I’m hearing a lot of people giving Hilinski criticism, which is understandable because he has some stuff he needs to work on but you can’t write him off this quickly with the sample size of games that he’s playing in for. Ryan I think joined the team in the summer so while everybody on this board myself included thought he was going to be the runaway to be quarterback one maybe it was his mechanical issues that held him from being granted the number one quarterback position looking at his mechanics those are things that you cannot fix with 2 /3 months before a season opener it takes a long off-season to fix those issues people to remember that this kid rode the bench all of 2020 and wasn’t given the chance so as they always say practice makes perfect so if he’s not had time to continuously work on his mechanics than this explains what we’re seeing right now. Before someone says it I know he started his freshman year in the SEC As a starter but knowing you’re going to be the starter going into fall camp vs competing for a starting job at your next school going into fall camp is totally two different things just my Observations.
My observations
- Thread starter NUcats92
- Start date
I personally think Hilinski can be our QB for the next couple of years unless someone steps up and takes it from him. Has he been great? No, but he's been reasonable. He had a rough game on Saturday and was off on several throws, but for the most part, I think he's done a good job. He'll benefit from the experience this year and a full offseason knowing he'll be the starter. Personally, I have really no concerns with him being our guy for the next few years. Not even a worry of mine.
Additionally, to Saturday's game specifically, while I think he was off on some throws, he was also under constant pressure all day and was missing his top two targets (Kirtz and Robinson) for pretty much the entire game. And Michigan is a good/very good defensive team. Sure, I would have liked to have seen a better performance, but he was really working with a stacked deck that day.
Additionally, to Saturday's game specifically, while I think he was off on some throws, he was also under constant pressure all day and was missing his top two targets (Kirtz and Robinson) for pretty much the entire game. And Michigan is a good/very good defensive team. Sure, I would have liked to have seen a better performance, but he was really working with a stacked deck that day.
I agree with everything you just said you hit the nail right on the head , I’d also like to see Fitz shake up the WR room we need to start paying a lot of these young guys at this point the season is in open competition so Mosley Hooper price Dennis gray etc. Basically it’s time for the youngsters to step up !
I don't think Hilinski is bad, he's not the worst B1G starting QB, but he seems somewhat limited in that he struggles to deal with pressure - I don't want to use the word "panic" but it's something approaching that. He often just throws the ball away or toward open space - sure that approach limits turnovers but if you can't convert 3rd downs against a blitz then we are in trouble - because we are going to end up in a lot of those situations. He needs to be able to stay in there and beat the blitz at least half the time, preferably more - right now it feels like it is about 20-25% of the time (we were 4-14 on 3DC vs Mich, not sure of the running vs passing splits), so we can't sustain drives and then against a team like Michigan the defense gets worn down.
So he's not bad, but I don't think we are going to win division or conference championships with him as he is now. Maybe he can develop! Definitely not writing him off. But for now I wouldn't mind trying Marty- he's been pretty good in small sample size, let's give him more reps once he is healthy.
Then if that’s the case next year should be an open competition as it should be any year no one’s job should ever be safe unless they’re a proven starter or head and shoulders above everybody else at the position, I would love to see Fitz just employ a two quarterback system at this point hell why not it’s worked in the past though I’m not a fan of it I am a fan of winning games and if it gives us the best opportunity to win then why not do it?
Yes he does have mechanical issues as we’ve all seen but I think this has a lot more to do with his protection this oline is terrible Ethan gets blown up every play by an athletic DE so it has more to do with finding the right online to protect him so he can scan the field and another thing that he would need to work on is going through his progressions not locking on to one receiver like Thorson did a lot.
I think Helinski has a strong arm, has showed an ability to read defenses, seems like a leader...on the negative side is immobile.....that is a big one to me.....I would love to see NU use both Helinski and Marty...I just dont think there is a substitute for having a mobile qb . More and more teams are using 2 qbs.....and also Marty has shown himself to be a quality qb.....
