So today Brogan Roback may receive another opportunity to demonstrate his quarterback skills against a team beaming with confidence. I wanted to provide a skill level evaluation and why I believe he's going to have a remarkable season.
However, before my QB evaluation, I wanted to briefly comment on Brogan's leadership. Certainly the QB must be a leader on and off the field. This is where Brogan needs the most improvement and development. Without going into details, the QB can not get suspended for conduct detrimental to the team period. The team will not follow someone who is prone to ignoring rules, etc. Brog, EMU needs you to be a leader of this team in all aspects on and off the field. Can you be a leader?
I played QB in highschool. I was an average player but I do know how difficult it is to play the position. Basically, the QB has to know what every single player is doing for both running and passing plays. To make his job more difficult, as the QB approaches the line of scrimmage, he must call signals on blocking assignments, and/or audibling to an alternative play that hopefully gains an offensive advantage while readjusting formations and remembering the snap count. All of this takes place in a few seconds which places a lot of responsibility on the QB. Yep, the QB position is critical and each team needs a good one in order to be a good football team.
So the QB position is where EMU has an advantage over the other MAC schools. Brogan's physical attributes places him second to none when examining and comparing his arm strength, his foot work, and his quick release. I believe only WMUs QB is comparable to Brogan. Last season Brogan had to try and force plays because we were behind. Plus he really had no wide receivers. The receiving corps. have improved immensely and I believe Brogan will lead EMU to 5-6 wins. Hopefully today he reemerges from this theme as a leader.
The only thing that can stop Brogan is Brogan. Here's to him starting his leadership improvement.
Very poor under pressure so far. Unless that is resolved, everything else irrelevant.
He has a LOT to prove at this point .......... and I certainly hope he does! Next 2 games could very well be a 'make or break' situation for his college football career.
Looking for a clean, mistake-free win.
Highest rated recruit in EMU, maybe MAC history. He'll never live up to those expectations no matter what he does. Hopefully he'll end up as a top tier MAC QB. As for leadership, most great leaders are born not made. Sure he can improve but by now we may have to say he doesn't have the 'It' factor that the great ones have. That said, Porter is a pretty good Plan B.
Wow, really, MAC history? Rivals and Scout 4 star, 247 & ESPN 3 star.
ONLY OFFERS were from EMU, BGSU, BUffalo, Toledo, Ohio & Toledo. In reality, he should have been rated a low 3 star.
The 4 star rating was laughable. Spot on that he could never live up to the inflated expectations. Unknowing EMU fans only saw the 4 stars, without really knowing anything beyond that about recruiting and evaluating.
Classic case of misleading stars.
Irrelevant at this point. He has the arm talent, he has the experience, EMU needs him to put it all together now. Hope he throws 3 TD's as the backup today!
(09-17-2016 02:26 PM)EagleTough Wrote: [ -> ]Wow, really, MAC history? Rivals and Scout 4 star, 247 & ESPN 3 star.
ONLY OFFERS were from EMU, BGSU, BUffalo, Toledo, Ohio & Toledo.
The 4 star rating was laughable. Spot on that he could never live up to the inflated expectations. Unknowing EMU fans only saw the 4 stars, without really knowing anything beyond that about recruiting and evaluating.
Classic case of misleading stars.
Irrelevant at this point. He has the arm talent, he has the experience, EMU needs him to put it all together now. Let's go Brogan!
Amen!!!
Recruiting fans need to be careful and not repeat information which was dubious from day one...
Stars are not set in concrete.
My evaluation of Brogan is independent of his star ratings. I've watched all of the QBs in our conference and Brogan's physical talent is second to none. It's what between Brogan's ears that he needs to improve upon.
Let's go EMU!
(09-17-2016 03:18 PM)Luckeyone Wrote: [ -> ]My evaluation of Brogan is independent of his star ratings. I've watched all of the QBs in our conference and Brogan's physical talent is second to none. It's what between Brogan's ears that he needs to improve upon.
Let's go EMU!
