Where have you gone, Bob Sanders?
Guest Opinion
Issue date: 11/29/07 Section: Opinions
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A lot of energy has been wasted these past weeks by the frustrated faithful. Whether they were casting stones at Jake Christensen, bashing the booing, or critiquing the coaches, one thing is clear: Hawkeye Nation is disoriented.
Why has the quarterback been so slow to improve? Has he even improved? What goes on inside the offensive coordinator's mind? Why are linebackers covering wide receivers? Why did Damian Sims go as unused in his career as roast beef on Thanksgiving Day? Why can't we win on Senior Day anymore? Why do we cringe each morning as we open up the newspaper for fear of seeing the newest off-the-field legal woes? Why are kickers missing extra points? Who is our kicker?
It bewilders me why the completely capable Hawkeyes couldn't muster up enough intestinal fortitude to defeat lowly Western Michigan, especially while they were clinging to bowl-eligibility. Regardless, a trend has been set, a mediocre trend of 19-18 over the past three seasons. But instead of yelling for the benching of starters, firing of coaches, or change in schemes, let's dig a little deeper for some reasons Iowa has fallen into this trend.
In a revealing article in the Des Moines Register about a month ago, former Hawkeye quarterback Drew Tate shared his thoughts on the current state of affairs. Tate said the mentality of the incoming players last year was self-seeking and egotistical. He said they "didn't give two [expletives] about us." He continued, "Ken O'Keefe blamed the seniors for being bad leaders - there's nothing we could do if the kids weren't going to listen to us." Those are the very telling thoughts of someone who has been in the locker room with the younger guys who are currently in the program. They are also some of the same guys who are responsible for another new trend.
Ten percent of the team was in trouble with the law this season. Ten percent! Now, I am aware that every team has players who get into trouble, but it's time to come to the realization that there are criminals (allegedly) and thugs playing for the Iowa Hawkeyes. You hoped that they were isolated, individual situations, but clearly. they weren't.
Why has the quarterback been so slow to improve? Has he even improved? What goes on inside the offensive coordinator's mind? Why are linebackers covering wide receivers? Why did Damian Sims go as unused in his career as roast beef on Thanksgiving Day? Why can't we win on Senior Day anymore? Why do we cringe each morning as we open up the newspaper for fear of seeing the newest off-the-field legal woes? Why are kickers missing extra points? Who is our kicker?
It bewilders me why the completely capable Hawkeyes couldn't muster up enough intestinal fortitude to defeat lowly Western Michigan, especially while they were clinging to bowl-eligibility. Regardless, a trend has been set, a mediocre trend of 19-18 over the past three seasons. But instead of yelling for the benching of starters, firing of coaches, or change in schemes, let's dig a little deeper for some reasons Iowa has fallen into this trend.
In a revealing article in the Des Moines Register about a month ago, former Hawkeye quarterback Drew Tate shared his thoughts on the current state of affairs. Tate said the mentality of the incoming players last year was self-seeking and egotistical. He said they "didn't give two [expletives] about us." He continued, "Ken O'Keefe blamed the seniors for being bad leaders - there's nothing we could do if the kids weren't going to listen to us." Those are the very telling thoughts of someone who has been in the locker room with the younger guys who are currently in the program. They are also some of the same guys who are responsible for another new trend.
Ten percent of the team was in trouble with the law this season. Ten percent! Now, I am aware that every team has players who get into trouble, but it's time to come to the realization that there are criminals (allegedly) and thugs playing for the Iowa Hawkeyes. You hoped that they were isolated, individual situations, but clearly. they weren't.
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