Why Flood made the right decision

[BaseballFan913]

I want to preface this by saying that Rettig played very well. How could you not love that kids arm strength (the throw to Grant was something else) and his playaction was absolutely filthy. Also, you have to respect him running the defender down on that late fumble.

With that said, you have to be nitpicky since both of these guys are playing at a high level. It seemed HR just isn't there yet with his progressions. He missed a wide open Touchdown to Patton on the first drive because he hesitated (same play they ran later with Laviano and Leonte). Patton had two steps on the guy and HR pulled it down and ran for a first instead. Also, he was a little fooled on the pass he threw that should have been picked.

CL did have the advantage of Leonte and I wish we could have seen him throw a little more. But in the limited action we saw, you had to be impressed. The one throw across his body to Carroo was a high level throw.

I have no dog in this fight and no one else should. I'm down for whatever Flood does the rest of the way because these guys can sling it. I truly believe both of these guys have the make up to be the best QB at Rutgers since Teel and maybe even better.

As for upside and who has more of it --- how am I or any of you to know? If we worried about star rankings and yada yada yada, Jawan Jamison and Paul James never get a shot over Savon. This is such a fluid situation that I think needs to be played out over time. My personal eye test thinks this is the correct decision for the next few games.

 

[Knight Shift]

That was a well-thought out, lucid and excellent statement as to why Laviano is the starter. Expect to be told that you are wrong, you are biased, you didn't watch the whole game and other insults to follow.

 

[biazza38]

The team got to the line faster with Laviano. We had to take two timeouts in the first half because of the playclock winding down. That might now seem like a big deal, but that could mean Laviano knows the playbook a bit better at the moment. I understand that it was the first half of the first game of the season, but it's something we can't have going forward. I have no doubt that Rettig will see the field at some point this season. Both QBs are good

 

[kupuna133]

Very well said. I preferred Rettig from what I saw on Saturday. As you said it is nice to see 2 competent QBs. A luxury we have not seen at RU in quite some time. Let the best man play. Hope flood is not afraid to play he hot hand

 

[srru86]

The team got to the line faster with Laviano. We had to take two timeouts in the first half because of the playclock winding down. That might now seem like a big deal, but that could mean Laviano knows the playbook a bit better at the moment.

At times it seemed like Rettig was imploring the sideline to get him the play call. If the coaching staff is behind the delay, yeah I know it is their first game also, but that is really an awful state of affairs.

 

[kupuna133]

At times it seemed like Rettig was imploring the sideline to get him the play call. If the coaching staff is behind the delay, yeah I know it is their first game also, but that is really an awful state of affairs.

Saw this as well. Also saw flood having a stern talking to McDaniels. There was a delay or inconsistency.

 

[ClassOf02]

I want to preface this by saying that Rettig played very well. How could you not love that kids arm strength (the throw to Grant was something else) and his playaction was absolutely filthy. Also, you have to respect him running the defender down on that late fumble.

With that said, you have to be nitpicky since both of these guys are playing at a high level. It seemed HR just isn't there yet with his progressions. He missed a wide open Touchdown to Patton on the first drive because he hesitated (same play they ran later with Laviano and Leonte). Patton had two steps on the guy and HR pulled it down and ran for a first instead. Also, he was a little fooled on the pass he threw that should have been picked.

CL did have the advantage of Leonte and I wish we could have seen him throw a little more. But in the limited action we saw, you had to be impressed. The one throw across his body to Carroo was a high level throw.

I have no dog in this fight and no one else should. I'm down for whatever Flood does the rest of the way because these guys can sling it. I truly believe both of these guys have the make up to be the best QB at Rutgers since Teel and maybe even better.

As for upside and who has more of it --- how am I or any of you to know? If we worried about star rankings and yada yada yada, Jawan Jamison and Paul James never get a shot over Savon. This is such a fluid situation that I think needs to be played out over time. My personal eye test thinks this is the correct decision for the next few games.

Good post, and I'll really only disagree with the bolded part. I'm a Flood fan, but I fear his biggest weakness MIGHT be his management of the QB position. So while I'm excited about both of them right now, I'm not sure I'm "down for whatever Flood does."

I think this isn't necessarily a Rettig vs Laviano thing, but more of a "I really hope we manage these guys well" thing - at least for me.

 

[JPhoboken]

That was a well-thought out, lucid and excellent statement as to why Laviano is the starter. Expect to be told that you are wrong, you are biased, you didn't watch the whole game and other insults to follow.

