Marqueis Gray

[GopherFan75]

Will he be able to redshirt next year if the coaches want him to? I have been wondering this but I'm not sure how the rule works.
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[alpinegopher]

He can redshirt.

[cncmin]

Will he be able to redshirt next year if the coaches want him to? I have been wondering this but I'm not sure how the rule works.

He may be able to redshirt, but should he? If Weber continues to play like he did the past 3 months or so, it might be time to consider part-time play with others. Weber was not a very good quarterback in 2008.

[gopher7]

He will play. He won't start, but he'll see time. As the season goes on, it would take A LOT, but if he shows enough he could end up as the starter if he shows enough. But like I said, he would have to show A LOT to unseat weber. But he has the talent to do so.

[Gold Rush]

Weber is projected the #2 QB in the Big Ten next year. I highly doubt Gray will come in and take his place unless he is injured, but I guess it is certainly possible. I wonder if Brewster will let Weber run more often next year if he is comfortable with Gray coming in.....just a thought, but I would hope that we let our running backs handle that task.

I don't think Gray will redshirt - he will come in and see a little action, but Weber is the man for the next 2 years. Don't be surprised and you heard it here first if Moses Alipate doesn't eventually end up playing somewhere else such as TE "to get the best athletes on the field at the same time."

I get the feeling Gray will be a very good QB for us someday.

[Border Gopher]

Don't be surprised and you heard it here first if Moses Alipate doesn't eventually end up playing somewhere else such as TE "to get the best athletes on the field at the same time."

You're like the 631st to think that Alipate might not play much QB. I think FDR first mentioned it.

[Gold Rush]

Who's FDR? He sounds like a pretty smart guy!!

[GopherinPhilly]

He may be able to redshirt, but should he? If Weber continues to play like he did the past 3 months or so, it might be time to consider part-time play with others. Weber was not a very good quarterback in 2008.

How many names does fat pat post on this site with...Webber has been very good considering the lack of O-line play and a running game plus injuries to his top receiver.

Frankly cncmin, I don't think you know *&^!#*&^!#*&^!#*&^!# about football or the gophers and you are just a hater that should crawl back up fat pat's ass. Just my opinion.

[grunkiejr]

Weber is projected the #2 QB in the Big Ten next year. I highly doubt Gray will come in and take his place unless he is injured, but I guess it is certainly possible. I wonder if Brewster will let Weber run more often next year if he is comfortable with Gray coming in.....just a thought, but I would hope that we let our running backs handle that task.

I don't think Gray will redshirt - he will come in and see a little action, but Weber is the man for the next 2 years. Don't be surprised and you heard it here first if Moses Alipate doesn't eventually end up playing somewhere else such as TE "to get the best athletes on the field at the same time."

I get the feeling Gray will be a very good QB for us someday.

No disrespect but do you remember who was projected as the top few QB's in the Big Ten this season?

1. Boeckman (returning 1st team All Big 10)--replaced by Pryor
2. Painter--benched the week prior to Minnesota vs. Purdue
3. Brian Hoyer--didn't finish in the top 5 QB's in the Big Ten
4. Juice Williams--split 2nd team All Big Ten w/ Weber

I think Weber keeps his starting job but Gray won't redshirt (he'll be the #1 back up). Don't be surprised if they create a mini MarQueis Gray playbook to take advantage of his talents. That was the plan with Pryor until they realized the offense was better with Pryor.

[mckerney]

Don't be surprised and you heard it here first if Moses Alipate doesn't eventually end up playing somewhere else such as TE "to get the best athletes on the field at the same time."

I'll be surprised. He was listed as one of the standouts in todays UA AA game practice, looking impressive even alongside 5* and #1 QB in the nation Matt Barkley. He's got great size at QB and one of the best arms for the class of 2009 in the country.

http://footballrecruiting.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=895294

[alpinegopher]

I don't care it Alipate plays QB and Gray plays left guard. There has to be more speed everywhere. Anyone watch Oregon last night?

