Most Disappointing Unit

[RURod]

I say the O-Line.

We knew we would struggle at QB and LB. But I thought the O-Line would be solid with 4 of 5 returning. And they were not bad last year (at least against comparable opponents). This year we can't run the ball when need it, and the pass protection has been poor.

 

[Dpgru]

If it is simply disappointment you are asking for my biggest disappointment is that in a school as large as Rutgers we can't find one person who can kick a football into the end zone on a kickoff. Every freakin' kickoff goes no farther than the15 yard line. The opposition starts every drive on the 30/35 yard line. I watch games from the MAC, CONF. USA, and othe g5 games and kickoffs are touchbacks. Why don't we have someone who can kickoff? I know the answer - Flood was a bad recruiter, but it still drives me crazy.

 

[RUJMM78]

I thought the defensive line was supposed to be a strength of the team with all the starters returning.There is no pass rush and very little evidence of winning one on one battles stopping the run.

 

[RUPartisan]

Lost in all the Mehringer talk is Blazek. Does this guy get a pass? This is clearly the best o-line the staff could come up with and i dont see how anyone thinks it will be better next year. I realize brutal recruiting left us in this mess but Blazek doesnt seem to be able to handle this level of competition since we do almost nothing right.

 

[rurichdog]

Kicking team. Every other school has a guy who boots it out of the endzone every single time. Not our guy.

 

[RUScrew85]

The Starters? LOL.

Oh and we don't seem to be able to kickoff past the 20 yard line.

 

[AreYouNUTS]

Never expected the OL to be good this year. Thank God for Cole, to be honest, otherwise it would be one of the worst in the nation. That being said, hands-down, the kicking/punting unit. My Lord we are in BAD shape at both spots.

 

[brgRC90]

Receiving--or, rather, dropping--corps.

 

[RU from Jersey_rivals]

I believe all are disappointing. Not one unit has played well. In order of ineptitude I would say 1.special teams(although they did block a field goal yesterday),2. QB's(maybe some light at the end of the tunnel with a healthy Gio),3. DB's(every deep pass cannot be a completion because you don't turn around), 4. LB's(just no real talent at all), 5. WR's(same as LB's), 6. O-line(very disappointing), 7. D-line(ditto) and 8. the running backs will get a pass as they have made some plays without a lot of help.

 

[RUbot]

The most disappointing unit is the Rutgers fanbase. The only way this team is ever going to get to the level everyone wants is if we start attracting higher caliber players. And when you have a fan base that doesn’t show up on a beautiful Saturday afternoon, you have an environment that looks amateurish compared to the Ohio State and Penn states of the world. Just look at the comments from RU player Kevin Marquez this week on NJ.com who was raving about the environment at Penn State. I hate that school as much as anyone else hear, but even when they were down the past few years their stadium is always packed and raucous. We are in a tight game against Indiana yesterday and you could barely get the crowd to make noise when RU was on defense. Maybe once in a while on third down… but on first and second downs it is embarrassing. Everyone blames coaches and their inability to recruit, but the environment around here is terrible compared to these other schools and that is a major disadvantage. . RU’s fanbase needs to step it up and support the team win or lose… or don’t expect kids to start flocking here. And then there is the facilities issue and the lack of financial support. I read those updates on the R fund progress every few weeks and I am embarrassed to see what this schools supporters give to the team. Just amazed how many no-shows yesterday, and how many people I hear are selling their Penn State tickets or thinking of not coming at all.

 

[RU#1fan]

I don't what game you were at but we very loud on Defense several times yesterday.
In fact Indiana had to call timeout a couple of times on 3rd down because of the noise.
Not bad for 25,000 fans in the stadium.

 

[RUbot]

I don't what game you were at but we very loud on Defense several times yesterday.
In fact Indiana had to call timeout a couple of times on 3rd down because of the noise.
Not bad for 25,000 fans in the stadium.

