The personnel choices have been beyond head scratching

[ru-baby]

Coming into year, there was much talk about the RU running game--Hicks and Martin, Martin and Hicks.....Everyone knew those were the two that were head and shoulders above best. Where was that? Goodwin ran well at times but he's not the home run hitter. He made it through some open holes and fought hard. But no elusiveness or real threat. Martin had some chances, but Hicks never enough to get untracked. It's as if this guy never ran wild as a freshman against UNC IN A BOWL GAME. What a waste. That's just the start.

Turay--yank him and have him play tentatively by worrying about covering receivers. How about use his strength and turn him loose to get the qb?

Agudosi-In spring looks promising. No real effort to get him the ball-why? We arent scoring much less completing passes. Guy had promise left undeveloped.

Retting--I don't know about any phantom reason he doesnt play, but I see him suited up and throwing on the sideline. We havnent scored in 4 games. With my eyes I saw him lead a td drive against Ohio State last year. You think we could use a weapon?

We have a lack of talent yes be choices as to personnel have just magnified that. If you cant beat a team straight up, perhaps go for punt blocks, fake punts, misdirection. No, we set up a punt return in the hail inside the other teams 30 instead of trying pressure a miscue or block. We trot Oden out who looks half ecent running but ver lt him throw to give him a chance to run when they are not keying on it. Just weird personnel choices made worse by putting these odd choices in bad situations.

 

[ru-baby]

The way too long keeping with Laviano is of course another.

The almost total ignoring of the TE position -a prior RU strength-is also very curious when the qb's sure needed a safety valve.

 

[Rokodesh]

Tyler Kroft and Leonte Carroo are working corporate jobs right now if they played for these coaches

 

[Rokodesh]

The way too long keeping with Laviano is of course another.

The almost total ignoring of the TE position -a prior RU strength-is also very curious when the qb's sure needed a safety valve.

Our safety valve is the fake handoff on downs 1-3, with absolutely zero blocking or run threat, that take longer for the plays to develop and allow the defense to send more guys in the backfield

 

[rutgers4life11]

Rettig sitting is the biggest head scratcher. Over 2 seasons of play, he still has the most impressive scoring drive of all QBs, and it was against OSU.

What on earth do we have to lose at this point? Tylin can't throw. Laviano can't handle pressure. No idea why we offered a scholarship to Allen. Gio is work in progress, who has potential, but looks like he's playing banged up.

Rettig has still thrown the best ball on the team as of this date. He still has the longest/sharpest deep ball - God forbid if we ever flash that?!? He also has quickest release. As a veteran of a west coast offense, his fast release could help with a collapsing pocket and finding quick routes.

There is no way you could tell me Zach Allen deserved a few series this season and not Rettig, based on what we've seen. No way in hell is he the 5th string QB, and it really makes me doubt this staff's ability to evaluate QB talent.

If Ash is smart, he lets Rettig play a quarter next week. He'll either shut up fans once and for all, or find another potential qb in a make or break yr for him as a coach. Win win.

 

[PaKnight]

Rettig sitting is the biggest head scratcher. Over 2 seasons of play, he still has the most impressive scoring drive of all QBs, and it was against OSU.

What on earth do we have to lose at this point? Tylin can't throw. Laviano can't handle pressure. No idea why we offered a scholarship to Allen. Gio is work in progress, who has potential, but looks like he's playing banged up.

Rettig has still thrown the best ball on the team as of this date. He still has the longest/sharpest deep ball - God forbid if we ever flash that?!? He also has quickest release. As a veteran of a west coast offense, his fast release could help with a collapsing pocket and finding quick routes.

There is no way you could tell me Zach Allen deserved a few series this season and not Rettig, based on what we've seen. No way in hell is he the 5th string QB, and it really makes me doubt this staff's ability to evaluate QB talent.

If Ash is smart, he lets Rettig play a quarter next week. He'll either shut up fans once and for all, or find another potential qb in a make or break yr for him as a coach. Win win.

Only an idiot would play a guy who has one game left in his career at a school to shut up the fans.

 

[rutgers4life11]

Only an idiot would play a guy who has one game left in his career at a school to shut up the fans.

