Rickie Collins

[SuFTW]

I get it.

But I keep hearing things thrown around like "loyalty," when I think it might just come down to a simpler explanation of Carney not being as ready right now, at this stage of his developmental curve, as Collins.

Doesn't mean that in another year he won't surpass him, or that his long-term potential might exceed Collins. But the coaches see these guys every day in practice.

I agree 100% that whatever "it" is, Collins doesn't have it. He still might be our best option to win three games.

I get that Carney may not be ready also. But loyalty is straight from Fran’s mouth, I don’t think it gets any simpler than that. It could be the right play though, hopefully it is.

 

[ADKDave]

Narduzzi is a very good coach. He will always prepare well

My friend who is a die hard Pitt fan would like a word.

 

[richmondcuse03]

I get that Carney may not be ready also. But loyalty is straight from Fran’s mouth, I don’t think it gets any simpler than that. It could be the right play though, hopefully it is.

I think it’s less about loyalty and making sure they’re giving him the right opportunities to succeed based on his natural skill level. I assume they must see something in practice and film review that gives them confidence he can improve. It obviously hasn’t translated to games yet.

It’s also clear Rickie will always be the guy in Frans words until after they’ve already made a change. I could see that change occurring during the game on Saturday or the following week even.

 

[upperdeck]

There is so much going on for a QB in a game that most here have no idea how Carney is doing in any of that in practice.

Sure we can see that Collins had made some poor decisions and poor throws. While also ignoring its not nearly bad at the rate some here would make it sound.

say we have 80 plays. 40 runs 40 passes. We don't know how many of the plays were runs vs passes that got called or mis-called by the QB. Maybe Collins made the correct check in 40 of them and Carney in practice is doing it right 50% of the time? We don't know how well he reads D even if he does throw better?

The assumption that Collins is locking on WR may or may not be correct because we don't really know the plays at all.. Everyone can see when a QB looks one way and then rotates his head to throw another direction and people say look how well he is going thru progressions. But not all progressions are changing zones, some are changing levels. Maybe he is making the correct reads 75% 90% who knows. Coaches know.

The poor throws for sure. They are not all created equal. You can make the correct throw and throw it poorly, or you can make the wrong throw, throw it well and get picked. At SMU we some of each. 22-45 is not good. Needs to make 8-10 more complete. But to think that can't happen with a few more weeks or practice is naive. He needs to relax and let the game slow down. Maybe it never does. two games is a small sample size.

 

[OburgOrange]

 

[OrangeCrush22]

Okay I’m at the point in the week where I start getting my hopes up. Please ball out Rickie

 

[DPCuse]

Look, Fran knew Rickie wasn't the guy in camp and that's why they went out and got Angeli. He's now saying Rickie is the starter. I'm going to trust that he knows Rickie is the best QB in the room at the moment.

 

[phsyra]

How many picks will Rickie throw on Saturday? What is over/under? I was at SMU and he could have easily thrown 7 in that game. I would say over/under at 2.5. Take the over if he plays the whole game.

 

[RF2044]

I get that Carney may not be ready also. But loyalty is straight from Fran’s mouth, I don’t think it gets any simpler than that. It could be the right play though, hopefully it is.

I'm of the mindset that this season got totally derailed by the non-contact injury Angeli sustained. With Angeli, I genuinely believe that we are 5-1 [4-2 at the worst], and coming off of a road victory against SMU, and talking about the prospect of making the playoffs.

Now we're wringing our hands, questioning Fran Brown.

This was always going to be a difficult season, against a tough schedule. The key is to get to a bowl game. To do that, we need 3 more victories. I will bet the farm that we're going to beat BC and UNC. Have to find a win somewhere else.

Can Rickie get the job done? TBD. I certainly don't think he's a long-termer here, with Angeli ahead of him and this season not going well for Collins so far. But if he could ever find a way to squeak out that third win...

He has tools. Not sure how much game experience it will take for him to eliminate some of the unforced errors. So, I get the desire to replace Rickie with Carney, and to see what he can do. I'm more focused on getting three more "W's."

 

[OrangeTarheel]

There is so much going on for a QB in a game that most here have no idea how Carney is doing in any of that in practice.

Sure we can see that Collins had made some poor decisions and poor throws. While also ignoring its not nearly bad at the rate some here would make it sound.

say we have 80 plays. 40 runs 40 passes. We don't know how many of the plays were runs vs passes that got called or mis-called by the QB. Maybe Collins made the correct check in 40 of them and Carney in practice is doing it right 50% of the time? We don't know how well he reads D even if he does throw better?

The assumption that Collins is locking on WR may or may not be correct because we don't really know the plays at all.. Everyone can see when a QB looks one way and then rotates his head to throw another direction and people say look how well he is going thru progressions. But not all progressions are changing zones, some are changing levels. Maybe he is making the correct reads 75% 90% who knows. Coaches know.

