What the real issue is with Rettig not playing

[GSGS]

The real issue in my mind is not that he may immediately give us a better chance to go "1-0", but rather he is a high potential player at the most important position in football that is not going to have a chance to grow and develop sitting on the bench. Flood needs to have a plan to give Rettig snaps in each game from here on out, whether or not he is the starter.

This is independent of how well Laviano plays or who gives us the better chance to win any single particular game. The issue is that this RU team sorely needs a standout QB who can elevate us to play better than the sum of our talents, and if he needs to go though some growing pains due to inexperience, let's get it done now, the sooner the better. The fact is that HR has the arm talent to make all the throws, and make them with accuracy, and CL simply does not have that talent. HR is potentially a game changer, and Rutgers and Flood are in no position not to fully explore Rettig's talents.

Every game that goes by that HR doesn't get a chance to play is a lost opportunity. Imagine if HR, after only playing very minimally this year, wins the starting QB job next year. He will at that point have only two years left, and will be starting from ground zero as far as experience is concerned.

As far as his handling of this situation goes, thus far Flood (OK, Norries, "Coach" Flood) has shown the same level of judgment and degree of foresight and perspective that he showed in trying to get Nadir's grade changed.

 

[mentulbloc]

Thought Laviano looked good for his second start all things considered.

 

[SanFranRutgers]

The real issue in my mind is not that he may immediately give us a better chance to go "1-0", but rather he is a high potential player at the most important position in football that is not going to have a chance to grow and develop sitting on the bench. Flood needs to have a plan to give Rettig snaps in each game from here on out, whether or not he is the starter.

This is independent of how well Laviano plays or who gives us the better chance to win any single particular game. The issue is that this RU team sorely needs a standout QB who can elevate us to play better than the sum of our talents, and if he needs to go though some growing pains due to inexperience, let's get it done now, the sooner the better. The fact is that HR has the arm talent to make all the throws, and make them with accuracy, and CL simply does not have that talent. HR is potentially a game changer, and Rutgers and Flood are in no position not to fully explore Rettig's talents.

Every game that goes by that HR doesn't get a chance to play is a lost opportunity. Imagine if HR, after only playing very minimally this year, wins the starting QB job next year. He will at that point have only two years left, and will be starting from ground zero as far as experience is concerned.

As far as his handling of this situation goes, thus far Flood (OK, Norries, "Coach" Flood) has shown the same level of judgment and degree of foresight and perspective that he showed in trying to get Nadir's grade changed.

Feel better now?

 

[RUich]

Although laviano had his moments, I think it would have been prudent to give Rettig a chance since we were going nowhere anyway. He made some things happen in the first game and showed some good moves.

 

[RUfan121]

Laviano can't throw accurately over 10 yards. But he looked great!

 

[knights1212]

It is a shame that Rettig doesn't even get a chance. If Laviano starts against Kansas again I think this is really giving him the shaft. If he doesn't get a chance until Michigan State he will be starting against teams that are so much better than Laviano got to start against.

 

[BBrown]

The real issue in my mind is not that he may immediately give us a better chance to go "1-0", but rather he is a high potential player at the most important position in football that is not going to have a chance to grow and develop sitting on the bench. Flood needs to have a plan to give Rettig snaps in each game from here on out, whether or not he is the starter.

This is independent of how well Laviano plays or who gives us the better chance to win any single particular game. The issue is that this RU team sorely needs a standout QB who can elevate us to play better than the sum of our talents, and if he needs to go though some growing pains due to inexperience, let's get it done now, the sooner the better. The fact is that HR has the arm talent to make all the throws, and make them with accuracy, and CL simply does not have that talent. HR is potentially a game changer, and Rutgers and Flood are in no position not to fully explore Rettig's talents.

Every game that goes by that HR doesn't get a chance to play is a lost opportunity. Imagine if HR, after only playing very minimally this year, wins the starting QB job next year. He will at that point have only two years left, and will be starting from ground zero as far as experience is concerned.

As far as his handling of this situation goes, thus far Flood (OK, Norries, "Coach" Flood) has shown the same level of judgment and degree of foresight and perspective that he showed in trying to get Nadir's grade changed.

Honestly QB was not your problem.
Start with stopping the run and then go from there.

 

[GSGS]

Honestly QB was not your problem.
Start with stopping the run and then go from there.

That is not the issue I was addressing. The issue is how we are wasting a potentially rare talent and the future of the program, not why we lost yesterday, idiot.

