The Good/The Bad

[NYCknight]

After a disappointing season, for me, there was no question that it was time to move on from the Schiano/Flood era. The good news is, and it is based on little more than coaching pedigree and my gut feeling, I believe that we have coaches that know how to groom players and compete in the B1G conference. I am also happy that we will finally embrace an offensive scheme that seems to be successful at this level.

I think we have landed some good skill position players and some promising linebackers, but clearly we struck out on top flight offensive and defensive lineman (at least according to rankings) save for Nick Krimin. So that will most likely set us back in the near term. I am also dismayed by the the way top NJ players didn't even bother visiting and giving this staff a legit shot. I mean this IS a B1G program now, not some also ran in the AAC. We are also 13 months off of demolishing UNC in a bowl game, for perspective sake.

I don't put the blame on the coaches, they came into this situation much too late in the process. I am more disappointed in the kids in this state and their lack of state pride. Let's not forget that most have grown up with Rutgers at least being a respectable program over the last decade with numerous alums in the NFL.

It really makes you wonder if all these kids are getting extra benefits elsewhere.

 

[lighty]

There are too many people in this state that simply cannot see the possibilities, they only see what is in front of them. Many of these recruits have grown up with Rutgers respectable, but their parents still remember the awful period of the late 90s.

I had hoped that going to the Big Ten would change things, but I think we needed a coach that knew how to sell the conference. We didn't have one. With the background of Ash and the assistants, I think we have the people to sell kids on the conference now. There's no reason RU shouldn't be headed towards a great era imo. Winning will obviously help and speed things up, but we SHOULD HAVE received a major bump in recruiting two years ago. I'm betting next year's recruiting will look like what many imagined recruiting should have looked like for the past few years.

 

[RU4Real]

Anyone who doesn't reset the bar for recruiting this season should seek professional help. A coaching staff hired during bowl season will struggle to improve the standing of the incoming recruiting class. All things considered, I think Ash and his crew have done pretty well.

But yeah... they had me at "spread offense".

 

[retired711]

Remember that it's hard to get NJ non-athletes to come here. Both athletes and non-athletes continue to want to go out of state whenever possible. So it's not just a problem with our athletic performance.

 

[Queztastic]

I think there are a good number of high ranked juniors lined up for later this month.

 

[sct1111]

Stop blaming the kids. It's up to the program to make itself attractive to recruits. It hasn't been able to do that yet.

 

[Southern Gentleman]

Give Coach Ash and his staff time. Wanting a top 10 recruiting class at this point is totally unrealistic. It takes time to invest in relationships with the high school coaches and top recruits!

Ever gradual improvement my friends!

 

[RUSK97]

Remember that it's hard to get NJ non-athletes to come here. Both athletes and non-athletes continue to want to go out of state whenever possible. So it's not just a problem with our athletic performance.

Agree, but then shouldn't the strategy (at least for this year) be to prioritize kids from wherever the coaching staff came from? In this case, Ohio/Texas/Florida?

 

[Southern Gentleman]

Agree, but then shouldn't the strategy (at least for this year) be to prioritize kids from wherever the coaching staff came from? In this case, Ohio/Texas/Florida?

Let's see. There is Ohio State, texass, Florida, Florida State, Miami. And 6 other Division 1 Schools down in Florida recruiting the same guys and several Division 1 schools in texass going after those recruits.

The strategy should be hitting the local schools and building relationships with coaches and juniors and sophomores so that the future recruits STAY in state! We have to stop losing recruits elsewhere!

Give Ash and his staff time, minimum 4 years, to get the job done. Build a recruiting fence around NJ and NY and select top candidates from other areas.

 

[NYCknight]

Camdenlawprof...indeed. That's why they call us the "Cuckoo Bird State".

I don't know whether there is a reading comprehension problem with this thread, but I took pains NOT to blame the staff. I blamed the top NJ kids for not even visiting the school, post coaching transition. No one said anything about expecting a top 10 class or anything even remotely close to that.

It's just frustrating that our top local prospects didn't give us the courtesy of an official visit to see what the new staff was all about.

 

[soundcrib]

The NJ parents don't like Rutgers either.

 

[RUsSKii]

Let's see. There is Ohio State, texass, Florida, Florida State, Miami. And 6 other Division 1 Schools down in Florida recruiting the same guys and several Division 1 schools in texass going after those recruits.

The strategy should be hitting the local schools and building relationships with coaches and juniors and sophomores so that the future recruits STAY in state! We have to stop losing recruits elsewhere!

