I don't want to start some sort of qb controversy but... we are red-shirting Woodside? TO seems to be floating some passes, air-mailing others and generally not quite in synch just yet. I'm not about to panic yet but we more consistent play from the QB position. I'm all for TO however, some guys need to know there's a little heat waiting in the wings...

(09-09-2013 12:59 PM)San Giuseppe Jato Rocket Wrote:  I don't want to start some sort of qb controversy but... we are red-shirting Woodside? TO seems to be floating some passes, air-mailing others and generally not quite in synch just yet. I'm not about to panic yet but we more consistent play from the QB position. I'm all for TO however, some guys need to know there's a little heat waiting in the wings...

I agree. I think you should use the QB depth chart, the same way you use a bullpen in baseball. If someone is not having a good day, you bring in the relief pitcher. It probably would not have mattered against Florida and I realize it's not quite that simple. Maybe we will see a little Woodside in the weeks to come. Central Michigan might be the first we see him, because Central is awful.

(09-09-2013 12:59 PM)San Giuseppe Jato Rocket Wrote:  I don't want to start some sort of qb controversy but... we are red-shirting Woodside? TO seems to be floating some passes, air-mailing others and generally not quite in synch just yet. I'm not about to panic yet but we more consistent play from the QB position. I'm all for TO however, some guys need to know there's a little heat waiting in the wings...

I agree that TO's game seemed to drop a notch or two after he was finally named starter over Dantin last year. Still, TO can look like a Heisman candidate when he keeps his composure in the pocket but unfortunately he often seems to have problems doing that when facing a "top" defense whether they are giving him any pressure or not.

Coincidentally (or NOT??) when the Rockets are playing against an opponent with the reputation for a good defense, it seems like the OC automatically assumes a bunker mentality and closes the playbook down to eliminate any semblance of a down field passing game, thus making the D's job all that much easier (a self-fulfilling prophesy sort thing) by taking TO's strong arm out of the equation.

With this in mind, I expect TO to have a banner day against any team that does not have enough defense to intimidate him or, perhaps even more importantly, the UT offensive coaching staff. From what I can gather Eastern Washington's strength is their offense rather than their defense, so I look for TO to have a super game, but when the team heads down the road to BG in a few weeks, watch out because the BG defense looks to be for real and thus "intimidation" may well be a factor once again.

He did seem to start off strong when we started rolling him out of the pocket at the beginning of the game. Some posters suggested that after week 1, but after the first quarter he started to go down hill. Heck BG swapped out their imbedded starter with a Soph and they are kicking ass.

We're redshirting him? He's listed at #2 on the 9/7 depth chart.

I may not be a huge TO fan but he is probably our best chance to win right now.

And in the MAC he COULD put up big numbers...he didn't last year...but he COULD

When timing is right, or things just need change up, I am all for using our #2 at any position for brief periods. They all practice with the #1's, I am including not just QB. Pinkel talked about using his #2's to gain real game experience briefly, he has his #2 FG kicker do extra points at times, #2 Qb was in our game along with several lineman and backs. These guys are 1 injury or helmet popping off from being in the game. We tend to get tunnel vision at UT, put them in and improve what we have at depth. Never know we might have some that play better in games than practice and make a difference

(09-09-2013 02:26 PM)T-Town Wrote:  

(09-09-2013 12:59 PM)San Giuseppe Jato Rocket Wrote:  I don't want to start some sort of qb controversy but... we are red-shirting Woodside? TO seems to be floating some passes, air-mailing others and generally not quite in synch just yet. I'm not about to panic yet but we more consistent play from the QB position. I'm all for TO however, some guys need to know there's a little heat waiting in the wings...

I agree that TO's game seemed to drop a notch or two after he was finally named starter over Dantin last year. Still, TO can look like a Heisman candidate when he keeps his composure in the pocket but unfortunately he often seems to have problems doing that when facing a "top" defense whether they are giving him any pressure or not.

Coincidentally (or NOT??) when the Rockets are playing against an opponent with the reputation for a good defense, it seems like the OC automatically assumes a bunker mentality and closes the playbook down to eliminate any semblance of a down field passing game, thus making the D's job all that much easier (a self-fulfilling prophesy sort thing) by taking TO's strong arm out of the equation.

