Grantland article on Hackenberg

[wbcincy]

About to read it over lunch, thought I'd share for those who don't check that site regularly:

http://grantland.com/the-triangle/2...ew-penn-state-christian-hackenberg-struggles/

 

[tboyer]

He frames the question but doesn't really have an answer. He can compare Hack to other elite QBs but he doesn't have a direct comparison to a program that had a disastrous offensive line -- let alone catastrophic sanctions.

I think there's no reason to believe Hack won't be as good as the OL lets him be. All he needs is time to set his feet and read.

Also, even when protection breaks down this year, the outcomes could be a lot better because Hack will have had two years with one set of wideouts and a full year with another set, plus he's had time with Gesicki and Carter should be healthy again.

We know experience matters a lot in every phase of the game, and the core of this team was freshmen and first year starters last year. They ALL have gotten experience.

 

[wbcincy]

He frames the question but doesn't really have an answer. He can compare Hack to other elite QBs but he doesn't have a direct comparison to a program that had a disastrous offensive line -- let alone catastrophic sanctions.

I think there's no reason to believe Hack won't be as good as the OL lets him be. All he needs is time to set his feet and read.

Also, even when protection breaks down this year, the outcomes could be a lot better because Hack will have had two years with one set of wideouts and a full year with another set, plus he's had time with Gesicki and Carter should be healthy again.

We know experience matters a lot in every phase of the game, and the core of this team was freshmen and first year starters last year. They ALL have gotten experience.

Yeah I agree, the comparisons to other QBs was worthless since the situations are so different. Also agree that Hack will go exactly as far as the OL allows him. The article, in one of the footnotes, mentions that scouts' main concern w/ Hack is that he held on to the ball too long even when he got protection. However, that concern disregards the fact that he typically only got protection and time if they were in max protect, which meant he only had 3 targets to choose from and everyone was often double covered.

 

[Ranger Dan]

disregards the fact that he typically only got protection and time if they were in max protect

Aren't quarterbacks coached to throw the ball away if nobody is open? At least before the spread offense became popular... I'm guessing that is what these scouts were not happy with. I can support their claims with my own viewpoint. Have forced a lot of balls last year into tight coverage.

 

[Obliviax]

These articles are horrible. Have these writers ever played, hell seen, a football game? There was nothing wrong with Hack last year. The O-line was awful, we lost ZZ and our WR were inexperienced. Hack was trying to make things happen...pretty much all by himself. At some point, like a pitcher on a 2-0 or 3-1 count, has to take more risks. In the case of a pitcher, he throws his predictable, best pitch out over the plate. A QB doesn't set his feet and rushes his throws, while trying to push the ball into a tighter space. In effect, he takes more risks. Sometimes those risks pan out, more often than not, they don't. But do you want to pose 6-4 or 17-3? Doesn't matter, you lost.

Hack is fine...the least of our worries. Worry about the o-line, the kicking game, depth. Don't worry about Hack.

 

[KnightSlayer]

Aren't quarterbacks coached to throw the ball away if nobody is open? At least before the spread offense became popular... I'm guessing that is what these scouts were not happy with. I can support their claims with my own viewpoint. Have forced a lot of balls last year into tight coverage.

He probably forced more than what a qb normally would because of our pathetic running game. I didn't realize how bad it was until I checked the stats. Last year, 27 RBs had more yards rushing than our entire team.

 

[ram2020]

These articles are horrible. Have these writers ever played, hell seen, a football game? There was nothing wrong with Hack last year. The O-line was awful, we lost ZZ and our WR were inexperienced. Hack was trying to make things happen...pretty much all by himself. At some point, like a pitcher on a 2-0 or 3-1 count, has to take more risks. In the case of a pitcher, he throws his predictable, best pitch out over the plate. A QB doesn't set his feet and rushes his throws, while trying to push the ball into a tighter space. In effect, he takes more risks. Sometimes those risks pan out, more often than not, they don't. But do you want to pose 6-4 or 17-3? Doesn't matter, you lost.

Hack is fine...the least of our worries. Worry about the o-line, the kicking game, depth. Don't worry about Hack.

I think that is a a little generous to Hack. Look, the O-line and running game was an abject disaster last year and that is going to hamper a QB BIG time. But to act like Hack wasn't responsible at all for some poor performances is crazy. He is a great long ball thrower, but he is flat footed and lazy with his mechanics in the short routes. He really missed a lot of throws last year, one's that high school guys make honestly. Our defense was good enough to keep us in games and often times provided great field position, I get it, it's all for not if we can't run or block, but some of the turnovers were killers. If you look at the BC game, Hack threw 2 TD passes that honestly should have been picked off. The one where he threw the ball 4 yards behind Geno and the BC guy tapped it right back to Geno and the seem route to Hamilton. BC safety is over the top perfectly and the underneath backer just misses the undercut. It's the kind of throw that get's Hack lauded, but it is a very dangerous throw. He had a good bit of those picked off too.

