Despite Gary Nova outstanding senior year, (minus the Penn State debacle) many RU fans seems to be underestimating the significance of his graduation. They were 3rd in the B1G in passing efficiency with Nova posting an outstanding 145.3 rating. I am really hoping whoever wins the job performs very well but this notion by some that losing Nova will automatically result in an upgrade at the position is ridiculous. We need whoever wins the job to be efficient and productive but there certainly are no guarantee they will be.
Hoping for the best possible outcome of quarterback battle.
- Thread starter realhoops2
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Not sure any fans are saying that nova graduating will lead to an upgrade. In fact most fans are saying the opposite. Everyone knows qb is a big question mark.
Looks like op is trying to troll here.
Looks like op is trying to troll here.
Here we go with the troll BS. Just because someone raises a topic you don't wish to discuss doesn't make them a troll. "Not sure ANY fans are saying Nova graduation will lead to an upgrade". You obviously need to get out more! While I do agree that MOST RU fans recognize the potential issue at quarterback, there is a very vocal minority on various supposed RU fan sites claiming Nova sucked and anyone would be an upgrade I for one am hopeful there is an upgrade but I am also extremely nervous about what could develop.
What else would you root for? The worst possible outcome?
I think over the next few years we will see an upgrade, but I doubt our young QBs will be an upgrade this year compared to Nova's senior year.
I know that was a sarcastic comment but if you don't understand that there are some so-called RU fans wishing for failure, you are very naïve. It all fits into their master plan...a losing record, with a few embarrassing defeats, leading to Flood being replace by some mythical high profile, big name coach that takes the program to elite levels within 2 to 3 years.
Yeah I think a lot of fans are underestimating the loss of Nova. He was SO solid last year I really do not think people understand that.
It is going to be interesting next year. I hope that Flood and Ben McDaniels are able to get all the RB's work because in the BIG10 it would be a HUGE ADVANTAGE to have our best RB be fresh in the 4th quarter because he only had to carry the ball 10-12 times up until that point rather than 20-22 times. I really would like to use James, Martin, Hicks, and Peoples to just completely wear down defenses. And it would also be nice is Cole and Applefield can step up and be able to get some push during the 2nd and 3rd quarters so that our starting OL can be fresh and out starting RB can be fresh for the 4th quarter. That could be a big deal in some of the close games I expect against teams like Penn State and Michigan.
It is going to be interesting next year. I hope that Flood and Ben McDaniels are able to get all the RB's work because in the BIG10 it would be a HUGE ADVANTAGE to have our best RB be fresh in the 4th quarter because he only had to carry the ball 10-12 times up until that point rather than 20-22 times. I really would like to use James, Martin, Hicks, and Peoples to just completely wear down defenses. And it would also be nice is Cole and Applefield can step up and be able to get some push during the 2nd and 3rd quarters so that our starting OL can be fresh and out starting RB can be fresh for the 4th quarter. That could be a big deal in some of the close games I expect against teams like Penn State and Michigan.
The frustrating thing about watching Nova was he would play great for awhile.
Then have a meltdown and it looked almost like he was trying to throw interceptions.
So I think the hope is by fans that complained is to avoid those meltdown periods.
Then have a meltdown and it looked almost like he was trying to throw interceptions.
So I think the hope is by fans that complained is to avoid those meltdown periods.
I agree. Hopefully this year quarterbacks will be good game managers with the ability to take advantage of breakdowns in the opponents pass defensive. With a strong running game and much improved defense that should be enough to at least equal last seasons success.
Excellent analysis Mike but we are still going to need the quarterbacks to occasionally make big and timely throws in the passing game.
That's true, but there is a subset of fans who are almost joyous about Nova being gone, and seem to think we'll be fine this year without him. Sad, but true. If we had him for another year, or even had the experience of Phillip Nelson as our starter, we'd be a lot better off starting the season. I think we're on our way to having a deep stable of QB's, but right now the lack of game experience is a huge detriment to overcome.
You are right Spanky. While I understand the frustration with Nova's first 3 years and the Penn State game, I can't understand those that fail to recognize that overall Nova was a very solid quarterback his senior. If the new quarterback(s) can get up to speed quickly there is a good chance for RU to exceed expectations again.
I don't think anyone reasonable thinks we're going to be better off this year without Nova. Some people (not necessarily me) are just relieved that he won't be around any more to have one of those games where he implodes and has people pulling their hair out.
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I have watched the Maryland game many times.....at the end of the first half Nova threw an int at the goal line that was over turned by an off side....without that penalty we probably could not have come back in that game....we would have been talking about another poor Nova performance......
And this shows how things could turn on a dime with Gary......
Let's see, a new quarterback(s) getting up to speed quickly against the toughest schedule in the Big10. A tall order indeed.
Again, I'll state there is a small minority of people rejoicing because Nova is gone this year and we have a new QB leading the team. Perhaps they just haven't worked out the ramifications of that, but they have been quite vocal about it.
