Iowa-Penn State: Four Players Needed for Hawkeye Success
It's ESPN Gameday's Game of the Week. It's a Penn State White Out. It's a revenge game.
It's insanity.
In order for Iowa to survive the insanity, a few Hawkeyes will have to go beyond the call of duty.
Adrian Clayborn - The Iowa defensive line lost some talent when Mitch King and Matt Kroul graduated last year. They were irreplaceable team leaders with tons of experience. Yet, few were worried. The lack of worry was due, in large part, to the crazed defensive cyborg known as Adrian Clayborn.
Clayborn has done nothing but terrorize opponents for the Hawkeyes this year. He might also terrorize cab drivers, but that is a story to write in late January.
In last week's game against Arizona, Clayborn had six tackles, a sack, a forced fumble, and a shockingly quick tackle-from-behind on the nation's second leading rusher that left the ABC announcers in awe.
Last year against Penn State, Adrian had a QB sack for a 19-yard loss that caused a Daryll Clark fumble.
Clayborn is a definite Key Hawkeye in this game, and there isn't much PSU can do to stop him.
Friday Morning Hawkeye News - Aug 21 2009
Top 35 Countdown: Nos. 15-21 - No 21 Iowa Hawkeyes - The defense returns eight starters and has an experienced line backers’ corps for one more year. Pat Angerer, Jeremiha Hunter and A.J. Edds collected 214 tackles between them last year and seven interceptions.
3 Hawkeyes on watch lists - Quarterback Ricky Stanzi has landed on the watch list for the Manning Award, given annually to the nation’s top quarterback. Stanzi, a junior, threw for 1,956 yards and 14 touchdowns last season.
Hawkeye grapplers coming to Lewisburg - As he sat in his chair in Iowa City back in January and watched the soon-to-be 22-time national champions Iowa Hawkeyes take apart his Bucknell wrestling team, Bison coach Dan Wirnsberger knew his program was at a crossroads.
Marching band brings back Tigerhawk formation - Standing tall on a podium in the middle of the field, Joe Piasecki surveyed the nearly 250 musicians circling him and then opened the first full marching band practice of the year.
UI loses three spots in rankings - The University of Iowa slipped three spots among public universities in the U.S. News and World Report 2010 rankings, which were released today.
Predicting the 2009 Iowa Hawkeye Football Season: Michigan State - Last season, Michigan State finished a game behind Ohio State and Penn State for the Big Ten title. Some think there is an outside chance of MSU equaling or bettering that accomplishment this year.
Women's soccer team to tangle with Tigers of Missouri - The University of Iowa women's soccer team will open the 2009 season against rival neighbors from the Big 12 Conference, the Tigers of the University of Missouri, at 7 p.m., Friday, Aug. 21, at the Iowa Soccer Complex.
Non Media Day Hawkeye News
Warren Holloway gets a new home [Black Heart Gold Pants] - I'm standing there staring at a signed, numbered, framed photo of Warren Holloway and The Catch......in a thrift store........in Lakewood.
Iowa recruits impress Murray - After working at the Iowa Elite Camp this week, former University of Iowa basketball player Kenyon Murray feels better about the future of his alma mater.
Young ready to take next step - Young was an undrafted rookie from Iowa who spent last season on the practice squad. Young impressed the staff with his development last year and is making a strong bid to earn a spot on the active roster.
More With Less: Why Kirk Ferentz is the Best Coach in College Football
Iowa's Ricky Stanzi: In The Pocket For 2009 - Stanzi gets an overall grade of A- on Evaluating Mechanics of Big 10 Quarterbacks. ESPN blogger Adam Rittenberg only rates the Iowa QB position as No. 5, not because of Stanzi, but due mainly to absence of Greene and the lack of a proven back-up.
Heavy metal and football - Iowa fans get excited when AC/DC's "Back in Black" blares though Kinnick Stadium when the Hawkeyes take the field. Heavy metal songs carry the same feel in other football venues as well.
Video: Iowa version of BigTen Commercial "I Will"
This is one of the best Iowa Hawkeye Football commercials I have ever come across. I never get tired of watching it. And it was filmed before Mitch King cut his hair. Since Greene was an unknown when this was filmed, you won't see him featured. You also won't see JC featured, thank god! But it does feature a few other Hawkeye players.
Day Two of the NFL Draft was The Day of the Hawkeye
The 3rd round of the 2009 NFL draft started off in a big way for the Hawkeye faithful, with Shonn Greene and Bradley Fletcher going back to back.
Greene started the 3rd round off when the New York Jets traded up 11 spots to pick him. Greene will compete with Jets veteran Thomas Jones and playmaker Leon Washington for time at running back. Greene is the Jets’ second pick in the draft behind USC quarterback Mark Sanchez. This pick sent Greene's name to the front of every newspaper in New York, and delighted his nearby hometown in New Jersey.
Fletcher, Iowa's top cornerback this past season, was selected immediately following Greene by the St. Louis Rams. Fletcher chalked up 60 tackles and three interceptions last year, which is something the Rams can definitely benefit from.
Later on in the day, the Denver Broncos picked Seth Olsen with the 32nd pick in the 4th round. With the 29th Pick in the 6th round, the Oakland Raiders selected Brandon Myers, which was a little bit of a surprise. While Myers proved his worth on the field, he was far from past Iowa Tight Ends.
