So who starts at QB next week?

[CL82]

Pindell. Other than that terrible fumble he was solid. Bench him this early and you might lose him mentally. Chalk this up to opening night jitters and give him another shot.

Plus Sherriffs off the bench is a nice security blanket.

Start him against USF and the kid is really going to take a shot to his confidence. Start Sherriffs bring Pindell in if things get out of hand,

 

[freescooter]

I have to wonder if some guys maybe turned on Giants-Pats by mistake because if you watched UConn-Holy Cross it was pretty clear that Shirreffs was way better. He threw the ball better moved the chains, read the blitz better, brought a whole lot more confidence to the offense. Pindell did not "play well." With the exception of the team drive it was 3 and out after 3 and out. He had a critical fumble. His stats look ok but the eye test says different.

 

[businesslawyer]

I wouldn't be upset by any means if BS gets the start next week, but the offensive line was MUCH better with him in the game than Pindell. I can't hold that against Pindell.

The OL did look better. But was it truly better, or was there either better timing in running the plays or better reads when BS came in? I don't know -- I'm really just asking for those who know details much better than I do.

 

[JMick]

The OL did look better. But was it truly better, or was there either better timing in running the plays or better reads when BS came in? I don't know -- I'm really just asking for those who know details much better than I do.

It looks like Bryant set his protections better. I don't think Pindell ever checked the HB to pick up a blitzing safety. Bryant did it twice.

 

[businesslawyer]

I think the fans and the program need wins right now. Rebuilding is something that should happen while you try to win.

If the coaches still want to go with Pindell, that's fine with me. He's very talented. However, you might want to see what BS can do with competent coaching. Again, BS played great in the shotgun when playing catch up the last two years. He appears to be a good QB for this high speed offense.

We're 1-0. You don't play the guy who doesn't give you the best chance to win now for next year. If they are truly even, or if we're 2-7, then you can play a younger #2. But the only questions Edsall and Lashlee will be asking themselves this week is who gives them a better chance to have a winning season this year.

 

[ConnHuskBask]

Start him against USF and the kid is really going to take a shot to his confidence. Start Sherriffs bring Pindell in if things get out of hand,

This is where I'm at too. If HCRE thought after training camp that Pindell was the starter, then he by rights earned his start vs. Holy Cross.

It became apparent that the offense needed a shot in the arm and Shirreffs came in and did just that.

Starting QB isn't a permanent position, especially at UConn. USF is probably the best team we'll play all season and I think after watching the Holy Cross game, Shiffeffs has earned the right to start next Saturday.

Chances are both are going to see the field plenty this upcoming season and we'll need both of them to get better as well.

Pindell looked ok at times, but I'm not buying the logic of letting him work things out on the field, because we are here to win games again.

 

[businesslawyer]

Reality: HC wore down in the second half and BS had more time to throw than Pindell. The BIGGEST play of the game was the roughing the kicker penalty. Uconn then took the ball down the field and didn't score (failed 4th down), but it kept HC D on the field, stopped their momentum, and changed the field after that crazy punt downed at the one. If that penalty doesn't occur, uconn likely loses.

Back to the QB...neither was good. BS was so late on so many passes, his timing was terrible. he got lucky twice that defenders fell. Pindell looked lost for most of the game, bad decisions, throwing into double coverage, etc. he was also playing his first game and HC pressured him a lot more.

I hope Pindell is better than that, but I think you kep with BS. He's gonna throw a pick 6 or get his wRs killed if he continues to be that late with his passes, but could also be a reflection of lack of first string time, first game, etc. And, cannot discount that entire got a lift and played better once he was put in.

They were both awful compared to what? Tom Brady?

I'm sorry -- that's ludicrous. You just can't look at the numbers and rationally come to that level of trashing.