 

[Mr Magoo]

I've heard this from a couple of people who are "in the know"....Rettig is more talented but he doesn't get it, can't read the defenses, etc. Although he looked good to me, I've been told repeatedly that Laviano is better.....I'm just being a messenger here and I'd like to see it for myself too.

 

[Blitz8RUCrazy]

Thought Laviano looked good for his second start all things considered.

 

[Pritz99]

What good is it to be able to read if you have no books? If he can't do anything about it, who cares? Laviano doesn't have an arm. I'm not so sure he even has the emotional make-up to be a QB.

 

[waksman]

What I do not understand is we need Rettig to sit to better understand our "complex" playbook. Huh? Nothing I see is complex

 

[MozRU]

Well I always thought Nova should have been pulled a half a dozen times over the years (big time programs sit QB alllllll the f'n time).

Well after seeing Lavario, I guess we know why. Brutal.

Maybe Rettig blows??

(Maybe it's the wine talking?)

 

[ScarletDave]

Apparently Rettig knew how to read defenses in High School! Enough so to catch the eyes of LSU!!

 

[LotusAggressor]

I've heard this from a couple of people who are "in the know"....Rettig is more talented but he doesn't get it, can't read the defenses, etc. Although he looked good to me, I've been told repeatedly that Laviano is better.....I'm just being a messenger here and I'd like to see it for myself too.

Rettig is becoming the De'Antwan Williams of the QB position.

 

[Caliknight]

Rettig will be gone at the end of the season barring an injury. He didn't come to sit behind a guy with Laviano's skill set.

He will drop a level, blow up, leaving everyone asking the obvious question with the obvious answer.

 

[vkj91]

Rettig will be gone at the end of the season barring an injury. He didn't come to sit behind a guy with Laviano's skill set.

He will drop a level, blow up, leaving everyone asking the obvious question with the obvious answer.

Don't. think this is possible. Pretty sure he would have to sit a year regardless because it's his second transfer.

 

[BrycesUncle]

I've heard this from a couple of people who are "in the know"....Rettig is more talented but he doesn't get it, can't read the defenses, etc. Although he looked good to me, I've been told repeatedly that Laviano is better.....I'm just being a messenger here and I'd like to see it for myself too.

That's the same thing that I have been told by a person in the know. The main issue I have with Laviano is that he almost never puts the ball on target to get the YAC. He had hit his target if they are stopped and facing him, but hitting him in stride is a whole different story. Please, I am tired of seeing him hit the receivers with all of those high passes and getting them almost killed like he did with poor Agadosi. By the time he came down there were two PSU's in his ass...... It would be nice to see him make a Rettig to Janarian Grant pass like in the first game a bullet although it was called back........ We are not winning the games that we need to win......

 

[RC85]

I thought for sure Rettig would start 2nd half until we gave up the 75 yd untouched TD run at end of 1st half. Had to figure Ped St would be pinning back their ears on pass rush having a 3 td lead from that point on. Our O-line was obviously struggling and Muller was out so it wasn't completely surprising we stayed with a more mobile Laviano imho. I expect Laviano starts vs. Kansas but with a very short leash.

 

[GSGS]

That's the same thing that I have been told by a person in the know. The main issue I have with Laviano is that he almost never puts the ball on target to get the YAC. He had hit his target if they are stopped and facing him, but hitting him in stride is a whole different story. Please, I am tired of seeing him hit the receivers with all of those high passes and getting them almost killed like he did with poor Agadosi. By the time he came down there were two PSU's in his ass...... It would be nice to see him make a Rettig to Janarian Grant pass like in the first game a bullet although it was called back........ We are not winning the games that we need to win......

Maybe getting to actually play would help Rettig learn to read defenses ... just a thought.

 

[Caliknight]

Don't. think this is possible. Pretty sure he would have to sit a year regardless because it's his second transfer.

I think you can drop to FCS and play immediately. If not, I would take as many credits as possible every semester and summer and graduate asap for a post year.

 

[newell138]

Well I always thought Nova should have been pulled a half a dozen times over the years (big time programs sit QB alllllll the f'n time).

Well after seeing Lavario, I guess we know why. Brutal.

Maybe Rettig blows??

(Maybe it's the wine talking?)

OSU pulled their starting QB last night after throwing his 2nd INT, maybe our coaches should try that. You don't value the ball, you should sit. His stats may have looked good but he made some really bad decisions last night. We have seen this act before and Flood is sticking w/ the starter regardless of what else is going on and its a shame we won't get to see what Rettig can do barring injury.

