Judd Zulgad: Kill's silence on Gophers' QB situation should speak volumes

[GopherWeatherGuy]

Mason told an interesting story on the radio yesterday. He had a backup qb and the qb coach kept telling him he wasn't ready cuz he didn't know the playbook. This went on for weeks. Finally they had to play him and he was outstanding. You just never know what Croft might do.

Mason also mentioned that Billy Cockerham was the worst practice player ever. Based on practice he should have never seen the field. But when the lights came on, he was an entirely different player.

 

[Sports_Realist]

In the five years since Jerry Kill took over the Gophers have used five different guys as starting quarterbacks (Chris Streveler was admittedly an injury emergency QB). That's the same number that started games in the decade prior to his arrival. My point is Jerry Kill has no qualms at all about switching quarterbacks and has possibly changed too many times. If he thinks Mitch Leidner can't get the job done, he'll make a switch. There is no deep seated loyalty. The bigger issue may be that there isn't an easy answer on the bench right now.

 

[Spoofin]

So is there no consideration being given to giving Perra a shot and not burning Croft's redshirt?

The coaches believe Croft is better than Perra. That simple.

 

[Gold Rush]

Gopher QB musings

In the five years since Jerry Kill took over the Gophers have used five different guys as starting quarterbacks (Chris Streveler was admittedly an injury emergency QB). That's the same number that started games in the decade prior to his arrival. My point is Jerry Kill has no qualms at all about switching quarterbacks and has possibly changed too many times. If he thinks Mitch Leidner can't get the job done, he'll make a switch. There is no deep seated loyalty. The bigger issue may be that there isn't an easy answer on the bench right now.

The Gophers have done a great job recruiting defense, but they really have not done very well at recruiting someone who can throw the football in their time here. I fully expect Leidner to bounce back and have a decent game vs. Ohio, but even the most avid supporter has to be greatly concerned here. When I see him make really terrible throws he isn't setting his feet and his mechanics are way off. He can sure run and I like his toughness - I bet he would have made a very good TE. I agree with the OP who said that you might want to give Demry a shot this week and it's far better to give him some action now than vs. a hostile crowd in the Big Ten. I think we can ALL agree Streveler is not the answer either - but he can run.

True, it's not entirely Leidner's fault and you can place some of the blame on a banged up OL or receivers who routinely drop about 3-4 very easy balls a game. But the Gophers aren't getting that spark they will need to compete in the Big Ten. Why not give Demry a shot and see what he can do at some point this Saturday?? I would hope the staff can go out and recruit some kids who can pass in the next few years - this is really too bad because our defense really rocks!!!

 

[Pompous Elitist]

I was at the KSU game. Mitch was fine. He underthrew two deep balls but threw a lot of nice mid-range passes. Wasn't he 17-27? The problem was, once it became 10-7, Kill decided that since their D was so much better than KSU's O, the only way they could lose was another defensive touchdown and so they shut it right down. The Gophers D was so dominant that they settled for running out the clock. If Sill doesn't fumble, I suspect they go in to score and possibly score again and 17, 20, or 24 nothing sure feels a lot better than 10-7.

Recapping the season so far:
-TCU-Mitch put up 17 points against a top 5 team. That is not terrible.
-CSU-Mitch struggled but led a touchdown drive in the last twpo minutes that led to the win, on the road against a decent team. That is not terrible.
-KSU-Mitch went 17-27 against a lousy team and then the coach shut down the passing attack. The two picks hurt, although both were similar to punts.

It surprises me so much of the focus is on Mitch and not the rb (Smith is not the answer at least this year), wr (is there a deep threat on the team?) and o line (beat up and got owned by a bad MAC team).

Season wise the O probably grades a C- and Mitch is above the curve at a B-

I've historically been one of Mitch's staunchest supporters but I wouldn't say he's been an above average QB this season. He's had his moments though. His jitteriness and rushed deliveries in the pocket in year 3 is disappointing. He's a fighter, lets see if he figures it out.

I think Smith has a big upside. He's a three down back with high football IQ. if liegrover and the line do him some favors, watch out. Nobody would have run well last week. He was set up for failure by the coaches.

 

[Winnipegopher]

I've historically been one of Mitch's staunchest supporters but I wouldn't say he's been an above average QB this season. He's had his moments though. His jitteriness and rushed deliveries in the pocket in year 3 is disappointing. He's a fighter, lets see if he figures it out.

I think Smith has a big upside. He's a three down back with high football IQ. if liegrover and the line do him some favors, watch out. Nobody would have run well last week. He was set up for failure by the coaches.

I just said he was better than the rest of the Minnesota O. Not that he was above average to others at his position.

I hope I eat my words but Smith seems too small to be a season long three down back.