How does Gatornation feel about QB Jeff Driskel?

[Welshgator]

Actually a great article on JD by Pat Dooley in G'ville Sun today.

Jeff Driskel just scratching the surface.

From Brent Pease:
"It's very cool for Florida's future that the Gators have a guy who should only get better as he learns. Florida rarely allowed Driskel to check out of bad plays this year. That's something they will work on in the offseason."

“That's going to be key for him,” Pease said.


Personally, I loved watching JD play this year, he has great heart for the game.

[prgator]

Originally Posted by keefer

This is a RIDICULOUS thread. Give him the receivers that TT had and he'd be putting up the same numbers, in the air AND on the ground. He's got that kind of talent.

I agree.

[theologator]

I love the kid as a QB and a person. He has a fine arm and his scrambling ability extends plays or enables him to burn defenses with his legs. When I saw him PULLING AWAY from two Vandy DBs on that long TD run I just said "wow". With Russell Wilson's success this year, I think his game will appeal to the NFL. The big issue is always the ability to read defenses and react successfully with no time.

Which makes me wonder why UF isn't ever recruiting anyone like him at QB anymore. I get the Bama formula - but this added dimension is a killer.

The SNF broadcast said Jim Harbaugh recruited Luck AND RGIII to Stanford at the same time - obviously only getting Luck (who can also run). Why not UF?

[fox]

Gunslinger loading his gun!

[betazetagator]

Still developing----Next year will tell the tail. The bowl game will also tell how he is developing. Don't think Champ will keep him in the drivers seat if he doesn't make good decisioins next year. Still with his running ability he could really be outstanding in the up coming years (2yrs). Again, decision making will define his future, he has the ability.

[rivergator]

I feel very confident with Driskel as a QB. Both passing and running. I think we're in great shape.

[4everaGator]

I think observers put too much emphasis on the QB's responsibility in the passing game.
1. A QB needs his receivers and
2. the O'line to do their part in order to pass with consistency.
3. The athletes on opposing defenses have a lot to say as well if they are able to beat (either outperform or injur) their counterparts.

Some QBs look great, not because they are so superior but they have athletic receivers who can make a play on almost any ball thrown in their general direction.
1. UF hasn't really had that kind of receiver in quite a while.
2. We certainly haven't had enough healthy linemen to protect our QBs for the grueling conference play in the SEC.
3. We consistently play against top defenses in the country making it tough for our QBs to really shine
4. Let's not forget that we have been a run-oriented offense for many years now. Urban had some balance in '07 and '08, but still with heavy run component. Since then we have been a run first team IMO.

[trufloridagator]

[Bushmaster]

Originally Posted by KronoGator

Or the Bowling Green game, Brissett took the first snap.

He was on the field, so he did "start".

[teebone7200]

I didn't read all 5 pages, so this may have already been said, but I think it is difficult for QB's that have great running ability to ever "throw the ball away"....they think they can still make a play. I think this is a Driskel trait. However, and I saw a few plays in the FSU game, where Driskel bought time in the pocket, KEPT HIS EYES DOWNFIELD, and completed passes downfield. That showed a lot of improvement to me. Guy has all of the physical skills for sure!

[Gatorrick22]

He's 11-1 or 10-1 as a true sophomore with sub-par receivers and an often banged-up offensive line - he played the hardest schedule in the nation and still won.

He's the man next year and the year after that - if anyone thinks differently then they're just fooling themselves.

[geauxgator1]

He'll win a Heisman before he's through.

[Jonas]

I think he is good not great right now. Has a lot of upside for sure and hope he continues to progress. He definitely benefited from a great run game, which was a luxury Brantley did not have.

[Gatorbeck]

Originally Posted by GatorAvatar

Another poster who jumps to conclusions. Might also add that you might have trouble dealing with the fact that we are all Gators here, and we all have opinions.

