https://twitter.com/labanowitzstone/status/1430963758470418437?s=21
Did not see this coming…
Unbelievable. I get he's upset at not being QB1 to start the season, but you have to think there's a good chance he'd still get some playing time this year.
This stings quite a bit. I had high hopes for SL.
It's been more than once that Nick has given someone an opportunity over Stone. You know how many times Lyles was given chances over Stone? Too many. I don't blame him for being upset, I'm sure I'd feel the same. Wish he'd have stayed as I thought he'd probably end up starting but it is what it is. Next man up mentality! Still as excited about the season as ever
I kind of felt like this was coming. Tough situation to be in...he was beaten out by Baker twice (last year he was QB2) and Baker is just a Sophomore. Doesn't want to wait around for an injury to play, I get that. He had a hell of a Spring season and I'm sure he'll find a spot to play. Good luck to him!
https://twitter.com/labanowitzstone/status/1430963758470418437?s=21
Did not see this coming…
Unbelievable. I get he's upset at not being QB1 to start the season, but you have to think there's a good chance he'd still get some playing time this year.
This stings quite a bit. I had high hopes for SL.
It's been more than once that Nick has given someone an opportunity over Stone. You know how many times Lyles was given chances over Stone? Too many. I don't blame him for being upset, I'm sure I'd feel the same. Wish he'd have stayed as I thought he'd probably end up starting but it is what it is. Next man up mentality! Still as excited about the season as ever
I kind of felt like this was coming. Tough situation to be in...he was beaten out by Baker twice (last year he was QB2) and Baker is just a Sophomore. Doesn't want to wait around for an injury to play, I get that. He had a hell of a Spring season and I'm sure he'll find a spot to play. Good luck to him!
Didn't expect this, but I can see his frustration after leading a team to the playoffs for the first time in 10+ years. I hope Baker can stay healthy and play well.
Didn't see this move coming. Stone is so well spoken, personable, and fiery - I can see an offensive line and other teammates loving to battle with him. Whatever he lacked in talent, he made up a few points in leadership, IMO. I trust Nick's judgment on this one, he should know the QB position as well as anyone. Now we just have to hope Baker can stay healthy with his small frame. It thins out an overcrowded QB room but we definitely could have used Stone this season. We need one of other five to step up and claim the backup role resoundingly, none of this duck duck goose we've seemingly had going on for the last handful of seasons.
Going thru the previous post and announcements the timing from Stone seems a little odd unless Coach Hill had to told the team prior to making his decision public hope Stone has a bright future in whatever he does but the move seems odd as I am sure he could have helped this team and again I hope this doesn't cause a distraction in the locker room
https://twitter.com/labanowitzstone/status/1430963758470418437?s=21
Did not see this coming…
Unbelievable. I get he's upset at not being QB1 to start the season, but you have to think there's a good chance he'd still get some playing time this year.
This stings quite a bit. I had high hopes for SL.
It's been more than once that Nick has given someone an opportunity over Stone. You know how many times Lyles was given chances over Stone? Too many. I don't blame him for being upset, I'm sure I'd feel the same. Wish he'd have stayed as I thought he'd probably end up starting but it is what it is. Next man up mentality! Still as excited about the season as ever
Yeah, I absolutely get the frustration on SL’s part. In fact, I think my frustration is with Hill more than SL. Not that I have any insight into how camp went, but I have a hard time justifying the decision to demote the QB that nearly led you to the semifinals of the playoffs with a defense that could barely stop a wet paper bag.
Nic Baker has a bigger upside. Stone L was great at short passes and sideline passes, but the runs after catch by our talented receivers padded his stats tremendously! He was a gamer, but I'm glad Baker got the nod. Hope one of the freshman transfers, or the redshirt can step up as the #2. The talent is there for the backups, just not the experience.
Sorry, SL was the better QB last year in QB efficiency and completion percentage. There's so much more to being a good QB than a big arm. You'd have Joel Sambursky sitting on the bench with NB starting because he has a better arm. LOL
Stone was great in the playoffs and threw some great passes too, especially on the run - passes a lot of QBs could not make. Very accurate, rarely throws an int, has that 6th sense rush awareness, and runs the team like General Patton. He was 2nd team All-MVC because coaches and sports reporters in this league, people who really know football, thought he was a darn good QB.
I agree he would probably end up being the starter later this season, but obviously he thought he earned the starting nod but NH chose otherwise. Remember Stone won the starting job in 2019 and played great in our win over FBS UMass, then got injured. No way in H Lyles should ever have been picked over him as starter last year.
I hope Nic turns out great - he played great against NDSU, but I get Stone's deal. I'm betting he'll be starting for an FCS team somewhere else next year. Sad to see him go.
Didn't see this move coming. Stone is so well spoken, personable, and fiery - I can see an offensive line and other teammates loving to battle with him. Whatever he lacked in talent, he made up a few points in leadership, IMO. I trust Nick's judgment on this one, he should know the QB position as well as anyone. Now we just have to hope Baker can stay healthy with his small frame. It thins out an overcrowded QB room but we definitely could have used Stone this season. We need one of other five to step up and claim the backup role resoundingly, none of this duck duck goose we've seemingly had going on for the last handful of seasons.
