(09-20-2020 06:28 AM)BearcatJerry Wrote: Uh... who, exactly, is "handwringing" and panicking? Simply noting that there is work to do and that this game wasn't perfect is not saying "the sky is falling."
This! Not panicking but I am noting that I expected that our defense would be a dominant unit and I didn’t really see that on the field on the first game. I did note that it doesn’t mean we won’t progress into a dominant defense or that we won’t win a ton of games this year.
I know the score reflected a blowout, especially up until late in the game, but I didn’t see as many 3 and outs, QB pressures, stops on 3rd/4th down, etc...It’s just one game but I thought this was a place to discuss out thoughts on the game. Those were just my thoughts
For what it’s worth I agree with you. And you’re definitely allowed to give your thoughts here.
I too am in the camp suggesting, "the game wasn't perfect," but I also defer to the coaching staff and what they were trying to accomplish in the opener.
First games are always unpredictable. The psychology of this one had to be tough for our staff too--a winless FCS team coming to our house to play a UC team that's had more pre-season accolades than any before in a hundred plus years of football.
The goal wasn't to score 70 points or more but two or three deep pass completions and that would have been the outcome. More importantly, it would have reassured fans that Ridder has the complete package to lead Cincy to the American Championship this year.
The absence of those mattered little in the outcome of this game but those will have to be in the mix for this team to escape either Dallas against a high scoring SMU or Orlando to knock off a UCF team that seemed to score at will in the second half against a Georgia Tech squad Saturday that had beaten Florida State the previous week.
We'll certainly get a better read on UC's capabilities this Saturday.
(09-21-2020 06:47 AM)OKIcat Wrote: I too am in the camp suggesting, "the game wasn't perfect," but I also defer to the coaching staff and what they were trying to accomplish in the opener.
First games are always unpredictable. The psychology of this one had to be tough for our staff too--a winless FCS team coming to our house to play a UC team that's had more pre-season accolades than any before in a hundred plus years of football.
The goal wasn't to score 70 points or more but two or three deep pass completions and that would have been the outcome. More importantly, it would have reassured fans that Ridder has the complete package to lead Cincy to the American Championship this year.
The absence of those mattered little in the outcome of this game but those will have to be in the mix for this team to escape either Dallas against a high scoring SMU or Orlando to knock off a UCF team that seemed to score at will in the second half against a Georgia Tech squad Saturday that had beaten Florida State the previous week.
We'll certainly get a better read on UC's capabilities this Saturday.
I remember two long attempts which had there been interference would have been waived of as uncatchable.
(09-21-2020 10:51 AM)doss2 Wrote: I remember two long attempts which had there been interference would have been waived of as uncatchable.
I hate to be that guy, but on the overthrow on the first drive, I couldn't help but think "I bet Ben Bryant would have made that throw." Doesn't mean Bryant is the better QB, but he certainly has more touch on his throws. The staff is going with the QB they feel gives us the best chance to win and I'm fine with that. Ridder's arm does look a lot better thus far.
(09-21-2020 10:51 AM)doss2 Wrote: I remember two long attempts which had there been interference would have been waived of as uncatchable.
I hate to be that guy, but on the overthrow on the first drive, I couldn't help but think "I bet Ben Bryant would have made that throw." Doesn't mean Bryant is the better QB, but he certainly has more touch on his throws. The staff is going with the QB they feel gives us the best chance to win and I'm fine with that. Ridder's arm does look a lot better thus far.
Last year I would've agreed with you, but there were several balls Ben over/under threw as well. His touch did not look good. I'll say this about Ridder - at least he's overthrowing his deep balls. Last year he couldn't get it farther than 20 yards. Hopefully his touch develops a bit
(09-21-2020 10:51 AM)doss2 Wrote: I remember two long attempts which had there been interference would have been waived of as uncatchable.
I hate to be that guy, but on the overthrow on the first drive, I couldn't help but think "I bet Ben Bryant would have made that throw." Doesn't mean Bryant is the better QB, but he certainly has more touch on his throws. The staff is going with the QB they feel gives us the best chance to win and I'm fine with that. Ridder's arm does look a lot better thus far.
