This isn't a bash JJ thread but I think its a conversation worth having. I, myself, have cringed at times at the idea of recruiting or more importantly, building an offense around a dual threat QB. I know I'm not the only person that has these feelings. At least sometimes. I made a mistake by immediately assuming Jeremy Liggins would be another JJ therefore presenting the same offensive shortcomings. This was idiotic on my part. I was already wrong without even seeing Liggins play one snap in college. To make it worse, I'm not a fair weather fan. I'm well aware of the long list of exceptional dual threat QBs. I'm willing to bet that I'm also not the only knowledgeable fan that made this mistake. Why did I instantly think JJ when Liggins committed? I have heard people diasagree. Adamantly. It's understandable. I want to see everyone contribute on offense. I want to see the whole field used. This is not something that a dual threat shouldnt be able to do. Basically what I realized is that I'm not afraid of a DT/QB, I fear what happens to the offensive play calling and philosophy when this staff attempts to utilize one. They have won alot of games but we all know about the obstacles this offense has faced in recent years. We all struggled to understand how such a glut of talent could be so mishandled. It was Crowton's fault or Miles' or it was JL or it was JJ and then JL again then back to being JJ's fault. The team had an identity with JL through the first 8 games. It was efficient, and it was diverse in that it involved multiple receivers and backs and wasn't one dimensional. The play action worked, There was consistent progress, and sound execution. Why were the results so different with a different QB. JL wasnt going to make many plays with his legs so did that make the team more detail oriented as far as execution goes? Did it make the team more efficient knowing that a player was in the game to pass the ball (or hand off)? There wouldnt be much, if any improv. When it isnt a designed QB run how much more difficult does it make blocking assignments when you arent sure what the QB is going to do or when the ball isnt coming out in time? D your receivers stay engaged? Do they begin to cut off routes or second guess? I try to think of it as a passing qb in our offense vs a dual threat in our offense and not JJ and JL. This works for me because they were so distinctly different in what they brought to the field specifically within our offense . Thats important I think. Anyway, sorry if I'm all over the place. Lemme know if any of this makes sense to any of you.
No one is afraid of dual-threat quarterbacks, a quarterback that can pass as well as run is an asset to a team. What people are afraid of is a running quarterback, whose passing threat is not taken seriously. One cannot win in the SEC with a running quarterback. Dual threat is a good thing. Single-dimension is not.
Of course. That makes sense. So we had a running QB that couldnt pass a lick and a passing QB who couldnt run a lick but was much better at passing than the runner was at running? I understand that a QB who can run when necessary is an asset but at the highest level of football, a pocket passer with good footwork is still the key to success. Offensively. By success, I mean championships. Not always the case in college. I get that. There isnt the same speed on the field in college defensively. The point of the thread was that Im not sure what to expect from a dual threat in our offense. I know every player is different but does the type of player bother me or is it the play calling when a certain type of player is in the game? I guess a big part of the excitement and anticipation for next season is seeing something different. New guys with new skills.
GDF, being a Ducks fan, I'm interested to know what your opinion is although I think I may not have expressed my point properly.
JJ was not a good running QB and JL was not a good passing QB. So technically, we had neither. We havent had a good QB since 2007 folks.
Not only are the skills of the QB important but equally so are the play calling skill of the OC. Drew Brees was a good QB in San Diego and has become great with Sean Peyton. It will be up to Stud, Krag & Les to craft a game plan and call plays during the game to show results. Again one of the problems we have had has been limited game plan and timely play calling. Finally we need a QB that has the capability to recognize defenses and call audibles. Hopefully all the tools will be used when Mett et al take the reins.
Never said they were good but this season we all know what our passer did in the first 8 games. This season its beyond debate who did a better job running our offense. Not sure how it can be said that JL was not a good passer this year. He was efficient and productive but I can agree that neither was consistent through out their career.
I think Red nails it. JJ was no duel threat ... he was a running QB, and he wasn't the greatest at that either. He has never been a Vince Young throughout his entire career. Russell Wilson was a duel threat QB. He was primarily the QB, passing and handing the ball off ... but he had the ability to take off and run if need be. I don't know much about Liggins. Have to wait and see. I'd rather see a person on the field than take anyone's word for it. JL redeemed himself this year for me. He did what was asked of him. While the anti-JL crowd here like to think that the "bama game" was all JL and his lack of talent, the NC proved that our OL was lacking in ability to control Bama's front 7, and that was for both games. Didn't matter if it was JL, or JJ taking the snaps, ... heck, for that matter, I think Drew Brees could have been back there and turned in a less than steller performance. JJ was JJ. He shined in the camps, in practice, etc ... but starting in the AR game .. I saw the same ol JJ I saw last year. I have to believe that part of it is because CLM designed this offense around JJ, and thus, we just never developed a pass attack to go with the stable in the backfield. I just don't think we had the plays in the book that were needed. Even when JL came in, he was still running JJ's offense. Ya gotta admit, CLM didn't cut loose the passing game with JL. I can remember thread after thread ... when are we going to open up the playbook. IMO .. it was wide open ... all 5 plays worth.
Agree and that's why many quarterbacks do well in the SEC/NCAA but not in the NFL. Often with "dual threats", even the "passes" are high percentage dumps and skews completion statistics. Given the two I'll take the pocket passer any day. There are always RB's to hand the ball to.
Exactly, JJ was not a duel threat QB, he was almost never a threat to pass. I think what scares everyone is that Miles thought that was ok.
