Tommy Armstrong lost the game

[Pennsyhusker_rivals246774]

If you follow my posts you know I have been a BIG defender of TA and have said many times how much I appreciate all he has done for our team. I still think he is a real competitor with a huge heart.

But... in the rush to blame that loss on injuries to our line I think we have missed something glaringly obvious. When the opposing team shuts down your running game you had better be able to pass the football. Especially considering how much talent we have at the wide out positions. But Wisky took away our run, including the QB runs and dared us to beat them through the air. And we had receivers wide open on several critical plays. Our offensive line was pass blocking with enough effectiveness that Tommy should have had time to go through his progressions and set his feet. He didn't and missed badly on six or seven critical throws. We should have won that game by around 10 points had he made those throws.
His third batted pass that was intercepted was inexcusable. His missing of a wide open Reilly on a third and seven near midfield was huge. He was impatient and locked in on his primary guy and threw into double coverage five or six times. Finally, Mike Riley said that on the first play of overtime Tommy misread the zone read and had he kept the ball and run to the left the edge was wide open for a huge gain. Also, on the failed third down pass had he waited a bit longer and not locked into Westy, Alonzo was about to come wide open. Finally, had he thrown the ball immediately on fourth down Morgan would have had an easy TD.
Tommy blew it. Like Iowa last year we lost this game because Tommy was flat out awful, with the exception of one drive.
We will lose two more games if he does not improve. Every week this year we have left tons of points out there and let ****** teams hang with us. And here we had a huge and real chance to beat Wisky and really launch our season to special levels, but our QB choked.

 

[WHCSC]

What do you suggest we do?

 

[jeans15]

RollingLaugh

I know...I saw him miss tackles on the same plays that blew up Bo Pelini's defense.....2 high school plays.

 

[Buicklife]

Well, he had a performance that featured 38% completion and 2 picks. Only 4 completions in the first half.

It's unfortunate that he was not able to be average but he is the best option the team has at the moment. There is no other viable option.

He can only be who he is. He is limited in what he can do in the passing game. If this team needs to rely on him to pass their way to victory it's just not going to work out.

Expect a similar game plan defensively from OSU.

 

[jeans15]

 

[jeans15]

JT Barrett loss the Penn state game...It happens.

 

[Huskeralltheway]

I agree Armstrong inconsistency keeps the offense from ever having any rhythm. Its been that way all season. I think Riley should have given some other QBs more snaps earlier in the year, now you have to go with Armstrong.

 

[DudznSudz]

Yeah, I mean, the way you put it is pretty accurate. I respect the guy for gutting out some crazy performances and for being so much the face of the offense for better or worse, but it's true, he's just not a very good passer. He frequently can make up for that by scrambling and beating teams with his legs, but some games, he can't, and then the pass game's vulnerabilities really show. It's too bad, considering the talent we're sporting at WR, but it's just the way it is.

This, along with young 4 star talent getting starting time, is why I think we're going to be a daaaaangerous team next year. Sure, we lose a few offensive weapons, but we have a lot coming up that are great, and we'll have a QB who can pass far better.

 

[Huskeralltheway]

JT Barrett loss the Penn state game...It happens.

Penn St. special teams won that game. Armstrong is not even close the caliber of QB Barrett is.

 

[huskerfan1414]

He was jittery and rushed all night, and had too many throws off his back foot. When he follows through he throws a nice ball.

 

[litespeedhuskerfan_rivals19671]

He's a limited QB who gives his all and wears the N as best he can. He is what he is, and we wouldn't be 7-1 and ranked in the top 10 without him. I liken him to a co-worker I don't see eye to eye with but we share the same goals and is a hard worker, and I respect that.

 

[GeauxBigRed]

we can thank our lucky stars TA is as tough as he is. I would shutter to think about where this offense would be with Fyfe.

I'm shocked people can still complain about a kid that has started for Nebraska 41 times in his career. instead of being happy with what we have and how much he has improved.

