Judd Zulgad: Gophers making strides but QB position remains a big issue

[BleedGopher]

per Judd:

Go ahead and make excuses if you want.

Wide receiver Drew Wolitarsky did not play because of a high ankle sprain. Receiver Donovahn Jones was a non-factor because he was initially held out for disciplinary purposes and then because of illness. Maxx Williams spent much of the day double-covered by an Ohio State defense that wasn't going to give an inch to a tight end who had three touchdown catches the previous week against Iowa.

Go ahead and take your pick.

But realize this: The Gophers' 31-24 loss to the eighth-ranked Buckeyes on a snowy Saturday afternoon at TCF Bank would have been much different with better quarterback play.

http://www.1500espn.com/sportswire/...des_but_QB_position_remains_a_big_issue111514

Go Gophers!!

 

[Spoofin]

Is this hack still getting published????

 

[theTurning]

Leidner is not good. Nothing wrong with admitting that.

 

[Sparlimb]

Leidner is not good. Nothing wrong with admitting that.

There were plenty of players out there today that were outmatched. Leidner was only one. Even Damien Wilson had a bad game.

 

[Spoofin]

I'm not a ML7 apologist, but find it maddening how folks can't see the whole picture. Mitch wasn't great today, but he had IF14 & LH17 as his options today against a superior D and with poor pass protection. What did you expect him to do? Were we not in the game today against tOSU?

 

[Sparlimb]

I'm not a ML7 apologist, but find it maddening how folks can't see the whole picture. Mitch wasn't great today, but he had IF14 & LH17 as his options today against a superior D and with poor pass protection. What did you expect him to do? Were we not in the game today against tOSU?

I think some people are disappointed we didn't beat them by 20...

 

[josh087]

I'd like to see J.T. Barrett put up the same numbers he has been with his top 3 WRs being Maye, Fruechte, and Hutton, like Leidner had to work with today.

That being said, Leidner is an OK QB, but nothing special. To win at a championship level at almost every level of football, you almost always need to have a special QB - especially in a power 5 conference.

Leidner is not special...yet.

 

[maxwellsmart]

Leidner is not good. Nothing wrong with admitting that.

I doubt anyone on GH doesn't understand our QBs limitations. My issue with most of these writers, including the one in question, is they bring nothing of substance to the discussion. Gopher players are amateurs. The commentators are supposed to be professionals. But despite their access to sports figures they offer no more insight than we generate amongst ourselves. It's not a matter of admission, it's an issue of lazy sports commentators who think they perform a constructive service by beating us over the head with the obvious rather than dig deeper to uncover and analyze information their audiences cannot otherwise obtain. Even more offensive, most of them find it necessary to ply their craft in a snide, arrogant manner.

 

[killme]

Perhaps the writer should realize this: the Gophers were two plays away from beating a team that might make the playoffs and those plays could have come from at least 10 other players. Team sport. ML7 didn't have his best game, but he isn't going to play like the Iowa game every week. I think he'll be somewhere in between most weeks. OSU's skill players on O and D were pretty good athletes. J.T. Barrett is better than I realized.

 

[GoldenUMNGopher]

Sounds like apologizing to me. What do i expect ML7 to do? Step his game up in big moments. Thats what good players do.

I'm not a ML7 apologist, but find it maddening how folks can't see the whole picture. Mitch wasn't great today, but he had IF14 & LH17 as his options today against a superior D and with poor pass protection. What did you expect him to do? Were we not in the game today against tOSU?

 

[EG#9]

It's tough to know how much is the QB, how much is the skill position guys, and how much is simply this offense. There have been very few instances, no matter who has been under center, where the passing game has been good in anything other than the play action game. Leidner's decision making and touch leave a lot to be desired, but he seems to be respected by his teammates and a good leader. Mitch wasn't the reason the Gophers lost to Ohio State, but the passing game as whole has to be much better for this program to take another step.

 

[goldengophers]

It's tough to know how much is the QB, how much is the skill position guys, and how much is simply this offense. There have been very few instances, no matter who has been under center, where the passing game has been good in anything other than the play action game. Leidner's decision making and touch leave a lot to be desired, but he seems to be respected by his teammates and a good leader. Mitch wasn't the reason the Gophers lost to Ohio State, but the passing game as whole has to be much better for this program to take another step.

Agreed the WR's are limited as a whole but Leidner consistently misses wide open receivers on basic throws. If it weren't for David Cobb's terrific drive extending play Leidner would've been called to be pulled long ago.