 

[MilliniumPrince]

Start him against USF and the kid is really going to take a shot to his confidence. Start Sherriffs bring Pindell in if things get out of hand,

Quarterback position doesn't work that way. Team needs to know who is in the cockpit. Give Pindell another start. If it goes off the rails, then you bring in BS and you stick with him no matter what (barring injury) for at least the next handful of games.

 

[ConnHuskBask]

Quarterback position doesn't work that way. Team needs to know who is in the cockpit. Give Pindell another start. If it goes off the rails, then you bring in BS and you stick with him no matter what (barring injury) for at least the next handful of games.

You don't think the team has an idea who's leading the ship after the game last night?

 

[CL82]

Quarterback position doesn't work that way. Team needs to know who is in the cockpit. Give Pindell another start. If it goes off the rails, then you bring in BS and you stick with him no matter what (barring injury) for at least the next handful of games.

Have you been watching UConn football, because that has been our narrative, a lot.

Ideally, I love to have one guy go to guy leading the team and yes I think that's optimal. I don't think Pindell, who struggled against Holy Cross, is going find the reads easier against USF. Putting him in there has the potential to kill his confidence. I think Bryant is more ready to deal with the speed of the game and the pressure he'll be under. But the bottom line is that the OL has to give these guys more time. If that doesn't happen and the game get out of hand, I have not problem with bring in the #2 (or maybe the 1b) QB.

 

[Exit 4]

Quarterback position doesn't work that way. Team needs to know who is in the cockpit. Give Pindell another start. If it goes off the rails, then you bring in BS and you stick with him no matter what (barring injury) for at least the next handful of games.

My concern is that pindell will bomb out early next week and BS will be back in, then what? BS will have to be your guy for several games after that point because I don't think your do that three weeks in a row.

I think it's easier to tell Pindell that for this one week we are going with BS and that he better study hard to be ready for week three.

 

[HomeKing93]

I'm fine with whatever decision Edsall makes on the starter next week, I'm more concerned with the OL opening up the running game in the 1st half.

 

[blue93]

The OL did look better. But was it truly better, or was there either better timing in running the plays or better reads when BS came in? I don't know -- I'm really just asking for those who know details much better than I do.

BS seems to be better at setting protections, but he also had the benefit of a worn down defense. There's really no way of knowing what that game would have looked like with BS at the helm from the get-go, but I don't think the end result would have been all that different. I'll trust the staff to make the right choice over the next week.

 

[Guapo]

Honestly, both QBs showed me something last night.

The lack of production was not Pindell's fault.

The OL is stinky Swiss cheese.

I would be perfectly fine with either QB getting the start, though I may lean toward Scheirffs due to experience.

I think it could be benifitial to Pindell to get some snaps in to gain experience against a quality defense (you gotta learn somehow).

 

[Jimdish255]

Have you been watching UConn football, because that has been our narrative, a lot.

Ideally, I love to have one guy go to guy leading the team and yes I think that's optimal. I don't think Pindell, who struggled against Holy Cross, is going find the reads easier against USF. I think put him in there has the potential to kill his confidence. I think Bryant is more ready to deal with the speed of the game and the pressure he'll be under. But the bottom line is that the OL has to give these guys more time. If that doesn't happen and the game get out of hand, I have not problem with bring in the #2 (or maybe the 1b) QB.

Good summary. OL needs to get better but right now BS is the guy to right the ship. And it's both possible and likely we see Pindell again because he has the tools, but is lacking in experience and familiarity with this team. His frustration with himself and the OL is a reflection of his high standards and is understandable, but he does need to stay connected even when things go bad. He'll recover and come back stronger. I'm not giving up against USF, but the coaches have a lot of evaluating to do quickly. The good news is some questions were answered (Hopkins), but others were never even asked (TE's?) and hopefully they recognize those areas as well.

 

[Bonehead]

They were both awful compared to what? Tom Brady?

I'm sorry -- that's ludicrous. You just can't look at the numbers and rationally come to that level of trashing.

If stats mean anything the QB play was actually pretty good from what we have seen in the recent past.
Can both guys be better? Sure. Are there other QBs that are better? Sure.


