2014 Spring Practice Thread

[Jebediah Springfield]

DIdnt watch the game but it looks like the 2014 Junior Jabbie Award goes to Malik Zaire.

 

[tko]

Shameful thread. Further evidence the human race is circling the drain faster and faster each day.

 

[Kaneyoufeelit]

I never said I don't like him, but I did acknowledge that I'm not as high on him as many other posters. I think people were lazy in their analysis of the 2013 team blaming all of our ills on Tommy and acting like Golson's return would be the equivalent of Gandalf at Helm's Deep. I think he's a B- quarterback. YESTERDAY, Malik Zaire impressed me. BOTH quarterbacks faced vanilla defenses and MZ performed better, including a couple of rocket throws that were more impressive than anything I've seen EG throw. Arm strength has nothing to do with how vanilla the defense is. Again, the scope of my analysis includes YESTERDAY only. I never proclaimed MZ the starter based on that analysis other than a joke about EG practicing his hand signals on the sidelines.

I kind of understand where you're coming from except for this. Golson has a cannon and had a few throws his freshman year that had folks drooling. You've NEVER seen EG make a single throw on par with MULTIPLE Zaire passes from yesterday? Please, dude

 

[Jebediah Springfield]

Shameful thread. Further evidence the human race is circling the drain faster and faster each day.

 

[stlnd01]

Michigan State was the first time we had an athlete at QB that could actually put the offense on his back. His scramble for TD and his scramble/bomb to Goodman won that game. MSU had to get out of their ground-and-pound offense, and the defense feasted.

Oklahoma? The D played well and Oklahoma missed some opportunities, but that was the game where things really seemed to open up for Golson. He made several good throws and picked good times to run (and protected the football!) and again gave the defense an opportunity to win the game via Manti Teo interception.

The USC game was a nail-biter... but only because BK took the game out of Golson's hands. EG/BK came out firing on the first two or three drives against USC, and Golson looked the part of taking over. But then redzone happened, and Golson didn't get the full extent of the playbook the rest of the day. The defense might have "bailed him out" with that goal line stand, but the reason ND had a lead early was Golson taking over on the first few drives (and Theo Beast Mode helped late).

Also Pittsburgh (which is certainly a "big" game if we lose). He made some mistakes, but in the late fourth quarter and overtimes he took that game over. No way we win it - or go to the title game - without him.

I thought MZ looked pretty good yesterday for a first-timer, and EG a little nervous/rusty for a vet. But will be very surprised if EG's not the starter. And you know what? We're going to have two QBs we like, instead of three we dread. I'll take that.

 

[koonja]

I'm a Golson believer, but I don't doubt Malik is every bit as talented. I just don't want to go through the 'growing pains' that Malik would have in a year where we won't have an elite defense like we did in 2012.

 

[irishfan]

Lot of great things out offensively in the Spring Game. Tough to notice much on D due to the vanilla play:

--QB: Golson played like a guy who knows he is the starter. Zaire seemed more urgent. Golson will be the starter, but you have to feel confident about Zaire as a backup. Just based on yesterday and the little tidbits in practice, he seems to be ahead of where Golson was as a RS FR.
--RB: Three studs. I legit think all three will end up with nearly the same amount of touches throughout the year barring injury. As pretty much everyone has said, I think GB/TF have more talent, but Cam will get his carries, and he should. I imagine he'll be the RB we go to when trying to work the clock in the 4th due to the trust the coaches have in him.
--WR: I love how the coaches allow the QBs to let it fly to our WRs when they have single coverage down field. This is something we saw more of last year, but only really saw with Floyd/Eifert from 2010-2012. We have too much talent not to let our WRs make some plays, and crazy that we're adding our #1 WR in June. Daniels, Brown, Fuller, Robinson, Prosise, Carlisle, Hunter, Brent. Going to be tough for all 8 to find the field.
TE: I don't think anyone is expecting Koyack to put up Eifert numbers, but he should be a really solid TE for us, and Smythe looked pretty massive out there. Hopefully Heuerman can add on some weight and be a good third option or H-Back.
OL: They were split up yesterday, but I'm sure these guys will be good to go once fall comes around.

 

[Pachuco]

The most important question is not who will start, but rather,

how much room will that person be granted to make mistakes when the lights are finally on?

