Why Nelson (Really) Started?

[Governor Sibley]

Why Nelson started:

(1) He's the only QB who can run Kill's offense.

(2) Kill thought it was unreasonable to wait until year three to play the way he wants to play.

(3) While we could've put another QB out there yesterday, Kill figured Nelson's RS would be burned inevitably.

What this means:

(1) Gray has possibly been royally &@##$@ after being a model student-athlete for five years.

(2) The Kill Era 2.0 has begun, with Jerry essentially rebooting his tenure yesterday afternoon.

(3) Hopefully Max won't transfer.

 

[givetheballtodarrell]

I just got back from Mad town and felt he same as I did coming back from Iowa City. Nelson had to play because there was no one left in the cupboard. I blame this on play calling. If we left the quaterback throw the ball, let the receivers and tight ends catch the ball, and the runningbacks run with the ball we would not have burned through three QBs so far this year. The sconnie fans around me could not believe our QB draw play calling.

 

[station19]

Why Nelson started:

(1) He's the only QB who can run Kill's offense.

(2) Kill thought it was unreasonable to wait until year three to play the way he wants to play.

(3) While we could've put another QB out there yesterday, Kill figured Nelson's RS would be burned inevitably.

What this means:

(1) Gray has possibly been royally &@##$@ after being a model student-athlete for five years.

(2) The Kill Era 2.0 has begun, with Jerry essentially rebooting his tenure yesterday afternoon.

(3) Hopefully Max won't transfer.

How has Gray been royally screwed(or whatever word you tried)? Seems to me he has been give every opportunity to succeed and his two head coaches have decided to use other options.

He was the #1 recruit of Brewster...I would think Brew gave him every chance to be the man.

He was appointed #1 QB by Kill on day one...Kill has time and time again promoted his importance.

Yes he has been a model student-athlete, but that does not guarantee you playing time or starting position.

 

[station19]

I just got back from Mad town and felt he same as I did coming back from Iowa City. Nelson had to play because there was no one left in the cupboard. I blame this on play calling. If we left the quaterback throw the ball, let the receivers and tight ends catch the ball, and the runningbacks run with the ball we would not have burned through three QBs so far this year. The sconnie fans around me could not believe our QB draw play calling.

Says it all.

 

[Gopher Warrior]

1) Shortell injured

2) Gray never should have been playing QB. Kill corrected his mistake (a bit late, but...)

 

[wels0081]

I don't understand how Gray got screwed.

He's too hurt to play quarterback, right?

If healthy, Gray was the guy this year. Through 3 games, it didn't appear like he was going to be an NFL draft prospect at QB. I think this move is great for his potential career. He has a shot as a TE or WR in the NFL and now he'll get season reps against Michigan, Nebraska, and other big time secondaries to show what he can do.

I get that everybody wants to be the QB and team leader. I admire Gray for how he's handled the situation thus far and I think he'll continue to be mature about it.

 

[Spin Your Head]

Concerning Marqueis: I don't really get how he is too injured to play QB but still is asked to go play wideout with Shortell/Nelson at Q. During the NU game, Marqueis had some good snaps at QB and I thought he was back to retake the starting job (before getting injured again).

 

[1983]

I just got back from Mad town and felt he same as I did coming back from Iowa City. Nelson had to play because there was no one left in the cupboard. I blame this on play calling. If we left the quaterback throw the ball, let the receivers and tight ends catch the ball, and the runningbacks run with the ball we would not have burned through three QBs so far this year. The sconnie fans around me could not believe our QB draw play calling.

Are you saying we should have been able to shoot it out with them? 59,70,59,60,44...the touchdown runs on our defense. This game was not about our inability to score or control the ball, it was about giving up too many big plays. The play calling is fine and this offense with the proper personnel works very well for many teams.

 

[SickAndTiredOfLosingToWI]

1) Gray can't run Kill's offense?

2) Why wait until week 7 to burn the RS then?

3) No way to know

---

1) Yup

2) I guess

3) Who cares?

 

[Parski1]

This Nelson move was the best move Kill could make. Nelson will be comfortable in front of home crowd next week.....look out Purdue!!!

 

[FreakyDeke]

Concerning Marqueis: I don't really get how he is too injured to play QB but still is asked to go play wideout with Shortell/Nelson at Q. During the NU game, Marqueis had some good snaps at QB and I thought he was back to retake the starting job (before getting injured again).

