Hawkeye Running Back Rises (via Matt Svare)
THE BIG TEN NETWORK COVERED IOWA LAST NIGHT. Here is a recap of what they learned. Iowa's offensive line could be special. Gerry DiNardo singled out both Brett Van Sloten and Brandon Scherff. Iowa's tight ends "look good." Steve Bigach is still the leader of the DLine and it's an obvious improvement from Spring having Dominic Alvis and Carl Davis back. Louis Trinca-Pasat could be a player to watch on the DLine. Nico Law wowed the crew delivering some pops in practice and both Greg Garmon and Barkley Hill looked good in reps.
IF YOU MISSED ANY OF LAST NIGHTS BTN PROGRAM. Don't worry, Big Ten Network's website has several of the video segments on their website. The interviews with Micah Hyde, Kirk Ferentz, Phil Parker and James Vandenberg are there. So are some takeaways from Tom Dienhart.
THERE ARE ALSO PICTURES FROM PRACTICE ON HAWKEYE SPORTS. It's a 22 picture slideshow of players in action plus their interaction with the BTN folks. We get our first look at freshman Mitch Keppy. Mark Weisman continues his practice slideshow streak almost cementing his status as practice picture darling.
BTN'S TOM DIENHART ANSWERED QUESTIONS ABOUT IOWA'S PRACTICE. Dienhart says Iowa should be on upset alert against Northern Illinois. He thinks Nate Meier eventually moves to defense. He also doesn't think Iowa's offense will make drastic changes under new offensive coordinator Greg Davis. Finally, Dienhart believes both Greg Garmon and Barkley Hill will be Big Ten freshmen to watch.
ROB HOWE WONDERS IF WE FANS ARE APATHETIC TOWARDS THE 2012 SEASON. He says maybe apathy is too strong a word. Howe goes on to list reasons why fans might be "lethargic" entering this Fall. Perhaps the Olympics have people's attention? We'll get a good idea of fan attitude tomorrow at "Kid's Day" in Kinnick. The weather will be perfect for an open practice and the attendance might be an indication of fan enthusiasm.
PHARTY PROFILES THE OTHER LINEBACKER. Anthony Hitchens played a little running back his first year on campus but has found a home at linebacker. New linebacker coach LeVar Woods says Hitchens is "an aggressive kid, a tough kid." He's healthy this season and will join Christian Kirksey and James Morris to form Iowa's linebacker trio.
PHARTY ALSO PROFILES NICO LAW. Nico describes himself as a "very physical and aggressive" player. He added "and I'm a fast player." Harty writes that Law is confident and not cocky. He's already becoming a fan favorite after big hits on special teams as a freshman and a tremendous hit in Iowa's Spring practice. The BTN guys mentioned Bob Sanders when they spoke of Nico. Those are legendary shoes to fill.
RAY HAMILTON'S TIME WILL SOON COME. He's still behind C.J. Fiedorowicz and Zach Derby on the depth chart but that doesn't stop Hamilton from working hard. Grad assistant coach David Raih said of Hamilton, "it's not one single thing that stands out about him, rather it's his consistency and the way he works every single day. That's a great asset to have."
Other links:
- A little more hair but still the same old Ricky Stanzi in K.C.
- Northwestern hopes Kain is able
- Big Ten players' poll: Part IV
- Former Hawkeye Tony Moeaki looks to put injury past on the shelf
- Former Hawkeyes center Rob Bruggeman vies for shot with Kansas City Chiefs
- Iowa's nonconference men's basketball schedule is not good
- Nebraska now has Touchdown Beavis
- Indiana hopes growing pains are so 2011
- Preview 2012 - Hardest Stadiums To Win In
- Keenan Takes a Road Trip
- Don Shumpert, Coming of Age
- There's no way you know all of the following about Iowa football
- B1G Tour: Vandenberg Key in 2012
- Ferentz back into the Hawkeye family fold
- Field Hockey: Away we go
- Adam Gettis got the start for the Redskins and looked good
- Just about every Eagle not named Marvin McNutt caught a pass in the Eagles opener
- Jeff Tarpinian had a good night