Post spring game QB depth chart

[StPaulHusker]

 

 

 

 

 

I can't help but feel the health considerations are going to keep Darlington away from serious contention this year, as good as he looks.

 

Otherwise, I feel Tommy should have a battle on his hands in fall camp. AJ seems very talented, but not ready.

I hope you're wrong and I think you're wrong about the staff's opinions on Darlington. He's live and going full contact. What we don't know about him and Bush is what those first 14 practices really looked like? Was Bush's performance on Saturday an anomaly? I had heard that he threw quite a few picks during spring ball and Darlington had not. But, there was so much chatter about Bush. Was that just the media or does the staff really believe that?

 

Based on Saturday, Darlington should be the backup, at least.

Based on 7 completions? So many jumping the gun and so much learning and football still yet to be played. Both Bush and Darlington would get eaten up if you put them against a team with a pulse right now.

As would Armstrong.

Armstrong would not. The guy started the past two seasons, while both Bush & Darlington were barely facing contact in practice, if at all. He's what? 15-5 as a starter here? Something like that?

 

Let's not sell Tommy short here. He'll have to lose the starting job on the field next Fall, and we'll do just fine with him at the helm.

 

Give Darlington & Bush some time to hone their skills before they look to supplant a two-year incumbent.

It doesn't matter if he's 15-5. The post is about his play against teams with a pulse.

 

And he is 15-6. He lost Northwestern. RK3 got us the win

[BigRedBuster]

 

 

 

 

 

I can't help but feel the health considerations are going to keep Darlington away from serious contention this year, as good as he looks.

 

Otherwise, I feel Tommy should have a battle on his hands in fall camp. AJ seems very talented, but not ready.

I hope you're wrong and I think you're wrong about the staff's opinions on Darlington. He's live and going full contact. What we don't know about him and Bush is what those first 14 practices really looked like? Was Bush's performance on Saturday an anomaly? I had heard that he threw quite a few picks during spring ball and Darlington had not. But, there was so much chatter about Bush. Was that just the media or does the staff really believe that?

 

Based on Saturday, Darlington should be the backup, at least.

Based on 7 completions? So many jumping the gun and so much learning and football still yet to be played. Both Bush and Darlington would get eaten up if you put them against a team with a pulse right now.

As would Armstrong.

Armstrong would not. The guy started the past two seasons, while both Bush & Darlington were barely facing contact in practice, if at all. He's what? 15-5 as a starter here? Something like that?

 

Let's not sell Tommy short here. He'll have to lose the starting job on the field next Fall, and we'll do just fine with him at the helm.

 

Give Darlington & Bush some time to hone their skills before they look to supplant a two-year incumbent.

It doesn't matter if he's 15-5. The post is about his play against teams with a pulse.

 

He has only played 5 teams with a defense with a pulse in the last 2 years?

[knapplc]

 

 

 

 

Based on 7 completions? So many jumping the gun and so much learning and football still yet to be played. Both Bush and Darlington would get eaten up if you put them against a team with a pulse right now.

As would Armstrong.

Armstrong would not. The guy started the past two seasons, while both Bush & Darlington were barely facing contact in practice, if at all. He's what? 15-5 as a starter here? Something like that?

 

Let's not sell Tommy short here. He'll have to lose the starting job on the field next Fall, and we'll do just fine with him at the helm.

 

Give Darlington & Bush some time to hone their skills before they look to supplant a two-year incumbent.

It doesn't matter if he's 15-5. The post is about his play against teams with a pulse.

 

 

 

Somewhere in those 15 wins is a team with a pulse, so that's pretty relevant. A couple of those losses were to teams with a pulse (USC & Sparty) and those were one-score losses. So not exactly eaten up.

 

 

 

 

 

Although, none of that may matter, since it looks like they're amputating Tommy's legs at the hip. Or something.

 

[BigRedBuster]

 

 

 

 

 

 

I can't help but feel the health considerations are going to keep Darlington away from serious contention this year, as good as he looks.

