Why is everyone blaming Richardson?

[swarthmoreCY]

Overrated WR group? Is that why schools like Stanford and Notre Dame offered Lazard? Is that why Montgomery was a top 150 recruit? Come on, they're the one bright part of our team. SBR is terrible and that's why our receivers don't put up great stat lines. I can tell you now that if Lazard were on a team like TCU, he would easily be averaging over 100 yards a game.

SBR had plenty of time the entire game. The o-line wasn't great (other than Campos, who was fantastic), but having five seconds most plays and just sitting around unable to make a decision is bad qb play. Like one other poster said here, look at the amount of times he missed a wide open receiver then threw his hands up to apologize. Our defense was bad, but SBR was worse and a qb is the leader of the team. Stop trying to protect him when he's a big part of the problem.

Yes, that is partially why, in addition to the enormous CF hype. Do you not know what overrated means?

No, our WR are not consistently open with the offense needing only Sam to play well to capitalize on it. Rather, just as in years past, our receivers are predominantly not open and are easy to cover. We lack the ability to stretch the field in addition to guys quickly getting in and out of space. Some of it is on the design of the offense, some Sam, but a lot also on the WR.

Systemic issues, with Sam being the least of our concerns. No QB will ever consistently play well in this offense.

 

[CyCloned]

SR needs to play better for ISU to win. I know that isn't fair, but a QB that can make plays can mask a lot of the problems we are seeing with the offense. I think he could use some help with better play calling too. There are plenty of talented WRs on this team and they cannot all be double covered. l am sure there were guys wide open yesterday, and Sam just missed them, but it is the coach's responsibility to identify what the other team's defense is doing and figure out how to attack it. They also need to figure out a way to take advantage of the tall, athletic WRs on the team.

 

[Thomasrickj]

Yes, that is partially why, in addition to the enormous CF hype. Do you not know what overrated means?

No, our WR are not consistently open with the offense needing only Sam to play well to capitalize on it. Rather, just as in years past, our receivers are predominantly not open and are easy to cover. We lack the ability to stretch the field in addition to guys quickly getting in and out of space. Some of it is on the design of the offense, some Sam, but a lot also on the WR.

Systemic issues, with Sam being the least of our concerns. No QB will ever consistently play well in this offense.

Did you notice SBR telegraphed every pass? Don't blame the receivers and say they're overrated when we have the worst qb there is.

 

[dualthreat]

Sam is an average quarterback playing a position in our offense where we need an elite player.

 

[BWRhasnoAC]

Sam did have enough time, and he did have men open. Just watch him pump fake on almost every passing down. That's indecision. Is he the only reason we lost? No, Tucker going down was huge.

 

[ISUFan22]

Sam is an average quarterback playing a position in our offense where we need an elite player.

Give me elite players on the o-line any day. Even Seneca could only go so far with that o-line once we played real competition.

 

[hoosman]

I wasn't at the game. On TV, you can't see the coverages, the defensive deployments, or which guys are open. I am forced to assume that all the receivers were tightly covered every play, because Sam had plenty of time in the pocket. I don't know if he has the arm strength to throw it deep, or if Mangino designs every play as a 2 yard gain. Also, the OL looked like they couldn't push their way out of a wet paper sack on running plays. Ryen had 1 drop against UNI - and the pass was low. Lazard has had 4 or 5 already. I don't think anyone else has a drop. Our TEs are very weak from a blocking or pass receiving standpoint. There are so many plays that never were called: tunnel screen, end around, read option, option, shovel, RB dump off over the middle, TE pass, naked boot, RB screen, sideline screen. I'd say most of the blame is on Mangino. He is supposed to call the plays and make the adjustments. How did we go from an unstoppable Offense first half to a nonexistent Offense second half?

 

[ISUonthemove]

Sam is a below average QB. He holds the ball WAY too long. I actually prefer the Sam that checked his first and second receiver, then tucked it and ran. Right now, he's keeping his head down field looking for number 3 and 4 while getting sacked

 

[UNIGuy4Cy]

That interception to King was a conundrum of SR through his his career. If you can't run the ball, you need your quarterback to play exceptional.