Using both Hillinski and Marty could be similar to how Michigan uses McNamara and McCarthy. That could work
YOU CAN"T USE 2QBS!!!! /s
Not to beat on Hunter but I never really saw the mobility people spoke of. Hilinski is decent at avoiding a rush, he's not a pure statue. But - Marty is a tank. and he can throw, to me, as well or close to Hilinski. It's not Ryan's fault that our OL can't keep him clean, so - to me - if Marty is ready, we need him against any decent pass rush. For reference, he's like 30+lbs bigger than ECat's favorite, Kain Colter.
Heck, if he/Fitz are worried about his eligibility, he has 3 more games he can play, right? Let's start Saturday. Not sure if an upperclassman can redshirt other than injury. Anyway, if he's ready, he won't get a medical redshirt.
As I understand it, he's in his first year of Kellogg, but may have started in June and may finish before next season. if not, why not play?
Marty is also a far better passer than Colter. Though that's not saying much. I also want to see Marty back in the starting QB position. Looking back, he's never had a bad game since he's been given an opportunity to play.
You know I love to razz you about Colter. Anyway, I meant that Marty can run, and, presumably, take more of a beating than Colter, though Marty got knocked out against Duke. He's a big kid, bigger than our RBs. Hilinski same size but no wheels. Need someone to escape the rush and require a defensive "spy" to respect the QB run. If the OL were better, might not be necessary, but Hilinski is under siege back there. I respect that he has been able to get out of the way, generally, but we have to have a guy that is a threat to run. he isn't.
Just for fun, look at the top NU QB's in passing efficiency career-wise. Colter is 2nd (after Persa, naturally) and Siemian is 12th. Lies, damn lies, and statistics.
While that is literally true, he's played significant time in just 3 games (garbage time in a 52-16 loss to Minny, the Illinois game in 2019 and the Duke game this year) and has thrown all of 38 passes in his entire NU career.
Not much of track record.
That is true but look who he’s played against terrible defenses I don’t think Marty would’ve fared much better against Michigan just sayin.
Totally fair question, and one I don't know the answer to. Marty has only been seen sporadically in his career at NU, but the few times he has played, he has looked good. As mentioned, he brings a run threat, and also appears to be a better passer than he tends to get credit for.
But I really don't know the answer to that. I could see it going either way, but I trust that the coaches will play the QB they think gives us the best chance to win the most amount of games.
Marty sure has a hard time staying healthy. I like his skill set, but I wonder if his style is conducive to being a starter.
IIRC, the labrum injury is in the throwing shoulder (correct me if I am mistaken). That's a big deal.
IIRC, the labrum injury is in the throwing shoulder (correct me if I am mistaken). That's a big deal.
It doesn’t matter who the QB is if they aren’t a runner when
We can’t establish the run game
The O line can’t reliably pass protect
The top two receivers on the roster are injured
we don’t have the horses to be a pass first team. Marty at least improves the run game and gives the offense a shot.
We can’t establish the run game
The O line can’t reliably pass protect
The top two receivers on the roster are injured
we don’t have the horses to be a pass first team. Marty at least improves the run game and gives the offense a shot.
You've made an enemy for life in Evanston Cat, simply by citing the facts, which he consistently ignores.
I agree! I was happy with our performance against Michigan! The refs screwed us Big Time! Fitz, the players, and entire community are proud of all our NU athletes! My finest hour as an NU athlete was losing 22-1 to a Lehigh wrestler and fans congratulating me for not giving up! Both teams were ranked top 20 at the time! Losing is a part of life! Learning from losing is essential for growth!
Ryan has an excellent arm! We are lucky to have him! Hope we win a few more games! Win or lose, I love NU football
I’m not sure that’s the same.
Seems like they are gradually getting McCarthy some plays in anticipation of making him the starter.
Hunter had far more upside than either of the other two. At Duke, when Fitz pulled. him, he had no protection at all. Who designed those plays. Who made adjustments to provide him with more time? And, never to be seen again. Marty's turnover ratio is horrible. Hilinski's is similar. Neither is as accurate.