Current evaluation…
1 Like
Once he entered the game everything changed. Why didn’t Chuck play him last week because Hesson had nothing and played scared.
Finn really screwed us. CM could have gotten Hesson and Gotkowski ready earlier and had something for Toledo. Then maybe its not an algebra problem to get back to Detroit.
We screwed ourselves by signing Finn
9 Likes
The fact that the boys went on the road after all the off field distractions this week and won in a place where Miami had not won since 2016 just shows they know how to circle the wagons and take care of themselves.
And for those posting about “he who quit” on this thread, there’s a whole other thread about “he who quit”. This is about Tommy and the job he did on offense tonight. Another thread is deserving of the defense tonight. They looked young, hungry, focused, and angry.
Keep it up boys!
4 Likes
Grumpy called it at the Spring game in 2024 when Gotkowski was just an early enrollee.
I was also there and thought Gotkowski was very poised, liked the way the ball came out of his hand and his decision making.
I later talked to someone close to the program that summer and told him I really liked Gotkowski. He told me the staff was very high on him.
I could not understand why he got buried on the depth chart.
6 Likes
I went back in my texts and after soaking in the Cure Bowl I sent a text that said if the choice next year is Hesson or the freshman, I’d like to see Gotkowski in Madison.
Glad the kid got his shot tonight. We know Chuck is a loyal guy and it looks like it probably blinded him here for a kid he obviously loves and spent 5 years with. Glad he made it right when there’s still time to lift a trophy. I’m not gonna harp on Henry anymore. He gave 5 years to the team. He’ll always be a RedHawk.
Job’s not finished now though. 3 more games to win.
8 Likes
He knows. He always knows. Dude is a doggone Oracle.
1 Like
Congrats to my man Grump!
4 Likes
As I stated earlier in the game thread, I was very impressed by his poise and confidence coming right out of the chute!
He did most everything right…avoided the rush, kept his eyes focused down the field, and when he threw the ball it had accuracy and zing to it. As already stated above, the ball comes out of his hand quickly, and on top of all this, the kid can run for first downs and touchdowns! Wow!
3 Likes
In the post game interview. Chuck said Gotkowski has gotten 0 practice reps this season until this week as they don’t give QB3 practice reps. Makes his performance even more absurd.
And maybe QB3 should get a few reps to see whats sitting on the bench when its not clear who QB2 should be?
15 Likes
Not so fast Chuck. I don’t believe that at all. That implies he hasn’t thrown a ball. Not remotely possible. His arm would not work right. People saw him throw at various events. The National Treasure said as much. Makes for a better (or worse) sounding story depending on how you look at it. What the heck does he mean? Tom had to have been throwing to receivers at some point beyond this week.
1 Like
This from Chuck sounds ridiculous. What does he do every day at practice? My guess is he quarterbacks the scout team.
2 Likes
I think practice reps in this context means taking snaps with the first team offense, not that he is just twiddling his thumbs during practice.
2 Likes
A couple of my my B10 buddies who watched the game seem to think Chuck didn’t want to show the world how good Tommy is to avoid NIL offers to steal him. Not sure I buy into that as it would seem he was needlessly buried deep in Chuck’s bizarre depth chart.
1 Like
I don’t think conspiracy theories are necessary. As @Ballcoach1 has pointed out, Chuck is a loyal guy. We know this from a decade. He was loyal to Hesson and its hard for guys to jump guys on his depth chart historically. If you’re number 3, you’re gonna be number 3. His hand was forced with how bad Henry looked vs Toledo and to start the game and Tommy seized the bull by the horns.
1 Like
It was a high risk, potentially high reward decision that all of us seemed happy with at the time. But it was out of character for Chuck, who tends to be a low risk, low variance coach. That may be one of the reasons it didn’t work out.
3 Likes
Correct, backups are not getting first team reps, at any level (HS, college or NFL- ). That doesn’t mean they aren’t throwing the ball. One in particular will run scout team (usually QB3 who is imitating the opposing QB, not learning his team’s offense). The others are throwing during route drills, on air or in skeletal but none of those are beneficial to learning the offense like the starter gets with first team reps. But as Gotkowski demonstrated, his arm was in shape!
3 Likes
That’s helpful context. Tyou!
It still means what he did last night was impressive work. He obviously learns the Miami offense, but as was said, assuming he’s primarily been scout QB this year, his focus week in, week out is preparing the defense, not himself, while staying ready in case.
For him to step in and look as poised and solid as he did is a testament to his competitiveness and preparation he does on his own time. As Chuck mentioned, a lot of 3rd depth guys can choose to go the other direction. You almost never get called in as QB3 on a depth chart. Tommy was clearly ready for his name to be called.
3 Likes