Serious Question

[orangefog]

I wasn't able to watch the game against GTech. Has Rickie shown any growth or improvement? Anything that would give Fran, Nixon or any fan the hope for more from him going forward?

 

[HRE Otto IV]

He didn't make any stupid decisions, but he missed open guys more and was less accurate. Even his completions were poorly thrown balls. So less INTs and near INTs but couldn't complete a pass.

They also didn't allow him to throw the ball the first half. They might have been waiting for 4th Q Rickie to open things up.

 

[690West]

It’s only 25 minutes and it’s basically the whole game. It’s up after every game. Pretty cool.

 

[djorange1989]

Simple answer: No

 

[MGDCuse]

He made a throw in 2nd half to Villari up the middle of the field that made you say "Where the hell has this been?" Then a nice slant for a touchdown to Gill i believe. We'll see Friday if he can grow on that and hopefully our jekyll and hyde defense shows up. I think he's playing scared/nervous at this point. His coaches aren't helping him out much with the play calling either.

 

[OttosShoes]

Improvement to whom? Disappointed fans? Lol no.

The "coaches want to win" crowd? Probably also no but quieter.

The coaches themselves? I'd love to actually know but we don't. I *do* think they were let down by Rickie last week though. The play calling was clearly designed to make things easier on him and introduce the game slowly. I think that's my only real silver lining of the game--we're adapting.

 

[dollarbill44]

I've been a believer that Rickie showed enough promise a t times and he just needed some more time to adjust. After watching last Saturday's 2nd half through the eyes of the sky cam, I think he needs more time as a backup with a throwing coach and we need to see what one of our other QBs can do.
Yes, he led a 2-play TD drive to start the 3rd quarter. However, the first pass was so poorly thrown that it should have been an easy TD instead of just a big gain. He missed a wide, WIDE open Villari over the middle that would have been a huge gain, but he completely wiffed it.
There were other throws that he had guys opened and he delivered it way too late, or it was behind the receiver or way over their heads.
His good throws are very nice looking balls, which is why I still think he had promise, but he needs to work on his consistency and not during games.

 

[upperdeck]

He is seeing some throws too late and thats why he is wild for sure.

The ones that are first read are the killers.

But then he rips some passes that should be harder to throw fine.

 

[007]

Improvement to whom? Disappointed fans? Lol no.

The "coaches want to win" crowd? Probably also no but quieter.

The coaches themselves? I'd love to actually know but we don't. I *do* think they were let down by Rickie last week though. The play calling was clearly designed to make things easier on him and introduce the game slowly. I think that's my only real silver lining of the game--we're adapting.

So, you are not part of the "coaches want to win crowd"

 

[007]

He is seeing some throws too late and thats why he is wild for sure.

The ones that are first read are the killers.

But then he rips some passes that should be harder to throw fine.

His throwing inaccuracies are multifaceted (mechanics, timing, anticipation, feel, reads) and are not easily corrected. The offense cannot survive those inaccuracies. And, water is wet. I'm guessing FB is well aware of this. But...there must be a sense within the staff (OC?) that they can"fix" some of that with coaching and continued in-game reps.

 

[RF2044]

Some improvement? Yes, in fairness.

He showed some capabilities with respect to deep throws, and a better "feel" with respect to running the ball. Neither of those things had been shown in previous outings.

He also showed some glaring limitations. I don't think the former offsets the latter. My opinion only.

 

[OttosShoes]

So, you are not part of the "coaches want to win crowd"

I'm at the cusp of it yes. I say probably quieter because I think it's kind of murky. The performance was bad, but it wasn't help the other team bad. Is that progress or playcalling?

 

[721Comstock]

I'm at the cusp of it yes. I say probably quieter because I think it's kind of murky. The performance was bad, but it wasn't help the other team bad. Is that progress or playcalling?

Oh, Rickie helped the other team PLENTY in this past game.

Just because he didn't have any giveaways personally, doesn't mean he didn't do enough wrong to gift them the W.

Yes - he didn't directly put up points for the opponent - Yay!! progress!

But singlehandedly hamstringing O drives w/ his crappy reads and turrible throws is absolutely undermining any semblance of a chance of winning games.

 

[SU94]

I've been a believer that Rickie showed enough promise a t times and he just needed some more time to adjust. After watching last Saturday's 2nd half through the eyes of the sky cam, I think he needs more time as a backup with a throwing coach and we need to see what one of our other QBs can do.
Yes, he led a 2-play TD drive to start the 3rd quarter. However, the first pass was so poorly thrown that it should have been an easy TD instead of just a big gain. He missed a wide, WIDE open Villari over the middle that would have been a huge gain, but he completely wiffed it.
There were other throws that he had guys opened and he delivered it way too late, or it was behind the receiver or way over their heads.
His good throws are very nice looking balls, which is why I still think he had promise, but he needs to work on his consistency and not during games.

