IOWA SHOWED UP TO PRACTICE AND...
Hawks gonna Hawk (H/T @coach_Doyle)
ESPN'S BRIAN BENNETT TAKES A SHOT AT WRITING FICTION. He has a best case/worst case for Iowa's upcoming football season. The best case? A repeat of 2009. Worst case? James Ferentz becomes Iowa's quarterback and some janitor plays running back.
STAYING WITH ESPN'S BIG TEN BLOG. James Vandenberg is the 13th best player in the league, per Brian Bennett. The countdown started at 25 and Vandenberg is the first Hawkeye to make the list. If Keenan Davis doesn't show up there's a good chance JVB is Iowa's only member of ESPN's Top 25.
ESPN HAD IOWA'S SECONDARY AS THE 8TH BEST UNIT IN THE LEAGUE. But, they list Micah Hyde as the third best defensive back. Interestingly, Iowa's unit as a whole was ranked behind Wisconsin but not a single Badger made the list of 10.
FERENTZ DOESN'T CARE IF WE THINK HIS TEAM IS BORING. He does care, writes the AP, if we think they are average. It wasn't long ago we talked about 7 getting 6. The conversation turned to if "7 is the new 6." There's changes in the coaching staff and perhaps philosophy. Ferentz said, "it's been a different offseason certainly, and it's been enjoyable." He added, "now we're doing what we really like to do."
ANOTHER PHLUFFLY PIECE FROM PHARTY. James Morris doesn't like being average. The team, not him personally (I think). Iowa's been average, "chip on the shoulder," young guys working hard. That's it, there's your summary.
GONE BABY GONE. John Sawhill decided to forgo his senior season playing defensive tackle at Drake to walk-on with the Hawkeyes. Injuries prevented Sawhill from ever playing for the Hawks. Iowa announced he is no longer with the team.
THIS IS PROBABLY THE WORST THING EVER PUBLISHED ON YAHOO SPORTS. Kinnick Stadium is the ninth most difficult college football stadium for opponents to play in per Yahoo's Eric Holden. Awesome right? Read the rest of the list.
UNFORTUNATE ARTICLE TITLE ALERT. From Penn Live.com, Iowa, like Penn State, could use its tight ends more this season. I don't...I can't even...never mind.
Other links:
- Ricky Stanzi is second string for this week's upcoming preseason game
- Maurice Fleming is getting reps with Iowa's first string
- Hawkeyes in the NFL: 2012 Preseason Week Two
- 2012 Iowa position breakdowns: Offensive Line
- When Nate Kaeding and Bob Sanders left Kinnick Stadium in style
- 2012 Iowa position breakdowns: Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
- Alford surely isn't too shy
- Tom Davis' last dance at Iowa is a good dance
- The day Iowa's Big Bulldozers razed the Big House
- Iowa's 6-4 football win at Penn State in 2004 capped emotional week for Ferentz and family
- Iowa women: Both 2013 recruits in Top 100
- Dallas Clark in ‘important camp' with Buccaneers
- 2012 Iowa position breakdowns: Defensive Line
- Hawks getting name out early and often in recruiting
- Fast Iowa Linebackers Could Help Make Up for Inexperienced D-Line
- Bucs Defensive End Adrian Clayborn Lets Play Do All of His Talking
- Do current Colts believe the risk is worth it?
- LB Jeff Tarpinian ready to be the "next man in"
- Scott Chandler Getting No NFL Respect
- Tate celebrates little victories, like touching his hair
- Bombers' Johnson ready to start telling it like it is
- Iowa track and field: Frazier Runs Way Into Hall of Fame