Shout-out to Chris Laviano

[loyalty_policia]

That was one hell of a season considering everything that this team had going against it, combined with the tough schedule. It has to take a lot to keep coming back for more every day, and I for one, greatly appreciate it.



And an even bigger shout out for playing for Rutgers when you know guys like Spare130(featured below) are in the crowd rooting against you. That takes a maturity, composure, and class that most won't find in multiple lifetimes. Kudos again!

 

[bryanjints]

Agreed

 

[REDRICH65]

Kudos to Laviano for his toughness.

 

[Spare130_rivals]

Im just being realistic so people can go ahead an bash me if they want. That wasnt "one hell of a season" He went 2 months without throwing a TD pass, couldnt throw the ball 20 yards downfield, and missed 100000 open recievers. For half of the season he had arguably the best payer in RU history to throw to. Not knocking his effort, but in terms of results he was not good. No way to spin it.

 

[mugrat86]

Kudos to Laviano for his toughness.

I agree as well. I am one that doesn't buy the fact that people were booing him. They were booing Flood's stubborness. He was just getting hit with the shrapnel. He got beat up because of poor pass protection and fought his *** off to try and adjust to it.

 

[RU#1fan]

Im just being realistic so people can go ahead an bash me if they want. That wasnt "one hell of a season" He went 2 months without throwing a TD pass, couldnt throw the ball 20 yards downfield, and missed 100000 open recievers. For half of the season he had arguably the best payer in RU history to throw to. Not knocking his effort, but in terms of results he was not good. No way to spin it.

This totally .
If it was not for Carroo making the Circus like catches from the wounded duck passes from Laviano, his Completion rate would have been horrible . He wont have Carroo to bail him out next year . The new Coach needs to find a B1G caliber QB.

 

[JPhoboken]

I agree as well. I am one that doesn't buy the fact that people were booing him. They were booing Flood's stubborness. He was just getting hit with the shrapnel. He got beat up because of poor pass protection and fought his *** off to try and adjust to it.

Sorry, no excuse, the kid was just pile driven into the ground and goes back in and you boo? I am glad FLood is gone, and I wanted to see Rettig as well, but.......

There is no getting around the fact that if we had a star qb, and that happened, you would have been cheering. So if you are booing Flood's choice of QB, you are also booing the QB. Sorry.

Tell you what, lets move on, no more posts defending the booing, and no more posts from me being disgusted with the booing.

Deal?

 

[SanFranRutgers]

I agree as well. I am one that doesn't buy the fact that people were booing him. They were booing Flood's stubborness. He was just getting hit with the shrapnel. He got beat up because of poor pass protection and fought his *** off to try and adjust to it.

Your "Flood's stubbornness" is another's "Flood's conviction."

Give him credit (or don't); he did not let the fans nor the press coach this team. Takes guts when you know you might pay for it with your job (and do).

 

[RobertG]

Im just being realistic so people can go ahead an bash me if they want. That wasnt "one hell of a season" He went 2 months without throwing a TD pass, couldnt throw the ball 20 yards downfield, and missed 100000 open recievers. For half of the season he had arguably the best payer in RU history to throw to. Not knocking his effort, but in terms of results he was not good. No way to spin it.

Just a literary note: "couldnt throw the ball 20 yards downfield, and missed 100000 open recievers" is not realistic.

 

[RUbot]

Im just being realistic so people can go ahead an bash me if they want. That wasnt "one hell of a season" He went 2 months without throwing a TD pass, couldnt throw the ball 20 yards downfield, and missed 100000 open recievers. For half of the season he had arguably the best payer in RU history to throw to. Not knocking his effort, but in terms of results he was not good. No way to spin it.

Honestly, what did people really expect from a young first year starting QB behind an O Line that gave up a sack at a rate of 7.5% per every pass attempt (3rd worse in the big ten)

For the 4 toughest defenses RU played this year:


Wisconsin gave up 6 TD passes all year;____0.5 TD's per game____0 for CL

Michigan Gave up 7 TD passes all year; ___0.6 TD's per game____0 for CL

OSU 12 all year:_____ 1 TD per game___0 for CL

MSU 17 all year : ____ 1.4 per game_____3 For CL



So these 4 opponents allowed a combined 42 passing TD's all year = 0.875 TD per game

In Lavianos 4 games against these opponents .75 TD’s per game



In 7 of their games this year Wisconsin did not allow a TD pass.

