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Post by Old School on Oct 1, 2014 21:01:31 GMT -8
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Post by kaztec on Oct 2, 2014 0:10:08 GMT -8
Isn't this the opposite of what Rocky has said in his news conference? That SDSU would need to limit the play book with a freshman quarterback?
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Post by gigglyforshrigley on Oct 2, 2014 5:19:50 GMT -8
If he really can open up the playbook, then why has he not been in all season? Rocky is so anti-freshman. Play the better player
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Post by texasaztec on Oct 2, 2014 6:22:42 GMT -8
There is a reason you don't play freshmen...especially Quarterbacks. They are reserved for "have to" situations, in which we now find ourselves. QBs have the toughest mental job on the field, and the game is very, very fast. It takes a while for most, if not all QBs to come up to speed when they first start. It's that thinking, hesitating, figuring things out, milliseconds that add up to the difference between a big play or a big bust. Bawden seems to have the physical tools, let's see if he is one of the rare and exceptional QBs who can come in as a true freshmen and actually dominate.
I would LOVE to see that. But the odds are not on that side.
Go Aztecs!
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Post by sportnlyf on Oct 2, 2014 6:52:20 GMT -8
In addition to generally playing it close to the vest with the intent of getting the running game going, I think we'll see a couple new things, Bawden rolling wide with the option of running for first downs at the sideline marker to keep drives going, and a bomb or two when the opportunity presents itself because he has a very strong arm.
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Post by HighNTight on Oct 2, 2014 8:09:36 GMT -8
If he really can open up the playbook, then why has he not been in all season? Rocky is so anti-freshman. Play the better player Coach Long is no more anti-Freshman than Coach Fisher. "Through four games, San Diego State has had 15 players make their first career start and 28 players see their first Division I game action. SDSU currently has four projected starters that are out due to injury - senior linebacker Derek Largent, junior linebacker Jake Fely, senior quarterback Quinn Kaehler and senior wide receiver Ezell Ruffin." I am sure there are a few Freshmen included in those numbers. Depth Chart
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Post by Old School on Oct 2, 2014 8:12:38 GMT -8
There is a reason you don't play freshmen...especially Quarterbacks. They are reserved for "have to" situations, in which we now find ourselves. QBs have the toughest mental job on the field, and the game is very, very fast. It takes a while for most, if not all QBs to come up to speed when they first start. It's that thinking, hesitating, figuring things out, milliseconds that add up to the difference between a big play or a big bust. Bawden seems to have the physical tools, let's see if he is one of the rare and exceptional QBs who can come in as a true freshmen and actually dominate. I would LOVE to see that. But the odds are not on that side. Go Aztecs! It seems we've been in more "have to" situations than not. Like when we "have to" go for it on 4th down last season to win. I guess, it programmed us to deal with adversity better, for the sake of winning. Oldie Out |
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Post by aztecron on Oct 2, 2014 8:15:17 GMT -8
In addition to generally playing it close to the vest with the intent of getting the running game going, I think we'll see a couple new things, Bawden rolling wide with the option of running for first downs at the sideline marker to keep drives going, and a bomb or two when the opportunity presents itself because he has a very strong arm. I agree. I'm cautiously optimistic about Bawden, I think this kid has that "it" factor and will do just fine as we leave Fresno with the "W" Friday night. |
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Post by McQuervo on Oct 2, 2014 8:19:37 GMT -8
Don't expect too much from Bawden this Friday or the following games. The speed at this level is completely different than anything he has seen to include live scrimmage.
Fresburg has a bad D. I expect we will pound it and often. If he gets the chance to toss it around I expect it will be short passes with a long one or two mixed in to keep off balance.
He is a Freshman.
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Post by HighNTight on Oct 2, 2014 8:21:01 GMT -8
According to the article:
"One thing that could hurt Bawden is his release angle, which isn't a full vertical release. He throws it sort of at a 45 degree angle, which could be a problem throwing over Fresno State's defensive line, whose average height is almost 6'4"."
I will admit that I have not seen him throw often enough to see his throwing angle, but I don't remember it being in the Philip Rivers side-arm range. It will be up to the O-Line to hold the pocket and give him the space to throw (whatever his angle is) on passing downs.
