Is the QB competition open in the Spring?

[demosthenes]

I'm not a fan of this "first year starting" argument. Two other QBs from Jeff's class, Mariota and Manziel, are light years ahead of Jeff from a mental standpoint. I'd argue Jacoby is as well.

I think the staff made the right decision starting Jeff for his mobility with our sieve of an offensive line. However, I don't expect we'll have the same offensive line trouble next year...

[socraticsilence]

Originally Posted by GATORAZ

we won 11 games this year

And Trent Dilfer won a Super Bowl. The defense carried Jeff the vast majority of this year, he stepped up vs. UT, Vandy (only his legs really) and to an extent vs. the Noles other than that he was a below average QB.

[socraticsilence]

Originally Posted by demosthenes

I'm not a fan of this "first year starting" argument. Two other QBs from Jeff's class, Mariota and Manziel, are light years ahead of Jeff from a mental standpoint. I'd argue Jacoby is as well.

I think the staff made the right decision starting Jeff for his mobility with our sieve of an offensive line. However, I don't expect we'll have the same offensive line trouble next year...

I honestly think Jeff made the offensive line look worse than they are by holding on to the ball too long and not stepping up in the pocket. This is not to say the line didn't struggle at times but we're so quick to toss the line under the bus when its possible that with a guy like Bridgewater they'd have looked pretty good when healthy.

[LimeyGator]

Originally Posted by demosthenes

I'm not a fan of this "first year starting" argument. Two other QBs from Jeff's class, Mariota and Manziel, are light years ahead of Jeff from a mental standpoint. I'd argue Jacoby is as well.

I think the staff made the right decision starting Jeff for his mobility with our sieve of an offensive line. However, I don't expect we'll have the same offensive line trouble next year...

They are clearly the exception rather than the norm. For every generalisation you can find an exception.

[GATORAZ]

Originally Posted by demosthenes

I'm not a fan of this "first year starting" argument. Two other QBs from Jeff's class, Mariota and Manziel, are light years ahead of Jeff from a mental standpoint. I'd argue Jacoby is as well.

I think the staff made the right decision starting Jeff for his mobility with our sieve of an offensive line. However, I don't expect we'll have the same offensive line trouble next year...

Well to be fair to Jeff Mariota runs a totally different system. Also Johnny football has two first round tackles. Brett Hundley might be a better comparison.

[ametcalf]

Originally Posted by socraticsilence

I honestly think Jeff made the offensive line look worse than they are by holding on to the ball too long and not stepping up in the pocket. This is not to say the line didn't struggle at times but we're so quick to toss the line under the bus when its possible that with a guy like Bridgewater they'd have looked pretty good when healthy.

I believe there's some truth to this.

Obviously it's not just one factor that contributes to wins and losses, but there's little doubt in my mind that one of the contributing factors is QB play.

As far as pocket presense goes: I've always liked Jacoby. He moves up in the pocket instead of running laterally. BUT...that's just in regards to pocket presense. I have no idea what happens in practice.

[Gatorphenom]

Originally Posted by Jonas

The really worrying thing about Driskel is that he hasn't improved that much since the Tenn game. After a month of bowl practice, he played like crap yesterday. Should we really expect that much more improvent in the spring?

The scary part is he is not reading defenses and staring receivers down, Pease will not allow him to audible. I hate to say it but the reason for Driskel's regression is the offensive coaching staff, they have to let this kid throw more next year.

[Bushmaster]

If you line can't pass block and your QB isn't a pocket passer, then why in the hell do you call pass plays that start out requiring the QB to pass from the pocket?

JD does SOOOO much better when he rolls out to one side of the field or the other. It does limit the field somewhat, but its better than a sitting duck who holds on to the ball too long.

[LimeyGator]

Originally Posted by GATORAZ

Well to be fair to Jeff Mariota runs a totally different system. Also Johnny football has two first round tackles. Brett Hundley might be a better comparison.

Hundley has had an outstanding season. Keep in mind, however, he had nearly 500 attempted passes this year, completing about 66%. Jeff completed 64%. Throwing nearly double the number of passes a game makes a heckuva difference to your stats - if Jeff had done the same, extrapolating his numbers would have looked pretty excellent.

