Rank the CAA QB's

[jstclmet]

Who do you think will have the better year. It's ok to list more than 1 choice. With only 10 choices, I had to choose a QB, thus, I went with the xfers over the incumbents, and Thorpe because he ended the season as the QB. Feel free to write in others from your favorite team. You can also change your mind and your vote;

How would you rank the following QB's;

Maine - Warren Smith, 6'1, 190
UNH - R.J. Tomain, 6'1, 195
UMass - Kyle Havens, 6'4, 220
URI - Chris Paul-Etienne, 6'3, 190
Nova - Chris Whitney, 6'2, 230
W&M - Mike Paulus, 6'5, 215
UR - Aaron Corp, 6'4, 195
UD - Pat Devlin, 6'4, 220
JMU - Justin Thorpe, 6'1, 215
JMU - Drew Dudzik, 6'1, 210
TU - Peter Athens, 6'1, 200

Kind'a get the feeling the ball will be in the air a lot in 2010.

[mcveyrl]

I think Paulus will have competition for the starting job. I can't remember his name, but I'd include the other W&M QB on there too.

[89Hen]

Nova - Chris Whitney, 6'2, 230
UD - Pat Devlin, 6'4, 220
JMU - Justin Thorpe, 6'1, 215

My three votes.

[mcveyrl]

Nova - Chris Whitney, 6'2, 230
UD - Pat Devlin, 6'4, 220
JMU - Justin Thorpe, 6'1, 215

My three votes.

I dunno 'bout Thorpe. I have this feeling that Dudzik's gonna play a lot. I really don't know why, Thorpe looked pretty good down the stretch, I just think it'll play out that way.

I would go with Devlin and Whitney as the top two, probably giving the edge to Devlin if he gets protection. (Big "if" I know).

[TARVOLD]

I think Thorpe will be great this year and will be the outright starter (with Drew's injuries and all). Thorpe at the end of the year compared to the beginning of the year is almost night and day, I thought he progressed very well.

[HenZoneNation]

As it stands I think the two top guys this year will be Devlin and Whitney. Whitney is a scrappy kid who can win big games. He's very similiar to Ward in regards to be a winner. He doesn't get rattled as seen in the first few series of the NC when he wasn't doing well at all in very porr weather conditions and then bounced back. That being said, Devlin will be the man next year. He led the CAA in total offense and passing yards per game in his first season. If our OT's can protect him and we get even an average running game he will be lights out.

My rankings go:
1) Devlin
2)Whitney
3) The rest of the pack

[Tribe4SF]

Nice of you to seed the W&M and UR jobs to Paulus and Corp, but I think Brent Caprio and John Laub may have something to say about that.

[mainejeff]

You may want to replace Maine's Warren Smith with Chris Treister. Treister ended up starting the last 2 games of the season (URI and UNH) after Smith went down and passed for 771 yards and 7 TDs.

[JMU DJ]

I think Thorpe will be great this year and will be the outright starter (with Drew's injuries and all). Thorpe at the end of the year compared to the beginning of the year is almost night and day, I thought he progressed very well.

Agreed... but we don't know what Mickey is thinking/if we will have to go through another "who's the QB gonna be" for the first 5 games again. Which was only settled by Dudzik's injury. Thorpe definitely turned it on at the end of the year, I think BDK laid out a pretty nice stat analysis somewhere on this board of Thorpes progression from the first half of the season to the second half. He's still young and will hopefully get better with his pass/run choices. That tuck and run bit was killing me at the beginning of the season.

[BDKJMU]

I think Thorpe will be great this year and will be the outright starter (with Drew's injuries and all). Thorpe at the end of the year compared to the beginning of the year is almost night and day, I thought he progressed very well.

Agreed... but we don't know what Mickey is thinking/if we will have to go through another "who's the QB gonna be" for the first 5 games again. Which was only settled by Dudzik's injury. Thorpe definitely turned it on at the end of the year, I think BDK laid out a pretty nice stat analysis somewhere on this board of Thorpes progression from the first half of the season to the second half. He's still young and will hopefully get better with his pass/run choices. That tuck and run bit was killing me at the beginning of the season.