 

[LotusAggressor]

Maybe getting to actually play would help Rettig learn to read defenses ... just a thought.

That's assuming he's been taught to read defenses. It wasn't until Friedgen got here that Nova learned how to do it.

 

[cohwx]

I've heard this from a couple of people who are "in the know"....Rettig is more talented but he doesn't get it, can't read the defenses, etc. Although he looked good to me, I've been told repeatedly that Laviano is better.....I'm just being a messenger here and I'd like to see it for myself too.

That's fair, but it seems to contradict some of the other facts (or opinions) we've heard. For instance, the competition was close enough that Flood was unable to name a starter through most of camp. And, many who've seen practices claim that they thought Rettig looked better.

So, is it better to go with someone like Laviano - who appears to be limited in the throws he can make, but maybe can read defenses better - or Rettig, who many say can make the throws and has a higher ceiling, but maybe isn't up to par on reading the defense?

I think we might have won the WSU game with a different QB. Don't think anything would have changed the outcome at PSU. But if Rettig had gotten some time, at least we (fans and coaching staff) would have a better idea what he could do at this point...plus he'd have some experience against some real defenses.

 

[RU-ROCS]

The real issue in my mind is not that he may immediately give us a better chance to go "1-0", but rather he is a high potential player at the most important position in football that is not going to have a chance to grow and develop sitting on the bench. Flood needs to have a plan to give Rettig snaps in each game from here on out, whether or not he is the starter.

This is independent of how well Laviano plays or who gives us the better chance to win any single particular game. The issue is that this RU team sorely needs a standout QB who can elevate us to play better than the sum of our talents, and if he needs to go though some growing pains due to inexperience, let's get it done now, the sooner the better. The fact is that HR has the arm talent to make all the throws, and make them with accuracy, and CL simply does not have that talent. HR is potentially a game changer, and Rutgers and Flood are in no position not to fully explore Rettig's talents.

Bingo! This "best chance to go 1-0" crap can keep a team from reaching its full potential.

 

[ru-baby]

One never gets better sitting on the bench.

Was thinking we would see plenty of Rettig int's this year as some great plays were interspersed as he grew. Laviano has shown he's no game changer.

Can he beat Kansas and army---likely. But who cares. Having him play solely and beat Kansas would set the season back.

If, as preached, everyone needs to be accountable for their actions, then its' time for Flood to be accountable for the qb handling where a neck and neck backup doesn't see a minute in two losses, to the extent that a time out is called lest the backup show something that would make the preordained need reconsidering. Emabarrassing the state university on and off the field requires accountability.

 

[Proud NJ Sports Fan]

Rettig is better

 

[KnightsofChrome]

Laviano can't throw accurately over 10 yards. But he looked great!

I guess your definition of "looked great" is way different than mine. But, if that makes you happy.
Or, and I'm sorry, were you sarcastic?

 

[KnightsofChrome]

I've heard this from a couple of people who are "in the know"....Rettig is more talented but he doesn't get it, can't read the defenses, etc. Although he looked good to me, I've been told repeatedly that Laviano is better.....I'm just being a messenger here and I'd like to see it for myself too.

I respect what you are saying, but it's still misleading, because of the "in the know" quote. I don't care if it was Flood himself telling me this little bit of info., I would still tell him he was full of Sh*t!
I saw HR play this year, I saw Laviano play this year, and to say that Laviano is "better" based on reading defenses, couldn't be more wrong. HR actually goes through progressions much faster than Laviano, HR also can also throw any pass from his set position, where Laviano has to wind up. It's like comparing Marino to Tarkenton. And, no I'm not saying that either one is comparable to either HR or Laviano(we wish). I was just referring to how they play, styles. How can you have a QB, who if he sees a man break free...deep, would have to wind up to get the ball there, even if he could reach. There is a reason Laviano only throws very short passes, he can't reach any one over 40 yards at least accurately, This whole analysis isn't even worth talking about because it's so obvious.
And, those people "in the know" don't know crap! IMHO

 

[Knight Shift]

According to Dunleavy's Article today:
http://www.app.com/story/sports/col...c-rutgers-kyle-flood-norries-wilson/72534276/

QB battle
Wilson left open the door for a possible starting quarterback change when asked if Chris Laviano, who has led just two touchdowns in the last two games, will start against Kansas.
“That’s going to be evaluated through the week,” Wilson said.

