speechless.

Quote:Senior starter Allan Bridgford threw three picks while freshman backup Nick Mullens threw one late in the game on a desperation play on fourth down.

Even though Bridgford struggled with interceptions on Saturday, Monken said Monday that he still plans to stick with one quarterback.

"Nick is our backup," Monken said. "We needed to play him some, I don't care what age he is, in case something happened to Allan because he's our backup quarterback regardless of what age he is, redshirt or no redshirt. There's a chance Nick doesn't play the rest of the year. That's just the way it is. There are times you have to make those decisions on freshmen that you have to base on the here and now and not the future."

Bridgford has completed 55.7 percent of his passes for 599 yards and two touchdowns with five interceptions.

Monken described Bridgford on Monday as his team's "best offensive player irregardless of the turnovers."

Read more here: http://www.sunherald.com/2013/09/09/4937...rylink=cpy

I see Mullens playing again against Arkansas, either because Bridgford gets hurt or he throws 3 or 4 interceptions.

I believe Monk will play whoever puts us in the best position to win. End of story.

He has to say AB is the guy so there is no qb controversy on a team that has enough pressure to win anyway.

Starting Nick Mullens now is tantamount to announcing to the world that the season is over two weeks in and that you are hoping for something better next year. It does not strike me as befitting of Monken's personality or approach to coaching to give up anywhere near this early on the season. No, he will continue to see if he can win now with Bridgford. If we get to conference play and he hasn't put us in a position to win, then we can all start cheering for the true freshman.

It isn't about who will be better down the road, it is about who could possibly have the better day and get a win against Arkansas. We have enough underclassmen playing on offense already to make that a dicey prospect.

(09-12-2013 12:57 AM)Freshy Wrote:  Starting Nick Mullens now is tantamount to announcing to the world that the season is over two weeks in and that you are hoping for something better next year. It does not strike me as befitting of Monken's personality or approach to coaching to give up anywhere near this early on the season. No, he will continue to see if he can win now with Bridgford. If we get to conference play and he hasn't put us in a position to win, then we can all start cheering for the true freshman.

It isn't about who will be better down the road, it is about who could possibly have the better day and get a win against Arkansas. We have enough underclassmen playing on offense already to make that a dicey prospect.

Totally understand what you're saying, but up to this point Bridgford has played us OUT of games. Not that the offensive line helps him AT ALL.

(09-12-2013 07:42 AM)shiftyeagle Wrote:  

(09-12-2013 12:57 AM)Freshy Wrote:  Starting Nick Mullens now is tantamount to announcing to the world that the season is over two weeks in and that you are hoping for something better next year. It does not strike me as befitting of Monken's personality or approach to coaching to give up anywhere near this early on the season. No, he will continue to see if he can win now with Bridgford. If we get to conference play and he hasn't put us in a position to win, then we can all start cheering for the true freshman.

It isn't about who will be better down the road, it is about who could possibly have the better day and get a win against Arkansas. We have enough underclassmen playing on offense already to make that a dicey prospect.

Totally understand what you're saying, but up to this point Bridgford has played us OUT of games. Not that the offensive line helps him AT ALL.

Yep....which is why AB is a liability. His mobility is akin to watching grass grow coupled with him being color blind with a dixie cup telegraph motion.

Nobody can say Mullens is the 'answer'. However, one can say that Mullens is more mobile. ...saw it through the looking glass chain link fence view weeks ago.

Maybe Monk doesn't want to throw him to the wolves and destroy the confidence of a freshman qb. Maybe Monk still believes AB offers us the best shot at winning Sat. Maybe Monk wants to prove he makes decisions and will live/die with them instead of going the wishy-washy route.

One may not like the choice, but Monken is definitely the most qualified to make the decision.

(09-12-2013 08:16 AM)stinkfist Wrote:  

(09-12-2013 07:42 AM)shiftyeagle Wrote:  

(09-12-2013 12:57 AM)Freshy Wrote:  Starting Nick Mullens now is tantamount to announcing to the world that the season is over two weeks in and that you are hoping for something better next year. It does not strike me as befitting of Monken's personality or approach to coaching to give up anywhere near this early on the season. No, he will continue to see if he can win now with Bridgford. If we get to conference play and he hasn't put us in a position to win, then we can all start cheering for the true freshman.

It isn't about who will be better down the road, it is about who could possibly have the better day and get a win against Arkansas. We have enough underclassmen playing on offense already to make that a dicey prospect.

