Jailhouse Hawks: The team with no running backs
Breaking news this afternoon from KCRG: Iowa’s sophomore running back Adam Robinson, who is already serving a suspension for violating an unspecified team rule, was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana in Des Moines last night.
[Exaggerated sigh.]
Robinson becomes the second Hawkeye football player to be arrested and charged for drug-related offenses in the last three weeks. Robinson is also likely to become the third running back to leave the team or, more likely in his case, be dismissed in the last five months.
The Iowa Hawkeyes have become the team with no running backs.
Obviously, the Hawkeyes have running backs. Freshman Marcus Coker will start in the backfield tonight against Missouri in the Insight Bowl, and he will be backed up by… Senior Paki O’Meara? Freshman Brad Rogers is out with injury (he apparently has to have cardiologic tests done) and the only other running back on the roster is freshman De’Andre Johnson. So someone will fill the hole at RB. But the trouble Kirk Ferentz and Company have keeping just one veteran running back eligible and fit to play is unprecedented.
At the beginning of the season, the Hawkeyes looked to have a veritable stable of thoroughbred running backs. Jewel Hampton was back after sitting out the ’09 season to rehab a torn ACL, and sensational sophomores Brandon Wegher and Adam Robinson looked ready to build on the success they shared last fall. For only the second time since 2003, Iowa appeared to have a solid and stable backfield that could cope with any unforeseeable misfortune. But, alas, it was not to be.
It all started to unravel when Wegher unexpectedly left the team weeks before the season opener. The rumor milled has produced a couple whoppers to explain Wegher’s decision, but nobody really knows for sure what went down. It was expected that Wegher would return next season, and he might — as a Nebraska Cornhusker.
Arrested for public intox, and one of the first underage violators of IC’s new 21-only ordinance, Hampton was suspended for the first game of the season. He returned against Iowa State and looked to be a break away threat every time he touched the ball. However, he injured his ACL again (I’m not sure if it was the same one) against Arizona and was lost for the season. Two weeks ago he announced his intention to transfer.
And now there’s Robinson, yet another bonehead. He deserves a harsh punishment, and I do not expect to see him on the field at Kinnick next season. He may very well transfer to UNI, where he will not need to sit out a year. The Panthers have a reputation for welcoming D-I troublemakers, especially those from Iowa City.
Depleted and demoralized, the Hawkeyes will mercifully end the rollercoaster 2010 season tonight against Missouri. Frankly, I have no clue what to expect. Whatever happens, I will watch it all and be thankful when the final whistle blows. Yes, this season has been a disappointment, but as a diehard Hawkeye fan I can effortlessly stomach the losses. However, it is the off-field incidents, stupidity, and controversy that are most embarrassing and disgraceful.
[Exaggerated sigh.]
Robinson becomes the second Hawkeye football player to be arrested and charged for drug-related offenses in the last three weeks. Robinson is also likely to become the third running back to leave the team or, more likely in his case, be dismissed in the last five months.
The Iowa Hawkeyes have become the team with no running backs.
Obviously, the Hawkeyes have running backs. Freshman Marcus Coker will start in the backfield tonight against Missouri in the Insight Bowl, and he will be backed up by… Senior Paki O’Meara? Freshman Brad Rogers is out with injury (he apparently has to have cardiologic tests done) and the only other running back on the roster is freshman De’Andre Johnson. So someone will fill the hole at RB. But the trouble Kirk Ferentz and Company have keeping just one veteran running back eligible and fit to play is unprecedented.
At the beginning of the season, the Hawkeyes looked to have a veritable stable of thoroughbred running backs. Jewel Hampton was back after sitting out the ’09 season to rehab a torn ACL, and sensational sophomores Brandon Wegher and Adam Robinson looked ready to build on the success they shared last fall. For only the second time since 2003, Iowa appeared to have a solid and stable backfield that could cope with any unforeseeable misfortune. But, alas, it was not to be.
It all started to unravel when Wegher unexpectedly left the team weeks before the season opener. The rumor milled has produced a couple whoppers to explain Wegher’s decision, but nobody really knows for sure what went down. It was expected that Wegher would return next season, and he might — as a Nebraska Cornhusker.
Arrested for public intox, and one of the first underage violators of IC’s new 21-only ordinance, Hampton was suspended for the first game of the season. He returned against Iowa State and looked to be a break away threat every time he touched the ball. However, he injured his ACL again (I’m not sure if it was the same one) against Arizona and was lost for the season. Two weeks ago he announced his intention to transfer.
And now there’s Robinson, yet another bonehead. He deserves a harsh punishment, and I do not expect to see him on the field at Kinnick next season. He may very well transfer to UNI, where he will not need to sit out a year. The Panthers have a reputation for welcoming D-I troublemakers, especially those from Iowa City.
Depleted and demoralized, the Hawkeyes will mercifully end the rollercoaster 2010 season tonight against Missouri. Frankly, I have no clue what to expect. Whatever happens, I will watch it all and be thankful when the final whistle blows. Yes, this season has been a disappointment, but as a diehard Hawkeye fan I can effortlessly stomach the losses. However, it is the off-field incidents, stupidity, and controversy that are most embarrassing and disgraceful.
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