The return of the Jedi (to Kinnick)
High winds forced me to countersteer the car to the right as the speedometer hit 80. I couldn’t help but think ‘how will this affect the Murray/Mossbrucker battle’?
Under a sunny sky the unseasonable warmth of the April Iowa day was just as welcoming to the 23k Plus, as were the memories from 2009 that played on the Kinnick Stadium Jumbotrons. The play that got the most applause out of those on hand was of course “Punt Safe”, they recognized that it was the first turning point of the season and a catalyst for what would be an eleven win Orange Bowl Championship season.
While those memories lingered Saturday, everyone in attendance realized that this is a new season, one fraught with peril and opportunity, they recognize in immortal and generic coachspeak ‘that was last season now it’s time to focus on this season’.
It was never more evident that was true when a small round of applause began. Starting with the fans situated at the Goalline in the low rows of the west stands. Slowly all of section 130 joined in a standing O, and shortly thereafter almost mimicking the wave that Herky is successful at starting on gamedays in the fall, everyone in attendance was on their feet by the time Kirk had crossed the 10 in the northwest corner. Picking his way in between the columns of players on their backs perfectly aligned with each 5 yardline staring at the sky with their left leg across their body none of them could see him from that vantage but they all knew why kinnick was on its feet. No one player is bigger than the program, and Kirk is Iowa Football. That's what the chorus would have said if it had its own voice. He acknowledged the crowd with a small wave and it was then we all sat and knew what that gesture meant, thanks for last season but this is a new season.
Kirk thanked and shook the hands of all the Ref’s standing at the 50, the spring practice was on and the unofficial start of the 2010 Iowa Hawkeye Football Season begun.
You didn’t come to read me wax nostalgic about the pageantry beauty and reverence of Iowa Hawkeye Football, so let’s get right to it. The OL is lightyears behind the DL, every matchup every time the D dominated. Stanzi Vandenberg Weinke and the Hawkeye with the newest diploma Derby were all “sacked”, actually touched and the ref’s blew the whistle. Last year at this time I remarked that 94 looked like a beast, this year Binns Ballard and Klug looked the same way AC did last year and they’ll have to be better as he is sure to see more double teams and chips, they’ve got to produce, get pressure and help out more than they did last year. If they do there is no reason why this D can’t be better than last year’s. The back seven looked great in pass coverage, and lets all remember Greenwood and Sash did some light running and heavy stretching this spring but little else, so this was about 5/7 of the starters and as a unit their play was encouraging to say the least. Passing lanes were tight and windows were ship portholes that were quickly and easily shut, but Stanzi and Vandenburg were up to the challenge.
Which brings us to every fans’ chief concern year in and year out in Iowa City. How will the offense look, how far are they behind the defense, are we going to be vanilla again, will we even be able to put points on the board or are we going to have to rely on pick-sixes (LOTTO) and blocked kicks?
I’m here to answer that with a resounding no, the passing game looked fresh, and I’m optimistic about this offense, the sky is the limit, and it’s the first time I’ve thought that in 11 years. It’s going to be the same formula as any other year in IC, ride a stout defense and limit turnovers. If the Hawks do that it’ll be one great season in the sun!
Under a sunny sky the unseasonable warmth of the April Iowa day was just as welcoming to the 23k Plus, as were the memories from 2009 that played on the Kinnick Stadium Jumbotrons. The play that got the most applause out of those on hand was of course “Punt Safe”, they recognized that it was the first turning point of the season and a catalyst for what would be an eleven win Orange Bowl Championship season.
While those memories lingered Saturday, everyone in attendance realized that this is a new season, one fraught with peril and opportunity, they recognize in immortal and generic coachspeak ‘that was last season now it’s time to focus on this season’.
It was never more evident that was true when a small round of applause began. Starting with the fans situated at the Goalline in the low rows of the west stands. Slowly all of section 130 joined in a standing O, and shortly thereafter almost mimicking the wave that Herky is successful at starting on gamedays in the fall, everyone in attendance was on their feet by the time Kirk had crossed the 10 in the northwest corner. Picking his way in between the columns of players on their backs perfectly aligned with each 5 yardline staring at the sky with their left leg across their body none of them could see him from that vantage but they all knew why kinnick was on its feet. No one player is bigger than the program, and Kirk is Iowa Football. That's what the chorus would have said if it had its own voice. He acknowledged the crowd with a small wave and it was then we all sat and knew what that gesture meant, thanks for last season but this is a new season.
Kirk thanked and shook the hands of all the Ref’s standing at the 50, the spring practice was on and the unofficial start of the 2010 Iowa Hawkeye Football Season begun.
You didn’t come to read me wax nostalgic about the pageantry beauty and reverence of Iowa Hawkeye Football, so let’s get right to it. The OL is lightyears behind the DL, every matchup every time the D dominated. Stanzi Vandenberg Weinke and the Hawkeye with the newest diploma Derby were all “sacked”, actually touched and the ref’s blew the whistle. Last year at this time I remarked that 94 looked like a beast, this year Binns Ballard and Klug looked the same way AC did last year and they’ll have to be better as he is sure to see more double teams and chips, they’ve got to produce, get pressure and help out more than they did last year. If they do there is no reason why this D can’t be better than last year’s. The back seven looked great in pass coverage, and lets all remember Greenwood and Sash did some light running and heavy stretching this spring but little else, so this was about 5/7 of the starters and as a unit their play was encouraging to say the least. Passing lanes were tight and windows were ship portholes that were quickly and easily shut, but Stanzi and Vandenburg were up to the challenge.
Which brings us to every fans’ chief concern year in and year out in Iowa City. How will the offense look, how far are they behind the defense, are we going to be vanilla again, will we even be able to put points on the board or are we going to have to rely on pick-sixes (LOTTO) and blocked kicks?
I’m here to answer that with a resounding no, the passing game looked fresh, and I’m optimistic about this offense, the sky is the limit, and it’s the first time I’ve thought that in 11 years. It’s going to be the same formula as any other year in IC, ride a stout defense and limit turnovers. If the Hawks do that it’ll be one great season in the sun!
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