Totally understand what you're saying, but up to this point Bridgford has played us OUT of games. Not that the offensive line helps him AT ALL.

Yep....which is why AB is a liability. His mobility is akin to watching grass grow coupled with him being color blind with a dixie cup telegraph motion.

Nobody can say Mullens is the 'answer'. However, one can say that Mullens is more mobile. ...saw it through the looking glass chain link fence view weeks ago.

Maybe Monk doesn't want to throw him to the wolves and destroy the confidence of a freshman qb. Maybe Monk still believes AB offers us the best shot at winning Sat. Maybe Monk wants to prove he makes decisions and will live/die with them instead of going the wishy-washy route.

One may not like the choice, but Monken is definitely the most qualified to make the decision.

No doubt. But I think we are quickly realizing why AB didn't pan out at Cal. There are numerous major flaws in his game. Most notably the inability to make progressions and a long throwing motion.

This all boils down to one thing: RUN GAME.


If we don't get our run game going....then they are gonna kill AB. They are gonna blitz every down. We HAVE to keep them guessing...and we HAVE to do that by establishing a run game. If we do that, then the play-action will start working and pass-protection will get better. But right now, our run game is almost dead last in college.

We HAVE to get a push and make some lanes for our running backs and everything will fall into place.

(09-12-2013 08:29 AM)TTT Wrote:  This all boils down to one thing: RUN GAME.


If we don't get our run game going....then they are gonna kill AB. They are gonna blitz every down. We HAVE to keep them guessing...and we HAVE to do that by establishing a run game. If we do that, then the play-action will start working and pass-protection will get better. But right now, our run game is almost dead last in college.

We HAVE to get a push and make some lanes for our running backs and everything will fall into place.

it grieves me to say this, but we are dead last

Rank Team G W-L Rush Rush Yds YPG
119 East Carolina 2 2-0 56 144 72.0
120 Washington St. 2 1-1 45 127 63.5
121 FIU 2 0-2 69 122 61.0
122 Hawaii 2 0-2 56 92 46.0
123 Southern Miss. 2 0-2 51 85 42.5

(09-12-2013 09:18 AM)EagleX Wrote:  

(09-12-2013 08:29 AM)TTT Wrote:  This all boils down to one thing: RUN GAME.


If we don't get our run game going....then they are gonna kill AB. They are gonna blitz every down. We HAVE to keep them guessing...and we HAVE to do that by establishing a run game. If we do that, then the play-action will start working and pass-protection will get better. But right now, our run game is almost dead last in college.

We HAVE to get a push and make some lanes for our running backs and everything will fall into place.

it grieves me to say this, but we are dead last

Rank Team G W-L Rush Rush Yds YPG
119 East Carolina 2 2-0 56 144 72.0
120 Washington St. 2 1-1 45 127 63.5
121 FIU 2 0-2 69 122 61.0
122 Hawaii 2 0-2 56 92 46.0
123 Southern Miss. 2 0-2 51 85 42.5

a really bad OL and a QB with concrete shoes will cause that....

some would call a run blitz...for us it works against us whether we run or throw

too many outs and not enough in routes makes it too easy to defend....Monken can do more but not with AB...and he knows it...it sucks

Some of you guys are nuts. Bridgford is the best QB on the team by far right now. The guy can move us down the field. Has he made a few mistakes? Sure. But not enough to warrant Mullens starting. Mullens looked like a deer in headlights against Nebraska (as he should being that he's a true freshman). Mullens will get his opportunities to play here and there. But Bridgford is the starter from here out. And rightfully so. If that o-line could give a few more ticks to throw... I think he could put up some unbelievable numbers.

(09-12-2013 10:08 AM)RowdyRoost Wrote:  Some of you guys are nuts. Bridgford is the best QB on the team by far right now. The guy can move us down the field. Has he made a few mistakes? Sure. But not enough to warrant Mullens starting. Mullens looked like a deer in headlights against Nebraska (as he should being that he's a true freshman). Mullens will get his opportunities to play here and there. But Bridgford is the starter from here out. And rightfully so. If that o-line could give a few more ticks to throw... I think he could put up some unbelievable numbers.

I think most are seeing an inept OL coupled with an immobile QB getting caught up in the fray. The Mullens aspect provides escapability in the read-option. AB does NOT have that.

AD a freshman started 2-6.