Is Hawkeye Nation Ready for the 2009 Draft?
Several Hawkeyes have a solid chance at being drafted in the 2009 NFL Draft that starts today. Shonn Greene, Bradley Fletcher, Mitch King, Seth Olsen, Rob Bruggeman are the 5 most likely, but a few others like Brandon Myers and Matt Kroul also have an outside shot.
Shonn Greene will likely be the first Hawkeye selected in this year's draft. Where, is anyone's guess. Most loyal hawk fans say 1st round. The douche bag Mel Kiper picks him 4th. Greene, who is approaching 24, finished the past season with 1,850 yards and 20 touchdowns. He broke several school records and ran for at least 100 yards in all 13 games.
King is considered small for a NFL defensive lineman, but he is relentless and has a heart like Rudy, which every team in the NFL could benefit from. Fletcher has caught the interest of the Colts as of late, maybe due to his Bob Sander's like ability to break up a pass.
The rest of the draft is anyone's guess. It all depends upon what a teams needs and what is left on the board when their selection comes. But, like everyone else, I have put together my best guess effort at trying to determine where our beloved Hawkeyes will be playing on Sundays this fall.
Wednesday Hawkeye News - Football Edition
NFL Draft Quick Hits [Scout] - The Indianapolis Colts already have Bob Sanders playing the safety position, but a source told Scout.com that the team hosted another Iowa Hawkeye defensive back, Bradley Fletcher, for a visit back on April 10. The 6-foot-1, 196-pound cornerback has also visited the New York Jets and had a private workout with the New England Patriots. At the NFL Scouting Combine, the Chicago Bears, Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions, and the Green Bay Packers held formal interviews with the scrappy defender who helped his draft stock significantly during East-West Shrine Game week. With just one season under his belt as a starter, Fletcher could have a big upside with the right coaching at the next level.
Fletcher's stock soars [Gazette Online] - Bradley Fletcher keeps a low profile, doesn't say much but does so in an articulate manner. In many ways, Fletcher's play at cornerback belies that outward impression. He's confident, assertive and talented. His personal drive, combined with physical skills and a solid work ethic, have parlayed Fletcher into one of the fastest risers in this year's NFL draft.
Hawkeyes hope to be picked in NFL draft [Radio Iowa] - A number of former Iowa Hawkeyes will be waiting this weekend to see if they are taken in the National Football League draft. After an All American season in which he rushed for 18 hundred and 50 yards, running back Shonn Greene is projected as a second to fourth round pick.
More Friday Morning Hawkeye News
Kaeding ending his camp [Hawk Central] - "Being a father, a lot has changed for me time-wise and being able to channel my energy," Kaeding said. "Looking ahead, I had to pick and choose, and I didn't want to short-change my family."
NFL draft expert Kiper: Greene in second round at best [DM Register] - ESPN NFL draft analyst Mel Kiper today predicted former Iowa running back Shonn Greene to be selected no higher than the second round in week’s draft.
Hawkeye spring football update [CR Gazette] - As spring football practice winds down, this is the eighth in a series about each position on the University of Iowa team: Special teams.
Hawkeyes coping with loss of King and Kroul [QC Times] - It’s the second biggest question of the spring for the Iowa football team. No. 1, of course, is: How will the Hawkeyes replace Shonn Greene? A close second is: Can they replace Mitch King and Matt Kroul?
Violence wave stuns city [Daily Iowan] - UI administrators acknowledge the recent wave of assaults involving men in downtown Iowa City but say the university’s primary focus continues to be violence against women and the over-consumption of alcohol among students. Though the school has taken an active role in spreading awareness about sexual assaults against women in the past, university officials said, they have no plans to address male-on-male violence specifically.
Mock Football Draft Rankings for Greene and King
Shonn Greene is said to be the the number 4 ranked RB prospect in this year's draft on Fantasy Football Jungle, behind Knowshon Moreno, Beanie Wells, LeSean McCoy. Greene is said to be the the number 5 ranked RB prospect on Football's Future. His average Draft Pick Position is 43.
Top 4 teams likely targeting Shonn Greene.
Arizona Cardinals, Pick 31
Cincinnati Bengals, Pick 38
Cleveland Browns, Pick 36
New England Patriots, Pick 47
Hawkeyes finish at No. 20 in AP poll and USA Today Poll
The Hawkeyes cracked the Top 20 in both polls for the first time all season. Our strong finish, which included winning six of our last seven, an upset of Penn State, a complete dismantling of Minnesota, and an embarassment of South Carolina, secured us the #20 spot in both the AP Top 25 and the USA Today poll. Personally, I think #20 is the bare minimum of where we should have been ranked, but I can't complain too much with a top #20 finish.
Could we have done better this year? Absolutely. We lost four games by a total of 12 points. But we were a young team still trying to figure some things out. In reading some of the comments on the news sites like the DM Register and IC Press Citizen, and while crusing through the boards, its clear there are definitely some nay-sayers out there who either aren't happy with a 9-4 record, or think its ridiculous that we applaud a 9-4 record. But after the last 3 years, and after starting out 3-3, to end the season on such a high note is a gift the Hawkeye Nation should appreciate and enjoy.