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Post by gigglyforshrigley on Oct 2, 2014 8:25:42 GMT -8
If he really can open up the playbook, then why has he not been in all season? Rocky is so anti-freshman. Play the better player Coach Long is no more anti-Freshman than Coach Fisher. "Through four games, San Diego State has had 15 players make their first career start and 28 players see their first Division I game action. SDSU currently has four projected starters that are out due to injury - senior linebacker Derek Largent, junior linebacker Jake Fely, senior quarterback Quinn Kaehler and senior wide receiver Ezell Ruffin." I am sure there are a few Freshmen included in those numbers. Depth Chart
I'm sure there are a few freshman in those numbers, but its all out of necessity because of our injuries and the fact that we are just a young team in general. If he had a choice he wouldn't play them. He makes it very clear in press conferences that he hates playing freshman and says how unreliable they are and all of that (which I don't disagree with), but personally I'd rather play a good freshman with a high ceiling over a mediocre/bad Jr/Sr. Experience is valuable, but I think if a kid really is that good then he'll adjust after a game or two (maybe even a half or two) to get used to the speed, especially if we have a good running game (which we do) and it'd also help if his first start is against an inferior opponent (which it would've been the first game of the season). The decision making might take longer to come around, but this year was viewed (at least by me) as a bridge year to get us into next season. I figure we'll go 8-4 regardless of who the QB is, so why not play the freshman if he has better legs and a better arm. I like Rocky so don't take my words as overly-critical... that's just one of the few things I disagree with Rocky on. |
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Post by aztecron on Oct 2, 2014 8:57:43 GMT -8
Don't expect too much from Bawden this Friday or the following games. The speed at this level is completely different than anything he has seen to include live scrimmage. Fresburg has a bad D. I expect we will pound it and often. If he gets the chance to toss it around I expect it will be short passes with a long one or two mixed in to keep off balance. He is a Freshman. I'm with you, I'm just saying we now have someone with the threat of the long ball and that has to bode well for us as QK isn't known for that type of ball at all. No ding on QK, just saying the threat for the vertical is now there and will have to be accounted for by their defense. |
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Post by standiego on Oct 2, 2014 9:01:50 GMT -8
Bawden finished HS early ,enrolled at SDSU so he could participate in Spring Ball and have the playbook during the summer break . Same thing a lot of quality QB's do . But Rocky does not think HS guys should do( I ask Why), but turned out very beneficial for Bawden and the Aztecs as he earned the back up position over the JC QB , red shirt QB and other HS QB .
Coach Toledo was on his 1090 segment Tuesday . He said he felt the offense would be very basic for the freshman to start with .He felt Bawden was more mobile then QK but his throws ,early decision making/accuracy may not be as good as QK. Most important for Bawden and the Aztecs this week was staying away from third and long situations . Time for the OL to really step up and provide holes for the RB's , and protect the freshman QB so he could make plays when needed . Do not ask the QB to put the game on his shoulders but simply manage the plays and try to prevent TO's, believe in his fellow team mates to help him get it done.
So who are your going to believe The MW article(what practices do they attend ?) or our coaches . Yes our coaches could be blowing smoke at Fresno but for his first start ,would guess there will be RB runs , screens, short passes ,end arounds , until the QB gets comfortable or if we fall behind by a few TD's . Could do an end around by one WR ,then set add an end around throw by WR Chase F later . This is the time when the OC,captains,line coach need to get the OL to really rally behind the QB . Can the staff motivate them . For those players who have been there can we finally beat Fresno - have not the last two times . ?
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Post by AztecBill on Oct 2, 2014 9:08:00 GMT -8
Bawden finished HS early ,enrolled at SDSU so he could participate in Spring Ball and have the playbook during the summer break . Same thing a lot of quality QB's do . But Rocky does not think HS guys should do( I ask Why), but turned out very beneficial for Bawden and the Aztecs as he earned the back up position over the JC QB , red shirt QB and other HS QB . Coach Toledo was on his 1090 segment Tuesday . He said he felt the offense would be very basic for the freshman to start with .He felt Bawden was more mobile then QK but his throws ,early decision making/accuracy may not be as good as QK. Most important for Bawden and the Aztecs this week was staying away from third and long situations . Time for the OL to really step up and provide holes for the RB's , and protect the freshman QB so he could make plays when needed . Do not ask the QB to put the game on his shoulders but simply manage the plays and try to prevent TO's, believe in his fellow team mates to help him get it done. So who are your going to believe The MW article(what practices do they attend ?) or our coaches . Yes our coaches could be blowing smoke at Fresno but for his first start ,would guess there will be RB runs , screens, short passes ,end arounds , until the QB gets comfortable or if we fall behind by a few TD's . Could do an end around by one WR ,then set add an end around throw by WR Chase F later . This is the time when the OC,captains,line coach need to get the OL to really rally behind the QB . Can the staff motivate them . For those players who have been there can we finally beat Fresno - have not the last two times . ? Hopefully we throw on first down and a few "running downs", early in the game. That keeps the defense honest and gives the QB some reps and confidence. First play from scrimmage we should lineup heavy and throw a play action bomb. |
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Post by sdsustoner on Oct 2, 2014 9:09:48 GMT -8
How does his arm compare to Lindley's?
