Adam Rittenberg on MarQueis Gray's potential in Jerry Kill's offense

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BleedGopher

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Scott from Chicago writes: Adam, I grew up in Minnesota and have had to endure the pangs of watching the Gophers play doormat in the Ben Ten for awhile now. Although I'm not expecting any dramatic turnaround for 2011, with the incredible tenure of Adam Weber at a close I've almost forgotten what to expect from MarQueis Gray as a quarterback. And although it almost sickens me to imagine yet ANOTHER offensive system on debut in '11, what can coach Kill and staff do to maximize Gray's unquestionable talents as a playmaker?

Adam Rittenberg: Scott, I'd suggest watching some Northern Illinois highlights from the past few seasons. I think after you see how Kill used quarterback Chandler Harnish, you'll get excited about Gray's potential in 2011. Harnish rushed for 836 yards and seven touchdowns this season and complemented his ground game with impressive passing numbers (2,530 yards, 21 TDs). Gray has to make up some ground as a passer, but he clearly can gash defenses as a ball-carrier. I don't think the transition to Kill's offense will be too tough for him.

http://espn.go.com/blog/bigten/post/_/id/22480/big-ten-mailblog-part-ii

Go Gophers!!
 

Thanks for posting. Pobably goes without saying, but Gray's play next year is likely the difference between another tough year record-wise and being a fringe bowl team.
 

Tubtastic said:
Thanks for posting. Pobably goes without saying, but Gray's play next year is likely the difference between another tough year record-wise and being a fringe bowl team.
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Gray is the one thing we got going for us next year off the bat on offense. I have visions of a big Antwan Randle El with a better defense. His size and mobility will make opposing defense afraid, very afraid. I bet Gray has at least one really amazing touchdown run on like a 3rd and 20.
 

When I sit here and think of how Gray will be starting and that he only has two years of eligibility left, it makes me upset at Brewster how he did not utilize Gray for the past two years. To me, there is no question he should have red shirted Gray. His first year was an absolute waste. Even his second year it seemed they were reluctant to give Gray a series to operate. I just wish that Gray was entering only his second year of eligibility and that he had a total of three years left. Brewster really screwed up by not redshirting Gray. But then again, he pretty much screwed everything up.
 




Would Gray have even come here if he was going to be redshirted? I don't know, but there are players who don't want to redshirt and will choose a different school if the coach wants to redshirt him.
 


RodentRampage said:
Would Gray have even come here if he was going to be redshirted? I don't know, but there are players who don't want to redshirt and will choose a different school if the coach wants to redshirt him.
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I'm guessing he wouldn't have. By his fresh year, he already had sat out for two years. I'm sure he was already "itching" to play, even if it was limited action.
 



exiledinduluth said:
thought he was a nonqualifier so he has 4 years to do 4...is this wrong
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He wasn't a nonqualifier. His ACT test was flagged because of the unusual jump in scores, so he had to take it again and couldn't play that first year because of it. He was a grayshirt for 2008, and still had 5 to play 4 beginning in 2009. It may be true that he wouldn't commit unless Brewster promised not to redshirt him. If so, any player wanting to not redshirt is a stupid career move. If not, Brewster not redshirting him when he shoulda/woulda/coulda is among his worst coaching moves.
 

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