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Topic: If Vick is ready to play, who starts?

Topic: If Vick is ready to play, who starts?

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OhioCatFan
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If Vick is ready to play, who starts?

Posted: 10/23/2014 10:35:48 AM

Just curious about what you guys and gals think.

My own feeling is that in that scenario Sprague has earned the right to start, but that Vick should get significant minutes and, depending on how he performs in say the second or third series, could get the majority of reps for the rest of the game or sit back on the bench.

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Ted Thompson
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RE: If Vick is ready to play, who starts?

Posted: 10/23/2014 10:43:21 AM

Vick. He's a better QB IMO.

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Bcat2
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RE: If Vick is ready to play, who starts?

Posted: 10/23/2014 10:55:44 AM

OhioCatFan wrote:

Ohio's offense asks a lot of the QB. I would hope Mr. Vick allows himself time to recover to 100%. Then, Vick is the man. Understanding their would be a game or two required for him to appear his old self. JMHO. You asked for it, you got it.

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UpSan Bobcat
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RE: If Vick is ready to play, who starts?

Posted: 10/23/2014 10:59:07 AM

I know it's a small sample size, but I agree with Ted. The numbers clearly show Vick is a better QB. Vick's efficiency rating is 147.3 and ranks him near the top of the MAC. Sprague's is 99.9 Completion percentages: 61.5-48.8. Vick has more TD passes 4-3 despite only one-third of the passing attempts. Vick averages way more yards per attempt and even more yards per attempt. I know all things aren't necessarily equal based on who and when they were playing, but it's pretty obvious Vick is better. Sprague's best asset is his running ability, but I believe Vick is at least as good in that aspect as well. The only question is whether Vick is ready to perform at his best.

Last Edited: 10/23/2014 10:59:54 AM by UpSan Bobcat

L.C.
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RE: If Vick is ready to play, who starts?

Posted: 10/23/2014 11:18:27 AM

UpSan Bobcat wrote:

...The only question is whether Vick is ready to perform at his best.

Indeed, this is the question. He may be ready to play some, but I don't know that he's ready to play the whole game. I would suspect Sprague will start, and Vick will play some, but not the whole game.

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Mike Johnson
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RE: If Vick is ready to play, who starts?

Posted: 10/23/2014 11:33:48 AM

If the coaches conclude that Vick is ready to play, he should start and go the route if he's able - and I tend to think he will be. Why? I think we - uh - more senior men and women tend to forget the resilience of youth. If as has been reported young Mr. Vick has been practicing, he likely is ready to play and play long minutes.

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Paul Graham
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RE: If Vick is ready to play, who starts?

Posted: 10/23/2014 11:37:48 AM

I'd like to know why Vick wasn't given the opportunity to settle in as our starting QB early in the year. When he was in an early slump at Kentucky, he got pulled in the first (or early second) quarter. How exactly is a young QB going to get any better if they aren't allowed to struggle through a few rough patches?

From an outsider's perspective, Vick seems to be a good kid and has been committed to the program since he arrived. He put in his time and deserved a lot more from the coaching staff then he got.

UpSan Bobcat
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RE: If Vick is ready to play, who starts?

Posted: 10/23/2014 11:46:55 AM

Paul Graham wrote:

Solich said it really had nothing to do with Vick not performing. The plan all along was for Sprague to have meaningful playing time so that in the event something came up and Sprague had to play, he wouldn't be completely thrown into the fire. Turns out something did come up and Sprague was probably a bit better prepared as a result. Solich also said his intent was not for Sprague to play the entire rest of the game, but he thought Sprague was moving the ball pretty well, so he left him in. It was the same against Kent State, but Vick played so well, he never found a time to get Sprague in.

Pataskala
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RE: If Vick is ready to play, who starts?

Posted: 10/23/2014 12:01:26 PM

Paul Graham wrote:

It was a matter of who moved the team better. Vick was in for Ohio's first four drives of the UK game. The result: 3 plays, 5 yds; 5 plays, 8yds; 3 plays, 4yds; 3 plays, 3 yds. With 13:41 to go in the first half our offense had produced 20 yds in 14 plays (1.4 yds per play) and just one first down. Sprague took over with 10 min to go in the half. His first four drives were 10 plays, 49 yds; 11 plays, 51 yds in 1:45 (missed FG to end the half); 7 plays, 53 yds (FG); 3 plays, 0 yds. Total: 31 plays, 153 yds, and Ohio's only score. Yes, Vick is a good kid, but he was having an off day. Sprague is just as good a kid who lost a close battle for starting QB in camp. He deserved the time, too. He also helped the cause by keeping the defense off the field.

