Hawkeye Football, Iowa Hawkeyes, On Iowa by Marc Morehouse, Sports
VIDEO: Kaczenski says no DEs to DTs (barring disaster)
Posted on Aug 13, 2009 by Marc Morehouse.
Iowa defensive line coach Rick Kaczenski talks about the upcoming season with members of the media during the team's annual media day Friday, Aug. 7, 2009 at the Kenyon Football Practice Facility on the UI campus in Iowa City. (Brian Ray/The Gazette)
D-line coach Rick Kaczenski’s interview started with a question on what the D-line looks for before the snap and their general assignments.
Head coch Kirk Ferentz mentioned during his big audience on media day that the D-line might take a committee approach. Kaczenski admits that there probably will be a few more bodies going into the mix on the inside (at 1:33). I also asked what a fifth-year senior body means on the D-line (2:48).
Kaczenski was asked if Iowa will probably lean more on its veteran D-ends, Adrian Clayborn and Christian Ballard (3:42). It’s a great question. They have the experience and they have the bulk, weighing in as Iowa’s heaviest D-linemen at 282 and 285, respectively.
I asked about DT Karl Klug (4:38), who weighs in at 260-ish. Basically, Klug has to rely on superior technique if he wants to thrive in the pile. (In a story that will appear later, I asked Klug about his Big Ten player of the week honor last season. He laughed.) There’s little margin for error for Klug.
I asked about talented sophomore end Broderick Binns (5:35). Kaczenski called him a smart football player and, after reviewing film from last season, said he was surprised by the amount of big plays he made in big games.
Finally, it dawned on me to ask the question that was hot in March: Are there any plans to move Ballard or Clayborn to tackle (6:35)?
“Barring injury or anything serious happening, I don’t see us doing that,” he said. “I think collectively inside, we should have enough.”
Hawkeye thought of the day — With the official word on CB Jordan Bernstine, who’s had his broken ankle operated on, being out for the year, let’s examine the possibilities at that left cornerback spot:
Shaun Prater (so.) — As you all know, Prater’s 2009 started with a thud. He was the guy who, after being arrested for an OWI, told police that his bartender “must have put alcohol in his Coca-Cola.” Then, his twin brother, Shane, flamed out academically and transferred to Iowa Western and basically saying goodbye to Iowa.
Prater’s football is fine. In fact, better than fine. He played and played well as a true freshman last season, making a TD saver against Purdue or Penn State (can’t remember, it was a gray day at Kinnick, that I know). He was on the field for the final player against Purdue, a potential game-winning TD pass that floated out of the end zone.
Prater, a 5-11, 175-pounder, had 11 tackles last season with two pass breakups. He had an INT return for a TD called back at Indiana. Prater’s playing time went up as last season progressed. He won a spot in dime coverage.
He faces a two-game suspension that’s non-negotiable, even in the face of Bernstine’s injury. He won’t be on the field for UNI and ISU.
Willie Lowe (so.) — He made two tackles as a true frosh last season. His playing time with the defense diminshed as the season went on, but he did play some special teams.
Before camp, I did hear some noise on Lowe making strides. He’ll get to show that off on a regular basis now. A consideration might be his size. He’s 5-10, 170.
Greg Castillo (fr.) — The 5-11, 180-pounder made a decent splash in spring ball, interception a John Wienke pass and returning it 50 yards for a TD. He’s also a member of Iowa’s leadership committee. While Prater and Lowe played last season, Castillo took a redshirt. He’s in this as much as anyone and could surprise.
Chris Rowell (sr.) — The 6-0, 195-pound senior has six tackles in his career, all last season and all coming on special teams. He was a consistent special teamer last season but has never worked his way into the defensive lineup. Realistically, he’d have to show something he has yet to show to earn this spot.
Micah Hyde (true fr.) — I’m not sure how refined his CB skills are, but Hyde was heavily recruited by defensive backs coach Phil Parker. He played defensive back at Fostoria (Ohio) High School with 165 career tackles and eight interceptions. He’s a rangy 6-1, 175. Iowa brought him in as a cornerback. Maybe he gets the call.
The Quad, the New York Times’ college football blog, checks in with the Hawkeyes today, ranking Iowa No. 19 in the nation.
Big Ten thought of the day — Rivals.com’s Tom Dienhart asks the musical question, “When will the Big Ten become an elite conference again?” There’s no music to it, but it just feels like this dance is never going to end. The answer is simple, win bowl games. That’s the only way this is going to stop. Pure and simple.
The Gazette’s Scott Dochterman writes on his blog about the Big Ten bowl situation. The lynchpin will be the Capital One, in Orlando, Fla. Scott believes by the end of the month the Big Ten bowl picture for 2010 will be in focus.
Here’s Scott’s predictions for how the Big Ten bowls will shake out: 1) BCS (Rose), 2) Cap One, 3) Outback, 4) Holiday/Gator, 6) Insight and 7) Motor City (which really is just sort of a Big Ten tie-in).