Thorpe's last 6 games:

---Comp-Att-Int------Pct---Yards-TD--Long-Sack/Yds----Effic
UR:-----7-15-2------46.7-----87---0---43----2-13-------68.72
Nova:--13-32-0------40.6----144--0----25----1-4--------78.43
W&M:--7-17-0-------41.2----66----0 --18----3-8--------73.79

UD:-----11-15-1-----73.3-----262--1---53---0-0---------228.72
Maine----9-13-2-----69.2-----133--1---31---3-16-------149.78
UMass:--8-13-0------61.5-----120--0---42---1-12-------139.08

Granted, the 1st 3 are better defenses, but wow, he has made a HUGE improvement.

Plus aginst UMass Thorpe had a season high 89 yds on 20 carries. Take off the sack, and it was 19 for 101. He was better on the belly option and pitch option reads.

Add on Towson:
Comp-Att-Int---Pct---Yards--TD---Long--Sack--Yds-----Effic
---14---21--3---66.7---259----3-----65----1-------1------188.84

As I recall had 3 nice TD passes....and 3 GOD AWFUL HORRENDOUS picks. I don't remember the picks 3 total picks thrown in the UD and Maine games being that bad- the one in the UD game I think was even the receiver's fault, but all 3 were really bad in the Towson game.

Season total for both Dudzik and Thorpe:
PASSING---------GP---Effic-----Cmp-Att--Int---Pct-----Yards--TD---Long---Avg/G
Drew Dudzik-----5----166.9-----28---50---2---56.0-----472-----6-----65-----94.4
Justin Thorpe--11----130.8-----82---145--9---56.6----1260----6-----65-----114.5

Rushing:
RUSHING-------GP---Att---Gain---Loss---Net---Avg---TD---Long---Avg/G
Justin Thorpe--11---148---781----127----654---4.4----5-----42------59.5
Drew Dudzik----5-----36---177-----19-----158---4.4----1-----70------31.6

Same yards per carry, but Thorpe obviously ran the ball a lot more. He actually earned a nickname during the season during the season during the awful 4 game stretch vs Hofstra, UR, Nova, and W&M of "Tuck and Run" due to the fact when his 1st read wasn't open, or he didn't see an open receiver right away (often they were open, he just couldn't see them), he would just tuck and run. He was much better about not almost immediately tucking and running after that during the last 4 game stretch.

[GannonFan]

I go in this order:

Devlin
Whitney
Toman

Dudzik could be up there, but honestly, until he proves he can play in that offense and stay healthy I can't put him up there. I just see an Eric Lindros-type unlucky streak that he just can't stay healthy.

As for the guys on the list, Devlin is the best pure QB in the bunch as I still don't think much of Whitney's ability to air it out. Whitney is extremely tough though and a great decision maker, so he's there for that. But ironically the real explosiveness for nova's offense, which isn't all that explosive to begin with (they win more with defense) is when Whitney's not even under center and Szcur's in the wildcat-type formation.

Oh, and the one provision with Toman is that ranking is based upon there being no snow or inclement weather when he plays. If there's white stuff on the grade I can't even give him a ranking.

[BDKJMU]

I go in this order:

Devlin
Whitney
Toman

Dudzik could be up there, but honestly, until he proves he can play in that offense and stay healthy I can't put him up there. I just see an Eric Lindros-type unlucky streak that he just can't stay healthy.

As for the guys on the list, Devlin is the best pure QB in the bunch as I still don't think much of Whitney's ability to air it out. Whitney is extremely tough though and a great decision maker, so he's there for that. But ironically the real explosiveness for nova's offense, which isn't all that explosive to begin with (they win more with defense) is when Whitney's not even under center and Szcur's in the wildcat-type formation.

Oh, and the one provision with Toman is that ranking is based upon there being no snow or inclement weather when he plays. If there's white stuff on the grade I can't even give him a ranking.

Toman no longer will have his AA TE Sicko to throw to though...

[GannonFan]

I go in this order:

Devlin
Whitney
Toman

Dudzik could be up there, but honestly, until he proves he can play in that offense and stay healthy I can't put him up there. I just see an Eric Lindros-type unlucky streak that he just can't stay healthy.

As for the guys on the list, Devlin is the best pure QB in the bunch as I still don't think much of Whitney's ability to air it out. Whitney is extremely tough though and a great decision maker, so he's there for that. But ironically the real explosiveness for nova's offense, which isn't all that explosive to begin with (they win more with defense) is when Whitney's not even under center and Szcur's in the wildcat-type formation.

