Column: Don't sleep on Sam

[clonedude]

I really think it is basically a coin toss between Sam and Grant.

My heart kind of wants to see Sam win the job for playing so hurt last year and not complaining about it or using it as an excuse at all.

My head thinks Grant gives us the better chance at being a more explosive offense and thus more wins potentially. I think Grant stands in the pocket a lot longer, runs through more progressions, and is more apt to to take some chances and throw the ball into tighter coverage and let the WR make a play on it.

I think a lot will depend on the OL. If we can't pass protect very long at all, then go with Sam for sure because he can scramble a LOT better. If the OL is good, and there is plenty of time to throw, then go with Grant because he will stand in there longer and look through his progressions and get the ball to the open guy IMO.

It won't be hard to root for either guy, and it sure will be nice to know we have at least 2 QBs that can play.

 

[Luth4Cy]

Doesn't matter who wins it now, it's already disappointing that there isn't a clear leader.

It's the story we all know. Two mediocre QBs, with different flaws and strengths. A close race, no obvious winner means fans will just call for the backup to get a chance after our starter has a few bad games.

I bet, like always, we have more than one starting QB this season.

I'm sure A&M fans said the same things when Johnny Manziel won the job in fall camp.

http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-footba...ziel-starting-quarterback-texas-am/in/3010168

 

[bozclone]

I am just ready to pick one and get after it. I personally don't have a favorite. I figure both will see playing time, because both have experience and the difference isn't great between the two. I hope whoever starts opening day, really takes the job and plays great. if that happens, I think we will surprise may people.

 

[swarthmoreCY]

How can you NOT choose Sam after this!

[video=youtube;H6hvOcsXdm8]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6hvOcsXdm8&list=UUOzN9D4MUO5jYbCSEE2iYEA[/video]

(Yeah, I know it was Kansas, but DANG he looked good that night ...)

I think he is the only guy that made plays in that video that is still on the team.

I get that. But these guys ARE playing for the same team, not one is better than the other. My issue is how the games are won/loss..Grant bringing us back to win the biggest comeback in school history on the road..with nothing on the line except to get our 3rd win of the whole year is impressive..now matter who your preference at QB is.

One reason why it was a comeback was due to our offense in the first half. SR against UT was more impressive.

 

[CycloneErik]

I'm sure A&M fans said the same things when Johnny Manziel won the job in fall camp.

http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-footba...ziel-starting-quarterback-texas-am/in/3010168

Nothing against our guys, but they're not Johnny Manziel. That's not a knock, just pointing out a very illogical comparison here.

 

[swarthmoreCY]

Nothing against our guys, but they're not Johnny Manziel. That's not a knock, just pointing out a very illogical comparison here.

They do not need to be for me to get excited, so in that sense it still is valid.

 

[ISUCubswin]

How I look at it:

Sam is older. He's always impressed me when healthy. Our losses were never on him, except for his horrible bowl game performance in Memphis, but he was sick.

People that say we won more with Rohach need to realize his wins were against Kansas and West Virginia, not exactly the top teams to beat.

He had a higher QB rating, was less than 2% off of Rohach on completions, and his TD:INT ratio is much better.

Rohach threw 28 less passes than Richardson, but had 1 more interception. And realize that 75% of those passes were bubble screens.

Richardson is better when running the qb option, and had nearly 2 yards more/average carry than Rohach.

 

[ISUCY23]

How I look at it:

Sam is older. He's always impressed me when healthy. Our losses were never on him, except for his horrible bowl game performance in Memphis, but he was sick.

People that say we won more with Rohach need to realize his wins were against Kansas and West Virginia, not exactly the top teams to beat.

He had a higher QB rating, was less than 2% off of Rohach on completions, and his TD:INT ratio is much better.

Rohach threw 28 less passes than Richardson, but had 1 more interception. And realize that 75% of those passes were bubble screens.

Richardson is better when running the qb option, and had nearly 2 yards more/average carry than Rohach.

Sam sucked against WV his freshman year too

 

[ISUCubswin]

Sam sucked against WV his freshman year too

13/31 = bad

3 TDs, 0 INTS = good

119 rush yards = good

 

[Stormin]

Sam sucked against WV his freshman year too

Really? Because I was there that day. IMO, it was the touch pass from Geno Smith to Tavon Austin that cost us. Didn't realize that QB Sam B. Richardson was on defense during that play.

