Is Riley Our Starting Qb ?

The Fake Lonnie Finch · April 6, 2009

Here's what will earn blind faith:

-Win some games, like half of them on your schedule in the...Sun Belt Conference, for pete's sake! Every team in the Sun Belt conference should have the ability to go 3-4 or 4-3. This isn't the dadgum Big 12 or SEC. It isn't even the MWC, for crying out loud!

-Don't get blown out by the likes of...Florida International? Six months have passed, and I still can't believe that one.

-Swallow your pride and stick in two tight ends and a fullback on 3rd or 4th and 1 and challenge the other team to stop you from getting that 1 yard. These are football players. Let them knock the snot out of each other at close range very intensely for one play for the sake of 1 measly yard and continuing a drive or scoring a touchdown. Yes, this mean the QB will have to crouch down behind the center for at least one play per game. If Urban Meyer and Mack Brown and Bob Stoops can carry TEs and FBs on their roster to employ at times in their spread offenses, you can, too.

-If you find yourself behind by 21 or more in the fourth quarter and we have the ball inside the 20, don't even think about calling out the kicking team for a field goal attempt. Forget about inside the 20, if we're inside the 40! This is a passing offense, right? Throw the ball downfield into or closer to the end zone. When you're down three TDs or more in the fourth quarter, three points doesn't amount to a hill of beans.

Good things that have happened to earn blind faith on the other side of the ball and on special teams:

-Every coach has college experience...FINALLY! And, where we really need it - coordinator and along the front seven - decades worth!

-Some people are worried about the punter. I'm not worried because I know it will be Shelton Gandy coaching him when he hits campus and not the former head coach of Southlake's track program.

Edited April 6, 2009 by The Fake Lonnie Finch

TIgreen01 · April 6, 2009

He's [Riley Dodge] a good athlete and needs to be in a position where he can help this team. QB ain't it. He doesn't have the size nor does he have the arm strength to challenge defenses. They will simply sit on our short routes as they have the past two seasons.

How do you know this? Have you seen him play?

UNTLifer · April 6, 2009

Some of us knew it all along. The rest of you simply continue to believe that the impossible can be done.

Everyone loves the know-it-all, oh, and thanks for telling me what I believe in.

mad dog · April 6, 2009

Riley is going to start. Bet on that. Although he isn't going to beat defensive backs in a footrace, he can probably turn the corner and pick up a few if he needs to. He knows the system and so there shouldn't be a lot of learning curve in terms of reads.

I think the real question is how long he is going to last. Here's a guy who has suffered two serious injuries in as many years. Last year, playing sparingly at a position where you can usually see the hits coming (unless you're going across the middle, which I didn't really see him do last year), he went down with a season-ending injury after taking a handful of hits. I think it is fair to ask what happens when this guy comes around the corner and blindsides him. In addition, his arm strength really isn't that great. He can get the ball deep, but he has to angle it so high to do so that a decent college safety can play center field and run over to defense the pass. Lofting might work against high school safeties who run 4.8s, but it'll be pick-city against, say, Troy's secondary, which is full of true 4.4 guys.

I'm not saying the offense is 100% going to be awful. I'm not saying Riley is a bad athlete or even a bad quarterback. But the system fizzled last year, and I would need to have seen something to make me positive about this year turning around. And, from what I have seen from him, I can't objectively say that I'm confident Riley can do it. Now he might be one of those guys who show up in the fall and light it up. I can't stress enough that is what I hope happens. But if I had to bet 10% of my income on whether or not the offense (and, by extension, the QB) will be good this year, I'm not sure I would be as positive with it as some.

I just have some legitimate concerns that haven't been assuaged by anything I've seen or heard so far.

UNTLifer · April 6, 2009

In addition, his arm strength really isn't that great. He can get the ball deep, but he has to angle it so high to do so that a decent college safety can play center field and run over to defense the pass. Lofting might work against high school safeties who run 4.8s, but it'll be pick-city against, say, Troy's secondary, which is full of true 4.4 guys.