Let's not get too carried away with Big Ten QB rankings. Best QB in the BT is the 8th or 9th best in the Big 12.

[anticallihan]

I am sorry. We have zero offensive line. Blaming the QB for a line that can't convert 3rd and short is crazy.

Is Weber the guy? Most likely. Does he have a middle of the road OLine? Nope.

You cannot evaluate anyone on the team until you have a serviceable line.

[ncgo4]

Our O line this year was truly not very good and was a singular weakness. With the change in talent and an additional year of weight training and improved coaching I'm hoping our O-line will go from very poor to capable and the following year it should be good. These are huge steps for a team and will move us way up in the food chain. Until our O-line makes these improvements, however, it is impossible to judge the rest of our offense.

[Ski U Mah Gopher]

Let's not forget, Gray has played 2 quarters (the Army AA game) since September of 2007. Will he be ready to take the pounding?

[mkAz]

Gray is too good to keep off the field, while I agree that Weber is the starter, they will find ways to take advantage of Gray's talents.

[Art Vandelay]

When was the last time Gray took a snap in a game? Didn't he miss most of his Senior year because of injuries? Couple that with sitting out this year and he's basically lost 2 years of development.

I wouldn't expect much from him until Weber is gone. He's not Terrelle Pryor.

[alpinegopher]

Then he should be fresh.

[magpie]

Marqueis Gray will be the starter by the end of 2009.

[Schlic Daddy]

I wouldn't expect much from him until Weber is gone. He's not Terrelle Pryor.

I believe it was ESPN's analysts that said Marqueis Gray was better than Pryor after watching fall practices. That's saying something, being that we don't get a lot of love from the so-called "experts."

[Monty519]

I believe it was ESPN's analysts that said Marqueis Gray was better than Pryor after watching fall practices. That's saying something, being that we don't get a lot of love from the so-called "experts."

I believe that was BTN, and it was either Griffith or DiNardo during the Gophers' fall practice episode.

[2nd Degree Gopher]

I think Monty is correct on the source. Also, I believe the opinion was that Gray was a better passer than Pryor at that point, not a better player.

[s93skier]

My problem with Weber is that a lot of his passes are late (after the receiver has broken and the D is caching up) or the through is actually behind him not leading the receiver. I don’t think he has that vision or feel that great QB’s have. Some QB’s are gifted and can not only when a receiver is about to be open but can through the ball in a way that helps the receiver get open. I also think he has a confidence problem when Decker is not 100%

[magpie]

Decker makes Weber look better than he is. Sadly, Weber may look like a saint with Decker, Carpenter, and Green catching the ball next year. I hope Gray picks up the playbook fast enough to show that he can do the same & more.

[Cosmo Kramer]

I just watched some highlights on Gray from the Army All-American game last year and man is he fast. He will need some work on his passing but he will play next year. Just too athletic to keep on the sidelines. I also think that Alipate will redshirt and will struggle to ever play over Gray.

[RodentRampage]

Decker makes Weber look better than he is. Sadly, Weber may look like a saint with Decker, Carpenter, and Green catching the ball next year. I hope Gray picks up the playbook fast enough to show that he can do the same & more.

What's sad about that? Players are always going to look better with a better supporting cast, and will always look worse with a worse supporting cast. If the WR next season make Weber look like a saint, that would be fantasticly good news.

[magpie]

What's sad about that? Players are always going to look better with a better supporting cast, and will always look worse with a worse supporting cast. If the WR next season make Weber look like a saint, that would be fantasticly good news.

Obviously the point you're missing is that people expect Weber to be the starter. I'm trying to say that if he's the starter, there's a chance the receivers make him look better than he is -- thus preventing Gray from being "battle tested". If Weber struggles or Gray surprises, it won't take much for Gray to show he's the superior athlete.

[josh087]

Gray coming in and replacing him next year? I like what I've seen on Gray in clips, but this would be Unreal.

This is Weber's team. He's a captain.

