I Trust Chris Ash, But I Don't Think I Can Survive Another Year Of Watching Chris Laviano Play Quarterback

​A funny thing happened as I sat in the stands of Highpoint Solutions Stadium on Saturday night. I was relatively sober (in comparison to my usual state when I step in the building). Just looking to take in some meaningless football, enjoy the environment, and see a couple players stand out from the rest. Wasn't about to get emotional over a play or two in a glorified scrimmage. That's what my intentions were anyway.

Then it happened; Chris Laviano threw a screen pass about 5 yards over the head of an unexpecting wide receiver. Now it goes against every fiber of my being to do this, but I will give him the benefit of the doubt. Maybe the wide receiver screwed up the route - which was essentially to jog 3 feet to his right and stand still. Maybe - JUST MAYBE - it wasn't the quarterback's fault at all. That's what my brain was thinking but - as is usually the case - my mouth beat me to it. I let out a "You gotta be fucking kidding me! This guy is going to fucking kill me!" without hesitation. I am not going to sit here and tell you I know what it's like for a military veteran to recover from the traumatic experience of going to war, but I can confidently say that that exact moment was the closest thing I have felt to PTSD. It brought me right back to last season. The 6 dreadful hours I spent sitting in the rain at Penn State and Wisconsin combined. The 3.5 dreadful hours I spent sitting in the rain in Piscataway as Kyle Flood let a 20+ point lead slip away against Maryland in what turned out to be his final farewell to the fan base. The comical stat line of the Rutgers starting quarterback in those games.

Judging by the reaction from within a three row radius (hearty laughter), I can only imagine that many others felt just the way I did. I don't think Chris Laviano is as bad a quarterback as he showed last year. I don't think any one player on the team is as bad as they were last year. That said, I'm not sure I have it in my heart to give the man that caused me so much anguish (mostly as a result of his braindead Head Coach's undying faith in him) another chance. He overthrew a touchdown pass by about 5 yards on Saturday and I almost started to get excited that he actually recached the receiver. Then I realized what I was celebrating and it only made me more mad. With every incomplete pass I felt my blood start to boil. The visions of his Instagram post where he told the Rutgers faithful that he didn't give a fuck about them dancing through my head. I think I even caught a vision of a soaking wet Kyle Flood clapping in his visor on the far sideline. I don't think I can survive another season of it. Not when there is a quarterback with 10x talent waiting in the wings. Now, Hayden Rettig wasn't exactly Joe Montana at the Spring Game, but he did flash the ability that had so many Rutgers fans desperately tweeting #FreeRettig last year. If Chris Ash starts Chris Laviano I will support his decision, but when heart palpitations force me to keel over and die by halftime of Week 1 he will have my blood on his hands and be out a season ticket holder. Be forewarned.