(10-08-2017 10:31 AM)bikechuck Wrote:  

(10-07-2017 09:13 PM)badmoonrising13 Wrote:  Buffalo and Howard scoring more points against Kent than we did... Kent D-Line played awesome. Pushed our guys around...

Probably should not be overly critical of our offense given the horrendous weather conditions.

Exactly! I will not criticize one thing about yesterday's performance. The conditions were deplorable, with wind and rain blowing sideways. Footing was an issue, throwing the ball was an issue, catching and holding on to the ball was an issue. Very ugly day. The Huskies won the game and played as well as they could in that disgusting weather. On to Buffalo.

(10-08-2017 10:58 AM)BDB5yp Wrote:  

(10-08-2017 10:47 AM)NIU007 Wrote:  

(10-08-2017 10:44 AM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote:  Can you imagine how awful the Huskies and their fans will feel if they did run the MAC table. The BC and SDSU games will be so haunting.

If they run the table I won't feel awful at all. I'll wish they would have won those games, but running the table would be fun to see.

I agree. Running the table would be overachieving especially with how low expectations were before the season started.

If we run the table it would mean the coaches did an amazing job with the QB situation and called great games offensively and defensively (the D has been 5-for-5 so far). We can forgive them for their indiscretions in the BC game and the SDSU game. It means they learned from their mistakes and led this team to a MAC title. That would be fun to see.

(10-07-2017 10:08 PM)NILAW Wrote:  This is a tough call, and I am OK with going with either Santa or Childers. I would not be OK with Graham starting.

This is my point of view as well. I feel that both Santa and Childers continue to improve and Graham has plateaued.

Which QB gives us the best chance at winning the remaining games? I am really torn on who should be the starting QB. Here are the current NIU stats from ESPN

http://www.espn.com/college-football/tea.../_/id/2459

While stats often do not tell the whole story, looking at the 3 QB stats shows why this is such a tough call.

Santa's completion % and yards are impressive; but the 6 TDs v. 5 picks pretty much shows the high risk/high reward with Santa. Would Santa improve his decision making and would the ratio between TD and picks improve? Carey’s post game comment was: “We’ve got to stop turning the ball over at the quarterback spot. That’s the biggest take away right now." Are the coaches willing to give Santa a chance to improve the TD v. interception ratio in upcoming games? Carey’s comment and knowing how conservative he is may mean he will not go with Santa.

Carey is right; we do need to limit turnovers from the QB position, Our D is so good; if we limit mistakes and the O is productive we have a shot in every remaining game. The key is that the O must be productive; they don’t have to score a ton of points, but they have to be productive for many reason, not the least of which is that the D being on the field too long will cost us.

Graham’s 40% completion % equated to the O not being productive in the BC game; his inaccuracy killed several drives, and how many times did he over throw long passes by 5 yards or more? Is Graham really that “safe”? While his 3 to 1 TD v. interception ratio is OK, I recall that there were 2 passes in the end zone/at the goal line that should have been picked in the BC game. I don’t think that Graham is as “safe” as he looks on paper, and his negatives are tough to overcome.

It is tough to judge Childers passing based on the horrible conditions yesterday. Childers over threw almost all of his long passes; however, all those passes were with a strong wind at his back. Graham v. Childers look about the same running on paper from the stats; however, Childers is a much better running QB, both with designed QB runs/read option and scrambles. We know Santa can run; however, it seems the coaches do not want him running.

Several have said go with the QB that gives us the best chance at winning; I agree. But which of the 3 is that? I see going with Graham equates to struggling to win every game; I just don’t think he has the skills to be our starting QB. I like others do not care for the 2 QB system; but maybe that gives us the best chance at winning every game for the rest of the season. Other than the 1 pass in the Nebraska game that set up the winning TD (and that was a big-time pressure completion), Santa has struggled passing in the red zone this year. So maybe we go with Santa between the 20s, and Childers in the red zone and other situations where his dual-threat capabilities are best utilized.

So, which QB gives us the best chance at winning the remaining games? This is a tough call for Carey and the other coaches, and it will be interesting to see how this plays out. As I said before, I am OK with either Santa or Childers starting, but I am not OK with Graham starting. As much as I am concerned with a 2 QB system, I am sort of leaning to the Santa/Childers situational combination for now, and maybe the play on the field will answer the question.

I'll admit Childers impressed me, I ripped him off of his few throws in earlier games, while I'm not going to say he's 'the answer' like some, he at least showed that he has potential and hopefully can develop.

With what we've seen, I'm not going to get on the coaches for who they choose to play at QB, because I can't tell which one is the better. I will get on them though that they haven't yet recruited/developed a QB who is clearly the answer. I hope we overcome it, because this is a good enough team to win the MAC.

And no MD, we should not be disappointed if we win the MAC...goodness gracious.

I don't think Carey has the patience to live through the growing pains he would have to endure with Santa. It's understandable: this defense, in MAC justifies a conservative, low risk, minimal turnover approach. In a different setting you can justify taking the bad with Santa knowing he has a big upside. There is a good chance that we won't need a deep ball threat in the MAC this year. That approach would not have worked against Nebraska and SDSU, but it may work in the MAC.

