A lot was made of a seeming conflict with you and Norm Chow over handling the quarterbacks this...

A lot was made of a seeming conflict with you and Norm Chow over handling the quarterbacks this year. First, were you guys in disagreement and, second, how would you characterize your relationship?

RN: I think our relationship before and after is outstanding. We didn't agree on that. Norm has been up-front with me all along that he thinks that Kevin Prince is our quarterback and that Richard shouldn't be forced in there before he is ready and so forth. I was of the mind that Kevin needed to have a different perspective and see it from the sidelines and realize that when you're in there, you have to be ready to be in there, and that Richard, because we were playing him his freshman year, needed more chances to mature. I think both philosophies are right. I really do. I think you can make arguments for both. Since I had my hand over the top of the handle of the bat at the end, I got my way. But I certainly respect Norm Chow's opinion on quarterbacking. I think he is as advertised as an offensive coordinator. I love working with him on a daily basis.

From Ted Miller's Q&A with CRN HT bucknellbruin

3 months ago Nestor 4 comments 0 recs |

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Chow was right, but...

This wasn’t really a case of giving a freshman opportunities, or starting your man of the future over a less-talented but overall safer senior. That would’ve been the case with Brehaut v. Craft — and in that case, both coaches were in favor of starting Craft (from what I understood). But in this case, it was still freshman over freshman. Both guys needed the experience almost equally.

I don’t see how Brehaut could’ve benefited much from the random series here and there, in difficult situations, which apparently was the manifestation of CRN’s goal. It may have even limited our chances to win a few games, like Cal and OSU, both of which involved disastrous Brehaut series. At that point I thought it made more sense to let Prince work out his kinks and regain his confidence lost to injury.

I guess I mean that CRN’s plan wasn’t coherent enough in this situation.

by bluebland on Nov 27, 2009 4:35 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Honestly

I feel like this was only an issue early on in the season, before Craft took the 2nd spot over. I was surprised to see RB not red-shirt, but as we have seen this year, KP can get hurt at any time, so the small amount of play time RB got this year might be paying it forward for next season, in case we need him. As far as this disagreement goes between CRN and Chow… It really happens all the time in big time football. When losses pile up, the media will focus on things like that. As CRN noted, both philosophies are valid, but I agree that letting KP watch from the side did him well, and that letting RB get a taste allowed him to see where he was at mentally at the next level. I think things played out just fine. I think this Spring there will be a definite competition for the #1 spot, which is fantastic for the state of our beloved program.

Bruin-4-Life!!!

by dwdbruin on Nov 27, 2009 4:35 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

CRN Walking a Tightrope

I believe CRN is worried about losing Brehault and for good reason. If Prince is indeed the QB of the future as Chow thinks then there’s no place on the roster for Brehault. It’s not realistic to expect such a highly recruited player to ride the pine, waiting in the wings in case Prince gets injured.

I like the idea of the two players competing for the job in the Spring but what happens to the loser of the competition? The answer to that question will be one of the biggest storylines entering next season.

richramus

by Rich Ramus on Dec 1, 2009 12:06 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Not really

Much a do about nothing. If Brehaut doesn’t get the starting gig, he will be around and ready to step in (and he knows he will get his chances given Prince and his injury issues). And if Prince plays the entire season next season, then Brehaut will redshirt. The story here is media and some fans always looking/thinking about the worst possible scenario to materialize.

by Nestor on Dec 4, 2009 5:16 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs