RU QB Situation Thoughts

TrueRU

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Feb 4, 2004
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Obviously it is a very good thing to have Bolin commit to RU. However, if he goes out and wins the QB job this fall, is that good for the future of RU? It could be fine for Lewis since he is just arriving, but what about Gio? Will that cause him to transfer?

On paper, one would think that Bolin potentially is the most ready of the QB's, but that remains to be seen. Perhaps it could Bolin as the starter with Gio mixing in near the goal line or on short yardage for his running ability, and ultimately setting it up for a Gio/Lewis battle to start in 2018.
 

HeyHuey

All-Conference
Jun 16, 2008
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At this point we still need someone that can run this offense on a high level. I don't think we're there yet.
 

MoobyCow

Heisman
Nov 28, 2001
26,944
26,363
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If he wins the starting QB position, then he's better than Gio and that is good for RU. You can't spend your time worrying that kids who don;t start might transfer. I mean, they might, but what's the other option, purposely don't get better talent?

We will have 3 scholarship QBs now, two of whom have played at this level. That is better in every way than 2 QB, only 1 of whom has stepped foot on a college campus.
 

RUfinal4

All-Conference
Apr 24, 2006
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Out of HS:
- Gio was 2 stars and no other offers although Michigan St and E Mich recruited him
- Kyle was 3 stars with offers from Louisville, Cincy, and Illinois. Kentucky recruited him.

Gio is 6 4 to Kyle 6 3. Both have started and have experience.
 
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JerseyShoreKnight

All-Conference
Jan 2, 2014
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I usually hate hypotheticals but I'll bite on this one. If Bolin wins the QB job, it'll be for 1 year. That'll leave us with Gio and Lewis battling for the job in 2018 with one season under their belt under Kill. Watching for a year and getting familiar with the new offense will only help them.

Of course, it's very possible that Gio or Lewis is a better fit and none of this happens. Either way, it never hurts to have depth at the QB position.
 
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Knight Shift

Heisman
May 19, 2011
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I usually hate hypotheticals but I'll bite on this one. If Bolin wins the QB job, it'll be for 1 year. That'll leave us with Gio and Lewis battling for the job in 2018 with one season under their belt under Kill. Watching for a year and getting familiar with the new offense will only help them.

Of course, it's very possible that Gio or Lewis is a better fit and none of this happens. Either way, it never hurts to have depth at the QB position.
Something to keep in mind too. I read an article that I posted in the other thread on Bolin. The article says that without Bolin teaching Lamar Jackson the playbook, Jackson would not have won the Heisman. That article is a worthwhile read. Bolin wants to coach. So if the article is true, he can mentor Gio and Lewis and mentor them. Sounds like a win-win. The only snag is that Bolin is not a dual threat, and the playbook will have to be modified for him compared to Gio or Lewis. Good problems to have. Maybe we even have Gio and Lewis packages the same way Greg had the Jabu package.
 

MADHAT1

Heisman
Apr 1, 2003
31,489
16,313
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Something to keep in mind too. I read an article that I posted in the other thread on Bolin. The article says that without Bolin teaching Lamar Jackson the playbook, Jackson would not have won the Heisman. That article is a worthwhile read. Bolin wants to coach. So if the article is true, he can mentor Gio and Lewis and mentor them. Sounds like a win-win. The only snag is that Bolin is not a dual threat, and the playbook will have to be modified for him compared to Gio or Lewis. Good problems to have. Maybe we even have Gio and Lewis packages the same way Greg had the Jabu package.
Hopefully whether he wins the starting job or not Kyle will help the QB play this year either on the field or helping Gio and Lewis while the back-up.
Maybe allow Johnathan to redshirt and not lose a year while he's honing his game to fit the college level.
If Nittolo proves to be good enough and a capable 3 string QB , Ash might be able to redshirt Lewis if Johnathan doesn't win the starter's job.
 

madchuck

Heisman
Oct 22, 2016
21,630
46,083
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I don't think Gio transfers. He's a competitor. He started last season 4th string. I think he already exceeded expectations. A lot of the QB's we had transferred because they didn't fit was DM wanted to do. DM isn't here anymore.
 
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BoroKnight

All-Conference
Mar 13, 2010
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We were so bad last year that the goal has to be nothing more than Get Better. If Bolin makes us better by starting at QB, there are no other questions.

I'll worry about 2018 when 2017 is over. It's not like we're just reloading or doing a bit of tinkering here. Best man plays.
 

FELONIOUSMONK

All-American
Apr 1, 2012
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My God let's just stop the clown show. I don't care who lines up over center as long as we stop bringing embarrassing negative attention to ourselves.
 

LotusAggressor_rivals

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Oct 11, 2003
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Something to keep in mind too. I read an article that I posted in the other thread on Bolin. The article says that without Bolin teaching Lamar Jackson the playbook, Jackson would not have won the Heisman. That article is a worthwhile read. Bolin wants to coach. So if the article is true, he can mentor Gio and Lewis and mentor them. Sounds like a win-win. The only snag is that Bolin is not a dual threat, and the playbook will have to be modified for him compared to Gio or Lewis. Good problems to have. Maybe we even have Gio and Lewis packages the same way Greg had the Jabu package.
Hopefully, the Gio and Lewis packages consist of more than one play.
 