Last year I would've agreed with you, but there were several balls Ben over/under threw as well. His touch did not look good. I'll say this about Ridder - at least he's overthrowing his deep balls. Last year he couldn't get it farther than 20 yards. Hopefully his touch develops a bit
Honestly, Ben Bryant on the long range throws was a bit of a disappointment. Under threw the first which resulted in PI but would have been six if he hit the WR in stride; over threw a second by a couple of yards and i believe there was a third deep throw that was inaccurate. He was on the money on short and medium range throws so i continue to believe that he is a better passer than Ridder but the reality is that Coach Fickell has made his decision. This team goes as Ridder goes.
(09-21-2020 10:51 AM)doss2 Wrote: I remember two long attempts which had there been interference would have been waived of as uncatchable.
I hate to be that guy, but on the overthrow on the first drive, I couldn't help but think "I bet Ben Bryant would have made that throw." Doesn't mean Bryant is the better QB, but he certainly has more touch on his throws. The staff is going with the QB they feel gives us the best chance to win and I'm fine with that. Ridder's arm does look a lot better thus far.
Last year I would've agreed with you, but there were several balls Ben over/under threw as well. His touch did not look good. I'll say this about Ridder - at least he's overthrowing his deep balls. Last year he couldn't get it farther than 20 yards. Hopefully his touch develops a bit
Honestly, Ben Bryant on the long range throws was a bit of a disappointment. Under threw the first which resulted in PI but would have been six if he hit the WR in stride; over threw a second by a couple of yards and i believe there was a third deep throw that was inaccurate. He was on the money on short and medium range throws so i continue to believe that he is a better passer than Ridder but the reality is that Coach Fickell has made his decision. This team goes as Ridder goes.
I trust Luke Fickell and staff. They’ve seen both guys in camp and have a lot more invested in making the right decision. This is not Tommy Tuberville we are talking about here.
(09-21-2020 10:51 AM)doss2 Wrote: I remember two long attempts which had there been interference would have been waived of as uncatchable.
I hate to be that guy, but on the overthrow on the first drive, I couldn't help but think "I bet Ben Bryant would have made that throw." Doesn't mean Bryant is the better QB, but he certainly has more touch on his throws. The staff is going with the QB they feel gives us the best chance to win and I'm fine with that. Ridder's arm does look a lot better thus far.
Last year I would've agreed with you, but there were several balls Ben over/under threw as well. His touch did not look good. I'll say this about Ridder - at least he's overthrowing his deep balls. Last year he couldn't get it farther than 20 yards. Hopefully his touch develops a bit
Honestly, Ben Bryant on the long range throws was a bit of a disappointment. Under threw the first which resulted in PI but would have been six if he hit the WR in stride; over threw a second by a couple of yards and i believe there was a third deep throw that was inaccurate. He was on the money on short and medium range throws so i continue to believe that he is a better passer than Ridder but the reality is that Coach Fickell has made his decision. This team goes as Ridder goes.
I trust Luke Fickell and staff. They’ve seen both guys in camp and have a lot more invested in making the right decision. This is not Tommy Tuberville we are talking about here.
PPL have their thoughts, myself included. i hope Ridder lives up to the expectations that have been placed on this team.
(09-21-2020 01:43 PM)CliftonAve Wrote: ^^ I have no issue with people having their thoughts. All I am saying is if it is good enough for CLF and staff it is good enough for me.
I'm with you. I haven't seen anything specifically from Bryant that has made him demonstrably better than Ridder. It's a smaller sample size so there is less to evaluate, but I generally trust the coaches that they've seen plenty and Bryant doesn't jump out with his skills.
Of course I'm skeptical of Ridder making the leap we'd like him to make as well, so I get why people want Bryant.
I'll be honest -- I wasn't as engaged while Bryant was in the game since it was a blowout at that point, so my thought about Bryant throwing a better long ball was probably inaccurate. I think I'm still biased by last season, when Ridder was battling through injuries that clearly affected his throwing. Even if Bryant throws a better ball, it would have to be a significant advantage there to completely negate Ridder's running ability and the intangibles of leading a really good football team for two years. I have creeping doubts occasionally as a fan, but also acknowledge that the coaching staff has forgotten more about football than I will ever know. I was pleased with Ridder's performance and am excited to see him healthy this season.
