Agreed. Also, I enjoy the phrase “Super Freak players”
Dave Andrews
- Thread starter Brandon
- Start date
TBH I think Dave Andrews is possibly the most important person in Iowa State football, if not number 1 than a clear number 2.
For years we lacked the ability to max out players' physical and athletic ceilings and that was blatantly apparent on the line of scrimmage. Our lineman were always outmuscled and it put us in a huge disadvantage from the moment the ball was snapped. It's reason #1 why we've had a consistent inability to defeat Iowa and other upper echelon teams. They have DOMINATED at the line of scrimmage.
Last year was the first in which I noticed players were visibly stronger and faster across the board. As the year went on, even though we didn't have Downing and had relative inexperience across much of the line, the offensive line started holding it's own. This is something 99% of the experts (and other teams' fans) haven't factored in when assessing Iowa State's prospects. This team has never had the expectation of having a potentially great offensive line before a season. We have the players, depth, and a full (regular) offseason program with coach Andrews. Purdy will have a lot more time to throw the ball. Breece will have bigger and more consistent holes to run through. The essence of time and returning experience should allow for more creativity.
Doyle may have been a ass at Iowa but the man was doing a lot of things right to get consistent gains, improvement, and performance we've seen at that program over a 20 year span. I think, providing he stays long enough, Andrews will bring the same kind of (long-term) results to this program.
For years we lacked the ability to max out players' physical and athletic ceilings and that was blatantly apparent on the line of scrimmage. Our lineman were always outmuscled and it put us in a huge disadvantage from the moment the ball was snapped. It's reason #1 why we've had a consistent inability to defeat Iowa and other upper echelon teams. They have DOMINATED at the line of scrimmage.
Last year was the first in which I noticed players were visibly stronger and faster across the board. As the year went on, even though we didn't have Downing and had relative inexperience across much of the line, the offensive line started holding it's own. This is something 99% of the experts (and other teams' fans) haven't factored in when assessing Iowa State's prospects. This team has never had the expectation of having a potentially great offensive line before a season. We have the players, depth, and a full (regular) offseason program with coach Andrews. Purdy will have a lot more time to throw the ball. Breece will have bigger and more consistent holes to run through. The essence of time and returning experience should allow for more creativity.
Doyle may have been a ass at Iowa but the man was doing a lot of things right to get consistent gains, improvement, and performance we've seen at that program over a 20 year span. I think, providing he stays long enough, Andrews will bring the same kind of (long-term) results to this program.
![7877860[1].jpg](https://cyclonefanatic.com/forum/data/attachments/62/62028-2632ff4c953eac5fdc6cdaa547b333c9.jpg "7877860[1].jpg")
One major difference between ISU and Iowa: the coaches here are more willing to play reserves when the game is on the line. It can cost us. When Louisiana scored on a deep pass, the receiver beat our reserve safety on the play. But such a strategy can pay off late when the game is on the line (see Texas). The Iowa coaches didn’t trust their depth. So in a tight game, their starters often would be gassed.
Agree with this, but I think it's pretty obvious this transition to competing physically has been in motion for years under Campbell. Andrews is a beast, but that sort of change doesn't happen in one offseason, particularly one that was restricted almost entirely to remote work outside of team facilities.
So I'd say a Campbell team was getting guys in the program and developing them, particularly on the LOS, to go toe to toe physically with the top teams. Andrews accelerated it, and looks like he can take it even further.
Considering the oft mentioned issues with COVID in the weeks leading up to the UL matchup, I have a hard time taking anything from that game as a representative sample.
I was told last week that Andrews was a "program changing hire" by Campbell. He's that good
Definitely was in motion for years, but wasn't really getting anywhere until Andrews showed up. I may be missing somebody, but to the best of my recollection Rudy Wade is the only assistant that Campbell has fired in his time here. The S&C position is arguably one of the most important positions on the staff, and the fact that he was fired speaks volumes. The change was pretty much overnight.
It's obvious. We were seeing it by the middle of last season. Can't wait to see what he does with the kids who will have 3+ years working with him.