All of this is moot anyway - players develop in different ways at different paces given different opportunities. This time 5 months ago Jeff didn't even know it was "his team". 5 months is not much time at all - I'm willling to give the guy more than a pass for what he has done so far and what he has the potential still to do.

[JaG8or]

We have to have faith that CWM and his staff will properly evaluate everything before spring ball and then open things up...the coaches did a great job in the offseason with team as a whole mading tremendous progress last year and I don't expect anything less this year.

[ApexNC]

I was talking to a completely unbiassed coworker this morning. His comment was "your qb has no pocket presence". I think he's right. I so want JD to be the QB he has the potential to be...but I'm beginning to wonder if that will ever happen. Like somebody in the game thread said, that light needs to come on. So far, it hasn't. Let's hope it does.

[LimeyGator]

Maybe some of you would like John Brantley back?

[GATORAZ]

Originally Posted by ApexNC

I was talking to a completely unbiassed coworker this morning. His comment was "your qb has no pocket presence". I think he's right. I so want JD to be the QB he has the potential to be...but I'm beginning to wonder if that will ever happen. Like somebody in the game thread said, that light needs to come on. So far, it hasn't. Let's hope it does.

Say the light doesn't come on all the way on for Jeff do you think we can win the SEC east next year? I think we can.

[demosthenes]

Originally Posted by GATORAZ

Say the light doesn't come on all the way on for Jeff do you think we can win the SEC east next year? I think we can.

Probably. But the question is should we be content with the team largely pulling the qb along for the ride?

[orangeblueorangeblue]

Originally Posted by GATORAZ

Say the light doesn't come on all the way on for Jeff do you think we can win the SEC east next year? I think we can.

Depends on how our defense rebounds moreso than how much Driskel improves.

[Gator8239]

I'm hoping for 5 new online starters next year. Humphries, Moore, Garcia, Brown and Dunkermann. So tired of these turnstiles. Kind of fitting that Nixon whiffs his last block as a gator. Halapio nearly ruined our first touchdown by running aimlessly to his left with a defender right in front of him, like let's double team this lineman and leave the linebacker a clear shot at Matt Jones in the hole. Champion. I guess Harrison has done ok, all I know is I have not had laugh at his inability to block and I am still shell shocked about having a center who can't snap. Anyone know how Dunkermann is coming along?

Also hoping for 3 new starters at receiver: I don't know who it will be but Dunbar doesn't appear to be the answer. Maybe Debose, Robinson and Bailey/Fulwood. No idea if Pittman is actually good or just one of those rumors on a message board that blows up every year. Maybe Purifoy is the answer if we grab another corner.

Not sure what to think on Jordan Reed. Guy is just out of place. Your big receiver has to come down with a fade that hits him in both hands. For every big play he has he has a bad play where he jumps or drops a ball. If he goes pro it takes away a threat but maybe Kent Taylor is a TE who knows the position.

Running back will be a new starter and Fullback is set now although fullbacks are not listed as starters. i would say I hope for a new QB but Jeff is the best we have and we have to support him.

In sum, if we had a new starting 11 on offense next year I would be neither surprised or disappointed but I am sure we will see 1000 post next year moaning about Halapio, Dunbar, Clay Burton and Driskel.

[GATORAZ]

Originally Posted by demosthenes

Probably. But the question is should we be content with the team largely pulling the qb along for the ride?

I dont think that is the case Jeff legs help win ball games. But yes I am content with winning no matter how it is. If Murray goes pro the only team that should be able to beat us next year is USC.

[Gatorphenom]

Originally Posted by GATORAZ

Say the light doesn't come on all the way on for Jeff do you think we can win the SEC east next year? I think we can.

We cannot win an NC without the light coming on.

[GATORAZ]

Gator8239 you are not going to get your wish on the Oline or the WR

[GATORAZ]

Originally Posted by Gatorphenom

We cannot win an NC without the light coming on.

I think if Jeff just gets 15 percent better we can.