Where I Come From: My Favorite Hawkeye, Fred Russell

Freddy was amazing to watch, and would probably rank as my favorite too.

It took me a while to come up with anybody different, and at that, they were all defensive players in the Ferentz era (King, Greenway, Sanders, etc). However, if you ask me this question at this time next year, I may have a different answer. I feel that, at quarterback, aside from the obligatory early game gaffes, we have someone that is willing and able to carry the whole team, has ice water in his veins when the game is on the line, and is an exceptional human being off the field. If he continues these characteristics this year, I can totally see Rick Stanzi become my favorite Hawkeye of All-Time.

There are so many. Andre Tippett, Larry Station, Marv Cook, Mike Flagg, Tim Dwight, Owen Gill, any of the Hilgenberg brothers, Bob Sanders, Aaron Kampman, Chad Greenway, Dallas Clark…

I first really started to appreciate Iowa football in the 02 season (I was 12) My second game in Kinnick was 02 Purdue. After that game, I fell in love with DC. Then to learn he was a walk on was just a testament to how hard he worked. He is the prime example of a role model. Someone who works his ass off and therefore is the best at what they do at ANY level. DC had a dream to play in Kinnick and if any kid has the slightest desire to do so, all they have to do is look at DC. He proved that while it’s not likely, it is possible that hard work will put you in front of 70K on saturdays.

I would’ve traded the world to see the Freddy era. Well, not the world… Maybe just Damien Sims.

regarding having to choose only one.

So I will go with Scott Mullen.

LOL

Aside from the previously mentioned Ameri-Stanzi, I’m quite fond of watching Adrian “the Predator” Clayborn pick pieces of QBs (and punters) out of his facemask. Watching the D this season could be as interesting as watching our Offense, though hopefully it’s only for 3 plays at a time (or 2 or 1 if TMFS makes a pic).

Maybe it should be by position to make it easier, fantasy football style. QB, RB, WR, TE, D, ST.
QB – 2004 Gunslinger, no-RB-offense Drew Tate (wasn’t old enough to remember Long)
RB – I got to see a lot of Shaw in person as a student, so I’ll give him the nod.
WR – Ed Hinkel, but I think we’re going to have some superstars in the near future…
TE – Dallas Clark. Walk-on. Hard-working. Friggin good.
D – Bob Sanders. Oh the hits from this guy! I’m hoping Clay takes over this spot next year
ST – Tim Dwight. I was in the Big House for his punt return against Michigan. Awesome.

Where’s the “caring is creepy” on our new WR recruit?
The cupboard is more full of talented WR’s now than I can ever remember, and we have a guy that can coach them.

But really, I love all Hawkeyes equally.
 
 
UNLESS THEY MAKE A MISTAKE!!!!!!!!1
 
 
/messageboard’d

Nobody embodied the sense of Iowa defenses the way Roth did. His motor never quit, he would punch you in the mouth and keep punching, and he wore Hawkeye colors as proudly as anybody.

Iowa Hawkeye Pride — here’s to you, Matt Roth!

Reggie Roby. Your punts used to kind of freak me out.

This thread prompted me to watch Marv Cook’s game-winning TD against tOSU in 1987.

Loved Merton Hanks.

Man, this shit is hard!

Defense: Leroy Smith
Offense: Kinnick probably edges out Dwight

There are so many choices that can’t be faulted. Freddy was fun to watch, though Ronnie Harmon had almost as much juke, but also breakaway speed. Greene had the mix of power and agility. Dwight was the biggest big-play guy and the fastest man I have ever seen. The punt return against a pro-laden OSU team remains one of the most memorable single plays.

A small handfull of guys in key positions were the type who could win you the game at any moment. Chuck Long, Brad Banks, and maybe Stanzi, and the aforementioned backs could do it. So, too, could Sanders, Roth, and as we saw last year, Clayborn. The ultimate greatest Hawkeye is Kinnick, but for some reason I want to go in a different direction, to a guy who loved being a hawkeye more than anyone and despite his position, was a team leader. A little out there, perhaps, and maybe a little contrarian, but how about Nate Kaeding.

My favorite Hawkeye of all time is Mr. Jared DeVries. This man changed the way that I watched football games. Instead of watching the ball, I watched the interior D-Line as DeVries blew by whatever guard-tackle combo was assigned to block him and messed up about every play by being in the backfield.

