Hopefully McNulty Rethinks QB Evaluation Parameters

[realhoops2]

Seems like McNulty based his decision last season almost exclusively on Sitkowski's frame and arm strength. Hopefully Sitkowski will show significant improvement with intangibles despite showing very few natural QB instincts last season. If not, McNulty has to be willing to go with a QB with a good feel for the game, whomever that might be. As the linked article demonstrates, there are several factors more important than height and arm strength.
http://www.espn.com/blog/new-york/g...luating-qbs-today-not-height-and-arm-strength

 

[zappaa]

I’ll take innateness and vision all day long in a QB over combine measurables.

 

[ron313]

I’ll take innateness and vision all day long in a QB over combine measurables.

Couldn't agree more

 

[beaced_rivals]

Seems like McNulty based his decision last season almost exclusively on Sitkowski's frame and arm strength. Hopefully Sitkowski will show significant improvement with intangibles despite showing very few natural QB instincts last season. If not, McNulty has to be willing to go with a QB with a good feel for the game, whomever that might be. As the linked article demonstrates, there are several factors more important than height and arm strength.
http://www.espn.com/blog/new-york/giants/post/_/id/58668/what-matters-when-evaluating-qbs-today-not-height-and-arm-strength. QUOTE} Good QB's have it between the ears ,NOT just in the arms.

 

[beaced_rivals]

I’ll take innateness and vision all day long in a QB over combine measurables.

Arms being equal,I will take the kid that has it between the ears .

 

[RUbot]

Seems like McNulty based his decision last season almost exclusively on Sitkowski's frame and arm strength. Hopefully Sitkowski will show significant improvement with intangibles despite showing very few natural QB instincts last season. If not, McNulty has to be willing to go with a QB with a good feel for the game, whomever that might be. As the linked article demonstrates, there are several factors more important than height and arm strength.
http://www.espn.com/blog/new-york/g...luating-qbs-today-not-height-and-arm-strength

WOW !! Where were the published statements that made it seem like McNulty exclusively based his QB selection based on the frame and arm strength of AS??... or is this just more typical crazy armchair expert speculation fitting another theory you wants to throw out there? Crazy things on this board !!

 

[Knight Shift]

I’ll take innateness and vision all day long in a QB over combine measurables.

I would have taken Flacco over all the other measurables on the roster last season.

 

[Yeah Baby]

WOW !! Where were the published statements that made it seem like McNulty exclusively based his QB selection based on the frame and arm strength of AS??... or is this just more typical crazy armchair expert speculation fitting another theory you wants to throw out there? Crazy things on this board !!

Speculation. They took a risk on the kid with the highest upside.

 

[Yeah Baby]

I would have taken Flacco over all the other measurables on the roster last season.

You have said yourself why didn’t the boat tower take him if he was so good. He had a great year. I hope he gets drafted in the first round because I really like his style of play and this would be a great story. But he did play against crap competition. There is no guarantee that translates on our team last year against our schedule. We will never know and it’s a year over now so why keep bringing it up.

I wish he stayed to be honest. But he chose to drop down and excel. Good for him.

 

[NickRU714]

Interesting quote I heard from a former NFL GM/executive:

Being able to make all the throws isn’t the key.
It’s knowing which throw to make on any given play.

 

[Knight Shift]

You have said yourself why didn’t the boat tower take him if he was so good. He had a great year. I hope he gets drafted in the first round because I really like his style of play and this would be a great story. But he did play against crap competition. There is no guarantee that translates on our team last year against our schedule. We will never know and it’s a year over now so why keep bringing it up.

I wish he stayed to be honest. But he chose to drop down and excel. Good for him.

I bring it up still because the cupboard is quite bare with him and Chatman gone. Not sure going all in with Art was the best strategy. There were many of us who saw the Spring game. They could have platooned Flacco and Art to see how it played out in the season.
Maybe we will be proven wrong and see the genius in Ash/McNulty's move. But if we don't, it is a legitimate concern that the QB room does not generate a lot of excitement or optimism.

