QB Update

[luckyirishguy25]

If Murray starts at QB, I'll eat my own hat.

He hasn't been able to practice with the team, workout with the team, do anything with the team in over a year. No film with the coaches, no timing with the WR's, no chemistry with the OL. No time dissecting defensive coverages with the coaches. No time working on hot routes, hand signals, no time working on a new offense with the team.

That stuff matters a lot, especially for somebody who had a lot of weaknesses in those areas. Murray can be a weapon for this team, but it won't be as the starting QB.

A big part of me wants to tell you you're wrong about Chris, but the other part knows you're 100% right. Chris has made it a lot farther to getting back on the team than I thought he'd ever be last August, but every one of the points you make is the reason why he won't be the starting QB. In my mind its a Rovig/Bauman battle that's happening right now, wish I could see it.

I do however think there's value using him like TJ and have him be a wildcat QB/WR early in the season, and the season progresses maybe increase his role as some of those things come back.

Murray has 16-17 starts and all the starter reps during that span and through last spring, yet you guys think he’s behind the other three QBs of which have one start and about two weeks of starter reps in practice?

If this was last years team I'd agree with you, but this years team is entirely different. New OC, New Oline, new RB, new TEs... IMO which probably isn't worth much, Rivig is already ahead.

[catsrback76]

Would you be saying Murray is behind the others if he had been injured for a year instead?

Well, if he had blown his knee he might be physically behind the others, but his understanding (timing, chemistry) would be ahead of three guys with just a fraction of the experience.

At this point no one is ahead of him in that regard.

Murray isn’t a good passer. If someone is going to beat him out it’ll be because they’re significantly better at that aspect. If they’re only marginally better, they won’t beat him out because no one else can run anything like him.

Murray wins the foot race, Rovig will win the QB battle based on his capacity to distribute the ball. And someone will actually say this season of Rovig, "wow, his wheels are better than I thought..."! I don't think Coach wants to get painted into a corner again at QB like the previous years where we could only basically run it. So, the question should be, 'has Murray progressed and developed enough into a passer to be given a legitimate chance to win the QB battle?"

It would be great if he did, but I would say his focus has been more on academics than passing...but I will wait to see how it pans out in Spring/Fall camp.

[TomCat88]

Would you be saying Murray is behind the others if he had been injured for a year instead?

Well, if he had blown his knee he might be physically behind the others, but his understanding (timing, chemistry) would be ahead of three guys with just a fraction of the experience.

At this point no one is ahead of him in that regard.

Murray isn’t a good passer. If someone is going to beat him out it’ll be because they’re significantly better at that aspect. If they’re only marginally better, they won’t beat him out because no one else can run anything like him.

Murray wins the foot race, Rovig will win the QB battle based on his capacity to distribute the ball. And someone will actually say this season of Rovig, "wow, his wheels are better than I thought..."! I don't think Coach wants to get painted into a corner again at QB like the previous years where we could only basically run it. So, the question should be, 'has Murray progressed and developed enough into a passer to be given a legitimate chance to win the QB battle?"

It would be great if he did, but I would say his focus has been more on academics than passing...but I will wait to see how it pans out in Spring/Fall camp.

It’ll be great news for MSU IF it has someone that can pass the ball efficiently. I haven’t seen anyone do that consistently. I haven’t heard from anyone that I know that has seen anyone do that consistently.

[GoldstoneCat]

Saying he's behind the other 3 because he missed last season just simply isn't true. The offense and its coordinator changed last year, it's probably evolving more over the winter. Rovig played a couple games and looked decent, but it isn't like he locked down the job for the next 3 years. Chris is electric. I'm sure he's also more physically mature than he was at cat griz 2017. To me, he's the default until someone takes it from him. I might be wrong (happens on a regular basis), but I'll believe someone else is our starter when i see it on the field.

