Dylan Raiola

krc1995 said:
I agree with all of this. But it seems that there’s a few that take honest discussions of DR’s performance as personal. As if he’s somehow above discussion or criticism.  If he wants to be “the” guy, he has to be held accountable too. And I think he is fine with it,  at least appears so anyway.  
 
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2024 was Raiola's freshman year. He played like a freshman with promise. He had some early success against the weak non-con, he beat Colorado, and then he regressed when we started conference play. We made an unprecedented move to replace our OC, and Raiola suddenly got better - coaching, FTW!

We won our bowl game with this freshman guy. Yeah, there's lots of room to improve. But he's a freshman.

Of all the positions we need better talent at, QB may be at the bottom.

 
knapplc said:
2024 was Raiola's freshman year. He played like a freshman with promise. He had some early success against the weak non-con, he beat Colorado, and then he regressed when we started conference play. We made an unprecedented move to replace our OC, and Raiola suddenly got better - coaching, FTW!

We won our bowl game with this freshman guy. Yeah, there's lots of room to improve. But he's a freshman.

Of all the positions we need better talent at, QB may be at the bottom.
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He needs lots of pieces around him to work.  In comparison to AMart, who could do it himself. Even when he consistently couldn’t get the ball snapped to him- which I do think got to his head.
 

 Maybe there’s been a comparison of their freshman years, but if you can’t get the pieces around DR, then I’d prefer an Amart type QB. 

 
krc1995 said:
He needs lots of pieces around him to work.  In comparison to AMart, who could do it himself. Even when he consistently couldn’t get the ball snapped to him- which I do think got to his head.
 

 Maybe there’s been a comparison of their freshman years, but if you can’t get the pieces around DR, then I’d prefer an Amart type QB. 
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We got enough pieces around Raiola year 1 to win 2 more games than Adrian ever won here.

 
krc1995 said:
But it seems that there’s a few that take honest discussions of DR’s performance as personal. As if he’s somehow above discussion or criticism. 
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I don't think it's that. It's probably more a difference in expectations or a matter of level-setting criticisms vs. all extenuating circumstances.

You have been more publicly critical of DR than most (I think the words you used previously were 'not bullish'), and that's fine, but I think it's a more unpopular opinion. I had decently high expectations for DR, but given he's a freshman, doesn't have a lot of NFL talent around him, and made an OC switch 75% of the way through the season, those factors I think have to be weighed into the calculations. And he still broke records and ranked high on a lot of true freshman passing categories

That doesn't absolve DR of culpability or make him immune to criticism, but I think it does make me more willing to be forgiving of some things and say yeah he screwed up a lot but the potential and talent is still right there. I'll be far more concerned if we're still having the same critical conversations about him a year or two from now, but I'd also like to see him play with some NFL talent at the skill positions before I start grieving him too hard.

 
Enhance said:
I don't think it's that. It's probably more a difference in expectations or a matter of level-setting criticisms vs. all extenuating circumstances.

You have been more publicly critical of DR than most (I think the words you used previously were 'not bullish'), and that's fine, but I think it's a more unpopular opinion. I had decently high expectations for DR, but given he's a freshman, doesn't have a lot of NFL talent around him, and made an OC switch 75% of the way through the season, those factors I think have to be weighed into the calculations. And he still broke records and ranked high on a lot of true freshman passing categories

That doesn't absolve DR of culpability or make him immune to criticism, but I think it does make me more willing to be forgiving of some things and say yeah he screwed up a lot but the potential and talent is still right there. I'll be far more concerned if we're still having the same critical conversations about him a year or two from now, but I'd also like to see him play with some NFL talent at the skill positions before I start grieving him too hard.
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I think it’s foolish to assume that I’m in the minority. Or that that the term not bullish is highly critical. Time for an anonymous poll. Just make sure you frame it right.  

 
Does DR have a high ceiling?  Yes

Did DR make some boneheaded true Freshman plays?  Yes

Will better play calling, WR's, OL, RB, TE play help?  Yes

If all things remain constant will DR reach his ceiling?  No.

It's a team sport.  IMHO, DR's weakest game is the medium to long balls.  They're big or bust YOLO throws.  I am a HUGE fan of a mobile QB, but DR is not one.  Dana will scheme around perceived or actual weaknesses and play to his strengths.  

Am I concerned about his play to date?  Yes (bought into the hype).  Am I concerned he is the weak link?  Not at all.  

Rhule and Co saw what we have, what we need and are appearing to do the best to address this.  But like any player, we won't know until they play.

 
Moiraine said:
I count the defense as part of the pieces around Raiola. And you're saying Adrian could do it himself, when obviously he couldn't, and didn't.
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 But neither QB were solely responsible for wins are loses, so trying to use that as a basis of comparison seems silly.  I don’t think you can even compare them using turnovers. 
 

To clarify, I’m not bullish on DR based on the pieces, or lack of them, that are around him.  He needs them to be successful. A more mobile QB may be a better option if those pieces aren’t upgraded. It appears steps have been taken to rectify the lack of talent and consistency around him, but we’ve been sold upgrades in the off season before, and then they don’t materialize.  I’ll believe it when I see it. 

 
krc1995 said:
 But neither QB were solely responsible for wins are loses, so trying to use that as a basis of comparison seems silly. 
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krc1995 said:
He needs lots of pieces around him to work.  In comparison to AMart, who could do it himself.
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 I'm specifically responding to you saying AMart could do it himself but DR needs pieces around him. I'll go with the DR + pieces vs. AMart by himself version of Nebraska football since it has 2 more wins than the other version's best of 4 seasons.

 
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krc1995 said:
 But neither QB were solely responsible for wins are loses, so trying to use that as a basis of comparison seems silly.  I don’t think you can even compare them using turnovers. 
 

To clarify, I’m not bullish on DR based on the pieces, or lack of them, that are around him.  He needs them to be successful. A more mobile QB may be a better option if those pieces aren’t upgraded. It appears steps have been taken to rectify the lack of talent and consistency around him, but we’ve been sold upgrades in the off season before, and then they don’t materialize.  I’ll believe it when I see it. 
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I'm a run the damn ball guy, I'll always take a  dual threat QB over a static one.  Just another thing to worry about as a DC.  I wonder if DR "doesn't run" or "can't run".  He had a few nominal runs this season.  IMHO, If he is "capable" of running, I'd love 2-3 designed runs per game just to keep the D more honest.  Maybe with the staff feeling better about a true #2 QB DR might run more.  Last year was the last year in a long time we had a QB make it through the whole season without missing a game.  A non running QB doesn't limit some of the option/zone read stuff obviously.  (Also teach him when to slide/dive :D )

But with Dana as OC, I feel better that they'll get a system that works for what they have.  Not what they want.  Afetr all we had the first winning season since 2016 IIRC.  

 
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Moiraine said:
 I'm specifically responding to you saying AMart could do it himself but DR needs pieces around him. I'll go with the DR + pieces vs. AMart by himself version of Nebraska football since it has 2 more wins than the other version's best of 4 seasons.
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But reality is that we did not have those pieces. Maybe we will. We have 250 days to debate.

 
krc1995 said:
Because we didn’t have an older experienced  QB on staff. How many playoff teams had freshman QBs? 

It’s almost like they’re a family of hall of fame QB’s. But what do they know? 
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I mean that is true but that's out of the hands of both schools. Also Texas is loaded with talent and didn't beat a top 10 team this year. That's not all on Ewers but he definitely was a weak link.  Wanted to say this sooner but didn't want to jinx it lol 

 
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