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Post by whitehawk on Oct 2, 2014 10:04:20 GMT -8
If he really can open up the playbook, then why has he not been in all season? Rocky is so anti-freshman. Play the better player Well, in regards to the playbook, this is a catchy headline based on assumptions from MWC Connection. That headline is not a statement off of evidence. It simply is assumption. Both Toledo and Long said they would be simplifying the playbook for Nick. If he is still starting by the time QK is cleared to play again, the playbook is most likely going to be more open than it will be vs Fresno State, but he is still a Freshman learning the system and adjusting to D1 competition/speed. I will have to respectfully disagree with you on Rocky being anti-freshman. Your last sentence is actually his philosophy: "Play the better player." Now, some might not agree that the better player is starting at a particular position, but I'm confident these coaches know the current capacity and potential of this team much more than anyone on this board. Long has said time and time again, he likes to win. Knowing this, we should all assume he is going to play the better player based on the coaches evaluations. He has stated publicly that the status of the depth chart is based on how players have performed in practice and in games. Just to name a few Freshman who have played under Long: DJ Pumphrey, Adam Roberts, Jemond Hazely, Jake Fely, Jeff Overbaugh, Paul Pitts III, Malik Smith, Billy Vaughn, Jr., Dakota Turner, Kendrick Mathis, Calvin Munson, Brandon Porter, Mikah Holder, Trey Lomax, Fred Trevillion, Fred Melifonwu, Rashaad Penny all played or are playing as a Freshman under Long. Again, he is going to play whoever performs the best in practice and in games. Experience is a major factor, but I believe this is one reason why this team is so competitive is because he tells all of his players and recruits that they will get a shot at the starting position, despite experience. However, they have to earn it and prove it to the coaches. This is evident with what has happened to the position at Center. Jordan Smith was a pre-season Rimington Trophy candidate, and hasn't played at Center this year. He lost it to a 5th year Senior Zach Dilley, who lost it to Junior Lenicio Noble. You have a Junior starting at Center over two linemen who were starters last year. Nullifying two starters from last year, you best be sure he is playing who he thinks is the best player for the position. We shall see how Nick performs tomorrow. One thing to keep in mind is that while this situation has been mentioned as another QB injury in a line of back up Aztec QBs that stepped in (Katz to Dingwell, Dingwell to QK, QK to Bawden), Dingwell and QK both had to step in during the middle of a game (@ Nevada in 2012 with Dingwell, @ Ohio State in 2013 with QK). Bawden won't be taking the QB position in the middle of a game. He is going to have to step up in his first D1 game as a starter...with one of the most important, if not the most important team to beat on this year's schedule...with 1 week to prepare. We shall see how that affects Bawden's performance. Is the 1 week of preparation going to get him mentally/physically ready or is it going to just add to the pressure of having to step it up in what is so far a must-win to keep the conference title in the picture. With all of that said, I'm confident we will be competitive enough to have a good shot to win. BRING THE OIL CAN HOME!       GO AZTECS!!!
#BelieveTheHype #Win20 #BeatFSU
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Post by dlangford9 on Oct 2, 2014 10:15:09 GMT -8
There is no question about the fact that the o-line needs to step up "BIG TIME". We will need the running game(as always), so that can open up the passing game. Especially with Bawden at QB.
That said, the RBs need to have a good game... 1) reading the holes, 2) pass blocking and 3) catching release passes for positive yards.
The X Factor might be Bawden using his legs to pick up a few 1st Downs.
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Post by fangdog on Oct 2, 2014 17:19:26 GMT -8
I cannot think of a better defense than Fresno for a true freshman QB to have his first start.
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Post by AzTex on Oct 2, 2014 17:29:36 GMT -8
I hope he opens up the play book before he gets to Fresno.
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Post by monty on Oct 2, 2014 17:46:41 GMT -8
Nah, I think he should be forced to throw lollypops and flutterers at the line of scrimmage in honor of Noodles.
How the hell could it not open it up? Noodle Arm can't make most of the throws on the route tree
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