Predictions on the QB Position

Wasn’t Trevor Lawrence a true freshman when he won a natty?

 

I believe he was. Although he was the #1 player (or nearly so) in his class and he was at the helm of a star-studded team.

 

I half agree with this. Play calling not a significant issue in my mind. Offense will be okay with Mertz though I, like others, might prefer some of the other names that were floated. Gotta fix ST though.

 

Tarquin transferring

E. White, hope not but possibly. We will not bring in portal linemen better than these 2 so OL situation could get much worse.

 

Genuinely surprises me how much people are sleeping on Miller. Dude played his butt off in the bowl while running for his life because his o-line couldn't pick up blitzes or run block, which just allowed even more aggressive blitzing (OSU didn't have to respect the run game).

I think Billy could have called a better game to take advantage of and punish their aggression, but regardless thought Miller made some nice throws and plays. Especially late in the game and on the last drive to help secure our scoring streak.

At this point it comes down to who is most prepared with this offense. Mertz I struggle to think is better than Miller. Rashada likely isn't ready for SEC defenses and needs time in the system. Miller meanwhile has already had a full year of off-season and practice under his belt and now game experience. I'd honestly be surprised if we don't run with him, Mertz provide a stable backup role, and redshirt Rashada.

But what do I know?!

 

Seems like a good kid with a lot of potential.

 

At least Mertz has some big time experience, so he should not be shell shocked playing SEC Football.

 

New title needed. Predictions on OL

 

I think trying to evaluate Jack Miller on a one games performance against a very good defense with all its player and motivation is not very realistic. This was his first start on the road. He was 13/22 180 yards after going starting out with 3 incomplete passes. 13/19 is pretty good in a first games. Jordan Travis of FSU was 13/30 against our lousy defense and everybody wants to put him down for the Heisman next year. I think we had a poor offensive plan for him. It is standard defense to blitz an inexperienced QB in his first game. Oregon State did that. We did not seem to have plays designed to counteract that; jet sweeps, reverses, bubble screens or traditional screen passes to running backs or even a toss sweep double pass by a running back or toss to wideout who then double passes down the field. A raw QB is not going to be Tom Brady in the pocket so you work around that. Just like the 4th and 2 call to run Montrell behind Kamron Waites who totally whiffed. The run was understandable if O'Cyrus was playing he is the best in the country. Waites may become that good in 2 years but he is not good now. I will support Jack and Graham Mertz. Spring practice will be very interesting.

 

I have to disagree with your analysis. We had major QB problems last year and this year, with 2 different head coaches, OC's / play caller's. I don't see how, in light of what we've seen since Trask left, you can say we didn't/don't have a QB problem.

 

I'm reading 4 out of 5 of our starting OL will no longer be with the team. Rebuild is an understatement. Unless our OL coaches are miracle workers, it's going to be a rough year no matter who the QB is.

 

I suspect Mertz, if nothing else, raises the baseline from Miller. He has the physical tools that Miller lacks and he’s had Power 5 experience.

 

That's because I did not say "we didn't/don't have a QB problem."

What I said was: "the QB position hasn't been a problem as much as our play calling."

 

We should have called the plays where the qb throws the ball to the receiver instead of the plays where he throws it behind them, ten feet over their head, or into the dirt. Darn. So obvious.

 

Agree. Torrence & Gouraige going to the NFL, White & Tarquin transferring out. Braun & Mugharbil leaving several weeks ago. The O-line is a total rebuild with only 3 offensive linemen signed on the 21st and none yet from the portal. The linemen still on the roster are: Jalen Farmer, Christian Williams, David Conner, Austin Barber, Hayden Clem, Jackson Crozier, Nicolas Flynn, Riley Simonds, Kingsley Eguakun, Jake Slaughter, Richie Leonard, Mark Pitts, Will Harrod, Kamryn Waites and Jordan Herman. Only 3 of these guys have played extensively (Barber, Eguakun & Leonard) and most have never seen the field. Unless Napier strikes gold in the portal with 3-4 quality guys, it won't matter who the QB, running backs, TE or wide receivers are, the offense won't be able to get much done.

 

I saw a couple of "I watched Mertz video he sucks" posts which didn't link to the actual videos.

He might suck. But he didn't in this game which has a quality video breakdown. 20-21, 5 TD performance on the road at Illinois.

Yes, he might have had bad games this season. But as I posted about Jordan Travis, the story might not yet be written on him.

 

I am with you on Miller.