"but we very loud on Defense SEVERAL times yesterday.". And this is the problem. Several times does not cut it. To create a real college football environment the crowd needs to be loud all the time when the home team is on d. Not just. When the team has the lead, or on third down. Our crowd is typically lame when it comes to this. We are within 11 points and our crowd retreats into a shell and becomes spectators... Not participants. Weak.

 

[ruready07]

The most disappointing unit is the Rutgers fanbase. The only way this team is ever going to get to the level everyone wants is if we start attracting higher caliber players. And when you have a fan base that doesn’t show up on a beautiful Saturday afternoon, you have an environment that looks amateurish compared to the Ohio State and Penn states of the world. Just look at the comments from RU player Kevin Marquez this week on NJ.com who was raving about the environment at Penn State. I hate that school as much as anyone else hear, but even when they were down the past few years their stadium is always packed and raucous. We are in a tight game against Indiana yesterday and you could barely get the crowd to make noise when RU was on defense. Maybe once in a while on third down… but on first and second downs it is embarrassing. Everyone blames coaches and their inability to recruit, but the environment around here is terrible compared to these other schools and that is a major disadvantage. . RU’s fanbase needs to step it up and support the team win or lose… or don’t expect kids to start flocking here. And then there is the facilities issue and the lack of financial support. I read those updates on the R fund progress every few weeks and I am embarrassed to see what this schools supporters give to the team. Just amazed how many no-shows yesterday, and how many people I hear are selling their Penn State tickets or thinking of not coming at all.

you are very very very off base with your post. We, Rutgers fans, have been given less to cheer about than just about any fanbase in the freekin country - and we still fill the place up pretty damn well. When the situation calls for it, we provide as good of an atmosphere as anywhere in the country. Yes, this is true. And if you havent been to other stadiums, you shouldnt rant off like that. You want to compare us to schools with decades worth of playing top level football... how does that make sense? Id argue that for a school who has been playing 1a football for less time than any other current power 5 team, and with a history of losing, we are way ahead of where we should be. Its actually a testament to the passion for football in NJ that we provide as good of a gameday as we do for the product we've dealt with over the years.

 

[TMCB]

Defense by a wide margin, dl over hyped, secondary cant cover a 90 yr old

 

[AreYouNUTS]

The most disappointing unit is the Rutgers fanbase. The only way this team is ever going to get to the level everyone wants is if we start attracting higher caliber players. And when you have a fan base that doesn’t show up on a beautiful Saturday afternoon, you have an environment that looks amateurish compared to the Ohio State and Penn states of the world. Just look at the comments from RU player Kevin Marquez this week on NJ.com who was raving about the environment at Penn State. I hate that school as much as anyone else hear, but even when they were down the past few years their stadium is always packed and raucous. We are in a tight game against Indiana yesterday and you could barely get the crowd to make noise when RU was on defense. Maybe once in a while on third down… but on first and second downs it is embarrassing. Everyone blames coaches and their inability to recruit, but the environment around here is terrible compared to these other schools and that is a major disadvantage. . RU’s fanbase needs to step it up and support the team win or lose… or don’t expect kids to start flocking here. And then there is the facilities issue and the lack of financial support. I read those updates on the R fund progress every few weeks and I am embarrassed to see what this schools supporters give to the team. Just amazed how many no-shows yesterday, and how many people I hear are selling their Penn State tickets or thinking of not coming at all.

Hey maybe we should start Laviana against Penn State to assure that all our fans show up!

 

[ashokan]

Kicking team. Every other school has a guy who boots it out of the endzone every single time. Not our guy.

Well RU is ranked 125th for kicking (cfbstats.com) but 126th for total offense . Offense by a nose.

 

[gef21]

I would specifically say our Guards. The are playing terribly.

 

[newwavedave1]

Every unit has been a disappointment, with the OL at the top of my list. QB not so much, as I was expecting Laviano to stink it up.

 

[RURM85]

Special teams - specifically kicking, punting and coverage. We lose the field position battle every week and it's one area that we could least afford to lose. Teams that win this area, win their games.