And following that TD, ISU drove the length of the field. And then Jeff Woody fumbled into the end zone. Which was obviously Sam B. Richardson's fault because he handed the ball off to Woody. Good grief.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNmjJTn3CsI

 

[ISUCubswin]

Really? Because I was there that day. IMO, it was the touch pass from Geno Smith to Tavon Austin that cost us. Didn't realize that QB Sam B. Richardson was on defense during that play.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNmjJTn3CsI

What really ****** me off is they literally ran that play 40% of the time all season. Then 40% of the time all season, they gave it to the running back. And then 20% of the time they just told Geno to do something crazy. And we still couldn't stop it.

 

[Luth4Cy]

Nothing against our guys, but they're not Johnny Manziel. That's not a knock, just pointing out a very illogical comparison here.

I never said they were Manziel, but if a Heisman winner can not win the job outright until August 15th, then there is no reason to believe that our guys are automatically not very good because they are still in competition.

 

[clonedude]

How can you NOT choose Sam after this!

[video=youtube;H6hvOcsXdm8]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6hvOcsXdm8&list=UUOzN9D4MUO5jYbCSEE2iYEA[/video]

(Yeah, I know it was Kansas, but DANG he looked good that night ...)

Mostly because that's not the Sam we've seen since that game.

I agree, I'd love to have that Sam back. That's just the question. Because the Sam of recent history never seems to make those same throws while standing in the pocket like that. The new and rattled Sam, is MUCH more conservative and instead of risking some of those TD throws he made against KU, will now instead just tuck it and run instead.

Messingham destroyed Sam by running him constantly and taking a beating. And now, justifiably so, Sam has nervous feet. I too hope the Sam we all saw against KU that night is back this season. If so, he should definitely start.

 

[hoosman]

SR record as starter 1-10
GR record as starter 2-1

I really don't care which guy it is. I just hope we don't have a guy playing hurt when the backup is just as good.

 

[swarthmoreCY]

SR record as starter 1-10
GR record as starter 2-1

I really don't care which guy it is. I just hope we don't have a guy playing hurt when the backup is just as good.

Simpletons and stats are always a dangerous combo.

 

[ISUCubswin]

Chance Creekmur would be 2-1 if he started the games GR did

 

[Acylum]

I don't remember blaming Sam for the losses..
I did say he was the QB for all of those losses though.. Two different things.

Yeah. Huge difference. confused:

 

[CYKOFAN]

Really? Because I was there that day. IMO, it was the touch pass from Geno Smith to Tavon Austin that cost us. Didn't realize that QB Sam B. Richardson was on defense during that play.

And following that TD, ISU drove the length of the field. And then Jeff Woody fumbled into the end zone. Which was obviously Sam B. Richardson's fault because he handed the ball off to Woody. Good grief.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNmjJTn3CsI

True. The weather conditions were bad for passing and take away that 80 yard bump pass to Austin late in the game (which was nothing but a forward hand-off), and Sam clearly outplayed Gino Smith. He may have anyway. That's why I'm hoping if it's close, Sam gets the nod. His two games as a rs freshman showed the potential he has to be an excellent Big 12 qb, and he showed guts last year being asked to play with injury nearly all year long without complaining or making excuses. I just think he's earned the right to get the first shot when healthy, and like people have said, with better o-line play and better o-coordinator, I think Sam can make the difference between the offense being mediocre or pretty good.

 

[Dandy]

Sam has been 3rd string all spring. Wouldn't be surprised to see him as a 3rd stringer all season.

So...

@BobbyLaGesse: Second straight media session Rhoads used "both" to describe QB competition. It is down to Rohach and Richardson.

@BobbyLaGesse: And then the ISU football quarterback competition was down two http://t.co/ibk1HBEkDH

 

[Doc]

Sam sucked against WV his freshman year too

No way. I was there at that game. It wasn't good weather, passing was difficult, and Sam's running really helped ISU put up points. Woody's fumble was terrible, and it sucked Givens was hurt.