Ramsey named Starting QB

[fpeaugh]

I am disappointed in Dawkins’ fumble-itis bug he seemed to have contracted in fall camp. I wouldn’t start somebody who is turnover prone until they get that out of their system. Take care of the football. They put all three in pressure situations and two of the kids showed a propensity to fumble snaps and make dangerous throws. What would you do as a coach? Dawkins will play. If Ramsey underperforms you can be sure that he’ll be out.

I agree with you on that. I trust the staff to decide which QB puts us in the best position to win. I was just hoping there’d be a better option. Maybe there will be later in the season or maybe Ramsey really has made a big jump and he can be a serviceable QB.

 

[h20pls]

I have to admit, I was wary of CTA, at first. But, I am slowly learning to trust him, his judgement and his football acumen. If he says Ramsey's arm is up to the task, I'm willing to trust him.

As am I.

 

[IUCol]

Also, even if Ramsey stays healthy, we are still going to see Dawkins/Penix in some capacity. Allen said all 3 would play. How heavily they will be rotated in remains to be seen. I predominantly expect that they will be used situationally, but Dawkins I think will at some point get more of an extended shot to see how much his running ability elevates his performance from practice where that is limited.

Maybe Dawkins is better off helping us by having the ball handed or tossed to him on the option. Make a situational RB out of him.

 

[iubud]

It is a good sign that we brought in an experienced QB and Ramsey was able to win the starting job in a 3 way race. That isn't to say that Dawkins isn't capable of being the starter. Without ever seeing Dawkins play, it is hard to know just how we will use him,. From what I have learned about Dawkins, he might be a better running QB, but not as accurate as Ramsey. I would expect games that Dawkins skills may be more effective than others.

I am usually not a fan of QB rotations I prefer a QB to play every down and be the leader of the offense. But, too many times we have lost a QB for the conference schedule or before a winnable game. I support playing Dawkins and Penix if it keeps Ramsey healthy and fresh without sacrificing production.

I would be interested to see a depth chart on both sides of the ball. How have the transfers settled into the lineup and what will our O-line look like?

 

[Courtsensetwo]

The new redshirt rules come at a good time for this situation.

 

[Larryismyname]

Maybe Dawkins is better off helping us by having the ball handed or tossed to him on the option. Make a situational RB out of him.

He’ll stay at quarterback, and they’ll never be on the field together.

 

[travlinhoosier]

And a better OL.

 

[h20pls]

I agree with you on that. I trust the staff to decide which QB puts us in the best position to win. I was just hoping there’d be a better option. Maybe there will be later in the season or maybe Ramsey really has made a big jump and he can be a serviceable QB.

I hear you fpeaugh...but to get this program where we want to be...be it this year or in the future...we don't need a "serviceable" QB (or OL or DL or LB corps....etc.) So here's to hoping that Ramsey has taken a leap from last year...I'm going to believe that he has.

I'm in for CTA. I'm supporting this coach.

Go Hoosiers!

 

[Larryismyname]

And a better OL.

I think this is far and away the biggest issue on offense. Have real concerns about the O line.

 

[mobilehoosier]

So the coaches kid from Cincinnati gets the start. I'm feeling good about the choice. I truly expected Dawkins to take it but PR won it. It's actually a good story and might pay dividends in recruiting with local coaches and kids from midwest.
Anyone have a similar take?
Go Hoosiers!

 

[limestonecowboy]

I think this is far and away the biggest issue on offense. Have real concerns about the O line.

Why?

 

[Larryismyname]

Why?

It wasn’t an effective unit last year, pure and simple. They lack size and athletic ability and, until we see a much different level of performance, they must be considered a big area of concern.

 

[HermanB]

Two members of the OL are on the Senior Bowl watch list. Cronk will also likely play on Sundays. Sounds like a position of strength to me.

 

[IndyIUFan66]

I’d say OL will be improved due to age (yr older), S&C improvement, no injuries and more depth.

But think have to take view we need to see it first given last years OL was mediocre, so since it’s basically same line, they do need to show the improvement, not is talk about pre-season.

I’m bullish, but do think Hiller has some pressure on him for his group here and run game results.

 

[gulcherboy]

Maybe Dawkins is better off helping us by having the ball handed or tossed to him on the option. Make a situational RB out of him.

Can we please have some plays that begin with a toss from Ramsey to Dawkins and then a run-or-pass option? And let's not make such plays red-zone-only plays; let's run them on second and seven from our own 32 just to see where they take us.

 

[Bowlmania]

Two members of the OL are on the Senior Bowl watch list. Cronk will also likely play on Sundays. Sounds like a position of strength to me.

Martin and Linder.

Agreed.

 

[Larryismyname]

Two members of the OL are on the Senior Bowl watch list. Cronk will also likely play on Sundays. Sounds like a position of strength to me.

Anyone who watched them play last season wouldn’t seriously refer to it as a position of strength.

 

[h20pls]

Anyone who watched them play last season wouldn’t seriously refer to it as a position of strength.

Well this is the "triple net" of this conversation...yes? Will QB be a strength for us...and how will the OL factor in?

 

[Larryismyname]

Well this is the "triple net" of this conversation...yes? Will QB be a strength for us...and how will the OL factor in?

It’s a great question with no clear answer. Dawkins was aggressively pursued because the I coaches knew they had to upgrade the qb position asap, even with the addition of Penix. He was the presumptive starter.

