zips QB

[zippy_ua_00]

I have recently come across some information from a past player that is still very close to the program that the zips are possibly getting a senior qb from an acc school. I dunno how much of a secret it is so I cant release too much info by he is a player from the school where coach Amato coached when we beat him

[Staton14]

I have recently come across some information from a past player that is still very close to the program that the zips are possibly getting a senior qb from an acc school. I dunno how much of a secret it is so I cant release too much info by he is a player from the school where coach Amato coached when we beat him

Would they be planning to start him over Pohl or just as insurance in case of injury?

[ZachTheZip]

Interesting, but I don't see him winning the starting job.

http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/10418525/nc-state-wolfpack-qb-pete-thomas-transfer-final-season

There's a connection there with Zips QB Nick Hirschman.

[Balsy]

On the Topic of Zips QBs, I was a little disappointed with the QB play yesterday. Either our defense is getting that good, or we need considerably better play from our QBs.

[zipproud]

It was exciting to see people show up and support the Zips Spring Game the day before Easter. I agree the QB play was not outstanding but it was sufficient for a spring game. KP16 did not have any big play balls but he did a good job checking down and made the necessary throws. NH15 had a nice deep ball, TW13 looked unsure but athletic and CK18 made 2 nice throws that were dropped on a solid drive. They will all improve as we edge closer to the season. One of these three (NH15, TW13, CK18) will have to set themselves apart as the backup, Right now they look equal, but one of them needs to emerge as a solid backup for KP16.

8 WINS - 2014

GO ZIPS!!!!!

[GP1]

I've seen some communications from several former Zips. General opinion is they are much, much better than last year and it should be a real good year next season if they can stay healthy.

[zippy_ua_00]

This is what I was told, he would probably start over Pohl. Coaches say pohl is the kind of player that doesnt hurt you, but wont win games for you either. Hes kind of stuck in the middle. Not much of a leader. Hes hesitant to make the throws that are needed to make big plays. Its frustrating for them bc they arent sure what to do or how to use him bc as I said he wont lose games for us but wont take the chances to win games either

[Dave in Green]

Per the ESPN story linked above, Pete Thomas did not exactly have inspiring performances for NC State last season that would lead one to believe he'd be a major upgrade over KP16:

Thomas played in nine games and had four passing touchdowns and nine interceptions. He finished the season ranked ninth in the ACC in passing yards per game (185.2) and in total offense (203.3).

Thomas started 21 games at Colorado State in 2010 and 2011 before transferring to NC State.

His career stats, which include 22 touchdowns and 30 interceptions, are here.

[ZachTheZip]

He's already transferred twice because he couldn't beat out the competition.

[Balsy]

I miss DW13 a bit...I feel like he's the QB that would take the chances the coaches need in order to win games. Don't get me wrong, I like KP16...but we need him to take a step up if we believe this team can win 8 games.

On a side note: I watched a considerable amount of Penn State's Blue and White game. If the coaches can put together a game plan like what we had against Michigan last year, we can beat these guys. That's right, I have a feeling we can beat Penn State. It starts with having inspired QB play from KP16. I don't care who the QB transfer is, but if bringing him in is enough to shake everyone on the QB roster to compete harder, it can't be a bad thing. We need them all to step up.

GP1: I would agree with the former Zips' opinion. As a unit, this team looks good. I remember dreading he season last year after the spring-game because there wasn't much to like on either side of the ball. But this defense seems like it hasn't taken a step back (I dare say they almost looked better than they did last year), More WR's seem to be creating space. My biggest concern is OL.

[Zipgrad01]

I miss DW13 a bit...I feel like he's the QB that would take the chances the coaches need in order to win games. Don't get me wrong, I like KP16...but we need him to take a step up if we believe this team can win 8 games.

On a side note: I watched a considerable amount of Penn State's Blue and White game. If the coaches can put together a game plan like what we had against Michigan last year, we can beat these guys. That's right, I have a feeling we can beat Penn State. It starts with having inspired QB play from KP16. I don't care who the QB transfer is, but if bringing him in is enough to shake everyone on the QB roster to compete harder, it can't be a bad thing. We need them all to step up.

GP1: I would agree with the former Zips' opinion. As a unit, this team looks good. I remember dreading he season last year after the spring-game because there wasn't much to like on either side of the ball. But this defense seems like it hasn't taken a step back (I dare say they almost looked better than they did last year), More WR's seem to be creating space. My biggest concern is OL.

You do realize that it was a spring game, right? KP16 is heads and shoulders above where he was last year and will be one of the top QB's in the MAC. Bowden is very high on Pohl. I am not sure why you are so pessimistic considering he has had a great spring?

