Time For UCLA To Cut To The Chase w Forcier

by MANTIS9 on Aug 11, 2008 3:20 PM PDT

Given what's on the table, if Forcier can digest enough of Chow's playbook through his arm and toss with average Pac 10 proficiency, he's got to be the guy. Why? With a string cheese OL, only Forcier, with 4.44 40 speed, will give UCLA two offensive options on every play, even if (when) the front wall falls down. If he can command any passing accuracy at all, he may be able to pull off those old Beban newsreel like play-options where he throws or rolls, depending on what the defense gives him...a few of those click, and the whole Chow "total field" offense can light up.

Some may remember that Cade McNown looked like he was tossing fish buckets his freshman year and yet his speed and uncanny sense when to run moved many a chain. The passing skills later caught up and UCLA wound up with the all-time Pac 10 total offense leader to that time. The only gift in this whole Brittle Ben thing was that, with the injury inevitably coming...better now than later...If Osaar could pass, perhaps he'd be the guy here, but he's probably been ruined by years of bad coach cooking from Dorrell trying to force his round skills into a square hole, make that a trapezoid.

As it stands, Forcier, with that 4.44, is possibly the speediest skill player on a slow team (compare him to Knox at 4.6, Dean 4.5--uh...Prince was 4.8 BEFORE the knee, Crissman 4.75--) Only 5 star rookie Moore, Franklin and (allegedly) Dye are faster and they ain't playing QB.

In a season that's going to be 12 rounds of sucker punches and swinging gates, might as well start the Chaseand let the "C-Force" be with UCLA from the get-go=Billy Kilmer

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of BruinsNation's (BN) editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of BN's editors.

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Comment and a question

Please don’t use all caps in the subject headers of your post unless it is an absolute emergency (this is not one of those situation).

Also have you seen Forcier and Craft in action? This is a question not to put you on defensive. I am genuinely curious. I personally don’t want to latch on to any QBs until I have seen them in action.

by Nestor on Aug 11, 2008 3:31 PM PDT 0 recs

I see a lot of if's

In reality, we don’t have any great choices at QB. Our most experienced QB we have to choose from is either Rashaan and his minimal time last year or Craft. Our most talented QB is probably Prince or Crissman (at least in terms of throwing ability), but neither has played a down. I think the staff is doing the correct thing and letting the guys battle it out in camp. Is throwing Forcier out there the best option if he can’t hit an open man (and I question whether or not he can after watching a couple practices). His running ability is certainly a plus, but if he can’t throw with any accuracy then you’re looking at a situation like last season when Rashaan just ran around because he couldn’t come close to hitting the open man.

We don’t have a single QB who would step onto another Pac 10 team and be the clear cut option at QB. We have a lot of talent at QB, but it’s all developing so why not wait out the next few weeks and see who develops best?

by ryebreadraz on Aug 11, 2008 3:33 PM PDT 0 recs

Id' just like to add

that I’ve been to 6 practices so far so I’ve gotten a decent look at our QB’s so far and none have jumped out at me. All have looked great at times and gotten me extremely excited and all have looked poor and made me wonder if he’s a D-1 quality QB. I don’t have a favorite at the moment and in my eyes, all are in a dead heat. If I were forced to choose I’d go with Craft because he has some experience, but I think all the guys are equal right now.

by ryebreadraz on Aug 11, 2008 3:36 PM PDT up 0 recs

Yeap

I thought it was comedic for Dohn to run a QB poll for his readers without anyone having a shred of data point on how these kids in game action. It would make sense to run a poll like that after we have seen them in action in about 3-4 games. Right now we have no information except for notes from practice observers.

by Nestor on Aug 11, 2008 3:36 PM PDT up 0 recs

One thing to consider with Forcier

is that his biggest advantage (speed) may in fact be an impediment to the development of the OL’s blocking schemes during the course of the year.

It’s a good band-aid, no doubt, but it’s only that: a band-aid.

That said, I go with Craft and experience until shown that Forcier can manage a game. We don’t need someone jumping all over the field this year – we really just need someone who can limit mistakes and manage the game. History dictates this is someone with a couple of years of experience, not a redshirt freshman.

by CAJason80 on Aug 11, 2008 5:42 PM PDT 0 recs

decision time

last year’s qb carousel was impossible. i hope neu makes a choice and sticks to it for a while.

by jjreicher on Aug 11, 2008 7:14 PM PDT 0 recs

Uh...

I hope you’re not suggesting that we make a quick and hasty choice and then stick with it. As terrible a situation as this is, there is undoubtedly a best choice out there, and our coaches need to take the time necessary to do that.

by Tydides on Aug 11, 2008 10:06 PM PDT up 0 recs

Not only that

They need to show flexibility early on.

Tommy Maddox didn’t emerge as a freshmen starter until about second or third game.

by Nestor on Aug 12, 2008 4:38 AM PDT up 0 recs

And

We really don’t want to lose another JP Losman.

by SuperBruinMan on Aug 12, 2008 11:26 AM PDT up 0 recs

Or

We really don’t want to settle down with someone like Cory Paus without taking into account game management skills of someone like Scott McEwan.

by Nestor on Aug 12, 2008 7:19 PM PDT up 0 recs

dunno how relevant this is...

but i remember last yr during 7-on-7 passing drills forcier looked to be the best passer on the team then. granted, that was then, and it was 7-on-7. but what it does indicate to me is that the dude can throw the pigskin.
i think craft could be a good option too but to set him apart from the rest because of his experience at sdsu and mt. sac may be giving him a bit too much credit.
let them all prove i on the field, i’d rather they make the correct choice than a quick choice.
i think we have great options at qb, i’m pretty optimistic about the situation- cautiously optimistic =P

Across The Face

by rb bruin on Aug 11, 2008 9:22 PM PDT 0 recs

I'll let the coaches decide.

Personally, I think game experience (Craft) is more valuable than speed (Forcier). Whoever wins the QB competition will have the vote of the Coaches confidence and that will be good enough for me.

A coach is someone who can give correction without causing resentment. John Wooden

by MexiBruin on Aug 11, 2008 11:57 PM PDT 0 recs

Speed

is not the same as quickness. Speed is only helpful once you’re in the open field. You need quickness to get to the open field. Forcier may run a 4.44 40, but you don’t know if he gets to full speed after 10 yards or 20. Running backs may not have speed, but they are quick, can change direction in a hurry, and hit a hole at full speed from two yards out. They’re almost never the speediest runners on a team (usually db’s). For a qb and a rb, I will take quickness over speed any day, particularly if it also means quickness in making a decision.

In any case, it sure is nice that Neuheisel and Chow have your advice to rely on, because obviously they can’t figure this out by themselves…

by tasser10 on Aug 12, 2008 12:05 PM PDT 0 recs

Good comment, Tas

You can never go wrong paraphrasing Coach {e.g., “Be quick, but don’t hurry.”)

by Fox 71 on Aug 12, 2008 3:49 PM PDT up 0 recs

Lets not be too "Speedy"

Speed is undoubtedly good in a jam…but I still think Forcier will make too many mistakes as of now…that his feet wont be able to cash. Craft is learning the offense well according to Chow..So I think as of now I’d take the smarter tortoise over the impulsive hare

by Bru-in style on Aug 15, 2008 4:50 PM PDT 0 recs