With two skilled players, we're going to shape a diamond eventually, it's just a question of which one and when.

It should be an on-going process. I don't see a one QB no-matter-what with the opportunities presented by both.

Starting game one is not the end-all-be-all.

(Not a new concept... just reiterating.)

 

[NDinL.A.]

It's amazing how the Golson worshippers conveniently forget that he couldn't even clearly establish himself as QB1 over TOMMY REES two years ago.

First off, not a Golson worshipper, no idea where you are getting all this from and the way you're posting is childish. You'll see more on this later. He's better than Zaire, that's all I've said. Secondly, did you even watch the 2012 season? Golson was the starter the entire year. But he was a freshman and Kelly leaned on his experienced back-up to close a couple of games (Golson was hurt vs. Stanford). But EVERY time, BK came out immediately and said that Golson was the starter. He was "QB1" and it wasn't even close.

Now he's a Heisman candidate all of a sudden.

Again, childish. Never even came close to saying that.

To be clear I never said MZ should start, all I said was that he looked better than EG YESTERDAY, especially his arm strength.

C'mon, all you did yesterday was bag on Golson and praise Zaire. Go read your posts. There was a a stretch where Zaire took two awful sacks, where Mayock got on ihm for not getting rid of the ball, and you said nothing. But Golson looked 'spacey' and didn't have the 'swag' and MUCH more. It was beyond one-sided. Golson did some really good things, but you were having none of it. What you did yesterday was the definition of bias.

And you are going off of ONE practice, that's it. I saw two practices and it wasn't close. Golson took more reps with the first team, and basically did everything first. He had a stronger arm, and while Zaire had several fumbles, Golson had none. AND he has a whole year of experience on Zaire. And he was KILLING it last spring in those 2 open practices as well. But I have a whole list of Spring Game All-stars that never started a game if you'd like (Junior Jabbee is the obvious reference but Nate Montana is also a favorite of mine).

Watch out saying stuff like that. Anything less than Golson hero worship will be immediately ridiculed. Has the new NCAA Football video game come out yet? I expect the EA Sports headquarters to be burned to the ground if QB #5 is rated anything less than 96 overall.

Again, childish.

YESTERDAY, Malik Zaire impressed me.

If you only said that, you wouldn't have heard a peep from anyone. But it was the constant put downs of EG and the obvious ignoring of all of Zaire's mistakes that got people's interest.

BOTH quarterbacks faced vanilla defenses

Not true. Sean Mele of ISD (played for Kelly, Denbrock and BVG) broke down the film and wrote that Kelly allowed BVG to throw more at Golson than he did at Zaire. Explains some things.

and MZ performed better, including a couple of rocket throws that were more impressive than anything I've seen EG throw.

Again, it's either an obvious bias, or you didn't watch ANY of 2012. You're talking about a friggin' SCRIMMAGE throw being more impressive than Golson's throw to Goodman vs. MSU? Golson's bomb to Brown, after OK tied the score in the 4th quarter, on the road, as a heavy underdog? His ridiculous TD throw to Eifert against Stanford with a possible future title game in the balance? I could go on, but seriously, you were more impressed with a couple scrimmage throws against vanilla defenses under ZERO pressure to get sacked and ZERO pressure to lose, over ANY of Golson's throws? Sorry man, that's pretty bad.

Corey Robinson must be biased too. How dare he not respond to a question about MZ with effusive praise for EG.

Again, childish. And you're going to use ONE quote to back up your 'analysis'? TWO players told me themselves this weekend that Golson was better. And they are there EVERY day. Ask TP if you don't believe me. And then there are the NUMEROUS quotes all spring from players that have praised Golson. Hell, Koyack himself told reporters that players' hands were hurting after catching passes from GOLSON early in the spring.

Zaire played REALLY well and was impressive, and I'm happy for him. But Golson is better at this time and is your starter, trust.

 

[ryno 24]

my theory is that I think Golson is the starter as well. My question is this a competition or not? Kelly says it is, yet everyone else says it is not. Also, Zaire overall seemed to have a better day yesterday. Though I did not know more was being thrown at Golson. When will the starter be officially name? Just some questions.

