Clausen=most experienced QB we'll see this season

[Irishlew]

pretty cool right up by Pete Sampson over on Rivals.

Here is a list of QB's we'll see this year and their number of career starts.

Career Starts At Quarterback

Jimmy Clausen – Notre Dame 22
Colin Kaepernick – Nevada 20
Jake Locker – Washington 16
Bill Stull – Pittsburgh 13
Kevin Lopina – Washington St. 8
Dominique Davis – B.C. 3
Cody Endres – Connecticut 2
Ricky Dobbs – Navy 1
Tate Forcier – Michigan 0
Aaron Corp – USC 0
Kirk Cousins – Michigan St. 0
Andrew Luck – Stanford 0
Joey Elliott – Purdue 0



http://notredame.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=938978

 

[phork]

Cool or frightening?

 

[NDinL.A.]

Cool or frightening?

I know you're not the most positive of fans Phork, but I don't see where you can say that list is frightening. Am I missing something? Enlighten me please.

See, the 3-9 year w/ JC as the QB was frightening, very frightening. It SUCKED then, but it's great for ND (and us fans) now. That year of experience is invaluable, even though he spent most of it on his arse. He got to see different coverages, different blitzes; he got to see what he couldn't get away with in college what he got away with in high school. And last year, while not great by any means, was also invaluable. He improved by leaps and bounds, and his numbers as a soph rivaled any of today's great CF QB's in their 2nd years (minus Tebow). Now? He can take those game experiences that most of our opponents' QB's simply do not have, and add that to his immense talent, to (hopefully) have a great season. And remember, forget the spring game; by all accounts that I've read, JC had a tremendous spring in which he separated himself even further from the other QB's.

And finally, just to show how valuable game experience can be for QB's look at the rookie seasons for Peyton Manning and Troy Aikman. Peyton went 3-13 and lost a TON of close games that the Colts should have won. And Troy Aikman went 0-11 his rookie season, with 9 TD's vs. 18 INTs. Both QB's won Super Bowls and both are HOF QB's. Now, I'm not saying JC deserves to be in the same breathe as those guys at all. But I am saying that the precedent is there; the experience, even though it was a miserable time for all, can lead to better things, if the talent is there.

Now if JC turns into the colege version of Houston's David Carr, then go ahead and forget I ever wrote this (and shoot me while you're at it)...

 

[goldandblue]

Here are the stats between the two to compare. I do think that Tebow is the better quarterback of the two but I also believe he had a much better supporting cast to deal with. I went ahead and threw in Brady Quinn's sophmore year for arguments sake.

<table width="500px" border="1"><tbody><tr><td>Player</td><td>CMP</td><td>ATT</td><td>YDS</td><td>CMP%</td><td>YPA</td><td>LNG</td><td>TD</td><td>INT</td><td>Sack</td><td>RAT</td></tr><tr><td>Tim Tebow</td><td>234</td><td>350</td><td>3,286</td><td>66.9</td><td>9.39</td><td>66</td><td>32</td><td>6</td><td>13</td><td>172.47</td></tr><tr><td>Jimmy Clausen</td><td>268</td><td>440</td><td>3,172</td><td>60.9</td><td>7.21</td><td>69</td><td>25</td><td>17</td><td>21</td><td>132.49</td></tr><tr><td>Brady Quinn</td><td>191</td><td>353</td><td>2,586</td><td>54.1</td><td>7.33</td><td>54</td><td>17</td><td>10</td><td>25</td><td>125.87</td></tr></tbody></table>

 

[chyrspchuck]

Phork man, can you just be positive one time.....It must suck to walk around a debbie downer all the time....

You ate crow after the Hawaii game....you'll do it again after the season I'm sure. Your an Oakland Raider fan, so I can see how you can get in a negative mindset though man. No fault of your own.

 

[irishmarine]

there are only a couple things i think jc really needed to work on. his decision making on his reads (throwing up into double coverage) and identifying the d package. other than that i thought he did a good job last year for not having a running game or an o line that was worth a damn. i can see jimmy shocking alot of people this year as well as notre dame as a team. the schedule and home games really lead me to believe this is the year we get back to the bcs and make a strong statement. recruits will notice as well and charlies job will be in doubt no more. go irish.

 

[Honey Nut Irish]

Jake Locker is pretty studly when he is healthy. Totally different style qb than Clausen though. His running style reminds me of Zibby on returns. He just bounces off of people, very physical.

 

[mooneytostle]

Cool or frightening?

how can the lack of experience in ND's opponents' quarterbacks be construed as a negative?

 

[phork]

Wait, I never ate crow at any point last year. In fact a lot of what I said was flat out truth, NDinLA should confirm that. I said they would beat Hawaii. You guys mistake negativity with being a realist.
The frightening aspect is that we should beat every one of those teams, with the exception of USC, be we will lose to probably 1 or 2 more of those teams.
I'll reserve my judgments until after the Nevada game as to how I feel the season will go. I'm sorry if my thoughts hit a sore spot with you guys but as last year proved, the truth hurts.