I also feel he’s quite underrated, despite leading Iowa defenders in career tackles for loss with 79 (only 25 ahead of the next guy, Mike Wells) and sacks (43, 10 ahead of Wells again). Now every year, I watch the DT’s to see who will come close to matching DeVries. Mitch King got close, but just didn’t make as many plays. Heck, I’ve watched Detroit Lions games just to see if DeVries is playing.

Nathan Chandler wasn’t exactly an “exciting” QB to watch though. That might have had something to do with it.

the marching band had a cheer for when Russell would touch the ball:

“FREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEED russellrussellrussellrussellrussell”

I miss him.

I don’t have to think about that one, but I’d have to think a bit about who is #2.

As it approached, I remember purely thinking of the 2004 Outback Bowl as Bob’s last game — the last game of the one guy who you watched and thought “yeah, I’ll never see a player quite like that again.” The fact that we were playing Florida in a bowl game on New Year’s Day was all secondary to that.

Freddy and Brad Banks.

Saw Fred after MSU last year. I don’t think anyone was happier. He was a bright personality who, even, wrapped in ice and in pain (post Miami O in 2002), had a wonderful personality.

Brad is a great, great person. Hugged me at the 2008 Outback Bowl. I wasn’t ready or my hug would’ve been better. Wish I could be there for his camp this week. Still traveling.

Genuine people.

In 12 seasons of doing this, I’m not sure I can call any kid out on how he acted.

I truly enjoy my interaction with the players.

I dream about Adrian Clayborn at night.

I’m the guy on the back:

Ricky Stanzi is all the rage in Hawkeye circles these days and others like Tim Dwight, Bob Sanders, Brad Banks, Chuck Long and Dallas Clark are easy to love. However, I will always have a soft spot for Tavian Banks.

1.He was a celebrated recruit who took official visits to Nebraska, Washington and Miami (when all were still powerhouses) but chose to stay home in Iowa.

2. He kept a stiff upper lip and was a consummate teammate while spending three years backing up another Iowa legend, Sedrick Shaw (who is probably my 2nd favorite Hawk).

3. When his time came he made the most of it setting the all-time Iowa single-season rushing record (Shonn Greene broke it two years ago) and made First Team All-American.

4. (and this is my favorite) He seriously contemplated foregoing football for soccer but the MLS hadn’t been started yet when he was making his decision. Even after college he contemplated going to Europe and seeking a tryout before he was drafted by the Jaguars.

….so picking a favorite out of all of them is tough.

First off, I have nothing against skill players….some personal faves include the obvious (Chuck Long, Marv Cook, Sedrick Shaw, and the beast that is Shonn Greene), and some not-so-obvious (Ed Hinkel, Quinn Early, and the aforementioned Fast Freddy Russell).

Skill players get all the reviews, though. The big uglies are my favorites as a group—Bob Kratch, Eric Steinbach, Robert Gallery, Marshall Yanda, Brian Bulaga. Those guys are great examples of what a Hawkeye O-Lineman ought to be—big, strong, and meaner than hell.

The top two spots in my personal list of favorite Hawkeyes, though, go to two defensive players—Andre Tippett and Larry Station. As many fantastic defenders as we’ve had recently, I con’t think of anyone who could perform as dominantly and consistently as those two guys. (NOTE: One more season like last year, and Clayborn joins them both at the top.)

was simply a joy to watch, but being a running back guy, I have to go with the Greene machine!

I won’t bore you with reasons.

I’ve been watching Iowa football for 30 years now. Just no way to pick one guy.

Good job on the article, Hawkeye State. Best thing you can do with an “assignment” like this is to pick someone who was special, but probably not the first guy people will think of. You helped me remember the great things that Freddy Russell did for some outstanding Hawkeye football teams.

But I certainly don’t fault anyone else that’s been listed — there are lots and lots of good options to choose from. (Although if someone had chosen Herb Grigsby, we would have had issues.)

is #1 on my list of all-time favorite Ferentz-era Hawkeyes. Eddie personifies/-ied Ferentz teams and the Ferentz mentality. I wonder if anyone ever created a statistic for percentage of 3rd-down passes caught that resulted in first downs. Eddie was money. Every time a receiver drops a pass, I wish Eddie was still in uniform.

Wish I would have paid closer attention to Bob Sanders’ entire Hawkeye career. I didn’t appreciate him enough until he was a junior…