Maybe the probability that Nelson was going to have to go in at some point was so high that they thought it would be easier on him to prep as the starter than come off the bench cold.

 

[Governor Sibley]

Maybe the probability that Nelson was going to have to go in at some point was so high ....

That's my point.

Kill could've run Gray or Max out there.

He calculated it was inevitable.

Hence, Kill 2.0.

 

[MNVCGUY]

Will be interesting to see how they spin this going forward once they don't have the injury excuse for keeping Max and Gray out of the QB position. Now that you have pulled the redshirt the best thing to do is just let him keep playing and find out what you really have in Nelson for the future. I said it over in another thread as well though, given the way this has played out I will be surprised if Max is still here next season which could leave us very thin at the QB spot.

 

[Parski1]

Will be interesting to see how they spin this going forward once they don't have the injury excuse for keeping Max and Gray out of the QB position. Now that you have pulled the redshirt the best thing to do is just let him keep playing and find out what you really have in Nelson for the future. I said it over in another thread as well though, given the way this has played out I will be surprised if Max is still here next season which could leave us very thin at the QB spot.

Kill already said Nelson will be the starter for the rest of the year - Gray will play mostly at WR maybe change of pace a few times at QB. Shortell as backup. Nothing to spin!!!

 

[gophertime]

There's still a real possibility that they will play two quarterbacks. If Nelson and Gray to take advantage of Gray's running ability. If Nelson and Shortell, to give both experience or if they see each has special talents. They may do this as a part of the game plan and not because one has the hot hand. Having said that I think they will give Nelson the primary load.

 

[Crackhouse]

I think what it did was just ensure that Mitch Leidner doesn't transfer out as he'll have an opportunity in 2016.

 

[FireCosgroveGuy]

He played because Kill was upset all week and made two really STUPID rash decisions.

He played because Limegrover is a terrible coordinator that is in way over his head. His crap offensive scheme doesn't work very well and destroys QBs. He apparently doesn't see ANY problem with letting the QB get hit 25 times per game? He can't adjust to his own players and gets a pure pocket passer KILLED because he tries to turn him into a RB rather than actually call passing plays and scrap the stupid read offense when he is in there.

The coaches have taken some major hits lately because of really stupid decisions.

 

[FireCosgroveGuy]

I think what it did was just ensure that Mitch Leidner doesn't transfer out as he'll have an opportunity in 2016.

Leidner will play plenty, and probably his backup, too, because most QBs can't get drilled 25 times in every game.

 

[station19]

He played because Kill was upset all week and made two really STUPID rash decisions.

He played because Limegrover is a terrible coordinator that is in way over his head. His crap offensive scheme doesn't work very well and destroys QBs. He apparently doesn't see ANY problem with letting the QB get hit 25 times per game? He can't adjust to his own players and gets a pure pocket passer KILLED because he tries to turn him into a RB rather than actually call passing plays and scrap the stupid read offense when he is in there.

The coaches have taken some major hits lately because of really stupid decisions.

Glad you got that off your chest.

 

[Killjoy]

He played because Kill was upset all week and made two really STUPID rash decisions.

He played because Limegrover is a terrible coordinator that is in way over his head. His crap offensive scheme doesn't work very well and destroys QBs. He apparently doesn't see ANY problem with letting the QB get hit 25 times per game? He can't adjust to his own players and gets a pure pocket passer KILLED because he tries to turn him into a RB rather than actually call passing plays and scrap the stupid read offense when he is in there.

The coaches have taken some major hits lately because of really stupid decisions.

Obviously you need update your moniker.

 

[Bob_Loblaw]

He played because Kill was upset all week and made two really STUPID rash decisions.

He played because Limegrover is a terrible coordinator that is in way over his head. His crap offensive scheme doesn't work very well and destroys QBs. He apparently doesn't see ANY problem with letting the QB get hit 25 times per game? He can't adjust to his own players and gets a pure pocket passer KILLED because he tries to turn him into a RB rather than actually call passing plays and scrap the stupid read offense when he is in there.

The coaches have taken some major hits lately because of really stupid decisions.

Do you watch college football? Do you know just how prevelant our type of offense is in college football?

There are plenty of good college football programs that have a running QB.

 

[Bob_Loblaw]

How has Gray been royally screwed(or whatever word you tried)? Seems to me he has been give every opportunity to succeed and his two head coaches have decided to use other options.
He was the #1 recruit of Brewster...I would think Brew gave him every chance to be the man.