Understand what you're saying purely about 'physical' ability, but then you take a gigantic leap by saying ......"So the QB position is where EMU has an advantage over the other MAC schools."
It's like watching a 'workout wonder' guy put up impressive combine numbers, who ends up not very good at actually playing football.
Based on Brogan's past performance, and Porter's first 2 games, I would say we are currently average at best, when it comes to MAC QB play.
Please, please, please put all the pieces together today Brogan. I will be the first one to sing your praises.
Just win baby.
Porter impressive with Charlotte I don't see a change happening soon.
(09-17-2016 08:07 PM)emu79 Wrote: [ -> ]Porter impressive with Charlotte I don't see a change happening soon.
Agree. Let's roll with what we got. Porter can do the job.
(09-17-2016 08:07 PM)emu79 Wrote: [ -> ]Porter impressive with Charlotte I don't see a change happening soon.
Yep, I think Roback lost the starting job with his suspension.
Wow, ZERO reps for Brogan........
and Porter goes 24 for 31, 285 yards, 2 TD's, 1 Int.
Can't fault the coaches for sticking with Porter after that performance. Another big test for Porter against Wyoming, as the game should be a lot closer. Let's see if he can pass another test, by going turnover free, staying poised, and leading his team to a victory.
If he does ALL of the above, don't see how Brogan gets his job back, unless Porter goes down with an injury.
Some of life's great lessons learned on the football field. Really hope Brogan hangs in there since this was not the fault of the staff, and he's only 1 injury (or a couple really, really bad performances) away from being back on the field and leading this team.
(09-18-2016 06:05 PM)EagleTough Wrote: [ -> ]Wow, ZERO reps for Brogan........
and Porter goes 24 for 31, 285 yards, 2 TD's, 1 Int.
Can't fault the coaches for sticking with Porter after that performance. Another big test for Porter against Wyoming, as the game should be a lot closer. Let's see if he can pass another test, by going turnover free, staying poised, and leading his team to a victory.
If he does ALL of the above, don't see how Brogan gets his job back, unless Porter goes down with an injury.
Some of life's great lessons learned on the football field. Really hope Brogan hangs in there since this was not the fault of the staff, and he's only 1 injury (or a couple really, really bad performances) away from being back on the field and leading this team.
Hey EagleTough,
Your wisdom is on the money. I thought Brogan would get a few reps but he didn't. Hopefully he is working hard in practice to E A R N the trust of coaching stand teammates. Like you said, he is only one play away from being on the field.
Hopefully Brogan is learning a life lesson from all of this. He did this to himself. Quite honestly, it would be great if Todd Porter could keep leading this team to victory. However, if Todd gets injured, EMU has a great backup with smooth footwork, great arm strength, quick feet, and great throwing mechanics. How do I know? I played QB in highschool and I've evaluated the MAC QBs. The only one holding back Brogan Roback is Brogan Roback!
Here's to learning life lessons, maturing, and doing what is best for the team.
Go Porter, and Go EMU!!!
Ok Brogan, here's your chance. Keep working hard in practice and lead EMU to a victory over BGSU. It is possible and I believe you will do it. You have more physical talent than any QB in the MAC. You are a difference maker when you use your talents for the betterment of the team. You should get the majority of the reps this week, you've played in the system two years already and we should expect Victory!!!!
(09-24-2016 10:14 PM)Luckeyone Wrote: [ -> ]Ok Brogan, here's your chance. Keep working hard in practice and lead EMU to a victory over BGSU. It is possible and I believe you will do it. You have more physical talent than any QB in the MAC. You are a difference maker when you use your talents for the betterment of the team. You should get the majority of the reps this week, you've played in the system two years already and we should expect Victory!!!!
Despite Porter's single poor game I'm not certain it will be Roback starting at Bowling Green, are you?
(09-25-2016 08:14 AM)emu79 Wrote: [ -> ] (09-24-2016 10:14 PM)Luckeyone Wrote: [ -> ]Ok Brogan, here's your chance. Keep working hard in practice and lead EMU to a victory over BGSU. It is possible and I believe you will do it. You have more physical talent than any QB in the MAC. You are a difference maker when you use your talents for the betterment of the team. You should get the majority of the reps this week, you've played in the system two years already and we should expect Victory!!!!