So, was he not as good as they thought / hoped he would be, or did Ramsay elevate his play well beyond last year, when teams knew they could play shallower, allow him to throw underneath, and still get off the field? I guess we’ll see next weekend.

As to the question of offensive position groups, I think only the slots and wideouts can be considered strengths at this point. Too much uncertainty at TE, OL, RB and QB to rate them at that level.

 

[turney333]

It’s a great question with no clear answer. Dawkins was aggressively pursued because the I coaches knew they had to upgrade the qb position asap, even with the addition of Penix. He was the presumptive starter.

So, was he not as good as they thought / hoped he would be, or did Ramsay elevate his play well beyond last year, when teams knew they could play shallower, allow him to throw underneath, and still get off the field? I guess we’ll see next weekend.

As to the question of offensive position groups, I think only the slots and wideouts can be considered strengths at this point. Too much uncertainty at TE, OL, RB and QB to rate them at that level.

I think Dawkins was pursued for depth more than anything. Even if the coaches were comfortable with Ramsey, it still makes to aggressively pursue other options, because without Dawkins, we would be an injury away from a true frosh being our only scholarship QB.

 

[i'vegotwinners]

I agree with you on that. I trust the staff to decide which QB puts us in the best position to win. I was just hoping there’d be a better option. Maybe there will be later in the season or maybe Ramsey really has made a big jump and he can be a serviceable QB.

sorry you didn't get to see him play healthy last yr.

looked great for a freshman QB.

i'll never understand the obsession of many here with thinking whomever can throw it the farthest should be the guy. with whomever can throw it the second farthest is next on the depth chart, and so on.

 

[i'vegotwinners]

He’ll stay at quarterback, and they’ll never be on the field together.

never say never.

 

[Larryismyname]

I think Dawkins was pursued for depth more than anything. Even if the coaches were comfortable with Ramsey, it still makes to aggressively pursue other options, because without Dawkins, we would be an injury away from a true frosh being our only scholarship QB.

Graduate transfers don’t go somewhere to be depth, they go to play, and he was brought in to play. This is especially true given how they went after him even after getting a high profile kid like Penix at mid year.

 

[Larryismyname]

never say never.

I suppose they could run a gimmick play like that, but it would be a once-in-a-season kind of thing. This isn’t youth league football.

 

[i'vegotwinners]

i see the trolls have taken over the thread.

Ramsey will be the best QB IU has had in yrs, and nice to have depth there as well.

 

[IndyIUFan66]

Don't think anyone is 100% guaranteed to start anywhere. But anyone who is observant knows the 1-play away motto is ever so true w/QB's. Sudfeld got hurt. Lagow got hurt. Ramsey got hurt.

Sure the 2 non-starters are disappointed, and maybe Dawkins the most as a grad-transfer, but he was not going to start at AZ, though he would have been #2 I presume, and don't believe Allen told him "You're it for sure if you come here". He didn't have a spring practice this year! Of course he was rusty.

I think he'll see time for packages, a possible injury or yes, if Ramsey can't get things going. But I think people are underestimating Ramsey's smarts, toughness, ball protection and accuracy. Plus now extra weight and speed. I believe he's going to have a great year and the others will still see time as well.

 

[turney333]

Graduate transfers don’t go somewhere to be depth, they go to play, and he was brought in to play. This is especially true given how they went after him even after getting a high profile kid like Penix at mid year.

From Dawkins perspective, yes he wants somewhere that he has a chance to play and didn't come here just to be depth. From the coaches perspective, however, they just want as much depth and talent as they can get. I'm not suggesting that the coaches lied to Dawkins, (I'm sure they honestly felt that he could compete for the job), but just that getting a starter wasn't their primary objective. Yes, Penix was a big get, but we'd have still just been left with 2 scholarship QBs, which is a very dangerous position to be in.

 

[kmathum]

sorry you didn't get to see him play healthy last yr.

looked great for a freshman QB.

i'll never understand the obsession of many here with thinking whomever can throw it the farthest should be the guy. with whomever can throw it the second farthest is next on the depth chart, and so on.

you're right. lagow could throw it through a brick wall. but he wasn't a good qb.

 

[h20pls]

sorry you didn't get to see him play healthy last yr.

looked great for a freshman QB.

i'll never understand the obsession of many here with thinking whomever can throw it the farthest should be the guy. with whomever can throw it the second farthest is next on the depth chart, and so on.

No I saw him play...I think arm strength is a legit concern

 

[i'vegotwinners]

No I saw him play...I think arm strength is a legit concern

i'm glad you aren't on the staff.

 

[fpeaugh]

sorry you didn't get to see him play healthy last yr.

looked great for a freshman QB.

i'll never understand the obsession of many here with thinking whomever can throw it the farthest should be the guy. with whomever can throw it the second farthest is next on the depth chart, and so on.

Again, I’m not saying Ramsey isn’t the best option. I have no idea. I don’t see them in practice every day.

I’m just saying I was hoping there would be a better option. Again, not saying there is. Was just expecting there to be. But if Ramsey is the best option I’ll root my butt off for the kid. I’ll never question that he’s a hard worker and good leader.

 

[Indianaftw]

Again, I’m not saying Ramsey isn’t the best option. I have no idea. I don’t see them in practice every day.

I’m just saying I was hoping there would be a better option. Again, not saying there is. Was just expecting there to be. But if Ramsey is the best option I’ll root my butt off for the kid. I’ll never question that he’s a hard worker and good leader.

Exactly...we will have to watch a couple games to see what we got. In a wait and see mode for now. Sucks about Ellison though.