[Balsy]

You do realize that it was a spring game, right? KP16 is heads and shoulders above where he was last year and will be one of the top QB's in the MAC. Bowden is very high on Pohl. I am not sure why you are so pessimistic considering he has had a great spring?

Of course I realize it's spring game...backup QB was a concern last spring game; it continued to be a problem throughout the year...seems to be the same story this year. Spring game does give insights to where the team needs to improve...or we wouldn't be having spring games.

I don't disagree KP16 is that much ahead of the others (it's obvious from watching practice). Though there's still a lot room for him to improve.

I'm not pessimistic, rather: "I'll believe it when I see it." I love Bowden, don't get me wrong, but I will believe the hype when I see it. There is always room for improvement.

[Lee Adams]

Interesting topic. I used to be a Pohl supporter. I am no longer enamored with him. I commented last season that if Hirschman hadn't been hurt he would have taken most of the snaps over Pohl. And, Pohl didn't show anything yesterday that indicated to me that he has taken charge of the offense. I realize Pohl was injured last year. But, he wasn't playing that well before he got hurt. And, TB said they had to 'dumb down' the O last year. I don't see the coaching staff tolerating mediocre play at the QB very long this year. There are plenty of weapons on offensive. Pohl gets the first month to show if he has improved. If not,Hirschman gets to play. Honestly, the 2 QB's they have 'in waiting' may be the best that have been here in a while. Woodson is not one of them.

[Balsy]

Love it Lee Adams. +1. If Pohl is as good as some say he is, prove it. Step up and beat Penn State this year.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I remember DW13 taking charge of the Offense, making reads, communicating to TB what his changes were...being a field general. Sure we didn't actually win games, but we had offensive production unlike years before. KP16 has done enough to lead to some wins, but certainly has not been the field general we need to get to the top of the MAC.

[skip-zip]

Folks. Over the last couple of years, it's obvious the offense has fallen backwards. And it's a Bowden offense that's proven to be a point scoring machine. It didn't just start by scoring a combined 6 points from two offensive units in a spring game. And it's not because we have a world-class defense.

I've said it before, but the performances against Ken+ and UMass at the end of last season should have been alarming to anyone who is not an eternal optimist, especially when they came about 8 games after the potential-showing performance in the Big House. When coaches sense that there may not be growth, they need to prepare to change directions.

We very well may not have the guys on the offensive side of the ball to get the job done. I don't see why some people feel the need to get defensive or take a "stay the course" attitude when we can bring in a former ACC starter and light a spark under the offense that may desperately need one in August.

[Dave in Green]

... I don't see why some people feel the need to get defensive or take a "stay the course" attitude when we can bring in a former ACC starter and light a spark under the offense that may desperately need one in August.

Me neither. Of course, I haven't yet seen anyone getting defensive or suggesting to stay the course. I have seen some people looking at the record of the former ACC starter and noting that there's nothing obvious to indicate he's a slam dunk upgrade. Just as no one is suggesting that the Zips should turn down any opportunity to improve the team at any position, likewise no one should suggest that anyone transferring from a higher-ranked conference is necessarily an automatic upgrade. We should all be open to the possibility that KP16 may or may not be the Zips' best available option, and trust Coach Bowden to make the right decision when the time comes.

Of course, we do have a forum member living in the heart of ACC Land who has some pretty strong opinions about various football options, so it will be interesting to see if he has any predictions about whether or not the former ACC starter is likely to be the great QB savior for Zips football.

[GP1]

Mark this date down. April 20, 2014. It's the day some Zips fans went into full panic, replace the QB, Browns fan mode. Amazing....

DW13? Didn't we only win one game with him as QB?

Pohl is the man. He has a full season under his belt and he performed well enough to win at least three games in a row at the end of the season and one of those teams was a top notch MAC team who had something to play for. He is a big kid with a strong arm and has game experience who should be smarter next season. As long as he can keep his turnovers down, the Zips will move the ball well enough and play good defense to win enough games to go bowling.

Back-up QB depth? Are some of you freaking kidding me. You expect any D1A team to have good depth at QB. I watched both the Alabama and Auburn spring games this weekend because after mowing the grass Friday, I had absolutely nothing to do. After their starting QBs, they have garbage behind them and they are national championship contenders. NOBODY has good depth and we can bring in one D1A transfer, wash-out after another and that isn't going to change that fact.

The QB dance is a special type of torture the Browns have exercised on their fans. Browns fans enjoy this type of S&M. Unfortunately, many Zips fans are also Browns fans so they think this is normal. The endless QB dance is idiocy. Pohl is the man and needs to be treated by the staff as such.

