I didn’t think there would be a quarterback question this week. But not for the reason there’s not.
I figured Connor Dietz played well enough last Saturday at Utah to secure the starting spot for this Saturday’s game at Colorado State. But Dietz broke a bone in his right hand against the Utes and had surgery yesterday. He’ll miss at least three weeks. So Tim Jefferson will start against CSU.
Also, The Fort Collins Coloradoan discusses the Rams’ preparations for the Air Force option.
Hey Jake, what’s your take on Connor Dietz’s injury? Does it help or hurt our chances these next few weeks? Will we have him back for our date with BYU? Thanks and keep up the awesome reporting.
I think it will be great having TJ back HEALTHY, and starting. There is NO quarterback controversy if TJ is playing at full strength. I think that if DIetz were to remain the starting quarterback you would have eventually seen defenses stack the line and force AF to pass. I loved Chance Harridge but I’m not ready to see us play that style again and that’s what we would have with Dietz as starter. I disagree with Jakes assertion that Dietz had entrenched himself as starter after the Utah game. Although DIetz played a great game, AF lacked theoffensive diversity that is needed to get by one of the big 3 in the MWC. Dietz was 7-10 passing in the Utah game but most of those passes were either screens or swing passes. I think that Dietz is a better runner that TJ on option plays but I give TJ the edge when it comes to reads and option pitches, (give to Tew on 4th down in O.T.). I think its unfortunate that Dietz was hurt, he played like a warrior, however; I’ll take the more seasoned, balanced TJ for the rest of the season.
Guys –
Thanks for the comments. I thought the offense, for perhaps the first time all season (not including the Nicholls State scrimmage), had a pretty nice rhythm going against Utah. And it seemed to me the players rallied around Dietz.
However, Jefferson is a better passer and, like Eric said, is very good with reads and pitches. And he’s probably the better all-around package when healthy. That’s the key — his health. He’s looked pretty good in practices this week, but those ankle injuries are tough to recover from without a lot of rest.
Jefferson’s passing ability should allow Air Force to try for some bigger plays in the passing game, but — as I’ve said before — let’s not pretend as if AF is going from Mike Vick to Dan Marino. The offense isn’t going to change that much. It’s still going to be run heavy. With TJ in for Dietz there may just be a tad less option and a tad more passing.
As for what you asked, Ben, Dietz is out three weeks “at least.” So I’d be surprised if they’d rush him back for BYU. I’d guess he’d be ready for the bowl and whether he’d get a chance to start would depend upon how TJ plays down the stretch.
a healthy, non tenative t.j. is without a doubt better than dietz.. But he has to be healthy and without fear of injury in his mind and pitching the ball way too early. Having halderman healthy, without the rust he had in the wyoming game, will also go a long way. He is the best reciever by a landslide,