Tell me about it. I just watched resevoir dogs last night and it reminded me of swamp gas... Everyone's trying to figure out who the imposter is. If you say the wrong thing you get blasted and all the sudden your not really a gator.

[Wormwood56]

Originally Posted by Gatorbeck

Grossman and Tebow weren't afraid to throw to a guy the was covered. This is what made them so good. They played without fear.

Leak was too conservative with the ball, but had so many weapons that it worked out for him, although it was still tough to watch at times.

Brantley was scared to death to throw into coverage, I saw it while he was a backup.

I still see fear in driskel, and I haven't seen anyone ever improve on that symptom. The great ones have that confidence from day 1. That being said, driskel makes play and can be a solid starter. Heck, with the way our defense plays, maybe the super conservative approach isn't such a bad thing. He doesn't turn it over, and can run.

Driskel has the same ceiling as Leak IMO, which isn't bad. I don't see Grossman or Wuerrfel or Tebow though.

It's been a while since Rex played at Florida, and your memory seems selective. Yes, Rex was fearles, and it is fun to remember his great games. But there was also THIS Rex:

Year-----Opponent----Att----Comp----Comp %---Yds---TDs----INT----QB Rating

2000............Georgia.....24.......12.........50 .0%......152....1.........3..........91.9
2000............USCe........19.......12.........63 .1%......106....0.........0.........109.5
2000............FSU..........18.......10.........5 5.5%........98....0.........1..........90.1
2000............Miami.......41.......18.........43 .9%.......252....1.........2..........93.8
2001............Auburn......42.......25.........59 .5%.......346....2.........4........125.3
2002............Miami........45......19.........42 .2%........191....0........2..........68.9
2002............Ole Miss.....44......19.........43.1%........205....2. .......4..........79.1
2002............LSU...........43......18.........4 1.9%........163....1........4..........62.8

Total..........................276......133....... .48.1%......1512.....7........20.......88.0

Everyone has an occasional bad game, but Rex had eight of them in 33 games (nearly 25%).

Florida went 2-6 during those games, and the two wins were due to Jesse Palmer coming in out of the bullpen to bail Rex out. When Rex was on, he was electrifying. When he was off, he was horrible. And that gunslinga mentality hurt Florida as well as helped Florida. Live by the gunslinga, die by the gunslinga...

[petro]

He's a step slow and his throwing mechanics are a mess. As a 19 year old, he clearly hasn't matured as one would expect. His social life is lacking, and he hasn't won his teammates over due to his softness. The coaches are down on him because of his lack of work ethic. Everyone expected afew big plays out of him this year at a minimum, but he never delivered. I don't know what to think at this point.

**hiccup**

[KronoGator]

Originally Posted by Wormwood56

Florida went 2-6 during those games, and the two wins were due to Jesse Palmer coming in out of the bullpen to bail Rex out. When Rex was on, he was electrifying. When he was off, he was horrible. And that gunslinga mentality hurt Florida as well as helped Florida. Live by the gunslinga, die by the gunslinga...

Rex had some trouble no doubt, but you are giving him a start in the FSU game in 2000 that Palmer started, Plamer was even worse:
17 of 30, 180 yard, 2 picks.

He also picked it up in the 2002 season, buying in on the bubble screen and helping Florida salvage a season on the brink of disaster.

[gtr2x]

Pointless thread IMO. He is the starter, just hope he continues to improve.

[Tipmoose]

I prefer him over brissett which is really what this is about.

[UGator]

He was all world in HS and not only big but with a cannon, and could outrun DB's!

I don't know about his field vision/reads, but he needs more audible options to become a complete QB. Pease was in his first year as was Driskel so they both need more time to fully develop the offense. It seems he didn't check out of bad plays that much if at all.

He could develop into greatness with receivers who will compliment his arm and options while managing the O. Also, our OL and depth, along with our RB's Jones, Brown, and the two newbees, should really give Jeff everything he needs to be a confident and dangerous QB.