Knight Shift, I respect your opinion. I don't see the insults you are seeing.

This is a football board, and this was the biggest decision of the year, it seems like you and others are agitated that we are even discussing it. And almost all discussion has been reasonable and respectful.

Most posters are saying they are good either way, will support Laviano, know that they don't see practice every day, so have to trust the coaches. I liked what I saw from Rettig, and I hope I get to see more.

I just don't get the irritation from some posters. Yes, we are arm chair coaches, mostly who don't know Football that well, and hardly have a right to make an argument over who should start. But that is our job on an internet football board.

THe coaches job is to pick the players to play, and coach the games. That is their job.

If you take away our job, there would be no board. Just saying.

 

[Caliknight]

The team got to the line faster with Laviano. We had to take two timeouts in the first half because of the playclock winding down. That might now seem like a big deal, but that could mean Laviano knows the playbook a bit better at the moment. I understand that it was the first half of the first game of the season, but it's something we can't have going forward. I have no doubt that Rettig will see the field at some point this season. Both QBs are good

Watch those time outs again. At least one of those was clearly on the coaches. The play came in super late in the play clock. Clearly it wasn't related to Rettig's understanding of the playbook.

 

[Scarlett Fan]

At times it seemed like Rettig was imploring the sideline to get him the play call. If the coaching staff is behind the delay, yeah I know it is their first game also, but that is really an awful state of affairs.

Saw this as well. Also saw flood having a stern talking to McDaniels. There was a delay or inconsistency.

That will be resolved with the coaching staff during the week. Mc Daniels has not been an OC much and the knack of a rhythm takes a little time. I am sure they have used game conditions at practice and scrimmages ....but like the players ....being comfortable with game calls is a whole lot different.

 

[garyrc70]

Yes. RU is in good shape QB wise. Look at VT losing there # 1 QB and how the offense completely stalled out under # 2. Not that the games outcome would have been different....

 

[jmc11201]

I honestly believe that there is no 'right' or 'wrong' decision in this case. Both of these guys looked very capable on Saturday. Rettig's arm strength was evident, but the offense struck me as slightly more mechanical at times with him under center. Laviano didn't have a ton of opportunities and had Carroo, but his numbers speak for themselves and the offense in the 3rd quarter looked very fluid.

No matter who is playing, there will be interceptions, touchdown passes, missed opportunities, scrambles for first downs, brilliant play, and bone-headed play. That is the nature of quarterback play at the college level. When bad plays occur, Flood will be a moron, and when good plays occur, he will be a genius.

The good news is that we have two guys who look very capable, so we aren't stuck playing one guy if he is struggling, like we had to in the past.

 

[OC Knight]

I want to preface this by saying that Rettig played very well. How could you not love that kids arm strength (the throw to Grant was something else) and his playaction was absolutely filthy. Also, you have to respect him running the defender down on that late fumble.

With that said, you have to be nitpicky since both of these guys are playing at a high level. It seemed HR just isn't there yet with his progressions. He missed a wide open Touchdown to Patton on the first drive because he hesitated (same play they ran later with Laviano and Leonte). Patton had two steps on the guy and HR pulled it down and ran for a first instead. Also, he was a little fooled on the pass he threw that should have been picked.

CL did have the advantage of Leonte and I wish we could have seen him throw a little more. But in the limited action we saw, you had to be impressed. The one throw across his body to Carroo was a high level throw.

I have no dog in this fight and no one else should. I'm down for whatever Flood does the rest of the way because these guys can sling it. I truly believe both of these guys have the make up to be the best QB at Rutgers since Teel and maybe even better.

As for upside and who has more of it --- how am I or any of you to know? If we worried about star rankings and yada yada yada, Jawan Jamison and Paul James never get a shot over Savon. This is such a fluid situation that I think needs to be played out over time. My personal eye test thinks this is the correct decision for the next few games.

Great post. One questions though, Laviano only threw it 4 times how confident are you that he was going through his progressions properly? Not much to go by from this game. He came out looking for Carroo all the way.

 

[lighty]

I just wish we had been able to see Rettig with Caroo for a series or two. Laviano played well, but let's face it - he had the benefit of one of the Big Ten's best receivers AND an opponent that was clearly wearing down. Many teams can fight it out with better opponents for a half, but generally fall apart in the second half.

I think Flood was 90% certain he wanted to go with Laviano and that may be why Rettig didn't stay on for the first or second series of the second half. If he had stayed and looked great with Caroo then the decision to choose Laviano as the starter would have been challenged more.

