Do you count only starts? Because Lee played significantly in 11 of our games last year (10+ more attempts in those he didn't start). Lee has just a couple more attempts than JJ has in his career and I think he has 11 more yards total. So if JJ plays this week he'd pass him up in like a pass or two most likely. Then you look at TD to INT. ratio, rushing yards, mental composure, actual success on the field, etc. I think JJ has him in every area except sacks (which has been an issue for JJ, but less so in the last few games). However, Lee used to just chuck the ball up there and it would be picked so I'd take the sacks over that. Florida only averages about 17 yards per game more than us in passing at 198 per game. Bama is only at 201. Neither of their starters averages 200 per game. There is not a huge difference in averages between Jefferson and those guys. Flynn didn't average 200 per game and we did okay with him. It's all about having an offense that functions well as a unit and we still don't quite have that. Our running game has been bad this year. Stacked box or no stacked box... Our OL has had many penalties at very bad times and missed too many blocks. Look at the difference between our rushing numbers and Bama's/Florida's. It's a huge difference. It's not a short gap like the passing yardage. We do still have some issues in the passing game. We don't go deep enough, JJ doesn't get rid of the ball fast enough sometimes and we're still dropping passes as well. Our RBs have had trouble catching the ball this year. Shepard made a great catch on a bad screen from JJ, but Scott missed what probably would have been a long TD on the sideline after he scrambled and threw it at the last second. Scott played great, but if he makes that catch, you've got a huge play in the passing game. KW has had a # of drops this year as well. And at WR, Lafell has dropped a decent number while Toliver has stopped on his routes or gone the wrong way a few times. We've had guys line up wrong on big pass plays as well. And I personally think our offensive coaches need to do a much better job with the calls being made and use of talent. So they all could do a little better. All I know is that JJ was playing really well against a great D and we were in a good position to beat them until injuries started mounting and BS calls started happening. And JJ has looked very good recently, he's been very accurate and he's made great plays with his feet. I'll take it.
Because Jefferson won the battle in August. It doesn't mean that he owns it forever anymore than Lee did last year. Lee didn't get benched last year. He got hurt and he never got his job back. Jefferson now has a season to show for his effort and he has some issues. And LSU has reserve quarterbacks willing to play. I expect another contest in the spring.
Not a huge difference between Tebow and Jefferson? Uh-huh . . . It's the difference between where we are and where they are. Look, I'm not putting it all on Jefferson. But he does have some limits as a quarterback that do not make him immune from competition.
Passing Yards based on # of starts is one very small part of the stat line. Compare all the stats if you want to be a statistician. Let's be honest... JLee can perform better than JJ in spring and fall practices, but he still wouldn't be the starter over JJ without an injury. Chris Garrett has a better chance of becoming second string than JL has of passing up JJ. I'm really not trying to bash JLee...I'm glad he's on the team, but I'm amazed by the lack of respect for JJ.
Red, have you ever considered politics? You're good with twisting around statements to make them seem like something totally different. Kidding... I think you knew what you were doing there. I didn't say there wasn't a huge difference between Tebow and Jefferson. I've never said anything close to that. I clearly stated that there wasn't that much of a difference in passing averages (as compared to rushing averages of the teams). And there isn't... Jefferson actually has more yards than Tebow this year by a couple and has a higher average per game by less than a yard. So statistically, I would be correct if I ACTUALLY said that. Also, Jefferson has one more passing TD than Tebow and the same amount of INTS. Hell, Jefferson has only taken a couple more sacks than him as well. I don't have a problem with having a competition for the QB position in the spring. But I just don't see Lee being in that competition for the starting spot. He got progressively worse last year as the season went on and I haven't seen huge changes when he's been in this year (although he hasn't been in that much to be fair).
I knew I could count on your vote, suh. Yes sir, I think you are more astute than Tim Tebow. I do. And I will not raise your taxes. No sir.