Despite Porter's single poor game I'm not certain it will be Roback starting at Bowling Green, are you?
Hey EMU79,
I love Coach Creighton's overall management of our program. If I had one criticism it would be the way the QB situation has been handled. Last year we had a three headed monster (Bell, Bolden, and Roback). Anybody who knows football could see Bolden had no business taking snaps from the QB position at the D1 level. In my mind, that was wasting precious development time. In fact, last year Roback eventually beat out Bell forcing his transfer. After watching Porter, he's not even close to being better than Bell. So if Roback is better than Bell, he certainly is better than Porter. One thing for sure, Creighton will not tip his hand on starting QB. EagleTough may be able to tell us who got the most snaps in practice. Finally, I went to a fall pre-season practice and Roback was 1st string until he did something stupid and got suspended. To Creighton's credit, he does not reward bad behavior. The only one who can stop Roback is Roback. Trust me when I say I've evaluated Porter and Roback. Hands down Roback still has potential to be a great MAC QB. I want to see what Roback could do starting at QB with our improved receivers and defense.
Regardless who starts, let's support the decision and root for EMU!!!!!
Dear Friends,
I have watched Eastern in three of the four games played. Porter was good or sufficient in three of those. In the Wyoming game he was throwing many passes into coverage, and personally, I felt should not have been thrown to that particular receiver.
My point in this discussion, is, Roback was brought into the game at the point that Creighton obviously lost confidence in Porter's ability. Who led the team to the winning touchdown with time running down? It was Porter's job to lose. Roback should start at Bowling Green.
(09-25-2016 09:10 AM)Luckeyone Wrote: [ -> ] (09-25-2016 08:14 AM)emu79 Wrote: [ -> ] (09-24-2016 10:14 PM)Luckeyone Wrote: [ -> ]Ok Brogan, here's your chance. Keep working hard in practice and lead EMU to a victory over BGSU. It is possible and I believe you will do it. You have more physical talent than any QB in the MAC. You are a difference maker when you use your talents for the betterment of the team. You should get the majority of the reps this week, you've played in the system two years already and we should expect Victory!!!!
Despite Porter's single poor game I'm not certain it will be Roback starting at Bowling Green, are you?
Hey EMU79,
I love Coach Creighton's overall management of our program. If I had one criticism it would be the way the QB situation has been handled. Last year we had a three headed monster (Bell, Bolden, and Roback). Anybody who knows football could see Bolden had no business taking snaps from the QB position at the D1 level. In my mind, that was wasting precious development time. In fact, last year Roback eventually beat out Bell forcing his transfer. After watching Porter, he's not even close to being better than Bell. So if Roback is better than Bell, he certainly is better than Porter. One thing for sure, Creighton will not tip his hand on starting QB. EagleTough may be able to tell us who got the most snaps in practice. Finally, I went to a fall pre-season practice and Roback was 1st string until he did something stupid and got suspended. To Creighton's credit, he does not reward bad behavior. The only one who can stop Roback is Roback. Trust me when I say I've evaluated Porter and Roback. Hands down Roback still has potential to be a great MAC QB. I want to see what Roback could do starting at QB with our improved receivers and defense.
Regardless who starts, let's support the decision and root for EMU!!!!!
Correction the three headed QB was 2014 not last year, last year Bell was injured after the first game, so Roback started by default and when Bell was healthy Roback stayed the starter, however Roback was a starter on a 1-11 team. I view competition each year for all spots on a team has a healthy thing including the QB position. I don't care who the QB is as long as EMU wins with whoever takes the snaps as QB. Your post fails to mention that when CC took over there was also a change in the Off coordinator who apparently likes a QB who can run and pass a dual threat. Bell fit that mold more than Roback did. I still think the OC likes a dual threat but also the offense is more flexible depending on who takes the snaps.
I'm not sure Roback will be the starter on Saturday, but I'd be shocked if he didn't substantially playing time.