I'm fine with him choosing Laviano if he believes the kid looks better in practice or knows the playbook more. I just don't think the performance in game one made any difference. Rettig looked pretty good for a guy that hadn't played in a game situation in what two years?

 

[Knight Shift]

Knight Shift, I respect your opinion. I don't see the insults you are seeing.

This is a football board, and this was the biggest decision of the year, it seems like you and others are agitated that we are even discussing it. And almost all discussion has been reasonable and respectful.

Most posters are saying they are good either way, will support Laviano, know that they don't see practice every day, so have to trust the coaches. I liked what I saw from Rettig, and I hope I get to see more.

I just don't get the irritation from some posters. Yes, we are arm chair coaches, mostly who don't know Football that well, and hardly have a right to make an argument over who should start. But that is our job on an internet football board.

THe coaches job is to pick the players to play, and coach the games. That is their job.

If you take away our job, there would be no board. Just saying.

Fair enough, and this thread has been a more reasoned discussion than the thread in which it was announced Laviano was starter, which seemed like a lot of bitching and whining about how Flood made a mistake and he does not know how to handle QBs. I just hope that fans get behind the decision, support it and don't pile on as soon as Laviano throws a pick or makes another mistake. And there will be fans who boo at the first sign of trouble. Even Cardale Jones had a few miscues last night.

 

[DHajekRC84]

Great post. One questions though, Laviano only threw it 4 times how confident are you that he was going through his progressions properly? Not much to go by from this game. He came out looking for Carroo all the way.

Exactly..but he's fine. But the posters getting upset about "nitpicking" about Chris are the same ones ok with doing that about HR now. IF Chris throws 7 more passes perhaps he does the some of the same things or other less than ideal throws. .

Flood will be the one judged for this and I just hope he got it right or is willing to adjust. Good luck to them both and Rutgers Football. IF Dare and Russo are as good or better..we are so loaded at this spot like NEVER before.

 

[Caliknight]

People will be calling for Rettig after the first interception. Guaranteed.

 

[DHajekRC84]

Fair enough, and this thread has been a more reasoned discussion than the thread in which it was announced Laviano was starter, which seemed like a lot of bitching and whining about how Flood made a mistake and he does not know how to handle QBs. I just hope that fans get behind the decision, support it and don't pile on as soon as Laviano throws a pick or makes another mistake. And there will be fans who boo at the first sign of trouble. Even Cardale Jones had a few miscues last night.

Cardale Jones went 3-0 against Wisky, Bama, and Oregon to win the National Championship. I think he gets just a tad more rope..LOL.

(and I agree with your point though...we need to support Chris no doubt and not be stupid about this )

 

[KJ_RU]

I understand what people are saying about Rettig's play clock issues and as others have stated, it wasn't all on him. Laviano threw three designed passes for Caroo and a screen....all the rest were runs, hard for him to have clock issues in that scenario.

 

[KJ_RU]

I understand what people are saying about Rettig's play clock issues and as others have stated, it wasn't all on him. Laviano threw three designed passes for Caroo and a screen....all the rest were runs, hard for him to have clock issues in that scenario.

Oh, and I agree that we should support Laviano, as Terrell Owens once said with tears in his eyes...'that's my quarterback'

 

[Knight Shift]

Cardale Jones went 3-0 against Wisky, Bama, and Oregon to win the National Championship. I think he gets just a tad more rope..LOL.

(and I agree with your point though...we need to support Chris no doubt and not be stupid about this )

But that did not stop Urban Meyer from saying at the half that he wanted to give the other QB a shot in the second half.

 

[BaseballFan913]

Great post. One questions though, Laviano only threw it 4 times how confident are you that he was going through his progressions properly? Not much to go by from this game. He came out looking for Carroo all the way.

Fair enough. I don't really know. That's where I put my faith in Kyle Flood. That's what I believe by body of work. That CL has over the course of camp consistently made correct reads. I guess we will see over the next couple of weeks. I'm sure CL will make some mistakes based on inexperience, as HR would as well. But if CL isn't progressing by the Mich St game, that is when I think you would see a switch.