With this in mind, I expect TO to have a banner day against any team that does not have enough defense to intimidate him or, perhaps even more importantly, the UT offensive coaching staff. From what I can gather Eastern Washington's strength is their offense rather than their defense, so I look for TO to have a super game, but when the team heads down the road to BG in a few weeks, watch out because the BG defense looks to be for real and thus "intimidation" may well be a factor once again.

Kinda like the press and politics... if Dantin had turned in the lame performances we've seen from TO in the first two games, people on this Board would be would be calling for his head. Instead we're waiting for weaker defensive teams to make him look good. Hmmmnn.. go figure!!

(09-09-2013 06:36 PM)AquaRocket Wrote:  Kinda like the press and politics... if Dantin had turned in the lame performances we've seen from TO in the first two games, people on this Board would be would be calling for his head. Instead we're waiting for weaker defensive teams to make him look good. Hmmmnn.. go figure!!

Personally I've supported whomever was given the ball but with Dantin and TO, we had an option. With TO, we don't. Maybe Macon but other than that? I see your point but also I think there's a bit of apples and oranges.

We know how TO has played. I've no doubt that will come back. The team and coaches will support him. Will the fans? If they don't, Toledo doesn't deserve a top notch program in my opinion. Same no matter who is playing. Message board banter is one thing but if fans want the best a mid-major can be then once in that stadium they need to be the best fans anyone could want.

MAC Ranking2013-14(thru 9/7/13):
Passing
1)Wenning 332.5 ypg
2)Lynch 275.0 ypg
3)Johnson 254.0 ypg
4)Owens 208.5 ypg
Total Offense
1) Lynch 331.0 ypg
2)Wenning 328.5 ypg
3)Johnson 287.5 ypg
4)Reardon 227.0 ypg
5)Owens 215.5 ypg

TO isn't tearing it up by any means, but he's played two teams with more talent than anyone in the MAC. Some of the posts in this thread are hilarious. Sure, let's scrap the season and play the #2 guy, who happens to be a FR. He's number 2 due to our lack of depth at the spot. If TO goes down, kiss this season goodbye.

(09-09-2013 07:21 PM)TampaRocket Wrote:  TO isn't tearing it up by any means, but he's played two teams with more talent than anyone in the MAC. Some of the posts in this thread are hilarious. Sure, let's scrap the season and play the #2 guy, who happens to be a FR. He's number 2 due to our lack of depth at the spot. If TO goes down, kiss this season goodbye.

Well said.

Hey, coach addressed this on the Coaches Show tonight. He said they do want to get Logan some experience, but in these past 2 games they felt they wanted TO to be in there and it wasn't the time.

I kind of felt the Logan should have got a couple reps in the FL game, but maybe they wanted TO to get every bit of experience he could in preparation for the Missouri game.

Coach said they came real close to giving Logan some reps against Missouri and if they had scored one more TD they were going to. But, since they were battling to stay in it they stuck with the experienced QB.

I'd love to see Logan get some reps, but with him being a true freshman I don't want the coaches to take any chances if a game is on the line...not yet anyway.

(09-09-2013 07:21 PM)TampaRocket Wrote:  TO isn't tearing it up by any means, but he's played two teams with more talent than anyone in the MAC. Some of the posts in this thread are hilarious. Sure, let's scrap the season and play the #2 guy, who happens to be a FR. He's number 2 due to our lack of depth at the spot. If TO goes down, kiss this season goodbye.

Tampa, some are clearly advocating the "kiss the season goodbye" approach if you look at the 1st game's posts.
ie. get the freshman reps now since we aren't going anywere
I'm not going to call this a "special season" like I have heard. We needed to win 1 or both of those SEC games to qualify for that.
But we will win some games with TO at QB.
Will we reach or win a MACC?
Hard to predict...
History would suggest he isn't a caliber QB to lead UT to the promised land.
BUT, the MAC doesn't look like it has a NFL QB starting on anyone's roster this season which usually is a strong predictor of success.
Ball St, NIU look tough in the West.
BGSU looks strong in the East.
We play all 3.

(09-09-2013 07:40 PM)Toledo Football 1st Wrote:  Hey, coach addressed this on the Coaches Show tonight. He said they do want to get Logan some experience, but in these past 2 games they felt they wanted TO to be in there and it wasn't the time.

