Camp Depth Chart-Laviano/Allen Co-Starters

[Knight Shift]

Rettig not demotivated:
http://www.nj.com/rutgersfootball/i...ttig_on_demotion_i_do.html#incart_river_index

"I don't get discouraged because anything happens in football,'' said Rettig, who ended spring camp on even footing with returning starter Chris Laviano but entered training camp behind co-starters Laviano and TCU grad transfer Zach Allen.

"Stuff changes all the time,'' Rettig added. It's the first day of practice. The coach talked to all of us about how he's doing it. It doesn't matter if you're 4, 3, 2 or 1. Whoever goes out there, commands the offense the best, works hard and does what he has to on the field and shows the coaches he can play, is going to start.''

 

[miker183]

I've always wanted to see Rettig get a chance; I think he will get a fair shot. Though I don't know if he can win the job; like many, not sure what the missing piece is there.

If Laviano wins the job, I am at least comfortable knowing that he will need to keep performing to KEEP the job. This was not the case last year.

The area that concerns me most with CL is the quick passes that need to arrive in a hurry. If you throw a quick screen and the ball "floats" that could be trouble against good teams; looking at the schedule we play a few good teams this year.

BUT, if Mehringer can work with CL's strengths, minimize or hide what he doesn't do well, and we employ a 2nd quarterback at different times, I think we will be able to keep the opposing defenses honest. I am not suggesting putting one QB in for certain types of plays; that too, can be way too predictable.

It will be interesting to see how it all plays out. But, like all players, I think its important that there be some accountability. When things aren't going well, trying something different is not a bad idea. It also shouldn't be seen as a permanent demotion, only that the coaches would be looking for a spark.

 

[RUchip]

Stop. Enough.

Lol. K

 

[RUinPAC10land]

I am not going to rip Laviano, but I still think that Rettig has a bigger upside. He's not getting a fair chance.

I understand that I am not at practice and there are things that the coaches see that I do not see. I also understand that it's the second coaching staff picking Laviano over Rettig. However, you got to remember guys like Tom Brady, Willie Parker, Matt Cassel and Brad Johnson. The coach did not always get the best player onto the field.

 

[NeverOddOrEven33]

I was #TeamRettig last year but it's not looking good right now for him. At this point two coaching staffs have seemingly decided that Laviano is better. I think that Laviano has more upside as well. Consider that Rettig's older brother was a D1 QB and he was very likely receiving better high school coaching in southern California than Laviano was on Long Island. It's very possible he just maxed out his potential in high school and there isn't any more there to dig into.

Now, like I said, I would've played Rettig over Laviano last year, particularly when CL struggled. But Laviano showed some promise: 5th in the conference in passer rating, 4th in completion percentage, T-6th in yards per attempt. He obviously needs to cut down on the interceptions and improve his decision-making in general, but those are both things that a guy going into his junior year with experience under his belt should be able to do.

 

[higgins3]

I am not going to rip Laviano, but I still think that Rettig has a bigger upside. He's not getting a fair chance.

I understand that I am not at practice and there are things that the coaches see that I do not see. I also understand that it's the second coaching staff picking Laviano over Rettig. However, you got to remember guys like Tom Brady, Willie Parker, Matt Cassel and Brad Johnson. The coach did not always get the best player onto the field.

Lol, why do us posters think we know better than coaches who have been teaching the sport for 15 years?

 

[RUChoppin]

The problem with upside is that, at some point, you need to start performing to your potential. I'm not counting Rettig out by any stretch, but Laviano seems to have shown a clear commitment to improvement over the summer and is determined to win the job.

Given that Mehringer is very clearly looking at having a more mobile QB for the future (looking at who we've been recruiting), Laviano has an uphill battle. If you remember, that was the reason Rettig left LSU... because the new OC wanted more of a dual-threat style that Rettig wasn't as suited for.

I have faith in the new staff that they're looking at the competition with fresh, impartial eyes, and not really taking the decisions/evaluations of the old staff into consideration.

 

[Knight Shift]

 

[Knight Shift]

Status quo for today:
http://www.app.com/story/sports/col...chris-ash-says-qb-battle-status-quo/88524332/

“When you look at the [amount] of plays that the four quarterbacks have had,” Ash said, “it’s almost identical through three days of practice.

“When you look at their grades,” he added, “they’re very close. There might be a play here or a play there that separated guys, but it’s all pretty close, pretty competitive. Nothing’s changed since Day 1” of camp.

 

[GoodOl'Rutgers]

I forget how the poster was last year that criticized Flood's mis-use of Rettig and Laviano so clearly... I'll try to summarize the thoughts in order to reflect on Laviano as QB1 this season:

1) Flood was conservative on O.. preferring a run-run-pass if he could swing that.
2) That puts a lot of pressure on 3rd down passes when you have more than 5 yards to go, which happened fairly often.
3) Laviano has a pretty accurate short ball.. high completion percentage compared to past QBs.
4) Rettig threw a better long ball

So, Laviano would have been great in a pass-first, spread offense that forces the D to spread out and cover everyone. But we were running an offense better suited to Rettig.. but we wouldn't play him.

