Saban said he wanted 60 full minutes in the Tech game, and we did not get it. Nick was upset how the offense stalled in the second half under Randall. Also keep in mind we lost the Arky game last year, and nearly lost the Kentucky game. The only solid game I have seen from Marcus was the SC game...he was awesome in that game. We should have blown out Arky and Kentucky...no excuses. The Cotton Bowl, that was a weird game all around. I do not know what to say about that one.
Mauck is trusted to be "the man" because he proved he was a winner on the field. Just think back to how you felt when you saw Rohan go down in the first half of the 2001 SECCG. Randall has the potential to become a very good QB but his record as a starter is 2-4 vs. Mauck's 18-2. The majority of the Tigers games this year were blowouts and Randall would have probably been just about as effective had he been the starter in those games. The only two close wins were the first Georgia game and the Ole Miss game. Mauck played a huge role in winning both of them. Would Randall have come though in the clutch in those games? We'll never know. In the loss to Florida Mauck sucked as well as did the rest of the Tiger offense. Would Randall have been able to rally the team to a win over the Gators? I doubt it. He might have gotten lucky on a couple of long passes that he does throw better than Mauck but its just as likely that he would have thrown a couple of long interceptions. The only games that Mauck has really "stunk it up" were this years Florida game and last years Virginia Tech game and I really can't say that he stunk up the V Tech game. He was 15 for 35 and at least 5 or 6 passes were dropped. If those passes had been completed LSU would have probably still lost. Mauck has intangible qualities that make him a better quarterback than his physical skills would normally let him be. Like Davey but to a lesser extent Mauck is able to make his surrounding cast better. A lot like Craig Krenzel did for last years NC winning Ohio State team and Alabama's Jay Barker in 1992. If Mauck opts for dental school next year Randall will be the starter, at least at the beginning of the season. Its too bad that his playing time year this was pretty much limited to handing the ball off and running the clock out with the second unit. If he had gotten more real game time running the offense with the first unit he would have been a lot further along in his developement but as long as the game was still undecided Mauck was staying in the game. Perhaps Saban should have let Randall run the real offense with the first unit still in the game during his mop up duties but that would make it look like he was running up the score. Thats what I would have done but I'm not about to start critisizing Nicks coaching methods because look where the Tigers are right now.
Mesquite, not to beat a dead horse, just a comment, the Arkansas loss and the near loss to Ky were due to defensive meltdowns, not Randall. We scored 27 points against Kentucky BEFORE the Bluegrass Miracle. That and 20 points against Arky's hapless offense should have been enough to win. Bottom line, I would not be near as nervous if Mauck went down and Randall had to come in as I was when Ro went down and Mauck had to come in. Of course, we all know it worked out great. But I'm very happy we have an experienced guy to come in, should the unthinkable happen.
I don't know how you guys can compare Marcus this year to last year. If we compared our whole team that way about 3 games ago. We wouldn't think we had a chance to win the SEC CG much less compete for the NC. Teams do get better and Individuals do also. I will be optimistic and give Marcus the benefit of the doubt that maybe he has improved a bit over last year. Talking of next year if Matt doesn't come back I think Marcus will have a shot unless some of the others stand out like a sore thumb, kinda like Chris Leak did.
Tiger educated and obi wan are right Mauck throws just as much BS up as Randall. I've seen Mauck throw some goofy passes this year and wonder would Marcus do the same thing? Bottom line Muack got the call from Coach Saban. He knows the offense best and marcus is a capable back up. All you people doubting Marcus' ability should remember Coach Saban wouldn't blink about putting him in if something happened to Matt. The plays Marcus was given this year were not meant to show his expertise off. I think Coach Saban was giving him some REAL seat time. Something Marcus needed and probably wanted EVEN if it meant ball control. Take both players for face value. Mauck doesn't walk on water people and neither does Randall. You ever watch the movie "Trading Places" with Dan Akroyd and Eddie Murphy? I know it sounds stupid but think about it for ONE small second. WHO IS really running the offense? Mauck? or SAban and Fischer? Not detracting from Matt's abilities here, I want him to start/ win for consistency. Opinions tend to favor whoever has been in the driver's seat the longest. Who would have thought Matt could have come in and won the SEC CG when Rohan was out? Two jockeys, One Team both can ride the good horse. Geaux Tigers!
__________________ JS Just like Jackie said " HOW SWEET IT IS" http://myweb.cableone.net/jsracing/ Did you build that 'Stang JS? What's it do in the quarter?
I know one thing this offense is GEAREd around Mauck and no matter what each of us thinks about either QB. I would be we all WANT MM to play the first half at least of the NC. Why just the first half? Well I hope by then LSU is up be 4 TD's HOW sweet it is! Yes sir mr. Bengal I did ALL the work, welding, and engine fab. It's a tube chassis car. I did not paint it though. I have some new pics of it with the NEWLY airbrushed grille and blue injector butterflies. I'll have them up soon hopefully. It has run 8.99 in the 1/4 mile at 149 mph. But mostly we run 1/8th mile, It's an Alcohol injected 514 cubic inch motor and sometimes we mix in a little NITRO if the mood hits, makes it a hairy ride though. My motto is why be a specatator, particpation is so much sweeter! Merry Christmas to all the TIGER brethren out there!
Those 3 picks against Ole Miss didn't smell nice and didn't sit well with most Tiger Fans ... this "stinker" was overshadowed by a thrilling Defensive win ... and 2 passing TDs
Agree with the 3 int's. I was glad to see Saban stay with MM. Regardless of who the back up was MR JR or MF. Stability and a great defense is what got us thru that game. What a great year to see LSU have sucess on both sides of the ball. And I have to admit the I did not read the article here but would have to say that MR appears to me to be a great team player in this situation. Look foward to seeing him on the team next year and wish him all the best as he graduates and moves on in life.
