Vidlak's day and our probable 2 QB system

[uofmman1122]

We definitely saw both the good and bad that comes with Sam yesterday. He has a great arm that can make all the throws, but his reads and decision-making are still very much a work in progress, especially on 3rd downs yesterday. That comes with the territory when you play a guy who has never started a D1 college game before. I have a feeling Sam will look much better next week.

If Sam were the only new QB this season, I would be pretty worried, but McDowell being able to spell him when things aren't going well is great for us. That said, Clifton did not look particularly good passing the ball yesterday, which is something he's gonna have to do at some point this season.

Both of these guys have things they need to work at and improve on, but thankfully we have time for them to do just that. I still think we're in a better spot right now at QB than we were last year or the year before.

That you can conclude much about McDowell's passing chops with a sample size of 3 attempts is.....impressive?

I never said I think he's bad, I said as far as yesterday is concerned, he didn't look particularly good. I think he can and will show a lot better as the season goes on.

 

[HookedonGriz]

I rewatched the game on TV after seeing it live. Sam looked damn good for his first qb start here. Let’s not forget he’s a sophomore who just came in in the spring with this new playbook. He managed the game really well, and really only made one bad mistake where he threw it out of bounds for a grounding call. The dude can absolutely spin it, the ball flies out of his hand. He made an awesome touch pass on the sideline right over the tips of the fingers of the linebacker and perfectly into Fontes hands. He also made a few throws on the run that were money. Yes he made a couple bad throws, but there were also some receivers who dropped some pretty catchable balls, one of them being a TD and Bergen a long gainer across middle. He also threw two touchdown passes that got called back for holding….. one was a beautiful pass to Bergen, who then made some plays and one was a fly sweep pass to Fontes, who made a play. Both of those would’ve gone down as long yardage touchdown passes but instead were eliminated. If even one of those counted, he’s looking at a pretty stellar day.

This was his first game in a Griz uniform….as a sophomore….he’s only going to be better. I will stand by my prediction, he will be an all conference quarterback, possibly even multiple years, before his time is through here.

 

[argh!]

I don’t think playcalling did Sam any favors early as we didn’t use the run to open up the passing game. Many of his receivers were blanketed and he threw into some right windows. The drop in the end zone on the second drive if I remember correct was a good example.

Sam showed his youth and had some times where he didn’t get rid of the ball or forced a throw. He showed pretty decent pocket presence that should only grow, as will his decision making as the game slows down for him.

He has the arm strength to hit any throw on the field and it was really nice to see us pick up 15+ yards after a bad first down penalty not once but twice. The previous couple of years those penalties were almost always drive killers. And though he had some bad misses, they were literally just a bit behind a crossing receiver, a little low, or a little high. Once he settled his nerves and settled into the game his accuracy increased.

Agreed - which is why I also like the way this schedule has aligned for Montana. While it's impossible to predict with 100% accuracy it does seemingly suggest the each week ahead should get a little more challenging but Montana should remain favored. This should give Sam time to get into a groove, I hope.

pour some sugar on me...

 

[BWahlberg]

Agreed - which is why I also like the way this schedule has aligned for Montana. While it's impossible to predict with 100% accuracy it does seemingly suggest the each week ahead should get a little more challenging but Montana should remain favored. This should give Sam time to get into a groove, I hope.

pour some sugar on me...

Would you rather this team, after Saturday's showing, was playing SDSU or NDSU this weekend?

 

[argh!]

Yeah first INT was def not his fault. Hit the WR right in the hands

at a million miles an hour...

 

[bgbigdog]

I rewatched the game on TV after seeing it live. Sam looked damn good for his first qb start here. Let’s not forget he’s a sophomore who just came in in the spring with this new playbook. He managed the game really well, and really only made one bad mistake where he threw it out of bounds for a grounding call. The dude can absolutely spin it, the ball flies out of his hand. He made an awesome touch pass on the sideline right over the tips of the fingers of the linebacker and perfectly into Fontes hands. He also made a few throws on the run that were money. Yes he made a couple bad throws, but there were also some receivers who dropped some pretty catchable balls, one of them being a TD and Bergen a long gainer across middle. He also threw two touchdown passes that got called back for holding….. one was a beautiful pass to Bergen, who then made some plays and one was a fly sweep pass to Fontes, who made a play. Both of those would’ve gone down as long yardage touchdown passes but instead were eliminated. If even one of those counted, he’s looking at a pretty stellar day.