Oh, and the one provision with Toman is that ranking is based upon there being no snow or inclement weather when he plays. If there's white stuff on the grade I can't even give him a ranking.

Toman no longer will have his AA TE Sicko to throw to though...

Yeah, but to UNH's credit, they always seem to find someone from nowhere who steps up and shines for them. David Ball wasn't a much sought after recruit when he went to UNH and look what he became. Credit goes to McDonnell - he's more than lived up to the legacy that Bill Bowes left him - took him a few years to do that, but he has.

[yorkcountyUNHfan]

Toman struggled last year behind a VERY young and inexperienced o-line.

They should be better this year. RJ's success will hinge on their improvement.

[andy7171]

Not that he is going to get any votes, but Athens is redshirting this year. Towson has a juco transfer 6'3" 220 out of Tampa, FLA.

[Fact]

The most important stat for a quarterback is wins. Chris Whitney has started 30 games for Villanova in his career and his record is 25-5. None of his losses have come against a team ranked outside the top 15. I'd say a 25-5 quarterback with a national championship who was selected first team all conference by the coaches can lay claim to being the best in the CAA.

[GannonFan]

The most important stat for a quarterback is wins. Chris Whitney has started 30 games for Villanova in his career and his record is 25-5. None of his losses have come against a team ranked outside the top 15. I'd say a 25-5 quarterback with a national championship who was selected first team all conference by the coaches can lay claim to being the best in the CAA.

Sure - by that rationale, Trent Dilfer was the best QB in the NFL when the Ravens won the Super Bowl in 2001. I mean, he won and by your logic, that made hime the best. Of course, that completely ignores the fact that there are 21 other players on the field (offense and defense) who combined have more impact on winning or losing than the QB.

[bluehenbillk]

The 2 that stand out are Devlin & Whitney & they stand out for different reasons. Devlin will stand out as a NFL prospect as any scout will tell you. Whitney stands out for what he brings to the type of offense VU runs, he runs the ball well & makes few mistakes in the passing game.

Other than those 2, Thorpe & Corp might be my next grouping. Thorpe has some real rough patches this past season but I think he'll be really good CAA player & throwing Corp out there in his pedigree & potential.

[jstclmet]

The most important stat for a quarterback is wins. Chris Whitney has started 30 games for Villanova in his career and his record is 25-5. None of his losses have come against a team ranked outside the top 15. I'd say a 25-5 quarterback with a national championship who was selected first team all conference by the coaches can lay claim to being the best in the CAA.

Sure - by that rationale, Trent Dilfer was the best QB in the NFL when the Ravens won the Super Bowl in 2001. I mean, he won and by your logic, that made hime the best. Of course, that completely ignores the fact that there are 21 other players on the field (offense and defense) who combined have more impact on winning or losing than the QB.

You make a good point with respect to "Team Victory" or "Team Domination". I agree that the NC went to the entire team. I'll save the contributions of the team or the ability to adjust as a team for another thread.

As it relates to QB's, though, you could argue that we all seek different attributes in QB's, and thus our respective voting might be slanted. If you rank a QB on passing numbers alone, then those QB's on losing teams would have an advantage as they are always playing "Catch-Up", hence, they throw the ball more. The same could be said for teams that have no running game.

IMHO, most of us wants a QB, that's a good decision maker, and can make the accurate throw, when and wherever needed. The same QB, should be able to pick up a yard or two with his feet, if necessary. That said, I'll share a few examples of QB play from last year of QB's that played against Nova.

UNH vs Nova I - On a dry, but windy day, and with one bad wheel, Toman knew they could hit the "Seam" routes against Nova, and with the wind at his back for 2 qtrs, did same and came away with the win.

JMU vs Nova - JMU runs the Spread and depends on their QB to make the "Belly Read Option" plays. Thorpe in his first year, was not prepared for Nova's speed on defense, and was often confused by the pressure. In the post game press conference MM threw his RB's under the bus for poor pass protection.

UD @ Nova - Devlin put up league leading passing numbers in a losing effort. At one point in the 3rd qtr, with a 3rd & short (less than 5 yds), PD was flushed right and had a lane to pick up the first down, but chose to hold the ball. He was sacked from behind by the NG. In the post game I asked him about the play and if he doesn't like to run. He replied he would do what the team needs. KC also reflected on the play, but expressed dissappointment that PD didn't run for the FD. Prior to that game KC had gone on record at expressing dissappointment in PD's decision making.

