Napier’s Big Decision

Good lord no. Do not start Lagway to start the season

 

Mertz as the more experienced starter with packages for Lagway to get him some game reps. Lagway has a higher ceiling than Mertz, just needs development and experience that game reps and eventually being the starter will give him. Go Gators!

 

I believe the narrative.
Mertz will have the benefit of an improved Oline which will mean a chance for more downfield chunk plays.
He knows the playbook well and DJ is just learning. Tebow was a generational talent and did quite well with a limited playbook.
You cite we are "misinformed."
I would suggest that we are "ill informed."
We don't know what we don't know. We don't know how the team feels internally. We don't know how much of the playbook we could not use last year because of the Olne and Mertz's newness to the system.
We do know what the players are saying and I saw more chunk plays and better execution than last year's fiasco. Not perfect, but way better.
I am not convinced about BN, but in this case I trust that he is not creating a narrative to fool you.

 

Are we back to 2006?

 

Nothing I saw yesterday told me Lagway is the better option than Mertz at this moment.

 

Mertz knows the playbook, DJ more than likely is only working with half of it.
Leave DJ on the bench.

 

Mertz will start and have the job. The big decision for CBN in my mind is, what does he do with Jaden Baugh. Going in th spring practice, he had Montrell and Treyaun Webb as our 1/2 punch. Cam Carroll and Daniels in the background. IMO, Jaden may be good enough to be the starter.. Will CBN shuffle the deck and put him in at 1st or 2nd string?

 

NFL ready? Not just yet. He will be facing NFL talent in some of the SEC defenses on our '24 schedule. As talented as he is, he has only played against high school defenses.

 

I remember my first beer

 

Stupid money don’t make money

 

Was in high school weeks ago and already NFL ready….got it. I am very hopeful for DJ and the future looks bright with him at the reins but do not kid yourself with saying he’s NFL ready prior to playing a single down in college.

 

And the winner is.....

 

I see this as a “no brainer” rather than a “big decision”. We have a veteran, very good QB returning in Graham Mertz. To bench him in favor of a true freshman would be stupid. It would also be throwing a generational talent into the fire before he is ready to take the reins. Not to mention it would deny him the opportunity to watch and learn under a truly heady QB who knows how to prepare for everything that is headed our way this year. And make no mistake, it is a load.
I am as excited about DJ as I can be. I’m elated CBN was able to snag and bring him to Gainesville. Coach should get a lot of credit for bringing him into the fold. A lot of top programs in the country were after him.
I’m sure he will be involved in the game plan in every way: from meetings, to game planning to having some significant packages and playing time.
Now that I’ve said that, I’ll repeat what I said in an earlier post: I was impressed by the play of Clay Millen yesterday too. Injuries happen. It will be great to have that guy in the bullpen. Hope we can hang on to him.

 

As always... these spring games show us basically nothing about who the starters will be in the Fall. But one thing is for sure... Mertz will start and Lagway will get some important reps/packages like he should.

 

Athletic talent doesn't need a playbook or experience?

No need to hope you are wrong.

 

That would be like McElwain starting Felipe Franks on opening day way before he was ready. No. Not saying DJ's ceiling isn't much higher than Franks, because it obviously is. DJ will take the reins soon enough.