This was his first game in a Griz uniform….as a sophomore….he’s only going to be better. I will stand by my prediction, he will be an all-conference quarterback, possibly even multiple years, before his time is through here.

Stop it. I read here he only has one speed, Hard. I've already said it. They didn't just start catching balls from him this past week. Catch the dam ball.

The second interception was something I'm sure he'd like back, but it does appear he isn't afraid to throw into tight windows. A sign of confidence. I wouldn't discourage that, but having a progression will be key, he didn't often look off the first guy. The major problems I saw were a result of him having to spill. I also think that pass over the middle to a stumbling White was on the money. No one should be disappointed with this first game. Though he isn't going to be all-conference on his own. The whole group needs to keep making strides each week. He'll more than hold up his end of things. So will McD.

 

[Copper Griz]

pour some sugar on me...

Would you rather this team, after Saturday's showing, was playing SDSU or NDSU this weekend?

NDSU for me personally. I think they are well behind SDSU from a talent perspective this year and possibly from a coaching perspective as well. Yes, that is a big statement. I believe it is accurate though. Let the gravy eaters start throwing their mashed potatoes in 3,2,1.

 

[go96griz]

After a day to think on it I wanted to go back and dissect Vidlak's first Griz start on a 15-25-180 / 1TD-2Int day. Anyone just pulling the box score would be generally unimpressed and I think for all of us who watched the game you could tell after what I would assume was a scripted first series he had a handful of rougher possessions.

After his 2-2 first series and a TD he went 2-9 for 11 yards and 1 INT until the Griz finally got another first down, on a fake punt of all things. That drive would end in a field goal, the next drive we had 2 TDs called back on O-line penalties (questionable calls I might add) but Vidlak would lead the team down field and into the endzone.

Back out his 2 1/2 challenging earlier possessions, one with a pick that bounced off a would be UM receiver, his line would have been 13-16-170 1 TD / 1 INT. Better, but still not great.

I think we all saw flashes of both sides of Vidlak yesterday. A good pocket presence for the most part (that intentional grounding play he rolled right in to pressure), safer decision making, and a strong arm that can take some deep shots. I'd bet had Keelan White and the defender not crossed up feet on that one early deep shot Vidlak would've had a 2nd deep shot TD. It's been a while since we've had a sophomore starting at QB and my hope is that in the weeks ahead he can smooth out and limit those bad series, and that 1 bad pick, and build in more confidence in his play.

Additionally, I think McDowell showed a lot of great potential in a strong 2 QB system. He was incredibly patient in his running and reads and it really paid off. Yes it was against Butler, we need to see how that stacks up against the Davis/Idaho/Sac/Cats of the conference, but the first test of McDowell's best use in this offense passed with flying colors. He had a nice completion wiped out by a penalty, and he almost had Simpson for that last minute TD as a punch back to Butler's personal foul. He isn't just a runner and will provide some great dynamic to this team.

When the Griz have a lead and know they need to grind it out, McDowell gave us a good show yesterday that he can lead that charge.

I think the 2 QB system is here to stay, each QB brings a different angle to the team and the offense. We're going to probably need them both.

My take - Sam Vidlak is young and maybe was a bit nervous but I thought he threw extremely well. In my assessment he made two mistakes. He should have thrown the ball away earlier on the grounding call and he should not have made the second interception throw. Other than that, I thought he was on time and very close to on the money with all his throws. Sam throws a very catchable ball which should lend to yards after catch. He didn't get a couple of pass interference calls that should have been made which interrupted those drives and his receivers flat out didn't bring in enough balls. Coaching also interrupted his game flow multiple times by brining in McDowell for a play. I don't think any of this helped him. As for McDowell, he can run with the ball. His couple of throws weren't on time and/or were not very accurate. I do not believe McDowell is the answer. If we go two quarterbacks for long then we are in trouble. Somebody once told me that two quarterbacks does not equal one quarterback. I firmly believe that as well.