We need a placekicker that's going to kick the ball either through the end zone and/or into the end zone a majority of the time. We need a punter who's going to average at least low 40s per punt and not 37.7 yds./punt and is real good at pinning the opposing team deep in their territory. This is the area of the Indiana game that killed us with punting averaging less than 34 yards/punt. Punting into the wind during the 3rd quarter killed us.

No easy way to say that.

 

[JonathanAlan]

Never expected the OL to be good this year. Thank God for Cole, to be honest, otherwise it would be one of the worst in the nation. That being said, hands-down, the kicking/punting unit. My Lord we are in BAD shape at both spots.

I absolutely agree regarding the poor state of our punting and kicking. It seems like after every punt the opposition is at their 35-40 yd line. And the protection of our punter has been horrible.

 

[kennyschiano]

Lost in all the Mehringer talk is Blazek. Does this guy get a pass? This is clearly the best o-line the staff could come up with and i dont see how anyone thinks it will be better next year. I realize brutal recruiting left us in this mess but Blazek doesnt seem to be able to handle this level of competition since we do almost nothing right.

notice that every OL flood was responsible for recruiting was bad?? notice that QBs get killed with his OLs? tom savage destroyed, chas dodd hit a ton. mo lang, marlon romulus, david osei. even the highly ranked ones like art forst stunk. ciarocca is now doing a great job without flood.

i don't blame blazek - it's wayyyy too early for that. wait till he can develop his own guys that he recruits and then we can discuss.

 

[RUScrew85]

"but we very loud on Defense SEVERAL times yesterday.". And this is the problem. Several times does not cut it. To create a real college football environment the crowd needs to be loud all the time when the home team is on d. Not just. When the team has the lead, or on third down. Our crowd is typically lame when it comes to this. We are within 11 points and our crowd retreats into a shell and becomes spectators... Not participants. Weak.

Let's see if you're saying the same thing after 30+ years of Rutgers football.

 

[RUbot]

Let's see if you're saying the same thing after 30+ years of Rutgers football.

How about 46 years of attending RU home games . First was in October 1970 against Delaware. A few here or there from 70 - 79 then Then 95- 100% of every home game over the next 37 years (since '79). We are nowhere near what we need to be as a fan base. Yes we have had a few moments where the stadium has rocked, but they are few and far between, still far below where we need to be. Fan base is way too fickle. Donate Donate donate..

 

[FellowPaisan]

The most disappointing unit is the Rutgers fanbase. The only way this team is ever going to get to the level everyone wants is if we start attracting higher caliber players. And when you have a fan base that doesn’t show up on a beautiful Saturday afternoon, you have an environment that looks amateurish compared to the Ohio State and Penn states of the world. Just look at the comments from RU player Kevin Marquez this week on NJ.com who was raving about the environment at Penn State. I hate that school as much as anyone else hear, but even when they were down the past few years their stadium is always packed and raucous. We are in a tight game against Indiana yesterday and you could barely get the crowd to make noise when RU was on defense. Maybe once in a while on third down… but on first and second downs it is embarrassing. Everyone blames coaches and their inability to recruit, but the environment around here is terrible compared to these other schools and that is a major disadvantage. . RU’s fanbase needs to step it up and support the team win or lose… or don’t expect kids to start flocking here. And then there is the facilities issue and the lack of financial support. I read those updates on the R fund progress every few weeks and I am embarrassed to see what this schools supporters give to the team. Just amazed how many no-shows yesterday, and how many people I hear are selling their Penn State tickets or thinking of not coming at all.

I don't think its that much difficult to most teams having bad yrs. Look at Hoke's final yr at michigan where they were basically giving tkts away.

