my biggest peeve isn't people calling for Flynn to start or at least get more PT, its when people say JaMarcus is dumb and that Flynn is the more cerebral QB. I really don't see a basis for such an argument to be made. Even the most cerebral QB of them all, Matt Mauck, made a few mistakes that nearly cost us games ala Ole Miss 2003/Oklahoma 2003.
I couldn't agree more! JR DOES do some bone-headed things, but hwo can fans automatically say Flynn is the man, when the only pictures we have of him is sitting his ass on the sidelines... I guess we will find out a lot tommorrow huh?
The scouting reports on Flynn say he's a very cerebral QB. I'm one of those who's just curious to see what he can do. He looked amazing against N. Texas. I'd like to see him against a real opponent. I'm not predicting he'll be great, or saying he's better than JR. I think in the little he's played, he's showed better touch than JR, but that doesn't mean he's a better QB. I'm looking forward to watching him play though.
As am I. But my point is not that Flynn isn't a cerebral QB, it is the characterization that JR is a dumb one who solely relies on talent while Flynn won't make the same mistakes merely because he is cerebral. It has been stated many times on message boards, not as often on this board, but people still hint at it.
Since I know I'm one of the people to which you are referring, my characterization of Jamarcus as not being the sharpest knife in the drawer stems from him making many of the same boneheaded mistakes over and over and over. He kind of started learning when to throw the ball away towards the end of the year, but not completely. He still stays locked onto his reciever, and tends to never throw to wide open recievers (generally because he's already locked onto his target - pre-snap). I honestly believe that, if he corrects these mistakes, the guy can be an absolutely phenomenal quarterback. But as it is now, he tends to get in his own way far too often. And I don't want to hear any of this nonsense about him only being a sophomore. He's been a QB at the collegiate level for 3 years now, and has plenty of experience by this point. The truth of the matter is, guys like him that have freakish ability can get by solely on talent for a good portion of their lives, and therefore, are never forced to make mental adjustments. Some are able to make those adjustments, some are not. Thus far, Russell has not shown an overwhelming willingness to be the former. Matt Mauck is a prime example of someone with minimal capability, but whose success emanates from superior knowledge and leadership. Whether or not Flynn is immune from those mistakes remains to be seen. I've always heard that he was light years ahead of Russell in terms of the academic aspect of the game. But of course, I have no real way of verifying that. He certainly did check off recievers in the SECCG. Obviously, that is not the only key to being a successul QB. But with a recieving corp as fast as ours, I think that it is very important because it is very likely that at least one of them will be open on every passing play. And that is basically the gist of it: with that much speed at wideout, you need not a QB that can throw the ball 18 miles, only one who plays intelligently.
If you explained yourself as thoroughly the first time you made the characterization, then there wouldn't be a discussion. I agree that JaMarcus relies too much on talent and that he holds on to the ball far too long in most circumstances. But i believe if you look at the progression from last year to this year, we can hope for a similar progression from this year to next, he will be able to do all those things that he isn't great at. He does check off recievers, look off safeties and throw the ball away, but he it seems only his mistakes get noticied. One thing that annoys me about him is that he often misses an open reciever or should throw the ball away but doesn't.
All of this is right on IMO. Many times I believe JR makes decisions that are not representative of a 3rd year soph. I believe he is the best QB on the team in practice and such but am happy or intrigued to see what Flynn can do. I hear people on OTT and see things on here where people discuss JR leaving after next year. That may be based on physical ability or upside, but based on his actual play, I believe the guy is a long way from being an NFL QB. He may get drafted and all like the Saints drafting McPherson who will never play a down in the league for anyone other than the Saints......anyway, CC, I agree with you.
I have not posted that Flynn should be starting. But I have made a couple posts saying I was impressed by the way he seems to have football basics mastered better than JR. I also believe he was more decisive on the field in the extremely limited playing time he had. I agree that JR improved from last year to this year. But I really did not see any improvement during this year and that is what disappoints me. So I look forward to seeing Flynn under center. The game tomorrow could show us that Flynn is much better than JR or it could show us the exact opposite. Most likely, it will not provide conclusive evidence either way. I think it is very hard to make an informed decision on any QB based on one game.
Look everyone loves the backup quarterback - until he gets in a game of importantance and they suddenly realize why he is the "backup" quarterback. Even when Hodson was the QB for the Tigers there were some fans who were clamoring for Mickey Guidry to take over. It's ludicrous. I like Matt Flynn and hope he comes out tomorrow and leads the Tigers to victory, but the realist in me says he's the backup QB stariting his first game in a bowl against one of the top defenses in the country - not a recipe for success. This whole JR vs. MF situation is only exacerbated by the fack that JR is black and Flynn is white. Unfortunately, there exists a group of fans (at every school not just LSU) that believe a black QB's can't lead teams to titles. I've heard quotes like - "When was the last time a black QB won the national championship or a lead his team start to finish to the Super Bowl?" Assinine and bigoted as this element of fans are, they do exist and to be naive and say they don't.
