Etling hasn't played a down yet, so how do these clowns know he doesn't have the talent or skills? Maybe he'll be able to consistently complete short and medium range passes in an SEC game. Don't need an "Athlete" playing QB, just a real QB that can be a real QB!
I still believe he may have been a capable QB; how the hell would we know, especially now? And if not, why did he start for one whole year without anyone else getting playing time? Why was he even recruited in the first place if he is that bad.
I have always said, as I said in the post above, you don't keep trotting out a struggling QB without making a switch. Too much pressure on a young QB. No circular logic.
From my viewpoint we could get by with a consistent short to intermediate passer. We are a running football team, but you can't just run every down. On the flip side we do not need a long ball every time we throw it either. At this point we are all or nothing with the latter being the majority. A QB which could consistently hit WR, TE, BACKS, AND Slot receivers from the los out to 20 yards would make our offense complete and hard to stop. Hit them inside this yardage and let them get yac. Throw in a couple long outs a game to keep the D from cheating up and I would bet my years salary the rest of the league would have trouble stopping us. We have a great running game but it needs a little help to keep the chains moving. Spread them out like Baylor to give them running lanes and throw enough to keep the chains moving. My $.02!
It occurred to me that Les only likes the long ball because if it's intercepted it's like a punt. A short pass intercepted gives the other team good field position.