 

[CoMn]

The quarterback for Wisconsin was 7-11 for 46 yards. You don't see anyone tear into him for stinking. They put up 59 points against Nebraska. There are more ways to score points than relying on one's qb. Mitch is fine. Our WR are fine. They won the time of possession battle, scored more points than other teams against OSU and were effective in the red zone. They are all young and getting better. The storyline is not about Mitch's play, it is about our guys taking the #8 team in the country to the final minute of play. We lost to them in 2009 7-38 and in 2010 10-52 and didn't play them in 2011, 2012, and 2013. The story line is how much better this team is under Jerry Kill. The story is about how our special team kicked their special teams…Logan Hutton, Peter Mortell…how our defense did better against them than anyone since their qb got up to speed. This loss is NOT Mitch's fault. It takes time to rebuild a program. We have many 2-star athletes holding their own with OSU's 4-star athletes. This loss is on Tim Brewster….if he hadn't left the program in such disarray the rebuilding process would be even further along and guess what…we would have won. A journalist who think the storyline is about qb play shouldn't be writing.

 

[gopherfannnn]

Leidner played like he was hung over. Very disappointing. Many mental errors. Not sure why he is so inconsistent. One thing I wanted to see was Leidner getting fired up like Cobb. Sure, it's a team sport, but good players come up big in the big games. Was he sick?

 

[Indi1006]

I'm not a ML7 apologist, but find it maddening how folks can't see the whole picture. Mitch wasn't great today, but he had IF14 & LH17 as his options today against a superior D and with poor pass protection. What did you expect him to do? Were we not in the game today against tOSU?

You're absolutely delusional if you don't think you are a Leidner apologist.

 

[mnsportsgeek]

The quarterback for Wisconsin was 7-11 for 46 yards. You don't see anyone tear into him for stinking. They put up 59 points against Nebraska. There are more ways to score points than relying on one's qb. Mitch is fine. Our WR are fine. They won the time of possession battle, scored more points than other teams against OSU and were effective in the red zone. They are all young and getting better. The storyline is not about Mitch's play, it is about our guys taking the #8 team in the country to the final minute of play. We lost to them in 2009 7-38 and in 2010 10-52 and didn't play them in 2011, 2012, and 2013. The story line is how much better this team is under Jerry Kill. The story is about how our special team kicked their special teams…Logan Hutton, Peter Mortell…how our defense did better against them than anyone since their qb got up to speed. This loss is NOT Mitch's fault. It takes time to rebuild a program. We have many 2-star athletes holding their own with OSU's 4-star athletes. This loss is on Tim Brewster….if he hadn't left the program in such disarray the rebuilding process would be even further along and guess what…we would have won. A journalist who think the storyline is about qb play shouldn't be writing.

That's because 7-11 is just fine.

 

[short ornery norwegian]

As I noted on another thread, by midway through the 3rd Qtr, I knew there were going to be 13 different threads this week re-hashing the QB debate over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over again.

Leidner is who he is. Joe Savior is not going to show up in the locker room this week. Complaining about Leidner accomplishes only 1 thing: it gives the poster a chance to claim that "I told you so" when it comes to the Gopher offense.

I'm sick of cheap shots and second-guessing. But, if it wasn't for cheap shots and second guessing, the activity on this board would drop by at least 40%.

 

[mnsportsgeek]

As I noted on another thread, by midway through the 3rd Qtr, I knew there were going to be 13 different threads this week re-hashing the QB debate over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over again.

Leidner is who he is. Joe Savior is not going to show up in the locker room this week. Complaining about Leidner accomplishes only 1 thing: it gives the poster a chance to claim that "I told you so" when it comes to the Gopher offense.

I'm sick of cheap shots and second-guessing. But, if it wasn't for cheap shots and second guessing, the activity on this board would drop by at least 40%.

So you're saying the activity would drop by a percentage greater than Leidner' completion percentage?

That's not too impressive

 

[Iceland12]

http://www.startribune.com/sports/gophers/282835161.html?page=all&prepage=1&c=y#continue

Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett accounted for four touchdowns in snowy conditions on Saturday. His counterpart, Mitch Leidner, completed only four passes before his final drive.Sort through a game filled with momentum swings and big plays and sloppy mistakes, and Ohio State’s 31-24 victory at TCF Bank Stadium came down to the difference at quarterback.

Barrett continued to state his [unexpected] case as a serious Heisman Trophy candidate. Leidner and his receivers were virtually nonexistent.

Barrett passed for 200 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for 189 yards, including an 86-yard touchdown run.

Leidner completed only 7 of 19 passes for 85 yards with two second-half interceptions.

The Gophers aren’t good enough to upset a team as talented as Ohio State by passing for only 85 yards.

“I’ve got to pick it up, I’ve got to do better,” Leidner said.

Leidner’s accountability is admirable, but, in fairness, he also didn’t exactly have a lot to work with in the absence of two of his top receivers, Drew Wolitarsky (injured) and Donovahn Jones (illness).

Outside of stud tight end Maxx Williams, the Gophers are limited in receiving options..

But Leidner’s performance continues to yo-yo and his accuracy remains problematic, so the passing game often looks disjointed

 

[GophersInIowa]

Sounds like apologizing to me. What do i expect ML7 to do? Step his game up in big moments. Thats what good players do.