 

[Yeah Baby]

I bring it up still because the cupboard is quite bare with him and Chatman gone. Not sure going all in with Art was the best strategy. There were many of us who saw the Spring game. They could have platooned Flacco and Art to see how it played out in the season.
Maybe we will be proven wrong and see the genius in Ash/McNulty's move. But if we don't, it is a legitimate concern that the QB room does not generate a lot of excitement or optimism.

Agree. He should have stayed. But he chose to leave. I saw the Spring game too and he ran for 100 yards after the d tagged him. At the end someone finally tackled him

 

[NickRU714]

This has nothing to do with McNulty and more a general comment on the team:

Rutgers, coaches and fans, have been far more focused on recruiting and trying to develop a “prototypical/old school” NFL QB instead of trying to develop a modern college offense and win games in college.

I couldn’t care less if our QB will eventually make the NFL as long as he can win on Saturday.

The ironic thing is that these “non-traditional” QBs that everyone around here trashes are now winning in college but ALSO making the NFL (Mayfield and Murray).

 

[zazoo2002]

This has nothing to do with McNulty and more a general comment on the team:

Rutgers, coaches and fans, have been far more focused on recruiting and trying to develop a “prototypical/old school” NFL QB instead of trying to develop a modern college offense and win games in college.

I couldn’t care less if our QB will eventually make the NFL as long as he can win on Saturday.

The ironic thing is that these “non-traditional” QBs that everyone around here trashes are now winning in college but ALSO making the NFL (Mayfield and Murray).

I actually recall the exact opposite - many fans, including myself, welcomed the thought of an RPO...you know, the style of offense that Ash claimed to be bringing to the Banks, with Boy Wonder and Co.; open-up the field and lessen the competitive gap.

Hmm.

 

[newwavedave1]

Reading a defense, decision making, and mobility are three things that I don't see with Sitkowski.

 

[hiwater]

Seems like McNulty based his decision last season almost exclusively on Sitkowski's frame and arm strength. Hopefully Sitkowski will show significant improvement with intangibles despite showing very few natural QB instincts last season. If not, McNulty has to be willing to go with a QB with a good feel for the game, whomever that might be. As the linked article demonstrates, there are several factors more important than height and arm strength.
http://www.espn.com/blog/new-york/g...luating-qbs-today-not-height-and-arm-strength

Sit was not McNulty's decision. He was Ash's.

 

[zappaa]

Sit was not McNulty's decision. He was Ash's.

It’s always on the head coach

 

[realhoops2]

WOW !! Where were the published statements that made it seem like McNulty exclusively based his QB selection based on the frame and arm strength of AS??... or is this just more typical crazy armchair expert speculation fitting another theory you wants to throw out there? Crazy things on this board !!

You're just another a-hole who thinks they know everything but yet doesnt get it that we all for the most part are posting opinions and speculation. I clearly started my post with "seems like" which clearly indicates I am offer my impression of what happen, not a fact. Despite that, I strongly believe there is validity to my opinion. NJ.com PUBLISHED the following in a story following the 2nd spring scrimmage last season. In my opinion it shows that McNutly was enamored with Sitkowski's arm strength which lead to him being his guy

It goes back to what offensive coordinator John McNulty said at the start of the spring.
“If you’ve been around a while, like (former NFL head coach) Norv Turner used to say, ‘You look at a guy who picks up a rock and throws it across the lake, you’re going to go, ‘Hey, that’s the quarterback,’” McNulty said. “I think sometimes you can go out there and go, ‘Okay, we’ll take him."

 

[realhoops2]

Sit was not McNulty's decision. He was Ash's.

I seriously doubt Ash would have named Sitkowski or anyone else the starter without them first receiving McNulty's strong endorsement

 

[RUich]

I was stunned with his play in the first game. I kidded myself that it was his first college game and he would play smarter. Obviously, I was wrong.
I honestly do not see us doing much better with AS back there.