 

[chyrspchuck]

12-24-2008, 03:43 PM I said, "Not that there is a snowballs chance in hell, But what would happen tonight if we came out and scored 60 and limited them to 10, would the people that bitch on this message board lay off Charlie a bit or would you guys find something else to bitch about?

12-24-2008, 06:36 PM Phork you said, and I quote, "Dood, are you retarded? Praise is given when its earned. If they hang 60 and give up 10, then sure

12-25-2008, 09:34 PM You again, after I said to break out the knee pads, and then said you just couldn't admit it, "Eh? I said I would give them the credit they deserve. Clearly a resounding victory. But I ask you again, what if they had lost, back to your initial statement."

So your right.....in some aspects. You never officially said that you looked like an idiot, but ya did eat crow.

 

[chyrspchuck]

Phork (Closet Michigan Fan), I would definitely call you a pessimist before I called you a realist.....

 

[mooneytostle]

The frightening aspect is that we should beat every one of those teams, with the exception of USC, be we will lose to probably 1 or 2 more of those teams.
I'll reserve my judgments until after the Nevada game as to how I feel the season will go. I'm sorry if my thoughts hit a sore spot with you guys but as last year proved, the truth hurts.

I still don't think I would use the word "frightening" to describe a CW coached team that may underachieve in terms of talent on ND's roster vs. ND's opponents' rosters. It would be both "disappointing" and "inexcusable" for it to happen again this year...and I by no means am saying that it won't happen. Until the first game there is no way to know whether the problems from last year have been fixed. However, I am initially pleased with Verducci and Alford and what they can potentially do for the running game.

 

[Riddickulous]

pretty cool right up by Pete Sampson over on Rivals.

Here is a list of QB's we'll see this year and their number of career starts.

Career Starts At Quarterback

Jimmy Clausen – Notre Dame 22
Colin Kaepernick – Nevada 20
Jake Locker – Washington 16
Bill Stull – Pittsburgh 13
Kevin Lopina – Washington St. 8
Dominique Davis – B.C. 3
Cody Endres – Connecticut 2
Ricky Dobbs – Navy 1
Tate Forcier – Michigan 0
Aaron Corp – USC 0
Kirk Cousins – Michigan St. 0
Andrew Luck – Stanford 0
Joey Elliott – Purdue 0



http://notredame.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=938978

When he's given time to throw (Hawaii), Clausen is unstoppable. He can't miss. Every throw is exactly where it needs to be. His confidence is unshakable. Everything is good.

If the line does well, Clausen will be far and away better than every quarterback on that list. His potential is through the roof. All he needs to do is live up to that potential.

 

[phork]

Phork (Closet Michigan Fan), I would definitely call you a pessimist before I called you a realist.....

Closet Michigan fan? Wow, now you are stretching. In that that exchange we had I proposed a hypothetical. And if you read the contents of that post I think its clear what I was saying. WHAT IF they had lost?

Stop trying to make me into something I am not. I call it as I see it. Its been far too long that I was able to get excited about this football team and all the kool-aid drinkers slip me a cup every once in awhile. No more. When this team starts dropping teams like Nevada by 30 points, then I might be convinced. When we beat SDSU 21-14, by a miracle no less, then I get worried. And you should be as well. I said after that game that it was going to be a long year, and I was right. Realism or pessimism? And by the Reps I have been getting for saying this, there are more than a few members that agree with me.

 

[Honey Nut Irish]

When he's given time to throw (Hawaii), Clausen is unstoppable. He can't miss. Every throw is exactly where it needs to be. His confidence is unshakable. Everything is good.

If the line does well, Clausen will be far and away better than every quarterback on that list. His potential is through the roof. All he needs to do is live up to that potential.

Well part of it is he holds the ball for so long staring holes into his primary receiver. Against a team like Hawaii that said receiver will have separation so he can get rid of it with plenty of time. Last year against the better teams we faced, Tate and Floyd were better covered. Which led to Jimmy either holding the ball for far to long or forcing it.

 

[IrishAddiction]

JC is an average QB as of now and hasnt proven anything for me to say otherwise. Think he will put up some gawdy numbers this year, esp. with this schedule. Him having the most experience of any QB we will play is a sign that yeah, we should beat every team on the schedule.

People who keep saying the line will determine how good JC is, well, are right for the most part. A good line can make an AVERAGE qb look good, and a poor line can make a good qb look average.

It can be reversed though. A great QB, and i hate to mention OSU, but a Troy Smith can make an average line look good.

Until Jimmy learns how to move well and look off DBs, he will be nothing more than an average QB, as he was all last year.

 

[WabashFalcon]

Nah... he's average if you compare him to a fourth or fifth year senior QB. Give him a sold line to block and some time to throw... is anything but average.

 

[Junkhead]

Watching the draft, they said "Dirty" Sanchez had 16 starts at USC. Which is less than Clausen who has 2 years left. I just can't get how they jock Matt Ryan and Sanchez, when I don't think either was fit to wash Brady Quinn's jock. Thread jack over

 

[NDOM]

Closet Michigan fan? Wow, now you are stretching. In that that exchange we had I proposed a hypothetical. And if you read the contents of that post I think its clear what I was saying. WHAT IF they had lost?