National thought of the day — I listened to ESPN’s Colin Cowherd this morning (I like him, but I can see why a lot of people don’t) and he stopped just short, like inches, of comparing USC freshman Matt Barkley to Michael Jordan. He mentioned them in the same sentence. So, the true freshman comes with some hype and now he’s the possible No. 1.
Arizona won’t lack for motivation when the Wildcats visit Kinnick Stadium on Sept. 19. Coach Mike Stoops, a former Hawkeye, is a bit miffed that his ‘Cats have been pegged for an eighth-place finish in the Pac-10.
Caption: Iowa defensive backs Shaun Prater (left) and Amari Spievey (right) during Media Day on Friday, Aug. 7, 2009, in Iowa City. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)
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Marc_Morehouse
13. Aug, 2009
All right, looks like this works. Let's try some quick comments.
Marc_Morehouse
13. Aug, 2009
And another.
Marc_Morehouse
13. Aug, 2009
OK, we're good.
Marc_Morehouse
13. Aug, 2009
I just heard that John Daly is trying to get by on 600 calories a day.
That's a little less than six Bud Lights. This has got to be killing him.
cmhawks99
13. Aug, 2009
That is crazy and can’t be healthy….is it?!?!
Marc, I know I’m always looking for the positive slant but doesn’t it make you a little excited (feel more confident) to hear the coaches talk like this.
They appear to feel pretty solid about what they have in their wouldn’t you say?
This is a good football team and they are going to have issues, including injuries but seriously the couches seem to have that quite confidence about them this year. Still hungry, in fact very hungry, but the talent seems to be in place. Even with JB’s injury.
They’ll have someone who can play CB.
Chad
Marc_Morehouse
13. Aug, 2009
I liked Prater going into this, but the big question with him was could he overcome the time missed due to suspension. But Bernstine entered camp and grabbed the job by the facemask. He got his body right in the winter and it showed. He was the most physical candidate for the RC job.
Prater and Lowe might be faster, however.
oldPete
14. Aug, 2009
Good questions for Coach K. I don't think Ballard/ Clayborn got nearly enough recognition last year. Their job was to contain and pressure the pocket, and nobody got around them. Their end play allowed Mitch and Matt to attack. I like the constant inside rush, and they proved how effective it is. They put Clark/PSU on the ground on nearly every play, and he did not enjoy it.
Marc_Morehouse
14. Aug, 2009
Excellent point, Pete. They were terrific in that game.
I thought it was interesting that they hadn't talked about moving either inside. Seems logical, but they did have success last season.
Gotta find some anchors inside. Right now, it's potential.
cmhawks99
13. Aug, 2009
Ditto on Prater……………though I thought Willie played decent in his sparing role. The staff had to be a little impressed in him to not RS him. They really seem to believe in the added experience that not RSing brings to a kid if he can handle it. Or so it seems they do anymore.
I’d guess “physically”, something I admittedly didn’t think about with JB (his size & physicality) Lowe was just on the cusp of being able to handle it last year, yet there he is a true Soph with game experience.
I still love Hyde. I don’t even know why as it isn’t really tangible but he seems to have “it”. Basing that of course on his play on offense in the All-star game I watched and coaches comments.
Chad
PS……………to me Castillo is the real wild card. I wasn’t “that” excited about him coming in (honestly not like me) and to have KF mention him (unusual for KF to add hype) has me intrigued.
BigRedHawk
14. Aug, 2009
Marc
I'm fairly certain the play your were refering to (Prater saving a TD) came on 4th down of a goal line stand near the end of the Iowa State game. It was an impressive play from a true freshman. Barring further injuries, I think the second corner spot will be solid by whomever wins the job. I think where Bernstine's injury really hurts is in the nickel and dime packages.
Marc_Morehouse
14. Aug, 2009
YES!! Thank you, Big Red. That was driving me caaaaraaaaazzzzyyyyy!!
Nickel and dimers are easier to replace. Maybe, one door closes and another opens. They need three cover guys out of Prater, Lowe, Castillo and Hyde. That's as deep as it should go. I'm leaving out whoever is No. 2 on the other side. Just blanking right now.
gohoks83
16. Aug, 2009
I think it's very interesting that D-Line Coach Rick K. says "no way" to the idea of moving Ballard inside to tackle so that Binns can come in and do his disruptive thing at DE. But the story about Saturday's scrimmage in the paper noted that Coach Ferentz is very high on Binns and that they are, indeed, experimenting with moving Ballard inside so that Binns can be on the field at the same time as Ballard and Clayborn. It also made it clear that Ballard likes it inside and does a very good job in that role. I mean no offense to Klug or Daniels, but I think it would be great to have Ballard, Binns, and Clayborn all on the field, at least at times! Go Hawks!
Marc_Morehouse
16. Aug, 2009
So does Pat Angerer!
If it's really about getting the best four out there, that's the lineup — Clayborn, Klug, Ballard and Binns. How well will Binns hold up against the run? Are Daniels and Ballard in there on obvious run downs?
Just FYI that I haven't sneaked in anywhere else, Cody Hundertmark was a DE all day yesterday.