Next year we'll have another super potentiallytalented QB with no experience. And that's a lot of maturing Lee has to do. I still see him needing another year or so.
one year from now, SabanFan will be bashing people that are bashing our inexperienced QB for making rookie mistakes. No word yet on who said QB might be, however.
If Jefferson had the stuff to start, he would have already taken the job away from Lee and Hatch. If Sheppard has the stuff, he will take the job away from all three--but I ain't bettin' the farm on it happening. If Hatch had stayed healthy, he'd still be the starter, alternating with Lee. If Sheppard steps onto campus next year looking like The Next Great Quarterback, he'll start. Of course, Russel and Perrilloux were such and neither was ready to play as a freshman. Lee, Hatch, and Jefferson will have to sort out an order in the spring. Whoever is number three will likely find some greener pastures. Lee is posting respectable yardage and only needs to fix his interception problem to be an effective quarterback. Hatch and Jefferson have never really gotten an opportunity to compete yet. It's way too early to call.
It's too early to tell, but I'd vote for this list. Lee has shown himself to have the physical tools to be a good pocket passer, but not the mental aspects of the game. The fact that Jefferson did not beat him out this year is pure experience IMO. Jefferson just didn't know the playbook well enough. I agree with Miles decision here. Next year, it will be who plays best. Jefferson is reputed to be a good runner with a big arm, and if he "gets" the offense, I could see him move ahead of Lee. Now Lee could develop with a years experience, and I expect him to get better. But as bad as he's looked in spots, and without the running ability, it is very questionable if he can improve enough in one year to stay ahead of Jefferson. I could be wrong, and Lee shows light years of improvement in one year in his ability to read defenses, go through his progression, and make sound decisions. I'm not betting on that much improvement in one season. Jefferson will have a great chance to start, IMO.
Especially when you have to think that Lee and his family realize that this season wasn't really fair for him. And by that I mean when he signed here, he had accepted that RP was going to be the starter and he was simply going to take advantage of gaining knowledge by sitting and watching. Surely, every player relishes the opportunity to play--and I'm sure he would have been no different had RP still been here, but he would have had the time to come along slowly. Instead, he was thrust into this and he simply just wasn't ready for it. Reguardless how upset or angry or frustrated we all get with his inconsistant play, it's going to be key for him, and more importantly for us, that he doesn't let the INT's and mistakes of THIS season affect him mentally moving forward. Doesn't matter who's our starting QB next season, as this year has shown, at any given moment, the player you don't expect to have a prominent role on the team is but a few injuries away (or dismissals).
I disagree with this. Lee had all of last year to learn this offense. He knew in the spring he was going to get lots of playing time this year. He's got one of the best offensive lines in the nation. He's got a stable of awesome running backs. He's got experienced, speedy wide receivers and a pro prospect at tight end. He's got no excuses. :tigerhead