Plum Street

Heisman
Jun 21, 2009
27,306
23,009
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Initially I thought it sounded like allen all over again. But seems like he's better than that. He could be our starter
 

Duff366

All-Conference
Jan 6, 2006
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Glad to have Bolin, but would still like for Gio to win the job. We need a dual threat in this offense.
 

FanuSanu52

All-Conference
Nov 8, 2011
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If he wins the starting QB position, then he's better than Gio and that is good for RU. You can't spend your time worrying that kids who don;t start might transfer. I mean, they might, but what's the other option, purposely don't get better talent?

We will have 3 scholarship QBs now, two of whom have played at this level. That is better in every way than 2 QB, only 1 of whom has stepped foot on a college campus.

Seems pretty simple. Our fans are just incredibly neurotic.
 
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Kbee3

Heisman
Aug 23, 2002
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Glad to have Bolin, but would still like for Gio to win the job. We need a dual threat in this offense.

Look, I'm hoping he's the next John Unitas or maybe the next Joe Flacco, but I'm trying to understand what exactly Bolin brings to RU that Laviano, Dare, and Rettig did not. Didn't they leave because their skills didn't fit the new offense ? Do his ?
 
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Knight Shift

Heisman
May 19, 2011
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From Todderick today:

How similar is Louisville's offense to Rutgers'?
"It's actually very similar to what we do at the University of Louisville. The concepts are very similar, the terminology is very similar, which I was excited about because sometimes coaches do a lot of different things. And sometimes it can be hard to unlearn what you learned previously, and then learn what you are about to run next year. So the fact that it's so similar is going to make the transition process a lot easier."
 

FastMJ

All-American
Jan 6, 2007
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Bolen is here for 1 year. Why is this even a question and why is it than even after receiving good news people need to dig for a negative spin?
That's what we do here (at least some people).
Isn't the purpose of this board to have fairly meaningless debates about this kind of stuff? Why do people get irritated about the questions people pose on the message board? It wasn't like OP was being negative about the program.
 

Ole Cabbagehead

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Apr 21, 2011
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The common misconception seems to be founded in the idea that players have inherent value to the team. In reality, if guys are not good enough to play at this level, and are not on the 3 deep, they have zero value. They aren't good enough, and they won't be needed. It makes no difference whether they are here or not. They can be replaced with just about anyone.

That's why it made no sense when people were fretting about the backup QBs transferring in the offseason. We had ZERO QBs who were good enough to play in the Big Ten. Losing guys who were behind those guys on the depth chart is not a loss. Moreover, if they weren't leaving on their own, of course they were told to look elsewhere.

For this year, I predict Bolin will start, as he is at least a P5 caliber player. He will be a game manager type QB. Fans will hate him, and call for Lewis beginning Week 2. Their hopes will not be answered.
 
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LotusAggressor_rivals

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The common misconception seems to be founded in the idea that players have inherent value to the team. In reality, if guys are not good enough to play at this level, and are not on the 3 deep, they have zero value. They aren't good enough, and they won't be needed. It makes no difference whether they are here or not. They can be replaced with just about anyone.

That's why it made no sense when people were fretting about the backup QBs transferring in the offseason. We had ZERO QBs who were good enough to play in the Big Ten. Losing guys who were beyond those guys on the depth chart is not a loss.

For this year, I predict Bolin will start, as he is at least a P5 caliber player. He will be a game manager type QB. Fans will hate him, and call for Lewis beginning Week 2. Their hopes will not be answered.
Let's hope there are competitive games.to manage instead of mop up duty in 78-0 blowouts.
 

LETSGORU91_

All-American
Jan 29, 2017
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Initially I thought it sounded like allen all over again. But seems like he's better than that. He could be our starter

Allen all over again? While we had hopes for Allen, most realized he had such limited snaps as a QB and then spent the remainder of his time at TCU as a receiver. Bolin on the other hand, has a decent number of starts against some good teams...plus a couple 300 yard games. Better upside help for RU and gives us more options at QB. But much of it will hinge on the offensive line capabilities.
 

madchuck

Heisman
Oct 22, 2016
21,630
46,083
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Bolin played and started in games. Bolin won the starting job at a pretty good school. Allen threw like 10 passes at TCU and was switched to receiver. Rettig never saw the field at LSU. So unlike our previous transfers, Bolin actually has game experience. The only other transfer comparable to Bolin is Nelson but he never made it here.
 

RU848789

Heisman
Jul 27, 2001
65,217
44,292
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Isn't the purpose of this board to have fairly meaningless debates about this kind of stuff? Why do people get irritated about the questions people pose on the message board? It wasn't like OP was being negative about the program.
Yes, but the other purpose is for people to argue, whine, complain and insult each other, which we're pretty good at, lol.
 
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May 11, 2010
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Look, I'm hoping he's the next John Unitas or maybe the next Joe Flacco, but I'm trying to understand what exactly Bolin brings to RU that Laviano, Dare, and Rettig did not. Didn't they leave because their skills didn't fit the new offense ? Do his ?

I'm not familiar with Bolin, I'll bet he's better than Laviano, but I'm not sure why Dare transferred out.
Rettig was never given a fair shake here.
 

madchuck

Heisman
Oct 22, 2016
21,630
46,083
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I'm not familiar with Bolin, I'll bet he's better than Laviano, but I'm not sure why Dare transferred out.
Rettig was never given a fair shake here.

Honestly as awful as Allen and Laviono were last year, I don't think Rettig could've been much worse.