Hey cutie pie, he's a redshirt Junior, but thanks for playing.

God forbid our fans can do some research.

 

[PaKnight]

Hey cutie pie, he's a redshirt Junior, but thanks for being a know-it-all.

You think he is going to be here next year?

And I did not call you an idiot.

 

[rutgers4life11]

You think he is going to be here next year?

And I did not call you an idiot.

Fair enough. But only reason he'd transfer is because coaching staff didn't give him a shot. Hence, giving him one.

 

[CaptainJersey1989]

I'm pretty sure Rettig will graduate and transfer after this season. I think that is what PAKnight was referring to.

 

[rutgers4life11]

Sure. If Ash knows 100% Rettig is going to leave, then it would be stupid. I agree with you guys. But it's all speculation. Especially since Rettig has been pretty Rah rah rutgers, even being 5th string.

If Rettig were given a chance and happened to play well against Maryland, do you think he transfers?

 

[PaKnight]

Fair enough. But only reason he'd transfer is because coaching staff didn't give him a shot. Hence, giving him one.

Four guys have played QB not named Rettig, apparently he did not earned a shot to play.

 

[rutgers4life11]

Four guys have played QB not named Rettig, apparently he did not earned a shot to play.

And like I said, I doubt any coach's decision who thought zach allen could play QB. Likewise, still doesn't change the fact that in 2 years Rettig has still thrown the best pass and had best drive.

We all know Ash and Drew are deadset on having a mobile QB, despite all their talk of "we will change our system to fit QB" - Rettig wasn't going to get a fair shake.

When the 4 QBs that have all seen play have been awful... why not keep moving down the line and see if we have anything? Especially when Rettig is the most veteran QB as a redshirt junior (Senior). We're dead last in every national offensive category - we can't get worst

Sorry, just doesn't add up.

 

[Knight Shift]

Rettig sitting is the biggest head scratcher. Over 2 seasons of play, he still has the most impressive scoring drive of all QBs, and it was against OSU.

What on earth do we have to lose at this point? Tylin can't throw. Laviano can't handle pressure. No idea why we offered a scholarship to Allen. Gio is work in progress, who has potential, but looks like he's playing banged up.

Rettig has still thrown the best ball on the team as of this date. He still has the longest/sharpest deep ball - God forbid if we ever flash that?!? He also has quickest release. As a veteran of a west coast offense, his fast release could help with a collapsing pocket and finding quick routes.

There is no way you could tell me Zach Allen deserved a few series this season and not Rettig, based on what we've seen. No way in hell is he the 5th string QB, and it really makes me doubt this staff's ability to evaluate QB talent.

If Ash is smart, he lets Rettig play a quarter next week. He'll either shut up fans once and for all, or find another potential qb in a make or break yr for him as a coach. Win win.

Hey cutie pie, he's a redshirt Junior, but thanks for playing.

God forbid our fans can do some research.

I'm pretty sure Rettig will graduate and transfer after this season. I think that is what PAKnight was referring to.

Sure. If Ash knows 100% Rettig is going to leave, then it would be stupid. I agree with you guys. But it's all speculation. Especially since Rettig has been pretty Rah rah rutgers, even being 5th string.

If Rettig were given a chance and happened to play well against Maryland, do you think he transfers?

Ash said plain as day in his last radio show that the black stripe has not been removed from Rettig's helmet, and he IS NOT GAME DAY READY. How do you propose he plays if he deemed not game day ready by the coaching staff?

 

[RUforlife]

Sure. If Ash knows 100% Rettig is going to leave, then it would be stupid. I agree with you guys. But it's all speculation. Especially since Rettig has been pretty Rah rah rutgers, even being 5th string.

If Rettig were given a chance and happened to play well against Maryland, do you think he transfers?

Rettig should have left by now if he wanted to play football, something is keeping him at Rutgers, maybe he has a girlfriend or has fallen in love with the cosmopolitan life in New Brunswick.

 

[PaKnight]

Rettig should have left by now if he wanted to play football, something is keeping him at Rutgers, maybe he has a girlfriend or has fallen in love with the cosmopolitan life in New Brunswick.