Give Ash and his staff time, minimum 4 years, to get the job done. Build a recruiting fence around NJ and NY and select top candidates from other areas.

Southern Gentleman! I was going to start a thread about this at some point, but saw you posted. I had incredible BBQ ribs and slaw/Mac yesterday from a small Denver-area place run by some avid Arkansas fans. It was called Ragin' Hogs BBQ, had sauces from Carolina/Georgia/Memphis, displayed multiple Razorbacks stickers and license plates, and came up as the first BBQ joint in the Denver area. Have you by chance heard of it?

 

[RUinBoston]

Remember that it's hard to get NJ non-athletes to come here. Both athletes and non-athletes continue to want to go out of state whenever possible. So it's not just a problem with our athletic performance.

I'm not convinced by this at all. Choosing between going to college in NJ or...Ohio, Texas, South Carolina, Michigan??? That strikes me as a no brainer.

 

[Southern Gentleman]

Southern Gentleman! I was going to start a thread about this at some point, but saw you posted. I had incredible BBQ ribs and slaw/Mac yesterday from a small Denver-area place run by some avid Arkansas fans. It was called Ragin' Hogs BBQ, had sauces from Carolina/Georgia/Memphis, displayed multiple Razorbacks stickers and license plates, and came up as the first BBQ joint in the Denver area. Have you by chance heard of it?

No I haven't! Thanks for letting me know since I am going to Denver this August/September!

 

[Southern Gentleman]

I'm not convinced by this at all. Choosing between going to college in NJ or...Ohio, Texas, South Carolina, Michigan??? That strikes me as a no brainer.

While NJ is certainly beautiful, South Carolina, Florida, and few other states can rival NJ. But not texass. Texass is a vast nuclear wasteland full of sagebrush, potholes, and zombies. Why anyone would want to consider Ohio or Michigan or Wisconsin is beyond me. It snows all year long there. There is no green grass and nothing but snow plows for transportation. Indiana and Illinois have only half hearted football teams; no one with a decent skill level goes there. Purdue is only for engineers. Iowa is nothing but corn and biodiesel. Pedoplile State is for, well, you know.

Whereas NJ has history! The birthplace of college football for gosh sake! The Garden State has it all! Why, you don't even have to pump your own gas! Someone will do that for you! 4 different seasons; winter, spring football, summer workouts, and the regular football season!

What more do you want? Get on board because the train is loading up at High Point Solutions Stadium! I am looking down the track and I like what I see!

 

[Knight Shift]

Southern Gentleman! I was going to start a thread about this at some point, but saw you posted. I had incredible BBQ ribs and slaw/Mac yesterday from a small Denver-area place run by some avid Arkansas fans. It was called Ragin' Hogs BBQ, had sauces from Carolina/Georgia/Memphis, displayed multiple Razorbacks stickers and license plates, and came up as the first BBQ joint in the Denver area. Have you by chance heard of it?

If you like BBQ, Local Smoke will open in May in Red Bank, and Surf BBQ is opening in Rumson soon.
http://www.redbankgreen.com/2016/01/red-bank-local-smoke-bbq-plans-opening/#more-102051

 

[Knight Shift]

While NJ is certainly beautiful, South Carolina, Florida, and few other states can rival NJ. But not texass. Texass is a vast nuclear wasteland full of sagebrush, potholes, and zombies. Why anyone would want to consider Ohio or Michigan or Wisconsin is beyond me. It snows all year long there. There is no green grass and nothing but snow plows for transportation. Indiana and Illinois have only half hearted football teams; no one with a decent skill level goes there. Purdue is only for engineers. Iowa is nothing but corn and biodiesel. Pedoplile State is for, well, you know.

Whereas NJ has history! The birthplace of college football for gosh sake! The Garden State has it all! Why, you don't even have to pump your own gas! Someone will do that for you! 4 different seasons; winter, spring football, summer workouts, and the regular football season!

What more do you want? Get on board because the train is loading up at High Point Solutions Stadium! I am looking down the track and I like what I see!

You know, I think you tapped into something, though. I think I recall that your better have is from these parts. But I think this new coaching crew will be able to sell NJ to out of state recruits for all the reasons you stated in your post. Some folks don't realize how good this state is. Two major cities (one being the greatest city in the world) less than an hour away. Beaches, farms and great outdoor activities within an hour. The media capital of the world. A blending of cultures and food options that is hard to duplicate anywhere else. As much as I say I want to leave NJ when I retire, I think we will stay put and head out during the snowy months. This is a great state, and we have a great State University.

 

[RUsSKii]

No I haven't! Thanks for letting me know since I am going to Denver this August/September!