I kind of felt the Logan should have got a couple reps in the FL game, but maybe they wanted TO to get every bit of experience he could in preparation for the Missouri game.

Coach said they came real close to giving Logan some reps against Missouri and if they had scored once more they were going to. But, since they were battling to stay in it they stuck with the experienced QB.

I'd love to see Logan get some reps, but with him being a true freshman I don't want the coaches to take any chances if a game is on the line...not yet anyway.

I also heard what the previous gentleman said on the coaches show. I would like to see TO playing better as well but I woulds rather have him start the season slowly and be hot at the end of the year when we kick NIU's butt.

Not too many teams start the season on fire and stay there throughout the season. I'm not convinced the BG defense is all that good. Time will tell. They also don't have a lot of depth from what I've seen. I'm impressed that we played as well as we did in conditions where the temperature on the field was well above 100 degrees. Our condition is very good, and we did not get injuries. When you are tired and not going all out is when injuries are most likely going to occur. I expect Eastern Michigan will see a revved up defense that will be coming hard the entire game. We still have some big time hitters out there, and it will take it's toll on opposing teams over the course of a game.

On the other hand, if we don't stop being afraid of getting beat on a long play, we are never going to have a strong defensive showing. It's much worse to keep the defense out there getting dinked and dunked for long drives the entire game. I almost feel like Lou West is our DC.

(09-09-2013 08:00 PM)owen Wrote:  

(09-09-2013 07:21 PM)TampaRocket Wrote:  TO isn't tearing it up by any means, but he's played two teams with more talent than anyone in the MAC. Some of the posts in this thread are hilarious. Sure, let's scrap the season and play the #2 guy, who happens to be a FR. He's number 2 due to our lack of depth at the spot. If TO goes down, kiss this season goodbye.

Tampa, some are clearly advocating the "kiss the season goodbye" approach if you look at the 1st game's posts.
ie. get the freshman reps now since we aren't going anywere
I'm not going to call this a "special season" like I have heard. We needed to win 1 or both of those SEC games to qualify for that.
But we will win some games with TO at QB.
Will we reach or win a MACC?
Hard to predict...
History would suggest he isn't a caliber QB to lead UT to the promised land.
BUT, the MAC doesn't look like it has a NFL QB starting on anyone's roster this season which usually is a strong predictor of success.
Ball St, NIU look tough in the West.
BGSU looks strong in the East.
We play all 3.

Good Post----I believe that hands down TO is the best QB on the team at this point in time and he gives us the best chance for a win; however, anytime a game is pretty much decided one way or the other, I hope they take him out in order to get some QB experience for next year----TO doesn't need anymore experience and leaving him in after a game is decided is just gambling on an injury anyway.

At this point I do think that TO will have a large measure of success within the MAC schedule, but I think the MACC game, while certainly not out of the question, will be a definite reach this year.

(09-09-2013 08:25 PM)MotoRocket Wrote:  On the other hand, if we don't stop being afraid of getting beat on a long play, we are never going to have a strong defensive showing. It's much worse to keep the defense out there getting dinked and dunked for long drives the entire game. I almost feel like Lou West is our DC.

Agree and conversely on the other side of the ball the OC seems hesitant to stretch the field vertically utilizing TO's strong arm even enough to keep opposing defenses honest-----unless we are playing the little sisters of the poor.

Looking back on the first two games, I'm chalking Florida's performance up to happy feet and anxiety. I don't think any of us would last long in the pocket with any semblance of confidence with Florida's fast and nasty d-line chasing us play after play.

At Mizzou, I feel like we should have let TO air it out more and it would have helped us in the short game as well. Looked he had a lot of pent up emotion as evidenced by all the plays he tried to force when we called bad plays.

I think we need to get to his bread and butter... Get him going vertically, get the damn ball downfield. This isn't Dantin, Opelt, or even Bruce. TO is not a dink and dunker. Let the kid do what he's good at and open it up. If we can do that the MAC is within reach. If we keep trying the predictable three yard outs and five yard routes on 3rd and long, we'll see more of the same crap we enjoyed this past weekend.

2 games to open the season @ SEC opponents. Not the best 2 games to judge him on. The UF defense will definitely bet he best we face all year, and Mizzou D is nothing to sneeze at, either.