For some reason, quite the exacting standard has been applied to this RU qb, higher than I can recall for a non starter. Some call for him to play, others shout it down, largely using as proof his fresh year, a fired regime and first time HC and OC who have put 0 on the board in the last two weeks and who have had historic low offensive output. This is followed by the overworn gem that the "backup qb is the most popular guy on the team", posters "call for a 5th string, and if there was a 6th string they would call for that" etc (you've all seen the clichés repeated ad nauseum). In essence, whether it is Ash or the immortal rich Kotite, the premise is that the coach knows millions more than any fan and it's folly to question any personnel moves.
The myth with Retting that has developed surrounding this thinking is that he has to be head and shoulders better than anyone to see the field. Somehow he is analyzed on a curve. We see often recited that he wouldn't be throwing more td's or doing any better. Why does he even have to be better-lest so much better-to see the field GIVEN THE OFFENSIVE CIRCUMSTANCES?
We know a few things that are not arguable. One is that Rettig has actually thrown td passes is live games. Go watch the one against Ohio State last year-it's a well thrown ball and was made against Meyer who was looking to hold a shutout. Secondly, we have seen no one (Laviano, Allen or Oden)throw any real successful passes this year. Third, we have scored 0 in the last two weeks, and struggled in other weeks. Fourth, Ash has said repeatedly we have had press coverage with the box stacked and we haven't been able to beat that with the qb's to date.
Thus, why the standard that he has to be a world beater to play? Does anyone really think with him in the gun that OSU or Mich that we do worse (if that's possible)? Might we not have aired out a few long balls to a) try to score or at least get a first down b) unclog the 8 man fronts and c)create just the smallest bit of excitement. If nothing else has worked, why not give all of the qb's (and wr's and rb's) a chance? If not better than all, couldn't it just mix up the O so the D doesn't key on running plays and short passes? I've seen nothing in this O to lead one to believe some super special playbook acumen is needed to get in the gun and throw a few passes. If anything the argument can be made that Flood blew it and this current staff is showing much of the same early year GS stubbornness by having to have a qb in their "mold" rather than playing the hand dealt. However, even if Flood was right and this staff posses infallible qb analysis, at what point do you try a player who has a career td against Ash's own D because the alternative has been historically inept?
Given my druthers, we have seen enough of Laviano and Allen to know what they are capable of and would start Oden, with Retting coming in to keep the D honest and open up the field.(What about a deep ball to Agudosi?) Not only do I not see this being worse, but believe based on actual game viewing of all of the above that this presents the best chance to create some offense. That would mean Ash and Meringer would have to come to the thought of trying only a slightly different tack, rather than forcing what they thought in August would be best. At the very least, it would be a helluva lot more exciting than the roll out 4 yard passes we see.
The myth with Retting that has developed surrounding this thinking is that he has to be head and shoulders better than anyone to see the field. Somehow he is analyzed on a curve. We see often recited that he wouldn't be throwing more td's or doing any better. Why does he even have to be better-lest so much better-to see the field GIVEN THE OFFENSIVE CIRCUMSTANCES?
We know a few things that are not arguable. One is that Rettig has actually thrown td passes is live games. Go watch the one against Ohio State last year-it's a well thrown ball and was made against Meyer who was looking to hold a shutout. Secondly, we have seen no one (Laviano, Allen or Oden)throw any real successful passes this year. Third, we have scored 0 in the last two weeks, and struggled in other weeks. Fourth, Ash has said repeatedly we have had press coverage with the box stacked and we haven't been able to beat that with the qb's to date.
Thus, why the standard that he has to be a world beater to play? Does anyone really think with him in the gun that OSU or Mich that we do worse (if that's possible)? Might we not have aired out a few long balls to a) try to score or at least get a first down b) unclog the 8 man fronts and c)create just the smallest bit of excitement. If nothing else has worked, why not give all of the qb's (and wr's and rb's) a chance? If not better than all, couldn't it just mix up the O so the D doesn't key on running plays and short passes? I've seen nothing in this O to lead one to believe some super special playbook acumen is needed to get in the gun and throw a few passes. If anything the argument can be made that Flood blew it and this current staff is showing much of the same early year GS stubbornness by having to have a qb in their "mold" rather than playing the hand dealt. However, even if Flood was right and this staff posses infallible qb analysis, at what point do you try a player who has a career td against Ash's own D because the alternative has been historically inept?
Given my druthers, we have seen enough of Laviano and Allen to know what they are capable of and would start Oden, with Retting coming in to keep the D honest and open up the field.(What about a deep ball to Agudosi?) Not only do I not see this being worse, but believe based on actual game viewing of all of the above that this presents the best chance to create some offense. That would mean Ash and Meringer would have to come to the thought of trying only a slightly different tack, rather than forcing what they thought in August would be best. At the very least, it would be a helluva lot more exciting than the roll out 4 yard passes we see.
PUNT3 PLAYS, 6 YARDS, 1:52
TOUCHDOWN9 PLAYS, 68 YARDS, 4:58