He needs to graduate so he can transfer.

 

[ru-baby]

If the black stripe nonsense is true then shame on the coaches for not getting the most talented qb ready.

No way were scorless in 4 games w rettig throwing and handing it to hicks and martin- no way

This would be a real outrage if true.

 

[TM514]

I can't wait to see the transfer out list after the season. You have to wonder if Martin, Laviano, Rettig, & other upperclassmen will stay. Flanagan has decided to move on as grad transfer.

The QB changes during series is mind boggling. Putting Allen during a key drive in the New Mexico game, and using Oden on 3rd down for one play at Minnesota.

Ash hasn't acknowledge anything about the previous admin. With most players signed by Flood, you must at least give some acknowlegement to some existing programs whilst moving toward your goals.

 

[PaKnight]

I can't wait to see the transfer out list after the season. You have to wonder if Martin, Laviano, Rettig, & other upperclassmen will stay. Flanagan has decided to move on as grad transfer.

The QB changes during series is mind boggling. Putting Allen during a key drive in the New Mexico game, and using Oden on 3rd down for one play at Minnesota.

Ash hasn't acknowledge anything about the previous admin. With most players signed by Flood, you must at least give some acknowlegement to some existing programs whilst moving toward your goals.

Martin has been the starter when healthy.

 

[Knight Shift]

If the black stripe nonsense is true then shame on the coaches for not getting the most talented qb ready.

No way were scorless in 4 games w rettig throwing and handing it to hicks and martin- no way

This would be a real outrage if true.

Here you go. Outrage on. . . . .

 

[Pils86]

I would have put Rettig in when we got the ball with a minute left before the half. Use your weapons, throw some bombs. Why not? He could have thrown one long pass and if incomplete we could still have sat on it to run out the half. If we can't score try different things. Instead we sit on it to end another scoreless half.

 

[ru-baby]

So he's good enough to lead a touchdown drive against ashs defense but not good enough to have a stripe removed when playing in the spring and a full year under Ash. I have been a big aproponent of ash but this is really absurd and gives me pause.

 

[cRURah]

Ash said plain as day in his last radio show that the black stripe has not been removed from Rettig's helmet, and he IS NOT GAME DAY READY. How do you propose he plays if he deemed not game day ready by the coaching staff?

If true, Ash should have a black stripe tattooed down the middle of his face. This is preposterous.

 

[waretown]

If the black stripe nonsense is true then shame on the coaches for not getting the most talented qb ready.

No way were scorless in 4 games w rettig throwing and handing it to hicks and martin- no way

This would be a real outrage if true.

when will ash and his entire staff going to get their black stripe removed?

 

[Kbee3]

He needs to graduate so he can transfer.

'Bama ?

 

[Hubcityknights]

Tyler Kroft and Leonte Carroo are working corporate jobs right now if they played for these coaches

Even the most optimistic fan has got to be questioning the coaches right now, but a healthy Janarion Grant was our featured player on offense and special teams. I'm sure Carroo would have found a way to shine given he would be our best player by far.

You might be right about Kroft though. Seems like the TE position has disappeared :chairshot:

 

[ru-baby]

That video of the show with Carlin is well, well beyond head scratching. It calls into question Ash's entire approach.

If Retting was a problem-either discipline or disruption-he should have been dismissed form the team. If he is not-and by all accounts he has not been-IT IS ABSOLUETLY ON THE COACHES THAT THEY COULD NOT GET HIM IN THEIR MINDS READY TO PLAY.

If however, they never intended to give him a shot (a common sentiment), saying that his stripe is not removed at this stage of his career is an absolute slap in a kid's face and does nothing but demean a kid who is a part of the program. That would also be a significant black mark on this staff.

You know, when I first heard this I thought jokingly that retting didn't get the Laviano/Gio/Mehringer haircut and was shunned. Now it's clear this doesn't appear to be at all funny and calls into question the coaching ability and/or the standup nature of these gentlemen-either way it's not a picture we have been hoping to see.

