Yeah parks never made a nice throw.
Guys, get real. Park is an NFL caliber QB. Kempt did what he needed to do because that’s what backups are for. When Park is 100% then he’ll play.
Can you imagine a Texas game with Kempt??
Where do we go at QB from here?
- Thread starter WIB
- Start date
Guys, get real. Park is an NFL caliber QB. Kempt did what he needed to do because that’s what backups are for. When Park is 100% then he’ll play.
Can you imagine a Texas game with Kempt??
Both QBs are a bit of an unknown. Park is very athletic, and perhaps one of the best QBs we've had in a long time. But he has a history, prior to arriving in Ames, and now in Ames, that raises questions. QBing is about more than talent; it is about leadership and mental toughness and stability.
Kempt has won only started 1 game, and he won that game. He has done well on the practice team, and came in under terrible conditions and did his job. He may not be as talented at Park, but he delivered the ball where he was supposed to. His height is a big advantage at the position. And the team played for him. This win is about the team, and a bit about Kempt. To me, that means leadership. And, of course, coaching.
I wish no ill will on Parks; he clearly has issues. He needs to prove to himself, to his teammates and his coaches that he has things under control. If he can do that, he may get the start. But the coaches can't ignore what Kempt did. They will ultimately go with whoever they think gives us the better chance to win.
More than anything, we cannot look at next week and say it's only Kansas, after beating OU. KU has more talent and better coaching than in the past. We underestimate them at our peril.
Kempt has won only started 1 game, and he won that game. He has done well on the practice team, and came in under terrible conditions and did his job. He may not be as talented at Park, but he delivered the ball where he was supposed to. His height is a big advantage at the position. And the team played for him. This win is about the team, and a bit about Kempt. To me, that means leadership. And, of course, coaching.
I wish no ill will on Parks; he clearly has issues. He needs to prove to himself, to his teammates and his coaches that he has things under control. If he can do that, he may get the start. But the coaches can't ignore what Kempt did. They will ultimately go with whoever they think gives us the better chance to win.
More than anything, we cannot look at next week and say it's only Kansas, after beating OU. KU has more talent and better coaching than in the past. We underestimate them at our peril.
Park gives us the best chance to win. Now he just needs to be mentally right and 100%.
That certainly did not happen at Texas. Park put it into Texas hands 3 times. So Park could have put it into Sooner hands as well. Or rifled it 10 yards above Lazard. Kempt had a great game against OU. Undefeated as a starter. Kempt will start against KU.
Wondering why you are so eagerly eating up QB Kyle Kempt. All anyone is saying is that he deserves the start against KU. Kempt has not played a bad game yet.
Park.
This win goes to show we don't need Park to save the world each game; make the easy throw and put yourself in position to win. It also helps having the running game hitting on all cylinders.
One thing to consider is the team mentality. I don't know how players feel about Park, but to have a team win like this and the leader/QB not there, probably doesn't help his case to win his teammates over. Again, not sure how they feel about him, but I think the rest of the team became much closer.
This win goes to show we don't need Park to save the world each game; make the easy throw and put yourself in position to win. It also helps having the running game hitting on all cylinders.
One thing to consider is the team mentality. I don't know how players feel about Park, but to have a team win like this and the leader/QB not there, probably doesn't help his case to win his teammates over. Again, not sure how they feel about him, but I think the rest of the team became much closer.
Last edited:
We just had a QB complete 75% of his passes for an average of 18.5 yards per completion. I'd imagine that's a pretty rare stat.
It had very little to do with Kempt's talent, it was the scheme. A majority of his completions were on screens, swings, and other designed short routes where we got the ball to our playmakers. Contrast that with all the run pass options that were a disaster vs Texas.
Park can handle swings and screens, and will probably be much better than Kempt because he can zip it with a lot more velocity. The problem with Park is when you are depending on him making RPO reads, his gunslingers mentality kicks in and you end up with the Texas game with a ratio of 48 passes to 9 Montgomery runs, and the corresponding 3 INTS, 7 points, and coach/QB arguments on national television that comes with such a ratio.
I would prefer Lanning as QB because on these swings and screens, when the LB's and safeties start cheating and don't stay frozen at the snap, Joel can tuck it on a QB draw up the gut and make them pay. Hell, have Park or Kempt keep it on a draw up the gut for all I care. Point is, if you want to win consistently at ISU you have to sacrifice the QB and play 11 on 11 football.