In 5 of their games this year Michigan did not allow a TD pass.


So against these four opponents, Laviano was just slightly below the average of TD passes per game (.88 vs .75 TD per game)

And Laviano was clearly in the company of many other QB's in not throwing a TD in games against UW and UM this year. And against MSU 2 teams had zero TD passes this year, where CL had 3.


How much better did anyone really expect him to be? Still amazed at the expectations.

 

[ruready4somefootball_rivals]

Honestly, what did people really expect from a young first year starting QB behind an O Line that gave up a sack at a rate of 7.5% per every pass attempt (3rd worse in the big ten)

For the 4 toughest defenses RU played this year:


Wisconsin gave up 6 TD passes all year;____0.5 TD's per game____0 for CL

Michigan Gave up 7 TD passes all year; ___0.6 TD's per game____0 for CL

OSU 12 all year:_____ 1 TD per game___0 for CL

MSU 17 all year : ____ 1.4 per game_____3 For CL



So these 4 opponents allowed 42 passing TD's all year = 0.875 TD per game

In Lavianos 4 games against these opponents .75 TD’s per game



In 7 of their games this year Wisconsin did not allow a TD pass.

In 5 of their games this year Michigan did not allow a TD pass.


So against these four opponents, Laviano was just slightly below the average of TD passes per game (.88 vs .75 TD per game)

And Laviano was clearly in the company of many other QB's in not throwing a TD in games against UW and UM this year. And against MSU 2 teams had zero TD passes this year, where CL had 3.


How much better did anyone really expect him to be? Still amazed at the expectations.

Thanks Kyle.

 

[NewJerseyGuy]

This thread is the Internet equivalent of Kyle immediately sending a shaken Laviano back in to a chorus of boos. Bad judgement on behalf of the OP.

Btw --
Syklar -- you should have pulled Nova after the 3rd interception against Kent St.

 

[KeithK7624]

That was one hell of a season considering everything that this team had going against it, combined with the tough schedule. It has to take a lot to keep coming back for more every day, and I for one, greatly appreciate it.

Where can I get what you're smoking.

 

[RUsSKii]

Mrs. Flood and Mrs. Laviano posting in the same thread? Pinch me, I must be dreaming..

 

[YoucancallmeRay]

Agree that Laviano deserves some kudos. He has a lot of good characteristics: good decision making, mobility, toughness, pretty good accuracy. He had a good season for a new QB with OL issues (24 sacks). Check the ESPN stats and he is comparable to some names such as P.J. Walker, Josh Rosen, even the Wash. St. QB (CL had a higher avg yards per throw than him). All the Rettig family members on this thread better be prepared for CL being the started next year. Wouldn't be surprised.

 

[zappaa]

He doesn't deserve to be singled out anymore than any of our other starters.

 

[SanFranRutgers]

He doesn't deserve to be singled out anymore than any of our other starters.

Few if any of our other starters were singled out by this board as being unworthy of their starting job.

 

[MADHAT1]

Agree that Laviano deserves some kudos. He has a lot of good characteristics: good decision making, mobility, toughness, pretty good accuracy. He had a good season for a new QB with OL issues (24 sacks). Check the ESPN stats and he is comparable to some names such as P.J. Walker, Josh Rosen, even the Wash. St. QB (CL had a higher avg yards per throw than him). All the Rettig family members on this thread better be prepared for CL being the started next year. Wouldn't be surprised.

He'll have to earn it and if he proves he can't move the offense, he'll be replaced.
Don't have anything against Chris, just feel Flood was to stubborn to change QBs when Laviano wasn't getting the job done .

 

[saran]

After 4 years of chuck-n-duck football where 4 and 5 INT games were becoming ordinary events I can't say Laviano made me unhappy. He may have had ,limited range and might have missed receivers but for a first year starter I prefer that over forcing zany fireballs into quadruple coverage

 

[zappaa]

Few if any of our other starters were singled out by this board as being unworthy of their starting job.

so what, maybe he was.

 

[SanFranRutgers]

so what, maybe he was.

Which is why someone else chose _this_place_ to single him out for thanks.