I always thought Ash would be give a long tenure to make it work and was pleased in the beginning that he appeared to be building a foundation in the GS style. Since then we have seen abysmal, amateurish coaching, puzzling personnel choices, and now either the epitome of poor player development or discarding and demeaning of a kid who wears the scarlet. These issues have caused me to reconsider whether Hobbs will need to step in and stop permanent cellar dweller status from taking root, and enthusiasm for the program to dwindle. I sure hope some additional info comes out to bring these decisions into some better light because what's out there is not so good a reflection on the state of this program.

 

[MYHATINTHERING]

the biggest head scratcher to me is not getting rid of OC earlier. The guy just sucks! No no, maybe it's not utilizing the talent we have with a system that plays to their strengths like a good coach would do instead of trying to put square pegs in round holes until he get's the players he wants. then of course, he wont' get those players cause he's gonna suck, the teams gonna lose and he'll be $hitcanned in year 4 (hoping for sooner)

 

[Scarlet_Scourge]

Ok, i will bite...

Coming into year, there was much talk about the RU running game--Hicks and Martin, Martin and Hicks.....Everyone knew those were the two that were head and shoulders above best. Where was that? Goodwin ran well at times but he's not the home run hitter. He made it through some open holes and fought hard. But no elusiveness or real threat. Martin had some chances, but Hicks never enough to get untracked. It's as if this guy never ran wild as a freshman against UNC IN A BOWL GAME. What a waste. That's just the start.

Hicks have been giving a lot of chances and he is slow af. He might be hurt. Martin was also hurt during those games which he didn't play. How can you not know this?

Turay--yank him and have him play tentatively by worrying about covering receivers. How about use his strength and turn him loose to get the qb?

Turay has had TWO shoulder surgeries he is trying hard to make a comeback but he is still very limited in what he can do. Again, how the hell did you not know this?

Agudosi-In spring looks promising. No real effort to get him the ball-why? We arent scoring much less completing passes. Guy had promise left undeveloped.

This has a lot more to do with QB play and OL play than anything.

Retting--I don't know about any phantom reason he doesnt play, but I see him suited up and throwing on the sideline. We havnent scored in 4 games. With my eyes I saw him lead a td drive against Ohio State last year. You think we could use a weapon?

FOUR different HCs, OC, and QB coaches all didn't think he was good enough to start but somehow you know better... ok. Yikes! I don't want to bash any student but if you couldn't figure this out after 3 different schools and 4 different coaches I am not sure what else to tell you at this point..

We have a lack of talent yes be choices as to personnel have just magnified that. If you cant beat a team straight up, perhaps go for punt blocks, fake punts, misdirection. No, we set up a punt return in the hail inside the other teams 30 instead of trying pressure a miscue or block. We trot Oden out who looks half ecent running but ver lt him throw to give him a chance to run when they are not keying on it. Just weird personnel choices made worse by putting these odd choices in bad situations.

Maybe you are right about that, they can do a better job but all of the examples you gave were terrible examples and tell much more about you not bothering to read reports and articles and listen to news conferences and a lot less about what is happen before during and after games.

 

[cicero grimes]

My two cents on Rettig is that after he lost the QB battle he told the coaches he would grad and transfer. Ash is not going to waste reps on a player who is likely leaving. I like HR and wished the previous staff had given him a legit shot in games last year. The ship has sailed however and we need to move forward with the QB's that will be here in 17.

 

[RUinPAC10land]

Rettig sitting is the biggest head scratcher. Over 2 seasons of play, he still has the most impressive scoring drive of all QBs, and it was against OSU.

What on earth do we have to lose at this point? Tylin can't throw. Laviano can't handle pressure. No idea why we offered a scholarship to Allen. Gio is work in progress, who has potential, but looks like he's playing banged up.

Rettig has still thrown the best ball on the team as of this date. He still has the longest/sharpest deep ball - God forbid if we ever flash that?!? He also has quickest release. As a veteran of a west coast offense, his fast release could help with a collapsing pocket and finding quick routes.

There is no way you could tell me Zach Allen deserved a few series this season and not Rettig, based on what we've seen. No way in hell is he the 5th string QB, and it really makes me doubt this staff's ability to evaluate QB talent.

