so as MANY of you on this board know, I have been a Laviano "protector" since training camp - more because I trust the staff and if they think Laviano gives us the best chance to win, I am 100% behind them
Coming into the year, we thought our strengths would be our great running game (we really do have one of the best stables of backs in FBS) and our defense, led by the d-line. As it turns out, whatever we are getting from our running game, is based on pure effort from the backs, since the line is certainly not opening up holes for them, and we have played against some of the worst defenses in FBS. Our d-line has been a huge disappointment , and while I love the energy Coach Panagos brings, the line clearly needs to improve into next year and get healthy. Our young secondary was finally going to be a strength, but we dont need to re-hash what happened there, but I can say with great certainty that barring injury or unforseen circumstances, Wharton, Austin, Hester and company will be our best defensive backfield ever by 2017
So, midway thru the season, we are 3-3, and given the hand the team has been dealt, I have to feel good about the direction we are heading, and much of it is because of our leader at QB. While we originally hoped for him to simply be a game manager while our defense shut down opponents and we ran the ball down opponents throats, that clearly hasnt been the case. With limited protection, Chris has given us some gutsy performances and while many on this board are fond of calling him Nova 2, he reminds me far more of a TALLER Chas Dodd, with alot of heart, good football smarts, and with some limits on his tangible ability, his intangibles are what will make him a very good college quarterback. I went back over the past 10 years and looked at RU QB's and the results may startle you. Make any excuses you need to - I can hear them already (he has Carroo, he played Kansas, WSU, NSU, Indiana, he throws passes my grandmother could complete) but the body of work is here and I will lay it out for you via ESPN QBR
Laviano - 153.9
Nova - Sr 145
Nova Jr 124
Nova Soph - 125
Nova Fresh - 116
Dodd 126
Savage So - 105
Savage Fresh 128
Teel Sr 128
Teel Jr 145
Teel So 120
Take what you will from the above, but similar to the SAT, the rationale for the rankings doesnt change, so if Laviano is the highest rated QB ever at Rutgers in his first 5 games, I would say things look pretty bright and given that he seems to improve each week, I am excited to watch his growth, and yes, of course there may be a few rough patches to come and this board will melt down predictably, but give the staff and give CHRIS a little credit for what he has done so far against some tough odds
http://espn.go.com/college-football/team/stats/_/id/164/year/2010/rutgers-scarlet-knights
Coming into the year, we thought our strengths would be our great running game (we really do have one of the best stables of backs in FBS) and our defense, led by the d-line. As it turns out, whatever we are getting from our running game, is based on pure effort from the backs, since the line is certainly not opening up holes for them, and we have played against some of the worst defenses in FBS. Our d-line has been a huge disappointment , and while I love the energy Coach Panagos brings, the line clearly needs to improve into next year and get healthy. Our young secondary was finally going to be a strength, but we dont need to re-hash what happened there, but I can say with great certainty that barring injury or unforseen circumstances, Wharton, Austin, Hester and company will be our best defensive backfield ever by 2017
So, midway thru the season, we are 3-3, and given the hand the team has been dealt, I have to feel good about the direction we are heading, and much of it is because of our leader at QB. While we originally hoped for him to simply be a game manager while our defense shut down opponents and we ran the ball down opponents throats, that clearly hasnt been the case. With limited protection, Chris has given us some gutsy performances and while many on this board are fond of calling him Nova 2, he reminds me far more of a TALLER Chas Dodd, with alot of heart, good football smarts, and with some limits on his tangible ability, his intangibles are what will make him a very good college quarterback. I went back over the past 10 years and looked at RU QB's and the results may startle you. Make any excuses you need to - I can hear them already (he has Carroo, he played Kansas, WSU, NSU, Indiana, he throws passes my grandmother could complete) but the body of work is here and I will lay it out for you via ESPN QBR
Laviano - 153.9
Nova - Sr 145
Nova Jr 124
Nova Soph - 125
Nova Fresh - 116
Dodd 126
Savage So - 105
Savage Fresh 128
Teel Sr 128
Teel Jr 145
Teel So 120
Take what you will from the above, but similar to the SAT, the rationale for the rankings doesnt change, so if Laviano is the highest rated QB ever at Rutgers in his first 5 games, I would say things look pretty bright and given that he seems to improve each week, I am excited to watch his growth, and yes, of course there may be a few rough patches to come and this board will melt down predictably, but give the staff and give CHRIS a little credit for what he has done so far against some tough odds
http://espn.go.com/college-football/team/stats/_/id/164/year/2010/rutgers-scarlet-knights