I love the kid, and I think he has the ability to be great, but he struggled last year and not just because of the line. I have noticed in spring ball and scrimmages that he is tucking and running when he gets in trouble, that alone should win games for us by not forcing turnovers.

 

[Rip_E_2_Joe_PA]

These articles are horrible. Have these writers ever played, hell seen, a football game? There was nothing wrong with Hack last year. The O-line was awful, we lost ZZ and our WR were inexperienced. Hack was trying to make things happen...pretty much all by himself. At some point, like a pitcher on a 2-0 or 3-1 count, has to take more risks. In the case of a pitcher, he throws his predictable, best pitch out over the plate. A QB doesn't set his feet and rushes his throws, while trying to push the ball into a tighter space. In effect, he takes more risks. Sometimes those risks pan out, more often than not, they don't. But do you want to pose 6-4 or 17-3? Doesn't matter, you lost.

Hack is fine...the least of our worries. Worry about the o-line, the kicking game, depth. Don't worry about Hack.

.I am glad Hackenberg hasn't been making these type excuses for himself.

 

[LionJim]

I think that is a a little generous to Hack. Look, the O-line and running game was an abject disaster last year and that is going to hamper a QB BIG time. But to act like Hack wasn't responsible at all for some poor performances is crazy. He is a great long ball thrower, but he is flat footed and lazy with his mechanics in the short routes. He really missed a lot of throws last year, one's that high school guys make honestly. Our defense was good enough to keep us in games and often times provided great field position, I get it, it's all for not if we can't run or block, but some of the turnovers were killers. If you look at the BC game, Hack threw 2 TD passes that honestly should have been picked off. The one where he threw the ball 4 yards behind Geno and the BC guy tapped it right back to Geno and the seem route to Hamilton. BC safety is over the top perfectly and the underneath backer just misses the undercut. It's the kind of throw that get's Hack lauded, but it is a very dangerous throw. He had a good bit of those picked off too.

I love the kid, and I think he has the ability to be great, but he struggled last year and not just because of the line. I have noticed in spring ball and scrimmages that he is tucking and running when he gets in trouble, that alone should win games for us by not forcing turnovers.

Nice summary. Not in complete agreement with you, but it's a good, honest summary from a fan.

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

Nice summary. Not in complete agreement with you, but it's a good, honest summary from a fan.

Conveniently leaves out how awful our receivers were at times. Carter especially. I think Hamilton, a freshman, was our leading receiver too. People can hate on Hack, but we lose three or four more games last year if not for him. I can't think of any games we lost because of him.

The line was a huge issue. Hack was sacked a record amount and it wasn't because he's flat footed. Typical analysis that ignores the real facts here. If Hack had such poor mechanics, he would have been exposed as a Freshman.

 

[Bushwood CC]

I think that is a a little generous to Hack. Look, the O-line and running game was an abject disaster last year and that is going to hamper a QB BIG time. But to act like Hack wasn't responsible at all for some poor performances is crazy. He is a great long ball thrower, but he is flat footed and lazy with his mechanics in the short routes. He really missed a lot of throws last year, one's that high school guys make honestly. Our defense was good enough to keep us in games and often times provided great field position, I get it, it's all for not if we can't run or block, but some of the turnovers were killers. If you look at the BC game, Hack threw 2 TD passes that honestly should have been picked off. The one where he threw the ball 4 yards behind Geno and the BC guy tapped it right back to Geno and the seem route to Hamilton. BC safety is over the top perfectly and the underneath backer just misses the undercut. It's the kind of throw that get's Hack lauded, but it is a very dangerous throw. He had a good bit of those picked off too.

I love the kid, and I think he has the ability to be great, but he struggled last year and not just because of the line. I have noticed in spring ball and scrimmages that he is tucking and running when he gets in trouble, that alone should win games for us by not forcing turnovers.

Yea, gotta agree - virtually every single one of Hack's interceptions was thrown way late, into heavy coverage and wrong-sided to the direction they were running (e.g., short or behind them). Also, way to many of them occurred on 1st or 2nd down on completely unnecessary throws. He also has a bad habit of throwing ball at players feet or over their heads on short-to-intermediate targets wide-open "in space". Other than having a "big arm", Hack was not all that impressive in terms of pocket awareness, "slow release" or game management. He was only a So so it's excusable, but the article is a bit generous in excuse making.

