tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15857498.post113671692379910190..comments2023-10-31T08:24:26.150-07:00Comments on The Wizard of Odds: Reporters' NotebooksUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15857498.post-1136719421610390422006-01-08T03:23:00.000-08:002006-01-08T03:23:00.000-08:00Ferentz, Texans rumors seem to be losing their ste...Ferentz, Texans rumors seem to be losing their steam<BR/><BR/>Marc Morehouse<BR/>Cedar Rapids Gazette<BR/><BR/>Saturday wrapped up a whirlwind week of Iowa football recruiting.<BR/><BR/>Saturday, the Hawkeyes got a commitment from Ohio quarterback Rick Stanzi, a 6-foot-4, 193-pounder who<BR/>threw for 2,170 yards and 21 touchdowns as a senior at Lake Catholic High School in Mentor, Ohio.<BR/><BR/>Friday, Texas receiver James Cleveland firmed up his plans to graduate early from Baytown (Texas) Lee High and enroll at Iowa. Thursday, Texas defensive back Jay Valai got a visit from the head coach, affirming his commitment to the Hawkeyes. Dallas defensive lineman Braylon Broughton also got a visit from Iowa coaches.<BR/><BR/>This isn’t the type of activity you’d expect to see from a program with a coach supposedly interviewing for an NFL job.<BR/><BR/>That’s probably because Kirk Ferentz isn’t interviewing with the Houston Texans.<BR/><BR/>A Texans entourage, including owner Bob McNair, flew in and out of Denver Friday after what was termed a ‘‘tremendous’’ interview with Broncos offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak. The Houston Chronicle reported Saturday ‘‘all indications are that Kubiak, 44, now stands alone atop the list of candidates to replace Dom Capers as Texans head coach.’’<BR/><BR/>The Texans had an interview scheduled Saturday with Buffalo defensive coordinator Jerry Gray and today with San Diego offensive coordinator Cam Cameron.<BR/><BR/>The Chronicle reported that Ferentz remains a candidate, but, with no interview set up, the Texans’ interest ‘‘appears to be fading.’’<BR/><BR/>The latest round of Ferentz-NFL speculation also appears to be fading.<BR/><BR/>Ferentz isn’t mentioned among a dozen or so candidates in a Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel update on Green Bay’s coaching search. ESPN’s Chris Mortensen threw Ferentz’s name out for the New York Jets’ job during an ESPN SportsCenter broadcast Friday night, but that’s probably nothing more than that, a throw.<BR/><BR/>Sources told The Gazette earlier in the week a Ferentz interview with the Texans was scheduled this weekend. Later, another source told The Gazette there was nothing to the story.<BR/><BR/>Ferentz’s work on the recruiting trail, which included stops this week in Utah, Dallas and Houston, says it’s full steam ahead at Iowa.<BR/><BR/>Stanzi’s commitment was sealed with a visit from offensive coordinator Ken O’Keefe Thursday night and a couple of phone calls from Ferentz Thursday and Friday.<BR/><BR/>‘‘I told him (Ferentz) that I can’t ask you to sign a pledge that you’re going to be there the next four or five years with Rick. That’s my perfect world,’’ said Joe Stanzi, Rick’s dad. ‘‘In my own humble opinion, I don’t think Kirk wants to go to the NFL. I think he just loves where he’s at. I think the lure might someday put in the NFL, but who knows when that will be.’’<BR/><BR/>Rick Stanzi wanted to commit to Iowa after his visit Dec. 16 but waited. The big sticking point was distance, not Ferentz-NFL rumors.<BR/><BR/>‘‘The best situation for Rick is to be with Coach Ferentz and his people,’’ Joe Stanzi said. ‘‘If you go to the next place because of that (NFL rumors) and if what you’re afraid of happening (Ferentz leaving) doesn’t happen, you’re going to look bad.<BR/><BR/>‘‘It (NFL rumors) happened last year, it’s going to happen next year, and it’s going to continue to happen. Whether Rick plays for him for one year or four or five years, he’s going to be fine with it.’’<BR/><BR/>marc.morehouse@gazettecommunications.comAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com