Sports Illustrated: Kirk Ferentz called Tony Moeaki one of his program's 'three most important players'

Who would immediately come to mind as the three most important players in Kirk Ferentz's 12 seasons as Iowa's football coach?

Bob Sanders? Check. Sanders seemingly single-handedly changed the mentality of Iowa's defense when it came to physicality.

Who else? That all depends on your definition of "important," I guess. I'm sure in Ferentz's mind, the definition goes way beyond who made a game-winning play.

It was interesting to me to read this Sports Illustrated story about the reborn Kansas City Chiefs and see the following statement:

Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz told (Chiefs general manager Scott)Pioli that tight end Tony Moeaki was one of the three most important players in his program in the coach's 11-year tenure at the school, and even though Moeaki averaged only 15 catches a year at Iowa, Pioli took him in the third round. Now Moeaki is a starter, and he's been thrown to more times (19) and has more catches (12) than any other receiver on the team.

This piece at arrowheadpride.com amplifies what Pioli saw in Moeaki when Pioli went to Iowa City to watch the Hawkeyes practice. Excerpts:

"For some reason, Tony caught my eye. A number of people had him rated in different spots [in the draft] but I saw the kid's work ethic. There are things you can see in practice that you can't see on tape. You can see how many times they have to be corrected or told the same thing or not told the same thing." ...

"Tony is very, very smart. He's unassumingly intelligent. He's quiet, very humble. They have to tell him things once and he got it. There are little things you can see while you're there."

Ferentz was asked about Moeaki at his Tuesday press conference. He matter-of-factly, more-or-less said he isn't surprised at what Moeaki is doing for the Chiefs.

Two questions for you readers:

1. Why do you think Ferentz said what he did about Moeaki, meaning, what made Moeaki such an important player to his program the previous four years? Was it his relentless returns from injuries to be such a standout?

2. Who would your three "most important" Ferentz-era Iowa players be? You've got to have Sanders, at least I think. Shonn Greene? Robert Gallery? Eric Steinbach? Brad Banks? Dallas Clark? Adrian Clayborn?