UNH vs Nova II - Without a passing game due to the weather, UNH was forced to run. It was very apparent that UNH was not built to win against a team like Nova by just running the ball.

Montana vs Nova - Selle stated in the post game press conference, that he was instructed to take what Nova showed. Nova loaded the box in the 1st half, and UM threw with success. Nova loaded the box in the 2nd half, but changed their coverage. UM tried to throw, but was unsuccessful. Coach Hauk echoed the same instructions, and stated that UM was just hit on opportunities that were there.

With Whitney, you have a QB who will be a 4 yr Sr in 2010, who has started in each of his 3 years @ Nova, and is comfortable with the offense. He executes the belly read well, and can make the throw when he needs to. He is also willing to pull it down and run. The W's and NC speak for themselves. What more would you want in a QB??

[GannonFan]

Sure - by that rationale, Trent Dilfer was the best QB in the NFL when the Ravens won the Super Bowl in 2001. I mean, he won and by your logic, that made hime the best. Of course, that completely ignores the fact that there are 21 other players on the field (offense and defense) who combined have more impact on winning or losing than the QB.

You make a good point with respect to "Team Victory" or "Team Domination". I agree that the NC went to the entire team. I'll save the contributions of the team or the ability to adjust as a team for another thread.

As it relates to QB's, though, you could argue that we all seek different attributes in QB's, and thus our respective voting might be slanted. If you rank a QB on passing numbers alone, then those QB's on losing teams would have an advantage as they are always playing "Catch-Up", hence, they throw the ball more. The same could be said for teams that have no running game.

IMHO, most of us wants a QB, that's a good decision maker, and can make the accurate throw, when and wherever needed. The same QB, should be able to pick up a yard or two with his feet, if necessary. That said, I'll share a few examples of QB play from last year of QB's that played against Nova.

UNH vs Nova I - On a dry, but windy day, and with one bad wheel, Toman knew they could hit the "Seam" routes against Nova, and with the wind at his back for 2 qtrs, did same and came away with the win.

JMU vs Nova - JMU runs the Spread and depends on their QB to make the "Belly Read Option" plays. Thorpe in his first year, was not prepared for Nova's speed on defense, and was often confused by the pressure. In the post game press conference MM threw his RB's under the bus for poor pass protection.

UD @ Nova - Devlin put up league leading passing numbers in a losing effort. At one point in the 3rd qtr, with a 3rd & short (less than 5 yds), PD was flushed right and had a lane to pick up the first down, but chose to hold the ball. He was sacked from behind by the NG. In the post game I asked him about the play and if he doesn't like to run. He replied he would do what the team needs. KC also reflected on the play, but expressed dissappointment that PD didn't run for the FD. Prior to that game KC had gone on record at expressing dissappointment in PD's decision making.

UNH vs Nova II - Without a passing game due to the weather, UNH was forced to run. It was very apparent that UNH was not built to win against a team like Nova by just running the ball.

Montana vs Nova - Selle stated in the post game press conference, that he was instructed to take what Nova showed. Nova loaded the box in the 1st half, and UM threw with success. Nova loaded the box in the 2nd half, but changed their coverage. UM tried to throw, but was unsuccessful. Coach Hauk echoed the same instructions, and stated that UM was just hit on opportunities that were there.

With Whitney, you have a QB who will be a 4 yr Sr in 2010, who has started in each of his 3 years @ Nova, and is comfortable with the offense. He executes the belly read well, and can make the throw when he needs to. He is also willing to pull it down and run. The W's and NC speak for themselves. What more would you want in a QB??

Plus Whitney has an advantage the other QB's don't - he doesn't have to play a real game against nova's defense. Kinda like when Dilfer didn't have to play against the Ravens defense.

[danefan]

You make a good point with respect to "Team Victory" or "Team Domination". I agree that the NC went to the entire team. I'll save the contributions of the team or the ability to adjust as a team for another thread.

As it relates to QB's, though, you could argue that we all seek different attributes in QB's, and thus our respective voting might be slanted. If you rank a QB on passing numbers alone, then those QB's on losing teams would have an advantage as they are always playing "Catch-Up", hence, they throw the ball more. The same could be said for teams that have no running game.