 

Otherwise, I feel Tommy should have a battle on his hands in fall camp. AJ seems very talented, but not ready.

I hope you're wrong and I think you're wrong about the staff's opinions on Darlington. He's live and going full contact. What we don't know about him and Bush is what those first 14 practices really looked like? Was Bush's performance on Saturday an anomaly? I had heard that he threw quite a few picks during spring ball and Darlington had not. But, there was so much chatter about Bush. Was that just the media or does the staff really believe that?

 

Based on Saturday, Darlington should be the backup, at least.

Based on 7 completions? So many jumping the gun and so much learning and football still yet to be played. Both Bush and Darlington would get eaten up if you put them against a team with a pulse right now.

As would Armstrong.

 

 

Armstrong would not. The guy started the past two seasons, while both Bush & Darlington were barely facing contact in practice, if at all. He's what? 15-5 as a starter here? Something like that?

 

Let's not sell Tommy short here. He'll have to lose the starting job on the field next Fall, and we'll do just fine with him at the helm.

 

Give Darlington & Bush some time to hone their skills before they look to supplant a two-year incumbent.

 

Thank you!!!!!

 

People act like Armstrong is so bad that there is no way we are every going to win a game again as long as he is starting.

 

The kid has won the vast majority of the games he has played. He is a hard nosed player that has been a leader on the field. AND YES....he has won some games by making plays with his arm.

 

Now, does he have room for improvement? Sure....all of them do especially since they are changing schemes.

 

Basically what has happened was what I predicted last week. People would watch the spring game and all of a sudden have wild assumptions as to how things will workout next fall.

 

Reality.....how often in the lat 20 years have fans created certain opinions about certain players from watching basically one practice only to have something totally different turn out in the fall?

 

While I agree with what you said. To play devils advocate, TA is 15-5 in a system that asked him to rely almost as much on his legs as his arm. I don't think that will be the case in this new system, and that is what worries me about him. Can he win a lot of games based on his decision making and throwing ability from the pocket? Idk the answer to that. But Im also not so blind not to notice that our offense will not be a true pro style offense. The QB will be asked to make plays with his legs, just not as much as before. Until we get the kind of QB Riley wants that is. Based on the spring game Darlington appeared to be the closest to that guy, but it is along time until the real season begins, and I'm looking forward to sitting back and enjoying the ride!

 

Oh....I agree he is now in a different system.

 

But, I believe it's more realistic to wait to see how he can actually perform in that system after having more than 14 practices with coaches who are actually trying to develop him to play in that system.

[Dagerow]

I always prefer qbs that run the system well and do what they are supposed too, as opposed to the qbs with the highest "potential" and/or athletic abilities. I've always been that way. So, to me, Darlington would receive serious consideration for the starting position. I'm not saying TA shouldn't be the starter. He looked pretty good considering he was playing a much better defense, and has other benefits in the running, leadership and experience department. Hopefully, there is a serious competition to the position as I think it will benefit them both.

 

But, Bush is a project and should be treated as such. Bush shouldn't get playing time until he's ready -- not just because he has potential.

 

(That being said, I do realize the coaches know 1000000000x more then me, so I trust their opinion more then my own.)

[Redux]

I always prefer qbs that run the system well and do what they are supposed too, as opposed to the qbs with the highest "potential" and/or athletic abilities. I've always been that way. So, to me, Darlington would receive serious consideration for the starting position. I'm not saying TA shouldn't be the starter. He looked pretty good considering he was playing a much better defense, and has other benefits in the running, leadership and experience department. Hopefully, there is a serious competition to the position as I think it will benefit them both.

But, Bush is a project and should be treated as such. Bush should get playing time until he's ready -- not just because he had potential.

(That being said, I do realize the coaches know 1000000000x more then me, so I trust their opinion more then my own.)

Agreed. Bush may have a boatload of potential but he is way off from starter or backup consideration for me. If Im picking I go with Darlington and Armstrong against BYU and see who is more keyed in after a couple series.

[MichiganDad3]

I am hoping for some big NU leads so the backup QBs can get some experience.

