What people calling for Carney are really saying

[Archbold44]

Not a bad thought, but inaccurate for the play Texascpa is talking about. Willis was in the flat, around the 10-15 yard line, where he opened up to the SMU sideline, no one close to him. Rickie threw the ball, I'd like to say to his other shoulder, but it was so far away from him that calling it his shoulder presents the wrong image. It was an incredibly inaccurate ball, thrown essentially behind where Willis was running. I'm sure if you go back and look for the play, you'll find it, and you won't have the same point of view that you just shared. Again, nothing wrong with it... other than it's wrong in this instance. I believe it was one of the many 4th downs we did not convert if you actually care to go look.

I actually did go watch the play after the game before making this comment. I just have never seen a RB facing backwards when trying to catch that type of pass. Maybe he is right handed and prefers to catch with that hand. If so, a terrible play call to have HIM going to that side of the field. If he is right handed, have him to go to the right side. He is already not a great RB pass catcher.

We miss LQA. LQA could run hard, block, and catch the ball. We have one guy that can run hard (most of the time), another one that can catch passes, and I am not sure which one blocks better. With Angeli down, we are now passing to Willis and running Nixon. That mixes the defense up, but what good? I am sure they would be surprised if I came in at QB, but is the element of surprise worth it given the Grand Canyon sized drop off in talent???

The bottom line is that Collins IS a way better runner than everyone thought. If it necessary to win games. Why not with Collins? It is up to the O.C. to call a game that works with the skill of the players out there... not call the plays and put the guys out there. If Collins gets hurt, then Carney or Williams come in. We have been on QB4 and QB5 before. That is the nature of the game. But putting Collins out there and expecting him to be Angeli, much less McCord... that is poor coaching.

 

[Scooch]

We're arguing over 7 wins or 5 wins in my opinion too.

I think it’s either 5 or 3, to be honest. We’re likely not winning against anyone not named BC or UNC regardless of who’s at QB. The debate is which QB gives us a chance to win those two games, and it’s possible it doesn’t really matter since both of those teams are abysmal.

 

[HRE Otto IV]

.

I actually did go watch the play after the game before making this comment. I just have never seen a RB facing backwards when trying to catch that type of pass. Maybe he is right handed and prefers to catch with that hand. If so, a terrible play call to have HIM going to that side of the field. If he is right handed, have him to go to the right side. He is already not a great RB pass catcher.

We miss LQA. LQA could run hard, block, and catch the ball. We have one guy that can run hard (most of the time), another one that can catch passes, and I am not sure which one blocks better. With Angeli down, we are now passing to Willis and running Nixon. That mixes the defense up, but what good? I am sure they would be surprised if I came in at QB, but is the element of surprise worth it given the Grand Canyon sized drop off in talent???

The bottom line is that Collins IS a way better runner than everyone thought. If it necessary to win games. Why not with Collins? It is up to the O.C. to call a game that works with the skill of the players out there... not call the plays and put the guys out there. If Collins gets hurt, then Carney or Williams come in. We have been on QB4 and QB5 before. That is the nature of the game. But putting Collins out there and expecting him to be Angeli, much less McCord... that is poor coaching.

You really have never seen a RB, TE, or slot WR go into the flat?

 

[HRE Otto IV]

I think it’s either 5 or 3, to be honest. We’re likely not winning against anyone not named BC or UNC regardless of who’s at QB. The debate is which QB gives us a chance to win those two games, and it’s possible it doesn’t really matter since both of those teams are abysmal.

We have 2 weeks to prep for a mediocre at best Pitt team. So I think it is 3 to 6 Ws. But more likely 4 to 5.

 

[Archbold44]

You really have never seen a RB, TE, or slot WR go into the flat?

Of course. I am just saying how do you know that the play call was a flat vs. a wheel?

 

[HRE Otto IV]

Of course. I am just saying how do you know that the play call was a flat vs. a wheel?

Even if it were a wheel, which I highly doubt, the ball wouldn't have gotten to where it should be on a wheel route. Collins even said he made a bad pass, He could have said we weren't on the same page.

 

[newmexicuse]

I do not think that many here are calling for Carney to replace Rikki. The issue is that Rikki has not got it done so far, and many, myself included, want to get a look at Carney to see what we might have.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

We have 2 weeks to prep for a mediocre at best Pitt team. So I think it is 3 to 6 Ws. But more likely 4 to 5.

I think we've got 4 chances at 3 wins - Pitt, GT, UNC, BC.

I just don't see us mustering enough against Notre Dame and Miami. I kind of wonder if we have Georgia Tech's number.

 

[HRE Otto IV]

I think we've got 4 chances at 3 wins - Pitt, GT, UNC, BC.

