ep92501

I took a lot of heat 3 years ago when I said Zim should have started ahead of Studs and again last year ahead of Ket for exactly the same reasons you've noted above. If you watch closely, when Ket starts his throwing motion, he brings the ball down almost to his waist area and then forward and higher which causes a long throwing motion. Zim on the other hand keeps the ball higher around his chest level and has a much more compact throwing motion which allows him to get the ball out faster. His quicker release makes it harder for the opposing dbacks to close on the reciever. Zim can get the ball in tighter windows and he knows it, so he takes some shots other guys would avoid. His quicker release also let's him hold it just a little longer so he gets a good look downfield and sideline to sideline. Better vision and pocket presence, and gives up nothing on the run vs. Ket. I like them both, but Zim is the guy, and I think we will see that as the season goes on if the coaching staff finally gives him his shot.

I believe Zimm's stats in that game were for the second half, correct? If so, do the math. And it's not just all about stats. You could see then entire offense spark up when they finally saw a guy with the ability to get the ball down the field. I'm not a big fan of Zimm's any more than I am of any other player, I'm a fan of the Fighting Hawks. I simply want to see the team win. My post wasn't just about the last game, go back several weeks and see what I said then. My grudge about the staff is that they are knuckle heads starting at the top. The second half of the season speaks for itself.

Zimm's performance last year when he got in after Studs went down was the best Sioux QB performance I have seen in 4 years. And talk was he and Kett were neck and neck through fall camp. So the coaching staff road right along with Kett as he went down the cliff. This is 100% on Bubba.

This might be the best assessment of this season and the coaching staff I have see yet. Did you see the players looking at each other on the sidelines last Saturday? It was like "here we go again". They have seen it time after time, and you could see it on their faces.

And if Rudolph had the authority and assignment to select the starter, then this program is even more turned around than we can possibly imagine. Bubba is the CEO, should listen to the evalutations of his assistants, but the call to pick the starting QB has to be his and his alone. That is not something you defer to a coordinator.

Exactly.

Wishful thinking. His decison making and situational awareness just isn't there. Instincts don't look good, but I don't disagree with your observation about the OC.

Starting at the top with Bubba. Bringing in new assistants is going to do nothing. The entire culture needs a clean reset, and that starts with the HC. This is the perfect time to do it heading into the MVFC. They should be saving a substantial amount of travel expense which could be used to buy out Bubba. Take the hit now, clean house, and put a program in place to compete in the MVFC.

It all starts at the top. Bubba has to go and they need to clean house now. The entire attitude of the program has to change, and this is a great time to do it going into the MVFC.

He looks badly constipated.

Not to mention throwing late into double coverage.

They should have done it after week 4 when his regression became obvious. How could Bubba let's this continue all the way through the season. It is a perfect expample of his mindset. We are going to be the bottom of the barrel in the MVFC unless Bubba goes soon. They need to get a new guy in fast with a new scheme so he can start recruiting. What good offensive skill players would join this program as it is?

The players have zero confidence in the Bubba and the coaching staff. They know they are being out coached every week. Bad personell decisions, inability to adapt, combined with an antiquated offensive scheme.

And how do you know that given that he only made it on the field for a couple of handoffs in mop-up so far this year?

No where in any of my posts do I suggest that the losses were Kett's fault. What I am saying is that Kett, Zimm and Boltmann all have the tools. These guys are all teamates, and the goal of everyone is to win games. So when one guy is erratic, why not give one of the others a shot and see what he does in a game situation. And I am not suggesting playing musical chairs at the QB position. What I am saying is get your athletes on the field in a game, evaluate them in real time, and see if one of them rises to the top. Our offense would lose nothing to give Zimm or even Boltmann a half to see what they can do. It would also help prepare them should the guy ahead of him go down. As to the coaching staff, they have shown an inability to deviate or shake things up time after time and demonstrated blocked headedness not just as to who is playing but in game planning.

D1 starting QB's don't continually make those same mistakes game after game and continue to start for long. There is too much depth and competion. They all have the tools or they wouldn't be there. At this point what is happening is between their ears. Did anyone notice the difference between Kett and Weber's QB last week as to decision making and scanning the secondary looking for the open reciever? Their guy had his eyes downfield going through his progressions, and ours was missing open guys while he was locked into his primary often throwing into double coverage. Kett has the tools but he needs to be coached up, or they need to see who else at the position can play in game time situations instead simply evauating them in practice situations.

It's the coaching staff who makes the decisions as to who is going to play as we know, and if you recall, last year Heidlebaugh ahead of Zimm. I probably don't have to remind you what that !@#$ show looked like when Studs went down. Heidlebaugh looked like a deer in the headlights had never played QB in his life. So please don't suggest that the coaching staff always plays the best guy at each position. Another example is this year at NG. The opening depth chart had Morrison ahead of Greer, so take another look at that coaching call after the spring and fall camps after 8 games. The coaching staff consistently makes decisions and puts the blinders on. They have no ability to look left or right or take a chance by shaking things up. You should stop drinking the cool aide and open your eyes to all of the possibilties around taking some chances moving personnel around. Kett may get better with experience, but so far this season he continues to make the same mistakes.