 

[Gunnerclone]

It seems like there must have been an emphasis on keeping SR in the pocket this offseason. Or if he does leave the pocket to run sideways and stay focused downfield. I don't know if it's to prevent injury or what but you can see SR fighting with his natural instincts out there and that is a recipe for poor QB play.

And since it was mentioned in CW's latest article hopefully I won't get banned for this but start integrating Lanning NOW. He doesn't have to start, there doesn't have to be a conspiracy or a controversy...just get him involved NOW.

 

[BCClone]

It seems like there must have been an emphasis on keeping SR in the pocket this offseason. Or if he does leave the pocket to run sideways and stay focused downfield. I don't know if it's to prevent injury or what but you can see SR fighting with his natural instincts out there and that is a recipe for poor QB play.

And since it was mentioned in CW's latest article hopefully I won't get banned for this but start integrating Lanning NOW. He doesn't have to start, there doesn't have to be a conspiracy or a controversy...just get him involved NOW.

totally agree. I told my kids that SAMs feet will win or lose the game today. Sam ran in the first 20 minutes or so. That loosened up the pass. Iowa decided to contain that and the run. He had a couple times on 1st and 2nd where he could have gotten 4-5 yards and went down on his own. He chose not to. His injury issue, imo, is why the coaches are keeping him from running. Running is his best attribute. So that is a coaching problem there, don't make a running qb try to be a passing qb.

Sams other ability is downfield throws. Iowa typically has deep safeties preventing this. Sam struggles with short passes and leading passes that are not down the middle. Where were his two tds thrown? Down the pipe.

 

[cygrads]

At this point I'm blaming MM and the rest of his coaching staff. When Iowa changed their defense in the 2nd half MM did nothing to counter - that I could tell anyway. I keep telling myself MM knows what he is doing but the first two games this season don't indicate that at all.

 

[HickoryPuke]

I like the idea of throwing Lanning in now. Is it too over-reactionary to think we are going to get the same uncomfortable, blinders-on Sam back there, to even higher levels once we get into conference play? The Paul Rhoads steamliner has already hit the iceberg early in the season, so go for it.:yes:

 

[Skidoosh]

He is a 5th year senior that lacks confidence and continues to stare down receivers.

Sounds like coaching to me.

 

[Rabbuk]

When the defense doesn't have to respect your running game it's gonna be a long day.

 

[scyclonekid]

Issues everywhere, but give Lanning some snaps. We r just in big trouble with our horrid offense come next week and in conference play

 

[scyclonekid]

We got beat in the trenches need to shore that up, but how? Recruit a lot better.

 

[ThatllDoCy]

The QB is always going to take a lot of blame, and his record as a starter is abysmal. Is it all his fault? Of course not, but when you go into the two minute drill down seven, have a pass dropped, then out of frustration toss an absolutely inexcusable interception for a Redshirt Senior QB, you deserve it.

Sam is a tough kid that has played through injury in his career and I respect that, but mentally when the going gets tough his attitude goes south real quick.

 

[Cloneman89]

The QB play in 2 games has been Division III level - overthrown balls, no touch, missed receivers, holding the ball too long, indecision - Sam needs to sit now. His record is horrendous - not all him but he has no leadership on this team. I choked when he stated he was going to be a leader this year - when you haven't been and now you want to be a leader? No skill in that department either Sam - CPR has fallen in love with this kid for personal reasons - his physical toughness or something. He cannot play QB in a Power 5 conference let alone Division 1. Time to end this debacle and play The Hack or Lanbeast - offense sputters under Sam and will continue to do that. Also wish to thank the scum sucking Clone fans who sold their tix to the f****** hok fans around me yesterday. You should go put on your Drake or Simpson gear and stay away from KU game F***wads!

 

[ClonesFTW]

It's not his fault, I've accepted Richardson for what he is... Average. Tough to make plays through the air when the D knows we can't run the ball.