You trust Nick's QB judgement? I'm not so sure. He had Lyles starting over Stone and Nic, and Lyles was a lousy QB, possibly the worst one on the team.. no rush avoidance, no accuracy, no confidence, panicked - just not a leader. I cringed every time he had the ball.
We're going to miss Stone's fiery leadership and his talent!
Didn't see this move coming. Stone is so well spoken, personable, and fiery - I can see an offensive line and other teammates loving to battle with him. Whatever he lacked in talent, he made up a few points in leadership, IMO. I trust Nick's judgment on this one, he should know the QB position as well as anyone. Now we just have to hope Baker can stay healthy with his small frame. It thins out an overcrowded QB room but we definitely could have used Stone this season. We need one of other five to step up and claim the backup role resoundingly, none of this duck duck goose we've seemingly had going on for the last handful of seasons.
You trust Nick's QB judgement? I'm not so sure. He had Lyles starting over Stone and Nic, and Lyles was a lousy QB, possibly the worst one on the team.. no rush avoidance, no accuracy, no confidence, panicked - just not a leader. I cringed every time he had the ball.
We're going to miss Stone's fiery leadership and his talent!
I trust Hill and I’m guessing his staff and players do as well. I question SL leadership if he walked away from this team over not winning QB1 in what sounded like an equal rep opportunity during camp. It’s college football at a top 10 school. He would have gotten an opportunity based on how many guys Hill went to last year. I’ll be the bad guy here…it’s weak to leave over losing a fair competition for QB1.
Didn't see this move coming. Stone is so well spoken, personable, and fiery - I can see an offensive line and other teammates loving to battle with him. Whatever he lacked in talent, he made up a few points in leadership, IMO. I trust Nick's judgment on this one, he should know the QB position as well as anyone. Now we just have to hope Baker can stay healthy with his small frame. It thins out an overcrowded QB room but we definitely could have used Stone this season. We need one of other five to step up and claim the backup role resoundingly, none of this duck duck goose we've seemingly had going on for the last handful of seasons.
You trust Nick's QB judgement? I'm not so sure. He had Lyles starting over Stone and Nic, and Lyles was a lousy QB, possibly the worst one on the team.. no rush avoidance, no accuracy, no confidence, panicked - just not a leader. I cringed every time he had the ball.
We're going to miss Stone's fiery leadership and his talent!
I trust Hill and I’m guessing his staff and players do as well. I question SL leadership if he walked away from this team over not winning QB1 in what sounded like an equal rep opportunity during camp. It’s college football at a top 10 school. He would have gotten an opportunity based on how many guys Hill went to last year. I’ll be the bad guy here…it’s weak to leave over losing a fair competition for QB1.
You do realize it's been like 3 years in a row now that Nick has given others opportunities over him, right? It's not weak. It's just finally saying he's had enough. And this is coming from someone who loves Nick and thinks he's done a great job. I think between Baker, Lindauer and Norton we'll be fine. Wish Stone would have stayed but it's really hard for me to blame him for this decision
Others were given chances over little Stone (Norton is big Stone) because little Stone was wanting in arm talent. I never understood the Lyles love affair. Not a powerful arm, not accurate and made bad decisions. Stone L, if he threw the ball over 20 yards had rain on it. The pass that won the Weber State game should have been intercepted.
Baker has more arm talent and though he is very short, he is the same height as Stone L . I assume they will have to move the pocket so he can see but he proved his mettle against NDSU last year.
When Baker went out in the UNI game, we struggled the rest of that game and got lucky to win it. Stone L threw for 91 yards on 11 completions.. 8 yards a completion. That's not going to stretch defenses. They then got their asses handed to them and scored 3 points vs SDSU. Followed up by a horrible outing vs Mo State. I'm sure Stone L is a great guy but I am SOOOOO glad he's not the QB1
Didn't see this move coming. Stone is so well spoken, personable, and fiery - I can see an offensive line and other teammates loving to battle with him. Whatever he lacked in talent, he made up a few points in leadership, IMO. I trust Nick's judgment on this one, he should know the QB position as well as anyone. Now we just have to hope Baker can stay healthy with his small frame. It thins out an overcrowded QB room but we definitely could have used Stone this season. We need one of other five to step up and claim the backup role resoundingly, none of this duck duck goose we've seemingly had going on for the last handful of seasons.
You trust Nick's QB judgement? I'm not so sure. He had Lyles starting over Stone and Nic, and Lyles was a lousy QB, possibly the worst one on the team.. no rush avoidance, no accuracy, no confidence, panicked - just not a leader. I cringed every time he had the ball.
We're going to miss Stone's fiery leadership and his talent!
