Arnaud vs. Meyer

[djkent01]

Meyer to Blythe. I can't imagine why anyone that is a true Cyclone fan would bother wasting their breath on saying negative things about these two. Were they the greatest individual players in ISU history? Nope. But what they did as freshmen/sophomores speaks volumes for their character and ability, and for the supporting cast that was left around them, and for the results of the last few seasons.

Brett may go down as the most undrerrated QB in ISU history along with John Quinn.

[CF_Cyclone]

I can remember many times when we had a receiver streaking down field wide open only to have Meyer over throw him. It seemed like every game there was at least one instance where this happened. I personally like AA better on the deep routes, he seemed to be at least closer to the receiver, Meyer's passes were either over or under thrown and typically the deep passes that were caught were due to good job on the receiver to come back or Blythes ability to jump. I will give Meyer credit in that he was better on the fade pattern, but I believe AA will improve.

[ISUFan22]

In '07, I was very disappointed in how long it took Meyer to really pick up the offense - maybe it just wasn't suited to his style? I don't know.

Actually, our new QB coach changed nearly everything about Meyer - from how long he held the ball to how he took the snap from under center. His fundamentals were a mess. He often took a false step out from under center with his left foot as well as separated his hands when he took the snap. He liked to hitch a lot and move around when he didn't need to in the pocket. But as we know, most of the time in '06 - he had to move around.

There are a number of other things. Generally - Meyer was good for us - but he could have been much, much better. That's what happens when you have great potential but no one behind you pushing ya.

[Al_4_State]

I've always given Meyer a bit of a pass his last couple years because the line play was atrocious, and he took some absolute slobber knocking hits. The kid was tough, no doubt, and of solid character. I don't think he was a great QB. He played well when he had time, but it seemed when he didn't have time, he was very ineffective. Obviously, it's tough to make plays when you are running for your life, but I think Arnaud clearly does this better than Meyer did. He has made some very good throws with a man bearing down on him, and then taken a massive shot after he got the ball out. Also, I've seen a few plays this year where Meyer would have been sacked and Arnaud avoided the sack, and usually turned the play into positive yardage. Everyone keeps comparing Arnaud's stats this year to Meyer's sophomore year, but forget Meyer took 75% of the snaps his freshman year. Arnaud took 10%. Also, Arnaud is playing behind a much worse line. The fact that A-Rob got 700 something yards splitting time behind that line speaks volumes to how good HE is. Same for Arnaud putting up similar stats to Meyer's 2nd year as starter, as a 1st year starter, playing behind a much weaker line.

[djkent01]

Here's something I don't know - but believe. I would like someone to look up how well Meyer fared during two minute drills. My recollection is that he was pretty fantastic when he ran the hurry up. That is an IIRC - I have no stats to back it up, I just remember being confident we'd do domething at the end of the half, especially the 1st half. Somehow, again IIRC, he almost always got it done.

For some reason, it always seemed like our defense was on the field the last two minutes in '08 in both halves, and that made difference in an awful lot of ball games.

IF - and a big IF - I'm correct, what does that mean?

[ISUAlum2002]

Here's something I don't know - but believe. I would like someone to look up how well Meyer fared during two minute drills. My recollection is that he was pretty fantastic when he ran the hurry up. That is an IIRC - I have no stats to back it up, I just remember being confident we'd do domething at the end of the half, especially the 1st half. Somehow, again IIRC, he almost always got it done.

For some reason, it always seemed like our defense was on the field the last two minutes in '08 in both halves, and that made difference in an awful lot of ball games.

IF - and a big IF - I'm correct, what does that mean?

I remember advocating going into the hurry-up more often a LOT during the 2006 season, and some during the 2007 season.

I was begging Mac and the coaching staff to let Bret put the offense into hurry-up more because he was pretty effective in those situations and we were able to put defenses on their heels. I know why they wouldn't though, they were trying to protect the defense in 2006 and limit the TOP for other teams, which is fine, if you have an effective running game. But we didn't.

[ISUclones33]

I thought we needed hurry up a little more this season.

[ISUAlum2002]

I thought we needed hurry up a little more this season.

I agree. Other teams were burying our defense even worse in hurry-up than at standard pace. We moved the ball VERY well in hurry-up.

[djkent01]

I thought we needed hurry up a little more this season.

I agree.

You really need to change your signature picture. I have a hard time actually reading what you write. No offense if that's your girl, but that is a beautiful woman and she does it for me.

[SmokinH2O]

Any stats on number of sacks each had during soph year?

I just thought AA looked like and played like a QB that “got it” all year. Meyer at times looked like he had no sense of urgency (or quickness) and would give up the most frustrating sacks at the most inopportune times. AA earned lots of respect from me for playing tough and keeping his head up. If you think about it (put yourself inside AA's head), this year had to be one of the worst he could have every thought about yet he didn't worry about what others were thinking or the last play. He just went on to the next play and tried to execute.

Props to AA, he's tough kid and he represented ISU very well. I'm proud he's a Clone. Looking forward to 09 and beyond.