Vick started the next two games, and was in almost exclusively until he got hurt vs. Idaho. He would probably still be our QB if it weren't for the injury. If Vick is 90-100% Saturday, I expect that he'll start. If not, Sprague will be there, but I'm sure Vick will get some PT.

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Campus Flow
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RE: If Vick is ready to play, who starts?

Posted: 10/23/2014 12:08:21 PM

Having Vick start this week is perfect for throwing WMU off balance since they won't know what to expect. This goes in hand with other personnel changes made this week by the staff to stop the WMU running attack.

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Paul Graham
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RE: If Vick is ready to play, who starts?

Posted: 10/23/2014 12:37:26 PM

You don't pull your starting QB, his second game as a starter, and leave him out the rest of the game. As a player, that would seriously shake up my confidence...as it would anyone.

And if this is Frank's philosophy, where was it last year when we were getting the crap kicked out of us by BG and Tettleton was still on the field even in the fourth quarter? Vick got garbage time reps in a few games last year, but that's it. No meaningful playing time for the guy who you are grooming to be a starter?

Last Edited: 10/23/2014 12:38:17 PM by Paul Graham

L.C.
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RE: If Vick is ready to play, who starts?

Posted: 10/23/2014 1:00:51 PM

Paul Graham wrote:

You don't pull your starting QB, his second game as a starter, and leave him out the rest of the game. As a player, that would seriously shake up my confidence...as it would anyone.
...

Each person is different. One might have his confidence damaged by getting pulled, while another might have it damaged by leaving him in when he's frustrated, and still others might be fine either way. I guess the coaches felt he could learn more by watching from the sidelines that game. In any case, his confidence looked fine against Idaho.

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Pataskala
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RE: If Vick is ready to play, who starts?

Posted: 10/23/2014 2:47:21 PM

Paul Graham wrote:

Vick probably should've had more playing time last year, especially during the November meltdown. But T2 was the established starter last year and I don't think the coaches expected three miserable games in a row from him. This year, we didn't have an established starter going in, and really still don't. It's a different situation.

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PhiTau74
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RE: If Vick is ready to play, who starts?

Posted: 10/23/2014 3:03:50 PM

Vick definitely. Just by MAC games he is 1-0 and Sprague is 1-2. You can't judge it based on a SEC team on the road, that same team beat Florida but got screwed by an official because the time clearly ran out. KY also best a pretty good South Carolina team. Vick has a better arm from what I have seen but Sprague is definitely a good runner.

Last Edited: 10/23/2014 3:04:50 PM by PhiTau74

Valley Cat
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RE: If Vick is ready to play, who starts?

Posted: 10/23/2014 4:01:40 PM

The difference for me is Vick's accuracy. Sprague has battled but he is erratic. I applaud what Sprague has done the kid is a Bobcat but the job belongs to Vick.

Monroe Slavin
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RE: If Vick is ready to play, who starts?

Posted: 10/23/2014 6:54:08 PM

Last year, we were getting absolutely destroyed (BG, Buff, kents) so Vick should've played more. Espec because it seemed like qb was a lot of the problem (no running from that spot).

If that was not a circumustance to at least try the back-up, then what would be?

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RE: If Vick is ready to play, who starts?

Posted: 10/23/2014 11:39:10 PM

Need at least two qb's with experience. What % of schools are forced to use their back-up(s) each year? Gotta be a high %.

Sprague is a better, more elusive, stronger runner. Vick throws the fade and deep ball better. Start Vick (doubt he'll be ready this week) but Sprague..and Wyndham..have reason to see the field in spots.

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Bobcatbob
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RE: If Vick is ready to play, who starts?

Posted: 10/24/2014 10:15:12 AM

Sprague reminds me of another Bobcat QB who didn't get a lot of love on this board, namely Austen Everson. He would never awe anyone who watched him play more then a few quarters but he was tough and he was fearless and he just pulling wins out of his tail right up until the bitter end.

JD doesn't yet show me the same tough run potential and I really don't care who starts but if Sprague is sent to the bench for good, I think we will have lost a valuable weapon.

L.C.
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RE: If Vick is ready to play, who starts?

Posted: 10/24/2014 11:57:38 AM

Bobcatbob wrote:

I can see that comparison. Remember, though, that Sprague is just a Sophomore, and remember also how much AE improved between his Junior and Senior season. Sprague gives it his all, and I think he'll be an asset to the program.

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OhioCatFan
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RE: If Vick is ready to play, who starts?

Posted: 10/24/2014 12:22:10 PM

I, too, like the AE comparison. I think, though, that Sprague right now is a better passer than AE -- especially on the roll out. Sprague also has more "moves" when running the ball. AE was a more punishing runner, a little like Jordan Lynch of NIU, with less talent and more guts. In terms of the "gut factor," I see AE and Sprague as very similar.

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