If Ash is smart, he lets Rettig play a quarter next week. He'll either shut up fans once and for all, or find another potential qb in a make or break yr for him as a coach. Win win.

Ash is not smart. Perhaps, he'll become smarter in the future and he'll grow up to be a competent coach. This year, he just wasn't.

 

[rubaseball78]

Coming into year, there was much talk about the RU running game--Hicks and Martin, Martin and Hicks.....Everyone knew those were the two that were head and shoulders above best. Where was that? Goodwin ran well at times but he's not the home run hitter. He made it through some open holes and fought hard. But no elusiveness or real threat. Martin had some chances, but Hicks never enough to get untracked. It's as if this guy never ran wild as a freshman against UNC IN A BOWL GAME. What a waste. That's just the start.

Turay--yank him and have him play tentatively by worrying about covering receivers. How about use his strength and turn him loose to get the qb?

Agudosi-In spring looks promising. No real effort to get him the ball-why? We arent scoring much less completing passes. Guy had promise left undeveloped.

Retting--I don't know about any phantom reason he doesnt play, but I see him suited up and throwing on the sideline. We havnent scored in 4 games. With my eyes I saw him lead a td drive against Ohio State last year. You think we could use a weapon?

We have a lack of talent yes be choices as to personnel have just magnified that. If you cant beat a team straight up, perhaps go for punt blocks, fake punts, misdirection. No, we set up a punt return in the hail inside the other teams 30 instead of trying pressure a miscue or block. We trot Oden out who looks half ecent running but ver lt him throw to give him a chance to run when they are not keying on it. Just weird personnel choices made worse by putting these odd choices in bad situations.

RB - Hicks did not show anything this year and Martin got hurt. Maybe Sneed should have gotten more carries towards the end of the season.

Turay - Almost every time he is in he appears to not know play, gets caught out of position or causes us to call a TO. This one is on the player.

Rettig - So the answer is to play the 4th or 5th string QB? Last year I agree he should have seen meaningful playing time. He doesn't fit this offense.

 

[RU205]

Hicks has not been used correctly. He is not a jet sweep runner. He needs to go north and south.

 

[ru-baby]

FOUR different HCs, OC, and QB coaches all didn't think he was good enough to start but somehow you know better... ok. Yikes! I don't want to bash any student but if you couldn't figure this out after 3 different schools and 4 different coaches I am not sure what else to tell you at this point..

How many times has this silly recitation, believed to be clever, been debunked? RS freshman and Flood--and what we have seen from DM? Really? When that gets brought out you know the thought process.

Turay had shoulder surgeries--so make him cover lb's and not focus on pass rushing? Apples and oranges.

Agudsoi not getting targeted is a function of the OL? What? Sure not getting he ball may be due to time pressure but not being in the game or targeted is a whole other story.

Hicks has been given a lot of chances? To get into the flow? What games did I miss?

Scourge--You're talking apples to oranges mainly, as well as getting those special feeds where Hicks gets the rock a lot and Agudosi is a party of the offense.

 

[Knight Shift]

Hicks has not been used correctly. He is not a jet sweep runner. He needs to go north and south.

Hicks 2015: 130 att/674 yards, 5.2 per carry, 4 TD.

2016: 45 att/157 yards 3.5 per carry, no TD.
Washington game: 14 att/70 yards for 5.0 per carry.
Howard: 7 attempts for 44 yard for 6.3 per carry.

After that he got between 3 and 5 opportunities per game. Mind boggling.

 

[AreYouNUTS]

Coming into year, there was much talk about the RU running game--Hicks and Martin, Martin and Hicks.....Everyone knew those were the two that were head and shoulders above best. Where was that? Goodwin ran well at times but he's not the home run hitter. He made it through some open holes and fought hard. But no elusiveness or real threat. Martin had some chances, but Hicks never enough to get untracked. It's as if this guy never ran wild as a freshman against UNC IN A BOWL GAME. What a waste. That's just the start.

Turay--yank him and have him play tentatively by worrying about covering receivers. How about use his strength and turn him loose to get the qb?