The poor throws for sure. They are not all created equal. You can make the correct throw and throw it poorly, or you can make the wrong throw, throw it well and get picked. At SMU we some of each. 22-45 is not good. Needs to make 8-10 more complete. But to think that can't happen with a few more weeks or practice is naive. He needs to relax and let the game slow down. Maybe it never does. two games is a small sample size.

I appreciate this thinking & I would guess you’re right about how we react to QB check downs. I always assumed I was right about that but I have zero experience playing QB at any level and why in the world should I think I can tell what’s going down on the field. Good reality check & all the best to Rickie this weekend. Maybe we serve crow at the next tailgate, wouldn’t that be awesome and totally college football-y?

 

[JRHEETER]

I appreciate this thinking & I would guess you’re right about how we react to QB check downs. I always assumed I was right about that but I have zero experience playing QB at any level and why in the world should I think I can tell what’s going down on the field. Good reality check & all the best to Rickie this weekend. Maybe we serve crow at the next tailgate, wouldn’t that be awesome and totally college football-y?

If Rickie goes out and plays a heck of a game against Pitt and plays that way the rest of the season, I can guarantee a fried bird of some sort at the BC tailgate.

BOOK IT.

 

[Jcuse_44]

If Rickie goes out and plays a heck of a game against Pitt and plays that way the rest of the season, I can guarantee a fried bird of some sort at the BC tailgate.

BOOK IT.

Why do I get the feeling that would have been a guarantee regardless?

 

[CbusCuse]

I'm of the mindset that this season got totally derailed by the non-contact injury Angeli sustained. With Angeli, I genuinely believe that we are 5-1 [4-2 at the worst], and coming off of a road victory against SMU, and talking about the prospect of making the playoffs.

Now we're wringing our hands, questioning Fran Brown.

This was always going to be a difficult season, against a tough schedule. The key is to get to a bowl game. To do that, we need 3 more victories. I will bet the farm that we're going to beat BC and UNC. Have to find a win somewhere else.

Can Rickie get the job done? TBD. I certainly don't think he's a long-termer here, with Angeli ahead of him and this season not going well for Collins so far. But if he could ever find a way to squeak out that third win...

He has tools. Not sure how much game experience it will take for him to eliminate some of the unforced errors. So, I get the desire to replace Rickie with Carney, and to see what he can do. I'm more focused on getting three more "W's."

I agree with all of this.

I'm not questioning Fran Brown. We all have our point to where we as fans feel were comfortable moving on from a QB, but its based mostly on emotion and only what we know, which is not nearly as much as Fran and the staff. Fran says he is "loyal" to his QB and Rickie is his starter because he is and he has to say that until he pulls him. He knows the coach has to show unwavering confidence in his QB until that point for his team to do the same. As soon as they question his capabilities, the situation become much harder and you can easily lose the team.

We don't know where Carney is in his development. He could be right there with Rickie at this point, or maybe he isn't. But Fran was certainly going to give Rickie first shot to replace Angeli. And he isn't going to pull Rickie until he gives him what he considers a fair shot. Fran had discussed last year in an interview, that he had talked with other head coaches about at what point is the right time to replace a QB. And similarly, Fran will be loyal to a QB to give him sufficient time to prove he can do it. He knows its doesn't always just click instantly when given an opportunity, even though it does for some. I'm sure that length of time is dependent on how far off Rickie looks and how he shows progress. The minimum goal is to win 2 more games but ultimately 3 would be good. Any more is unlikely and wishful thinking at this point.

But for those saying if Carney was better he'd be in there already, I don't necessarily believe that. Both Carney and Rickie are unknown. You don't know for sure what they will be until they play. If things look close talent wise between those two I think Fran has to go with Rickie. I mean he named him starter earlier in the spring and he has been getting the reps. You give him his shot and let the redshirt frosh sit if possible. I don't think just because Carney hasn't been called upon yet, means he can't succeed right now. I'm looking forward to that day he gets a shot, whenever that may be. Its hard to project QB's but I think his skills look really promising and I'd bet on him becoming a solid starter.

 

[MSOrange]

If Rickie goes out and plays a heck of a game against Pitt and plays that way the rest of the season, I can guarantee a fried bird of some sort at the BC tailgate.

BOOK IT.

You'll have to catch him first

 

[Scooch]

I get that Carney may not be ready also. But loyalty is straight from Fran’s mouth, I don’t think it gets any simpler than that. It could be the right play though, hopefully it is.

I find all the "loyalty" talk pretty funny. Fran has benched or reduced the snaps of a bunch of guys over his 19 games here and played someone in their place.

Football coaches play the guys they think can give them the best chance to win, largely without exception. So if Collins is starting its because of that, not some vague notion of "loyalty".

Fran's generally a straight shooter, but he also says things, like every coach.

How many picks will Rickie throw on Saturday? What is over/under? I was at SMU and he could have easily thrown 7 in that game. I would say over/under at 2.5. Take the over if he plays the whole game.

You really are a delight.