catinfl wrote:
Thanks everyone for the compliments, but yes I think Dawkins will be a good back-up. I have never really felt comfortable with our number 2 option till this year.
I imagine Nick Foles backing up Matt Scott was before your time, but other than that, yea.
The failed 5 star HS QBs having mediocre seasons at JC then UA didn't pan out for anyone.
catinfl wrote:
Thanks everyone for the compliments, but yes I think Dawkins will be a good back-up. I have never really felt comfortable with our number 2 option till this year.
I imagine Nick Foles backing up Matt Scott was before your time, but other than that, yea.
The failed 5 star HS QBs having mediocre seasons at JC then UA didn't pan out for anyone.
Well since Rich has taken over. Having Foles and Scott was a blessing.
Over the next couple of weeks, we'll be identifying a player (or players) from each Pac-12 team with the most to prove in the upcoming 2016 season. In many cases, this will be someone at a position where the team has a pressing need for production -- where the next man in line must step up following a departure and keep the wheels churning.
We continue this series with the Arizona Wildcats.
Player with the most to prove: QB Anu Solomon
Let's start with a trivia question: Who is the highest-rated returning Pac-12 quarterback, both in terms of ESPN.com's QBR and conventional passing efficiency?
That would be Solomon, who ranked 28th in the nation in QBR in 2015 and rated fifth in the Pac-12 in passing efficiency, behind Oregon's Vernon Adams and three players who were selected in the NFL draft.
Solomon had three issues last year that hurt him and the Wildcats more than his quarterbacking shortcomings: (1) Arizona's defense was lousy, (2) Solomon's supporting cast on offense underperformed and (3) Solomon struggled to stay healthy.
No matter. The official position coming out of Arizona's closed spring and preseason practices is that Solomon, a two-year starter with 48 career touchdown passes and just 14 interceptions, is in a tight battle with backup Brandon Dawkins for the starting job this fall.
So it's pretty clear that Solomon, despite his better-than-you-think play, is under pressure -- as in there's been no definitive word that he will trot out onto the field in the opener against BYU on Sept. 3. And there's no guarantee that he will retain his job when the Pac-12 schedule starts on Sept. 24 with a visit from Washington.
Our expectation is that if Solomon stays healthy all season, he has a solid shot to insinuate himself into All-Pac-12 consideration, which is saying something in a conference with Josh Rosen and Luke Falk.
Solomon will be best served by learning to hit the turf quickly after a scramble instead of trying for one or two extra yards. He also might heed coach Rich Rodriguez's advice that diving at the conclusion of a run is a safer option than a slide, which opens a runner up for a passively received head shot.
I understand Solomon's fear of contact due to his concussion and other injury issues, but why does he lateral it backwards when about to get tackled? Happened at least twice, with loss of yardage.
Good luck Anu. Here's hoping you kill it wherever you end up.
Of the 12 coaches, Rush picked the one whose fans have the deepest passion, the longest memories, the greatest lung capacity and … did I mention deep passion?
With all that talent at WR 2 years ago, a new stud rb...he was exactly what we needed. Just throw the ball to one of the studs and let them run. Unfortunate he couldnt adapt to the talent that was in place this year and didnt look as awesome. I dont think it was his fault and I wish him the best. Put him in a pass happy offense and I bet he gets his mojo back.
Good luck Anu. No one will forget that redshirt freshman season.
One less guy for BB to beat out. Kid is going to play sooner rather than later
Waiting at the Rose Bowl patiently for the cats to arrive
"I've got a fever, and the only prescription is more wildcat sports"
2019 BDW Survivor Pool Champion
He got past the first concussion, it took a few games, but he was back to his old self... and then he got clocked against Utah. I don't think he ever quite got back from that. He was better than he looked against BYU but the line was not playing well, and that wasn't goi g to help him get his confidence back.
I hate to see him go, but he has his degree and he can go play for any number of teams next year. When he was on, he was so much damn fun to watch sling it. He's been a big help to Dawkins and Tate. I wish him the best and hope he has a fun and injury free final year.
Always will appreciate Anu for the Pac12 South title and that great season. I wish him the best, especially a great line and a nice pocket passing scheme.
Damn, I had high hopes he would return to form and be our starter for his senior year. This should've been his best year here. Problems getting along with RR?
carcassdragger wrote:Damn, I had high hopes he would return to form and be our starter for his senior year. This should've been his best year here. Problems getting along with RR?
I really doubt Solomon would be a starter too. He is just too fragile to take the pounding a QB in a RR needs to take. He doesn't have the bodies around him to protect him either. Nick Wilson is glass too, so can't take that burden off of him like before.
Typical Chief cryptic post. I would assume about starting his Sr year but who knows
Waiting at the Rose Bowl patiently for the cats to arrive
"I've got a fever, and the only prescription is more wildcat sports"
2019 BDW Survivor Pool Champion
Starting his senior year. Also, problems with RR.....his side line antics spoke volumes on how bad his relationship with RR had deteriorated. It was a complete clown show.
Starting his senior year. Also, problems with RR.....his side line antics spoke volumes on how bad his relationship with RR had deteriorated. It was a complete clown show.
Your saying that It RR fault for Anu Solomon to Transfer because of his side line antics.
Starting his senior year. Also, problems with RR.....his side line antics spoke volumes on how bad his relationship with RR had deteriorated. It was a complete clown show.
Now that works as this is probably very accurate. RR was pretty steamed about his unwillingness to run and how he handled that last 20 seconds in the Fiesta bowl.
I don't think RR is a players coach like Tomey was. In fact I think most of them don't like him
Last edited by azcat49 on Mon Jan 09, 2017 5:18 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Waiting at the Rose Bowl patiently for the cats to arrive
"I've got a fever, and the only prescription is more wildcat sports"
2019 BDW Survivor Pool Champion
i was actually wondering about anu's plans for next season. was sort of expecting him to hang it up for good, given that the next solid hit he takes could seriously alter his life in a horrific manner. i hope he stays safe and considers his well-being. best of luck to anu wherever he ends up. thanks for the memories.
No mention of how easy it is to get away with sex crimes?
Of the 12 coaches, Rush picked the one whose fans have the deepest passion, the longest memories, the greatest lung capacity and … did I mention deep passion?
Of the 12 coaches, Rush picked the one whose fans have the deepest passion, the longest memories, the greatest lung capacity and … did I mention deep passion?
I feel like you think you're making some sort of point...
Of the 12 coaches, Rush picked the one whose fans have the deepest passion, the longest memories, the greatest lung capacity and … did I mention deep passion?
Chicat wrote:I feel like you think you're making some sort of point...
No point at all. Just passing the time away. I'm nobody....just a poster waiting for some football. It's all fun. Anu is a tool who hates RR with a passion. Let's go fall camp!
That is actually quite sad. He really never recovered from that hit against Utah. I saw him on the field after that game and knew he wouldn't play the rest of that year. Little did I know that was probably the end.
Now you have to wonder what he will be like 25 years from now. I won't be around to know so someone bump this and I will read it from the beyond LOL
Waiting at the Rose Bowl patiently for the cats to arrive
"I've got a fever, and the only prescription is more wildcat sports"
2019 BDW Survivor Pool Champion
azcat49 wrote:That is actually quite sad. He really never recovered from that hit against Utah. I saw him on the field after that game and knew he wouldn't play the rest of that year. Little did I know that was probably the end.
Now you have to wonder what he will be like 25 years from now. I won't be around to know so someone bump this and I will read it from the beyond LOL
The Utah hit that didn't even draw a flag, correct?