You're welcome, and definitely do so! We were on our way back from skiing the day at Vail and fighting snow coming back to Denver on I-70, so needless to say the southern BBQ was very much welcome to our tired/hungry selves.

If you like BBQ, Local Smoke will open in May in Red Bank, and Surf BBQ is opening in Rumson soon.
http://www.redbankgreen.com/2016/01/red-bank-local-smoke-bbq-plans-opening/#more-102051

Thanks for the suggestion, will certainly check them out. My current favorite place in NJ is Dinosaur in Newark.

 

[Southern Gentleman]

Illinois has that crappy thick crust pizza. Ohio, Michigan, and Wisconsin have......? Exactly. They have nothing. Iowa has corn. Seriously , they have a LOT of corn. Indiana has a bunch of flat lands and corn as well. PSU has, well, it has what it has. Nebraska has Corn. Lots of corn. NJ has beaches! Cape May! Atlantic City! Taylor Ham up North! Pork Roll down in South jersey!

Will you find beaches in Ohio? Wisconsin? Michigan? Nebraska? Iowa? Illinois? Indiana? Pennsylvania?

Hell no!

Just a hop, skip, or jump into NYC. Come on! Hell's bells, I can recruit to Rutgers! A world class education awaits in a sylvan center while only minutes away from the worlds largest city? What's not to like?

Suit up! You're starting!

 

[RU848789]

You're welcome, and definitely do so! We were on our way back from skiing the day at Vail and fighting snow coming back to Denver on I-70, so needless to say the southern BBQ was very much welcome to our tired/hungry selves.

Thanks for the suggestion, will certainly check them out. My current favorite place in NJ is Dinosaur in Newark.

Haven't made it to Dino in Newark - went to the original in Syracuse a few times and absolutely loved that place.

Good luck with the snow in Denver - it's a pretty big storm (8-14" expected), so driving and flying could be impacted, although they're pretty good at removing it out there...

http://www.weather.gov/bou/

 

[Blitz8RUCrazy]

Illinois has that crappy thick crust pizza. Ohio, Michigan, and Wisconsin have......? Exactly. They have nothing. Iowa has corn. Seriously , they have a LOT of corn. Indiana has a bunch of flat lands and corn as well. PSU has, well, it has what it has. Nebraska has Corn. Lots of corn. NJ has beaches! Cape May! Atlantic City! Taylor Ham up North! Pork Roll down in South jersey!

Will you find beaches in Ohio? Wisconsin? Michigan? Nebraska? Iowa? Illinois? Indiana? Pennsylvania?

Hell no!

Just a hop, skip, or jump into NYC. Come on! Hell's bells, I can recruit to Rutgers! A world class education awaits in a sylvan center while only minutes away from the worlds largest city? What's not to like?

Suit up! You're starting!

You DO find beaches there... They border the great lakes...

 

[zappaa]

Im sure our two recently commited offensive linemen from NJ enjoy the fact the OP refers to them as a swing and miss and they are personally responsible for setting the program back.
SMH....

 

[rufeelinit]

I know I should wait till Wednesday before making an assessment but imho the initial response to the new staff has been disappointing. Not overly concerned but I hope ash can truly sell because that is what is required particularly if the on field performance is at best middling. If he overachieves on the field some of this will take care of itself.

 

[RUaMoose]

Stop blaming the kids. It's up to the program to make itself attractive to recruits. It hasn't been able to do that yet.

This. Recruiting is a sales job. The staff did a mediocre at best job of selling the program. That said it's only their first year. Next year will tell the tale.

 

[NorthernKnight]

After a disappointing season, for me, there was no question that it was time to move on from the Schiano/Flood era. The good news is, and it is based on little more than coaching pedigree and my gut feeling, I believe that we have coaches that know how to groom players and compete in the B1G conference. I am also happy that we will finally embrace an offensive scheme that seems to be successful at this level.

I think we have landed some good skill position players and some promising linebackers, but clearly we struck out on top flight offensive and defensive lineman (at least according to rankings) save for Nick Krimin. So that will most likely set us back in the near term. I am also dismayed by the the way top NJ players didn't even bother visiting and giving this staff a legit shot. I mean this IS a B1G program now, not some also ran in the AAC. We are also 13 months off of demolishing UNC in a bowl game, for perspective sake.

I don't put the blame on the coaches, they came into this situation much too late in the process. I am more disappointed in the kids in this state and their lack of state pride. Let's not forget that most have grown up with Rutgers at least being a respectable program over the last decade with numerous alums in the NFL.