Agudosi-In spring looks promising. No real effort to get him the ball-why? We arent scoring much less completing passes. Guy had promise left undeveloped.

Retting--I don't know about any phantom reason he doesnt play, but I see him suited up and throwing on the sideline. We havnent scored in 4 games. With my eyes I saw him lead a td drive against Ohio State last year. You think we could use a weapon?

We have a lack of talent yes be choices as to personnel have just magnified that. If you cant beat a team straight up, perhaps go for punt blocks, fake punts, misdirection. No, we set up a punt return in the hail inside the other teams 30 instead of trying pressure a miscue or block. We trot Oden out who looks half ecent running but ver lt him throw to give him a chance to run when they are not keying on it. Just weird personnel choices made worse by putting these odd choices in bad situations.

Baby, I feel the pain right now, trust me, but I've gotta respond to this:

Agudosi? Might be the worst P5 WR in the nation. Who cares what he did in a "spring game"? Didn't he drop back-to-back potential 1st down passes Sat night? Passes that could have helped build drives and keep us from allowing PSU back on the field for a long scoring drive? Our fans have GOT to stop using the "spring game" as a barometer for talent.

Martin? I think it's safe to say he's not 100% nor had been since his injury early in the season.

Hicks? CAN NOT PASS BLOCK. This has been discussed ad nauseum and even Ash has flat-out stated he's "getting better but just now where he needs to be" Can't pass-block in this O, can't be out there, unfortunately.

Rettig? Com'on man he's like 4th in line. There's just no need to use him

EDIT: Turay - not sure what's going on there but there's got to be a reason he plays when he does and doesn't when he doesn't. I would think. Hope.

 

[RU85inFla]

Baby, I feel the pain right now, trust me, but I've gotta respond to this:

Agudosi? Might be the worst P5 WR in the nation. Who cares what he did in a "spring game"? Didn't he drop back-to-back potential 1st down passes Sat night? Passes that could have helped build drives and keep us from allowing PSU back on the field for a long scoring drive?

Martin? I think it's safe to say he's not 100% nor had been since his injury early in the season.

Hicks? CAN NOT PASS BLOCK. This has been discussed ad nauseum and even Ash has flat-out stated he's "getting better but just now where he needs to be" Can't pass-block in this O, can't be out there, unfortunately.

Rettig? Com'on man he's like 4th in line. There's just no need to use him.

Dude - nobody on the OL can pass block and they play. Why the hate for Hicks? If Gio gets hurt because Hick's misses a block put one of the other shitty QB's in there.

 

[AreYouNUTS]

Dude - nobody on the OL can pass block and they play. Why the hate for Hicks? If Gio gets hurt because Hick's misses a block put one of the other shitty QB's in there.

No "hate" for Hicks just pointing something out and agree 100% on the OL (but that wasn't the conversation so I didn't bring them up...). Problem is when you run this system, without a FB, and you have a RB in there who can't block, then the D knows you're running the ball or, as you point out, Gio gets mauled.

 

[hinson32]

Players either buy in of they don't. This season is about changing the attitude and the culture around the program, much more than it is about winning. No coach worth his salt would publicly tell us " Martin and Hicks are better than Goodwin, but they do not put in the needed time or effort into the classroom, weight room, film room, etc." Ash will not make this stuff public.

From all we have read and heard, Flood let the players do whatever they wanted, with little to no consequences. Heck, Steve Longa declined to play ly against Army because he was afraid of a chop block hurting his NFL chances. What coach, besides Flood, would allow that?

If Ash used the "best" players, may be we would have 3-4 wins. Changing of the culture is much more important for Ash in year one. This is a long term process.

 

[ru-baby]

Changing the culture I agree is paramount. But you don't play favorites and demean any loyal players.

Further, demonstrating that you will do all you can to COMPETE sends the message loud and clear. The curious personnel choices tells one that compliance with coaching peccadillos are more important than player development and identifying and using the best players.

I think Ash has a plan. His inexperience -and the inexperience around him-has led him to not best put that plan forward. But remember his plan culminated with "getting back to where GS was" (paraphrased). Always of the thought that you need to seek excellence not just median effort.