Breaking It Down; Projecting It Up: QB

[BGIF]

By Michael Rothstein The Journal Gazette


Breaking It Down_ Projecting It Up_ Quarterback | The Journal Gazette, Fort Wayne, Ind.

Returning:
Starter: Jimmy Clausen, Jr., 6-3, 217 Stats: 268-440-17-3,172; 25 TDs; 132.49 efficiency rating.


Backup: Dayne Crist, Soph. (RS-Fr.), 6-4, 233 Stats: None, Didn't play


Others: Nate Montana, Soph. (RS-Fr.), 6-4, 200 Stats: None, Didn't play


*Lost: Evan Sharpley (3-5-0-18; 0 TD; 90.24 efficiency rating)

*N.B. This article is dated 6/15 the same day it was reported Sharpley would return for a 5th year. It was probably written several days or a week ago.

What They've Done
Clausen has shown flashes of greatness and periods of inconsistency. No TDs against BC, Navy, USC while throwing 8 picks. In the Bowl Game he throws a perfect game (4 drops).
Crist or walkon Montana haven't seen the field
Sharpley wasn't allowed to see the field very much nor use it when he did.

What Clausen Needs To Do For Success:
Lead
Be smarter
Not stare
Show positive emotion

Best Case Scenario:
Clausen becomes leader takes team to BCS; becomes Heisman Candidate; leaves for NFL

Worst Case Scenario:
Roller Coaster continues; Weis plays Crist; QB controversy

==================================

I don't see either of his scenario as Best or Worse.
Clausen leading the team back to the BCS and bolting for the NFL is NOT a best case. That's what was expected of Clausen, fairly or unfairly, each season. At least last year. I think the Best Case Scenario is Clausen emerging as a polished Junior QB who wins the NC and returns next year to be even better. This year Crist does mop up work and gets some meaningful minutes, like an entire quarter in the easy games. Next year Crist takes over early in the game after Clausen has stunning 1st halves.

Crist playing is not a the worse case. Crist being unable to move the offense after Clausen has been ineffective in moving the offense is the worse case. Suddenly 7-6 becomes a hope; ND fires the OC; recruits bail.

 

[Riddickulous]

A lot of this is right.

Last season, especially later on when Clausen was throwing interceptions at will, you could clearly see just by his body language that Clausen was very uncomfortable. Specifically against USC, you could see the fear in Clausen's eyes before every snap. You can't follow that kind of player.

The worst case scenario is Clausen getting hurt. He is far and away better than the other three quarterbacks on the roster. During the spring game, Crist couldn't hit the broad sign of a barn, he isn't ready for the starting job. Montana was 2-2 for 51 yards, but he was playing against a defense equivalent to the skill level of the scout team, and he has no zip on his throws.

 

[BGIF]

... During the spring game, Crist couldn't hit the broad sign of a barn, he isn't ready for the starting job. ...

Yet writers keep stating that Crist will push Clausen this season. Do you think they going off his HS ranking/clippings as opposed to progress as demonstrated at B&G game?

 

[irishandy]

The worst case scenerio is losing Clausen and putting Crist in. Crist has no experience and it will be like having a freshman under center. I do think that Crist is pushing Clausen and it will make Clausen better. Under the worst case scenerio this writer forgot to put a 'what if' we have a bad o-line or bad running game. If you follow that link and watch the video, the video clearly shows that if Clausen has a line that blocks he is very efficient and a running game will open up our offense.

 

[Riddickulous]

Yet writers keep stating that Crist will push Clausen this season. Do you think they going off his HS ranking/clippings as opposed to progress as demonstrated at B&G game?

There are different meanings for "pushing". "Pushing" Clausen means that the presence of Crist and the open opportunity to start will "push" Clausen to perform better. I was at the spring game, Crist was off on just about every pass. None of his throws were truly incredible. Clausen, however, had a couple of lasers (including a perfect strike to Tate on the sideline) and a perfect deep ball that was incomplete due to a pass interference call.

Crist has the arm strength, but he needs serious work on his accuracy. Right now, there is no quarterback controversy.

 

[Irish Legend]

A lot of this is right.

Last season, especially later on when Clausen was throwing interceptions at will, you could clearly see just by his body language that Clausen was very uncomfortable. Specifically against USC, you could see the fear in Clausen's eyes before every snap. You can't follow that kind of player.

The worst case scenario is Clausen getting hurt. He is far and away better than the other three quarterbacks on the roster. During the spring game, Crist couldn't hit the broad sign of a barn, he isn't ready for the starting job. Montana was 2-2 for 51 yards, but he was playing against a defense equivalent to the skill level of the scout team, and he has no zip on his throws.

That means nothing!

 

[WabashFalcon]

That means nothing![/QUOTE]

Umm... yes. Yes it does. Holy hell it does. If you can't complete a pass during a live game, how the hell are you going to be able to start?

 

[BGIF]

That means nothing!

It might mean something if you expound upon your 3 word sentence.

His performance in the Spring Game did not impress me as someone "pushing" the starter from P.T. He didn't play in the '08 season so the B&G is the only game experience to guage his progress at the Div 1 level.

 

[irishandy]

Really no quarterback impressed me at the spring game this year. Now the running game did impress me and hopefully that is a sign of things to come. ClausentoFloyd, I agree w/ you on your definition of Clausen being pushed by Crist. All these people that think Crist is the answer are wrong, the kid has no experiece. I think w/ Crist being there and Clausen knowing that Crist also wants the starting job will push Clausen to perform better. Hey ClausentoFloyd, how many Clausen-Floyd touchdowns will there be this year?? I say 10-12.