Hawkeye Blogger Round Table Talks ARob, Coe, Mass Transfers and Hoops

On Monday I talked a little bit about a new project, the Hawkeye Network. Part of the project was not only getting exposure to some of the best Hawkeye blogs on the net but also getting bloggers together to share ideas and opinions.

Over the course of the last week the authors of FightforIowa.com, HawkeyeState.com, and MikeHawk (formerly Hawkize blog, still Hawkize on Twitter) got together to discuss a few of the hot topics from the week in Hawkeye sports. You can read the full round table discussion here at the Hawkeye Network. I thought I would post the questions along with my thoughts:

Question 1: Adam Robinson’s dismissal isn’t a surprise, it was Hawk Central, or more specifically his mom, that kept the door open, at least for the general public. What do you think happened there to close the door for good? Care to speculate?

Rick (PSD)- I recall Coker stating that he wanted him back. That seemed to start a little bit of a shit-storm on the message boards but what did anyone really expect him to say? I think the team moved on, and I’m 99% sure Ferentz moved on back in January.



What impact do you think that has on the 2011 Hawkeyes, if any?

Rick (PSD) - 
I re-watched the Iowa at Michigan game again yesterday and think Iowa may miss ARob’s receiving skills out of the backfield. He may have been the best receiving option since maybe Albert Young. I hope they find a player that can fill that role this fall. Maybe Iowa can develop De’Andre Johnson into a receiving back?
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Any thoughts on where he ends up?

Rick (PSD) - We had a little bit of a discussion the other night about this on Twitter. I think he stays in-state, UNI maybe? He was an undisclosed major so no clues there. I thought for a second there was another Lincoln alum at UNI, LJ Gamblin. Gamblin played at Lincoln with Bernstine and Robinson and went on to UNI. I remember Iowa recruited him a little bit as a linebacker. A little research led me to a UNI site that said Gamblin transfered to ISU so, heh, nevermind.



Question 2: There were rumors about Coe that seemed to stem from comments Eric Johnson made at an I-Club event. Those were confirmed by Morehouse Tuesday when Ferentz commented that he still has work to do. It seems he needs a better ACT/SAT score to qualify. He was a big get for Iowa and on paper was to factor into the running back mix this Fall. If he doesn’t qualify what impact does that have, if any?

Rick (PSD)- You have to wonder if Iowa didn’t win out recruiting him because of the qualification situation. I imagine the coaches have already discussed a plan or options with Coe if he doesn’t qualify. I imagine he was told to be ready to play, I mean with the storied history of the Angry Running Back Hated God. With three other running backs coming in and Johnson and maybe White? the Hawks should be okay without him.

What are his options? Kirkwood? ICCC?

Rick (PSD) - Coe wouldn’t be the first Hawkeye to have to enter a JC for a year to qualify. Andre Tippett, Shonn Greene, Clinton Soloman. The last two were a little different stories since they actually stepped foot on campus before heading to JC to work their way back. Nick Bell was a Prop 48 and sat out his true freshman year to work on academics. It’s happened before, not a hufe deal. Let’s just hope it doesn’t turn into another ‘Bonecrusher’ type situation, that’s the alternative I guess.

Question 3: If ARob and Coe are out, how do you see the running back position shaking out in the fall?

Rick (PSD) - Coker, Johnson, White start the year on the depth chart but McCall eventually becomes the number two guy. With four (potentially, Coe?) running backs in this class I think two play for sure and the other two (Bullock, Canzeri) redshirt. If McCall is the guy right out of camp maybe he gets a load of carries early, against weak competition. It’ll depend on what kind of camp De’Andre Johnson has.



Question 4: Ferentz told Morehouse that Brad Rogers’ heart condition is improving but that Coach can only be optimistic or hopeful of his return over the summer. Is Ferentz being overly optimistic? Will we see Rogers in the backfield come this fall or does this ailment sound career threatening?

Rick (PSD) - His status has worried me for awhile. At this point, even if he is cleared you have to wonder how well he will perform this fall seeing as he hasn’t worked out, at all, since his diagnosis with the heart problem. I imagine his cardiovascular fitness is way behind that of the other fullbacks on the roster.

As an exercise science major I’ve learned a little about stress tests but not enough to speculate on any sort of illness I imagine that if he is completely shut down, as in no exercise, there may or may have been a condition related to oxygen delivery to the heart (muscle). It’s a tough deal for the kid but at the same time you have to consider him lucky to have this diagnosed before something tragic happened.

Going back to the Michigan replay, he started that day. He gave us Hawk fans a lot of hope about the fullback position for the next three years. I really didn’t think anyone stood out in the Spring scrimmage and am not sure what Iowa does at the fullback position if he is ruled out. I think Gimm is the leader, on paper? Hopefully someone will emerge.
 


Rick (PSD) - I’m not sure if Lowe was going to get much more than spot duty as far as playing time. Gavin Smith, the walk-on JC kid, will probably pick up any PT Lowe was going to get. If he doesn’t get beat out by a true freshman.

Ferentz, in his way, has made it clear that he wasn’t happy with how certain members of the media reported the Rhabdo story. I wonder if guys like Dodd get the Jim Rome treatment and vice versa.


Question 6: It sounds like both Indianapolis and Chicago made their pitch to the Big Ten for the future Championship games. Indoor or outdoor, Indy or Chi-town, which do you prefer?

Rick (PSD) - I’m biased towards Chicago. It’s easy for me to get there and I have in-laws in the area that I can stay with, etc. The Big Ten has a chance to be unique and play the game outside.


Question 7: Switching to Hawkeye hoops, what’s your take on Fran’s first real recruiting classs?

Rick (PSD) - I like the focus on athleticism. I think Olaseni will be a benefit on the defensive end and could result in more pressing defense when he is on the floor. I still think he is a third option behind Brommer and Archie but he might earn more minutes as the season progresses.

I’m not sure about Oglesby, hopefully he is the shooter everyone says he is. I think Iowa lacked a three point threat last year and it hurt them late in-games.

Hubbard is the wild card in my mind. If he can be the slasher and scorer that he was in JC the Hawks will get the boost offensively they need. I hope that he becomes a leader and a score on the court. The kind of player that just makes everyone else on the floor better.

Question 8: Iowa hosts Clemson in the ACC/B1G challenge on Nov. 29th. Think the Hawks will win this one?

Rick (PSD) - Hawks win! Hawks win! I really don’t know and it’s way too early. I thought I read that Clemson lost a lot from last years team and the students will be back from Tgiving break, so I hope that Carver is rockin’.