[Blackshirt39]

Fall camp will tell the coaches so much more than any spring camp/game ever could. When they start preparing this team to play BYU, they will see who separates themselves from the rest. I'm pretty confident the coaches will go with the best option no matter who it is.

[True2tRA]

I always prefer qbs that run the system well and do what they are supposed too, as opposed to the qbs with the highest "potential" and/or athletic abilities. I've always been that way. So, to me, Darlington would receive serious consideration for the starting position. I'm not saying TA shouldn't be the starter. He looked pretty good considering he was playing a much better defense, and has other benefits in the running, leadership and experience department. Hopefully, there is a serious competition to the position as I think it will benefit them both.

But, Bush is a project and should be treated as such. Bush should get playing time until he's ready -- not just because he had potential.

(That being said, I do realize the coaches know 1000000000x more then me, so I trust their opinion more then my own.)

Totally agree, +1.

 

To elaborate on this a bit, there was even a conversation I listened to on the radio toay about the quarterback battle. The two guys ( Gaskins and Stevens) were talking about Darlington vs. Armstrong and how Darlington's stock clearly moved upwards, in which i completely agreed. They then said Tommy remains the starter if the depth chart was released today, which I also agree based purely on his leaderhip and experience. I also think he is a good QB.

The point they made that I didn't agree with is that Tommy should somehow get a pass, or not be surpassed on the depth chart if somebody outplays him because Tommy has had the rougher road. They explained that Tommy has had the added struggle of learning and playing in another system for two years and now has to completely start over in a new system. While this is true, I can't see what bearing this has on who the best guy is for "this" system. Tommy doesn't deserve any pass. The best guy for this offense should be out there executing this offene on Saturdays. I don't care who it is or what extra struggles they had to deal with.

 

Darlington , in my opinion, made it pretty clear that he has a grasp of what's going on out there and should be in future conversations as a starter.

[Hunter94]

 

I always prefer qbs that run the system well and do what they are supposed too, as opposed to the qbs with the highest "potential" and/or athletic abilities. I've always been that way. So, to me, Darlington would receive serious consideration for the starting position. I'm not saying TA shouldn't be the starter. He looked pretty good considering he was playing a much better defense, and has other benefits in the running, leadership and experience department. Hopefully, there is a serious competition to the position as I think it will benefit them both.

But, Bush is a project and should be treated as such. Bush should get playing time until he's ready -- not just because he had potential.

(That being said, I do realize the coaches know 1000000000x more then me, so I trust their opinion more then my own.)

Totally agree, +1.

 

To elaborate on this a bit, there was even a conversation I listened to on the radio toay about the quarterback battle. The two guys ( Gaskins and Stevens) were talking about Darlington vs. Armstrong and how Darlington's stock clearly moved upwards, in which i completely agreed. They then said Tommy remains the starter if the depth chart was released today, which I also agree based purely on his leaderhip and experience. I also think he is a good QB.

The point they made that I didn't agree with is that Tommy should somehow get a pass, or not be surpassed on the depth chart if somebody outplays him because Tommy has had the rougher road. They explained that Tommy has had the added struggle of learning and playing in another system for two years and now has to completely start over in a new system. While this is true, I can't see what bearing this has on who the best guy is for "this" system. Tommy doesn't deserve any pass. The best guy for this offense should be out there executing this offene on Saturdays. I don't care who it is or what extra struggles they had to deal with.

 

Darlington , in my opinion, made it pretty clear that he has a grasp of what's going on out there and should be in future conversations as a starter.

 

i have no sympathy for Tommie.......the field is level, we are asking all of these guys to do the same thing.........let the guy who fits the system best play.......nuf said.

[zoogs]

Darlington played well, but he missed throws too. And remember, he is going against the White team defense here. His stock is certainly rising and he looks much more lik a QB with his going through progressions than any of our other guys.

 

However, going through a couple progressions is not some kind of rare superpower. Let's be honest -- Darlington is probably in a similar boat as many, many other freshman QBs around the country. If he is thrown into the fire as a starter, he will probably play like one. So Tommy should still be the favorite.