Rickie is struggling, so not trying to dispute that. But I will point out that (at least per the announcers) that that 41-yrd throw to Cook was into a wind that was 15+mph (and giving punters fits). Is Rickie's deep-ball skills the stuff of legend? No. Not at all. But that throw got held up by the wind and that is likely why Cook had to adjust backwards.

 

[OttosShoes]

Oh, Rickie helped the other team PLENTY in this past game.

Just because he didn't have any giveaways personally, doesn't mean he didn't do enough wrong to gift them the W.

Yes - he didn't directly put up points for the opponent - Yay!! progress!

But singlehandedly hamstringing O drives w/ his crappy reads and turrible throws is absolutely undermining any semblance of a chance of winning games.

Oh I agree. "He didn't through any INTs" is difficult to call progress. Taking a knee doesn't throw INTs.

Also, I think he did have a fumble in there.

Rickie is struggling, so not trying to dispute that. But I will point out that (at least per the announcers) that that 41-yrd throw to Cook was into a wind that was 15+mph (and giving punters fits). Is Rickie's deep-ball skills the stuff of legend? No. Not at all. But that throw got held up by the wind and that is likely why Cook had to adjust backwards.

This is good info that makes sense of it, thanks. I don't think it excuses it though because the burden fell to another player. I'm extremely impressed with Johntay's awareness there; really tough to keep that close an eye on the ball on a go route, especially without tipping off the defender, who had absolutely no clue what was going on.

 

[OrangeTarheel]

Rickie is struggling, so not trying to dispute that. But I will point out that (at least per the announcers) that that 41-yrd throw to Cook was into a wind that was 15+mph (and giving punters fits). Is Rickie's deep-ball skills the stuff of legend? No. Not at all. But that throw got held up by the wind and that is likely why Cook had to adjust backwards.

Thanks for that context. I was watching the game and forgot about the wind entirely - it definitely had an effecg

 

[Eric15]

Rickie is a poor man's RJ Anderson. And RJ was a highly inefficient college QB.

 

[dollarbill44]

Rickie is struggling, so not trying to dispute that. But I will point out that (at least per the announcers) that that 41-yrd throw to Cook was into a wind that was 15+mph (and giving punters fits). Is Rickie's deep-ball skills the stuff of legend? No. Not at all. But that throw got held up by the wind and that is likely why Cook had to adjust backwards.

Perhaps. But, aside form that throw, this was week 5 (game 4 plus a bye week) where we have seen all of the same issues.
He also is making a case as a terrible QB sneaker.
Like I said, I was supportive of giving him time as the starter, but I'm off that wagon now. Fran should have the talk with Rickie this week that Carney is getting the first half against UNC.

 

[upperdeck]

much easier to play Carney at home as well.

But without knowing how much of the playbook he functions well with tough to know the right answer.

 

[llandz]

Some improvement? Yes, in fairness.

He showed some capabilities with respect to deep throws, and a better "feel" with respect to running the ball. Neither of those things had been shown in previous outings.

He also showed some glaring limitations. I don't think the former offsets the latter. My opinion only.

This. And I want to add that he made faster decisions, especially when he saw he had no one to throw to and made some nice runs. I also saw him kind of trying too hard, but not as much deer in the headlights.

 

[dollarbill44]

much easier to play Carney at home as well.

But without knowing how much of the playbook he functions well with tough to know the right answer.

8 games in, everyone should know the playbook.

 

[bigmike]

What I’ve noticed about Rickie is that on pass plays, he of course drops and looks to pass. If at some point he determines he is going to run a switch is flipped, and he will no longer consider throwing the ball. He does not run or scramble to buy time and let guys get open - when he runs he runs, and that is all he will do. Most players who are agile enough to escape pressure use their legs to create opportunities- I don’t see that here.

 

[Chip]

It’s only 25 minutes and it’s basically the whole game. It’s up after every game. Pretty cool.

I couldn't watch the game because of my kid's hockey game.

I tried to watch this. Couldn't even get through it. So ugly.

 

[upperdeck]

8 games in, everyone should know the playbook.

Knowing the plays and functioning are two different things. You have to be able to understand the defense to run the play and all the parts of the play. Its more than just knowing where to go with the ball.

 

[upperdeck]

What I’ve noticed about Rickie is that on pass plays, he of course drops and looks to pass. If at some point he determines he is going to run a switch is flipped, and he will no longer consider throwing the ball. He does not run or scramble to buy time and let guys get open - when he runs he runs, and that is all he will do. Most players who are agile enough to escape pressure use their legs to create opportunities- I don’t see that here.

I agree here. For the most part its run to save his life mode. He has on occasion thrown and done poorly though. I dont think he calms down once he escapes to see the field.