Almost 65% completion percentage despite an O-line that couldn't pass or run block - and we all know how many 3rd and longs we faced this year. I don't know how much more you could ask for? How many times did Weber have to run for his life or throw before he wanted to? A ton. Watch any of Sam Bradford's games this year and it's so obvious how huge pass blocking is to a Quarterback. Does that guy ever get touched???

Throw in the injuries to Decker, Bennett, Pittman, Kuznia, and the blowup of Spry, and almost every one of the projected top options to throw to were limited.

I'm watching Ole Miss right now and they're making Graham Harrell look like Jake Christensen. Why? They're putting on the kind of pressure Weber has seen all year.

To me the question isn't - when will we see Marqueis Gray unseat Weber? The question should be -

How in the world did Adam Weber pull off a 62% completion percentage, a 2-1 TD-to-Int ratio and a QB rating of 126.9?

[tjgesquire]

I know how, taking sacks and a lack of competition. His stats were bloated during our non-conference schedule and missing Michigan State and Penn State on the Big Ten schedule really helped as well.
Weber has yet to develop a pocket pressence. He takes sacks way too easily. David Pittman might want to teach him how to throw a perfect ball on the move, that was nice.

[Tubtastic]

Who knows really. What we know is that Gray comes in as a highly recruited and talented QB with a year off. Weber played well at times but at times seems locked in to receiving option #1 and didn't always scan the field that well. He also had a questionable O-line and young WR stable.

I'd like to see Gray share time with Weber ala Boeckman/Pryor. It is really hard to tell how good a QB Weber actually is....

[josh087]

No other QB faces a non-conference schedule that is weaker than their conference schedule. ARE WE STILL talking about scheduling??? God, the media in this town has you brainwashed. Compare other teams schedules and the Gophers is in line with just about everyone. Next year people will be complaining its too difficult.

"No pocket presence." What does that even mean? Talk about unsubstanciated BS. Is this Reusse? If you mean he can't stand there in the pocket and be comfortable, you're right again. I WONDER WHY????????????? I'd be afraid for my life taking snaps behind that line.

Yes, he does take a lot of sacks. I WONDER WHY????????????????? It's not because he is a statue in the pocket a la Steve DeBerg. You're right. He takes way too many sacks for a QB who actually can move around. Without that he would have taken many many more.

Were you even watching his throws this year? Some of the biggest plays of the year were because of his mobility and escaping sacks - AND throwing on the run.

- Long pass to Green vs. Purdue
- Long pass to Tow-Arnett vs. Indiana
- Key 3rd Down to Kuznia vs. Bowling Green

Thats just off the top of my head. I could search and probably remember many more - but I really don't feel like wasting any more time denouncing your points.

[Tubtastic]

Adam Weber the last nine games of the year:

C/ATT YDS AVG TD INT --
19/34 176 5.2 1 0 (v. Kansas)
14/28 127 4.5 0 2 (v. Iowa)
15/30 202 6.7 3 1 (at Wisc)
13/24 105 4.4 0 1 (v. Mich)
31/51 327 6.4 1 1 (v. N'Western)
21/34 212 6.2 1 1 (at Purdue)
18/26 184 7.1 1 0 (at Ill)
22/37 274 7.4 0 0 (v. Ind)
23/36 187 5.2 1 1 (at tOSU)

To summarize, in 8 Big Ten games and 1 bowl game, Weber completed 59% of his passes (176/300) for 199 yards per game average (1794 total yards). He threw 0.78 TDs and 0.78 INTs per game (7 TDs/7 INTs total). Other than the completion percentage, these numbers are not very fantastic. I don't put all the blame on Weber and actually think he did well despite a complete lack of a run game, but I would like to see if Gray can do better. I vote for split time next year.

[monk10]

Why would you throw a freshman QB to the wolves? Unless you guys think there is a monumental improvement in our line?

[Tubtastic]

The OL will be better next year with Carufel and Wills (it couldn't be any worse).

