Problem is we don’t have a QB coach or offensive system to make a QB shine. We are basically Wisconsin on offense by design
Mertz for a few starting the season, like first 3 or 4. Then JR. Browne transfers to Utah State. Miller hangs around as #2 till end of season then transfers to Pepperdine. Leaving us come 12/31 with JR and a leaving sr Mertz.
I hope it’s Rashada but I don’t expect a ton out of him as a true freshman. It’ll be a rough year either way I believe. I also think he should make some good strides if he is going to be” that guy” in the future. If so, we should all feel better at the end of next year. I’m not so concerned with wins and losses as I am in seeing a light at the end of the tunnel.
I don’t think they are any smarter at all. Many though have had professional coaching from a young age though. A kid that hasn’t had that is unlikely to start early. The Manning kid however has been taught since he came out of the womb, big difference. That’s the difference in todays kids and when I grew up. My kids had ex professional baseball players teaching them in little league and travel ball year around. I had players parents as coaches and it’s just not even similar anymore. I don’t think Rashada has had those advantages and he may need some work which means he could develop a lot more than the Manning kid.
Rashada's father played at Arizona State with Pat Tillman and Jake Plummer. So, he's not coming into this blind. I've read some quotes from his dad that indicate that they are "grinders." They believe in working hard for what you want and nothing is handed out for free. I guess we'll see though. When I say smarter, I'm saying that there is so much more knowledge available to them for free. It doesn't mean they'll take advantage of it though, but many do.
So, the given is our OL will be rebuilding and the QB position will either be Mertz (who no one seems to be excited about), Miller (who only has one game under his belt), or a true freshman (who, well, is a true freshman). That means that play calling will be at a premium to protect both. Either Napier steps up his play calling game or he finds someone who can. As someone mentioned before, quick passes, bubble screens, and good old fashioned screens will be necessary to take some of the pressure off. The other piece of the puzzle that is in question is our receivers. Other than Ricky, our receiving corps is really not scaring anyone. I don't know who to be excited about. As long as the team as a whole looks well coached, I can take another down year because good things will be coming around the corner. However, if we continue to struggle mightily on defense, the offense lacks any creativity and we play undisciplined ball then this native will definitely be restless.
We have 3 guys coming in that are worth getting excited about; Jean, Mizell and Wilson. Probably the most talented trio of WR's we've brought in for awhile. I know they're inexperienced, but I'll take their ceiling over those they're replacing.
Plan on being restless! The OL will basically be a new unit, although it will help having an experienced center. We will have uncertainty with the OL, as well as a new quarterback, a number of young receiver's, and quite a few new additions to the defense. Our defense will have a harder time next year than this year, and Miller won't be back for a seventh year; and Ventrell will be sorely missed! Could the season be exceptionally better than what I just described? Yes, but I wouldn't bet the farm on all of these components coming together in the first year with so many spare parts!
We will have Austin Barber, Kingsley E, K Waites, Ricky Leonard and a very good transfer as a starting 5. Kearney will be pushing for playing time. 3 new receivers will help opening up running game. A veteran like Mertz should open up the play calling. Color me Orange and Blue but I feel optimistic about our offense for next year. My concern is Defense especially linebackers.
I was looking for that light at the end of the tunnel this year, thought I'd seen a glimmer in College Station, was sure I saw it the Sat we played SCe, so I kept looking. Unfortunately it was just about then I got hit by a train.
The book on Miller is very thin....so far not a good read, either. Wisky fans couldn't have been happier to see Mertz move along. Lets hope that Rashada is everything his clippings say about him.
There is no question our D will be better next season. It’s hard to see that today with the stress of the transfers, but we’re not done adding…and everyone will be one year better.
I am guardedly optimistic, but I remain doubtful that Napier corrects, in year two, what Mullen did in four years!
Gonna throw Rashada into the fire before he's ready, there are gonna be some growing pains and he'll take his lumps, but he seems like a tough kid.
All the great ones do in Year 2. : ) I am very confident the stench will be gone by August, and likely even for Spring practice. It's too soon to say how great our roster is (we have 9 spots left), so hard to predict 2023. But, no question our entire DL is already better than last season. That can be concluded already, IMO. And, since this a thread on QB play....I am not yet conceding that our QB play will be down in 2023. Not on 12/31/22...lol.
So, how have we improved our quarterback room? AR and Kitna this year are better than Miller and Mertz in 2023, and we don't know yet if Rashada matches up with anybody. I could speculate that Rashada has awesome potential, but right now I have no clue about his development. Can you offer anything tangible? Not trying to be a smartalek, since I am asking the question.
