Jefferson is fine at QB. He is 100% not the issue. The lack of a quality line/running game is only enhanced by poor play calling.
From my perspective of them: A) great team leaders B) great game managers C) Junior/senior Matt Mauck red shirted 2000 and saw LIMITED play in 2001. Not to mention he played baseball a few years before he played at LSU. Before Matt Mauck got hurt in 2002, his first season starting, he was 63 of 130 and 782 yards. However, his stats and play vastly improved the very next season. Matt Flynn did not start until he was a senior and finished the year with 2,407 yrds passing. Jamarcus Russell started his shopmore season and was 3rd in the SEC in passing effeciency . He had 2,443 passing, 15 TD's and 9 ints. Aside from 400 yrds, very similar stats to JJ's.
Jamarkus Russell doesn't have "it"... at least at the professional level. He reminds me of Aaron "When's payday?" Brooks. Maybe LSU's whole team developed around him more than Russell having the "mental it" to lead the team. Quarterback oaching probably comes into play, not just at the position coach level, but at the head coach level with regards to building a team around the quarterback Wasn't Mauck much older than the normal freshman because he played minor league ball for all those years? JJ's only 19. The mental capacity needed to read defenses, make the right decisions, and execute the play may come more with age and experience than birthright. Regardless, the physical skill part of the equation definitely takes back seat to the mental part...as evidenced by the "Matts". I was going to use Tebow as an example of a QB that has more brain than physical passing skills, but after the Sugar bowl performance...WOW. He is an example, however, of a QB performing and developing at a much higher level because of the team that developed around him. I wonder how good he would have been at, say Ole Miss or Auburn?
I don't believe JJ is the entire problem with the offense but I do believe he's a big part of it. The OC and OL had issues, the receivers dropped balls and the injuries at RB hurt...but those didn't contribute to JJ throwing the ball at WRs ankles, having no concept of time management, having no ability to read defenses, or knowing when to get rid of the ball. I know some have excused all his faults to age or experience but I don't agree we have to wait until a QB is a senior to have a chance at a title. Bradford was a _________? when he won the Heisman, Tebow was a _________? we he won a Heisman and NC, etc. etc. I really, really, really hope JJ can get it but I don't have a lot of confidence he will. I sat in Atlanta a year ago and watched the offense roll over Georgia Tech. Although JJ didn't have 300 yards passing he led the team, got first downs, didn't make mistakes and I believe won the MVP as a result. After having a full spring and 13 more games under his belt, I really don't see any progression. I just don't buy into the theory that everything will get better simply due to him aging one more year. Maybe a little improvement from many areas (OC, OL, RB, WR, QB) in totality will equate to a championship team but if we're expecting JJ to greatly improve simply due to being a few months older...I think we should expect much of the same.
It doesn't really matter who wins the quarterback job. As long as Crowton coaches them inevitably they will be horrible. Crowton has a penchant for making the most talented look bad. When it comes to calling plays Crowton reminds me of Obama and the Democrats. They are impervious to piss poor results and keep repeating the same mistakes over and over and over and over again ad nauseum.
I agree. We must get the Crowton issue handled. Unfortunately, it seems he might be here another year or two. That's a problem.
Spike, I finally agree with you !!!:thumb:. I'm kind of hoping Jefferson's faults are coaching related. I voted to replace Crowton because of what I saw transpire this year with play calling, player development on the offense, utilization of Shepard. I bet JJ will improve with a new OC despite him having to learn a new system. I don't but the argument I've heard that JJ is dumb. The kid needs someone to coach him...it looks like he's been neglected. This is Crowton's responsibility/fault. (Just think how good JJ will be if we can get Saban here as QB coach under Miles !!!!)