We aren't landing Peyton Mannings, so why protect them? Most years ISU would be better off with a 2nd stringer running than a 1st stringer trying to stay healthy as a 1 dimensional pocket passer. Since we are recruiting dual threats like Devon, Re-al, and having the one-time commit from Dwan, I am hopeful that this is the direction they plan on heading, as opposed to what Campbell & Candle did at Toledo with Ely and Woodside being very dependent on deep RPOs from the pocket.
It had very little to do with Kempt's talent, it was the scheme. A majority of his completions were on screens, swings, and other designed short routes where we got the ball to our playmakers. Contrast that with all the run pass options that were a disaster vs Texas.
Park can handle swings and screens, and will probably be much better than Kempt because he can zip it with a lot more velocity. The problem with Park is when you are depending on him making RPO reads, his gunslingers mentality kicks in and you end up with the Texas game with a ratio of 48 passes to 9 Montgomery runs, and the corresponding 3 INTS, 7 points, and coach/QB arguments on national television that comes with such a ratio.
I would prefer Lanning as QB because on these swings and screens, when the LB's and safeties start cheating and don't stay frozen at the snap, Joel can tuck it on a QB draw up the gut and make them pay. Hell, have Park or Kempt keep it on a draw up the gut for all I care. Point is, if you want to win consistently at ISU you have to sacrifice the QB and play 11 on 11 football.
We aren't landing Peyton Mannings, so why protect them? Most years ISU would be better off with a 2nd stringer running than a 1st stringer trying to stay healthy as a 1 dimensional pocket passer. Since we are recruiting dual threats like Devon, Re-al, and having the one-time commit from Dwan, I am hopeful that this is the direction they plan on heading, as opposed to what Campbell & Candle did at Toledo with Ely and Woodside being very dependent on deep RPOs from the pocket.
Park's leave of absence is very troubling. Just speculating here, but if this was just a second offense for weed, I question why the teams statement would even acknowledge "personal medical issues". They would have just stuck with "violation of team rules". To me, it would appear Park's issue may be related to substances that will never be legalized in any state. The kind people actually need help getting off. That points to a multi game absence, if not the rest of the season. I will be surprised if we see Park again take the field in a Cyclone uniform. Hope to god I am wrong for him and ISU football. Way too talented to wash out again.
True. I don't think it is apples and oranges. Manning put Kempt in a better position to win yesterday than he did with Park last week against Texas. But Kempt still won, on the road, against the #3 team in the country, for the first time in the history of Iowa State football. That's why I think the coaches should give them both a chance.
Of course this is all moot if Park isn't coming back next week and all indications are that he is not at this point.
If the other team has no film they're not prepped to the tendancies, etc.
Kempt was great...was a hero without trying be one. He doesn't have the arm that Park does but he just took what was there and the result was the offense working itself out to be effective.
Park did not make plays and threw interceptions against Texas. Same plays might have been there against Texas. Park just chose the other options and they were wrong and he did not make the plays or make accurate throws.
Park has velocity but combined with tough placement, I don't see how throwing the ball so damn hard to make it tough to catch is a good thing. QB has to have touch and also judgment.
Tremendous recency bias right now in the evaluations.
Park, when fully ready and committed to the team, is the starter. Kempt gives the staff leverage and time to allow that to happen. If there were any thoughts that Park could get by on superior talent, it's clear he'll need to readjust. Time for him to earn it.
More importantly than Park/Kempt is that the staff continues to aptly play Lanning at QB too. He gives the Oline and our run game much more of a boost than the stats show. A few more first downs and the threat is huge. He would be an all-conference QB at KSU.
Thank goodness we didn't see Kempt pass 50 times against OU like Park was asked to do last week.
Park, when fully ready and committed to the team, is the starter. Kempt gives the staff leverage and time to allow that to happen. If there were any thoughts that Park could get by on superior talent, it's clear he'll need to readjust. Time for him to earn it.
More importantly than Park/Kempt is that the staff continues to aptly play Lanning at QB too. He gives the Oline and our run game much more of a boost than the stats show. A few more first downs and the threat is huge. He would be an all-conference QB at KSU.
Thank goodness we didn't see Kempt pass 50 times against OU like Park was asked to do last week.
Campbell has said from day 1 that you need your best players to play like your best players to be successful. You can't expect your expect your 2nd and 3rd string guys to play like your best players. Our best players really stepped up and our other guys, like Kempt, played within the game. Great Team win. You could argue that some of our upsets in history have been somewhat flukes due to poor play by the opponent. This was no fluke, our team played well and beat the #3 team in the nation.
No doubt Park is the more talented QB, but does he make the team better? Time will tell.
No doubt Park is the more talented QB, but does he make the team better? Time will tell.