 

[jeans15]

Penn St. special teams won that game. Armstrong is not even close the caliber of QB Barrett is.

He's better than him on 3rd down.:Cool:

 

[Spartanhusker]

we can thank our lucky stars TA is as tough as he is. I would shutter to think about where this offense would be with Fyfe.

I'm shocked people can still complain about a kid that has started for Nebraska 41 times in his career. instead of being happy with what we have and how much he has improved.

Yep...this...he drives me crazy, and yet I love his heart and drive. He is limited, but unless we throw a raw frosh in there, he's our best gig. Fyfe is not.

One thing our season has not afforded us are ANY blowouts where we could play a young qb to get reps.

I really do think that sometimes we rehash/start threads to get a rise out of all of us...mission accomplished.

 

[GeauxBigRed]

What's puzzling to me is that the coaches hint of his incompetency, yet have never experimented with anybody else at all.

We did, last year against Purdue...

 

[jeans15]

Tommy has to block, catch, rush the ball while calling his own plays...I wish he would improve in all those things too.

 

[NU9920]

If you follow my posts you know I have been a BIG defender of TA and have said many times how much I appreciate all he has done for our team. I still think he is a real competitor with a huge heart.

But... in the rush to blame that loss on injuries to our line I think we have missed something glaringly obvious. When the opposing team shuts down your running game you had better be able to pass the football. Especially considering how much talent we have at the wide out positions. But Wisky took away our run, including the QB runs and dared us to beat them through the air. And we had receivers wide open on several critical plays. Our offensive line was pass blocking with enough effectiveness that Tommy should have had time to go through his progressions and set his feet. He didn't and missed badly on six or seven critical throws. We should have won that game by around 10 points had he made those throws.
His third batted pass that was intercepted was inexcusable. His missing of a wide open Reilly on a third and seven near midfield was huge. He was impatient and locked in on his primary guy and threw into double coverage five or six times. Finally, Mike Riley said that on the first play of overtime Tommy misread the zone read and had he kept the ball and run to the left the edge was wide open for a huge gain. Also, on the failed third down pass had he waited a bit longer and not locked into Westy, Alonzo was about to come wide open. Finally, had he thrown the ball immediately on fourth down Morgan would have had an easy TD.
Tommy blew it. Like Iowa last year we lost this game because Tommy was flat out awful, with the exception of one drive.
We will lose two more games if he does not improve. Every week this year we have left tons of points out there and let ****** teams hang with us. And here we had a huge and real chance to beat Wisky and really launch our season to special levels, but our QB choked.

You calling for the backup to start?

 

[NikkiSixx_rivals269993]

I'll be glad to see and hear about the QB battle next spring.

Armstrong will fade from my memory even faster than Martinez did.

 

[Foosball is the devil]

We did, last year against Purdue...

We did, last year against Purdue...

Ryker was 29 of 48 in that game, (60%) and scored 45 points with 4 picks. Considering everything about that game, and being his first and only start, I don't think that is that bad. How many times did Tommy throw 4 picks last year?
Maybe I'm the only one but I was hoping to see him for a series saturday when he was warming up. Maybe to try and settle Tommy down. Kind of the way TO did with Steve Taylor in the 86 Sugar bowl. If Tommy is anywhere near 60% on his throws we win by 2TD's

 

[NU9920]

Ryker was 29 of 48 in that game, (60%) and scored 45 points with 4 picks. Considering everything about that game, and being his first and only start, I don't think that is that bad. How many times did Tommy throw 4 picks last year?
Maybe I'm the only one but I was hoping to see him for a series saturday when he was warming up. Maybe to try and settle Tommy down. Kind of the way TO did with Steve Taylor in the 86 Sugar bowl. If Tommy is anywhere near 60% on his throws we win by 2TD's

Point well taken. I have no answers feel for the Kid and with TA could play the game he is capable of for his last run. Confidence in that happening without perfect situational play calling and more maturity for him and knowledge of what he can do well and when is low.