 

[wheezer]

The team got to the line faster with Laviano. We had to take two timeouts in the first half because of the playclock winding down. That might now seem like a big deal, but that could mean Laviano knows the playbook a bit better at the moment. I understand that it was the first half of the first game of the season, but it's something we can't have going forward. I have no doubt that Rettig will see the field at some point this season. Both QBs are good

-----------------
this makes Flood and company more confident that what they are calling on the sideline would be understood quicker, and executed more quickly.....at this point in time, it probably is the deciding factor between the two

we Rettig fans can hope he is a fast learner, to make this difference disappear in short order.

 

[j10oreo]

Everybody on here is a scout expert, don't even try to offer your opinion. Personally I hoped Rettig was going to be named but honestly there's literally no reason why I should be upset one reason or another. The truth is, the only opinion that I had of Laviano was when he was injected into games last season due to Nova's metldown/injury and normally how snaps are split up we could assume this was a case of "trial by fire" for Laviano. Since then, outside of an off-field incident involving a late night and a fake I.D., he has really done nothing to make the fans upset he's the starter. I'm blown away. You could form your own scouting report and say Rettig is clearly better than Laviano, unfortunately it doesn't reflect in the stats. Rettig didn't have Carroo? Sounds like a case of real life where that's ultimately a possibility. Like I said, I deep down wanted Rettig to win... but to be fair Laviano took advantage of his time and while he didn't do anything to win the starting job in my mind, he also didn't do anything to lose it. Move on guys.

 

[G- RUnit]

No reason to move along. As the poster above noted with regard to the best football coach in the country: "But that did not stop Urban Meyer from saying at the half that he wanted to give the other QB a shot in the second half." Worked pretty well.

 

[scarletbergen]

What a great situation and, give credit to Flood! We have two good young QB's on our roster. Both will play and both will succeed. It's great

 

[biazza38]

Watch those time outs again. At least one of those was clearly on the coaches. The play came in super late in the play clock. Clearly it wasn't related to Rettig's understanding of the playbook.

Thanks for clearing that up for me. It's hard to tell from the stands sometimes. Thanks

 

[j10oreo]

No reason to move along. As the poster above noted with regard to the best football coach in the country: "But that did not stop Urban Meyer from saying at the half that he wanted to give the other QB a shot in the second half." Worked pretty well.

this is not ohio state

 

[KJ_RU]

The bottom line is that no one will know if Flood made the right decision until the end of the season.

 

[S.B. Crumb]

Not sure who I want personally yet, but please please please coach, if whoever is in there is having a game like PSU '14 or Kent St. '12....you gotta yank him.

There are very few QBs playing in CFB that deserve that much leeway. Don't be stupid.

 

[RUinBoston]

This is a great bunch of observations. The counter observations are also important, however.

1) Rettig was playing in the first half of the first game, where confusion will always be a reality. (look at Ohio State last night).
2) Rettig was playing against a team that thought they could win the game. Laviano was playing against a team that had pretty much given up.
3) Laviano threw a grand total of 4 passes, 25% of which were sorely underthrown, 75% of which went to Caroo (who was obviously not an option in the first half).
4) (and most important...) IF all is pretty much equal, should we really be nitpicking, OR should we be playing the guy that has the most upside. I think many here think the guy with the most upside is Rettig, which is why there was so much dissapointment. But of course none of us really know for sure.

 

[G- RUnit]

this is not ohio state

But two QB's that deserve a chance and support. Everything is relative.

 

[NickKnight 1]

-----------------
this makes Flood and company more confident that what they are calling on the sideline would be understood quicker, and executed more quickly.....at this point in time, it probably is the deciding factor between the two

we Rettig fans can hope he is a fast learner, to make this difference disappear in short order.

He IS a fast learner (from spring to 1st game as a example.) But how is he going to
learn from here on in if he is on the bench.

 

[JPhoboken]

People will be calling for Rettig after the first interception. Guaranteed.

Yes, they will, and that is a little silly, but if he has a bad day with mutiple INTs, would it be wrong to give Rettig a chance?

 

[JQRU91]

Not sure who I want personally yet, but please please please coach, if whoever is in there is having a game like PSU '14 or Kent St. '12....you gotta yank him.

There are very few QBs playing in CFB that deserve that much leeway. Don't be stupid.

I don't think any quarterback in college or the pros should be given that kind of leeway. After the Kent State game I actually thought Flood should be canned.

 

[jmc11201]

This is a great bunch of observations. The counter observations are also important, however.

