SB Nation User Blog: Hawkeyes

Stanzi a Davey O'Brien Semifinalist

Hawkeyes — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 19:28:52 -0000

Apparently I missed the fanpost from yesterday, sorry about that guys. I guess that's what happens when you have to sneak your BHGP fill in during meetings and the like.

Ricky Stanzi was named as one of 15 semi-finalist for the Davey O'Brien award. The award honors the nation's best Quarterback.

Stanzi, a 6-4, 218-lb junior from Mentor, O., has quarterbacked the Hawkeyes to an 8-0 record and a fourth-place spot in the current BCS standings. Stanzi has already passed for 1,715 yards and 12 touchdowns this season. He has posted a 16-3 record as a Hawkeye starter.

Now, I love it when Hawkeye players get the respect they deserve on a national level, but I have to wonder, is Stanzi really one of the 15 best QBs in the country? His record certainly argues that he is. But we've all seen too many Stanziballs! to really believe that he has a shot at an award like this. Check out the competition:

2009 O'Brien Semifinalists

Matt Barkley FR USC Pac-10 Daryll Clark SR Penn State Big Ten JimmyClausen JR Notre Dame Independent Jacory Harris SO Miami ACC Case Keenum JR Houston Conference USA Dan LeFevour SR Central Mich. Mid-American Jake Locker JR Washington Pac-10 Colt McCoy SR Texas Big 12 Kellen Moore SO Boise State WAC Tony Pike SR Cincinnati Big East Todd Reesing SR Kansas Big 12 Zac Robinson SR Oklahoma State Big 12 Ricky Stanzi JR Iowa Big Ten Bill Stull SR Pittsburgh Big East Tim Tebow SR Florida SEC

But when I look at this list, I have to say, there isn't anyone here that blows my mind this season. Tebow isn't playing well (or as well as in the past), neither is Colt McCoy (except last week). My personal vote would go to Daryll Clark who has been outstanding with one notable exception. So what do you all think, does Stanzi the Manzi stand a chance?

Link

Jay Cutler a possibility?

Hawkeyes — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 16:42:03 -0000

According to ESPN:

The Denver Broncos may have seriously damaged their relationship with quarterback Jay Cutler.

A source close to the situation confirmed the Broncos were trying to acquire quarterback Matt Cassel from the New England Patriots by dangling Cutler, their Pro Bowl quarterback.

Now the chiefs managed to get Cassel for a second round pick, so I find it a little surprising this deal wasn't completed. With Cutler now very unhappy, I think a strong move for Cutler now could possibly pry him away from the Broncos. Cutler is mobile, has a strong arm and is coming off a pro bowl season. He'd give the Bears offense an instant level of credibility it hasn't seen in years.

The source said Tampa Bay, Detroit and Chicago could be possible destinations if Cutler gets his way and is traded.

Personally I would love to see Cutler in a Bears uniform. While I don't know that Cutler truly is a long term elite quarterback, I would like to see JA and company roll the dice and bring in a guy who would be the youngest and most talented QB this franchise has seen in years. Second and Third round picks and Kyle Orton? I'd make that trade.

Cutler's Stats.

Buenning or Williams to be active?

Hawkeyes — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 14:12:15 -0000

According to the Brad Biggs article an the Sun Times:

Guard Dan Buenning and tackle Chris Williams got extra work after practice. One of them will be active for the first time Sunday to fill the void created by veteran guard Terrence Metcalf's suspension.

This sounds like good news to me for a few reasons. 1) It means that someone other than Terrance Metcalf will be on the field for the Bears. 2) It's fantastic to hear that Chris Williams is getting "extra work" so quickly after his surgery. Hopefully this speaks both to his work ethic and to the possibility that he will be on the field at some point for the Bears.

Personally my money is on seeing Buenning suit up this weekend but it sure would be great to see St. Clair replaced at left tackle ASAP.

Tommie Harris Suspended, Out Vs. Lions

Hawkeyes — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 21:13:33 -0000

The Bears have apparently suspended DT Tommie Harris for one game and it will be this Sunday at Detroit.

The Bears on Thursday suspended defensive tackle Tommie Harris for Sunday’s road game against the Detroit Lions for breaking an unspecified team rule.

The three-time Pro Bowler will continue rehabbing his knee injury this week at Halas Hall, but he won’t rejoin his teammates on the practice field until next week.
“It’s always disappointing when you have to suspend one of your players, but nothing’s bigger than the team,” Smith said.

I don't see any real problem with Harris missing the game Sunday, Detroit has a porous offensive line and our backups SHOULD be able to apply adequate pressure to the statue they have playing QB. However, I have to wonder what sort of rule was broken, Harris seems like a real team player and someone who does his best to keep his nose clean. I hope this is just a one time incident and as usual Lovie and JA aren't releasing a lot of details.