 

[NDdomer2]

 

[pkt77242]

My theory is that if our O-line plays like they did yesterday and our QBs hold the ball as long as they did yesterday then we had better Kizer ready to play quickly as our QBs aren't going to last very long. They held the ball way to long yesterday (and yes I understand that when you can't be tackled you have a tendency to do that).

Also I was a little disappointed how sometimes Golson would take off scrambling when there wasn't really pressure on him.

While I think Zaire outplayed Golson yesterday I think it is 99% likely that Golson starts the first game of the season.

 

[gkIrish]

This is why people shouldn't put any weight on the spring game.

 

[stlnd01]

This is why people shouldn't put any weight on the spring game.

Of course. But it's all we've got!

 

[koonja]

This is why people shouldn't put any weight on the spring game.

I think this is exaggerated thanks to Junior Jabbie.

I'm surprised I'm the only one who's mentioned it, but one thing I loved about Malik and makes me honestly wonder who's the best QB moving forward, is that from series one he was checking down like a 10 year vet, and much better than Golson and it wasn't even close.

You could literally see Malik check down, change his whole field of vision and body position, and yet again a couple of times. For Golson it was chuck it or bail.

 

[NDinL.A.]

I think this is exaggerated thanks to Junior Jabbie.

I'm surprised I'm the only one who's mentioned it, but one thing I loved about Malik and makes me honestly wonder who's the best QB moving forward, is that from series one he was checking down like a 10 year vet, and much better than Golson and it wasn't even close.

You could literally see Malik check down, change his whole field of vision and body position, and yet again a couple of times. For Golson it was chuck it or bail.

Golson did that SEVERAL times in 11 on 11's at the open practices, and Zaire never did it. But because Zaire did it ONCE in a scrimmage, you wonder who the better QB is???

This reminds of the time Michael Irvin went on Countdown when Drew Brees was a Charger, and he went on and on about he knew Brees would never be a good QB because he threw a bad slant in a game, and Irvin knew that if he couldn't throw that slant pass, he'd never be a successful QB. Of course it was utterly ridiculous, but that was Michael Irvin for you.

Koon, you sound like Michael Irvin here. Seriously, I usually try to give you more leeway than others, but this to me is one of your worst posts I've read on this site. Holy jumping to conclusions Batman...IT WAS ONE SCRIMMAGE (and one PLAY in a scrimmage) versus MANY practices that the media and fans alike saw in which almost everyone, said that Golson performed better. Plus Golson went 10-1 as a starter in REAL games. My Lord...

 

[koonja]

Golson did that SEVERAL times in 11 on 11's at the open practices, and Zaire never did it. But because Zaire did it ONCE in a scrimmage, you wonder who the better QB is???

This reminds of the time Michael Irvin went on Countdown when Drew Brees was a Charger, and he went on and on about he knew Brees would never be a good QB because he threw a bad slant in a game, and Irvin knew that if he couldn't throw that slant pass, he'd never be a successful QB. Of course it was utterly ridiculous, but that was Michael Irvin for you.

Koon, you sound like Michael Irvin here. Seriously, I usually try to give you more leeway than others, but this to me is one of your worst posts I've read on this site. Holy jumping to conclusions Batman...IT WAS ONE SCRIMMAGE (and one PLAY in a scrimmage) versus MANY practices that the media and fans alike saw in which almost everyone, said that Golson performed better. Plus Golson went 10-1 as a starter in REAL games. My Lord...

1) I saw him do it multiple times, and I'd have to re watch, but I don't remember seeing Golson do it at all.

2) Comparing missing a slant pass and the ability to recognize and check down is apples to tropical nuts.

3) I don't want your sympathy. You're posting like an jabroni because you're convinced Golson is better than Malik. Guess what, I agree. But don't tell us we didn't see what we saw yesterday. All things equal, Malik looked like the veteran, not Golson.

4) Jumping to conclusions? I've stated over and over post-scrimmage that I'm on Golson's side, but Malik looked better yesterday, even in areas where you'd expect the veteran to excel (check downs).

5) Take a lap and stop pounding red bull before you post.

 

[IrishLion]

"One of the worst posts I've read on this site" is a strong statement considering some of the fools who've been through and then hit the ol' dusty trail.

And I don't thing it was a bad post at all. During the scrimmage, Malik was obviously looking to check down. Even when he bailed, he was still looking to throw. Golson was making the first, sometimes second read or else taking off.