Not sure if you're aware of this, but people have bad games. It happens. Montgomery was awful against Texas, should we bench him? It's obvious playcalling was the problem in that game.
And I'm not eating up Kempt, find me one time where I've been negative about him. I'm just saying this staff has worked closely with him for two years, yet he was still 3rd string and not on scholarship. Unless you're saying this staff can't evaluate talent?
I'm all in on Park, I think he's the best quarterback we've had in a long time. That said I am now much more relaxed knowing we have steady Eddie behind him if needed.
If what CMC has said so far about Park is even remotely true, then there's no way he'll be ready to play this week IMO. After the game yesterday, CMC even said that Jacob has to get healthy before he'll return. I really doubt he can get healthy and get his mind right in less than a week.
Park clearly has the most talent and highest ceiling IMO, but that does not always make you the best QB. Kempt IMO, showed yesterday that he's a better decision maker. And that can more than make up for lack of arm talent. Kempt wasn't ever trying to be the hero of the game, he was just trying to move the ball down the field one first down at a time. Take what the defense is giving you.
But he wasn't ultra conservative either. He did take some shots down the field, and when he did, he gave our big WR's a chance to make a play on the ball instead of over throwing them.
Now, with all that being said, I do blame some of this on our coaches too. Yesterday they put in a simple game plan for a first time starter that made the game a lot easier for Kempt. He had multiple dump offs available to him it seemed, whereas in the Texas game, Park seemed to only have receivers running 20 yd routes and he had no time to let those develop.
So IMO, Kempt seems to be able to manage the game better and make better decisions, but if Park does get healthy I think he can become a really great QB if the staff gives him the same game plan they gave Kempt yesterday, and then can instill in him to make the simple play, run for 4 or 5 yds if it's there instead of forcing something, dump off passes to Montgomery, Ryen, Jones, etc in space are REALLY good options that can gain a lot of yards or even go for TDs (you don't have to throw deep to make good yards).... and on the deep throws at least give your WRs a chance to make a play on the ball.
Park clearly has the most talent and highest ceiling IMO, but that does not always make you the best QB. Kempt IMO, showed yesterday that he's a better decision maker. And that can more than make up for lack of arm talent. Kempt wasn't ever trying to be the hero of the game, he was just trying to move the ball down the field one first down at a time. Take what the defense is giving you.
But he wasn't ultra conservative either. He did take some shots down the field, and when he did, he gave our big WR's a chance to make a play on the ball instead of over throwing them.
Now, with all that being said, I do blame some of this on our coaches too. Yesterday they put in a simple game plan for a first time starter that made the game a lot easier for Kempt. He had multiple dump offs available to him it seemed, whereas in the Texas game, Park seemed to only have receivers running 20 yd routes and he had no time to let those develop.
So IMO, Kempt seems to be able to manage the game better and make better decisions, but if Park does get healthy I think he can become a really great QB if the staff gives him the same game plan they gave Kempt yesterday, and then can instill in him to make the simple play, run for 4 or 5 yds if it's there instead of forcing something, dump off passes to Montgomery, Ryen, Jones, etc in space are REALLY good options that can gain a lot of yards or even go for TDs (you don't have to throw deep to make good yards).... and on the deep throws at least give your WRs a chance to make a play on the ball.
Park was throwing at a 66% clip before the Texas game. He played bad but I attribute a lot of that to bad coaching/scheme. Put Kempt in for Park with that game plan and we lose by 30.
Kempt played great for what was asked of him, which was very little. You’re trying to tell me that Park or Noland couldn’t throw those screen balls to Ryan or Murdock?? There’s a reason why Lazard didn’t have a catch until after halftime.
The gameplan yesterday was beautiful on offense, but that isn’t going to work for very long. I’d like to see how many of his Yards were passes in front of the line of scrimmage. I’d imagine a good chunk were Lazard’s TD and Butler before the half.
If and when Park is healthy and stable, he has to be the guy. Keep the same game plan, but Park allows you to open up the offense
Kempt played great for what was asked of him, which was very little. You’re trying to tell me that Park or Noland couldn’t throw those screen balls to Ryan or Murdock?? There’s a reason why Lazard didn’t have a catch until after halftime.
The gameplan yesterday was beautiful on offense, but that isn’t going to work for very long. I’d like to see how many of his Yards were passes in front of the line of scrimmage. I’d imagine a good chunk were Lazard’s TD and Butler before the half.
If and when Park is healthy and stable, he has to be the guy. Keep the same game plan, but Park allows you to open up the offense