 

[ram2020]

Ugh, you're like a Pitt fan. Let me try rationalize your inaccuracies about my post. First off, not a Hack "hater" at all. He is probably my favorite player on clearly my favorite team. Secondly, apparently it is fair game to throw the WR's, Line, and probably Hb's under the bus so long as you can keep jerkin off to the hackenberg poster in your basement. Look, he is a prodigious talent, but if you can't recognize how poor he throws the ball on "easy" throws you are dishonest with yourself. Some of the throws he makes, particularly the long and intermediary are all-pro NFL, but I have seen him throw uncovered TE's and WR's at the feet on a 5 yard out pattern with protection. He is flat footed, lacks disciplined mechanics, relies too much on his arm and is totally awesome all in one. Move the feet, be more decisive, take less risks, team needs to block better, run better, top 10 pick in the NFL next April.

Conveniently leaves out how awful our receivers were at times. Carter especially. I think Hamilton, a freshman, was our leading receiver too. People can hate on Hack, but we lose three or four more games last year if not for him. I can't think of any games we lost because of him.

The line was a huge issue. Hack was sacked a record amount and it wasn't because he's flat footed. Typical analysis that ignores the real facts here. If Hack had such poor mechanics, he would have been exposed as a Freshman.

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

Ugh, you're like a Pitt fan. Let me try rationalize your inaccuracies about my post. First off, not a Hack "hater" at all. He is probably my favorite player on clearly my favorite team. Secondly, apparently it is fair game to throw the WR's, Line, and probably Hb's under the bus so long as you can keep jerkin off to the hackenberg poster in your basement. Look, he is a prodigious talent, but if you can't recognize how poor he throws the ball on "easy" throws you are dishonest with yourself. Some of the throws he makes, particularly the long and intermediary are all-pro NFL, but I have seen him throw uncovered TE's and WR's at the feet on a 5 yard out pattern with protection. He is flat footed, lacks disciplined mechanics, relies too much on his arm and is totally awesome all in one. Move the feet, be more decisive, take less risks, team needs to block better, run better, top 10 pick in the NFL next April.

Ugh - 'ignored'. Congrats! Anyone who uses 'jerkin off' as a euphemism on a college football message board has issues. Grow the fu(k up.

 

[ram2020]

Ugh - 'ignored'. Congrats!

Boy, that's all it takes to get ignored by this guy?!?! Is this the Pitt message board?

 

[ericstratton-rushchairman]

Ugh - 'ignored'. Congrats! Anyone who uses 'jerkin off' as a euphemism on a college football message board has issues. Grow the fu(k up.

Hell, I'm more likely to ignore myself than risk missing out on your wit and travel knowledge

 

[ILLINOISLION]

Hell, I'm more likely to ignore myself than risk missing out on your wit and travel knowledge

Still waiting for your post-concert report!

 

[BobPSU92]

.I am glad Hackenberg hasn't been making these type excuses for himself.

Duh. Not many players make excuses for themselves, especially when it amounts to placing blame on your teammates. Obviously Hackenberg is not going talk about poor offensive line play, the lack of a running game, or inexperienced receivers. Just because he doesn't say it (he really can't), doesn't mean he isn't thinking it. I'm sure Hackenberg realizes that the offensive line play was lacking last year, as an example.

Looking at what folks here are saying, one option is to view their points as excuses. Another is to view them as the reality of the situation.

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

Hell, I'm more likely to ignore myself than risk missing out on your wit and travel knowledge

Oh, that wasn't for you - that was for someone else. Forgot his name already...

 

[ram2020]

Ugh - 'ignored'. Congrats! Anyone who uses 'jerkin off' as a euphemism on a college football message board has issues. Grow the fu(k up.

Ha, okay, I have "issues." there was literally a thread about a Honeysuckle Devine that shoots ping pong balls out of her...well, you know what, but the phrase "jerkin off" is highly offensive to you? Okay, fair enough, it is a sophomoric thing to say. How about stop idolozing? Or stop being effusive of hack's skills? More mature?

 

[Rip_E_2_Joe_PA]

Duh. Not many players make excuses for themselves, especially when it amounts to placing blame on your teammates. Obviously Hackenberg is not going talk about poor offensive line play, the lack of a running game, or inexperienced receivers. Just because he doesn't say it (he really can't), doesn't mean he isn't thinking it. I'm sure Hackenberg realizes that the offensive line play was lacking last year, as an example.

Looking at what folks here are saying, one option is to view their points as excuses. Another is to view them as the reality of the situation.

BS. Obviously, you have not read anything that Hack has stated over the past few months. After watching the films and time away from the fray, he has spoken forthrightly and maturely about his performance regarding his game decision making, mechanics and attitude last season. He is trying to be a leader. Apparently, some of you want him to remain a child. I am glad he is manning up. Any jackass can blame the OL for everything that happened last season and every jackass that does this is full of crap. For this team to reach it's potential, more than the OL has to get better. Personally, I am proud of Hack. You guys that want to make him a Prima Donna and want to mother him... again.... Hack is manning up....get over it!