Favre as a freshman had a 15/13 td/int ratio

that kinda worked out....

(09-12-2013 10:27 AM)stinkfist Wrote:  

(09-12-2013 10:08 AM)RowdyRoost Wrote:  Some of you guys are nuts. Bridgford is the best QB on the team by far right now. The guy can move us down the field. Has he made a few mistakes? Sure. But not enough to warrant Mullens starting. Mullens looked like a deer in headlights against Nebraska (as he should being that he's a true freshman). Mullens will get his opportunities to play here and there. But Bridgford is the starter from here out. And rightfully so. If that o-line could give a few more ticks to throw... I think he could put up some unbelievable numbers.

I think most are seeing an inept OL coupled with an immobile QB getting caught up in the fray. The Mullens aspect provides escapability in the read-option. AB does NOT have that.

AD a freshman started 2-6.

Favre as a freshman had a 15/13 td/int ratio

that kinda worked out....

True... but you didn't mention Tommy Waters, Heath Graham, or Anthony Alford. Those didn't work out. Could Mullens be the next Austin Davis or Brett Favre? Who knows? But, even with a subpar offensive line, I'd rather have a experienced guy with a solid arm that can move the ball and hit the deep ball than a freshman running for his life behind that inept line.

(09-12-2013 10:39 AM)RowdyRoost Wrote:  

(09-12-2013 10:27 AM)stinkfist Wrote:  

(09-12-2013 10:08 AM)RowdyRoost Wrote:  Some of you guys are nuts. Bridgford is the best QB on the team by far right now. The guy can move us down the field. Has he made a few mistakes? Sure. But not enough to warrant Mullens starting. Mullens looked like a deer in headlights against Nebraska (as he should being that he's a true freshman). Mullens will get his opportunities to play here and there. But Bridgford is the starter from here out. And rightfully so. If that o-line could give a few more ticks to throw... I think he could put up some unbelievable numbers.

I think most are seeing an inept OL coupled with an immobile QB getting caught up in the fray. The Mullens aspect provides escapability in the read-option. AB does NOT have that.

AD a freshman started 2-6.

Favre as a freshman had a 15/13 td/int ratio

that kinda worked out....

True... but you didn't mention Tommy Waters, Heath Graham, or Anthony Alford. Those didn't work out. Could Mullens be the next Austin Davis or Brett Favre? Who knows? But, even with a subpar offensive line, I'd rather have a experienced guy with a solid arm that can move the ball and hit the deep ball than a freshman running for his life behind that inept line.

I'd rather have the more mobile guy....

AB has solid arm only from short distance/first read open

edit: btw, hammered AA last year....do the due....even Monk knew about it

(09-12-2013 07:42 AM)shiftyeagle Wrote:  Totally understand what you're saying, but up to this point Bridgford has played us OUT of games. Not that the offensive line helps him AT ALL.

Not sure i can agree with this Eagle.. Bridgford didn't really play us out of the TxState game.

You might make the argument for the Nebraska game, however.

I'm hoping Bridgford learns from his mistakes.. that remains to be seen, and I definitely think benching him would be a disaster for the entire team.

I'd rather Bridgford get beat up than Mullens. Bridgford is only here for a year right now. Mullens may be the future.

(09-12-2013 12:47 PM)DaSaintFan Wrote:  

(09-12-2013 07:42 AM)shiftyeagle Wrote:  Totally understand what you're saying, but up to this point Bridgford has played us OUT of games. Not that the offensive line helps him AT ALL.

Not sure i can agree with this Eagle.. Bridgford didn't really play us out of the TxState game.

Threw a pick while driving the ball way down in TSU territory. He pretty much did.

Although props to anyone who has the guts to play QB with this o-line in front of them.

(09-12-2013 01:51 PM)shiftyeagle Wrote:  Although props to anyone who has the guts to play QB with this o-line in front of them.

+1

(09-12-2013 01:49 PM)shiftyeagle Wrote:  

(09-12-2013 12:47 PM)DaSaintFan Wrote:  

(09-12-2013 07:42 AM)shiftyeagle Wrote:  Totally understand what you're saying, but up to this point Bridgford has played us OUT of games. Not that the offensive line helps him AT ALL.

Not sure i can agree with this Eagle.. Bridgford didn't really play us out of the TxState game.

Threw a pick while driving the ball way down in TSU territory. He pretty much did.

By that argument, you could say any QB who throws a pick played their team out of a game.