Rich Olson Has Got to Go.

[MaoTosiFanClub]

That still doesn't explain why QBs regress or make no improvement under this staff. Carpenter was so awful his senior year, he went from being a mid-round draft pick lock to being undraftable.

Agreed there and I don't mean to imply that Olson is a quality coordinator or coach as I've read and heard enough of his ineptitude at the U and here with the Cardinals. Just disagreed with some of the posters earlier including somewhat yourself who seem to think ASU's offensive woes are primarily a QB coaching issue. The problems in my opinion run deeper than simply just replacing him.

 

[Gaddabout]

Just disagreed with some of the posters earlier including somewhat yourself who seem to think ASU's offensive woes are primarily a QB coaching issue. The problems in my opinion run deeper than simply just replacing him.

I'll just say this: If Erickson had the reasonable foresight to demand his staff land three or four OT prospects the previous two recruiting seasons, or the foresight to move a mobile d-lineman or two to that position last spring, Sullivan can hold onto the ball longer and he probably performs reasonably well this year. Right now they're asking him to do things he's just not capable of doing -- and they knew that before the last season ended.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

I'll just say this: If Erickson had the reasonable foresight to demand his staff land three or four OT prospects the previous two recruiting seasons, or the foresight to move a mobile d-lineman or two to that position last spring, Sullivan can hold onto the ball longer and he probably performs reasonably well this year. Right now they're asking him to do things he's just not capable of doing -- and they knew that before the last season ended.

That's one thing I love about Sonny Dykes that he got from one of Mike Leach or Hal Mumme - he brings on an average of at least five OL recruits every year without question. Mike Riley does this too. There's way too many evaluation errors, injuries, and weight problems along the offensive front in college to ever get caught thin there. Eight of Arizona's offensive starters this are Dykes' recruits, that's a serious production in a quick turnaround for a football program. And remember he was hired at roughly the same time as Erickson.

According to rivals ASU from the 2008-2010 unfinished class has brought in or gotten commitments from eight OL recruits. One of them did not qualify and another (Koebensky from Saguaro) will likely never play a meaningful snap at ASU and whose offer was rumored to have been part of the Corey Adams recruiting process. That's inexcusable for a major college football program especially one like ASU who has had notorious OL issues.

I'll agree to disagree though on Sullivan. I don't think he has the tools or makeup to be anything more than serviceable even if was setting up behind USC's line.

 

[HooverDam]

The speculation is Robin Pflugrad will be brought in on some capacity.

Thats good news but Id rather have Amanda Pflugrad.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

I'll agree to disagree though on Sullivan. I don't think he has the tools or makeup to be anything more than serviceable even if was setting up behind USC's line.

Exactly...he may be dead right now if he was dealing with the O-line of last year like Carpenter was. Rudy wasn't great, but at least at some point proved he could be effective if he were protected. Sullivan has gotten fair protection this year, and often runs into pressure. When he isn't running into pressure, he's consistently whipping the ball all over the field, often nowhere near the intended receivers.

Gad, I respect your opinion regarding ASU matters, but this may be a forest and trees problem regarding Sullivan. While some of the coaches may have said nice things about him, he has done nothing to dispel the idea that he is not a Pac-10 qb, nor does he show any ability to improve. Like I said before, he doesn't have the physical nor mental capacity to be an effective starter. While he may look like a stud in practice, in practical application, he's been awful.

 

[Gaddabout]

Like I said before, he doesn't have the physical nor mental capacity to be an effective starter. While he may look like a stud in practice, in practical application, he's been awful.

I want to address this one more time and I'll let it go.

Physically? He's big, he's strong, he's got plenty of arm strength. Mentally? He's probably the best student of the position ASU's had since Van Raaphorst. He continually makes the right reads and does exactly what the coaches ask of him (i.e. get rid of the ball at the first sign of trouble). Where he fails is delivering a catchable ball.

What I think is fair criticism is his accuracy -- directly related to footwork -- and his inability to control his emotions. Both are deadly problems for QBs. Mobility, IMO, is a non-issue, because mobile QBs who also successfully pass out of the spread are rare.