P.S. Post: Amari Spievey

Well, we here at The Manchise believe that Adrian Clayborn's decision to stay at Iowa all started with this little post. Then came a wonderful facebook group containing over 500 Hawkeye faithful that we think Adrian visited (somebody tagged him in all of the pictures, and we are hoping it was him). So after learning that Amari Spievey is sitting on the fence, we thought that maybe it is our destiny to push him over to the Black and Gold side for one more year. So Hawkeye Nation here is our latest P.S. Post!

Dear Mr. Spievey,

You may have heard of us from Adrian Clayborn (we have active imaginations, I know). We are two HUGE Hawkeye fans with too much time on our hands. SO what does that mean for you? Well we, as the two hawkeye fans with a blog and active imaginations, want to convince you to stay one more year at Iowa. This might be a lucrative cause, but we must do it. We just only hope that this reaches you in time.

Thanks For The Memories

(Picture from http://www.kcrg.com/)

The Orange Bowl victory celebration continues on, but Hawk fans are being forced into reality a bit today. For those that do not know already, Dace Richardson and Bryan Bulaga are packing up their game and heading to the NFL. According to hawkcentral.com Bulaga said, "This was not an easy decision since my Iowa experience has been very positive and rewarding. The illness I was faced with at the beginning of the 2009 season (thyroid condition) made me realize how important football is in my life and how quickly it can be taken away. I want to thank coach (Kirk) Ferentz, (offensive line) coach (Reese) Morgan and the rest of the Iowa football staff who played a significant role in my development. I will always be a Hawkeye and will carry that with me proudly wherever my future takes me.”

This means that Iowa has a very important task this coming off season, fill four out of six spots on the offensive line; Ferentz is losing Richardson (who announced will not go after a medical hardship waiver), Bulaga, Kyle Calloway and Rafael Eubanks.

Amari Spievey is apparantly "50-50" on his decision about leaving early (hopefully we can change that, I'm thinking another ONE MORE YEAR POST?).

Only a few days out of Iowa's most important win in 50-odd years, the questions are already lingering. So here are a couple things to keep you sane:
1. Ricky Stanzi comes back as a healthy senior with two years under his belt.
2. A plethora of runningbacks contend for the starting role including a healthy Jewel Hampton.
3. The defense is returning 9-starters (one of them being Orange Bowl MVP, Adrian Clayborn!)
4. Ohio State, Penn State, Wisconsin, Iowa State, and Michigan State all have to venture into the Historic Kinnick Stadium
5. DJK only needs 31 catches, and 401 yards to become Iowa's career leader in receptions and yards.

All I See Is Black and Gold

(Picture from http://www.statesman.com/)

This morning in the Ft. Lauderdale Hollywood Airport, I realized I have never been more proud to be a Hawkeye.  Black and gold took over the place, and I'm sure it had been that way for a the past two days.  Mitch King and Shaun Prater were among the rest of the Hawkeye faithful ready to take a flight out of Florida, and most likely back to the frigid cold.  The Orange Bowl was amazing, and the best sporting event I ever attended.   The incredible amount of Hawkeyes that flew down south to Florida for the game created an atmosphere that would be hard to top by any other school .  It is a great time to be a Hawkeye, and I want to personally thank Tom Harris for letting me have this experience. 

I also want to thank all of you that still check out this site.  We here at The Manchise have been very busy (one on vacation, one working his ass off to buy a house), and we apologize for our lack of posts.  Now that winter break is almost over, we will be sure to post everyday as we have.  Thank you all! Go Hawks, and remember "If you don't like it, leave it!  GO USA!"-Rick Stanzi