I trust Hill and I’m guessing his staff and players do as well. I question SL leadership if he walked away from this team over not winning QB1 in what sounded like an equal rep opportunity during camp. It’s college football at a top 10 school. He would have gotten an opportunity based on how many guys Hill went to last year. I’ll be the bad guy here…it’s weak to leave over losing a fair competition for QB1.
You do realize it's been like 3 years in a row now that Nick has given others opportunities over him, right? It's not weak. It's just finally saying he's had enough. And this is coming from someone who loves Nick and thinks he's done a great job. I think between Baker, Lindauer and Norton we'll be fine. Wish Stone would have stayed but it's really hard for me to blame him for this decision
You are making my point that I feel Stone L physically simply can't let Nick call the offensive plays he wants to. That's the sole reason Nick doesn't start him. For example, every now and then Nick tries to slip something past the defense and it gets stuffed. There's a robber in his front pocket and you know Nick's scratching his head wondering what the heck he's doing there. Not supposed to be in that zone or that close to the line of scrimmage. It seems to happen all too much with SL in there. Nick isn't able to go vertical or something the way he wants. I would love to know Nick good enough to get the real scoop.
And as far as SL being strong or weak for his decision. I think the way it's perceived is a generational decision. I'm old. And if anybody on one of my teams had done that, he would have been labeled a traitor for quitting. He would have been dead to us. If any of us saw him anywhere, we wouldn't say hello to him, we'd simply start throwing hands. But, if you're young, you worship at his feet for being a person of such strong mind and will. Just like that little female gymnast in the Olympics. I think she quit and hurt her team, but younger people hail her as a hero. I would imagine his teammates won't hold it against him. After all, he did write a letter saying it was in his best interest to quit on his teammates.
The one thing that is curious to me is how much eligibility he has remaining. Please correct me if I'm wrong. But I think Stone is a fourth year sophomore. Now he gets one extra year for covid. So he has two more years to make six. Unless he transfers down to D2, he has to sit out this year -- year five. Which leaves him with only one year of playing time. Going down to D2 would not be a bad move physically since he's already had back surgery. But stepping into an offense and playing right away is not reasonable. Season starts in one or two weeks for most teams.
Okay young people, start blasting me for being old and saying mean things.
I'm not sayin' -- I'm just sayin'!
Didn't see this move coming. Stone is so well spoken, personable, and fiery - I can see an offensive line and other teammates loving to battle with him. Whatever he lacked in talent, he made up a few points in leadership, IMO. I trust Nick's judgment on this one, he should know the QB position as well as anyone. Now we just have to hope Baker can stay healthy with his small frame. It thins out an overcrowded QB room but we definitely could have used Stone this season. We need one of other five to step up and claim the backup role resoundingly, none of this duck duck goose we've seemingly had going on for the last handful of seasons.
You trust Nick's QB judgement? I'm not so sure. He had Lyles starting over Stone and Nic, and Lyles was a lousy QB, possibly the worst one on the team.. no rush avoidance, no accuracy, no confidence, panicked - just not a leader. I cringed every time he had the ball.
We're going to miss Stone's fiery leadership and his talent!
I trust Hill and I’m guessing his staff and players do as well. I question SL leadership if he walked away from this team over not winning QB1 in what sounded like an equal rep opportunity during camp. It’s college football at a top 10 school. He would have gotten an opportunity based on how many guys Hill went to last year. I’ll be the bad guy here…it’s weak to leave over losing a fair competition for QB1.
In my opinion, 2nd Team All-Conference Stone's too good a QB to be sitting on the bench. He was named the starter over Baker and Lyles in 2019. After coming back from injury, Hill benched SL and stuck with Lyles and we won some games with restricted quarterbacking, thanks to Javon Williams and a good pass D.
Hill's making a mistake I think, but his history with QBs since becoming head coach has not been good until last year, when he finally got it right. (Hill lost the Florida class 6A player of the year Austin Reed who transferred to West Florida in 2019 and promptly won a D2 National Championship, throwing 6 TD passes.)
Labanowitz would be starting at a lot of MVC schools. He was awesome in our first playoff appearance in years, and I don't blame him one bit for wanting to be the guy and leaving.
The numbers don't lie:
GP Effic Cmp-Att-Int Pct Yds TD Long Avg/G
Stone 7 153.06 110-152-4 72.4 1241 8 67 177.3
Nic 4 142.44 50-74-4 67.6 637 3 65 159.2
Time will tell if Nic can get the job done. I sure hope so.
Wait hang on.
thus kid is not the starter coming out of camp and quit on his team.
you are really questioning Hill ?
interesting I guess
Wait hang on.
thus kid is not the starter coming out of camp and quit on his team.
you are really questioning Hill ?
interesting I guess
Yes 100% agree.
I'd give 10x more weight to what I see in a game than to what I see in practice. I imagine Lyles was a "practice" QB and that's why NH picked him over SL and NB. That was a mistake.
Relatively speaking, camp don't mean squat. The numbers do not lie. SL was our best QB in games, and that's ALL that counts.
Water under the bridge now. Stone is gone. Hope Baker is as good as Hill thinks he. Hope he keeps the interceptions down.
