The Lions' Pride

md154, here is what I don't get. Why are you making him out to be an accurate passer when that has never really been a strength of his? Bolden's Sr. year stats were 72 for 152 (47%) for 1013 yards and 7 tds. Now, he also ran a lot more in HS than he has in college, and while I get he was not at a passing school, he did have a D1 receiver on his side of the ball. As a freshman, he was 58% accuracy, however, there was very little film available early in the season for DC to prepare for him. Most analysis of him were that he had a major league arm, but need help with his touch and getting air under the ball for long throws. Again, not really much different than what we see today.

I am not anti-Bolden at all. I have wanted him to step up and be the guy, but he has not done that. Is the playcalling helping him???? Probably not. However, he can't continue to throw screens that are horrible and going to get a receiver killed, or balls behind receivers or at ref's feet, and expect to still be in the game. That has nothing to do with playcalling, but it is execution.

Bolden was not Jimmy Claussen coming out of high school (not that I liked that kid at all) so please everyone stop making it like he was this kid that had all of these skills and put up huge numbers and has regressed. He performed well last year, even though he should have been redshirted. Unfortunately, he has not improved and I believe he is mentally shot right now.

md154, please tell me how many reps someone needs to throw a screen pass? How many reps does someone need to hit a wide open receiver standing in the middle of the field???? I mean, really, game experience is certainly important. However, at what point do you stop making excuses for someone based on reps?????

For timing routes or out patterns where guys are making their breaks and you have to throw the ball before they are looking - I can see MAYBE a little bit. But come on, someone should have enough reps in a few practices to make some of the throws that he is missing. Reps have NOTHING to do with RB's issues right now, so please stop saying that. He has played for nearly 1 1/2 seasons, which is more than some kids play in a whole career in college. Yes he is young, but his issues are in his confidence. He may be better with different coaching, but he has to make the best of what he has right now or it won't really matter much.

This isn't peewee ball and you don't keep getting reps in hopes you get better. At some point you are expected to produce. In my opinion Bolden is lucky to get any snaps this weekend, let alone start the game. Joe must have really had to talk them into staying for him to allow this to keep going on right now. Most see MM has limitations, but he at least can see pressure and doesn't throw a rocket on a 5 foot pass. Injury aside this may be Rob's last week to see reps if he has another subpar showing. Reps are not required, they have to be earned as well. We all were hopeful that Rob would step it up and take the job this year, he hasn't. That isn't on MM or Joe...it's on him at some point in time. Just like it's on him to win it.

This whole story is just driving me absolutely crazy.

Joe wanted to get Clark more reps but didn't, wished he had given Robinson more reps when Mills was around (but didn't). All of a sudden he's afraid to name a QB a starter and give him all of the reps. I'd love to know what promises he made to Blocker so he wouldn't transfer.

Not buying that at all. He also comes in later on in the game too sometimes. It's not fair for either QB but you only tend to make excuses for one. Bottom line is MM will make mistakes, but he is playing more confident football right now. The team is 5-1 and you can't coddle the soph anymore in hopes he gets it. He had his time on the pot...it's about time to get off.

Can't dismiss your perspective. I just don't know if we go 8-4 under MM or 10-2 under RB or vice versa. From what I've seen so far I can understand the missiveness of the coaching staff. So we go with the current 2 and finsh what? 6-6, 7-5, or 9-3? I still dunno, but the 2011 team strength is based on DEE-FENCE and as long as we stay strong there, with no more major injuries, then the sky's the limit. And I have to believe that with each game, the O gets more experience, even if they make a step backward like they did last Satruday. I don't think we can get any worse overall, and that gives me confidence.

Cheers!

Kirk

That is correct. It was a brown medical wrap, not the black Nike bands that many players wear. So something definitely was up. he took a shot directly on that spot on the pass he completed to the Ump.

I have zero doubt it probably affected him a bit on his last few throws and there is no way he's going to be like "yeah it hurts...take me out so I can just watch MM be given the job again like last year."