[CTcard]

Another article to get ready for the game Friday. This one by Dave Lombardi at the ESPN blog noting how good Hogan was on third down last year and that issue in particular is tough for a new QB.

http://www.espn.com/blog/pac12/post/_/id...-mccaffrey

However, it may be most notable for the slightly odd statistical error that Lombardi has got into his head, and apparently cannot shake.

McCaffrey recorded the first 2,000-yard rushing and 1,000-yard receiving season in NCAA history.

That would be lovely, except he didn't do it. McCaffrey had 2019 yards rushing and 645 yards receiving. Yet somehow Lombardi has written this several times now.

I'm hoping he just got ahead of himself (by a season).

[CTcard]

Another article to get ready for the game Friday. This one by Dave Lombardi at the ESPN blog noting how good Hogan was on third down last year and that issue in particular is tough for a new QB.

http://www.espn.com/blog/pac12/post/_/id...-mccaffrey

However, it may be most notable for the slightly odd statistical error that Lombardi has got into his head, and apparently cannot shake.

McCaffrey recorded the first 2,000-yard rushing and 1,000-yard receiving season in NCAA history.

That would be lovely, except he didn't do it. McCaffrey had 2019 yards rushing and 645 yards receiving. Yet somehow Lombardi has written this several times now.

I'm hoping he just got ahead of himself (by a season).

[BostonCard]

Yeah, I also did a double take on that... my first reaction was "why wasn't a bigger deal made of this?" (answer: because it's not true).

BC

[BostonCard]

Yeah, I also did a double take on that... my first reaction was "why wasn't a bigger deal made of this?" (answer: because it's not true).

BC

[Papa John]

Maybe he meant "return" instead of "receiving?"

[Papa John]

Maybe he meant "return" instead of "receiving?"

[CTcard]

Maybe he meant "return" instead of "receiving?"

Given that McCaffrey had 1070 yards in kickoff returns, that is probably where the error originated. However, he has written this several times now, so it isn't a simple typo.

It seems less likely to me that nobody ever had 2000 yards rushing plus 1000 yards in returns, but I don't know of anyone else off the top of my head. Does anyone?

[CTcard]

Maybe he meant "return" instead of "receiving?"

Given that McCaffrey had 1070 yards in kickoff returns, that is probably where the error originated. However, he has written this several times now, so it isn't a simple typo.

It seems less likely to me that nobody ever had 2000 yards rushing plus 1000 yards in returns, but I don't know of anyone else off the top of my head. Does anyone?

[BostonCard]

My first thought was Reggie Bush, but Bush never had 2000 yards rushing (his best season, 2005, he had only 1740), and he also never had 1000 yards returning (913 kick and punt returning combined was his best year, in 2004).

BC

[BostonCard]

My first thought was Reggie Bush, but Bush never had 2000 yards rushing (his best season, 2005, he had only 1740), and he also never had 1000 yards returning (913 kick and punt returning combined was his best year, in 2004).

BC

[OutsiderFan]

Getting this back to QBs...


Just read Pritchard's comments on the situation.  He asserts that what they want from the QB more than anything, is just a guy to run the offense and be consistent.  While that is of course the objective, playmaking when things break down is and essential ability for a QB to have.  Though it is impossible to simulate live game situations when the QB can't be hit in practice, the ability to make plays and improvise when structure breaks down, is arguably what makes QBs championship caliber.


Burns may be consistently making good decisions in the offense in practices, but can he continue doing it in games, and also make enough plays when things break down?  If Burns demonstrates good command and decision making in the structured offense, and also makes plays when things break down, Chryst will not play much on Friday or this season.  If Burns is good in the structure of the offense but doesn't make plays when things break down, Chryst may well get more opportunities.


All that said, I thought Burns demonstrated the best "when things break down" play making when I saw the March practice, and I can't help but think this is also a factor in why he was named the starter.

[OutsiderFan]

Getting this back to QBs...


Just read Pritchard's comments on the situation.  He asserts that what they want from the QB more than anything, is just a guy to run the offense and be consistent.  While that is of course the objective, playmaking when things break down is and essential ability for a QB to have.  Though it is impossible to simulate live game situations when the QB can't be hit in practice, the ability to make plays and improvise when structure breaks down, is arguably what makes QBs championship caliber.


Burns may be consistently making good decisions in the offense in practices, but can he continue doing it in games, and also make enough plays when things break down?  If Burns demonstrates good command and decision making in the structured offense, and also makes plays when things break down, Chryst will not play much on Friday or this season.  If Burns is good in the structure of the offense but doesn't make plays when things break down, Chryst may well get more opportunities.


All that said, I thought Burns demonstrated the best "when things break down" play making when I saw the March practice, and I can't help but think this is also a factor in why he was named the starter.

[winflop]

I'm thinking Burns' experience as an option QB helps him with the "when things break down" part.  Clearly he has made brobdingnagian progress on his pre- and post-snap reads to be at parity with or above a guy whose dad is an NFL OC and who played in a pro-style offense.

[winflop]

I'm thinking Burns' experience as an option QB helps him with the "when things break down" part.  Clearly he has made brobdingnagian progress on his pre- and post-snap reads to be at parity with or above a guy whose dad is an NFL OC and who played in a pro-style offense.