02-14-2017, 10:42 PM
I know he's a favourite whipping boy here, and sometimes from me as well, but I rather appreciate that Wilner at least writes about Pac 12 football far more often than any other Bay Area scribe. And he gives us something to discuss in the offseason - even if it is just to complain that he is ridiculously wrong.
So, with that in mind, here goes ...
Only in the sense that if you are a good debated you should be able to make a strong case on any side of an issue. It's pretty clear that Wilner doesn't think this, as the only teams with credible, demonstrated backups are at the bottom of the list (among those Stanford is top at #6). However, he does seem to use the thought to shuffle the teams at the very top - though perhaps he mostly is trying to avoid ranking Browning vs Falk vs Darnold. But none of these guys' backups have done anything. Wilner seems to use passes attempted as his main criterion for quality of the backup, which is not useful.
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U$C's list of departed QBs is rather over-done as five of those seven guys are long ago departed. On the other hand it does point out that taking the best QB available every year doesn't cure all woes. Many will transfer out, sometimes trailing a fair amount of dissension in their wake. Right now $C, the perrenial top recruiter in the Pac, has as its QB roster: Darnold (a 247 4 star, #147 overall), Fink (RS frosh, 3 star, #465 overall), two walk-ons, and Sears (incoming frosh, 4 star, #104 overall). That's pretty thin, if strong at the top.
Still think you should probably take the best QB you can get most years, but it's not simple.
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The most amazing entry is that it actually isn't insane to have Oregon with frosh Justin Herbert (#660 overall, offers from Montana State, Portland State, Northern Arizona) rated better than UCLA with soph Josh Rosen (#12 overall, offers from everyone but Stanford).
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Wilner has made several posts writing highly of Troy Williams at Utah. Makes me think that the only time he saw Utah play was the fourth quarter vs $C. Clearly wasn't watching at moments like his 4-13 performance vs OSU, 13-40 vs Colorado (at least a good D), etc.
In particular, Wilkins at ASU seemed to play considerably better though he puts ASU at second worst.
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Cal really does seem in a tough spot.
So, with that in mind, here goes ...
Quote:A strong case could be made that youre better off with a B-level starter and C-level reserve than with an A-caliber starter rookie backups.
Only in the sense that if you are a good debated you should be able to make a strong case on any side of an issue. It's pretty clear that Wilner doesn't think this, as the only teams with credible, demonstrated backups are at the bottom of the list (among those Stanford is top at #6). However, he does seem to use the thought to shuffle the teams at the very top - though perhaps he mostly is trying to avoid ranking Browning vs Falk vs Darnold. But none of these guys' backups have done anything. Wilner seems to use passes attempted as his main criterion for quality of the backup, which is not useful.
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U$C's list of departed QBs is rather over-done as five of those seven guys are long ago departed. On the other hand it does point out that taking the best QB available every year doesn't cure all woes. Many will transfer out, sometimes trailing a fair amount of dissension in their wake. Right now $C, the perrenial top recruiter in the Pac, has as its QB roster: Darnold (a 247 4 star, #147 overall), Fink (RS frosh, 3 star, #465 overall), two walk-ons, and Sears (incoming frosh, 4 star, #104 overall). That's pretty thin, if strong at the top.
Still think you should probably take the best QB you can get most years, but it's not simple.
-------------
The most amazing entry is that it actually isn't insane to have Oregon with frosh Justin Herbert (#660 overall, offers from Montana State, Portland State, Northern Arizona) rated better than UCLA with soph Josh Rosen (#12 overall, offers from everyone but Stanford).
-------------
Wilner has made several posts writing highly of Troy Williams at Utah. Makes me think that the only time he saw Utah play was the fourth quarter vs $C. Clearly wasn't watching at moments like his 4-13 performance vs OSU, 13-40 vs Colorado (at least a good D), etc.
In particular, Wilkins at ASU seemed to play considerably better though he puts ASU at second worst.
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Cal really does seem in a tough spot.