How is it an excuse? Our receivers are not that great to begin with, then you take away two of our best ones.

Leidner didn't play well, no doubt about it. But neither did the receivers. Williams was double-teamed all game long and the other guys just couldn't get any separation most of the time. Not sure what a guy is supposed to do when no one is open.

Everyone wants to point the finger solely at Leidner. The whole passing game needs to get a lot better.

 

[Spoofin]

You're absolutely delusional if you don't think you are a Leidner apologist.

Must be delusional then. I don't think ML7 is good. I think he is below average. I also think some of the stats that folks use to 'prove' it are ridiculous. Further, I can see the other limitations he is working with (WR, OL, scheme, etx.). Additionally, I think we can win with ML7 and I think he is our best option. Finally, I don't think "any DIII QB would be better" or that he is "the worst in 40-years". That all is delusional.

 

[Spoofin]

Everyone wants to point the finger solely at Leidner. The whole passing game needs to get a lot better.

This guy gets it.

 

[MaxyJR1]

Like Griese said on the telecast, this is an NFL town and the QB is unfairly judged. We have to recruit them, we can't draft them. Blame the recruiting if you want.

 

[Ski U Master]

ML7 IF14 & LH17

Please stop doing this.

 

[station19]

Like Griese said on the telecast, this is an NFL town and the QB is unfairly judged. We have to recruit them, we can't draft them. Blame the recruiting if you want.

I blame International Falls, Tower and Embarrass.

 

[ruppertflywheel]

Mitch right now is an average QB with below average WR, especially with "W" and Jones out yesterday. "W" won't be back until the bowl season. Hopefully Jones just had the flu. I don't see Kill pulling a red shirt in the last two games. Yesterday Ohio State rolled the safety over much of the time to double cover Maxx. Hutton created no separation and Maye with his height is hard to see on medium length crossing routes. I do believe we could've run quick slants with him or even a jail break
screen. We didn't. Did Berkley even see the field yesterday?

 

[Deleted_User]

Mitch did a fine job. He had to run away from penetrating tackles and ends on just about every pass play. The line failed to contain and protect. If you watched the penetration and how he had to either move with the collapsing pocket and rush passes or to intentionally throw them away, it was all he could do. As it was, the interceptions hurt, but the failure to protect and move the ball overall hurt more. David Cobb found holes to run through even when they were small crevice size. I don't care what others think, we are still a few horses shy of a complete team. The good news is that we are doing well recruiting and our team is stable in terms of departures (seniors and graduates). Now, if we can get these kids to be disciplined and do what is required, we will get to the next step in the progression of the football pecking order. If we were to put Mitch up against all other positions of need and how things went against Ohio State, he was not a major issue. At best, he falls further down the list of things to fix.

 

[Swede]

Minnesota lost to the #8 team in the country. That's no surprise. There is obviously a talent gap between the two programs - most notably at the most visible position on the field. Mitch Leidner is not a good quarterback and that is not a new revelation as of yesterday's game. Does his receiving corps leave something to be desired? Sure, but they are serviceable and there is at least one fellow that will be playing on Sundays. In fact, imagine how Leidner would look if Maxx weren't bailing him out with circus catches?

There was a time during the second half of yesterday's game where I thought we could have done worse than putting Streveler in. Leidner was struggling mightily with the forward pass and our offensive dimension consisted of one yard gains by Cobb up the middle, even though there seemed to be running lanes for Leidner. Yet Leidner did not run. Might as well have had Streveler in punishing OSU's linebackers. The end result could have been no worse.

I will say this, this team is as tough as any Gopher's team in my lifetime. As much as many on this board detest Ruesse for saying it like it is about Gopher's athletics he was right on with the grit this team has. However, that toughness won't be enough to overcome the talent gap with the teams that will be playing for B1G championships. Sooner or later Kill's success and upcoaching will translate into recruiting success and the talent gap will shrink. And that may mean the presence of a solid QB under center.

 

[jaymil]

When WR's have gotten open and Mitch is given a clean pocket he has looked very good. See the Michigan, Purdue, and Iowa games. When passing windows are small and he gets pressured he's not nearly as good. The best QB's can get it done without much help, Mitch clearly isn't to that level yet. He's still a solid QB though. He'll keep getting better. No Wolitarsky or Jones, playing from behind, against one of the best pass-rushing defensive lines in the country. Anyone expecting him to look great in those conditions is clearly delusional.

 

[Spoofin]

When WR's have gotten open and Mitch is given a clean pocket he has looked very good. See the Michigan, Purdue, and Iowa games. When passing windows are small and he gets pressured he's not nearly as good. The best QB's can get it done without much help, Mitch clearly isn't to that level yet. He's still a solid QB though. He'll keep getting better. No Wolitarsky or Jones, playing from behind, against one of the best pass-rushing defensive lines in the country. Anyone expecting him to look great in those conditions is clearly delusional.

This ^^^