
Said something about wanting to draft the entire Iowa offensive line based on their dominance in the GT game. So it’s nice that we’re getting at least some love out there.
I ate the blue ones ... they taste like burning.
It's a matter, too, of who is waiting in the wings...
….which is funny, since that’s a theater expression, which is about as far removed from football as you can get.
Anyhoo, until September, Reiff was just known as just some drunk guy running around downtown IC naked, and Brandon Wegher and A Rob were Mr Internet Sensation and Mr Nobody. Prater was a no one, and Bernstine was The Next Great Iowa Corner. Greenwood was EPIC FAIL, and Tyler Sash had no middle name.
In other words, no matter WHO leaves, it has to play out. There’s talent waiting at LB, and I’m not that worried (King and Kroul left, yet the d-line was arguably BETTER this year—think about that!). On the O-line, there’s enough known talent and potential talent that I’m not that worried. Having THREE experienced RB’s and a senior QB behind them will help tremendously, too.
Even if Spievay leaves—and I am beginning to think he’s not, for various reasons—look at who we have coming back: Sash, Greenwood, Prater, Hyde, AND Bernstine. Again, not too worried.
This is as DEEP an Iowa team as we’ve maybe ever seen—that’s the only positive of an injury-filled season. Moeaki leaves—Reisner’s right there, and CJ’s coming, too. Stross leaves—yet there’s THREE returning players with decent experience returning, plus an emerging talent in Keenan Davis. Stanzi hurt? W’e’ve got Vandy. We have THREE RB’s to pick from.
So you can’t just go by starters—it’s a matter of some backups who’ve shown great promise ready to shine—as Reiff did, as Wegher and A Rob did.
If it's not too much trouble, search your soul--and then ask yourself if maybe I might have a point.
I have to agree
If I player has a chance to be a first-rounder (hell, a first day pick), the it makes sense to go. Your football career can be over on one play in practice. Yes, I wish he were staying, but I certainly support the decision to go.
On the other hand, Clayborn and Speivey were, IMNSHO, the tougher to replace and I have a good feeling that both will be back.
Life is hard. It's really hard if you're stupid.
Good luck to you large sir
I really don’t know how his draft status could get much higher after the last series against GT (especially the last two power off tackle plays, chosen to utilize his blocking). I know he could come back and upgrade his sophomore year performance but that is a huge if. Lets face it, $1.5 million a year now beats the crap out of risking everything for the possibility of top five money next year and having some big XI fat ass defensive lineman fall on the back of your knee and hearing it explode. My guess is it would happen in the jNW game, those bastards.
Yes we will miss him but if KF has shown one thing it is that the next man in on the O-line is usually pretty good. Thanks for three great years Bryan!
"Well of course, there's nothing better than being American!!!" - Ricky Americanzi, Jan. 5th, 2010
by The Bacon Explosion on Jan 7, 2010 7:18 PM CST reply actions
Lets face it, $1.5 million a year now beats the crap out of risking everything for the possibility of top five money next year and having some big XI fat ass defensive lineman fall on the back of your knee and hearing it explode. My guess is it would happen in the jNW game, those bastards.
Simply excellent.
I've sentenced boys younger than you to the gas chamber. Didn't want to do it. I felt I owed it to them.
-- Judge Smails
by WaterlooChazz on Jan 7, 2010 10:41 PM CST up reply actions
Recruiting miracle
Wouldn’t this discussion change if Seantrel Henderson gave us all a big fat recruiting miracle and committed to Iowa. He’s waiting for signing day and we’re a possible but not likely place for him.
Also, the Packers could really use an OT (two actually!) but Bulaga won’t be on the board at #32 when the Pack make their selection.
It would change slightly....
….but I still dobut Henderson would be as good as Bulaga next year. Maybe he would be.
In the past 10 years, just four team owners have not paid a luxury tax and are not on pace to pay one this year: Donald Sterling, Jerry Reinsdorf, Chris Cohen (Golden State), Bob Johnson (Charlotte).
Two owners’ teams averaged an operating income of over +$10 million per year while their teams have lost over 60% of their games: Donald Sterling and Jerry Reinsdorf.
That's probably true, but I'm not sure that's the most relevant question.
The true replacement for Bulaga is going to be Reiff, who at least this year was Bulaga’s equal for the most part (though not as good as Bulaga at his best). But would Henderson be better than whoever Calloway’s replacement winds up being? I dunno — but that seems like a greater possibility than him being better than Bulaga.
(Of course, this is all moot since the odds of him coming are hilariously remote.)
Big junkies come from little junkies.
I know we're not in his top 6, hence the 'miracle' in the subject line.
We are allegedly in his second tier so until his letter is signed I will hold out a tiny flicker of hope in my mind.
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