 

[AreYouNUTS]

Listen, I applaud the kid for toughing it out, but, he compiled stats against some of the worst Pass D's on the nation, and did absolutely nothing against good ones.

Feel free to look up the stats yourself.

 

[lighty]

I applaud him for sticking it out. He did show toughness. But he also should have seen the sidelines some. Flood did not do him any favors IMO. He would have learned more with a few breaks.

 

[RUbot]

Listen, I applaud the kid for toughing it out, but, he compiled stats against some of the worst Pass D's on the nation, and did absolutely nothing against good ones.

Feel free to look up the stats yourself.

Another revalation! He did worse against the best defenses!
Do you really expect a first year starter behind a suspect OL to perform better than the rest of the opponents of those top four defenses performed? Now I see where you are coming from

Wisconsin gave up 6 passing TDs all year and Michigan only 7 yet people blast the kid for not being one of those to get a passing TD against those teams. And OSU just a little worse.

Expectations are a bit out of control

 

[zappaa]

Another revalation! He did worse against the best defenses!
Do you really expect a first year starter behind a suspect OL to perform better than the rest of the opponents of those top four defenses performed? Now I see where you are coming from

Wisconsin gave up 6 passing TDs all year and Michigan only 7 yet people blast the kid for not being one of those to get a passing TD against those teams. And OSU just a little worse.

Expectations are a bit out of control

Curious why you review game film of every single play Rettig was in on, limited as it was, and go out of your way to bad mouth his every movement.
OK we get it, you defend CL, but why do you feel the need to criticize Rettig?

 

[withoutregard]

Another revalation! He did worse against the best defenses!
Do you really expect a first year starter behind a suspect OL to perform better than the rest of the opponents of those top four defenses performed? Now I see where you are coming from

Wisconsin gave up 6 passing TDs all year and Michigan only 7 yet people blast the kid for not being one of those to get a passing TD against those teams. And OSU just a little worse.

Expectations are a bit out of control

now that ex coach flood has more time on his hands, I guess we will be subjected to slyker 24/7

 

[KeithK7624]

Another revalation! He did worse against the best defenses!
Do you really expect a first year starter behind a suspect OL to perform better than the rest of the opponents of those top four defenses performed? Now I see where you are coming from

Wisconsin gave up 6 passing TDs all year and Michigan only 7 yet people blast the kid for not being one of those to get a passing TD against those teams. And OSU just a little worse.

Expectations are a bit out of control

Not putting all the blame on the one kid, but he was atrocious for over a month. Unfortunately, most of the heat he takes is due to Flood's stubbornness. If retting was just put in and had similar results no one would be piling on him. With that being said, I think he's seen his last start at QB for Rutgers, barring injury. His inability to throw the deep ball, focusing on one receiver, and missing screen passes isn't tolerable. Regardless of the oline

 

[LevaosLectures]

He did seem to struggle with short passes...our screen game was WEAK as hell in part because of this.
But, he had some awesome moments....especially Indiana.

 

[BaseballFan913]

Kid threw 4 TDs against Maryland and we booed him. Some "fans" really don't understand the game.

Then again, maybe we are all idiots for arguing with these idiots.

Sorry your golden boy can't learn more than 15 plays out of a playbook.

 

[studiokane]

He never should have been booed. That was classless, regardless of who people thought they were booing. CL showed some guts this season. But... if CL is our starting QB in 2016, we will likely not even win 4 games like we did this year.

 

[KeithK7624]

Kid threw 4 TDs against Maryland and we booed him. Some "fans" really don't understand the game.

Then again, maybe we are all idiots for arguing with these idiots.

Sorry your golden boy can't learn more than 15 plays out of a playbook.

You do realize this is nothing to brag about right? Maryland finished with 3 wins and had one of the worst scoring defenses in the country. They allowed ~35 points per game.

I also have a hard time believing this playbook thing. I have no idea how good Rettig is or isnt. All I know is that flood was extremely stubborn and has noticeably stronger arm. Everything else is speculation.

 

[BaseballFan913]

You do realize this is nothing to brag about right? Maryland finished with 3 wins and had one of the worst scoring defenses in the country. They allowed ~35 points per game.

I also have a hard time believing this playbook thing. I have no idea how good Rettig is or isnt. All I know is that flood was extremely stubborn and has noticeably stronger arm. Everything else is speculation.

It's only speculation when you don't have an inside source.

