Quick Glance at first Hawkeye Two-Deep of the year
With Iowa’s practice set to begin this week, the first depth chart of the season was released as part of the Hawkeye media guides handed out at Big Ten Media Days.
Depth charts this far out before the first game don’t mean a great deal. They prove as more of a litmus test or benchmark to get the expectation ball rolling.
A quick glance of the chart reveals nothing shockingly out of the ordinary. A closer look hints at a few interesting things to keep an eye on one practice hits full stride.
Worrying about the Hawkeye “Contingency”
The writers at the Cedar Rapids Gazette have been cranking out quality Hawkeye content lately. This time around, Marc Morehouse does a reader’s suggestion justice by taking an in-depth look at Iowa’s conditional response plan should the unpredictable happen at any position this season.
Mitigating the damage of potential problems is rarely fun to think about, but Morehouse does a good job of analyzing the possibilities available should any Hawkeye player suffer an injury before or during the season. Below are the options as he sees them, with links to his overall analysis at each position.
RB Hampton, DB Bernstine Arrested over Weekend
The weekend after the highly-debated 21-only ordinance went into effect in Iowa City, the police department was out in full force enforcing the new law.
Two Iowa Hawkeye football players found that out the hard way.
Running back Jewel Hampton and defensive back Jordan Bernstine were arrested for multiple alcohol-related offenses, according to the Iowa City Arrest Blotter . The two were arrested at Vito's in Iowa City around 2 a.m. on Saturday, June 5, 2010.
Hampton was charged with Public Intoxication and Presence on premise (licensed liquor establishment) after hours. Hampton is under the legal drinking age in Iowa and his blood alcohol content was .091.
He was involved in physical altercations inside the bar, the police report states.
Bernstine, whose real last name is Morris and who recently turned 21, was arrested for Public Intoxication.
2010 Iowa Hawkeyes Spring Football News Update
Hawkeyes Looking to Shore up Offensive Line [KCRG] - Iowa lost three starters from last season's stellar unit, including projected first-round NFL draft pick Bryan Bulaga, and finding capable replacements has been a major focus during spring practice.
Hawkeyes' top tailbacks won't play Saturday [Muscatine Journal] - If you were planning to head over to Iowa City on Saturday to see how Iowa's running backs are shaping up for next season, forget it.
Ricky Stanzi, Jewel Hampton progress; young receivers do, too [DMR] - The Hawkeyes, who went 11-2 last season, enter Saturday's final spring scrimmage with just two returning starters on the offensive line (Riley Reiff and Julian Vandervelde), two running backs who are recovering from injuries (Jewel Hampton and Brandon Wegher) and a senior quarterback (Ricky Stanzi) who has been magical, and maddening.
Parker: Iowa has holes to fill [Press Citizen] - The first thing Norm Parker showed the Iowa defense this spring wasn't a highlight reel with spectacular goal-line stands or game-changing interceptions from a year ago or even the demolition of Georgia Tech in the Orange Bowl.
Hawks revamp their OL [AP] - It’s tough to look at the talent Iowa brings back at its offensive skill positions and not get excited about their chances of competing for the Big Ten title next fall.
Why Norm’s still in it [Marc Morehouse] - He’s down two toes in a battle with diabetes. He’s coached from a golf cart for about six years. He’s going into his 46th year as a football coach.
Wednesday Morning Hawkeye News - Sept 23 2009
Ferentz not optimistic about injured players [ESPN] - Kirk Ferentz still lists left tackle Bryan Bulaga (illness), tight end Tony Moeaki (ankle) and wide receiver Derrell Johnson-Koulianos (hamstring) as day-to-day, but the Iowa head coach isn't counting on them to be ready for Saturday night's clash with No. 5 Penn State (ABC, 8 p.m. ET).
Hawkeyes Open Big Ten Play At Michigan [Hawkeye Sports] - The University of Iowa field hockey team begins Big Ten play this weekend. Iowa, the defending three-time Big Ten Tournament champion and 2008 NCAA Final Four participant, will travel to Ann Arbor, MI, to face Big Ten foe Michigan Friday.
Iowa Hawkeyes Vs Penn State Nittany Lions Predictions - ABC College Football Game of the Week
Iowa turns up the noise to prepare for Penn State [Radio Iowa] - Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz hopes a weekly routine of cranking up the music at practice will help the Hawkeyes get ready for more than 107,000 fans in Beaver Stadium when they visit fifth ranked Penn State on Saturday night.
Hawkeyes know what to anticipate [Daily Iowan] - If there was any celebration by the Iowa Hawkeyes after beating Arizona last weekend, it didn’t last long.
Iowa's D lives up to advance billing - Arizona star Nic Grigsby broke off a spectacular weaving run against Iowa last week that went longer than the length of a football field and had nearly everyone in Kinnick Stadium holding their breath.
Out of Towner Returns for 2009 Hawkeye Football
Welcome back Hawkeye fans. It's football season! Time for another four months of Iowa Hawkeyes football and the drunken ramblings of yours truly. It's been a long offseason for me but I've been training hard to get ready for the season opener against my alma mater, the University of Northern Iowa Panthers tommorrow at 11 a.m.
Not only have I prepared myself for the season with a new Hawkeyes tattoo, but I have also been drinking and eating heavily in preparation for tailgaiting in Iowa City. You heard me right, I am back in Iowa amongst a sea of die hard Hawkeye fans. And don't think for one second that I hold a conflict of interest reporting on Saturday's game being as I went to school in Cedar Falls.
I may have graduated a Panther, but I was born a Hawkeye! So rest assured, I will continue to provide you nothing but professionally biased, somewhat intoxicated reporting this weekend and the rest of the season.