 

[NickRU714]

I seriously doubt Ash would have named Sitkowski or anyone else the starter without them first receiving McNulty's strong endorsement

According to many, Ash used his long extensive history of defensive coaching to pick (and continue to play) Sit and didn't bother to consult his OC, the career offensive coach.

I personally, find that hard to believe.

 

[realhoops2]

According to many, Ash used his long extensive history of defensive coaching to pick (and continue to play) Sit and didn't bother to consult his OC, the career offensive coach.

I personally, find that hard to believe.

I find that impossible to believe. I know many fans wish Ash was gone already but that doesn't mean all objectivity and rational thinking should be lost.

 

[yesrutgers01]

My gut tells me that Sit was the starter before he signed his letter of intent. I'm trying to remember though, when did Flacco transfer?
All things being equal, I bet JM would go with the QB that will help him run his offense. His preference may be a guy that if 6ft4 220lbs but he wants his offense successful first and foremost. And after Flacco transferred, did we really have anyone else that was better than AS?
BTW- I have such a hard time watching this kid and I want to like him. It isn't his bad throws, it isnt his bone headed decisions but every single pass, even if there is no rush and he has all day, I can see him set and no one coming near him and his feet are still bouncing back and forth. It is very strange.

 

[JoeRU0304]

...but every single pass, even if there is no rush and he has all day, I can see him set and no one coming near him and his feet are still bouncing back and forth. It is very strange.

Natale was like that too.


Joe P.

 

[Knight Shift]

My gut tells me that Sit was the starter before he signed his letter of intent. I'm trying to remember though, when did Flacco transfer?
All things being equal, I bet JM would go with the QB that will help him run his offense. His preference may be a guy that if 6ft4 220lbs but he wants his offense successful first and foremost. And after Flacco transferred, did we really have anyone else that was better than AS?
BTW- I have such a hard time watching this kid and I want to like him. It isn't his bad throws, it isnt his bone headed decisions but every single pass, even if there is no rush and he has all day, I can see him set and no one coming near him and his feet are still bouncing back and forth. It is very strange.

Flacco grad transferred on June 6, 2018.
https://www.nj.com/rutgersfootball/2018/06/quarterback_tom_flacco_will_leave_rutgers_as_gradu.html

 

[yesrutgers01]

Flacco grad transferred on June 6, 2018.
https://www.nj.com/rutgersfootball/2018/06/quarterback_tom_flacco_will_leave_rutgers_as_gradu.html

makes sense and sort of verifies that it was Sit's job the day he signed his papers.

 

[Abro1975]

makes sense and sort of verifies that it was Sit's job the day he signed his papers.

Flacco was Kill's guy. As soon as McNulty replaced Kill and recruited Sitkowski, it was all over for Sitkowski having a fair chance to win the job, IMO. We saw what Flacco did at Towson, Conference or FCS offensive POY. Some QBs have the intangibles to read the Defense , make the right split second decision, to move away from the pass rush, and some don't . Those intangibles are as important as having the big arm.
All we can do is hope one of the QBs in the room this year can win a few games, and the O line can give them enough time.
The Vegas Over/Under for wins this season will probably 3.

 

[Knight Shift]

Flacco was Kill's guy. As soon as McNulty replaced Kill and recruited Sitkowski, it was all over for Sitkowski having a fair chance to win the job, IMO. We saw what Flacco did at Towson, Conference or FCS offensive POY. Some QBs have the intangibles to read the Defense , make the right split second decision, to move away from the pass rush, and some don't . Those intangibles are as important as having the big arm.
All we can do is hope one of the QBs in the room this year can win a few games, and the O line can give them enough time.
The Vegas Over/Under for wins this season will probably 3.

Would love to hear the story as to why Tom Flacco did not go with PJ to Minnesota if he was such a great QB. He showed nothing at WMU, but in fairness, Zach Terrell had a firm hold of the starting position.

 

[chase07470]

Reading a defense, decision making, and mobility are three things that I don't see with Sitkowski.