Stop trying to make me into something I am not. I call it as I see it. Its been far too long that I was able to get excited about this football team and all the kool-aid drinkers slip me a cup every once in awhile. No more. When this team starts dropping teams like Nevada by 30 points, then I might be convinced. When we beat SDSU 21-14, by a miracle no less, then I get worried. And you should be as well. I said after that game that it was going to be a long year, and I was right. Realism or pessimism? And by the Reps I have been getting for saying this, there are more than a few members that agree with me.

I agree with you phork. The Irish need to prove to something to me. I am expecting GREAT things this year because there is just no more excuses PLAIN AND SIMPLE! I'm hoping to be and stay positive this year. We will see after the Nevada game and Michigan game then I will be able to tell more.

 

[notredomer23]

Phork, for the record, how many wins in 09

 

[phork]

I've already stated that anything less than 11-1 will be disappointing in my eyes. I can settle for a 10-2 or 9-3 with a decent bowl victory. 5th year, every ounce of past players has been squeezed out this is 99.99% Charlies team.
I'm still waiting for the schematic advantage and the "nasty" to show up.

 

[mooneytostle]

this is 99.99% Charlies team.

who's team is the remaining 00.01%?

 

[Bubba]

Without being too negative, I am also waiting for the "nasty" to show up. It clearly hasn't been here. The time is now!

 

[ihatepaste]

When he's given time to throw (Hawaii), Clausen is unstoppable. He can't miss. Every throw is exactly where it needs to be. His confidence is unshakable. Everything is good.

that plus the decided schematic advantage in every game should promise great things.

 

[ARALOU]

The nasty has got to be there. They are The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame! Is that not enough to at least be scrappers? We know they got talent, they need to bring some heart this year. Anything less than a few blowouts and a 10 win season will set them back.

 

[PADOMERNUT]

I agree with you phork. The Irish need to prove to something to me. I am expecting GREAT things this year because there is just no more excuses PLAIN AND SIMPLE! I'm hoping to be and stay positive this year. We will see after the Nevada game and Michigan game then I will be able to tell more.

You are right, there are no more excuses.

 

[TDHeysus]

Jake Locker is pretty studly when he is healthy.......

I keep hearing for a couple years now how Jake Locker is the best Athlete in the PAC-10. Maybe he is, maybe not, I guess we'll find out.

As far as JC, he is just where BQ was at the same point in their careers(summer after their soph years). Both have/had tons of questions about them, both appeared to have the ability but havent really shown it on the field yet. I think BQ was more a leader than JC is. But remember, BQ won more games than he should have because the Defense and Special Teams for about 2 years was winning games for us that we should have lost.

Alot of simiularities between JC and BQ at the start of their junior years, BQ was able to step up and have a 30+ TD and single digit INT year (a phenomonal year for any QB). I think its unfair ro expect JC to put up the same numbers, but I expect a 23+ TD, 12 or fewer INT's from JC this year. BQ also had a better Oline in front of him.

JC just needs to step it up for his junior, like BQ did. forget about the competition

 

[Irishlew]

I keep hearing for a couple years now how Jake Locker is the best Athlete in the PAC-10. Maybe he is, maybe not, I guess we'll find out.

As far as JC, he is just where BQ was at the same point in their careers(summer after their soph years). Both have/had tons of questions about them, both appeared to have the ability but havent really shown it on the field yet. I think BQ was more a leader than JC is. But remember, BQ won more games than he should have because the Defense and Special Teams for about 2 years was winning games for us that we should have lost.

Alot of simiularities between JC and BQ at the start of their junior years, BQ was able to step up and have a 30+ TD and single digit INT year (a phenomonal year for any QB). I think its unfair ro expect JC to put up the same numbers, but I expect a 23+ TD, 12 or fewer INT's from JC this year. BQ also had a better Oline in front of him.

JC just needs to step it up for his junior, like BQ did. forget about the competition

JC is ahead of where BQ was, and now he has a line that has over 100 career starts. He has a defense that is more experienced then last season. And like BQ, i believe JC steps up his junior year and takes us back to the BCS.

 

[irishandy]

Clausen will be a lot more better this year and yes I think an o-line helps make a QB better. Troy Smith was more a mobile QB and the only kind of mobile QB I want is in the backfield I don't want a Pat White type of QB (that's what we have our tailbacks for). I want Clausen to be more efficient on passing and make better decisions. His freshman yr he got knocked on his ass all the time (word around here locally is that some o-linemen let him get sacked) and last year he had NO RUNNING GAME whatsoever. The running game will definitely open up our offense. Clausen does need to be a better team leader and more like a leader that Quinn was.

 

[Mjrosko]

Everyone always says how BQ and JC were at the same point in their careers after their sophomore season, but the thing they neglet to mention is that Quinn was playing for Willingham whereas Clausen has been playing for Weis.

I guess the question I'm trying to bring up is do you think that the situations are really as comparable as people make them out to be, or are they distinct and markedly different? Would BQ's numbers in his freshman and sophomore years be better if Weis had been the coach? If your answer to this is yes, then how can you expect the same JC to have the same leap in production that BQ had?