I just don't see us mustering enough against Notre Dame and Miami. I kind of wonder if we have Georgia Tech's number.

I think GA Tech will be looking to run up the score after last year. We would need our D to really perform well to even have a shot.

 

[swish7]

Bingo. He is a prolific HS player who threw a TON. Played in high pressure situations and won a lot. It’s worth the chance, and would at least give the fans some hope or at the least, we feel like we aren’t bagging it in. What is wrong with playing both until one shows they have better control? Because it can’t get worse. I don’t want to hear the “if you play 2 you have none”. We already have none. Try anything to see if it provides a god dang spark.

While I'm in the I want to see a change (why not?), I caution that the Texas Parochial league is nowhere near as good as the public school league. My nephew won 2 state championships in basketball in that league and I bet they'd get absolutely smoked by the public school equivalent.

That said, why not?

 

[OttoinGrotto]

I think GA Tech will be looking to run up the score after last year. We would need our D to really perform well to even have a shot.

Eh, I'm sure they will be.

But that was their plan last season too, and it didn't go so great for them.

 

[Archbold44]

While I'm in the I want to see a change (why not?), I caution that the Texas Parochial league is nowhere near as good as the public school league. My nephew won 2 state championships in basketball in that league and I bet they'd get absolutely smoked by the public school equivalent.

That said, why not?

Nixon has to change the offense. If he cannot change it to fit the few things Rickie can do well, then he is not worth as much as I thought. It seems like Rickie can run the ball well. If Luke can do that also... shouldn't we be changing our offense accordingly? Makes it easier to switch if we need to.

Do we really only have high octane passing plays available? Can't we steal some plays from other teams??? I liked SMU's 2-QB play, as one example. Let's borrow it. I liked how many times Jennings passed while on the run. Really kept us off guard. Sure, every once in a while you may botch it and get a penalty.

 

[ADKDave]

Collins had an interview before his first start. I forgot what the question was but he responded by saying “I just need to go out and show the team I’m the man”. I found that choice of words a little weird, instead of saying “after working with the ones were ready to go” or something to that effect.

 

[OttosShoes]

Of course. I am just saying how do you know that the play call was a flat vs. a wheel?

I mean it's possible, but he turned around and waved on the flat before Rickie threw. Even if you consider the astronomically low odds that 1. on 4th and 2 with an empty backfield our checkdown was a wheel route and 2. Willis turned and called for a pass immediately before he was supposed to/intended to hook upfield the other way, the pass still appears to have been poorly thrown.

By my count a wheel route would've put him just past the defender who was also unable to make a play on the ball.

 

[FrancoPizza]

Collins had an interview before his first start. I forgot what the question was but he responded by saying “I just need to go out and show the team I’m the man”. I found that choice of words a little weird, instead of saying “after working with the ones were ready to go” or something to that effect.

His public reaction to not being chosen QB1 was also a bit telling. He was "grateful" to be in that position because he had never been this far up the depth chart before. It didn't sound like someone who was neck-and-neck with Angeli in fall practice. At the time we wrote it off as humility, but let's be real, fiery competitors who think they played well enough to be the starter would have more of a chip on their shoulder.

 

[baggerbob]

I think we've got 4 chances at 3 wins - Pitt, GT, UNC, BC.

I just don't see us mustering enough against Notre Dame and Miami. I kind of wonder if we have Georgia Tech's number.

From what we have seen in 7 out of 8 quarters with Rickie we could easily go 0-6 the rest of the way.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

From what we have seen in 7 out of 8 quarters with Rickie we could easily go 0-6 the rest of the way.

Which is exactly what we do not want.

 

[baggerbob]

Which is exactly what we do not want.

And with Pitt being a 7:30 start, Fran had better have Luke ready to come in early. With all day to drink, if Rickie puts up 0 or 3 points in the 1st quarter the boo birds will come out , and I would hate to see that.
Rickie seems to be a great young man, just not a good QB.

 

[Archbold44]

I mean it's possible, but he turned around and waved on the flat before Rickie threw. Even if you consider the astronomically low odds that 1. on 4th and 2 with an empty backfield our checkdown was a wheel route and 2. Willis turned and called for a pass immediately before he was supposed to/intended to hook upfield the other way, the pass still appears to have been poorly thrown.

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By my count a wheel route would've put him just past the defender who was also unable to make a play on the ball.

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Yeah, probably... the pass was an overthrow anyway. But I could see being focused on no interception and wanting to make sure it was incomplete or complete only.

The more I think about it... kind of weird that the play was designed for Willis. He was lined up in a way where he was no threat as a RB. He has not looked comfortable as a receiver in any game. With all the receivers and even TEs on our team, we do not have a better option there anyway?