I'm not saying whether or not Roback should be the starter against BGSU, just saying I think he'll get PT.
I will say I do think he'll end eventually end up in the starting role. Probably deservedly so.
(09-25-2016 09:10 AM)Luckeyone Wrote: [ -> ] (09-25-2016 08:14 AM)emu79 Wrote: [ -> ] (09-24-2016 10:14 PM)Luckeyone Wrote: [ -> ]Ok Brogan, here's your chance. Keep working hard in practice and lead EMU to a victory over BGSU. It is possible and I believe you will do it. You have more physical talent than any QB in the MAC. You are a difference maker when you use your talents for the betterment of the team. You should get the majority of the reps this week, you've played in the system two years already and we should expect Victory!!!!
Despite Porter's single poor game I'm not certain it will be Roback starting at Bowling Green, are you?
Hey EMU79,
I love Coach Creighton's overall management of our program. If I had one criticism it would be the way the QB situation has been handled. Last year we had a three headed monster (Bell, Bolden, and Roback). Anybody who knows football could see Bolden had no business taking snaps from the QB position at the D1 level. In my mind, that was wasting precious development time. In fact, last year Roback eventually beat out Bell forcing his transfer. After watching Porter, he's not even close to being better than Bell. So if Roback is better than Bell, he certainly is better than Porter. One thing for sure, Creighton will not tip his hand on starting QB. EagleTough may be able to tell us who got the most snaps in practice. Finally, I went to a fall pre-season practice and Roback was 1st string until he did something stupid and got suspended. To Creighton's credit, he does not reward bad behavior. The only one who can stop Roback is Roback. Trust me when I say I've evaluated Porter and Roback. Hands down Roback still has potential to be a great MAC QB. I want to see what Roback could do starting at QB with our improved receivers and defense.
Regardless who starts, let's support the decision and root for EMU!!!!!
Totally disagree that "Porter is not even close to being better than Bell." Bell is playing D2 ball, where he belongs. Porter had one bad game, although the picks were really bad.
So here's my 2 cents. I have to agree with those who wouldn't assume Roback is the automatic starter for BGSU.
It's a tough one, and I hate to see we're back to a mini QB controversy, just as we're heading into conference play, on a very high note. Normally, just seeing the 3-1 record after 4 games, you'd assume Porter is the guy. EMU being EMU (haha), Porter had to throw a wrench in those plans with his 4 pick debacle.
The primary reason I wouldn't assume Roback is just handed the starting role now, is that it took 4 picks, for Creighton and DeBoer to actually pull the trigger and put Roback in there. That either says they really like Porter, or they still have major concerns about Roback, or they were really trying to make a discipline point, or maybe some combination of the 3. Really tough decision for the coaches, and I'm as curious as everyone to see who starts, and whether or not they have some type of set plan for a rotation of the 2, throughout the entire game. If they are going to rotate, I think I'd rather see a pre-determined plan, rather than just going off of gut feel as the game progresses.
As far as Brogan in the 4th qtr., it wasn't as if he came in and the game was won because of his arm. The winning TD was a 15 yard run by Eriksen. His very first throw was an off balance, back foot intermediate incompletion. Another inside throw into double coverage could have easily been picked off, but was dropped by a LB or safety. He did make the very nice back shoulder throw to Bailey down the right sideline. Way too small of a sample size to make any real evaluations. Basically, looked like last year's Brogan from the stands.
Again, tough one, hopefully the coaches have a plan. We win at BGSU, and it should work itself out. We lose, the QB questions will grow louder.
Either way, we still have a running game without Shaq, we have a much better receiving corp than last year, our OLine has been solid, and the difference in our defense from last year is shocking (which is not an exaggeration).
(09-25-2016 01:12 PM)EagleTough Wrote: [ -> ] (09-25-2016 09:10 AM)Luckeyone Wrote: [ -> ] (09-25-2016 08:14 AM)emu79 Wrote: [ -> ] (09-24-2016 10:14 PM)Luckeyone Wrote: [ -> ]Ok Brogan, here's your chance. Keep working hard in practice and lead EMU to a victory over BGSU. It is possible and I believe you will do it. You have more physical talent than any QB in the MAC. You are a difference maker when you use your talents for the betterment of the team. You should get the majority of the reps this week, you've played in the system two years already and we should expect Victory!!!!