It really makes you wonder if all these kids are getting extra benefits elsewhere.

This list couldn't be more off regarding OL's and DL's.

They are, by far, the positions that need the mist development when they get into college programs. The sure fire lineman are few and far between. Need to look way beyond * ratings.

 

[zappaa]

What do you think happens first?
We as fans are shocked and amazed by the rise in the level of play on both sides of the ball next year, followed by renewed excitement and enthusiasm by our fanbase?
Or
A new coach comes in and in one months has to clean up the stinky mess and terrible perception of the program left by the old coach, yet pulls in the states top players with a miracle selling job?

 

[rubaseball78]

We need to give Coach Ash and his staff a full year before you can fairly evaluate their recruiting. Having 1 month to recruit before signing data just isn't enough time to form relationships with the top players in the state. According to the Mods, Floods class was about to crumble anyway with decommits so big takeaways for me regarding the new staff is their national reach, their successful work to bring in a top flight QB, and that they were able to put together a credible class in only a month. All positives going forward.

 

[RUinPAC10land]

Agree, but then shouldn't the strategy (at least for this year) be to prioritize kids from wherever the coaching staff came from? In this case, Ohio/Texas/Florida?

Can you name 1 out of state 5 star player to come to Rutgers? I certainly can't. From NJ, my alma mater had Huggins, Davis and Hamilton. The strategy needs to prioritize NJ. We just can't compete with OSU for the 5 star kid in Ohio or Texas for the 5 star kid in Texas or... you get the point.

 

[miker183]

Can you name 1 out of state 5 star player to come to Rutgers? I certainly can't. From NJ, my alma mater had Huggins, Davis and Hamilton. The strategy needs to prioritize NJ. We just can't compete with OSU for the 5 star kid in Ohio or Texas for the 5 star kid in Texas or... you get the point.

I "liked" this because I agree 100%, but I don't LIKE it. LOL.

 

[RUsSKii]

Haven't made it to Dino in Newark - went to the original in Syracuse a few times and absolutely loved that place.

Good luck with the snow in Denver - it's a pretty big storm (8-14" expected), so driving and flying could be impacted, although they're pretty good at removing it out there...

http://www.weather.gov/bou/

Thanks. It's been snowing here since Saturday night, but way more gradually than in NY/NJ last weekend and the roads have been kept mostly clear. I-70 into the mountains was a creepy drive in a FWD rental; picture keeping manual 3rd gear and the brakes engaged on a snowy 8% downhill grade while most other cars/SUVs with snow tires and trucks with chains are blowing by at 50-65 mph in the left lane.

 

[miker183]

We need to give Coach Ash and his staff a full year before you can fairly evaluate their recruiting. Having 1 month to recruit before signing data just isn't enough time to form relationships with the top players in the state. According to the Mods, Floods class was about to crumble anyway with decommits so big takeaways for me regarding the new staff is their national reach, their successful work to bring in a top flight QB, and that they were able to put together a credible class in only a month. All positives going forward.

I would say we may need to wait more than a year. I feel the program has "stumbled" (I'm being kind), but by this time next year, I'd like to see an UPSWING in recruiting, and I believe that that can happen. If many of these decommits were going to happen with Flood, then count me as thrilled that we brought in a staff that has the national mindset. Otherwise, we'd have been getting marginal Division 1 athletes from what remained in NJ/NY.

 

[rubaseball78]

I would say we may need to wait more than a year. I feel the program has "stumbled" (I'm being kind), but by this time next year, I'd like to see an UPSWING in recruiting, and I believe that that can happen. If many of these decommits were going to happen with Flood, then count me as thrilled that we brought in a staff that has the national mindset. Otherwise, we'd have been getting marginal Division 1 athletes from what remained in NJ/NY.

Don't disagree. I probably should have worded it "at least 1 full year".

 

[RUSK97]

Can you name 1 out of state 5 star player to come to Rutgers? I certainly can't. From NJ, my alma mater had Huggins, Davis and Hamilton. The strategy needs to prioritize NJ. We just can't compete with OSU for the 5 star kid in Ohio or Texas for the 5 star kid in Texas or... you get the point.