 

[zappaa]

The most disappointing unit is the Rutgers fanbase. The only way this team is ever going to get to the level everyone wants is if we start attracting higher caliber players. And when you have a fan base that doesn’t show up on a beautiful Saturday afternoon, you have an environment that looks amateurish compared to the Ohio State and Penn states of the world. Just look at the comments from RU player Kevin Marquez this week on NJ.com who was raving about the environment at Penn State. I hate that school as much as anyone else hear, but even when they were down the past few years their stadium is always packed and raucous. We are in a tight game against Indiana yesterday and you could barely get the crowd to make noise when RU was on defense. Maybe once in a while on third down… but on first and second downs it is embarrassing. Everyone blames coaches and their inability to recruit, but the environment around here is terrible compared to these other schools and that is a major disadvantage. . RU’s fanbase needs to step it up and support the team win or lose… or don’t expect kids to start flocking here. And then there is the facilities issue and the lack of financial support. I read those updates on the R fund progress every few weeks and I am embarrassed to see what this schools supporters give to the team. Just amazed how many no-shows yesterday, and how many people I hear are selling their Penn State tickets or thinking of not coming at all.

LOL
It's the fans fault.

 

[zappaa]

How about 46 years of attending RU home games . First was in October 1970 against Delaware. A few here or there from 70 - 79 then Then 95- 100% of every home game over the next 37 years (since '79). We are nowhere near what we need to be as a fan base. Yes we have had a few moments where the stadium has rocked, but they are few and far between, still far below where we need to be. Fan base is way too fickle. Donate Donate donate..

Product sucks, hard to market a bad product.
We've proven we can root and travel with anyone when the product is worthy.
Coming from the guy that bad mouths and questions the football knowledge of everyone on this board

 

[dnmuller]

The most disappointing unit is the Rutgers fanbase. The only way this team is ever going to get to the level everyone wants is if we start attracting higher caliber players. And when you have a fan base that doesn’t show up on a beautiful Saturday afternoon, you have an environment that looks amateurish compared to the Ohio State and Penn states of the world. Just look at the comments from RU player Kevin Marquez this week on NJ.com who was raving about the environment at Penn State. I hate that school as much as anyone else hear, but even when they were down the past few years their stadium is always packed and raucous. We are in a tight game against Indiana yesterday and you could barely get the crowd to make noise when RU was on defense. Maybe once in a while on third down… but on first and second downs it is embarrassing. Everyone blames coaches and their inability to recruit, but the environment around here is terrible compared to these other schools and that is a major disadvantage. . RU’s fanbase needs to step it up and support the team win or lose… or don’t expect kids to start flocking here. And then there is the facilities issue and the lack of financial support. I read those updates on the R fund progress every few weeks and I am embarrassed to see what this schools supporters give to the team. Just amazed how many no-shows yesterday, and how many people I hear are selling their Penn State tickets or thinking of not coming at all.

This. Build it and they will come. The lack of financial and institutional support has resulted in this 2-7 team. 3 AD's, 2 HC's, 5 OC's and 3 position coaches in 5 years is a recipe for disaster. Maybe if Rutgers had spent the money in 2012-3, we wouldn't be in this mess. We don't need 100,000 fans, just show up and support your team like you would your own kids. Do you stop cheering for your daughter's soccer team that hasn't won a game? No you don't, so show up and cheer for these boys that are busting their asses for you while also going to classes full time. Most of you have no idea how hard these boys work.

 

[JonathanAlan]

The most disappointing unit is the Rutgers fanbase. The only way this team is ever going to get to the level everyone wants is if we start attracting higher caliber players. And when you have a fan base that doesn’t show up on a beautiful Saturday afternoon, you have an environment that looks amateurish compared to the Ohio State and Penn states of the world. Just look at the comments from RU player Kevin Marquez this week on NJ.com who was raving about the environment at Penn State. I hate that school as much as anyone else hear, but even when they were down the past few years their stadium is always packed and raucous. We are in a tight game against Indiana yesterday and you could barely get the crowd to make noise when RU was on defense. Maybe once in a while on third down… but on first and second downs it is embarrassing. Everyone blames coaches and their inability to recruit, but the environment around here is terrible compared to these other schools and that is a major disadvantage. . RU’s fanbase needs to step it up and support the team win or lose… or don’t expect kids to start flocking here. And then there is the facilities issue and the lack of financial support. I read those updates on the R fund progress every few weeks and I am embarrassed to see what this schools supporters give to the team. Just amazed how many no-shows yesterday, and how many people I hear are selling their Penn State tickets or thinking of not coming at all.