These problems didn't seem to be problematic for Scott Hall, who we all loved, but who wasn't blessed with much arm strength.

mad dog · April 6, 2009

These problems didn't seem to be problematic for Scott Hall, who we all loved, but who wasn't blessed with much arm strength.

True, but defenses also stacked the box against a run based offense. He also had Andy Blount and Johnny Quinn to throw to, who both made a living out of catching jump balls in traffic. Finally, the overall quality of the Sun Belt has improved considerably since Scott's time, so I think a lot of those lobs might be picked off against the kinds of secondaries our conference-mates are rolling out now.

greenminer · April 6, 2009

These problems didn't seem to be problematic for Scott Hall, who we all loved, but who wasn't blessed with much arm strength.

? Scott Hall to Jamaal Branch was one of the best play-action duos I've ever seen, and haunted Sun Belt DCs time and again during our title years.

Maybe I'm remembering wrong, but I thought Scott through it down field beautifully.

eulesseagle · April 6, 2009

finch-

does it really matter to you if we win 4 games or 10 games?? you will always find something to complain about.

TIgreen01 · April 6, 2009

True, but defenses also stacked the box against a run based offense. He also had Andy Blount and Johnny Quinn to throw to, who both made a living out of catching jump balls in traffic. Finally, the overall quality of the Sun Belt has improved considerably since Scott's time, so I think a lot of those lobs might be picked off against the kinds of secondaries our conference-mates are rolling out now.

Ok...remember Josh Heupel? Oklahoma QB when they won the BCS Championship game in 2000. He had a weak arm AND couldn't run. He constantly lobbed balls into the secondary against Big 12 and Top 5 level talent...in as much of a spread offense as you'll ever see (Mike Leach was OC then).

Arm strength matters, but not as much as some on this board would like to believe. The whole package matters more than just the parts.

UNTLifer · April 6, 2009

Ok...remember Josh Heupel? Oklahoma QB when they won the BCS Championship game in 2000. He had a weak arm AND couldn't run. He constantly lobbed balls into the secondary against Big 12 and Top 5 level talent...in as much of a spread offense as you'll ever see (Mike Leach was OC then).
Arm strength matters, but not as much as some on this board would like to believe. The whole package matters more than just the parts.

Steve Walsh from U of Miami

Danny Wuerfel (sp?) Florida

Gino Torreta from U of Miami

Almost all of the recent TTech quarterbacks.

The Fake Lonnie Finch · April 6, 2009

I think it is fair to ask what happens when this guy comes around the corner and blindsides him.
I just have some legitimate concerns that haven't been assuaged by anything I've seen or heard so far.

Or, anyone on Alabama front seven, anchored by 6-5 365 pound behemoth Terrence Cody. If I'm reading everything correctly, Bama returns all of their front seven as well as all seven of their back-ups. The depth chart of Bama's front seven:

Defensive end

97 L. Washington | 6-5, 275, Jr., 2V

57 Marcel Dareus | 6-3, 280, Fr., HS

90 Milton Talbert | 6-3, 263, So., 1V

94 Undra Billingsley | 6-3, 275, Fr., HS

Defensive end

95 Brandon Deaderick | 6-4, 286, Jr., 2V

96 Luther Davis | 6-3, 299, So., 1V

58 Nick Gentry | 6-1, 254, Fr., RS

92 Damion Square | 6-2, 290, Fr., HS

Nose Tackle

62 Terrence Cody | 6-5, 365, Jr., JC

99 Josh Chapman | 6-1, 303, Fr., RS

64 Kerry Murphy | 6-5, 320, Fr., TR

Linebacker

13 Cory Reamer | 6-4, 223, Jr., 2V

5 Jerrell Harris | 6-3, 215, Fr., HS

55 Chavis Williams | 6-4, 223, So., 1V

Linebacker

32 Eryk Anders | 6-2, 225, Jr., 2V

41 Courtney Upshaw | 6-2, 230, Fr., HS

Linebacker

25 Rolando McClain | 6-4, 255, So., 1V

36 Chris Jordan | 6-2, 220, Fr., HS

Linebacker

30 Dont'a Hightower | 6-4, 250, Fr., HS

45 C. Higgenbotham | 6-0, 218, So., 1V

42 Jennings Hester | 6-3, 219, Fr., RS

Behind those guys, is a 6-2, 224 pound safety named Justin Woodall.