 

Thinking about it that way, I'm worried about the offense this year. I think between ZD and Fyfe (if he stays?) and of course TA, we'll have guys who can run it at an inconsistent, "shows some flashes" kind of level, which obviously doesn't bode too well for our overall prospects. But if we want to project to the future, you hope that all of these guys will get a chance to improve in leaps and bounds with coaching. And of course, keep an eye on '16 QB recruiting.

[True2tRA]

 

 

I always prefer qbs that run the system well and do what they are supposed too, as opposed to the qbs with the highest "potential" and/or athletic abilities. I've always been that way. So, to me, Darlington would receive serious consideration for the starting position. I'm not saying TA shouldn't be the starter. He looked pretty good considering he was playing a much better defense, and has other benefits in the running, leadership and experience department. Hopefully, there is a serious competition to the position as I think it will benefit them both.

But, Bush is a project and should be treated as such. Bush should get playing time until he's ready -- not just because he had potential.

(That being said, I do realize the coaches know 1000000000x more then me, so I trust their opinion more then my own.)

 

Totally agree, +1.

To elaborate on this a bit, there was even a conversation I listened to on the radio toay about the quarterback battle. The two guys ( Gaskins and Stevens) were talking about Darlington vs. Armstrong and how Darlington's stock clearly moved upwards, in which i completely agreed. They then said Tommy remains the starter if the depth chart was released today, which I also agree based purely on his leaderhip and experience. I also think he is a good QB.

The point they made that I didn't agree with is that Tommy should somehow get a pass, or not be surpassed on the depth chart if somebody outplays him because Tommy has had the rougher road. They explained that Tommy has had the added struggle of learning and playing in another system for two years and now has to completely start over in a new system. While this is true, I can't see what bearing this has on who the best guy is for "this" system. Tommy doesn't deserve any pass. The best guy for this offense should be out there executing this offene on Saturdays. I don't care who it is or what extra struggles they had to deal with.

Darlington , in my opinion, made it pretty clear that he has a grasp of what's going on out there and should be in future conversations as a starter.

i have no sympathy for Tommie.......the field is level, we are asking all of these guys to do the same thing.........let the guy who fits the system best play.......nuf said.

I sympathize with him. Coaching changes are tough on a QB. Especially when that QB may not quite fit the new system (not that he fit the last one all too well either.) But the job is his to earn. It should not simply 'given', and I don't believe it will be. Sympathy or not, i'd feel worse for the guys on offense and defense who work their butts off but aren't winning games because the best man for the job is on the sideline.

[Hunter94]

Darlington played well, but he missed throws too. And remember, he is going against the White team defense here. His stock is certainly rising and he looks much more lik a QB with his going through progressions than any of our other guys.

 

However, going through a couple progressions is not some kind of rare superpower. Let's be honest -- Darlington is probably in a similar boat as many, many other freshman QBs around the country. If he is thrown into the fire as a starter, he will probably play like one. So Tommy should still be the favorite.

 

Thinking about it that way, I'm worried about the offense this year. I think between ZD and Fyfe (if he stays?) and of course TA, we'll have guys who can run it at an inconsistent, "shows some flashes" kind of level, which obviously doesn't bode too well for our overall prospects. But if we want to project to the future, you hope that all of these guys will get a chance to improve in leaps and bounds with coaching. And of course, keep an eye on '16 QB recruiting.

i said it before, this will be a transition year.........expect some struggles.

[zoogs]

It won't be if they can find something Tommy can run proficiently. So that's what it hinges on: TA's progression and acclimation this year. I like Tommy and I can certainly see it happening, but I can't really buy into that until it actually does happen, after last season

[Hunter94]

It won't be if they can find something Tommy can run proficiently. So that's what it hinges on: TA's progression and acclimation this year. I like Tommy and I can certainly see it happening, but I can't really buy into that until it actually does happen, after last season

agree, it's all on Riley to put him in something he can manage.....we can hope it evolves for him.