 

[zappaa]

It's only speculation when you don't have an inside source.

You can have an inside source and still be wrong Baseball fan.
A coach should not be scared to death to let the back up play a series after his starter was pile driven into the ground.

 

[herdof3]

Im just being realistic so people can go ahead an bash me if they want. That wasnt "one hell of a season" He went 2 months without throwing a TD pass, couldnt throw the ball 20 yards downfield, and missed 100000 open recievers. For half of the season he had arguably the best payer in RU history to throw to. Not knocking his effort, but in terms of results he was not good. No way to spin it.

agree completely - missed way too many receivers on shorts passes too. If you don't have arm strength then you have to be very accurate. His decision making will likely improve but not likely that arm strength and accuracy will. Not sure I see the upside.

 

[RobotHunter]

Agree that Laviano deserves some kudos. He has a lot of good characteristics: good decision making, mobility, toughness, pretty good accuracy. He had a good season for a new QB with OL issues (24 sacks). Check the ESPN stats and he is comparable to some names such as P.J. Walker, Josh Rosen, even the Wash. St. QB (CL had a higher avg yards per throw than him). All the Rettig family members on this thread better be prepared for CL being the started next year. Wouldn't be surprised.

Good decision making? He locked on to Carroo every time and either forced it to him or ran. When Carroo wasn't in the lineup he was lost and went over a month without a TD pass.

 

[RUbot]

Curious why you review game film of every single play Rettig was in on, limited as it was, and go out of your way to bad mouth his every movement.
OK we get it, you defend CL, but why do you feel the need to criticize Rettig?

I review BTN2go replays of a lot of our games and players. I only have written here about HR. See a lot more from the different tv angles than I see from the perspective from my seats. And you you can't see what everyone Is doing on every play if you mostly are following the ball when it is live.

Honestly, I have nothing against Rettig, and as I have stated previously, he would have been my choice as starter after the Norfolk St game... but I was fine with the Coaching staff's selection of Laviano since all I had seen of Rettig was a spring game and the 1/2 in the Norfolk game. Way too small a sample size to know all the strengths and weaknesses of either kid.

The only reason I have highlighted Rettig's faults was to provide a countering opinion to the ridiculous way this board had piled on Laviano for performing poorly against some top defenses, and completely ignoring the fact that many other more experienced QB's with better O Lines have also had extreme difficulty in their passing games this year against those same teams. And I'll say it again, those 4 teams collectively allowed an average of less than 1 TD pass per game! And our young QB was being blasted for not exceeding what other more experienced teams and QB's could not do. As I was looking up some of the stats of those other teams, I also noticed there were very few games where opponents used more than one QB against those defenses despite very unproductive passing games. Maybe those coaches realized what I think the RU staff likely realized, that it was the strengths of these Defenses that were the primary cause of the passing game problems, and not anything the QB's were doing poorly that could overcome these problems. ... and consequently no reason to believe putting in the backup (who they have assessed to be inferior) would magically change things. I was just attempting to assist people in recognizing how Rettig performed as poorly (or worse) against the starters, than Laviano and all the other QB's who also had terrible passing days against those same defenses.

 

[zappaa]

I review BTN2go replays of a lot of our games and players. I only have written here about HR. See a lot more from the different tv angles than I see from the perspective from my seats. And you you can't see what everyone Is doing on every play if you mostly are following the ball when it is live.

Honestly, I have nothing against Rettig, and as I have stated previously, he would have been my choice as starter after the Norfolk St game... but I was fine with the Coaching staff's selection of Laviano since all I had seen of Rettig was a spring game and the 1/2 in the Norfolk game. Way too small a sample size to know all the strengths and weaknesses of either kid.

The only reason I have highlighted Rettig's faults was to provide a countering opinion to the ridiculous way this board had piled on Laviano for performing poorly against some top defenses, and completely ignoring the fact that many other more experienced QB's with better O Lines have also had extreme difficulty in their passing games this year against those same teams. And I'll say it again, those 4 teams collectively allowed an average of less than 1 TD pass per game! And our young QB was being blasted for not exceeding what other more experienced teams and QB's could not do. As I was looking up some of the stats of those other teams, I also noticed there were very few games where opponents used more than one QB against those defenses despite very unproductive passing games. Maybe those coaches realized what I think the RU staff likely realized, that it was the strengths of these Defenses that were the primary cause of the passing game problems, and not anything the QB's were doing poorly that could overcome these problems. ... and consequently no reason to believe putting in the backup (who they have assessed to be inferior) would magically change things. I was just attempting to assist people in recognizing how Rettig performed as poorly (or worse) against the starters, than Laviano and all the other QB's who also had terrible passing days against those same defenses.