Golson was facing a more complex defense, and Malik was obviously aware that he couldn't be hit whereas Golson was tucking it down in a fashion more true to a real game.

Golson is more comfortable with live fire, and I think he's still the guy by far, but Malik showed a bit more willingness to go through a progression. We've got two good quarterbacks fellas, no need to start the attacks.

 

[gkIrish]

"One of the worst posts I've read on this site" is a strong statement considering some of the fools who've been through and then hit the ol' dusty trail.

And I don't thing it was a bad post at all. During the scrimmage, Malik was obviously looking to check down. Even when he bailed, he was still looking to throw. Golson was making the first, sometimes second read or else taking off.

Golson was facing a more complex defense, and Malik was obviously aware that he couldn't be hit whereas Golson was tucking it down in a fashion more true to a real game.

Golson is more comfortable with live fire, and I think he's still the guy by far, but Malik showed a bit more willingness to go through a progression. We've got two good quarterbacks fellas, no need to start the attacks.

Didn't pay much attention to the game as I only had it on in the background, but what do you mean by that?

 

[Kaneyoufeelit]

Didn't pay much attention to the game as I only had it on in the background, but what do you mean by that?

I think he is probably referring to this.

Not true. Sean Mele of ISD (played for Kelly, Denbrock and BVG) broke down the film and wrote that Kelly allowed BVG to throw more at Golson than he did at Zaire. Explains some things.

 

[autry_denson]

For a long while I've had two fears that stand out going into the season:

1) inexperienced O-line
2) thin and inexperienced D-line

(there are other weaknesses, but inexperience on the lines terrifies me, I don't care how much talent there may or may not be)

After the spring game, I have a third fear. I know I'm in the minority here, but I have serious concerns about the receivers' capacity to get open. With two very mobile quarterbacks and a defense that was scaled back, there were way too many plays where the QB had to spend an awful lot of time waiting for things to develop downfield.

I understand that this is partly attributable to the QBs themselves, to the artificial conditions of the game, to the fact that Daniels is not around. But I have to say it out loud: our receiving crew's ability to get open worries me a lot more than it seems to worry everyone else.

 

[gkIrish]

For a long while I've had two fears that stand out going into the season:

1) inexperienced O-line
2) thin and inexperienced D-line

(there are other weaknesses, but inexperience on the lines terrifies me, I don't care how much talent there may or may not be)

After the spring game, I have a third fear. I know I'm in the minority here, but I have serious concerns about the receivers' capacity to get open. With two very mobile quarterbacks and a defense that was scaled back, there were way too many plays where the QB had to spend an awful lot of time waiting for things to develop downfield.

I understand that this is partly attributable to the QBs themselves, to the artificial conditions of the game, to the fact that Daniels is not around. But I have to say it out loud: our receiving crew's ability to get open worries me a lot more than it seems to worry everyone else.

Answered your own concern. Plus the field was in terrible shape.

 

[NDinL.A.]

1) I saw him do it multiple times, and I'd have to re watch, but I don't remember seeing Golson do it at all.

Golson has done WAY more than Zaire. Are you kidding me? People who actually see things close up SEVERAL TIMES throughout the spring AND 2012 are telling you what has been going on, but you're too jaded/blind/whatever to see it.

2) Comparing missing a slant pass and the ability to recognize and check down is apples to tropical nuts.

And whiff!!! you missed the comparison. And again, Golson did it A LOT in practice..we saw him do it, and reporters reported on it. You choose to ignore it.

3) I don't want your sympathy. You're posting like an jabroni because you're convinced Golson is better than Malik. Guess what, I agree. But don't tell us we didn't see what we saw yesterday. All things equal, Malik looked like the veteran, not Golson.

I foolishly backed you up a ton when wooly was attacking you personally, as you say you always keep it clean and never post like you just did, and I believed you. Hell, I backed you up just this past Friday night to another member here who was ripping you. And then you post the above. Bravo dude, you got me. Bravo.

4) Jumping to conclusions? I've stated over and over post-scrimmage that I'm on Golson's side, but Malik looked better yesterday, even in areas where you'd expect the veteran to excel (check downs).

