Mike Riley’s evaluation of Nick Foles
TucsonCitizen.com: Update on Nic Grigsby’s status
By Anthony Gimino
Oregon State’s Mike Riley is probably the most thoughtful and well-spoken of the Pac-10 football coaches. He usually doesn’t fail to give an insightful answer.
Riley was asked by ESPN.com’s Ted Miller on the league’s weekly conference call with reporters about what he thought about UA quarterback Nick Foles.
“Poise. I thought he was poised,” Riley said.
“I thought he handled things well, and he threw the ball quickly. It didn’t take a lot of effort to get the ball out and to get the ball out fast. His ability to avoid anything that might be a problem and to make plays … he was impressive.”
UA coach Mike Stoops also used the “P” word.
“The thing you like about Nick is he never gets really up or really down. He kind of stays even. That’s good,” Stoops said. “He has that Sam Bradford kind of mentality. He’s very cool.
“He has great poise and great knowledge and confidence in what he’s doing. I think that player like that.”
We do, too.
Tags: Mike Riley, Nick Foles, Ted Miller
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September 29th, 2009 at 10:49 AM
Ugh. After countless mentions of Mark Sanchez the past 3 weeks, I am really getting sick of the word “poise.”
However, he did play with great sangfroid.
Great game.
September 29th, 2009 at 11:13 AM
The coaches should have said they were impressed with Foles’ imperturbability.
September 29th, 2009 at 1:05 PM
Or his temperament. Did you guys catch the post-game interview with Foles? I’m not saying he’s exactly like Spicoli from Fast Times at Ridgemont High, but it seemed to me that Foles was oblivious to the magnitude of what he just did (winning a Pac-10 road game in his first start). He was appreciative of the chance to talk and the interviewer’s compliments, but it looked like he would have acted the same way after a practice on Tuesday.
September 29th, 2009 at 1:26 PM
some body called nick sunshine from remember the titians
September 29th, 2009 at 4:14 PM
Nothing like an offensive line like Arizona has to give you sangfroid and imperturbability.
Or, have you playing, err, performing Spicoli- and Sunshine-like.
How about a feature on the O-line and their mentors and tutors, fellas?
It’s time.
And it might be time for mentioning the unsung blocking by the FBs, HBs and TEs, too, huh?
Just a thought.
This win was truly a total team effort.
I know that sounds cliche, maybe overused at times, but it was true on Saturday.
Right down to the game plan and coaching.
September 29th, 2009 at 4:26 PM
nice post azgood the o line never gets any glory and it was a team effort,
September 29th, 2009 at 4:28 PM
So after virtually ignoring Foles, Stoops was forced to play him. Now, no one can stop the superlatives from flowing out of Mikeys mouth. I mean Foles wasn’t even a thought in the Central Michigan game and now Stoops mentions Floe’s name in the same breath with Sam Bradford.
How disingenuous is that??
September 29th, 2009 at 4:42 PM
Is it the allen in vegas or the vegas in allen?
Whatever it is, you make a pretty darn good point.
What, did Foles turn Bradford somewhere between Iowa and Arizona, on the plane ride home?
On the practice field the week leading up to the game in Corvalis?
Just after the coin flip at Reser?
Don’t know but we’ll gladly take, what, nine more Sam B. impersonations just like the last one?
And how good is Scott if he rated ahead of Foles all this time?
September 29th, 2009 at 4:43 PM
Thanks, mitch.
September 29th, 2009 at 5:44 PM
I’m still curious about the stat in the box score that said Vuna Tuihalamaka had 1 reception for 9 yards. Was this a typo or are they starting to experiment with him at H-back or tight end?
September 29th, 2009 at 6:13 PM
Ladies and gentlemen, anyone else notice that CDO’s Ka’Deem Carey at times wears red and blue tape outside his socks at the ankles?
The Dorados are green and gold.
Anything to this?
September 29th, 2009 at 6:28 PM
AlleyCat: I checked the play-by-play at ESPN.com and it notes that Tuihalamaka — who was all over the field Saturday by the way on defense — caught a 9-yard pass from Foles to start the third quarter. I don’t recall that happening. Maybe somebody can correct me on that with their memory. I’m not sure they really need to try somebody else at H-back or tight end with Chris Gronkowski, Simmons and Morris already at those spots. Plus, Tuihalamaka is proving to be too valuable on the defensive end to risk injury on the offensive side.
VegasAllen et al., I hear you guys about how Stoops is talking in glowing terms about Foles now after benching him against C. Michigan and not starting him against NAU and Iowa. But I remember reading that offensive coordinator Sonny Dykes did not want to start him earlier in the season based on his practice performance compared to Scott. I can see that in Foles’ demeanor. He seems to be low-key, which may not translate into awe-inspiring fiery practice sessions. In a game though, that even-keel approach is a welcome sight.
You’re right, azgood: That poise we saw from Foles would not have been as apparent if he was rushed or on his backside more often than not. It seemed like the line bought him just enough time to make some good decisions and accurate throws.
September 29th, 2009 at 7:36 PM
It was Stoops mention of Sam Bradford that set me off. If not for that, I’d have left it alone as coaches talk. That was way over to top for a kid who started all of one game since high school 3 years ago. I like what I saw Saturday but lets put it in perspective.
September 29th, 2009 at 7:55 PM
Regarding the phantom catch by Vuna Tuihalamaka, the 9-yard reception was really credited to Delashaun Dean, according to the UA season stats. (Perhaps the stats person at the stadium punched in “No. 8″ with the reception instead of No. 18.)
September 29th, 2009 at 8:19 PM
Thanks for clearing that up Anthony!
September 30th, 2009 at 7:55 AM
I liked what the O line did for “sunshine” Nick,but he was able to get out of trouble himself a few times and not let himself get sacked
October 2nd, 2009 at 1:35 PM
“Пост хорош”
Yes. “Fasting is good”.
A friendly reminder here. If a person is posting their username associated with a website, I would take great care in going to a .ru domain. I can’t definitively point out what might happen if you do, but some of the java script associated with the site is circumspect.
I’m done. Please feel free to remove the spam links and my associated posts.
Go Cats!!!
October 2nd, 2009 at 3:31 PM
Ashton: Thanks. I would stress that nobody open any of that spam junk. Just ignore it as best you can. I apologize for it popping up from time to time.