Here's an assessment of the Rutgers quarterback situation from Neward Star-Ledger reporter Brendan Prunty:
The question about Rutgers' quarterback situation isn't so much with who will be playing, but when and how much they'll be playing. While Greg Schiano hasn't tipped his hand in the least bit this summer and this last week, chances are Domenic Natale will get the nod for Monday's game against the Bearcats. Natale isn't the flashiest or the sexiest choice, but he is a senior, knows the playbook well and most importantly ? Schiano trusts him in a game situation. When he was a recruit coming out of high school, Natale was ranked ninth, while some dude named Colt McCoy was ranked 15th. (Seriously, look it up.) So far, that hasn't exactly panned out. But you don't get that highly rated for nothing and we know Natale has talent.The question is whether he can put it together.
Which brings us to the second question about Natale: How long can he hold off true freshman Tom Savage? The most highly-touted prospect who's ever hit Piscataway, Savage has shown a remarkable ability to "get it," despite being only a freshman. The only thing that has to concern Schiano is that we've never seen Savage do it in a live game setting. He's been pretty good in the three scrimmages this training camp, but those are only scrimmages ? it's pretty tough to get a full and complete picture. The thing is, from a purely offensive standpoint, Savage probably gives Schiano the best chance to have the pro-style passing attack that we've seen for the last three years with Mike Teel at the helm. But will he start him in a first game with so much on the line? Probably not. But there's a solid chance that Savage gets some snaps.
As for the other two quarterbacks ? Jabu Lovelace and D.C. Jefferson ? don't expect much. Jefferson, in fact, has made the switch to tight end in the last three weeks in order to finally see the field. So unless there's a direr emergency at quarterback, he won't be throwing a pass this season. Lovelace, a senior, just simply isn't an every-down quarterback. He can throw the ball well enough, but he's simply not accurate enough to be a starter in a league like the Big East. He will certainly get snaps in many of the games this year, but outside of being the Wildcat/running option behind center, he's not going to make much of an impact.
The question about Rutgers' quarterback situation isn't so much with who will be playing, but when and how much they'll be playing. While Greg Schiano hasn't tipped his hand in the least bit this summer and this last week, chances are Domenic Natale will get the nod for Monday's game against the Bearcats. Natale isn't the flashiest or the sexiest choice, but he is a senior, knows the playbook well and most importantly ? Schiano trusts him in a game situation. When he was a recruit coming out of high school, Natale was ranked ninth, while some dude named Colt McCoy was ranked 15th. (Seriously, look it up.) So far, that hasn't exactly panned out. But you don't get that highly rated for nothing and we know Natale has talent.The question is whether he can put it together.
Which brings us to the second question about Natale: How long can he hold off true freshman Tom Savage? The most highly-touted prospect who's ever hit Piscataway, Savage has shown a remarkable ability to "get it," despite being only a freshman. The only thing that has to concern Schiano is that we've never seen Savage do it in a live game setting. He's been pretty good in the three scrimmages this training camp, but those are only scrimmages ? it's pretty tough to get a full and complete picture. The thing is, from a purely offensive standpoint, Savage probably gives Schiano the best chance to have the pro-style passing attack that we've seen for the last three years with Mike Teel at the helm. But will he start him in a first game with so much on the line? Probably not. But there's a solid chance that Savage gets some snaps.
As for the other two quarterbacks ? Jabu Lovelace and D.C. Jefferson ? don't expect much. Jefferson, in fact, has made the switch to tight end in the last three weeks in order to finally see the field. So unless there's a direr emergency at quarterback, he won't be throwing a pass this season. Lovelace, a senior, just simply isn't an every-down quarterback. He can throw the ball well enough, but he's simply not accurate enough to be a starter in a league like the Big East. He will certainly get snaps in many of the games this year, but outside of being the Wildcat/running option behind center, he's not going to make much of an impact.