Gray is a top recruit and talent - give him some reps now.

[josh087]

Why are we comparing Ohio State's situation to ours?

Gray is impressive-looking, but Prior is a better talent coming in than Gray.

Boeckman is OK - but I would take Weber ANY day of the week.

The situation is totally different.

There's a reason Boeckman was thinking about the NFL draft after last year - he knew Pryor was the type of talent to take his spot; and it was the best chance for him to get drafted.

Gray might turn out to be really good - but the talent level on both sides of the equasion equals Weber staying at QB.

I could see using Gray in a "Wildcat" type package - but certainly not as a full-time or even dual-time QB.

[grunkiejr]

Why are we comparing Ohio State's situation to ours?

Gray is impressive-looking, but Prior is a better talent coming in than Gray.

Boeckman is OK - but I would take Weber ANY day of the week.

The situation is totally different.

There's a reason Boeckman was thinking about the NFL draft after last year - he knew Pryor was the type of talent to take his spot; and it was the best chance for him to get drafted.

Gray might turn out to be really good - but the talent level on both sides of the equasion equals Weber staying at QB.

I could see using Gray in a "Wildcat" type package - but certainly not as a full-time or even dual-time QB.

The difference between Pryor and Gray is less than you think. Pryor is a better ath;ete that has a higher ceiling but in high school Gray was more polished in his footwork and he was a better passer. They both played at the Army AA game last year and they both looked outstanding. Pryor has a much bigger name because of the way that he played the game with his recruitment. He let the process drag on and "flirted" with a lot of major teams before going on national tv to announce that he wouldn't be signing until after LOI day. The suspense kept every recruitnik in suspense and it was the best topic of 2008.

Russell Shephard has a similar skill set to Pryor but he announced early that he is going to LSU and there isn't near the same buzz about him.

Even though Gray held his commitment silent until the Army AA bowl last year he stopped going on visits after his trip to Minnesota. Couple that with his broken arm keeping him out for 6 weeks of his senior year and you can see why he didn't create the same buzz that Pryor did.

[grunkiejr]

No other QB faces a non-conference schedule that is weaker than their conference schedule. ARE WE STILL talking about scheduling??? God, the media in this town has you brainwashed. Compare other teams schedules and the Gophers is in line with just about everyone. Next year people will be complaining its too difficult.

"No pocket presence." What does that even mean? Talk about unsubstanciated BS. Is this Reusse? If you mean he can't stand there in the pocket and be comfortable, you're right again. I WONDER WHY????????????? I'd be afraid for my life taking snaps behind that line.

Yes, he does take a lot of sacks. I WONDER WHY????????????????? It's not because he is a statue in the pocket a la Steve DeBerg. You're right. He takes way too many sacks for a QB who actually can move around. Without that he would have taken many many more.

Were you even watching his throws this year? Some of the biggest plays of the year were because of his mobility and escaping sacks - AND throwing on the run.

- Long pass to Green vs. Purdue
- Long pass to Tow-Arnett vs. Indiana
- Key 3rd Down to Kuznia vs. Bowling Green

Thats just off the top of my head. I could search and probably remember many more - but I really don't feel like wasting any more time denouncing your points.

Look, I like Weber but he does need to learn better pocket presence and footwork. He shows signs of a young QB that has played with a bad line in front of him and that he doesn't trust. He has a tendency to bail out of the pocket early and put DE's that are being blocked in position to sack him. He did it at least twice in the Insight bowl including the 2nd down and 10 with about 25 seconds left in the half. The pocket held but the DT that was being blocked from the LG started to get penetration. Instead of stepping up in the pocket to the hole over by the RG, Weber did a 270 degree turn to roll out to the right which put the DE being blocked by our RT in a position to sack him. Weber ended up slipping on the paint near midfield which put us in a 3rd and 18.

I'll add the deep pass to Decker against Indiana to your list. And the 3rd down pass to Kuznia against Bowling Green was absolutely sick.

