Nobody's done that to us in 11 years - Coach John Outlaw on Shep

Really? Like Mr. Toliver last year? Wasn't he the #1 WR in the entire country his senior year, and yet last year, he never knew where to line up, and invariable only ran 1 of 2 routes, all the while rarely reaching the field.

I think Shep will also be busy competing for/learning the QB position. Perhaps he will be able to pick things up quickly, and perhaps not. My point is despite all the hype, he is a high school player and the SEC/LSU is big time. All world TP at Ohio State has looked good this year at times, and also quite human. He has destroyed nobody with his demigod abilities. It is unlikely next year Shepard will either.

Fans should really just give him a chance to succeed.

You just affirmed my own contention. Why don't you lower your expectations for Shep, and if he turns out to be a prodigy, then we will all celebrate anyway.

 

So your true freshman QB will come in and make an immediate impact, but our Jr and RSF QB's will automatically fail next season...I mean, that is what you've been saying lately simply because of Lee's struggles right islstl?

I mean come on... :dis:

 

You said the same things about him not being drafted in a high round midway through his last year. You recanted. As to not grasping defenses, Fisher never had anything but high praise for him, and so did Kiffen. He was also reported to have been an honor student while at LSU, his horrible public speaking style notwithstanding.

Now you are laying this year on him, instead of arguably the worst owner runintotheground organization in the NFL? His coach didn't even make it two seasons, but I bet Kiffen wins the next place he goes. How many fired coaches from the raiders have come back and beaten them? Gotta be some kind of a record. And the announcers all seem to get a good chuckle when it happens, again, and again, and again...

JM will be fine, if Al dies, or he gets traded. BTW, how has McFadden done this year? Don't bother to answer, it's rhetorical.

As to Shepard having "much more of a head on his shoulders than did Russell", I have no idea what you could possibly base that upon. Seems to me you could compliment Shepard without running one of our most recent, great QBs into the ground.

 

This was something we knew, or at least should have known, about Toliver. He ran a very, very simple offense in HS & did not know the intricacies of being a WR. We won't ask Shepard to be a WR - just run a very limited number of plays from the position, if any.

Shepard's character is a big, big reason that I believe he can have a real impact as a true freshman. He's working with a pro QB a whole lot and is really dedicating himself to being a complete quarterback. He is graduating in the Spring and will have extra time to work with Crowton and lean the rest.

Any true freshman QB will struggle to learn the whole playbook and all the intricacies of the position. That includes Shepard.

I don't think our expectations are unreasonable. We're not expecting him to start and take us to the National Championship next year. We're excited about a player with tremendous character and talent.

Regardless of how good of a player he turns out to be, I'll be happy that he is on our team. I can honestly say that I've never been as excited about any recruit as I am with Shepard, and his highlight reel alone would not put him in that position.

 

I agree that istlslts is being too tough on JaMarcus. He was a great QB for us. He had a very calm demeanor about him and never panicked, which is a great trait in a QB. However, he was a silent leader - more of a "follow my actions" type of player than a guy the team could rally around. I think that works better for other positions than QB.

I believe Shepard will be a better leader at QB.

 

Really? You include yourself in the collective here? I have read differently, and that is what I was responding to.

As will I, and I recognize his character as well as his efforts in recruiting for us. Something that was lacking in our last 5* QB. In no way did I diminish Shepard, and I have high hopes for him myself, having actually seen him play. However, I choose to have a realistic expectation for his rate of development while at LSU. Others here, apparently do not.

 

How would you characterize Roger Staubach? Or Joe Montana? Or how about Matt Mauck? Must a QB be an emotional/vocal guy like Flynn or Tebow in order to be successful?

I also think he will be great. Time will tell if he is a better leader. In the end it could just be a combination of who he is, and where our team is, as opposed to how he delivers his leadership. As long as it works and the kid has a successful career, I don't care what style he chooses. Ultimately, the team follows the QB or not. We have had both kinds and succeeded with both. We will again.

 

You mean you've seen people predict him to lead us to the NC next year? I sure haven't...

I don't expect Shepard to see more than 25% of the snaps next year. I'd say that anything more than that is being quite optimistic for him.

 

IMO, Tebow can be too emotional. I think Flynn is a guy that learned to be a leader, but he had a take charge attitude in the huddle, which is the real key, and something I felt JaMarcus lacked.

I see Shepard as a guy who is naturally charismatic with a take charge attitude. He won't have to learn these traits. I don't view that as being a necessity to being a good QB, but IMO it is a big plus. I also think it will help him get on the field early.

When I look at Shepard, I see Vince Young with a better head on his shoulders (and maybe even more athletic ability). What made VY a great college QB were his traits as a leader, which Shepard has.