[Hi-Line Bobcat]

Saying he's behind the other 3 because he missed last season just simply isn't true. The offense and its coordinator changed last year, it's probably evolving more over the winter. Rovig played a couple games and looked decent, but it isn't like he locked down the job for the next 3 years. Chris is electric. I'm sure he's also more physically mature than he was at cat griz 2017. To me, he's the default until someone takes it from him. I might be wrong (happens on a regular basis), but I'll believe someone else is our starter when i see it on the field.

Totally agree. Murray came in and played as a true freshman and the games he played as a true freshman he was better than Rovig has ever been. I hope Rovig and all the other Qbs improved greatly from last year, but until then Murray wins by default.

[superbobcat]

I really believe we will see a different Rovig this year. Sounds like he has really pushed to improve. I think he can be really good but the others have to respect and believe in him.

[catatac]

Lot of good discussion and opinions on here. Fortunately this looks like a situation where Montana State will be significantly better at the QB position than we've been in a few years..... and that's very exciting. This isn't a case where we're scrambling and trying to find a capable QB. I sincerely believe there are at least five QBs on the roster right now that could be inserted at QB and put up better numbers than what we've see the the past three years. My opinion is that we'll see an improved, more mature Chris Murray compete very well in the Fall, but will narrowly get edged out by Rovig as the starting QB vs Texas Tech.

[BleedingBLue]

Saying he's behind the other 3 because he missed last season just simply isn't true. The offense and its coordinator changed last year, it's probably evolving more over the winter. Rovig played a couple games and looked decent, but it isn't like he locked down the job for the next 3 years. Chris is electric. I'm sure he's also more physically mature than he was at cat griz 2017. To me, he's the default until someone takes it from him. I might be wrong (happens on a regular basis), but I'll believe someone else is our starter when i see it on the field.

Totally agree. Murray came in and played as a true freshman and the games he played as a true freshman he was better than Rovig has ever been. I hope Rovig and all the other Qbs improved greatly from last year, but until then Murray wins by default.

Can you really compare Rovigs small sample size last year to Murray's freshman year? Murray wasn't a better passer at any point his freshman year than Rovig was last year when he played. Obviously he was a dynamic running threat but to say he was better than Rovig has ever been is a bit of a stretch.

[kennethnoisewater]

Saying he's behind the other 3 because he missed last season just simply isn't true. The offense and its coordinator changed last year, it's probably evolving more over the winter. Rovig played a couple games and looked decent, but it isn't like he locked down the job for the next 3 years. Chris is electric. I'm sure he's also more physically mature than he was at cat griz 2017. To me, he's the default until someone takes it from him. I might be wrong (happens on a regular basis), but I'll believe someone else is our starter when i see it on the field.

Totally agree. Murray came in and played as a true freshman and the games he played as a true freshman he was better than Rovig has ever been. I hope Rovig and all the other Qbs improved greatly from last year, but until then Murray wins by default.

Can you really compare Rovigs small sample size last year to Murray's freshman year? Murray wasn't a better passer at any point his freshman year than Rovig was last year when he played. Obviously he was a dynamic running threat but to say he was better than Rovig has ever been is a bit of a stretch.

I agree. If you take away Murray's running ability, he was a pretty average QB--and that might be generous. Obviously I know we don't have to take it away; it's a great asset for him to have and it made him a very valuable player. But I think after three straight years of a QB who doesn't throw the ball particularly well, not many of us would be happy with Chris Murray at QB unless he's greatly improved his ability to throw the ball. It's funny, because all of us--including me--have loved the production and leadership and play-making ability the Bobcats have gotten from the QB position the past three years, but at the same time most of us want a different style.

So without the running ability, I think Rovig is a better QB than Murray. It seems like most of us really value that running ability but would like to see somebody who doesn't have to rely on it so much. I'd prefer to have a guy who can sling it all over the place, but we've been a little spoiled the last few years by having a QB that can run away from literally anybody on the field. I'd like to have both, but if I had to pick I'd take a thrower who at least just doesn't have bricks for feet.

[seataccat]

Would you be saying Murray is behind the others if he had been injured for a year instead?