So, are you saying it would have been a poor coaching decision by Flood to insert Rettig in those games against great defenses just to see what he could do?
We already knew what CL was doing, there's no reason to believe Rettig would fare better is a bad answer…lets find out is a better answer.

 

[S.B. Crumb]

This thread reminds my why I am so grateful Flood was canned.

 

[c_husk]

I review BTN2go replays of a lot of our games and players. I only have written here about HR. See a lot more from the different tv angles than I see from the perspective from my seats. And you you can't see what everyone Is doing on every play if you mostly are following the ball when it is live.

Honestly, I have nothing against Rettig, and as I have stated previously, he would have been my choice as starter after the Norfolk St game... but I was fine with the Coaching staff's selection of Laviano since all I had seen of Rettig was a spring game and the 1/2 in the Norfolk game. Way too small a sample size to know all the strengths and weaknesses of either kid.

The only reason I have highlighted Rettig's faults was to provide a countering opinion to the ridiculous way this board had piled on Laviano for performing poorly against some top defenses, and completely ignoring the fact that many other more experienced QB's with better O Lines have also had extreme difficulty in their passing games this year against those same teams. And I'll say it again, those 4 teams collectively allowed an average of less than 1 TD pass per game! And our young QB was being blasted for not exceeding what other more experienced teams and QB's could not do. As I was looking up some of the stats of those other teams, I also noticed there were very few games where opponents used more than one QB against those defenses despite very unproductive passing games. Maybe those coaches realized what I think the RU staff likely realized, that it was the strengths of these Defenses that were the primary cause of the passing game problems, and not anything the QB's were doing poorly that could overcome these problems. ... and consequently no reason to believe putting in the backup (who they have assessed to be inferior) would magically change things. I was just attempting to assist people in recognizing how Rettig performed as poorly (or worse) against the starters, than Laviano and all the other QB's who also had terrible passing days against those same defenses.

It wasn't 4 games it was 5 out of 8 conference games by my count that the starting QB more than struggled in (Penn State, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio State, Nebraska) and if our QB can't throw for TD against teams in our conference then either i) try a new QB, (Rettig , Gio , Dare ii) if non of the qbs are ready than ii) get a coach who can get a qb ready to play, or iii) drop from the conference level we are playing at. You can't say we play against tough Defense, therefore a non productive QB deserves to keep his starting position without consequences (i.e. bench). If non of the other QBs are ready than, what does that say about the coaching staff? I believe upper management went with ii.

 

[RUbot]

So, are you saying it would have been a poor coaching decision by Flood to insert Rettig in those games against great defenses just to see what he could do?
We already knew what CL was doing, there's no reason to believe Rettig would fare better is a bad answer…lets find out is a better answer.

Well, hypothetically, if our staff had made an assessed that the problems for one of these games was that receivers were not getting open, and our O Line was not allowing the QB any time to throw....... and what if they also know from practice situations that HR is less adept at being successful in avoiding pressure, or squeezing passes in to tight windows while avoiding pressure, Then they probably wouldn't expect a better result by putting him in.... and in that hypothetical situation, I would have to agree with that.

None of us really know how Rettig performs under those situations.

Bottom line is that none of us have access to game tapes to actually see how open receivers were on every play, or do we have a objective measure of exactly how much time Laviano had on each of his pass plays.... nor do we know how Rettig performed in practice under those similar circumstances ... and my opinion has always been that that just saying "put him in might as well it's worth a try" .... and would not be a great decision if you have hypothetical evidence to the contrary.

What we do know is that when Rettig was put in against the starters against those defenses, with most of our starting Offense, he did similarly or worse than CL. 3 and outs were common. We do also know that Rettig threw some long completions when the 2nd 3rd stringers were in there. What we don't know is how Laviano would have done against those 2nd 3rd stringers. He might have done similarly as well. Can only make comments on what we know. Everything else is speculation and guessing.