It's a good thing that we start the season with games against 4 cupcakes. Hopefully that will give the starter enough time to settle in before we hit the meat of our schedule. Oh, yeah, and we have a bye week after that 4th game, then MSU at home and Indiana on the road. Then we really hit the meat grinder: OSU, @UW, @UM, NU. Ouch!
Would've been interesting to see how Nova would've done this year, if Schiano had redshirted him in 2011. Part of me thinks he would've done better later on by watching the whole year in 2011 from the sidelines. No question we'd be in better shape this year if he had redshirted. QB is our #1, #2 and #3 question this year, which I think most people recognize, especially given how well he played last year, overall.
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Yet I liked entering the big 10 with a seasoned senior qb.....it enabled us to over achieve in some outsiders eyes
Seriously , what RU fans wish for failure? I've been to almost home every game for 4 decades and go on many RU fan sites. I don't know of any RU fans that wish for failure. I'm not trolling, but I think you may not be clear in what you are attempting to convey.
I am very clear in what I am conveying...there is small but very vocal group of so-called RU fans that openly root for Flood not to be successful so he will be fired and a mythical "big time, big name " coach will ride in on his white horse and take RU to the top. They frequently hate Nova, blame Flood for not replacing him, and think ANYONE will be better. If you have not come across their rants you obviously are not going to as many fan sites as you say.
I guess we read this board differently. I don't get that impression at all. I understand there are critics of Flood when we lose big to Ohio St or Michigan St, or when we lose recruits we wish we had gotten. But I've never gotten the impression that other RU fans actually wished we lost games.
Assuming the first few games are "cupcakes", I wonder if the offense will kind of force the issue with passing plays that are essentially unnecessary to see how they work out? I mean if our running game can be as good as many believe, the easy way is to just keep running the ball. But, if the game is well in hand, will they change it up and turn it into a practice session?
You could play the "what if" game for any QB that has ever played the sport. Nova was a victim of past failures, he was mostly good throughout 2014 but because of his prior seasons the pitchforks were prepared in advance and any mistake he made was magnified by the fact a good portion of fans were already on edge. The Nova hating threads that popped up on this board before games were even over is a good example of that.
QUOTE="Abro1975, post: 421707, member: 4016"]I guess we read this board differently. I don't get that impression at all. I understand there are critics of Flood when we lose big to Ohio St or Michigan St, or when we lose recruits we wish we had gotten. But I've never gotten the impression that other RU fans actually wished we lost games.[/QUOTE]
Really??? You have never come across the critics that say he is the worst recruiter ever and not a very good game day coach? They harp on the point that all of the top NJ recruits have gone elsewhere. In there mind the only way to remedy the situation is to get rid of Flood and bring in some big name, big time coach. Obviously for that to happen the team must under perform significantly...If that's not rooting for failure, at least in the short term, I don't know what is. Like I said it is a very, very small minority but they are out there.
Really??? You have never come across the critics that say he is the worst recruiter ever and not a very good game day coach? They harp on the point that all of the top NJ recruits have gone elsewhere. In there mind the only way to remedy the situation is to get rid of Flood and bring in some big name, big time coach. Obviously for that to happen the team must under perform significantly...If that's not rooting for failure, at least in the short term, I don't know what is. Like I said it is a very, very small minority but they are out there.
I believe that every RU fan on this board and elsewhere would be very happy if we went 15-0 and won the NC. Without exception.
HOWEVER, I agree with RUforJersey that there are RU fans who would rather see us go 0-12 than 7-6. These are fans who believe that as a coach/recruiter, Flood is limited. Better to have disaster strike and get him fired, than have the team do just enough for him to keep his job year after year.
I categorically reject that premise. But if you accept the premise, the conclusion makes sense.
HOWEVER, I agree with RUforJersey that there are RU fans who would rather see us go 0-12 than 7-6. These are fans who believe that as a coach/recruiter, Flood is limited. Better to have disaster strike and get him fired, than have the team do just enough for him to keep his job year after year.
I categorically reject that premise. But if you accept the premise, the conclusion makes sense.
That is the point I was making regarding some rooting for failure. Of course they would love for RU to be the greatest ever but they also believe because of Flood that height will never be achieved. Their solution, hope for a disaster that gets Flood fired. Obviously, that is not what I am rooting for.
I've read the two main varying opinions on Flood and both have their points.
I'm in the category that Flood is a great guy and very likeable. However, I do see that recruiting has been subpar if we really want to climb up the B1G ladder. Personally, I don't "think" that Flood is the long-term answer. I do hope I'm wrong, but I will always root for RU to win all games, regardless of who the coach is.
Before the south Florida game there were people actively rooting for RU to lose and not be bowl eligible.
Some fans on this board would still be unhappy because we won a game or two in the last minute, or there were not enough style points, or that Greg would have done it better.