IMHO, most of us wants a QB, that's a good decision maker, and can make the accurate throw, when and wherever needed. The same QB, should be able to pick up a yard or two with his feet, if necessary. That said, I'll share a few examples of QB play from last year of QB's that played against Nova.

UNH vs Nova I - On a dry, but windy day, and with one bad wheel, Toman knew they could hit the "Seam" routes against Nova, and with the wind at his back for 2 qtrs, did same and came away with the win.

JMU vs Nova - JMU runs the Spread and depends on their QB to make the "Belly Read Option" plays. Thorpe in his first year, was not prepared for Nova's speed on defense, and was often confused by the pressure. In the post game press conference MM threw his RB's under the bus for poor pass protection.

UD @ Nova - Devlin put up league leading passing numbers in a losing effort. At one point in the 3rd qtr, with a 3rd & short (less than 5 yds), PD was flushed right and had a lane to pick up the first down, but chose to hold the ball. He was sacked from behind by the NG. In the post game I asked him about the play and if he doesn't like to run. He replied he would do what the team needs. KC also reflected on the play, but expressed dissappointment that PD didn't run for the FD. Prior to that game KC had gone on record at expressing dissappointment in PD's decision making.

UNH vs Nova II - Without a passing game due to the weather, UNH was forced to run. It was very apparent that UNH was not built to win against a team like Nova by just running the ball.

Montana vs Nova - Selle stated in the post game press conference, that he was instructed to take what Nova showed. Nova loaded the box in the 1st half, and UM threw with success. Nova loaded the box in the 2nd half, but changed their coverage. UM tried to throw, but was unsuccessful. Coach Hauk echoed the same instructions, and stated that UM was just hit on opportunities that were there.

With Whitney, you have a QB who will be a 4 yr Sr in 2010, who has started in each of his 3 years @ Nova, and is comfortable with the offense. He executes the belly read well, and can make the throw when he needs to. He is also willing to pull it down and run. The W's and NC speak for themselves. What more would you want in a QB??

Plus Whitney has an advantage the other QB's don't - he doesn't have to play a real game against nova's defense. Kinda like when Dilfer didn't have to play against the Ravens defense.

And he gets to practice against it.

[GannonFan]

Plus Whitney has an advantage the other QB's don't - he doesn't have to play a real game against nova's defense. Kinda like when Dilfer didn't have to play against the Ravens defense.

And he gets to practice against it.

And he gets to go off to the sidelines and watch Szcur run the wildcat-type offense many times per game. Heck, Dilfer didn't even have that advantage.

[jstclmet]

And he gets to practice against it.

And he gets to go off to the sidelines and watch Szcur run the wildcat-type offense many times per game. Heck, Dilfer didn't even have that advantage.

Ahhhh, the Wildcat (actually called "Cape" @ Nova). You brought up a very good point. Actually, Whitney does not go to the sideline and watch. He's thrown many a good block for Szczur against DE's when Szczur is trying to get to the edge. How many of those other QB's are willing to do the same??? Then there's the reception, Whitney's first of his career. I forget which game, but I think it was a playoff game.

Thanks for jogging the memory GF. As usual, you're a fountain of information.

[GannonFan]

And he gets to go off to the sidelines and watch Szcur run the wildcat-type offense many times per game. Heck, Dilfer didn't even have that advantage.

Ahhhh, the Wildcat (actually called "Cape" @ Nova). You brought up a very good point. Actually, Whitney does not go to the sideline and watch. He's thrown many a good block for Szczur against DE's when Szczur is trying to get to the edge. How many of those other QB's are willing to do the same??? Then there's the reception, Whitney's first of his career. I forget which game, but I think it was a playoff game.

Thanks for jogging the memory GF. As usual, you're a fountain of information.

Sure, so now we are to believe that Whitney is primarily responsible for Szczur's success at running the offense too? You guys are too much! Hey, we get it, nova has won a lot of games over the past 2 years, and if you want to think it's all due to Whitney (although I'm sure if we had a "rank the CAA's best *fill in the blank position* thread we'd hear how a nova player should be considered the best because, well, just look at all the wins) then hey, more power to you.

[Fact]

Our Father Who Art in Newark, Patrick be thy name

All Hail Devlin