Yes, jumping to conclusions, big-time. Embarrassingly so. You saw Malik check down and change the play in a series (things Golson did numerous times IN REAL GAMES...what, you think he never checked down in 2012???) and you're not sure you Golson did that yesterday, so that makes you wonder if Zaire is better lol. Yes dude, jumping to conclusions.

5) Take a lap and stop pounding red bull before you post.

(I erased the part where I said "Fuck you dude" so as not to make this personal and not get me a deserved vacation. So mods, this is me saying that I DID NOT say "Fuck you" to Kuenja.) But thank you bro, for doing this now, so I don't have to waste a night with you before the Michigan game. Go beg someone else for access to tickets and someone to hang with that night. My bad for wasting my time trying to help you in the first place. I'm not going to make this another battle between me and a member, so this is it for me on this thread as far as you and I go. See you on the flip-flop...

 

[IrishLion]

"How to say 'Fuck You' without saying 'Fuck You' 101"

 

[koonja]

Golson has done WAY more than Zaire. Are you kidding me? People who actually see things close up SEVERAL TIMES throughout the spring AND 2012 are telling you what has been going on, but you're too jaded/blind/whatever to see it.



And whiff!!! you missed the comparison. And again, Golson did it A LOT in practice..we saw him do it, and reporters reported on it. You choose to ignore it.



I foolishly backed you up a ton when wooly was attacking you personally, as you say you always keep it clean and never post like you just did, and I believed you. Hell, I backed you up just this past Friday night to another member here who was ripping you. And then you post the above. Bravo dude, you got me. Bravo.



Yes, jumping to conclusions, big-time. Embarrassingly so. You saw Malik check down and change the play in a series (things Golson did numerous times IN REAL GAMES...what, you think he never checked down in 2012???) and you're not sure you Golson did that yesterday, so that makes you wonder if Zaire is better lol. Yes dude, jumping to conclusions.



(I erased the part where I said "Fuck you dude" so as not to make this personal and not get me a deserved vacation. So mods, this is me saying that I DID NOT say "Fuck you" to Kuenja.) But thank you bro, for doing this now, so I don't have to waste a night with you before the Michigan game. Go beg someone else for access to tickets and someone to hang with that night. My bad for wasting my time trying to help you in the first place. I'm not going to make this another battle between me and a member, so this is it for me on this thread as far as you and I go. See you on the flip-flop...

Golson has done it more in a game, yes, because he's the only one who's played in a game. But yesterday, Malik was checking down better than Golson. That's indisputable. Golson maybe hands down better in practice, but I'm obviously going off of the only thing I've seen, which is the spring game. That's great that you talked to Brad Carrico and saw part of a couple of practice, but I simply don't care. Not that you're wrong, I simply put more weight in what I see than some angry guy on a message board.

I have no idea what you're talking about. I don't remember this big Friday night fight you're referring to. Thanks for backing me up though? Honestly have no idea what you're talking about. Did I win? Was it on technicality or TKO? What does the other poster look like?

The 'conclusion' I jumped to is that I 'wouldn't be surprised if Malik is just as talented as Golson'. That's a big jump for you? Again, I've reiterated that I think Golson will and should start.

Way to act like a 12 year old, only to 'erase' it to act like a 15 year old, lol.

Lol, I NEVER asked to hangout with you for the Michigan game. Feel free to post the exact PM you're referring to. I asked (since you live in the area) if you knew of the best time to buy tickets for the Michigan game, as they're $380 at the time I asked you. I mean, you didn't even make my 'all-beer team', remember? Lol.

There's really no battle. You're freaking out and appear very angry because some people think Malik looked better yesterday. I'm in that group, although I still give the nod to Golson.

I have no idea how someone can get so angry, especially when I agree with you on who should be the starter.

I hope you're alright, dude!

 

[Rack Em]

No guys, my penis is the biggest.






JK, carry on.

 

[koonja]

No guys, my penis is the biggest.






JK, carry on.

You can always tell the size of a man by how much little things bother them, lol.

 

[Kaneyoufeelit]

Want to see a puppy running back?

 

[Rack Em]

Want to see a puppy running back?

Runs too upright. Low 3 at best. I'd pass because we have bigger fish we're recruiting.

 

[ThePiombino]

Runs too upright. Low 3 at best. I'd pass because we have bigger fish we're recruiting.

GAIII comparison in 3...2...1...