Oh, I wouldn't expect Ash to get a 4/5-star kid out of Ohio/Texas/Florida. I wouldn't expect to outcompete OSU/Texas/A&M/Florida/FSU/Miami. I'm talking about solid 3-stars or maybe even an underrated 2-star from these states. Our current coaches coached and were recruiting in these states. They didn't suddenly lose these contacts when they became Rutgers coaches. For this very first recruiting season, I thought rather than try to recruit NJ players in a short month or two, they could've tried to flip a kid from wherever they were recruiting and had built a relationship with over the last year or two...maybe a solid kid who would've ended up going to Houston or UCF or USF or Toledo or Cincy or Central Michigan. I feel as though the combination of youth and unfamiliarity has caught the new coaching staff off-guard. They underestimated NJ HS players' disdain for Rutgers. I think they figured instate talent wants to play for Rutgers, so we just need to give them a reason. None of them come from an area of the country where HS kids hate their home state. I think there's some possibility Ash can turn this perception around, but that's going to take a lot of winning and a lot of time. In the meantime, plug the roster with out of state talent.

 

[RUSK97]

Illinois has that crappy thick crust pizza. Ohio, Michigan, and Wisconsin have......? Exactly. They have nothing. Iowa has corn. Seriously , they have a LOT of corn. Indiana has a bunch of flat lands and corn as well. PSU has, well, it has what it has. Nebraska has Corn. Lots of corn. NJ has beaches! Cape May! Atlantic City! Taylor Ham up North! Pork Roll down in South jersey!

Will you find beaches in Ohio? Wisconsin? Michigan? Nebraska? Iowa? Illinois? Indiana? Pennsylvania?

Hell no!

Just a hop, skip, or jump into NYC. Come on! Hell's bells, I can recruit to Rutgers! A world class education awaits in a sylvan center while only minutes away from the worlds largest city? What's not to like?

Suit up! You're starting!

SG - isn't that the irony? Sure, maybe an Arkansas-native can see what NJ has to offer, but a NJ HS senior never would.

 

[beaced]

Let's see. There is Ohio State, texass, Florida, Florida State, Miami. And 6 other Division 1 Schools down in Florida recruiting the same guys and several Division 1 schools in texass going after those recruits.

The strategy should be hitting the local schools and building relationships with coaches and juniors and sophomores so that the future recruits STAY in state! We have to stop losing recruits elsewhere!

Give Ash and his staff time, minimum 4 years, to get the job done. Build a recruiting fence around NJ and NY and select top candidates from other areas.

I POSITIVELY like your use of "WE" ,because YOU are indeed one of US.Hope that BB pulls in a GREAT CLASS.

 

[waretown]

After a disappointing season, for me, there was no question that it was time to move on from the Schiano/Flood era. The good news is, and it is based on little more than coaching pedigree and my gut feeling, I believe that we have coaches that know how to groom players and compete in the B1G conference. I am also happy that we will finally embrace an offensive scheme that seems to be successful at this level.

I think we have landed some good skill position players and some promising linebackers, but clearly we struck out on top flight offensive and defensive lineman (at least according to rankings) save for Nick Krimin. So that will most likely set us back in the near term. I am also dismayed by the the way top NJ players didn't even bother visiting and giving this staff a legit shot. I mean this IS a B1G program now, not some also ran in the AAC. We are also 13 months off of demolishing UNC in a bowl game, for perspective sake.

I don't put the blame on the coaches, they came into this situation much too late in the process. I am more disappointed in the kids in this state and their lack of state pride. Let's not forget that most have grown up with Rutgers at least being a respectable program over the last decade with numerous alums in the NFL.

It really makes you wonder if all these kids are getting extra benefits elsewhere.

if greg was still here peppers, jg and all the rest of the nj stars would be here looking at a big 10 championship

 

[Southern Gentleman]

SG - isn't that the irony? Sure, maybe an Arkansas-native can see what NJ has to offer, but a NJ HS senior never would.

What is the story about not being a prophet in your home town. Something like that from the Bible, I think. I dunno, ask Donald Trump, he knows.

 

[Southern Gentleman]

I POSITIVELY like your use of "WE" ,because YOU are indeed one of US.Hope that BB pulls in a GREAT CLASS.

I dunno but it is looking stronger than previous years. This is his 4th year I believe.

It sucks somewhat because Ole Miss cheats, Bama is almost always #1, and LSU is right there with them. I am hopeful!

 

[FELONIOUSMONK]

It's Rutgers.

 

[NYCknight]

This list couldn't be more off regarding OL's and DL's.

They are, by far, the positions that need the mist development when they get into college programs. The sure fire lineman are few and far between. Need to look way beyond * ratings.

I never base my criticism or lack of criticism solely on rankings, but when you have two-star and unranked players respectively, and combine that with zero P5 offers, then you have a more accurate picture of my critique.

That said, I hope they are diamonds disguised as raw coal and come in here with a chip on their shoulder to prove all those P5 programs completely wrong.