 

[chicolby]

It was a tough game, no doubt, but the bad comes with the good. We also maybe don't score 17 without him. He is what he is, but he's the best we've got and that's how we roll.

 

[dtrain87]

JT Barrett loss the Penn state game...It happens.

No he didn't, it was the blocked kick. JT Barrett isn't a TO machine like Armstrong.

 

[Morgan747]

We will lose two more games if he does not improve. Every week this year we have left tons of points out there and let ****** teams hang with us. And here we had a huge and real chance to beat Wisky and really launch our season to special levels, but our QB choked.

Improve? Yeah right!

 

[RealTucoSalamanca]

So Purdue 2015 = Wisconsin 2016?

No offense but I agree with those that say this team isn't 7-1 with anyone else on Nebraska's roster playing QB. 2 different coaching staffs have seen the Armstrong and Fyfe side by side for 4 + years and the only time Fyfe started was when Armstrong was injured.

With Fyfe in the game, the threat of QB run in virtually erased. Purdue 2015 held him to -35 yards rushing. I would be this Wisconsin team could double that. With no threat of a QB run game and a decimated OLine the results would not have been there.

When you take the emotion out of it Armstrong gives this team a better chance to win. IF Fyfe was a viable option, coaches would have played him from the beginning of the season. Or at least more when it was clear Armstrong was hobbled. But he is 2-5 for 40 yards and a TD in 3 mop up situations this year.

 

[bigboxes]

The decimated O-line not only blocks for runs, but for the pass as well. Look, we did our best against a really good defense and pushed Wisky to the edge. But thanks for throwing TA under the bus.

Oh and we're 7-1

 

[Morgan747]

I'll be glad to see and hear about the QB battle next spring.

Armstrong will fade from my memory even faster than Martinez did.

QB battle? There should be no battle next year. Tanner Lee will be a really good player.

 

[Row80]

What's puzzling to me is that the coaches hint of his incompetency, yet have never experimented with anybody else at all.

I don't understand this sentiment at all ("yet have never experimented with anybody else at all."). Just because you don't see it during the game, it doesn't mean that the coaches didn't experiment during practice. Sometimes what you see in practice indicates that it's not worth trying during a game.

 

[jlb321_rivals110621]

So Purdue 2015 = Wisconsin 2016?

No offense but I agree with those that say this team isn't 7-1 with anyone else on Nebraska's roster playing QB. 2 different coaching staffs have seen the Armstrong and Fyfe side by side for 4 + years and the only time Fyfe started was when Armstrong was injured.

With Fyfe in the game, the threat of QB run in virtually erased. Purdue 2015 held him to -35 yards rushing. I would be this Wisconsin team could double that. With no threat of a QB run game and a decimated OLine the results would not have been there.

When you take the emotion out of it Armstrong gives this team a better chance to win. IF Fyfe was a viable option, coaches would have played him from the beginning of the season. Or at least more when it was clear Armstrong was hobbled. But he is 2-5 for 40 yards and a TD in 3 mop up situations this year.

very few people, if any, are arguing that TA isn't our best option (clearly he is) --- but just because he is our best option doesn't mean he is a quality QB

he's the least poor of our options at this point

 

[Spartanhusker]

I don't understand this sentiment at all ("yet have never experimented with anybody else at all."). Just because you don't see it during the game, it doesn't mean that the coaches didn't experiment during practice. Sometimes what you see in practice indicates that it's not worth trying during a game.

NAH!!!!! We all know better than the coaching staff, because we all have coached and played at high level.....oh, wait....

 

[jlb321_rivals110621]

NAH!!!!! We all know better than the coaching staff, because we all have coached and played at high level.....oh, wait....

clearly there is no other option ..... what frustrates me is I think we have a very high quality offensive coordinator who is taking a lot of heat when he is severely hamstrung by our current QB play

 

[RealTucoSalamanca]

very few people, if any, are arguing that TA isn't our best option (clearly he is) --- but just because he is our best option doesn't mean he is a quality QB

he's the least poor of our options at this point

Well I was responding to those in this thread calling for Fyfe to play.

