Bullshit. I'm not saying he needs to be Trevor Lawrence. But they should be able to hit 10 yards routes routinely. Should be able to hit receivers in stride. Should be able to throw guys open. Angeli is MORE than enough.
I think Leonard gives us a better chance to win than Angeli. I didn't think that through the first quarter of the Miami game, but this offense has continued to improve. There's no bigger pain in the ass for opposing defenses than a mobile QB. If we can keep progressing getting WRs involved, we're gonna be really hard to stop on offense
He hit throws into tight windows today. Better than I’ve seen all year. He missed a cpl throws but this is the Leonard we were promised. If he keeps it up, we’ll be in the playoffs.
Talk about being hyperbolic man. Relax a bit.
I don’t know to tell you, playa. We could put up 500 points, it’s a slog watching the guy play. Perhaps it’s you who needs a hobby.
I think we all want Riley Leonard to a be better passer than he is.
I'm not watching each game thinking it ends in the second round of the playoff. That's best case. Much more likely is we stumble before then because of our severe limitations at the QB position. All because we couldn't properly evaluate the position yet again. This is arguably the second (if not third) time in Freeman's 3 years that we got it wrong. That's frustrating. Everything was lining up for ND to make a serious run for a title this year. I just don't see that as even remotely possible with what RL is out there offering. Again, I want nothing more than to be wrong.
Again, I don't think anyone on this board is "excited" about our quarterback play. Clearly Leonard is limited as a passer, and that probably puts a ceiling on our season. You're absolutely right to expect more of a guy who is in his third year as a P4 starting quarterback. Yet this is what we've got. You can blame whoever you want for that.
Agreed. I'm not blaming RL for the limitations. He didn't put a gun to anyone's head and force them to not only accept his transfer in, but also pay him handsomely to do so. A LOT of people got this one wrong...
I think there are several people here (not necessarily you) who are so relieved that RL has, in fact, showed improvement (which I agree he has) that they think all is well and we are on our way. I simply don't agree on the latter part and I believe those folks are simply unable (unwilling?) to see the forest for the trees? I agree Denbrock deserves a ton of credit. RL didn't JUST learn how to become a decent passer. It's clear that Denbrock is scheming to his abilities better. That is great! Wish it was this way since week 1/2, but better late than never I suppose. Bottom line is, IMO, it won't be remotely enough to compete for what ultimately matters -- a natty. Would love to be wrong, but I don't think I am. And I don't think anyone who's actually paying attention would think so either.
Lot of good points here and I hope RL continues to progress into a true dual threat, but I still disagree on the whole. At the moment, Riley Leonard gives us a better chance only because the coaching staff has spent half the the season getting him to the point where he can perform like a Power 5 QB — which he is, although he is by no means elite at this point. In the meantime, this approach has cost us loss to lowly NIU, cost us development at the WR & RB positions, and has likely damaged our recruiting efforts. Had Angeli been the starter from game one we are likely 6-0, with a developed passing game and RBs attacking down hill against defenses who have to respect both the ground and air attacks. Right now, RLs running prowess hurts the RB production as a competent defense can just stack the box. I do think a well protected RL, fully developed, and performing at his peak potentially gives us a great unique advantage against playoff opponents. The problem is, it is a near certainty that all three of these conditions will never be met.
It's too late to do anything other than let it ride with RL now. But that doesn't change the fact that it was a poor evaluation and our season ceiling is severely limited.
Yeah he's not the passer we were hoping for. But I'd rather have this trajectory than what happened last year when Hartman looked great at the start and was eventually exposed as being mediocre. Leonard looks much more comfortable throwing the ball compared to NIU and even Purdue. I don't think our ceiling is drastically limited by him anymore. Call me crazy, but I think this team is good enough to make the semifinal
I want nothing more than for you to be right. I just don't think that you are.
Haha I've said "fuck you Leonard" and "wow you suck so much Leonard" probably 100 times this season. But he's gotten better and better so I hope he continues to prove me wrong