 

[BWahlberg]

After a day to think on it I wanted to go back and dissect Vidlak's first Griz start on a 15-25-180 / 1TD-2Int day. Anyone just pulling the box score would be generally unimpressed and I think for all of us who watched the game you could tell after what I would assume was a scripted first series he had a handful of rougher possessions.

After his 2-2 first series and a TD he went 2-9 for 11 yards and 1 INT until the Griz finally got another first down, on a fake punt of all things. That drive would end in a field goal, the next drive we had 2 TDs called back on O-line penalties (questionable calls I might add) but Vidlak would lead the team down field and into the endzone.

Back out his 2 1/2 challenging earlier possessions, one with a pick that bounced off a would be UM receiver, his line would have been 13-16-170 1 TD / 1 INT. Better, but still not great.

I think we all saw flashes of both sides of Vidlak yesterday. A good pocket presence for the most part (that intentional grounding play he rolled right in to pressure), safer decision making, and a strong arm that can take some deep shots. I'd bet had Keelan White and the defender not crossed up feet on that one early deep shot Vidlak would've had a 2nd deep shot TD. It's been a while since we've had a sophomore starting at QB and my hope is that in the weeks ahead he can smooth out and limit those bad series, and that 1 bad pick, and build in more confidence in his play.

Additionally, I think McDowell showed a lot of great potential in a strong 2 QB system. He was incredibly patient in his running and reads and it really paid off. Yes it was against Butler, we need to see how that stacks up against the Davis/Idaho/Sac/Cats of the conference, but the first test of McDowell's best use in this offense passed with flying colors. He had a nice completion wiped out by a penalty, and he almost had Simpson for that last minute TD as a punch back to Butler's personal foul. He isn't just a runner and will provide some great dynamic to this team.

When the Griz have a lead and know they need to grind it out, McDowell gave us a good show yesterday that he can lead that charge.

I think the 2 QB system is here to stay, each QB brings a different angle to the team and the offense. We're going to probably need them both.

My take - Sam Vidlak is young and maybe was a bit nervous but I thought he threw extremely well. In my assessment he made two mistakes. He should have thrown the ball away earlier on the grounding call and he should not have made the second interception throw. Other than that, I thought he was on time and very close to on the money with all his throws. Sam throws a very catchable ball which should lend to yards after catch. He didn't get a couple of pass interference calls that should have been made which interrupted those drives and his receivers flat out didn't bring in enough balls. Coaching also interrupted his game flow multiple times by brining in McDowell for a play. I don't think any of this helped him. As for McDowell, he can run with the ball. His couple of throws weren't on time and/or were not very accurate. I do not believe McDowell is the answer. If we go two quarterbacks for long then we are in trouble. Somebody once told me that two quarterbacks does not equal one quarterback. I firmly believe that as well.

Odd, seemed 2 QBs worked (in conference) for Sac State pretty well the last two seasons.

 

[Ihatelife]

My take - Sam Vidlak is young and maybe was a bit nervous but I thought he threw extremely well. In my assessment he made two mistakes. He should have thrown the ball away earlier on the grounding call and he should not have made the second interception throw. Other than that, I thought he was on time and very close to on the money with all his throws. Sam throws a very catchable ball which should lend to yards after catch. He didn't get a couple of pass interference calls that should have been made which interrupted those drives and his receivers flat out didn't bring in enough balls. Coaching also interrupted his game flow multiple times by brining in McDowell for a play. I don't think any of this helped him. As for McDowell, he can run with the ball. His couple of throws weren't on time and/or were not very accurate. I do not believe McDowell is the answer. If we go two quarterbacks for long then we are in trouble. Somebody once told me that two quarterbacks does not equal one quarterback. I firmly believe that as well.