There was no reason for either the offense or the defense to show anything other than pure vanilla in that game. Army is the first game to start judging the team by.
(09-21-2020 04:15 PM)Bruce Monnin Wrote: There was no reason for either the offense or the defense to show anything other than pure vanilla in that game. Army is the first game to start judging the team by.
+1, you can never read a lot into a first game to begin with, and with all the craziness this year it's even more so. I'll need to see several game to really make a judgement. Plenty of talent on both sides of the ball which is where it starts. There have been years when the cupboard was not nearly as full. Reason for optimism.
(09-21-2020 04:15 PM)Bruce Monnin Wrote: There was no reason for either the offense or the defense to show anything other than pure vanilla in that game. Army is the first game to start judging the team by.
+1, you can never read a lot into a first game to begin with, and with all the craziness this year it's even more so. I'll need to see several game to really make a judgement. Plenty of talent on both sides of the ball which is where it starts. There have been years when the cupboard was not nearly as full. Reason for optimism.
It could have been 77-0 instead of 55-20 and still wouldn't be an accurate predictor of our chances against Army, SMU, Memphis, and UCF. I'm pumped for Army. I want to see what we do against a good team.
(09-21-2020 10:51 AM)doss2 Wrote: I remember two long attempts which had there been interference would have been waived of as uncatchable.
I hate to be that guy, but on the overthrow on the first drive, I couldn't help but think "I bet Ben Bryant would have made that throw." Doesn't mean Bryant is the better QB, but he certainly has more touch on his throws. The staff is going with the QB they feel gives us the best chance to win and I'm fine with that. Ridder's arm does look a lot better thus far.
Last year I would've agreed with you, but there were several balls Ben over/under threw as well. His touch did not look good. I'll say this about Ridder - at least he's overthrowing his deep balls. Last year he couldn't get it farther than 20 yards. Hopefully his touch develops a bit
Ridder definitely looked better. If you rewatch several games last year his accuracy was horrible after a few games (UFC game????). He was at least hitting most of the short and mid range throws. With his running ability if he can hit most of his short and mid range throws and the occasional deep ball, then we will be a very good team. Especially if the defense lives up to expectations.
I was actually happy with Ridder’s performance overall. Still room for improvement, but he did look better.
(09-21-2020 10:51 AM)doss2 Wrote: I remember two long attempts which had there been interference would have been waived of as uncatchable.
I hate to be that guy, but on the overthrow on the first drive, I couldn't help but think "I bet Ben Bryant would have made that throw." Doesn't mean Bryant is the better QB, but he certainly has more touch on his throws. The staff is going with the QB they feel gives us the best chance to win and I'm fine with that. Ridder's arm does look a lot better thus far.
Last year I would've agreed with you, but there were several balls Ben over/under threw as well. His touch did not look good. I'll say this about Ridder - at least he's overthrowing his deep balls. Last year he couldn't get it farther than 20 yards. Hopefully his touch develops a bit
Ridder definitely looked better. If you rewatch several games last year his accuracy was horrible after a few games (UFC game????). He was at least hitting most of the short and mid range throws. With his running ability if he can hit most of his short and mid range throws and the occasional deep ball, then we will be a very good team. Especially if the defense lives up to expectations.
I was actually happy with Ridder’s performance overall. Still room for improvement, but he did look better.
I completely agree. Last year he had me pulling my hair out during every game. At least this year he's physically capable of throwing it deep. They'll connect eventually. I don't think we need to throw it all over the field like ucf and smu, I think we should play to our strengths which is our TEs and run game.
My bigger concern with him is his decision making. There were a few questionable throws on his part - mainly the throw to young in the end zone when he was like double or triple covered, and then another one that was tipped in the end zone by a defender des didn't even see. I can't help but feel throws like that will be intercepted by better teams