Well, if he had blown his knee he might be physically behind the others, but his understanding (timing, chemistry) would be ahead of three guys with just a fraction of the experience.

At this point no one is ahead of him in that regard.

Murray isn’t a good passer. If someone is going to beat him out it’ll be because they’re significantly better at that aspect. If they’re only marginally better, they won’t beat him out because no one else can run anything like him.

Murray wins the foot race, Rovig will win the QB battle based on his capacity to distribute the ball. And someone will actually say this season of Rovig, "wow, his wheels are better than I thought..."! I don't think Coach wants to get painted into a corner again at QB like the previous years where we could only basically run it. So, the question should be, 'has Murray progressed and developed enough into a passer to be given a legitimate chance to win the QB battle?"

It would be great if he did, but I would say his focus has been more on academics than passing...but I will wait to see how it pans out in Spring/Fall camp.

When did Rovig show that he has more ability than Murry to distribute the ball? The Wagner game? How 'bout the SDSU game? I am certainly not saying he won't develop into a fine QB for us but assuming that he gives us a better chance to win than CM seems like a stretch to me. I hope whomever said they will eat their hat if CM is the starter likes a lot of ketchup. Maybe I am completely wrong and Rovig or Bauman will light it up without any experience but I believe the odds are with Chris.

[Hi-Line Bobcat]

Saying he's behind the other 3 because he missed last season just simply isn't true. The offense and its coordinator changed last year, it's probably evolving more over the winter. Rovig played a couple games and looked decent, but it isn't like he locked down the job for the next 3 years. Chris is electric. I'm sure he's also more physically mature than he was at cat griz 2017. To me, he's the default until someone takes it from him. I might be wrong (happens on a regular basis), but I'll believe someone else is our starter when i see it on the field.

Totally agree. Murray came in and played as a true freshman and the games he played as a true freshman he was better than Rovig has ever been. I hope Rovig and all the other Qbs improved greatly from last year, but until then Murray wins by default.

Can you really compare Rovigs small sample size last year to Murray's freshman year? Murray wasn't a better passer at any point his freshman year than Rovig was last year when he played. Obviously he was a dynamic running threat but to say he was better than Rovig has ever been is a bit of a stretch.

I would not say Rovig is a better passer than Murray. Before Murray left he was far and away the better QB in spring ball running and throwing. I hope Rovig or another comes out on top but until they prove it I’m not seeing anybody above Chris right now. Again, I hope I’m wrong

[94VegasCat]

There is an awful lot of talk about who runs better or who throws better, but what about having somebody back there that has a brain that functions at a high-level. Lesrwe all forget, Dave Dickinson was not an incredible athlete. He had an amazing brain and got more done with his brain than with his arm or feet. I want a quarterback that can put us in the right play and make the right reads when things are getting crazy. Our quarterback needs to be extremely intelligent. What if Beltran has all those tools and wins the job? Like somebody mentioned before, we have several very capable quarterbacks on the roster. If one of these young guys wins the job and that tells me that Choate sees more of an upside out of these young kids then Murray or Rovig. In my honest opinion I think Murray will end up the starter and it will be proven on the field.

[Helcat72]

There is an awful lot of talk about who runs better or who throws better, but what about having somebody back there that has a brain that functions at a high-level. Lesrwe all forget, Dave Dickinson was not an incredible athlete. He had an amazing brain and got more done with his brain than with his arm or feet. I want a quarterback that can put us in the right play and make the right reads when things are getting crazy. Our quarterback needs to be extremely intelligent. What if Beltran has all those tools and wins the job? Like somebody mentioned before, we have several very capable quarterbacks on the roster. If one of these young guys wins the job and that tells me that Choate sees more of an upside out of these young kids then Murray or Rovig. In my honest opinion I think Murray will end up the starter and it will be proven on the field.

Very good points, my thought also!

