Spaulding Roundup: The Quarterback Decision & Eliminating Defensive Mistakes
by Nestor on Sep 18, 2009 5:36 AM PDT
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Printhicalliber makes some excellent points on why it would be reasonable for Neuheisel and Chow to go with Craft to start the game this coming Saturday. I have only seen Brehaut for a series and read about his performance from this past spring and fall camp courtesy of few practice observers with a track record of not sugercoating with homerific povs. Based on those datapoints I can get a sense of Brehaut having an advantage over Craft in terms of athletic potential.
However, right now the focus should be on winning from week to week. It seems like at this point of time, Craft might have a slight advantage due to the factors hicalliber outlines and also number of other tangibles. As I mentioned above, I don't think Craft has the same athletic abilites as Brehaut. Brehaut made throwns I never saw Craft made in all of the games he started this past season. Still I don't believe Craft's performance (in terms of numbers) is indicative of the kind of QB he is given he received no protection and zero support from the running game.
I am going to bet we are looking at game plan this Saturday, in which coaches will be looking to throw at most 20-25 times a game, get about 130-150 yards passing through passes to backs, TEs and receivers in slant patters, and then get the running game to generate another 150 yards on the ground. For that kind of role Craft could be right fit given his experience from this past season. Here is what CRN said following Thursday's practice (during which Craft again took most of the reps with the first team):
"(Thursday) wasn't about competition," Neuheisel said. "(It) was more about being fluid and seamless, regardless of which quarterback was in there."
More from the LA Times:
Craft and Brehaut spent time after practice picking out footballs for the game -- a chore usually reserved for starter Kevin Prince, who is out because of a fractured jaw. Neuheisel reiterated that he may use both, though that runs counter to offensive coordinator Norm Chow's philosophy.
"I'm not a real two-guy guy," Chow said. "But we're going to do whatever it takes to win."
Neuheisel said he and Chow would make a decision today.
"I got my druthers, he's got his druthers," Neuheisel said. "We're going to try to meld them. Ultimately, it will be my decision. I want his counsel, with all his experience with quarterbacks."
We will see. I think Chow and Neuheisel will make their decision this morning. So keep an eye out for it and post it when the news breaks. I am going to be all right with whoever the coaches' decide to start. More after the jump.
On the other side of the ball we have talked a lot about how the defense needs to have a better start in terms of eliminating mistakes early on. Per the LAT's report coaches and players have been talking about (and presumably focusing on) it:
"Dumb penalties will kill you," Bullough said.
He said that message has been delivered repeatedly this week heading into Saturday's game against Kansas State.
"The first drive this week, we have to make a statement," linebacker Reggie Carter said. "I think it is anxiousness. Guys are reaching, trying to make plays. It just ends up hurting you. We can't start slow."
Bosworth reiterated the same message:
"If we can get a three-and-out right away this week, that would be huge," Bosworth said. "Guys have been so ready to get out there that as soon as we think the ball was going to be snapped, we were gone. We have to calm down and relax. But you can't overthink it because that does lead to penalties. We can't have three-and-outs turning into seven-and-scores."
We will see if their added attention to this detail pay off against Kansas State. Can't wait to find out.
GO BRUINS.
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Two-guy guy
a little friction between NC an RN regarding platooning KC and “Bree-ho”…Both players need the challenge of real game time play. I’m anxious to see Brehaut play and yet want KC’s shot at redemption. Never been more excited about an indecision before.
Craft
I agree with Nestor that Craft is the guy most capable of playing right now and winning right now based on the staff’s decisions to date. We probably won’t get a true picture of what’s going on in practice until a lot later and its pretty tough for us to know who is really the best choice, but i think you can look at a couple of things that point to Craft being ahead of Brehaut right now.
The first, and I think most compelling, is that unless Craft was a much better option right now, I think he would be a clear #3 and Brehaut would get all the reps and experience. Even if they were neck and neck, don’t you think they would go with freshmen who will benefit immensely from the experience and pay future dividends and not waste valuable opportunities on a senior who has an established 12 game track record? I would think that Craft has to bring clear advantages to the table to even be considered. I think a lot of fans, myself included, want Craft to get the chance to redeem himself and prove last year was an aberration but I doubt the coaching staff takes that into consideration. The teams overall success is what matters, not feel good stories for the fans.