All of that is tied to pressure. No matter how good the QB is, they all suck when they're getting buried. Even on the odd play when there's no pressure, they rush everything/play with fear and make bad decisions/throws. That was a tough situation for an immobile 17 year old to be thrown into last year.

Don't see how Ash thinks he can be successful in this conference running this offense. When are we ever going to have a line ready to match up and win the LOS against the superior athleticism we line up against nearly every week? When will having an immobile passer ever make sense? He's three years in and there's not a glimmer of hope we're on the right track with this.

 

[RUbacker]

According to many, Ash used his long extensive history of defensive coaching to pick (and continue to play) Sit and didn't bother to consult his OC, the career offensive coach.

I personally, find that hard to believe.

I don’t think that happened . Some posters hate ash so much they will say all kinds of stupid stuff.

 

[Abro1975]

Would love to hear the story as to why Tom Flacco did not go with PJ to Minnesota if he was such a great QB. He showed nothing at WMU, but in fairness, Zach Terrell had a firm hold of the starting position.

Tom Flacco's brother Joe also didn't do much his first 2 years in college. He transferred away and did ok I think.

University of Pittsburgh
In 2003, as part of the Pittsburgh Panthers football team, Flacco was redshirted as a freshman for a team that went 8–5.[8]

In 2004, he was the backup quarterback finding limited playing time behind starter Tyler Palko.[9] He only saw action in three games against Ohio University, University of Nebraska, and the University of South Florida.[10] He finished the season with one completion for 11 yards.[11]

 

[Knight Shift]

All of that is tied to pressure. No matter how good the QB is, they all suck when they're getting buried. Even on the odd play when there's no pressure, they rush everything/play with fear and make bad decisions/throws. That was a tough situation for an immobile 17 year old to be thrown into last year.

Don't see how Ash thinks he can be successful in this conference running this offense. When are we ever going to have a line ready to match up and win the LOS against the superior athleticism we line up against nearly every week? When will having an immobile passer ever make sense? He's three years in and there's not a glimmer of hope we're on the right track with this.

Another issue is the offense was too complicated for our players, and McNulty had to take a lot out of the playbook.

USC is simplifying their schemes with the addition of Graham Harrell.
http://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/26146951/usc-simplifying-schemes-sides-ball
"We basically created simple, effective schemes to allow our kids to play faster," Helton said. "I want us to focus more on the fundamentals and techniques of the game, because I think we're as talented as anyone we're going to play this year, if not better."
"I love his system. It's built to go fast, built for an athletic quarterback, built to spread the ball around," USC quarterback Jack Sears said. "We have a lot of talent on offense from our running backs to our O-line to our receivers."


--------
The 2 or 3 times Rutgers played uptempo last year, they actually looked like a functional unit. Wonder why they did not try that more.

 

[Knight Shift]

Tom Flacco's brother Joe also didn't do much his first 2 years in college. He transferred away and did ok I think.

University of Pittsburgh
In 2003, as part of the Pittsburgh Panthers football team, Flacco was redshirted as a freshman for a team that went 8–5.[8]

In 2004, he was the backup quarterback finding limited playing time behind starter Tyler Palko.[9] He only saw action in three games against Ohio University, University of Nebraska, and the University of South Florida.[10] He finished the season with one completion for 11 yards.[11]

True, but that does not answer the question why PJ did not take Tom with him to Minnesota. One would have thought he showed flashes in practices?

On the other hand, we can hope that Art is a late bloomer like Joe Flacco.

 

[nikoru09]

Another issue is the offense was too complicated for our players, and McNulty had to take a lot out of the playbook.

USC is simplifying their schemes with the addition of Graham Harrell.
http://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/26146951/usc-simplifying-schemes-sides-ball
"We basically created simple, effective schemes to allow our kids to play faster," Helton said. "I want us to focus more on the fundamentals and techniques of the game, because I think we're as talented as anyone we're going to play this year, if not better."
"I love his system. It's built to go fast, built for an athletic quarterback, built to spread the ball around," USC quarterback Jack Sears said. "We have a lot of talent on offense from our running backs to our O-line to our receivers."
if you can remember last season coach kill did the same thing with our running game....simplified the playbook, and low, and behold we won some games.

--------
The 2 or 3 times Rutgers played uptempo last year, they actually looked like a functional unit. Wonder why they did not try that more.

 

[rutgersguy1_rivals]

Another issue is the offense was too complicated for our players, and McNulty had to take a lot out of the playbook.

USC is simplifying their schemes with the addition of Graham Harrell.
http://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/26146951/usc-simplifying-schemes-sides-ball
"We basically created simple, effective schemes to allow our kids to play faster," Helton said. "I want us to focus more on the fundamentals and techniques of the game, because I think we're as talented as anyone we're going to play this year, if not better."
"I love his system. It's built to go fast, built for an athletic quarterback, built to spread the ball around," USC quarterback Jack Sears said. "We have a lot of talent on offense from our running backs to our O-line to our receivers."


--------
The 2 or 3 times Rutgers played uptempo last year, they actually looked like a functional unit. Wonder why they did not try that more.

Been advocating for that incessantly here and Harrell was a name I mentioned a few times here as well when we hired McNulty.

 

[Knight Shift]

Been advocating for that incessantly here and Harrell was a name I mentioned a few times here as well when we hired McNulty.

I thought of you when I posted, but was too lazy to tag you. I figured you would find the post.

 

[hiwater]

I seriously doubt Ash would have named Sitkowski or anyone else the starter without them first receiving McNulty's strong endorsement

McNulty's strong endorsement was for a different QB. They had a big argument about this. If you are going to give responsibility for the Offense, you have to give them the authority to make personnel decisions too. Ash admitted that he does not know much about offenses accept what are the hardest Offenses to stop. He was referring to spread offenses. So it was wrong to force an immobile QB on the OC when he wanted someone else.

 

[RUbacker]

Another issue is the offense was too complicated for our players, and McNulty had to take a lot out of the playbook.

USC is simplifying their schemes with the addition of Graham Harrell.
http://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/26146951/usc-simplifying-schemes-sides-ball
"We basically created simple, effective schemes to allow our kids to play faster," Helton said. "I want us to focus more on the fundamentals and techniques of the game, because I think we're as talented as anyone we're going to play this year, if not better."
"I love his system. It's built to go fast, built for an athletic quarterback, built to spread the ball around," USC quarterback Jack Sears said. "We have a lot of talent on offense from our running backs to our O-line to our receivers."


--------
The 2 or 3 times Rutgers played uptempo last year, they actually looked like a functional unit. Wonder why they did not try that more.

Aren’t these kids college kids ? I’ll never understand how so many can’t grasp a football playbook.

 

[RUbacker]

McNulty's strong endorsement was for a different QB. They had a big argument about this. If you are going to give responsibility for the Offense, you have to give them the authority to make personnel decisions too. Ash admitted that he does not know much about offenses accept what are the hardest Offenses to stop. He was referring to spread offenses. So it was wrong to force an immobile QB on the OC when he wanted someone else.

I did not hear they had a big argument . I don’t believe that.

 

[NickRU714]

McNulty's strong endorsement was for a different QB. They had a big argument about this. If you are going to give responsibility for the Offense, you have to give them the authority to make personnel decisions too. Ash admitted that he does not know much about offenses accept what are the hardest Offenses to stop. He was referring to spread offenses. So it was wrong to force an immobile QB on the OC when he wanted someone else.

I've heard this said on here before.

My big question is: why is McNulty still at Rutgers? How does he not quit?

If Ash, a career defensive coach who admittedly doesn't know offensive coaching, is going to overrule you, how do you come back this year?
We had the worst offense in the country last year.

How does McN not leave and try to protect his reputation or future coaching opportunities?

The fact McN is back, for me, proves he is on board with Sit and gives McN blame/credit for the offense last year and this year.