[Norsky19]

There is an awful lot of talk about who runs better or who throws better, but what about having somebody back there that has a brain that functions at a high-level. Lesrwe all forget, Dave Dickinson was not an incredible athlete. He had an amazing brain and got more done with his brain than with his arm or feet. I want a quarterback that can put us in the right play and make the right reads when things are getting crazy. Our quarterback needs to be extremely intelligent. What if Beltran has all those tools and wins the job? Like somebody mentioned before, we have several very capable quarterbacks on the roster. If one of these young guys wins the job and that tells me that Choate sees more of an upside out of these young kids then Murray or Rovig. In my honest opinion I think Murray will end up the starter and it will be proven on the field.

Regarding your DD assessment....the NFL proves that point every year. Decision making beats out physical talent(Drew Brees vs Cam Newton)....nice to have both though.

[lutecat]

Saying he's behind the other 3 because he missed last season just simply isn't true. The offense and its coordinator changed last year, it's probably evolving more over the winter. Rovig played a couple games and looked decent, but it isn't like he locked down the job for the next 3 years. Chris is electric. I'm sure he's also more physically mature than he was at cat griz 2017. To me, he's the default until someone takes it from him. I might be wrong (happens on a regular basis), but I'll believe someone else is our starter when i see it on the field.

You're right. The offense is evolving this winter. And Chris doesn't get to be in on that until he proves his grades are up. So that's a set back for him and a leg up for everyone else.

[Mr Lisle]

Saying he's behind the other 3 because he missed last season just simply isn't true. The offense and its coordinator changed last year, it's probably evolving more over the winter. Rovig played a couple games and looked decent, but it isn't like he locked down the job for the next 3 years. Chris is electric. I'm sure he's also more physically mature than he was at cat griz 2017. To me, he's the default until someone takes it from him. I might be wrong (happens on a regular basis), but I'll believe someone else is our starter when i see it on the field.

You're right. The offense is evolving this winter. And Chris doesn't get to be in on that until he proves his grades are up. So that's a set back for him and a leg up for everyone else.

But when he returns from getting his grades up he will be smarter, bigger, stronger and faster.

[BleedingBLue]

Would you be saying Murray is behind the others if he had been injured for a year instead?

Well, if he had blown his knee he might be physically behind the others, but his understanding (timing, chemistry) would be ahead of three guys with just a fraction of the experience.

At this point no one is ahead of him in that regard.

Murray isn’t a good passer. If someone is going to beat him out it’ll be because they’re significantly better at that aspect. If they’re only marginally better, they won’t beat him out because no one else can run anything like him.

Murray wins the foot race, Rovig will win the QB battle based on his capacity to distribute the ball. And someone will actually say this season of Rovig, "wow, his wheels are better than I thought..."! I don't think Coach wants to get painted into a corner again at QB like the previous years where we could only basically run it. So, the question should be, 'has Murray progressed and developed enough into a passer to be given a legitimate chance to win the QB battle?"

It would be great if he did, but I would say his focus has been more on academics than passing...but I will wait to see how it pans out in Spring/Fall camp.

When did Rovig show that he has more ability than Murry to distribute the ball? The Wagner game? How 'bout the SDSU game? I am certainly not saying he won't develop into a fine QB for us but assuming that he gives us a better chance to win than CM seems like a stretch to me. I hope whomever said they will eat their hat if CM is the starter likes a lot of ketchup. Maybe I am completely wrong and Rovig or Bauman will light it up without any experience but I believe the odds are with Chris.

I still have a hard time understanding why people continue to discredit Rovig's performance against Wagner. He had a fantastic game. It doesn't matter that it was against a mediocre team. He did exactly what he needed to do and put up awesome numbers. As far as the SDSU game is concerned I guess you can knock him for that, but the team had at least 4 dropped passes in the 1st 20 minutes alone, and at least 3 would have been 1st downs and kept drives going. 1st career playing time and we were forced into passing in the 2nd quarter. I will also eat my hat if Murray is the starter come gameday

[technoCat]

Would you be saying Murray is behind the others if he had been injured for a year instead?