(10-08-2017 02:49 PM)Djud Wrote:  I don't think Carey has the patience to live through the growing pains he would have to endure with Santa. It's understandable: this defense, in MAC justifies a conservative, low risk, minimal turnover approach. In a different setting you can justify taking the bad with Santa knowing he has a big upside. There is a good chance that we won't need a deep ball threat in the MAC this year. That approach would not have worked against Nebraska and SDSU, but it may work in the MAC.

I think at times we all underestimate the quality of MAC football. Go with the QB who can successfully execute the entire playbook. After making a choice, do not platoon two guys. Do however give the backup some live snaps but don't overdo it. We need a clear number one and it should be Santa or Childers.

I think Childers starts but if it's Santa it's time to let him run the read option also and get him involved in the running game. If he gets hurt we have Childers. He should not be allowed to throw into double coverage. Make it simple for him. If the primary is doubled, run then look at the outlet and throw -- or continue running. The QB run is too big of a part of the offense especially when teams are keying on Huff. If it's Childers (which it should be) keep Santa involved. Give him 2 series to start the series and if he gets us close to the red zone re-insert Childers. When we have a comfortable lead let him work on red zone passing. Of course if it's a close game and Childers is balling you can't take him out. Gotta play that by ear.

I'd also love to see Santa and Childers in the same backfield. We can have some fun with this and drive the opponents crazy.

Of course paranoid coaches never want their two QBs on the field at the same time due the fear of both players lying on the ground injured and having to play their third QB...

I gotta tell you, I really like what I believe is our future for this year. We now have 2 deep threats in Blake and Tears and with Beebe hopefully coming back this week against Buffalo we now have our threat over the middle and our 3rd down guy to keep moving the chains. Plus, Beebe at punt return will also help. And with Huff at RB and Childers play at QB this past week, wow this could be an awesome run at things. I already know we have a great D and with all the talent we have on offense I'm expecting great things.

It's going to be Graham when he's healthy.

Santa is going to need to learn to make better decision's if he ever wants to be the guy. It was why he didn't get the job coming out of camp.

Childers is the best runner of the bunch, but he's easily the worst thrower.

(10-07-2017 10:39 PM)badmoonrising13 Wrote:  

(10-07-2017 10:28 PM)Djud Wrote:  If Childers gets the job and keeps it, not only would it be one of the quickest hooks of all time, Santa will go down as one of the most successful (and productive) QB's to ever lose a job.
I got to beleve that Carey will play who ever thinks gives his team the best chance to win. Today that was Childers.

The coaches didn't help him but you can't throw 4 picks in 5 quarters... And think that your job is secure. Of course he should have only throw 2 picks if the coaches managed him better.

What the hell? How is it the coaches fault he threw 4 picks?

(10-08-2017 06:45 PM)7 Wrote:  It's going to be Graham when he's healthy.

Santa is going to need to learn to make better decision's if he ever wants to be the guy. It was why he didn't get the job coming out of camp.

Childers is the best runner of the bunch, but he's easily the worst thrower.

I know we haven’t seen a ton of Childers yet, but I’m not sure I could say that Graham is a better passer than anybody on the roster. He has absolutely zero touch... I think he has a career 55% completion percentage (almost all bubble screens) and 8 career TDs. Childers is almost halfway there after 1 game.

Definitely not easy and I can see why Rod had a tough time figuring this out. Still like the idea of rolling with a two headed monster in Santa and Childers. Both have their strong suits and it would force defenses to prepare much more.


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(10-08-2017 06:51 PM)NIU32 Wrote:  

(10-08-2017 06:45 PM)7 Wrote:  It's going to be Graham when he's healthy.

Santa is going to need to learn to make better decision's if he ever wants to be the guy. It was why he didn't get the job coming out of camp.

Childers is the best runner of the bunch, but he's easily the worst thrower.

I know we haven’t seen a ton of Childers yet, but I’m not sure I could say that Graham is a better passer than anybody on the roster. He has absolutely zero touch... I think he has a career 55% completion percentage (almost all bubble screens) and 8 career TDs. Childers is almost halfway there after 1 game.

Definitely not easy and I can see why Rod had a tough time figuring this out. Still like the idea of rolling with a two headed monster in Santa and Childers. Both have their strong suits and it would force defenses to prepare much more.


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Every pass Childers throws is a duck. I don't see how he'll be effective with his arm over an extended period of time.

But I've been wrong before.

Sad thing is NIU is probably 5-0 if Maddie got a 6th year. Oh well.

(10-08-2017 06:50 PM)badmoonrising13 Wrote:  

(10-08-2017 06:46 PM)7 Wrote:  

(10-07-2017 10:39 PM)badmoonrising13 Wrote:  

(10-07-2017 10:28 PM)Djud Wrote:  If Childers gets the job and keeps it, not only would it be one of the quickest hooks of all time, Santa will go down as one of the most successful (and productive) QB's to ever lose a job.
I got to beleve that Carey will play who ever thinks gives his team the best chance to win. Today that was Childers.

