July 30, 2009
Video interview with P. Angerer | Video interview with A. Edds
- 2009 Football Media Fact Book
- 2009 Football Media Guide
- 2008 Highlight Video
- 2009 Spring Camp Central
- New and renewal season ticket customers: Purchase yours online!
- Outback Bowl Central
- Iowa and the Big Ten Network
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- Iowa Football wallpaper
CHICAGO — Two defensive stalwarts on the University of Iowa football team joined John Mackey Award Watch List tight end Tony Moeaki at the Hyatt Regency Chicago for the annual Big Ten Media Days on July 27-28.
‘Mike’ linebacker Pat Angerer and `Leo’ linebacker A.J. Edds — both seniors — touched on a variety of topics at Media Days as the Hawkeyes prepare for what many predict to be an exciting and successful 2009 season.
Iowa returns 16 starters from a team that went 9-4 overall and won the Outback Bowl over South Carolina by a convincing three touchdowns. Still, the Hawkeyes were not selected as one of the top three teams in the Big Ten by vote of league media.
“We don’t look at preseason rankings,” Angerer said. “They really don’t mean anything. What matters is what happens at the end of the year.”
What happened at the end of last season were Hawkeye wins in their final four outings and in six of the last seven games. Replacing tackles Mitch King and Matt Kroul and cornerback Bradley Fletcher from a defense that ranked fifth in the nation in scoring defense will be one challenge.
“We have to have guys come in and play with the same heart and desire like those guys we lost,” Angerer said. “They were great leaders, but we have to move on.”
Edds noticed the horde of reporters and said if the shoe was on the other foot, he would be curious about Iowa’s defense, the progress at quarterback and the absence of the Doak Walker Award winner.
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“We have to have guys come in and play with the same heart and desire like those guys we lost. They were great leaders, but we have to move on.”
UI ‘Mike’ linebacker
Pat Angerer |
“I would ask what do you do to replace guys like Mitch King and Matt Kroul up front, or a guy who was under-appreciated at Iowa — Bradley Fletcher — a great corner,” Edds said. “What kind of summer has Ricky Stanzi had? Obviously what do you do on offense to replace Shonn Greene?”
Angerer spoke of his appreciation for the Big Ten Network.
“I like it because they play the re-runs and I can sit at home, get ready for class, and watch our games or games of the team we play next,” Angerer said. “It’s kind of nice to have that accessible to us.”
Angerer is from Bettendorf, Iowa — an easy drive to Kinnick Stadium for family and friends. Edds is from Greenwood, Ind. A highly sought-after recruit in high school, Edds said it was interesting hanging out at the Media Days with other coaches who recruited him or players from the 10 other conference teams.
“You get a different take seeing coaches and players not lining up across from them on Saturdays,” Edds said. “I know a couple guys from a couple other schools, so it’s been cool to see those guys, kind of catch up a little, see how their workouts are going, and talk about stuff other than football. We’re college guys as well. You see coaches in a different kind of setting that isn’t quite as high-pressure or demanding as being on the sidelines on Saturday.”
Iowa begins training camp Friday, Aug. 7, and the season-opener is Saturday, Sept. 5, against Northern Iowa inside Kinnick Stadium. The Hawkeyes play the top three preseason conference teams on the road — Penn State (Sept. 26), Michigan State (Oct. 24) and Ohio State (Nov. 14).
“Ohio State is the team kind of out front, but the Big Ten is always a wild ride,” Edds said. “All we can ask for is to be in the hunt. If you want to be one of the best teams in the conference, you want to play the best teams. It will be a huge challenge for us.”