What you are saying is akin to bitching about not winning the lottery, because you don't play the lottery and are too broke to buy tickets anyway. What the hell is the point?

Armstrong is what he is. Bitching and blaming isn't going to change that.

Oh and he has lead his team to a 7-1 record and top 10 ranking. Amazing.

 

[Spartanhusker]

clearly there is no other option ..... what frustrates me is I think we have a very high quality offensive coordinator who is taking a lot of heat when he is severely hamstrung by our current QB play

Well, THAT I agree with....

 

[Tuco Ramirez]

He's a quality player. He is one of our better offensive players. But he had a bad game. It happens. Move on.

Wisky was smart in going after the tip balls. Tommy is relatively short and doesn't have great touch on his passes, so that's a weakness they were able to take advantage. I hope we are able to move his launch point more in future games, but with a banged up offensive line (and a banged up Tommy), that might be easier said than done.

 

[GeauxBigRed]

clearly there is no other option ..... what frustrates me is I think we have a very high quality offensive coordinator who is taking a lot of heat when he is severely hamstrung by our current QB play

Anyone who seriously blames Danny Langsdorf is an idiot.

 

[Morgan747]

clearly there is no other option ..... what frustrates me is I think we have a very high quality offensive coordinator who is taking a lot of heat when he is severely hamstrung by our current QB play

Riley is a high quality play caller, Langsdorf is not!

 

[Spartanhusker]

well..........you would THINK so.....

 

[chicolby]

I understand the sentiment of the original poster - he and I tend to agree on a lot of topics, but in this case, this post has no purpose on our fan board. I'm not saying a fan board is intended to pump sunshine all the time, but calling out a player and pinning the entire loss on him is a bit much for me. This is a 22 kid playing for a scholarship (i.e., not making millions of dollars) and I don't believe this type of post should be headlining the Husker board. We are supposed to be the best fans in college football and this post doesn't exhibit that very well.

 

[jlb321_rivals110621]

Well I was responding to those in this thread calling for Fyfe to play.

What you are saying is akin to bitching about not winning the lottery, because you don't play the lottery and are too broke to buy tickets anyway. What the hell is the point?

Armstrong is what he is. Bitching and blaming isn't going to change that.

Oh and he has lead his team to a 7-1 record and top 10 ranking. Amazing.

I think it is fair to point out poor QB play when it occurs .... the simple fact the play has been poor the last three years doesn't change that fact

we aren't grading on the curve ... poor QB play is poor QB play ... and last week we got a 12/31 with 2 picks and numerous other missed opportunities stinker from our 4th year starting QB

and if he stinks it up against OSU this week it should be called out again .. just the same as if he has a great game and goes 19/25 with 2 TDs the QB play will be praised

 

[nebcountry]

I try not to get on the TA cheer or jeer train. He has a skillset. It may not be the skillset some desire. Wiscy shut him down.

 

[jlb321_rivals110621]

I understand the sentiment of the original poster - he and I tend to agree on a lot of topics, but in this case, this post has no purpose on our fan board. I'm not saying a fan board is intended to pump sunshine all the time, but calling out a player and pinning the entire loss on him is a bit much for me. This is a 22 kid playing for a scholarship (i.e., not making millions of dollars) and I don't believe this type of post should be headlining the Husker board. We are supposed to be the best fans in college football and this post doesn't exhibit that very well.

this is a very high profile program .... and just like other programs I think it is fair to critique the QB play

most aren't questioning TAs motives, or whether he is a good person or not .. but the fact of the matter is that the QB play last week was poor

TA doesn't take any more or less heat than he would if he played for other programs like Michigan, OSU, Texas, etc, etc