This season looks to be a tough season for the Hawkeyes with all our toughest opponents being played on the road, including ranked Penn State and Ohio State. I feel that this can only make our team stronger and provide a more viable argument for a major bowl game bid down the road.
Another bump in the road already is the loss of starting running back Jewell Hampton for the entire season (knee). Junior Paki Omeara and redshirt freshman Adam Robinson will be no slouches in the backfield though. And freshmen Brandon Wegher and Jeff Brinson should also see some playing time as well, keeping fresh legs on the field throughout the season. Keep your eyes on Wegher this season. Mark my words, I have a feeling this young man is going to show us some fantastic stuff this season.
Iowa's offensive line looks to improve on last year's strong showing with a combined 89 games started for the front five, far and away more than any other teams o-line in the Big Ten. Veterans James Ferentz and Kyle Calloway will miss Saturday's game due to a one-game suspension but will be back September 12th against the hated Cyclones (I hate them anyway).
Bleacher Report: 2009 Hawkeye Predictions Wrap-Up
A few things have happened in the world of Hawkeye since I started these preseason predictions. One of those things being the recent Jewel Hampton news. For those of you who live in a cave, Hampton will be seeking a medical red-shirt for the 2009 season.
There have been a few other injuries, too. Junior CB Jordan Bernstine broke his ankle and will also miss the season.
But, despite the injuries, I still think the Hawkeyes are going on to a 10-2 or 9-3 record this year. Here is a wrap up of how I see the games going:
Iowa 31, UNI 13
Iowa 42, ISU 10
Iowa 30, Arizona 7
Iowa 14, Penn State 17
Iowa 45, Arkansas State 20
Iowa 28, Michigan 10
Iowa 24, Wisconsin 13
Iowa 14, Michigan State 10
Iowa 35, Indiana 10
Iowa 24, Northwestern 3
Iowa 14, Ohio State 17
Iowa 42, Minnesota 14
Jewel Hampton update for those who live in a cave
In case you've been living in a cave lately, there is news floating around the web about Jewel Hampton. Specifically, the Hawkeyes announced that the man touted as Shonn Greene's replacement would miss the enitre 2009 season due to a a medical redshirt relating to a knee injury originally suffered back in July.
While I am a little concerned by this news, I am not one to think this makes a huge dent in the Hawkeye's potential this year. Jewell looked to have a lot of talent, and I was very excited to see him play this year. But, much like it was going into last year, our running game is a mystery even with Hampton healthy. No one expected Shonn Greene to come in and smash records like he did. Just like last year, we really don't know what to expect from our running game.
What we do know is that we have arguably the best offensive line in the Big Ten, we have arguably the best quarterback in the Big Ten next to Pryor, and we have A LOT of talent in the receiver positions. We also have a decent crop of young running backs that might step up to the challenge and take us all by surprise...just like Greene did last year.
Yes, this will make our season a little harder. But losing Hampton is not a make or break for the season. Mark my words...we are going to a New Year's Day bowl game again. We just might do so without much of a running attack.
Here is a plethora of other news reports written and researched a hell of a lot better than this one:
Monday Hawkeye News - 5 days till 2009 season starts
QB Stanzi could be Mr. Indispensable [DM Register] - Heaven forbid anything should happen to Ricky Stanzi.
Who will be Hawks' No. 2 QB? [IC Press Citizen] - The paths that have taken James Vandenberg and John Wienke to the start of their college football careers have been running parallel to each other for almost four years now.
Festival to honor coach Fry [Hawkmania] - Thirty years ago, Hayden Fry arrived at Iowa and began one of the most extreme makeovers in college football history.
Washington grad Davis happy to be with Hawkeyes [CR Gazette] - Keenan Davis floated around media day with nervous energy and a mile-wide smile.
Predicting the 2009 Iowa Hawkeye Football Season: Ohio State - Make no mistake about it...this game is going to be HUGE.
One More Week Till Kickoff!!!!! - Next, we host the Iowa Hawkeyes in Columbus. I believe the Hawkeyes may be the "sleeper" of the Big 10 this year.
Three bold Big Ten predictions - It will look more like the 2004 version, especially early in the season, as it finds a comfort level. The secondary has some experience, but the middle, without a dominant proven linebacker like James Laurinaitis, could be susceptible on the ground as the young, talented backers find their footing. Iowa again WILL be the league's upset threat.
Tuesday Morning Hawkeye News - Aug 18 2009
Quick stats and notes from Saturday scrimmage [CR Gazette] - First off, O-tackle Bryan Bulaga tweaked his right knee in practice Friday, coach Kirk Ferentz said, and sat out Saturday’s scrimmage. He ran some sprints and wore a sleeve on the knee. No timetable.
Ex-UI Lineman Now Hosts CBS Prime Time Show - Story about Matt Rogers.
Doering: `Execute and no excuses' [Hawkeye Sports] - Dan Doering said he has spent four fantastic years at the University of Iowa. The offensive lineman wants to top it off with a special Season 5.
"Tweaks" keep Hampton, Bulaga out of scrimmage [Hawkmania] - Jewel Hampton was held out of Saturday's scrimmage because of a recurrence of the knee problem he experienced earlier in the summer.
Sanchez Sparkles But Jets Fall to Rams, 23-20 - Shonn Greene played well.
Hawkeyes' scrimmage breaks monotony - The consensus opinion of Iowa's football scrimmage at Kinnick Stadium was summed up by coach Kirk Ferentz.
Preseason Big Ten Power Rankings - Has the Hawkeyes featured at #5 in the league.