He can throw on the run but he isn't near as accurate as throwing from the pocket. Some QB's have a small change between throwing on the run and throwing in the pocket and Weber has a bigger change because he doesn't take the right step in to it with his left foot that he is throwing off of that helps to get his shoulders square to his throwing target. This is a very natural throw for kids that grow up playing baseball (particularly OF or SS) because it is the same throw you make charging a baseball.

When Alipate gets here they are going to have teach him the same things that Weber needs to get better at because Alipate had a bad line in front of him and will likely have too short of a clock in his head that will cause him to bail from the pocket early.

[cncmin]

Look, I like Weber but he does need to learn better pocket presence and footwork. He shows signs of a young QB that has played with a bad line in front of him and that he doesn't trust. He has a tendency to bail out of the pocket early and put DE's that are being blocked in position to sack him. He did it at least twice in the Insight bowl including the 2nd down and 10 with about 25 seconds left in the half. The pocket held but the DT that was being blocked from the LG started to get penetration. Instead of stepping up in the pocket to the hole over by the RG, Weber did a 270 degree turn to roll out to the right which put the DE being blocked by our RT in a position to sack him. Weber ended up slipping on the paint near midfield which put us in a 3rd and 18.

I'll add the deep pass to Decker against Indiana to your list. And the 3rd down pass to Kuznia against Bowling Green was absolutely sick.

He can throw on the run but he isn't near as accurate as throwing from the pocket. Some QB's have a small change between throwing on the run and throwing in the pocket and Weber has a bigger change because he doesn't take the right step in to it with his left foot that he is throwing off of that helps to get his shoulders square to his throwing target. This is a very natural throw for kids that grow up playing baseball (particularly OF or SS) because it is the same throw you make charging a baseball.

When Alipate gets here they are going to have teach him the same things that Weber needs to get better at because Alipate had a bad line in front of him and will likely have too short of a clock in his head that will cause him to bail from the pocket early.

Lookie here, all you folkses suggestin here that Gray mite take sum snaps frum Weber at QB next year and that Webber ain't no god are just so stupid, as GopherinPhilly would tell ya. None of you no *&^!#*&^!#*&^!#*&^!# about football and you ain't got none of them brains thingies. Weber never makes no mistakes, GopherinPhilly nos better. GopherinPhilly shud be coach, not that stupid-fer-brains Brewster and any of yous sayin differant is just ignerant.

[LloydChristmas]

I heard an interesting comment about Gray at the insight bowl, that he was an absolute rock-head. Coming from older alumni sitting in front of me. Has anyone gotten a good sense of his athletic IQ or was this person just making a rash comment about the fact he couldn't gain entrance.

I'm looking forward to a future competition between Gray and Alipate as long as they don't tell Alipate to add 30lbs and play TE. They won't leave the cupboards bare and redshirt both but any competition for #1 can only be a good thing.

[nemosgold]

Figure it out, how many times did he take the ACT?

[BBShopGo4]

Figure it out, how many times did he take the ACT?

Give me a break! He got a qualifying score...TWICE! What do you want from the guy? It's easy to lob this sort of ridiculous insult from behind a keyboard. Get a life!

[lawrence21]

the talent level between them is not much. I guarantee Gray can throw for more than 66 yards which is what Pryor had last night. Pryor can't throw a football, which is a handy skill to have when you are a QB. Gray should take 40-50% of snaps next year


Josh087, are you actually Adam Weber? Adam is good but his hold on the starting job is far from untouchable.

[GophersInIowa]

Gray will play next year but if he ends up being the starter, I think that's not good. The chances of Gray coming in and being a superstar as a freshman are not very good. So if he is starting, then that means Weber is just playing that bad. I don't think it will happen though.

[Sparlimb]

I don't care it Alipate plays QB and Gray plays left guard. There has to be more speed everywhere. Anyone watch Oregon last night?

Let's not get too carried away with Big Ten QB rankings. Best QB in the BT is the 8th or 9th best in the Big 12.


