QB for Penn State

[stonebreakerwasgod]

I'm going with ES. I'm not sure JC is ready to start, although I would go to Clausen if Sharpley is not getting it done.

[FightinIrish78]

Unless there is significant improvement on the O-line it won't matter who starts. My pick would be Evan unless Clausen is 100%, then I would say Clausen.

[notredomer23]

its clearly clausen IMO

[JMR8]

I would love to see JC, but I would go with Sharpley on this one and give Clausen a little more prep time and rebuilding time for his arm, which seems to be fine though. I know PSU wont blitz as much as GT, but Sharpley needs to pick up on that stuff quicker and either roll out or throw it away. If Sharpley can't pick that up better then throw in Clausen, no better experience then the actual game. So really I think it's all in Sharpley's hands. Unless Sharpley really steps it up, I see JC gettin the start in about 2-3 more weeks. Just give him a little more time to get the O down and get more reps in with sqaud 1 in practice so they are on the same page. The funny thing is, Clausen being the Freshy had the best pocket presence and quickest getting the ball out of his hand. So Clausen is the go 2 man for this year, but I would like to ease him in a bit and not rush him in the mental part or physical part of the game. And with physical I mean the whole elbow thing. I'd hate to ruin a great QB like him by rushing him in. But like I said he looked fine when he played last week. I know he only threw a few times, but we wont be slingin it 30-40 times like BQ did.

[IrishCalves]

I think Clausen gives you the best chance to win, period. I can make a case for Sharpley, but the "sack me" sign he had on vs. GT has me worried. I guess we'll see. I think Clausen is the answer for this week, and as of consequence, playing him now will pay off later. I'm with 23 on this one.

[JMR8]

yeah, "sack me sign" is correct. I was thinking Sharp. for now, but like I said i'd love to see JC. Also good point by starting him now will make him better later on in the year. who knows, as long as it's not Jones. I was extremley dissapointed in him. But w/e Weis siad that was the game plan for him to run...and run...and run. Just HOLD ON TO THE BALL. Our best bets are in ES and JC.

[stonebreakerwasgod]

I think if CW thinks JC is healthy and ready, he will start. Otherwise ES gets it. For the record, I would start JC, but I don't think CW will.

[IrishKnight1023]

CLAUSEN CLAUSEN CLAUSEN!! Join my in the chant...

---That being said I expect Sharpley to start haha

[Fishin'_Irish]

I expect Sharpley to start, but I do think Clausen gets some time this week and gets the starting job later in the season.

[DonJuan]

i, actually, am not ready to move on past DD yet. what did we see? he fumbled the ball twice directly costing us 6 points? did you see him throw? 3 attempts isn't exactly a lot especially when you're running for your life. i wouldn't mind seeing him roll out ala troy myth and then throw or scramble. i know you're going to say well "he can't throw and look at his awkward motion". i still think he has this confidence edge where he WILL correct his mistakes and that he offers more for ND with his intangibles. just get him out of that pocket for God's sake! (away from the defense) and DD, if you read this, make us all proud and hold on for dear life! don't ever let go! otherwise, throw JC in and pray for good health! -Don

[HereComeTheIrish]

i, actually, am not ready to move on past DD yet. what did we see? he fumbled the ball twice directly costing us 6 points? did you see him throw? 3 attempts isn't exactly a lot especially when you're running for your life. i wouldn't mind seeing him roll out ala troy myth and then throw or scramble. i know you're going to say well "he can't throw and look at his awkward motion". i still think he has this confidence edge where he WILL correct his mistakes and that he offers more for ND with his intangibles. just get him out of that pocket for God's sake! (away from the defense) and DD, if you read this, make us all proud and hold on for dear life! don't ever let go! otherwise, throw JC in and pray for good health! -Don

Yeah, that my be, but Charlie and the coaching staff are always harping on securing the ball at all times. If DD is gonna put the ball on the carpet twice a game, he flat out isn't going to play...end of discussion. He's made that perfectly clear in the past.

[Fishin'_Irish]

Yeah, that my be, but Charlie and the coaching staff are always harping on securing the ball at all times. If DD is gonna put the ball on the carpet twice a game, he flat out isn't going to play...end of discussion. He's made that perfectly clear in the past.