He was appointed #1 QB by Kill on day one...Kill has time and time again promoted his importance.

Yes he has been a model student-athlete, but that does not guarantee you playing time or starting position.

He's been our best QB this year by far. If he is healthy enough to play QB and he doesn't play, he did get the short end of the stick.

 

[Governor Sibley]

He's been our best QB this year by far. If he is healthy enough to play QB and he doesn't play, he did get the short end of the stick.

I agree.

He's done nothing but smile, say nice things, go to class, and struggle through injuries for 6 years. All to be the quarterback of the Golden Gophers. And now?

 

[tikited]

Do you watch college football? Do you know just how prevelant our type of offense is in college football?

There are plenty of good college football programs that have a running QB.

Very true, but when we have so many injuries to our first two QB's you'd think we wouldn't go out of our way to increase the chances of injuring the prized QB in his first game. It was like the Iowa game at the end (when it was out of reach) and Limegrover kept running Max. Made no sense.

 

[gopher1more]

They have medicine for that FCG

 

[Great Plains Gopher]

If Nelson keeps running 16 times a game, he'll be injured. We need a running game!

 

[Great Plains Gopher]

Kill already said Nelson will be the starter for the rest of the year - Gray will play mostly at WR maybe change of pace a few times at QB. Shortell as backup. Nothing to spin!!!

Interesting - when did Kill say that?

 

[Ogee Ogilthorpe]

I struggle with the notion that, "he's been a good guy. Let's hand him the starting QB position on a BCS football team." If he was clearly "the guy", he would be playing. Not sure why we're overthinking this.

The offensive folks on Brewster's staff thought so much of him at QB that he played WR. After spending the better portion of the last 20 months with Gray, Limegrover and company are playing him at WR and have gone with a true Freshman over him, and really, against Northwestern, they chose to go with Shortell over Gray also, as he was clearly physically able to play.

Are all these coaches idiots and the fans pining for Gray to start the only smart people in the room?

This isn't a difficult concept. When Nelson started, there was HALF a season remaining, the record was 4-2, and many of the team goals were still attainable. It's not like they were throwing in the towel and "building for the future". They want to win and they feel Nelson gives them the best chance. Heck, I've been in Shortell's corner all along, always thought he gave them the best chance to win, and I'm fine with acknowledging that the staff thinks they're better off with Nelson.

 

[Dr.Don]

I struggle with the notion that, "he's been a good guy. Let's hand him the starting QB position on a BCS football team." If he was clearly "the guy", he would be playing. Not sure why we're overthinking this.

The offensive folks on Brewster's staff thought so much of him at QB that he played WR. After spending the better portion of the last 20 months with Gray, Limegrover and company are playing him at WR and have gone with a true Freshman over him, and really, against Northwestern, they chose to go with Shortell over Gray also, as he was clearly physically able to play.

Are all these coaches idiots and the fans pining for Gray to start the only smart people in the room?

This isn't a difficult concept. When Nelson started, there was HALF a season remaining, the record was 4-2, and many of the team goals were still attainable. It's not like they were throwing in the towel and "building for the future". They want to win and they feel Nelson gives them the best chance. Heck, I've been in Shortell's corner all along, always thought he gave them the best chance to win, and I'm fine with acknowledging that the staff thinks they're better off with Nelson.

That is where I have been all season. Given all circumstances, WHO gives us the best chance to win. And as a long ago former player myself, though not at the U, that is the feeling of the TEAM also.

 

[hungan1]

How has Gray been royally screwed(or whatever word you tried)? Seems to me he has been give every opportunity to succeed and his two head coaches have decided to use other options.

He was the #1 recruit of Brewster...I would think Brew gave him every chance to be the man.

He was appointed #1 QB by Kill on day one...Kill has time and time again promoted his importance.

Yes he has been a model student-athlete, but that does not guarantee you playing time or starting position.

Here is my two cents worth:

1. They have no choice but to play Nelson now given the injury circumstances at QB, Shortell being injured and rendered ineffective, and Gray being oft injured will be gone next season. I just wish they'd done it sooner with the NW game.

2. They need B1G wins and a bowl appearance. It will help in the recruiting game.

3. They have too many key injuries especially at WR they've got to do something.

4. Playing Nelson now, and barring injuries, they are bound to knock off a couple of teams toward the end of the season.

5. Game experience with Nelson at QB with this young offense this year will pay dividence next year.