Let's be honest, Gray is too skinny to play guard. But maybe DE...:):):):p:p:p:rolleyes::rolleyes:

I'm certainly not on the Weber bandwagon. He may be the 3rd best QB on his team by the end of next year. So let the chips fall where they may. Brewster needs to keep his job, so you can be sure the best QB will see the field.

Anyone else worried that if Maturi extends Brewster that will make this his last year for sure? Reading tea leaves can be so hard, but there is history...

[Cosmo Kramer]

I'm certainly not on the Weber bandwagon. He may be the 3rd best QB on his team by the end of next year. So let the chips fall where they may. Brewster needs to keep his job, so you can be sure the best QB will see the field.


There is no chance in hell Weber is the 3rd best qb next year. Alipate is coming from high school and Gray broke his arm his senior year and hasn't played that much but I must admit I can't wait until he sees the field because he is a dynamic athlete.

[DCGopher]

Weber was just a sophmore this season. He probably will improve and get better next year and the year after that like most college QBs do from year to year. Few QBs are starters before their junior year. Yet he has been the best QB we have had for a long time and he is not even an upperclassmen. Hopefully the best of Weber is yet come.

Issues like "pocket presence" are things that QBs get better at with experience....but a little competition at the position should help both of them get better. If someone else steps up and proves they are better, then great, go with them! No matter who our starting QB is it should be better then this past year with more quality receivers and a better O-line.

[SelectionSunday]

Whether it's next year, two years from now or 3 years from now, the Gopher program really needs Marqueis to live up to all the hype. This program needs a transcendent player that plain & simple lifts the program over the top (read: into Outback, Capital One, Rose or BCS bowl). Somone along the lines of Vince Young (took Texas to the next level) in football, or a Bobby Jackson in basketball. A guy that just takes a program by the balls and says being medicore or "good enough" is no longer good enough. Those kind of players don't come around very often, but maybe Gray will be that guy for the Gopher program.

[50PoundHead]

I think grunkiejr is right. Gray will be the back-up in 2009, but my guess is we'll see a mini-Gray playbook for certain situations, much like OSU has done with Boeckman and Pryor.

[McGopherFan]

Give me a break! He got a qualifying score...TWICE! What do you want from the guy? It's easy to lob this sort of ridiculous insult from behind a keyboard. Get a life!

Not many have to prove themselves twice.

[Bayfieldgopher]

I suggest we wait until we see Gray perform in the Spring Game B4 we proclaim him as the next great Gopher QB.

[DCGopher]

Whether it's next year, two years from now or 3 years from now, the Gopher program really needs Marqueis to live up to all the hype. This program needs a transcendent player that plain & simple lifts the program over the top (read: into Outback, Capital One, Rose or BCS bowl). Somone along the lines of Vince Young (took Texas to the next level) in football, or a Bobby Jackson in basketball. A guy that just takes a program by the balls and says being medicore or "good enough" is no longer good enough. Those kind of players don't come around very often, but maybe Gray will be that guy for the Gopher program.

I agree. However, it was not until Vince Young's junior and senior seasons that they made a BCS bowl bid (barely) and the NC season. In the long run Gray would probably benefit from more immediate playing time in his development, but that would mean some of the growing pains of a freshman QB again.

There are a lot of Gopher fans who are not willing to wait that long and perhaps it seems that Brewster/our coordinators are not willing to wait that long either to stick with and develop a consistent identity/strategy for our potential "transcendent players". The people who say that Brewster needs to win big this next season or leave but also want to start a freshman QB need to reevaluate their expectations. Unfortunately, a "win big immediately or get out approach" usually doesn't work to move beyond medicore unless you have a USC caliber talent pool for the entire team. Although, I don't think we should wait another decade like under Mason.

[youngstowngopher]

It's going to be interesting for sure, since I have a feeling we will use Gray like Florida did with Tebow his Freshman year....a couple plays here and their, but every game he seemed to get more and more reps.