1) Rettig was playing in the first half of the first game, where confusion will always be a reality. (look at Ohio State last night).
2) Rettig was playing against a team that thought they could win the game. Laviano was playing against a team that had pretty much given up.
3) Laviano threw a grand total of 4 passes, 25% of which were sorely underthrown, 75% of which went to Caroo (who was obviously not an option in the first half).
4) (and most important...) IF all is pretty much equal, should we really be nitpicking, OR should we be playing the guy that has the most upside. I think many here think the guy with the most upside is Rettig, which is why there was so much dissapointment. But of course none of us really know for sure.

Counter to the counter observations:

1. True, it was the first half of the first game. At the same time, you have plenty of time to prepare for the first half of the first game, so perhaps there should have been less confusion.

2. No argument here. Norfolk State had a pulse in the first half...much less in the second half. Of course we scored 21 points in the first half vs. 42 in the second half (35 less the Grant TD)

3. True...Laviano threw less passes. Too few to make any real observations one way or the other. Nevertheless...4-4 w/3 TDs ain't bad.

4. If playing the guy with the most upside hurts you over the next few weeks if you assume he doesn't fully grasp the playbook yet, then are you better off playing him or the guy that gives you the best chance to win this week?

As you say...none of us know for sure, and it isn't like one guy has been bad and the other has been great. They both have looked solid since coming back from the summer, and even Flood said at one point that the guy who starts the season may not be the guy that finishes as the starter...so let's all let it play out.

 

[StyleKnight]

I think Flood made this decision prior to the game.

The offensive play-calling for Rettig in the first half was so vanilla. Either the coaching staff didn't want him to perform well and create a true QB controversy or Rettig doesn't know the playbook well enough to make the calls they want.

In the first half it felt like they ran every 1st and 2nd down. Then threw on 3rd down. I have a hard time keeping track of the plays at the stadium but that's how it felt to me. Rettig would only pass in obvious passing situations, that puts him in a tough spot and he still made those plays.

Laviano and Rettig both had balls that should've been picked.

It feels like the staff doesn't have the whole playbook with Rettig. You would think Rettig's arm would open up the playbook to more options but that's not how I felt at the game.

So in conclusion, the staff didn't trust Rettig to open up the playbook against Norfolk state. And they didn't really give him a chance to show that he can handle an open playbook. Decision was made for Laviano prior to Norfolk.

 

[wheezer]

He IS a fast learner (from spring to 1st game as a example.) But how is he going to
learn from here on in if he is on the bench.

--------------------
I guess he will learn in practice between games, and on the sideline observing... You don't have to be in a game to learn the plays...of course it would help speed it up, if he was....he made tremendous strides from spring camp up to the Norfolk game, this without being in an actual game.
-

 

[jmc11201]

I think Flood made this decision prior to the game.

The offensive play-calling for Rettig in the first half was so vanilla. Either the coaching staff didn't want him to perform well and create a true QB controversy or Rettig doesn't know the playbook well enough to make the calls they want.

In the first half it felt like they ran every 1st and 2nd down. Then threw on 3rd down. I have a hard time keeping track of the plays at the stadium but that's how it felt to me. Rettig would only pass in obvious passing situations, that puts him in a tough spot and he still made those plays.

Laviano and Rettig both had balls that should've been picked.

It feels like the staff doesn't have the whole playbook with Rettig. You would think Rettig's arm would open up the playbook to more options but that's not how I felt at the game.

So in conclusion, the staff didn't trust Rettig to open up the playbook against Norfolk state. And they didn't really give him a chance to show that he can handle an open playbook. Decision was made for Laviano prior to Norfolk.

99% agree with this. I think absent Laviano playing poorly (which he didn't) that he was going to remain the guy. The play calling, and not pushing at the end of the 1st half, told you all you needed to know about how much of the playbook Rettig has digested. The lack of a 2 minute offense after the penalty told me that they were worried that maybe there would be a pick or some other play that would turn a 21-13 lead into a 21-20 game. I don't think they wanted him to look bad to avoid a QB controversy, I think it was just a lack of comfort with his understanding of the playbook.

 

[G- RUnit]

99% agree with this. I think absent Laviano playing poorly (which he didn't) that he was going to remain the guy. The play calling, and not pushing at the end of the 1st half, told you all you needed to know about how much of the playbook Rettig has digested. The lack of a 2 minute offense after the penalty told me that they were worried that maybe there would be a pick or some other play that would turn a 21-13 lead into a 21-20 game. I don't think they wanted him to look bad to avoid a QB controversy, I think it was just a lack of comfort with his understanding of the playbook.

9 for 11 to six different recievers without Carroo kinda undercuts that argument.