As for that, Sharpley put the ball on the carpet three times. Granted, one of the fumbles ended up being a 10 yard completion, but I'm sure you get my point. Sharpley's fumbles were also a little more non-triggered (carelessness). I guess what I'm saying is, if it is the case that Charlie won't play Jones because of fumbles, he wouldn't play Sharpley because of fumbles either. Which leaves only Clausen, and I don't think that is going to happen.

[HereComeTheIrish]

As for that, Sharpley put the ball on the carpet three times. Granted, one of the fumbles ended up being a 10 yard completion, but I'm sure you get my point. Sharpley's fumbles were also a little more non-triggered (carelessness). I guess what I'm saying is, if it is the case that Charlie won't play Jones because of fumbles, he wouldn't play Sharpley because of fumbles either. Which leaves only Clausen, and I don't think that is going to happen.

I don't recall making a case for Sharpley either. lol Kind of tells you where I stand. The original comment was in regards to DD...and that's what I answered. Sharpley has never been a player in this thing from the beginning with me personally.

[Fishin'_Irish]

I don't recall making a case for Sharpley either. lol Kind of tells you where I stand. The original comment was in regards to DD...and that's what I answered. Sharpley has never been a player in this thing from the beginning with me personally.

I wasn't really rebutting your statement, just taking it a step further. I agree; normally, I don't think Weis would play someone that fumbled multiple times, I just think that he will have to. I guess we'll see next weekend.

[HereComeTheIrish]

I wasn't really rebutting your statement, just taking it a step further. I agree; normally, I don't think Weis would play someone that fumbled multiple times, I just think that he will have to. I guess we'll see next weekend.

Yup...we shall see. Chuck is supposed to announce it tomorrow.

[marv81s]

I voted for Sharpley, but I'll say that if JC's arm is 100% and he's fully recovered, then give him the go and leave him there for good, I don't want to be shuffling QBs all damn year. DD would be good inside the 10, but other than that, JC all the way. Let's get the offensive machine building and get ready for better days ahead.

[HereComeTheIrish]

Good post, Marv. Agreed

[stonebreakerwasgod]

I say give Stoney a chance. That guy has mad skillzz.

[HereComeTheIrish]

I say give Stoney a chance. That guy has mad skillzz.

lol...

And now coming in for the Irish, 13th year senior, Crazy Legs Stoney!

[stonebreakerwasgod]

You didn't mention my full name..

Crazy legs, one-eyed, rum filled, beer gut, hammer toed, arthritic handed, knobby kneed Stoney run for your life cause the O line is gonna be a-crumblin and you gonna get a crack-alackin whack.

[marv81s]

Crazy legs, one-eyed, rum filled, beer gut, hammer toed, arthritic handed, knobby kneed Stoney run for your life cause the O line is gonna be a-crumblin and you gonna get a crack-alackin whack.

Stoney, how did you get the Raiders introduction for JR once/if he ever signs with them?

[stonebreakerwasgod]

I know all, I see all.

[NDgrandson]

I'm going with ES. I'm not sure JC is ready to start, although I would go to Clausen if Sharpley is not getting it done.

I honestly don't know who should start. If it's DJ, he needs to pass the ball. I want to see the offense run pretty much the same no matter who the QB is.

[stonebreakerwasgod]

The offense run the same? Are you mental? Does that mean ignore Carlson, negative runs, fumbling, ineptness? Please be kidding. I want to see us run what we did last year, except with rushing being a bigger part of the playcalling.

[Fishin'_Irish]

Stoney, I think he meant that he wants the playcalling to be the same no matter what QB is on the field. In other words, the offense won't change depending on who is playing. He didn't mean that he wanted the offense the same as last week's.

[stonebreakerwasgod]

LOL That's what I figured. I was just taking a moment to rant.

[Flyin_Irish]

I'm pretty sure I could have been twice as productive as Jones was. Anyone but him will be acceptable. That said, I hope it's Clausen, and from hearing Charlie's comments after the game and on Sunday, I think it will be Clausen.

[IRISHDODGER]

I picked Sharpley b/c I think that's who Charlie will choose. I'm not really qualified to tell you who SHOULD start. After the game, I was thinking you go w/ Clausen b/c the future is now & Weis said that if he didn't think he was healthy enough to start, he wouldn't have inserted him in the game at all. Then, I hear the opposite side of the coin which is "Do you throw your frosh. phenom to the wolves in his first start knowing you're also banking on him as your future?). My gut, says go w/ Clausen unless practice shows something noticably different w/ the other 2 that would justify their starting. It worked w/ Lovecchio & Quinn.

