Jake was in the program for the full year last year. More than anyone, Blaine should know that counts as something for a QB. Just because he didn't start every game last year doesn't mean the rest of the season was worthless.
If you want to be an apologetic, it's still easy. Acknowledging that this is year 2 and how important that is for a QB still gives you a chance to stump for Retzlaff as a great QB. It means you can throw out whatever you saw last year, and say what you are seeing now is who he really is.