Well, if he had blown his knee he might be physically behind the others, but his understanding (timing, chemistry) would be ahead of three guys with just a fraction of the experience.

At this point no one is ahead of him in that regard.

Murray isn’t a good passer. If someone is going to beat him out it’ll be because they’re significantly better at that aspect. If they’re only marginally better, they won’t beat him out because no one else can run anything like him.

Murray wins the foot race, Rovig will win the QB battle based on his capacity to distribute the ball. And someone will actually say this season of Rovig, "wow, his wheels are better than I thought..."! I don't think Coach wants to get painted into a corner again at QB like the previous years where we could only basically run it. So, the question should be, 'has Murray progressed and developed enough into a passer to be given a legitimate chance to win the QB battle?"

It would be great if he did, but I would say his focus has been more on academics than passing...but I will wait to see how it pans out in Spring/Fall camp.

When did Rovig show that he has more ability than Murry to distribute the ball? The Wagner game? How 'bout the SDSU game? I am certainly not saying he won't develop into a fine QB for us but assuming that he gives us a better chance to win than CM seems like a stretch to me. I hope whomever said they will eat their hat if CM is the starter likes a lot of ketchup. Maybe I am completely wrong and Rovig or Bauman will light it up without any experience but I believe the odds are with Chris.

I still have a hard time understanding why people continue to discredit Rovig's performance against Wagner. He had a fantastic game. It doesn't matter that it was against a mediocre team. He did exactly what he needed to do and put up awesome numbers. As far as the SDSU game is concerned I guess you can knock him for that, but the team had at least 4 dropped passes in the 1st 20 minutes alone, and at least 3 would have been 1st downs and kept drives going. 1st career playing time and we were forced into passing in the 2nd quarter. I will also eat my hat if Murray is the starter come gameday

Let's not forget the small sample from PSU.

[catsrback76]

Would you be saying Murray is behind the others if he had been injured for a year instead?

Well, if he had blown his knee he might be physically behind the others, but his understanding (timing, chemistry) would be ahead of three guys with just a fraction of the experience.

At this point no one is ahead of him in that regard.

Murray isn’t a good passer. If someone is going to beat him out it’ll be because they’re significantly better at that aspect. If they’re only marginally better, they won’t beat him out because no one else can run anything like him.

Murray wins the foot race, Rovig will win the QB battle based on his capacity to distribute the ball. And someone will actually say this season of Rovig, "wow, his wheels are better than I thought..."! I don't think Coach wants to get painted into a corner again at QB like the previous years where we could only basically run it. So, the question should be, 'has Murray progressed and developed enough into a passer to be given a legitimate chance to win the QB battle?"

It would be great if he did, but I would say his focus has been more on academics than passing...but I will wait to see how it pans out in Spring/Fall camp.

When did Rovig show that he has more ability than Murry to distribute the ball? The Wagner game? How 'bout the SDSU game? I am certainly not saying he won't develop into a fine QB for us but assuming that he gives us a better chance to win than CM seems like a stretch to me. I hope whomever said they will eat their hat if CM is the starter likes a lot of ketchup. Maybe I am completely wrong and Rovig or Bauman will light it up without any experience but I believe the odds are with Chris.

I still have a hard time understanding why people continue to discredit Rovig's performance against Wagner. He had a fantastic game. It doesn't matter that it was against a mediocre team. He did exactly what he needed to do and put up awesome numbers. As far as the SDSU game is concerned I guess you can knock him for that, but the team had at least 4 dropped passes in the 1st 20 minutes alone, and at least 3 would have been 1st downs and kept drives going. 1st career playing time and we were forced into passing in the 2nd quarter. I will also eat my hat if Murray is the starter come gameday

Let's not forget the small sample from PSU.

I forget, what happened in that game? Percentage completed? Yards per catch? I am a bit foggy on that game...can anyone help?

[Rich K]

Rovig's numbers per ESPN
http://www.espn.com/college-football/pl ... cker-rovig