Bryant looked more settled and in control of the offense overall.

Pindell showed his quick release and mobility.

Future is bright at QB - I say Bryant starts but I am wrong alot of the time.

 

[J187Money]

It is interesting - without the two short field touchdowns we gave up because of the fumbles Pindell probably never gets pulled. He played ok. Better than I expected. And yes one of the fumbles was his. But it isn't like he threw 3 picks and looked like a moron out there. We have seen truly bad QB play, and that wasn't it. Just so happened in the game circumstances that we needed a hero - he wasn't it, and BS was.

So I feel like we have 2 healthy and competent QBs on the roster - which is 2 more than we have had in a long time. So I'm less concerned about who starts next week. I'd lean towards BS but won't be upset if it is DP.

 

[ShakyTheMohel]

And meanwhile, the losses continue to pile up. We cannot afford to lose games, period. You play the guy that gives you the best chance to win games. It's not about next year. Bobby Fiasco screwed us with his lame approach to a season, supposedly always "building for the future." The future is now.

You want examples? Try Jameis Winston. Stepped in from day one as a true freshman, and didn't have the luxury of any JUCO experience. Yeah I know we don't have any Jameis Winstons on the roster, but Pindell isn't even remotely close to Tyler Lorenzen when he came here with similar prior experience. I was at Lorenzen's first game vs. Duke. He was poised and ready to play at this level. Granted he had an OL and this team obviously doesn't, but he was a leader. The lack of an OL makes it even more imperative for Shirreffs to start. He's proven capable of performing despite that handicap.

Actually...Winston was a redshirt freshman...but I get your point.

 

[WhereistheDove?]

I'm fine with whatever decision Edsall makes on the starter next week, I'm more concerned with the OL opening up the running game in the 1st half.

This is where I settle too. I feel it's the right choice to start Bryant just based on results. That being said, either would at least be defensible

 

[UConnNick]

Start him against USF and the kid is really going to take a shot to his confidence. Start Sherriffs bring Pindell in if things get out of hand,

Pindell already took a shot to his confidence last night vs. a mediocre I-AA team. I don't even want to think about what will happen if he plays vs. a real football team like USF. We could easily lose by 40 or 50 points. Even with Shirreffs it's gonna be real ugly, but he proved last night he can lead this offense, while Pindell has a whole lot of work to do in that regard.

 

[huskyinfl]

The kid is human... I think anyone in that spot would feel a little dejected and hard on himself. Lot of pressure on these guys.
Basing everything on one camera shot is unfair.

Way to revise history. There were multiple shots throughout the comeback of Pindell, showing him dejected, not one moment. Agree there is pressure but it's a team game and the QB is the leader. I think he can be solid but this was Holy Cross...

 

[GetTheFacts]

I feel like pulling Pindell after his first collegiate start would affect his confidence a significant amount. Already know what to expect with Shirreffs, even though he did play well last night. I think they should give Pindell another chance and if he performs poorly, start Shirreffs in the third game.

 

[Bonehead]

I feel like pulling Pindell after his first collegiate start would affect his confidence a significant amount. Already know what to expect with Shirreffs, even though he did play well last night. I think they should give Pindell another chance and if he performs poorly, start Shirreffs in the third game.

I dont believe you can really say you know what to expect with Shirreffs - either way.

New regime, new offense, dropped lots of weight.

No one can be judged off last year, in my opinion.

 

[blue93]

Way to revise history. There were multiple shots throughout the comeback of Pindell, showing him dejected, not one moment. Agree there is pressure but it's a team game and the QB is the leader. I think he can be solid but this was Holy Cross...

To be honest I'd be more concerned if he didn't look dejected. Hopefully he comes back ready to redeem himself when his number is called again.

 

[BlueMAB]

Part of the reason it worked last night was the other team wasn't prepared for him. So, yes the offense looked better with him...for one quarter. Pindell completed almost 70% of his passes and was starting to be effective on the ground. Kid better learn how to carry a football.....

