They didn’t get the most out of AR but he still had a good season. Comparing actual production between AR and Mertz is dramatically different.
Maybe we didn't pass on them? Sometimes they decide to go elsewhere. It's not like we're entitled to whomever we may be pursuing. We'll never know.
We're not inheriting the Wisc offense, just their QB. : ) JK....On a serious note, I hear you....The stats suggest both a likely improvement and possible decline. I am not much into the QBR stat, so I don't put much weight into that particular data point. Time will tell. Let's see.
I don't think we are in a great position with our QB room. We don't know what is going to happen with the QB competition in the spring. I just wouldn't count Miller out to win the starting job. I wasn't thrilled about his performance in the bowl, but in retrospect considering it was his first action of the year, our team was a shell of it's former self, and we played a very motivated opponent.. his stats weren't bad. Any improvement off the bowl game coupled with another year in the system would make him a serious challenge to Mertz for the starting job.
I appreciate what you're saying. I think what's going on, and I'll admit I'm on the AR could succeed side. My argument has always been that if you look at the overall talent last year, this was not a very good team. I believe Mertz, or any other QB will struggle if they have similar surrounding pieces. Maybe players that stayed, transfers or incoming freshmen will make giant strides and that would be great. At the same time no matter what team drafts AR, if he plays, he will immediately be surrounded by NFL quality players. He does need to work on his short and intermediate passes (they may have been a little better before Zipperer got hurt), but I think in too many games last year we were just up against better athletes all over the place.
This is a reasoned opinion. There is no doubt the pieces were missing last year. That doesn't change the issue that when the receivers were open he missed them often and when he hit them his placement was often less than ideal. He might have more talent around him in the NFL but that could be said for every Gator great QB that took their shot at the NFL. Those windows are tighter and anticipation throws are a must. My hope with Mertz/Miller is that the offense has a more even flow to it even if they can't bring the homerun threat as a runner. Just taking what the defense gives would have kept our defense off the field more which is just one benefit. I think the biggest unknown next year outside of the QB is the offensive line. The receivers will be an upgrade regardless of their youth. A healthy Zipperer and boardingham along with an infusion of speed can't be worse.
I have to agree with antny1 on this. Parity rules in the NFL. Better receivers also means better db with tighter windows to throw that require him to be mobile or he brings no advantage. His small issues in college with imprecise throws and poor timing and inability to read defenses and make quick decisions are insurmountable issues in the NFL where every play you have to be perfect.
True, but my point was that we didn't have parity against a lot of teams, we had a lot of mismatches. This was really obvious in the bowl game. Without AR we had to kick a late field goal to preserve the streak as opposed to averaging over 30 points a game with him. And for the people who want to bring up O'Cyrus skipping the game, O'Cyrus missed the LSU game and we still scored 35 points in that game with AR.
We were down something like 31 players, but the QB is one very important asset that we were missing. I look forward to the day that we tie in NIL considerations to assure that our players participate in all games including the bowl game.
Of course AR could succeed. I just don’t like the odds if I’m a gm. You kinda have to hit on your first round picks but you also have to have a top 15 or so qb. It’s a tough position to be in in a draft. What % would you give for AR to be a top 15 nfl qb? I don’t know how much zip had to do with the short game but I don’t rember our rbs really even targeted much. Etienne was lining up at receiver early on so surely he can catch?
I just don't understand that people want to force players to play in bowl games. Why would you want a player that doesn't want to be there play? Do you think he will give 100%? Most likely he wouldn't and can lose you the game.
I agree, but I posted a while ago, if it's a meaningless bowl game like we had ...I would let any starters that wanted to play have the first half or so. Any seniors that didn't start or play much would get some late first half, early second half and then the rest of the game would be to see how different groups of underclassmen work together in live action.