This is a big part of the problem with the offense. Kett is good for 3 or 4 bonehead plays per game, which can easily turn the game in the wrong direction if they happen at the wrong time. He continues to stare down his primary reciever and telegraph his throws. Zimm should get some game time reps or a half just to see what he can do with the clock running, but the coaching staff keeps the blinders on once a decision has been made.

Our D backs and linebackers were all over their recievers all game and making tackles on first contact. Greer had another good game like he has had all year dispite limited reps. Notice how he laid out and cuffed the QB's ankles on his sack and popped right back up on his feet. Pretty athletic for 320 lbs. He should be getting the majority of the reps at NG until and unless something changes.

It wasn't just what the coaches were saying, but guys who were going to the practices. Last year when Zim came in, I had just sat back down in front of the tv to watch the second half. Didn't immediately notice the qb change, but within the first set of downs, I said who is this kid. Zim had very good footwork in the pocket, was scanning the entire secondary looking for open recievers, and dropping balls into spots. Looked like a totally different offense to me. Studs was definately a good leader, very tough, pretty good runner, but not smooth in the pocket with his footwork, and sometimes had trouble with screens and short throws. Often locked into his primary reciever just like Ketteringham is doing this year. My only point is unless one guy is heads and shoulders better than another, get him in the game and see what he does real time. Some guys play better in game situations than they practice as we know. Regarding 77, some guys physically mature at different times. Greer has gotten bigger and stronger the last couple of years. Take a look at his play last year against Utah and this year against Washington. He was all they could handle against offensive linemen from big time programs. He is consistently pushing double teams back into the pocket, and I'm not seeing anything special out of Tank this year or last, so get him equal game time reps and see what happens. Also, I posted some comments about 97 Morrision playing out of position. Watched the few reps he got last week, and I stick to my earlier comments. That said, he has good feet and runs well, nice stride for a big guy. Wonder what he would look like in a little more space, either on the edge or in the middle at the second level. That kid looks like an athlete, and if I were King, I would move him around a little and see how he looks. Unfortunately, the coaching staff sold everyone and themselves that he's a NG, and they once that take a position on a player or scheme, that's it. I just hope he doesn't loose his ju ju getting the !@#$ beat out of him by 300+ linemen in the middle. Go Hawks!

These coaches are notorious for picking a player a staying with him no matter how the circumstances change. I've commented on this before. They did it last year with Studs after Zim came in and did things Studs was never capable of doing. They are doing it again this year with Ketteringham. His play has been below average all year. Everyone, including the coaching staff, said it was almost too close to call after the spring and fall. Why would you not give Zim a shot and see what he can do in a game? Shake things up a little and get guys competing. Nothing to lose and evertying to gain. Regarding Greer, SJG had it right earlier. Just look at the tape, one play at a time, and focus on the NG. Greer is consistently pushing his doubleteams back into the pocket making the QB uncomfortable and providing opportunities for our edge guys to chase the QB down. He is clearly much stronger than Tank. Look what he did in the Washington game, and the coaches come right back next game and start 92. At an absolute minimum, 77 and 92 should split the reps, then break the film down and grade each performance.

My bad, I meant Morrison. And I'm not disparaging him, the coaches have him playing the wrong position. Look at the film.

Jaelen Johnson hasn't gained any wait in almost 2 years, and needs to gain 30 to 40 lbs fast if he's going to play NG. He hasn't won a 1 on one yet this year, much less being able to take on double teams. He was getting pushed back 5 yards consistently against IDS on one on ones. He does have good feet, but coaches have him playing the wrong position.

You hit the nail right on the head as to Ketteringham. He was totally locked in on his primary receiver from the jump. Telegraphed every throw. The Bengals saw that and adusted in at halftime. All they had to do was watch his eyes and run to the spot. Can't cound the number of times he threw straight into double and triple coverage. Everyone said the competition between him and Zimm was almost too close to call in the spring and fall. Zimm should be given a chance to see what he can do in a game. Not expecting he gets a shot though. This coaching staff makes a decision on a player and puts the blinders on the way they did with Studs last year and some other guys on defense this year. Switching some guys up and giving them a shot is seen as an admission of making a mistake on their initial decision. Easier for them to stick their heads in the sand and make excuses.

Couldn't agree more as to Greer's play against UW and MVSU. The more reps he gets the better he plays. He held his own and then some on double teams all day yesterday against some of the best offensive lineman in the Country. Clearly the strongest and toughest guy we have at the NG position. Glad he is finally getting the reps to show what he can do.