This is a game that, if it starts to get out of hand early, we wouldn't really blame Dodge for going the K-State route once again and folding up the playbook. When they're going to be subbing in a 299 defensive end for the 286 pound one...that, as Norm Hitzes would say, could get ugly for us.

This WKU player looks very small compared to Bama NT Terrence Cody.

Bama scored the first 24 points of the game, led WKU 31-7 at half, and 41-7 after three quarters. Saban then called off the dogs and 41-7 was the final. WKU gained nine total first down, 42 rushing yards and 116 passing yards. Alabama held the ball for 37:21, almost 2/3rds of the game. Our strength and conditioning will really be tested against Bama.

The other Sun Belt team Bama played last year was Arkansas State. Bama shut them out 35-0, holding ASU to 11 first downs, 91 rushing yards and 67 passing yards.

Did I mention Bama returns the entire front seven and their backups? Anyway, Illuvius is correct: injuries have been a part of Riley's career and Alabama has huge, fast, experienced players all over their defense. Hopefully, Todd Dodge will have the sense enough to mix in enough running plays, tight end sets, and at least keep a tailback in to block every now and then so that Riley isn't pummelled before halftime.

GoMeanGreen1999 · April 6, 2009

Or, anyone on Alabama front seven, anchored by 6-5 365 pound behemoth Terrence Cody. If I'm reading everything correctly, Bama returns all of their front seven as well as all seven of their back-ups. The depth chart of Bama's front seven:
Defensive end
97 L. Washington | 6-5, 275, Jr., 2V
57 Marcel Dareus | 6-3, 280, Fr., HS
90 Milton Talbert | 6-3, 263, So., 1V
94 Undra Billingsley | 6-3, 275, Fr., HS
Defensive end
95 Brandon Deaderick | 6-4, 286, Jr., 2V
96 Luther Davis | 6-3, 299, So., 1V
58 Nick Gentry | 6-1, 254, Fr., RS
92 Damion Square | 6-2, 290, Fr., HS

Nose Tackle
62 Terrence Cody | 6-5, 365, Jr., JC
99 Josh Chapman | 6-1, 303, Fr., RS
64 Kerry Murphy | 6-5, 320, Fr., TR
Linebacker
13 Cory Reamer | 6-4, 223, Jr., 2V
5 Jerrell Harris | 6-3, 215, Fr., HS
55 Chavis Williams | 6-4, 223, So., 1V
Linebacker
32 Eryk Anders | 6-2, 225, Jr., 2V
41 Courtney Upshaw | 6-2, 230, Fr., HS

Linebacker
25 Rolando McClain | 6-4, 255, So., 1V
36 Chris Jordan | 6-2, 220, Fr., HS
Linebacker
30 Dont'a Hightower | 6-4, 250, Fr., HS
45 C. Higgenbotham | 6-0, 218, So., 1V
42 Jennings Hester | 6-3, 219, Fr., RS
Behind those guys, is a 6-2, 224 pound safety named Justin Woodall.
This is a game that, if it starts to get out of hand early, we wouldn't really blame Dodge for going the K-State route once again and folding up the playbook. When they're going to be subbing in a 299 defensive end for the 286 pound one...that, as Norm Hitzes would say, could get ugly for us.
This WKU player looks very small compared to Bama NT Terrence Cody.
Bama scored the first 24 points of the game, led WKU 31-7 at half, and 41-7 after three quarters. Saban then called off the dogs and 41-7 was the final. WKU gained nine total first down, 42 rushing yards and 116 passing yards. Alabama held the ball for 37:21, almost 2/3rds of the game. Our strength and conditioning will really be tested against Bama.
The other Sun Belt team Bama played last year was Arkansas State. Bama shut them out 35-0, holding ASU to 11 first downs, 91 rushing yards and 67 passing yards.
Did I mention Bama returns the entire front seven and their backups? Anyway, Illuvius is correct: injuries have been a part of Riley's career and Alabama has huge, fast, experienced players all over their defense. Hopefully, Todd Dodge will have the sense enough to mix in enough running plays, tight end sets, and at least keep a tailback in to block every now and then so that Riley isn't pummelled before halftime.