So my take is that, with the offense that many think we will run, Laviano might be the best QB.. and that is what we see in the depth chart and comments by Ash.

If Laviano hits a high percentage of his first down throws... and play-calling punishes over-aggressive defenses with screens and swing passes and quick-hitting running plays like dives... I will be a happy boy... even though I begged to see Rettig more last season. And I have no idea what to think about Allen.... but I assume if I see him line up under center in Seattle that it will be good news. I assume whoever lines up there will indicate the results of an exhaustive competition and evaluation and I think this will contrast well with previous seasons.

 

[RUChoppin]

Yes, Laviano has shown that he can move the chains at times with his legs, though he wasn't really called on to do it very often by design. Even his first year when he filled in for the rattled Nova, he used his legs to move the ball well.

While he isn't really a "dual threat" guy by nature, I certainly think he can incorporate more designed runs into his repertoire - and I'm sure Mehringer is expecting whatever QB is in the game to move the ball on the ground at times as part of the game plan.

 

[Knight Shift]

Yes, Laviano has shown that he can move the chains at times with his legs, though he wasn't really called on to do it very often by design. Even his first year when he filled in for the rattled Nova, he used his legs to move the ball well.

While he isn't really a "dual threat" guy by nature, I certainly think he can incorporate more designed runs into his repertoire - and I'm sure Mehringer is expecting whatever QB is in the game to move the ball on the ground at times as part of the game plan.

Agreed. Will be interesting to see how they use Laviano in this regard if he gets the nod.

 

[IL Lusciato]

Tannehill was changed to WR at A&M too, now he's an NFL QB

Tannehill played wr early on BC he was dying to get in the field. Then he went in the be the bonifide starter for A&M

 

[RU-05]

Lol, why do us posters think we know better than coaches who have been teaching the sport for 15 years?

Coaches have been wrong b4.

Not saying they are here, but decisions by coaches should not be above scrutiny.

 

[needmorecowbell]

Lol, why do us posters think we know better than coaches who have been teaching the sport for 15 years?

So true. Three coaching staffs (LSU, Flood and Ash) have said he isn't the best option available. I like his attitude and his arm so I will be rooting for him but it's very clear what the professionals think of him so far.

 

[higgins3]

So true. Three coaching staffs (LSU, Flood and Ash) have said he isn't the best option available. I like his attitude and his arm so I will be rooting for him but it's very clear what the professionals think of him so far.

For real. It is not like the guys are not watching him. If he was the best, he would be playing.

 

[NickKnight 1]

I am not going to rip Laviano, but I still think that Rettig has a bigger upside. He's not getting a fair chance.

I understand that I am not at practice and there are things that the coaches see that I do not see. I also understand that it's the second coaching staff picking Laviano over Rettig. However, you got to remember guys like Tom Brady, Willie Parker, Matt Cassel and Brad Johnson. The coach did not always get the best player onto the field.

Like when Parcells started every and anyone over Phil
Simms for a few years until Phil stayed with it until
Parcells ran out of options and finally gave him a
chance.

 

[LotusAggressor]

This will be fun.

 

[miker183]

If Laviano hits a high percentage of his first down throws... and play-calling punishes over-aggressive defenses with screens and swing passes and quick-hitting running plays like dives... I will be a happy boy... even though I begged to see Rettig more last season. And I have no idea what to think about Allen.... but I assume if I see him line up under center in Seattle that it will be good news. I assume whoever lines up there will indicate the results of an exhaustive competition and evaluation and I think this will contrast well with previous seasons.

This is it in a nutshell. The run, run, pass led to a lot of third and longs, and that did not play into Laviano's strengths (in my opinion). Being less predictable with play calling should be a big help. I think most would agree that Rettig has a stronger arm, but that alone does not make the starting QB, but when you handcuff your starter like the staff did last year with the playcalling, it's impossible to judge him.

So, let the games begin, and let's see what we have. It'll be interesting, because I'm thinking we could finish anywhere between 2 and 7 wins; that's a pretty big margin, LOL.

 

[ruready07]

Elorm Lumor looks good and has a nice frame to work with. Any Piscataway fans on here who could share some more info on him? Can he be the rush end we're needing so badly?

 

[PaKnight]

Like when Parcells started every and anyone over Phil
Simms for a few years until Phil stayed with it until
Parcells ran out of options and finally gave him a
chance.

It was one guy Scott Brunner, and it was less than one year.

 

[anon_0k9zlfz6lz9oy]

Laviano starts at Washington IMO

@GoFish2 your turn