 

[KnightsofChrome]

According to Dunleavy's Article today:
http://www.app.com/story/sports/col...c-rutgers-kyle-flood-norries-wilson/72534276/

QB battle
Wilson left open the door for a possible starting quarterback change when asked if Chris Laviano, who has led just two touchdowns in the last two games, will start against Kansas.
“That’s going to be evaluated through the week,” Wilson said.

I like the way you light the flame of hope with Wilson's quote, but against Kansas, really! Imagine if HR starts, or even plays against that very weak High School team, and looks great, throws 2,3, 4, TD's. How could Flood ever start Laviano again? And, he wants Laviano, regardless!
No, Laviano will start lead this team against Kansas, and win by 30 points or more. Laviano will look great, and everyone will calm down with the whole QB controversy. We all will say, "see all Laviano needs is some more experience, or good protection." And, that will be that.
I feel for Rettig, kid got a bum steer(not really sure what that term means). Stubbornness, seems to follow Rutgers Coaching through the years. And, we the fans have to endure the product on the field.

 

[KnightsofChrome]

Don't. think this is possible. Pretty sure he would have to sit a year regardless because it's his second transfer.

It would be worth it to him. He has NFL skills, skills that no one will see at Rutgers.

 

[KnightsofChrome]

Bingo! This "best chance to go 1-0" crap can keep a team from reaching its full potential.

Short term goals("best chance to go 1-0"), are only good if they help you reach long term goals.

 

[lighty]

Was the QB battle really as close as reported? Or did Flood want Laviano all along? For some reason, I get the feeling the Flood is just an extremely loyal guy -- loyal to a fault. It's almost like he feels he owes Laviano the starting job because he was the backup all last year and it's the natural progression.

I wish I could understand why Flood seems so worried to give Rettig a chance. It's pretty obvious that Flood told the assistants not to play him unless Laviano got injured. But why? Is he really worried that if Rettig plays well it's going to be a black mark on his own judgement?

Does Flood feel as though his job is in danger at all? If he did, wouldn't he want to make sure he was playing the right guy?

Personally, I think Rettig offers us much more with the ability to stretch the field. Laviano looked pretty bad when passing farther than 7 yards. Granted, he was often sharp with the short passes but he threw 6-7 yard passes at least 3 times when it was 3rd and 10 or longer. That worries me. If it's 3rd and 12, I want him to be passing to someone at least 12 yards away -- not a guy six yards deep that needs to break a tackle to have a chance at a first down.

The first half score (down 21-0) offered a PERFECT opportunity to switch the QBs and see what Rettig could do. Maybe he wouldn't have had any success. Maybe he would have sparked the team. Maybe even led to a win. How can anyone seriously say Flood and the coaches made the right decision in keeping Laviano as QB for the entire game?

 

[Knight Shift]

seen on twitter:

 

[brucelaw8]

I like the way you light the flame of hope with Wilson's quote, but against Kansas, really! Imagine if HR starts, or even plays against that very weak High School team, and looks great, throws 2,3, 4, TD's. How could Flood ever start Laviano again? And, he wants Laviano, regardless!
No, Laviano will start lead this team against Kansas, and win by 30 points or more. Laviano will look great, and everyone will calm down with the whole QB controversy. We all will say, "see all Laviano needs is some more experience, or good protection." And, that will be that.
I feel for Rettig, kid got a bum steer(not really sure what that term means). Stubbornness, seems to follow Rutgers Coaching through the years. And, we the fans have to endure the product on the field.

+1 million.Chrome states it accurately.This has constantly been the pattern since the GS days.Stick with your guy ,even if he is not producing against decent teams.Then vindication when your guy is masterful against the stiff.It would be shocking to me if Rettig gets the nod vs Kansas.Very sad state of affairs.

 

[ru8081]

For guys who have seen both Laviano and Ryan Hart throw. Who has the stronger arm?

 

[RUbacker]

Thought Laviano looked good for his second start all things considered.

Looked good? What game weed you watching?

 

[cohwx]

I'm almost certain Laviano will start against Kansas.

Now, if the coaching staff was seriously considering a change, then this would be the perfect opportunity to start Rettig - against a weaker team (but probably not as weak as Norfolk), let him get used to playing a whole game, etc. But, from the staff's point of view, this is also a great opportunity to further groom their "chosen one". So I expect they will go that way.

More of the same.

 

[Armor and Sword]

I think you can drop to FCS and play immediately. If not, I would take as many credits as possible every semester and summer and graduate asap for a post year.

I'm sure Rettig is reading Tom Savage's Amazon book "How I Became an NFL Backup QB By Playing For Three FBS Schools (and You Can Too!)"