Despite Porter's single poor game I'm not certain it will be Roback starting at Bowling Green, are you?
Hey EMU79,
I love Coach Creighton's overall management of our program. If I had one criticism it would be the way the QB situation has been handled. Last year we had a three headed monster (Bell, Bolden, and Roback). Anybody who knows football could see Bolden had no business taking snaps from the QB position at the D1 level. In my mind, that was wasting precious development time. In fact, last year Roback eventually beat out Bell forcing his transfer. After watching Porter, he's not even close to being better than Bell. So if Roback is better than Bell, he certainly is better than Porter. One thing for sure, Creighton will not tip his hand on starting QB. EagleTough may be able to tell us who got the most snaps in practice. Finally, I went to a fall pre-season practice and Roback was 1st string until he did something stupid and got suspended. To Creighton's credit, he does not reward bad behavior. The only one who can stop Roback is Roback. Trust me when I say I've evaluated Porter and Roback. Hands down Roback still has potential to be a great MAC QB. I want to see what Roback could do starting at QB with our improved receivers and defense.
Regardless who starts, let's support the decision and root for EMU!!!!!
Totally disagree that "Porter is not even close to being better than Bell." Bell is playing D2 ball, where he belongs. Porter had one bad game, although the picks were really bad.
So here's my 2 cents. I have to agree with those who wouldn't assume Roback is the automatic starter for BGSU.
It's a tough one, and I hate to see we're back to a mini QB controversy, just as we're heading into conference play, on a very high note. Normally, just seeing the 3-1 record after 4 games, you'd assume Porter is the guy. EMU being EMU (haha), Porter had to throw a wrench in those plans with his 4 pick debacle.
The primary reason I wouldn't assume Roback is just handed the starting role now, is that it took 4 picks, for Creighton and DeBoer to actually pull the trigger and put Roback in there. That either says they really like Porter, or they still have major concerns about Roback, or they were really trying to make a discipline point, or maybe some combination of the 3. Really tough decision for the coaches, and I'm as curious as everyone to see who starts, and whether or not they have some type of set plan for a rotation of the 2, throughout the entire game. If they are going to rotate, I think I'd rather see a pre-determined plan, rather than just going off of gut feel as the game progresses.
As far as Brogan in the 4th qtr., it wasn't as if he came in and the game was won because of his arm. The winning TD was a 15 yard run by Eriksen. His very first throw was an off balance, back foot intermediate incompletion. Another inside throw into double coverage could have easily been picked off, but was dropped by a LB or safety. He did make the very nice back shoulder throw to Bailey down the right sideline. Way too small of a sample size to make any real evaluations. Basically, looked like last year's Brogan from the stands.
Again, tough one, hopefully the coaches have a plan. We win at BGSU, and it should work itself out. We lose, the QB questions will grow louder.
Either way, we still have a running game without Shaq, we have a much better receiving corp than last year, our OLine has been solid, and the difference in our defense from last year is shocking (which is not an exaggeration).
Hey EagleTough,
I always enjoy your insight and comments on this forum. I can tell you understand the game and have a passion for it too.
You and I can agree to disagree about Roback. I believe he is our best option to win. I watched Robacks's body language last night while he was on the sideline. I do not understand why he did not stand by the offense when they came off the field during a change in possession. However, I did like the fact that after each turn over, Roback went to the offense and offered encouragement. I could tell because he was clapping his hands and imploring them to do better the next time out. Of course, can't be for sure but that's what it looked like to me. I hope there's no two QB rotation. I believe the QB position needs rhythm and stability.
At any rate, I will meet you for a beer at the next home game or perhaps at BGSU if I go with my buddy next Saturday. One thing for sure, our campus might start buzzing with a win. It would be so awesome heading into homecoming with a win - streak.
One game at a time....