I think you've hit on something. You watch a Wisconsin or Penn State game and you see enormous crowds totally into the game with their whiteouts or whatever and then you see and feel the environment at Rutgers games and wonder silently to yourself , "why can't that be Rutgers?" I wasn't surprised when Jonathan Taylor flipped to Wisconsin--very fine academics , really nice campus ( my sister went there) , terrific game day environment, and a football tradition of excellence. I do think the separation of campuses throughout NB and Piscataway makes it difficult to create that pre-game excitement . Perhaps after all the building around campus is completed that separation will lessen. Who knows?

 

[G- RUnit]

I think you've hit on something. You watch a Wisconsin or Penn State game and you see enormous crowds totally into the game with their whiteouts or whatever and then you see and feel the environment at Rutgers games and wonder silently to yourself , "why can't that be Rutgers?" I wasn't surprised when Jonathan Taylor flipped to Wisconsin--very fine academics , really nice campus ( my sister went there) , terrific game day environment, and a football tradition of excellence. I do think the separation of campuses throughout NB and Piscataway makes it difficult to create that pre-game excitement . Perhaps after all the building around campus is completed that separation will lessen. Who knows?

Or you can go to the Wisconsin and PSU's away games on the road and realize that their fans are just as fickle as RU. Minnesota does not sell out their homecoming on as beautiful day as you will ever have in Minnesota. Lots of nonsense spewed here. RU v Michigan was fine in the rain but why let facts get in the way? RU Stadium is as loud as any when it's rocking. Did you ever actually sit in the stadium at Michigan or PSU? You realize RU does not get enough credit. RU tailgating is as good or better then most of the B1G. Yep, Its better than Nebraska.

 

[waretown]

Never expected the OL to be good this year. Thank God for Cole, to be honest, otherwise it would be one of the worst in the nation. That being said, hands-down, the kicking/punting unit. My Lord we are in BAD shape at both spots.

ash stated he wont burn a scholie on a kicker, not a good move chris

 

[Rokodesh]

special teams has to be one of the worst in the country. Don't trust our kicker or punter from anywhere.

 

[Ole Cabbagehead]

I don't see how you can possibly pick just one. Even just looking at the offense, I don't know who to blame anymore... the play call is questionable, but when it should work, it doesn't because the receiver drops the ball. Or the QB couldn't get the play off, because the entire defensive line was in his face, but then when he does have time to throw, he throws a pick.

Its like staring into the abyss.

 

[brodo_rivals]

Receiving--or, rather, dropping--corps.

I don't know what team you've been watching, but the dropping corps has been stellar.

 

[RUScrew85]

How about 46 years of attending RU home games . First was in October 1970 against Delaware. A few here or there from 70 - 79 then Then 95- 100% of every home game over the next 37 years (since '79). We are nowhere near what we need to be as a fan base. Yes we have had a few moments where the stadium has rocked, but they are few and far between, still far below where we need to be. Fan base is way too fickle. Donate Donate donate..

I stand corrected. You have the credentials to criticize.

 

[jerzeyguy]

Wide receiver. Guys like Patton, Adugosi, Tsims have been around for awhile. They play like freshman

 

[RUinPAC10land]

Lost in all the Mehringer talk is Blazek. Does this guy get a pass? This is clearly the best o-line the staff could come up with and i dont see how anyone thinks it will be better next year. I realize brutal recruiting left us in this mess but Blazek doesnt seem to be able to handle this level of competition since we do almost nothing right.

Brutal recruiting? Cole is decent. Denman and Muller were four star recruits and they're upperclassmen now. Flood, the OL expert, did a really bad job developing these players. Recruiting was not bad when compared to other schools outside of OSU, UM and Wisconsin, but once again, player development was a huge fail. Hopefully, Ash's staff turns this around. There were four games that could have been wins this year so it's not just recruiting.

 

[AreYouNUTS]

ash stated he wont burn a scholie on a kicker, not a good move chris

I'm pretty sure Ash is about to land a top-notch kicker, without using one, whereas his predecessor wasn't able to land them WITH scholarships available.