Who’s the bigger loss: Dace Richardson or Adam Robinson?
Dace Richardson is a bigger loss
Dace Richardson is damn good.
You may not realize the oft-injured guard has played three different positions for the Hawkeyes this year. Maybe you didn’t know the senior has started every single game along a carousel of an offensive line this season. And it’s because of this versatility and consistency the Hawkeyes are succeeding.
Robinson and Wegher are both freshmen. Both are interchangeable to a point, and both stepped in for Jewel Hampton when he went down. Remember how the season was over before it started with Hampton’s injury? Why should Robinson being hurt be treated any differently?
Wegher can and will be able to do it himself. Think of Adam Robinson’s best run this year — probably the breathing-room touchdown in the Penn State game. While it was an individual effort, he gave blocking from his line and his receivers huge thanks also. Wegher’s most memorable scores are probably the famous leaps, also aided by a great offensive line just pushing away for the guy to jump over.
While you may not have reacted the same way, I guarantee the Iowa running backs were disappointed when they heard about Richardson, because they know how much he means to the offense. As a bright spot in the offensive line, he has protected a Favre-esque Ricky Stanzi, turning the quarterback from fan scapegoat to Davey O’Brien Award semifinalist.
Iowa has always placed a huge value on linemen. I’m not saying Julian Vandervelde or whoever steps in won’t be able to take Richardson’s place. I am saying I would pick Richardson over Robinson if I could only have one.
With offensive linemen, they work as unit, and having even one hole in that line can make the chemistry go awry. Running backs are more replaceable. Especially against the lowly Hoosiers, this should be a good time for Wegher to get his carries in.
When we look back at the end of the season, if the Hawkeyes do end up losing a game (knock on wood), it will be Richardson’s broken leg that will have contributed. I guarantee it.
— by Ian Martin
Adam Robinson is the bigger loss
In the battle of Hawkeye leg injuries, the ankle injury that will sideline running back Adam Robinson is more worrisome for the Hawkeyes as they continue their historic 2009 campaign.
The redshirt freshman has delivered more than anyone could have expected this season, leading the Hawkeyes with 629 rushing yards, fourth best in the Big Ten. Most Iowa fans probably didn’t even know who Adam Robinson was before the season started, but his consistency running the football has been an integral part of the Hawkeyes’ 8-0 start.
I’m not denying the injury to Dace Richardson hurts Iowa — the midseason All-American has had a solid performance playing on the Iowa offensive line this year. But junior offensive lineman Julian Vandervelde started much of the 2008 season and has done a solid job this season. Iowa has also received an enormous boost front from redshirt freshman Riley Reiff.
Running the ball is still the most important part of the Ken O’Keefe offense, even though much more emphasis has been placed on the passing attack this year. In order for the Hawkeyes to continue their quest for perfection, the team still needs a solid running attack to set up the passing game. The squad also needs to be able to run the ball successfully when the passing game isn’t working — case in point, the entire Michigan State game besides the final drive.
While I have confidence in true freshman Brandon Wegher, he has run the ball 48 fewer times than Robinson and has averaged one fewer yard per carry.
I’m not sure Wegher will be able to shoulder the load all by himself just yet. And with junior Paki O’Meara as the back-up, Wegher is definitely going to have to do just that.
Fortunately for him, his first career start will be against a Hoosiers’ defense that is ranked ninth in the Big Ten.
A solid game this weekend with a couple leaps into the end zone would definitely help extinguish some of the worry.
— by Mitch Smith
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