[ALLND62]

As far as the starting QB for PSU I would like to see it being Jimmy but I think that DJ should be given another shot as well. I did not think that the play calling gave DJ much of a chance. Everyone knew that GT was going to be bringin' the house almost all the time no matter who the QB was, I believe that whether DJ can pass or not that he should have tried a few long ones so that at least they would have to think about it and not bring 9 guys all the time. Even if Jimmy was playing against the 2nd group I sure felt like he knew what to do with the ball and the passes that he did complete they were right on the money. GO ND BEAT PSU!!!

[williamson143]

I did what Charlie did and went back over the game, courtesy of DVR. If Charlie is thinking what I am thinking, he will go with Clausen. Go back and watch the game again if you get a chance. Jones looked like he checked out of pass plays and clearly isn't ready to throw the rock. Sharpley- as has been pointed out elsewhere -is about as mobile as a couch. I like the guy, but he looked like he was in quicksand and he could not move in the pocket. He appeared- for all intents and purposes -like a second-string quarterback that just got thrown into the game due to unexpected circumstances: knew the playbook but wasn't quite a top-shelf answer.

Lastly is Jimmy. He might have been in mop-up, but watch how he operated. He was mobile in the pocket, could sense the bltiz on him, and was really the only one that could move to avoid the pressure while still attempting to make plays. Demetrius ran like hell at that point, while Sharpley was just brave enough to unload the ball before getting leveled. No, Clausen had the best pocket mobilitiy without having the 'happy feet' of Ron Powlus. the most important thing about Clausen, though, was his ability to pick up the blitzes and to work through his progressions. He ran through his reads faster than Sharpley and was able to unleash the ball with a lot less time than Sharpley. If- as we all agree -that Charlie is to go back to his thing, then he needs to go with Clausen.


One more note on my vote for Clausen is that I sincerely believe that Charlie needs to start grooming him now so that he is clearly established by the 2008 season when Crist arrives. You heard it here first when I say that Crist will be red-shirted to study under Clausen. Clausen will complete his four years and will leave Crist with 2 years of eligibility to play. That's why I see Clausen getting the nod as much as anything else.

[ALLND62]

143 I agree with what you are sayin' I didn't have anything to look at for the 2nd time and I was at the game so I didn't see any replays either, I didn't know that DJ was going back to pass to much I just thought Charlie had him running......Jimmy did look like he knew what to do next especially that time he rolled out to the ND side and motioned for the receiver (not sure who it was) to take off long so he would either get open or at least take the defender with him so he could run with it and maybe get the first down but the receiver just sttod there and Jimmy got ran out of bounds.

[IrishKnight1023]

143 I agree with what you are sayin' I didn't have anything to look at for the 2nd time and I was at the game so I didn't see any replays either, I didn't know that DJ was going back to pass to much I just thought Charlie had him running......Jimmy did look like he knew what to do next especially that time he rolled out to the ND side and motioned for the receiver (not sure who it was) to take off long so he would either get open or at least take the defender with him so he could run with it and maybe get the first down but the receiver just sttod there and Jimmy got ran out of bounds.

-----Exactly what was I was most impressed with from Jimmy as well. Guy shakes loose out of the pocket and redirects a WR as a TRUE FR. during his first game. It's no joke when they said he was far more advanced then anyone else in the last decade. I'm not hyping him up but you know he's at least a little different then other true fr. from recent years. I feel the most comfertable with him out there. If GT was really calling off the dogs why did they blitz him on the play he got sacked? Granted the blitzing wasn't as bad, but calling off the dogs doesn't consist of blitzing on the last play. Also check out the one pass he threw to Kamara where the CB would've picked it off it, but Jimmy puts balls where nobody but the WR can catch it.

[NDgrandson]

I'm pretty sure I could have been twice as productive as Jones was. Anyone but him will be acceptable. That said, I hope it's Clausen, and from hearing Charlie's comments after the game and on Sunday, I think it will be Clausen.

Negative reps for you. :(

[williamson143]

Folks, I simply have a belief that Clausen IS the guy after Saturday. He's more adapted to Weis' system than DJ. He's about even if not ahead of ES and if that's the case, why not bank on the franchise guy and get him in there now, right?