Odd, seemed 2 QBs worked (in conference) for Sac State pretty well the last two seasons.

Not many teams use 2QB systems. So it is a little odd.

 

[go96griz]

My take - Sam Vidlak is young and maybe was a bit nervous but I thought he threw extremely well. In my assessment he made two mistakes. He should have thrown the ball away earlier on the grounding call and he should not have made the second interception throw. Other than that, I thought he was on time and very close to on the money with all his throws. Sam throws a very catchable ball which should lend to yards after catch. He didn't get a couple of pass interference calls that should have been made which interrupted those drives and his receivers flat out didn't bring in enough balls. Coaching also interrupted his game flow multiple times by brining in McDowell for a play. I don't think any of this helped him. As for McDowell, he can run with the ball. His couple of throws weren't on time and/or were not very accurate. I do not believe McDowell is the answer. If we go two quarterbacks for long then we are in trouble. Somebody once told me that two quarterbacks does not equal one quarterback. I firmly believe that as well.

Odd, seemed 2 QBs worked (in conference) for Sac State pretty well the last two seasons.

I will concede Sac did pretty well with it but can't think of another successful scenario (not counting msu in this).

 

[mthoopsfan]

Yeah first INT was def not his fault. Hit the WR right in the hands

at a million miles an hour...

Not true. Should have been caught.

 

[mthoopsfan]

I rewatched the game on TV after seeing it live. Sam looked damn good for his first qb start here. Let’s not forget he’s a sophomore who just came in in the spring with this new playbook. He managed the game really well, and really only made one bad mistake where he threw it out of bounds for a grounding call. The dude can absolutely spin it, the ball flies out of his hand. He made an awesome touch pass on the sideline right over the tips of the fingers of the linebacker and perfectly into Fontes hands. He also made a few throws on the run that were money. Yes he made a couple bad throws, but there were also some receivers who dropped some pretty catchable balls, one of them being a TD and Bergen a long gainer across middle. He also threw two touchdown passes that got called back for holding….. one was a beautiful pass to Bergen, who then made some plays and one was a fly sweep pass to Fontes, who made a play. Both of those would’ve gone down as long yardage touchdown passes but instead were eliminated. If even one of those counted, he’s looking at a pretty stellar day.

This was his first game in a Griz uniform….as a sophomore….he’s only going to be better. I will stand by my prediction, he will be an all conference quarterback, possibly even multiple years, before his time is through here.

This is my view too. Good post.

 

[Mavman]

I agree with whom ever said the playcalling the first couple drives didn't help Sam out. I feel the coaches wanted to pass early and often to see what he could do , not sure how many runs the first three drives but not many. I also think they should have left McD in after the fumble inside the ten, use his size on that 3rd and goal.
I like the two qb rotation and think they will be very productive as they gain experience.

 

[mthoopsfan]

I agree with whom ever said the playcalling the first couple drives didn't help Sam out. I feel the coaches wanted to pass early and often to see what he could do , not sure how many runs the first three drives but not many. I also think they should have left McD in after the fumble inside the ten, use his size on that 3rd and goal.
I like the two qb rotation and think they will be very productive as they gain experience.

3 of first 5 and 4 of first 7 were running plays.

 

[SoldierGriz]

at a million miles an hour...

Not true. Should have been caught.

That ball is caught by that same receiver 95% of the time...probably higher.

 

[bgbigdog]

For those of you who visit practice - have you seen them using a jugs gun? Something that fires off a highly spinning ball for things like catching punts and passes? I can imagine they don’t.

 

[uofmman1122]

Yeah first INT was def not his fault. Hit the WR right in the hands

at a million miles an hour...

You have to be joking, right?

He barely put anything on that ball. Go rewatch it. It was hardly even a medium velocity pass.

 

[uptopgriz]

at a million miles an hour...

You have to be joking, right?

He barely put anything on that ball. Go rewatch it. It was hardly even a medium velocity pass.

should have been caught.

 

[granitegriz]

Yes, most definitely should have been caught!