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The Big "Hack" Theory...

  • I like Hack as much as the next guy, but it's way, way too early to start tossing around labels like 'future top ten draft pick.' Goodness, he hasn't even had a senior prom yet.

    As far as the main question, itll be an open competition. If Hack wins, he plays. If he doesnt, he will most likely redshirt.

    Itsmelen ●

  • Well hopefully this doesn't turn into a Major Applewhite/ Chris Simms controversy...

    mikee2

  • I'm simply stating what the scouts are saying about his potential... The "experts" are projecting him as a future top 10 pick... Not me...

    mikee2

  • MTayl72 said...

    What do you mean now what? Now you have an extremely talented back up and a very productive starter.

    In my example, the coaching staff believes the rate of Hack's development is slowing, and only slowing because of his lack of real game experience. They believe he is on a trajectory to be better than Bench by the second half of the season. But they also think playing him would/could result in a loss or two more (earlier) than they believe they would incur with Bench at QB.

    BUT, even though he's no Dan Marino, Bench is doing well.

    Does the staff "invest" (i.e. give up something -- wins -- now, in order to *maybe* get more wins against better teams in the future) by going with Hack, or do they just keep collecting their solid/good dividends with Bench?

    BoulderFish

  • I'd consult w Dr Sheldon Cooper on this one, but beware of potential disinterest or deflecting sarcasm.

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    tdiddy ●

  • If hack comes in and wins the job he plays. If he doesnt, he shirts

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    white_out ●

  • All the praise and newspaper clippings are great... But once you suit up with everybody else on the team then it doesn't mean a thing. I am a huge fan of Hackenberg and I think his potential is through the roof - Which is very fun to discuss and think about. However he is not guaranteed a thing. Austin Whipple could start 4 years in a row.

    How quickly we forget that we just had Rob Bolden and PJ Jones get handily beat out by Matt McGloin.

    If Hackeberg is clearly one of the top two QBs on the roster - burn the redshirt. If its close and you can - go ahead and redshirt him.

    Line them up and the best player plays. Line them up next year and same thing. If Bench wins the job this year (which I fully expect him to) I have a feeling he will not go quietly into the night in the following years.

    VinegarBased63624

  • Competition every year at every position. Period.

    This post was edited by getmyjive11 on 2/27/2013 at 12:48 PM

    getmyjive11

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    I guess I should warn you, if I turn out to be particularly clear, you've probably misunderstood what I've said.

    psu2013

  • BoulderFish said...

    Ok, here is a follow-up question.

    Let's say Bench is the clear (but not by a mile) choice going into the season. The coaches can see that Hack definitely has stronger tools and considerably more upside/potential -- BUT, they also feel that as of Sept 1, Bench gives the team the best chance to win (and we and OB all want to win).

    So, Bench gets the nod, and starts off well. Doesn't blow the doors off, but plays in the same ballpark as 2012 McGloin. As he's gaining experience, just like McGloin, he keeps getting better.

    By the end of the year, he's solidly 2012 McGloin -- or maybe even a bit better. So now, he's one of the best QBs in the B1G, and only a true sophomore.

    Hack, during his redshirt year, is improving as well. But obviously practice reps aren't helping him catch up to Bench. He still clearly has superior tools and "potential," but because of Bench being solid and so much more comfortable in-game, he no closer to being the guy who gives the team the best chance to win.

    Now what?

    I know, "great problem to have" and "aren't we getting ahead of ourselves?" ... Yes, but that's what message boards are for. What would you propose we do (with Hack) going into 2014, if 2013 plays out as I described here?

    Can we then trade him for a corner and 3 draft picks/additional recruiting spots???flexlol

    ftlawdog

  • ftlawdog said...

    Can we then trade him for a corner and 3 draft picks/additional recruiting spots???flexlol

    would you really want to even if we could?

    smlion

  • Just because they redshirt him it doesn't mean he will be around for his 5th year. If he is ready, he is ready and if he beats the others out then you play him. There are plenty of players out there that get redshirted, play three years, graduate, and declare for the draft.

    PSUDOG

  • This might actually be more interesting after we see the B/W game. It is obvious that the best QB will play, whoever that is, whoever wins the job in the fall. Coaches tend to play the kids that give them the best chance to win. (Duh)

    The interesting part comes in how the three guys are handled. Combined, they have 10 years of eligibility. I don't see them all being used here.

    If Hack is not ready yet, and someone who is "average" starts before him that is the most interesting scenario. Because if Bench or Ferguson grab the job by being lights out (and outperform Hack) then we will have our starter for the next three years. Its a scenario that Ferguson came here to compete for.

    But the "average starter" scenario means open competition as an ongoing issue. When does a QB that starts for a year get replaced if he performs on the field? Not often. The reps and experience gained are hard to overcome. Unless you regress or flat out stink (like Bolden) you are the man. Not many Simms / Applewhite situations out there.

    Lets do this again in two months.

    MDAlum

  • Here is the problem....