I am not convinced that Riley will start against Bama. He might just happen to be the backup for that game.

SilverEagle · April 6, 2009

These problems didn't seem to be problematic for Scott Hall, who we all loved, but who wasn't blessed with much arm strength.

Actually (IMHO) Scott Hall was blessed with a lot of arm strength. He lost some of the strength after he injured his arm in one of the final fall practices in 02. His arm hit Boogers helmet as it was coming down on the follow thru on a pass play. In his freshman year against Baylor I saw him fire a 50 yard strike to Jeff Muenchow, with little or no arc on the ball. If not for that injury and ineffective coaching.........who knows.

I've seen a lot of other good QB's at North Texas and my favorites were not necessarily the ones with the biggest raw numbers..and big arms. They were the ones who were confident athletes,....and confident leaders.

Jordan Case, Joe Stevenson, Greg Carter (all 5'9" of him), Scott Davis, Mitch Maher, and Scott Hall.

Our recording setting QB,Mitch Maher had a good arm, but it wasn't great. He had great vision, great confidence, and he placed the ball very well. He could move around very effectively, but he didn't have blazing speed. Oh, and for someone who was about 185lbs, he was pretty tough.

What I observed of Riley in the spring game was that he was a confident athlete, and that he could place the ball pretty well. To me, the real test will come when he's being put under pressure by the other team, and how much poise he shows in those situations.

The most effective gunfighters in the old west were not the ones with the fastest draw. They were the ones who never flenched under fire, and they were the ones who got more focused when the fight started.

So, IMHO Riley will start. But if Chase Baine works real hard in the off season.........who knows.

Edited April 7, 2009 by SilverEagle

football fan · April 6, 2009

Actually (IMHO) Scott Hall was blessed with a lot of arm strength. He lost some of the strength after he injured his arm in one of the final fall practices in 02. His arm hit Boogers helmet as it was coming down on the follow thru on a pass play. In his freshman year against Baylor I saw hime fire a 50 yard strike to Jeff Muenchow with little or no arc on the ball. If not for that injury and ineffective coaching.........who knows.
I've seen a lot of other good QB's at North Texas and my favorites were not necessarily the ones with the biggest raw numbers..and big arms. They were the ones who were confident athletes,....and confident leaders.
Jordan Case, Joe Stevenson, Greg Carter (all 5'9" of him), Scott Davis, Mitch Maher, and Scott Hall.
Our recording setting QB,Mitch Maher had a good arm, but it wasn't great. He had great vision, great confidence, and he placed the ball very well. He could move around very effectively, but he didn't have blazing speed. Oh, and for someone who was about 185lbs, he was pretty tough.
What I observed of Riley in the spring game was that he was a confident athlete, and that he could place the ball pretty well. To me, the real test will come when he's being put under pressure by the other team, and how much poise he shows in those situations.
The most effective gunfighters in the old west were not the ones with the fastest draw. They were the ones who never flenched under fire, and they were the ones who got more focused when the fight started.
So, IMHO Riley will start. But if Chase Baine works real hard in the off season.........who knows.

You forgot to include if Tune gets healthy, watch out TD and CB.