The coaches didn't help him but you can't throw 4 picks in 5 quarters... And think that your job is secure. Of course he should have only throw 2 picks if the coaches managed him better.

What the hell? How is it the coaches fault he threw 4 picks?

I don't have the time or the energy to explain it to you little boy. Go back and read the explanations.

If one of those picks you're blaming the coaching staff for was his pick in the end zone against SDSU, you literally have no idea what you're talking about.

That was a designed run play (watch the O-Line run block) that Santa pulled and made a terrible throw.

Hard to blame the coaching staff for that.

(10-08-2017 06:53 PM)7 Wrote:  

(10-08-2017 06:51 PM)NIU32 Wrote:  

(10-08-2017 06:45 PM)7 Wrote:  It's going to be Graham when he's healthy.

Santa is going to need to learn to make better decision's if he ever wants to be the guy. It was why he didn't get the job coming out of camp.

Childers is the best runner of the bunch, but he's easily the worst thrower.

I know we haven’t seen a ton of Childers yet, but I’m not sure I could say that Graham is a better passer than anybody on the roster. He has absolutely zero touch... I think he has a career 55% completion percentage (almost all bubble screens) and 8 career TDs. Childers is almost halfway there after 1 game.

Definitely not easy and I can see why Rod had a tough time figuring this out. Still like the idea of rolling with a two headed monster in Santa and Childers. Both have their strong suits and it would force defenses to prepare much more.


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Every pass Childers throws is a duck. I don't see how he'll be effective with his arm over an extended period of time.

But I've been wrong before.

Sad thing is NIU is probably 5-0 if Maddie got a 6th year. Oh well.

Those long passes he threw yesterday were beautiful (6 inches overthrown or it was a long TD to Tears, wind was howling at his back)

He did throw a bunch of ducks as well but with the heavy rain and wind I’m willing to give him another shot in better conditions. Will be interesting to see if he gets any shots to throw deep next week


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(10-08-2017 06:55 PM)NIU32 Wrote:  

(10-08-2017 06:53 PM)7 Wrote:  

(10-08-2017 06:51 PM)NIU32 Wrote:  

(10-08-2017 06:45 PM)7 Wrote:  It's going to be Graham when he's healthy.

Santa is going to need to learn to make better decision's if he ever wants to be the guy. It was why he didn't get the job coming out of camp.

Childers is the best runner of the bunch, but he's easily the worst thrower.

I know we haven’t seen a ton of Childers yet, but I’m not sure I could say that Graham is a better passer than anybody on the roster. He has absolutely zero touch... I think he has a career 55% completion percentage (almost all bubble screens) and 8 career TDs. Childers is almost halfway there after 1 game.

Definitely not easy and I can see why Rod had a tough time figuring this out. Still like the idea of rolling with a two headed monster in Santa and Childers. Both have their strong suits and it would force defenses to prepare much more.


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Every pass Childers throws is a duck. I don't see how he'll be effective with his arm over an extended period of time.

But I've been wrong before.

Sad thing is NIU is probably 5-0 if Maddie got a 6th year. Oh well.

Those long passes he threw yesterday were beautiful (6 inches overthrown or it was a long TD to Tears, wind was howling at his back)

He did throw a bunch of ducks as well but with the heavy rain and wind I’m willing to give him another shot in better conditions. Will be interesting to see if he gets any shots to throw deep next week


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He was throwing ducks in practice when it was 85 degrees and sunny in August too.

Like I said, I could be wrong but I really haven't seen anything from him to indicate he can throw it well enough to be the starter.

(10-08-2017 06:53 PM)7 Wrote:  

(10-08-2017 06:51 PM)NIU32 Wrote:  

(10-08-2017 06:45 PM)7 Wrote:  It's going to be Graham when he's healthy.

Santa is going to need to learn to make better decision's if he ever wants to be the guy. It was why he didn't get the job coming out of camp.

Childers is the best runner of the bunch, but he's easily the worst thrower.

I know we haven’t seen a ton of Childers yet, but I’m not sure I could say that Graham is a better passer than anybody on the roster. He has absolutely zero touch... I think he has a career 55% completion percentage (almost all bubble screens) and 8 career TDs. Childers is almost halfway there after 1 game.

Definitely not easy and I can see why Rod had a tough time figuring this out. Still like the idea of rolling with a two headed monster in Santa and Childers. Both have their strong suits and it would force defenses to prepare much more.


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Every pass Childers throws is a duck. I don't see how he'll be effective with his arm over an extended period of time.

But I've been wrong before.

Sad thing is NIU is probably 5-0 if Maddie got a 6th year. Oh well.

Is it just me, or are Maddie and Childers pretty damn similar? Obviously Childers is young but those two have really similar skill sets


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Maddie is a lot more elusive and Childers is more physical. Right now Maddie was a much more accurate passer. Hopefully Childers will get there.