    We start him year 1 and he only gets 1 bowl..... We red shirt him and he will only get 2 years to start but 2 bowls....

    Tough call.

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    PENN STATE FOREVER

    philafan

  • philafan said...

    Here is the problem....

    We start him year 1 and he only gets 1 bowl..... We red shirt him and he will only get 2 years to start but 2 bowls....

    Tough call.

    It's not tough if he isn't ready yet. I doubt he will be.

    getmyjive11

  • mikee2 said...

    So finally Christian Hackenberg arrives on campus this summer to begin his much anticipated Penn State career... But the big question is "What do we do with him?"... Do we redshirt him or do we play him as a true freshman? He was the top QB in his class, Trent Dilfer loves him (whatever that means) and he's projected as a future top 10 NFL Draft pick... So do we redshirt him like Andrew Luck or throw him in the fire like Matt Barkley?? Here's my opinion... I think if by the end of preseason camp, if he's even with Bench and Fergie then you go with Hack and let him make his mistakes early thus benefiting us for his Soph and Junior season but if he's way behind in preseason camp (which I doubt) then you obviously redshirt him...

    I think that if the race is close between Hack and the other guys, you definitely redshirt Hack. It means there isn't a drop off in talent so why waste one of his "meaningful years" if the team could perform at a similar level this year? To me, that is the reason we collected quarterbacks in the off-season, so we could redshirt Hack. Surely one of those guys can pull through. I can't imagine how good Hack will be with a year in the gym and learning that system, paired with all of his natural ability!

    Nittany Ryan

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    'Respect All Fear None."

    mezzman99 ●

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    smlion

  • ... Dont see a big problem with the idea that Hack could end up taking over next year even if he redshirts this year. Bench or Ferg could do "well" and still lose in an open competition next year of Hack is killin it and is ready, or they could struggle and trade back + forth (not "desirable")... And still have "open competition next year. I think redshirting is best for him and the program long-term.

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    JC from LP ●

  • JC from LP said...

    ... Dont see a big problem with the idea that Hack could end up taking over next year even if he redshirts this year. Bench or Ferg could do "well" and still lose in an open competition next year of Hack is killin it and is ready, or they could struggle and trade back + forth (not "desirable")... And still have "open competition next year. I think redshirting is best for him and the program long-term.

    I.e. Alex Smith in SF this season. Kap gave them the best chance to win, despite solid play from Smith.

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    A drinking town with a football problem.

    Animal ●

  • mikee2 said...

    So finally Christian Hackenberg arrives on campus this summer to begin his much anticipated Penn State career... But the big question is "What do we do with him?"... Do we redshirt him or do we play him as a true freshman? He was the top QB in his class, Trent Dilfer loves him (whatever that means) and he's projected as a future top 10 NFL Draft pick... So do we redshirt him like Andrew Luck or throw him in the fire like Matt Barkley?? Here's my opinion... I think if by the end of preseason camp, if he's even with Bench and Fergie then you go with Hack and let him make his mistakes early thus benefiting us for his Soph and Junior season but if he's way behind in preseason camp (which I doubt) then you obviously redshirt him...

    Sorry have to chuckle by the use of "WE" in this and other post.

    I believe the coaching staff will reshirt him.
    There is more to QBing than just throwing the ball down the field at the college level.

    Bench and Ferguson are already ahead of him with knowing the playbook and working out with the wide outs.

    But you never know maybe the "We" will let him play biggrin

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    psuflip

  • Bottom line, BOB treats personnel decisions just as he would in the NFL. That is the best man at each position will play each week. Not saying that QB will be open competition on a weekly basis, but the best player gets the nod. Not sure why all of you keep backing Bench to start. Ferguson comes in with pretty good credentials and may prove to be something special.

    EWPSU94

  • EWPSU94 said...

    Bottom line, BOB treats personnel decisions just as he would in the NFL. That is the best man at each position will play each week. Not saying that QB will be open competition on a weekly basis, but the best player gets the nod. Not sure why all of you keep backing Bench to start. Ferguson comes in with pretty good credentials and may prove to be something special.

    What are these "credentials" you speak of in regards to Ferguson?

    NittanyChuck15

  • EWPSU94 said...

    Bottom line, BOB treats personnel decisions just as he would in the NFL. That is the best man at each position will play each week. Not saying that QB will be open competition on a weekly basis, but the best player gets the nod. Not sure why all of you keep backing Bench to start. Ferguson comes in with pretty good credentials and may prove to be something special.

    Except it's not the NFL though. We could either have Hack for 5 or 4 years (assuming he stays the whole time). Hack's 5th year will be much more productive than his true Freshman year, we all can assume that. We can also assume he'll be the most talented QB on the roster as soon as he steps on campus. It just depends on if he can master the playbook fast enough to make a real difference early in the season. I have doubts that will happen, and it doesn't make sense to burn a shirt on a QB when he isn't ready IMO.

    PSU17 ●

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