The only drawback I would ever have with Clausen is his physical condition, and I am not talking about his arm. It's fine. I am more worried about him getting pounded into the turf because the O-line can't protect him. We all saw Brady take his lumps as a freshman, but he was also more of a physical specimen than Clausen was. It's a risk-reward thing that Charlie is dealing with right now: do I throw my ringer in there now behind an unproven line, or do I play it safe and bring him along in controlled situations?

Given the ass-pounding the fellas took on Saturday, Weis may not have many options. At this point it may be worth the risk to put him in.

[CULion17]

My thoughts on Jimmy starting........
As a guy who played QB in HS, College, and a little pro in Germany; I think w/out question Jimmy should start. According to Weis Jimmy didn't have a shot at starting vs. Tech b/c he just now got to the point of throwing everyday, everybody knows reps are vital for the QB position. So now that he is up to speed healthwise here is why he should start.

1) Arm Strength - A tough throw for a right handed quarterback is an out to the left. Jimmy completed two of those right on the money and perfectly timed. He also overthrew a deep route for one of his incompletions, that means his arm is live and ready.

2) Accuracy - A lot of people think higher of Sharpley's performance than it really deserved. Yes, Jimmy did overthrow a deep post (I'll cover that below). Evan overthrew a WIDE OPEN David Grimes. Also you have to realize that a completion is not always good enough. Weis will dock Sharpley for those completions where open receivers had to dive/jump for balls, didn't hit upfield shoulder, etc. Trust me on that.

3) Reading the defense - I saw a lot of people comment on how happy they were Sharpley completed some passes and took the big hit. He shouldn't have taken most of those hits by getting the ball out of his hands sooner. He was very hesitant on most of his reads. Also, on most of his 7 sacks he did not find the one on one matchup. As a QB when you face a blitz you know somebody is one on one and you have to find it fast. The few times NBC gave me a wide angle to watch a replay there would be a receiver one on one and Sharpley didn't find it. Remember I mentioned Jimmy overthrowing the deep post. The good news on that play is Jimmy read the blitz Tech sent and found the one on one. Also, there was one particular pass called for Jones and he didn't even look downfield, he watched the los the whole time and tucked. You can't read a blitz if your eyes are on the los.

4) Protecting the football - Obviously Jones failed there, and Sharpley lost one and got lucky when he put the ball on the ground by screwing up a play fake. So what we saw yesterday is what people predicted would happen if Weis started Clausen. Jimmy will protect the football by getting it out of his hands, not forcing passes, and throwing the ball away if need be.

5) Experience - Many said Jimmy won't start b/c you don't want an inexperienced freshman going against Tech, PSU, and Michigan D. I hardly consider running scout D against Minter's group last year giving DD and Sharpley some huge edge in experience. Learning an offense is really not hard for a QB, honestly. The hard part is applying your knowledge in the game. So in essence the best way to learn your offense is to play.

6) "It" - All the great QB's have "it". "It" being a presence and aura that a team gravitates to, gives them confidence, and leads to success. I have not doubt in my mind that Jimmy has the "it" factor.

7) Big Picture - We are not competing for a National Title this year, so start the guy who has the most upside. Reference Matt Stafford. He had some rough starts, but eventually beat Auburn, G'Tech, and beat V Tech in a good bowl game.

Just my humble opinion.

[goirish41]

Great post CULion17.

[daytonirish]

I voted ES because I think thats who starts. But I have to agree with the people who voted for Jimmy. I think you should play him and get him the exprience now.

[jfschellcrna]

it's gotta be jimmy, as long as he's healthy enough. word on the street is that he is well below 100%..................

[notredomer23]

question????? when is chucks presser today?????????????

[goirish41]

noon

[Flyin_Irish]

Anyone who says D. Jones should get another shot at QB may have not seen the game on Saturday. He turned in the worst performance I have ever seen from an Irish QB. His first pass to Hughes was pathetic, he should have dumped to Hughes later and didn't recognize it, he obviously does not have Charlie's confidence or else he would have thrown more. He's a running QB (and not a great one at that) and I just do not see room for him in a pro style offense.

[domerdude]

CU- That has got to be the best thought out post Ive read in a long time. Reps to you!

[ALLND62]

CU your thoughts seemed right on and made a lot of since good post.