The more I think about it again... are we really calling plays that require "touch passes" from Rickie? At some point, the coaches have to realize that Rickie is not Steve, much less Kyle.

 

[OttosShoes]

Yeah, probably... the pass was an overthrow anyway. But I could see being focused on no interception and wanting to make sure it was incomplete or complete only.

The more I think about it... kind of weird that the play was designed for Willis. He was lined up in a way where he was no threat as a RB. He has not looked comfortable as a receiver in any game. With all the receivers and even TEs on our team, we do not have a better option there anyway?

The more I think about it again... are we really calling plays that require "touch passes" from Rickie? At some point, the coaches have to realize that Rickie is not Steve, much less Kyle.

Keep in mind that when Willis is in, run is more likely, when Nixon is in, it's probably pass.

An empty backfield with Willis in on a 4th and 2 is a fantastic way to confuse the defense, I mean, the defender let him go with no real effort and nobody to pick him up; might have thought it was a draw.

Personally I like the play call. Should've been an easy TD.

 

[Tony DeFranco]

True, they are called practice players but when the bright lights are on, they choke.

I take Cooks uncle at his word - he has seen practice takes of Collins and Collins sucks in practice

 

[NKR1978]

I disagree about it not improving, we will continue to see some improvement (Fran said he told Rickie “it can’t get worse, right?”) Human development is not always consistent and/or predictable.

I’m more worried about the other side of the ball where the entire defense seems to be poorly coached in tackling and execution. Sure, we need points to win, but if we didn’t give up so many points maybe we could have a more balanced offense. Sure would help ANY QB we put back there.

The defense generally does enough when the offense can stay on the field. It makes enough plays to win. The offense's inability to stay on the field makes an already meh defense soooooo much worse.

 

[PhatOrange]

I actually did go watch the play after the game before making this comment. I just have never seen a RB facing backwards when trying to catch that type of pass. Maybe he is right handed and prefers to catch with that hand. If so, a terrible play call to have HIM going to that side of the field. If he is right handed, have him to go to the right side. He is already not a great RB pass catcher.

We miss LQA. LQA could run hard, block, and catch the ball. We have one guy that can run hard (most of the time), another one that can catch passes, and I am not sure which one blocks better. With Angeli down, we are now passing to Willis and running Nixon. That mixes the defense up, but what good? I am sure they would be surprised if I came in at QB, but is the element of surprise worth it given the Grand Canyon sized drop off in talent???

The bottom line is that Collins IS a way better runner than everyone thought. If it necessary to win games. Why not with Collins? It is up to the O.C. to call a game that works with the skill of the players out there... not call the plays and put the guys out there. If Collins gets hurt, then Carney or Williams come in. We have been on QB4 and QB5 before. That is the nature of the game. But putting Collins out there and expecting him to be Angeli, much less McCord... that is poor coaching.

Backs can catch the ball either way. Depends on what the route is. Swing pass or flat screen. Either way Collins had eyes on him before the throw and imo could've thrown it to the correct shoulder even if Willis was wrong. Furthermore, if Willis is a bad pass catcher as you say then Nixon is at fault for calling that play with that back. But Willis has been fine catching passes

For the record a swing pass would've been a better call there. I think Nixon is somewhat at fault if that's the pattern called for in the play.

 

[dollarbill44]

Have some patience and give the kid a real chance. He has had two starts. Yes, the Duke game was a debacle where no one on the team looked prepared. That's not a great learning environment for a guy making his first P4 start. Yes, he struggled starting out the SMU game, but he did improve in the 4th. I acknowledge that SMU looked to check out after the 3rd quarter, so you can put an asterisk next to it.
Playcalling early in games has not helped him either. In both games we could have had TDs early if we get better play calling. For example, how many times do we need to fail to gain 1 yard with runs up the gut before we run one outside the tackle?
I have seen enough from Collins to give me confidence that he can be good, but he's going to need a little more time than McCord or Angeli for things to click. Let's see how he comes out after the be week before we run him out of town. How week do you all think we will fare in the portal for future QBs if we start burning through QBs?

 

[NKR1978]

Have some patience and give the kid a real chance. He has had two starts. Yes, the Duke game was a debacle where no one on the team looked prepared. That's not a great learning environment for a guy making his first P4 start. Yes, he struggled starting out the SMU game, but he did improve in the 4th. I acknowledge that SMU looked to check out after the 3rd quarter, so you can put an asterisk next to it.

I will not die on this hill because going from Angeli to Collins has been an extremely sharp drop off in success, but I agree that the 4th quarter things looked like they slowed down for him a little.

It's so depressing going from the high of Clemson and feeling like 10 wins was feasible again and now hoping to eek out 3 more.