The second point is that Craft was clearly the #2 guy during the SDSU game based on coming in when Prince got the cramp. It wasn’t until the game was out of reach that Brehaut played. It showed that when the game was in doubt, the staff wanted Craft as their QB.
The only counterpoint I have is maybe they are keeping Craft in the discussion to keep Brehaut from coasting and making sure he can compete when the opportunity arises. Prince was clearly the above Brehaut in the past so maybe they want to see how he (Brehaut) responds when he has a clear shot of being the guy.
Two QB systems never work.
Luckily our coaches are wise enough to know the same thing. We are not going to go into a platooning of QBs here at UCLA. This is a stop gap measure while KP get’s healed up are ready to play. I think giving both Craft and Brehaut valuable playing time will pay huge dividends later in the season.
A coach is someone who can give correction without causing resentment. John Wooden
Hard to tell from the article...
but I do not think CRN was referring to running a two qb system that is typically seen with spread offenses (where the qb’s are rotated in and out between plays). But rather, I believe CRN meant that he would like to have the opportunity to switch from Craft to Brehaut (or vise versa) after the half or in the 4th quarter. Of course this would depend on how the game plays out.
I think Craft comes first..
Just my guess, but I think it would make sense to start Craft and then put in Brehaut later if we are doing well or if Craft is doing poorly. I think its easier to bench Craft because of the trials he went to through last year. Everyone was down on him yet he still hung in there. And if we are relying on him to manage the game rather than win it with his arm, its doable.
We don’t know what would happen to Brehaut’s confidence if we pulled him after a couple picks. So if he plays poorly, we either risk the game or risk his confidence. And thats were IMO the true freshmen thing comes in.
Great points
especially regarding confidence. We know that Craft can take a hit, both the physical kind and the confidence kind. This is a remarkable and useful skill, and I don’t mean that frivolously.
As for Brehaut, there would seem to be less potential for a devastating downside by stating Craft. If Craft is hurt or ineffective, Brehaut will be coming in with less to lose—a part of the game, rather than the whole. Makes sense to spare the kid this kind of pressure.
On the other hand, it might be that Brehaut would respond well to setbacks, and the pressure of starting is exactly what he needs to thrive, and this kind of negative thinking is precisely what he does not need. What do I know?
With the uncertainty re: who's under center
I sure hope we’re putting in a lot of extra time on center-qb exchanges. It’s not like we’ve been perfect in that area so far.
Has anyone who has been attending practices noticed whether KM has been spending extra time with the 2 qb’s?
I Wouldn't Advocate Two QB System But....
Ohio St. did it successfully in ‘96-97 season with Stanley Jackson and Joe Germaine. It’s just very, very hard to do and a hard sell to the team as well.
Los Angeles Rams and the UCLA Bruins!!!!!
by Minnesota Bruinfan on Sep 18, 2009 10:19 AM PDT reply actions
interesting subtext in CRN quotes?
I also, like brewnz, thought I detected just an inch of friction between CRN and NC in the “two guy” quote. I hope I’m wrong, becuase I’m hugely impressed by the way this staff has functioned together, and would hate to see any significant disagreement slow them down. For myself, I still prefer Brehaut, as I think his athleticism makes up for his lack of experience. That said, if NC and CRN decide to go with Craft, I will cheer him all the way, of course, and hope they favor the running game……..
I would speculate...
that Chow prefers Craft because he understands the system better. And Chow does not think it takes tremendous athletic ability at Quarterback to win this game. And I agree.
everyone makes very valid points
from various viewpoints.at the end of the day at this point, there probably isn’t uch difference in the level of production at qb no matter who we put in to replace prince. bt if you step back and look at what’s best for the program moving forward i feel brehaut is the better choice. we’re trying to move the program back towards national prominence, go with the youth and the new era guys. kc is tough kid with a big heart, he is a great option for a back up, but if brehaut is the qb of the future, why not let him get his licks in early under managed conditions. will make him all the more better prepared when it is his time and will move the program forward. no one was clammoring for cedric bozeman to start ahead of jordan farmar when howland was bringing back basketball because c-boz had more experience…
in the end, i trust and support whatever coaches decide
Across The Face
Support who takes the first snap.
I have total confidence in CRN and CNC.
Let’s wear Blue, be Loud and lastly NO Booing!!
Let’s make that idiot foster look moronic and support our players through thick and thin.
GO BRUINS! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT!
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