I'm not sure what fans expect when they go to a spring game. The teams are split up, some of the players who will be playing next year aren't even on campus yet, coaches are experimenting on a lot of different things, there is no game plan whatsoever and the outcome of the game means nothing. Quite honestly, I don't know why any of you would waste five minutes going to the game. It isn't even a real game for crying out loud.

Just relax guys. This team is in great position to do well in the MAC next season. Six wins and a bowl game isn't out of the question and should be expected. I expect them to win at least seven games and contend for the Division.

[GP1]

Me neither. Of course, I haven't yet seen anyone getting defensive or suggesting to stay the course. I have seen some people looking at the record of the former ACC starter and noting that there's nothing obvious to indicate he's a slam dunk upgrade. Just as no one is suggesting that the Zips should turn down any opportunity to improve the team at any position, likewise no one should suggest that anyone transferring from a higher-ranked conference is necessarily an automatic upgrade. We should all be open to the possibility that KP16 may or may not be the Zips' best available option, and trust Coach Bowden to make the right decision when the time comes.

Of course, we do have a forum member living in the heart of ACC Land who has some pretty strong opinions about various football options, so it will be interesting to see if he has any predictions about whether or not the former ACC starter is likely to be the great QB savior for Zips football.

Excellent post Dave and thanks for teeing it up. Like all other D1A conferences, the back up QB situation in the ACC functions in varying degrees of horrid just as every other conference does. A back up at an ACC school is probably not going to win a starting job at a MAC school. This is especially true if it is against an established starter. The best path for an ACC QB transfer is 1AA or D2.

Finding one good QB is very difficult. Finding two is almost impossible.

[GP1]

Honestly, the 2 QB's they have 'in waiting' may be the best that have been here in a while.

The preamble of cliches was almost as interesting as this comment. Please back the above up with the evidence the back up guys can do better than the starter. Hunches don't count.

The problem with this line of thinking is almost every MAC team would have to replace their QB after the first four games because most MAC schools don't perform well out of conference. It's part of the circle of stupidity that makes the MAC the most stupid conference in the country.

[skip-zip]

Of course, I haven't yet seen anyone getting defensive or suggesting to stay the course.

Have you read any of the posts in this thread before you posted yourself?

[Dave in Green]

I've read all the posts. It's a typical point-counterpoint sports discussion. KP16 has shown so far that he's good but not great. None of the backup QBs have yet shown that they're any better. It's possible that one of the backups might show more sometime between now and the end of the season. It's more likely that KP16 will remain the starter and continue to improve with more experience.

[skip-zip]

I've read all the posts. It's a typical point-counterpoint sports discussion. KP16 has shown so far that he's good but not great. None of the backup QBs have yet shown that they're any better. It's possible that one of the backups might show more sometime between now and the end of the season. It's more likely that KP16 will remain the starter and continue to improve with more experience.

No, I was asking if you paid attention to the fact that some people are defending the status quo before you posted and said that this wasn't the case.

[Dave in Green]

"Defending the status quo" is your interpretation. If you'd like to point out the exact words you're interpreting that way, I'll give you my interpretation.

[Balsy]

@GP1. I agree with what you're saying; but don't mistake my criticism of KP16 as normal Browns fan (as I am) clamoring for a QB. Had DW13 had 1 more year of eligibility left, he'd started last season not KP16. Obviously there is something to having experience at the position. DW13 had the experience, had the intangibles, had the grit you need in a starting QB, but not the supporting cast around him. The QB execution took a step down from 2012-2013, but the surrounding cast took large leaps up. That was the difference between 1-11 and 5-7. KP16 did show some massive improvement by the en of the season, but that's not to say it's without criticism.

Quick stat comparison:

DW13 326-522(62%), 3387 yards, 25 TD 16 INT

KP16 225-402(56%), 2438 yards, 14 TD 10 INT

We had a quick tempo, fast paced offense.

You can't seriously be trying to contend this. It speaks for itself. I'm pulling for KP16 to be the field general that DW13 was. If he could develop to that kind of a leader, we win 8 games this year. Period. The question is: Is Pohl the man. You say he is. I say he is, for now. However if he's reached is glass ceiling, we can do better. Simple as that. And don't mistake this criticism is simply based on the Spring Game, it isn't. It's based on the last 5 games of the year. Sure we won, but we're foolish to not comment on holes we see that we would like to improve.

[ZachTheZip]

"Defending the status quo" is your interpretation. If you'd like to point out the exact words you're interpreting that way, I'll give you my interpretation.

Nobody is "defending" anything because it doesn't need defended. Spending a scholarship on a one-year player who put up worse-than-mediocre stats at a position that is fairly far removed from the top of the priority list isn't a good plan. Use that scholarship on a lineman.