LOL. They ran the same offense, you think it worked because Holy Cross wasn't prepared for Shirreffs? That's such a weak excuse.

Pindell completed "almost 70%"? Cool story. FYI he completed 67%, which is pretty good. But Shirreffs completed 69% and had a touchdown. Also, Shirreffs averaged 9.5 yards per completion to Pindell's 5.5. And he didn't turn the ball over.

The nail in the coffin? Shirreffs QBR was 97.1. Pindell's was 35.1

Give Pindell another start.

To quote Randy Edsall "It's earned, not given".

Unless he has a really bad week of practice, Shirreffs has earned the start next week.

And no, you don't know what he'd look like over 4 quarters with this staff, because you've never seen him play 4 quarters with this staff. You can assume, you can believe, you can predict, but you don't know. Even your "he plays better in the second half" logic is flawed because the 3rd/4th quarter was his 1st/2nd quarter of the game.

 

[UConnNick]

I don't think that it is good for the kid or the program to name someone a starting qb and then not start him more than once. Looks like the coaches understand that if a starter is not doing the job, for whatever reason, there will be a change - don't think that would have happened with last 2 HCs. Pindell did have decent stats and I am convinced he has the tools to be very very good. He needs to start next Saturday but needs to understand that if it is not going well, BS is going in. And BS needs to know that he will be on the sidelines Saturday but be assured that they will call his number. It is a luxury to have - now lets work on that OL

You're suggesting we keep starting this kid when he looked like a deer in the headlights vs. a mid-level I-AA team? We will get crucified by USF with him in there. I'll predict right now that if he starts we lose by 40 points or more. I hope I'm wrong, but I also hope I don't have to find out.

It's nothing against him, he's having to perform behind the same dumpster fire OL we saw last season. He showed flashes of what he's capable of doing, but he's having to make quicker decisions than he would prefer to have to, thanks to an OL that's like a sieve. On top of that, he's got the added pressure vs. USF of 1) playing against arguably the best team in our conference, and 2) having to play with one eye over his shoulder, figuring he's gonna get yanked at any moment in the game when he screws up. That's a prescription for destroying the kid's confidence completely in Game 2 of a 12 game season. Pindell may be the answer on a longer term basis, but he's not going to be vs. USF.

 

[tduconn]

By that logic, why play Pindell this season if next year he's just going to be a senior too?

Because he may be the only experienced QB available to play in 2018. If there is someone else on the bench (2017) that may be selected as starting QB over him next year, he may be just as valuable to them as an experienced peer as BS may be to Dave this year

 

[businesslawyer]

BS seems to be better at setting protections, but he also had the benefit of a worn down defense. There's really no way of knowing what that game would have looked like with BS at the helm from the get-go, but I don't think the end result would have been all that different. I'll trust the staff to make the right choice over the next week.

That's where I am. If they go with Pindell, I am fine with it as well.

 

[Matt10]

Nothing to do with how he played. I was sitting behind the uconn bench, one thing I didn't like about Pindell when Uconn scored the go ahead touchdown he didn't go congratulate the team, he just stood right on the side line looking out on the field and wasn't evolved in any offense meeting from that time on. just something that caught my eye

 

[businesslawyer]

View attachment 24531


If stats mean anything the QB play was actually pretty good from what we have seen in the recent past.
Can both guys be better? Sure. Are there other QBs that are better? Sure.


Bryant looked more settled and in control of the offense overall.

Pindell showed his quick release and mobility.

Future is bright at QB - I say Bryant starts but I am wrong alot of the time.

My point exactly. With what he did physically, he didn't suck. Was he in some way responsible -- by timing, or reads, or calling blocking schemes, or otherwise -- for the failure of our OL to keep Arkeel from being consistently overrun? I just don't know enough to know. But his passing was not horrific, and he looks like he can run.