For the sake of the poll, we threw out four names: Quarterback Jake Christensen, tight end Tony Moeaki, linebacker A.J. Edds and safety Brett Greenwood. There are going to be a few other new starters on the offensive line and at specialty positions, but those are yet to be determined, and these four seem pretty solid going into camp.
Those who voted, not surprisingly, made Christensen the overwhelming choice as the new starter who will make the biggest difference. The sophomore signal caller received 150 votes — good for 72 percent. After that, Moeaki (11 percent), Edds (9 percent) and Greenwood (8 percent) were all about even.
Let’s look at why — and more importantly how — each will play a major role in this team’s ultimate success or failure.
With Christensen, it’s obvious — as the quarterback goes, the team goes, right? But the guy is a first-year starter, and first-year starters — especially at quarterback — take time to develop in the Big Ten. So I can see a scenario where Christensen doesn’t have that great of a year, but Iowa still is able to have success. If the offensive line can gel and the running game can dominate and if the defense can shut down opponents and create turnovers, all the quarterback is going to have to do is not make mistakes, which wouldn’t necessarily make him a huge impact guy. With a strong corps of receivers back, a talented tight end in Moeaki and the support of a dynamic 1-2 punch at running back, Christensen also could burst onto the scene with the type of sophomore season his predecessor Drew Tate enjoyed in 2004, which, obviously, would make him a huge impact player not only for Iowa but in all the Big Ten.
Moeaki’s an interesting one, because we’ve seen a little bit of what this guy can do. He was a backup last season, which at Iowa means you’re part of the offense. Word out of Iowa City is this guy is as good of a receiver as Scott Chandler and a far superior blocker. If that’s true, and if Christensen can get him the ball, Moeaki would be a safe bet to have the greatest impact on the Hawkeyes in 2007. Iowa offensive coordinator Ken O’Keefe always works the tight ends, and in breaking in a new starting quarterback, he’s likely to work that combination even more. Talking with Jeff Christensen — Jake’s dad, who taught him how to play quarterback — it’s obvious Jake is going to be looking for Moeaki early and often in his first season under center. Moeaki also could have a huge negative impact if he doesn’t live up to the billing. If the tight end is a weakness for Iowa, either in run blocking or receiving, it’s going to be tough for the Hawkeyes to move the ball.
Edds probably has the easiest transition of any of the four in the poll. He’s stepping in beside a pair of experienced linebackers in Mike Klinkenborg and Mike Humpal, and he has a veteran defensive line in front of him. So any noticeable impact he makes is likely to be positive. Playing on the outside, he’ll have to prove he can cover, especially with so many Big Ten teams running the spread offense these days. Bottom line: With all those players around him in the front seven, Edds isn’t likely to make a HUGE impact either way.
Greenwood has a challenge. Not only is the former walk-on going to be a brand new starter at free safety, but he’s going to be playing beside an inexperienced strong safety as well. That easily makes his transition the most difficult of the four. With the Hawkeyes breaking in new safeties, their secondary could prove to be a detriment this season. Or it could be a pleasant surprise. That’s why Greenwood’s another one of those guys who when he does something well will hear a lot of praise and when he does something poorly hears the “well, he doesn’t have a lot of experience” bit. It helps that he’s from Iowa and is a former walk-on, because people — including the coaches — will be pulling for him. Everyone likes it when stories like this emerge. In that sense, Greenwood could prove to be an inspirational guy for this team — someone others on the defense rally around if he comes up with an interception or a big hit.
| Poll resuts: July 30-Aug. 5 | ||
| Which new starter will have the greatest affect on the Iowa football team this fall? | ||
| Player | Pct. | Votes |
| Quarterback Jake Christensen | 72 | 150 |
| Tight end Tony Moeaki | 11 | 23 |
| Linebacker A.J. Edds | 9 | 19 |
| Safety Brett Greenwood | 8 | 17 |
| Total votes | 209 | |
