With only 2 scholly QB's, should the offense be adjusted to run the QB less, so less chance of injury. I don't know about you, but I vote to keep JJ in the pocket or hand off. What say you? About JJ, he improved, but needs to improve more if we are to contend for the west. Guy didn't even do well trying to throw the ball away.
Besides if you keep him in the pocket, there'll be a ton more of those 20 yard backpeddles with intentional grounding called afterwards... he still holds the ball too long and wants to run if his primary reciever isn't open. He just doesn't look all that comfortable back there. His two TD passes were great though, especially considering he knew he was about to get popped and took the hit anyway while still making the nice throws. Would love to see him sit back more, just isn't going to happen a whole lot.
This I really thought the OL was better (still allowed some penetration on a few running plays-looked like Hurst got beat a couple times), but overall better. JJ seemed to get plenty of time to throw the ball, even when he threw the pick and got the intentional grounding. Geez, roll out!! QUIT Backpeddling!!!!! As bad as Yates was supposed to be, he was 10 times better than JJ. And I really like JJ and think he will get better, but there's one thing no one can deny-whether it is play calling or the QB-there seems to be no trust in our receivers-i.e. let them make a play!!! Back shoulder throws, one and one---get'em the ball. A good QB that makes good throws is indefensible; ask PP. On consecutive plays they lined him up on the strong side (in place of Claiborne). Slant for 8? yds and a back shoulder out for 15? yds. We don't have that at QB yet.
I agree the depth is not there, but we cant play scared. We have to do whatever it takes. JJ looked ok, he didnt look heisman but he did fair. He completed 71% of his passes(there were a few drops 2 by RS), gained some solid yards on the option read, (Still cant pitch the ball to save his life) and looked a bit shaky at times when he couldnt find a wr open. The pass he tried to throw away, stupid, hopefully will be a learning experience. He did a great job stepping up in the pocket on the deep ball to RR and did a great job hooking up on 2 more specific passes.....the td to RS and a pass to Joseph right thru 2 UNC defenders! I saw some improvements, like I said, it wasnt a homerun but a solid double. I'll take it.
I'm not sure LSU ran JJ all that much against UNC. Hard to tell without rewatching the game, but I seem to remember maybe 4 of 5 designed runs for him (1 wide option, maybe 3 or 4 read option/QB draws). That's not bad. Having a QB like JJ who can run well (not great, but certainly good) is a big advantage and makes things tougher for defenses. Don't put him on a platter or anything, but he's a big kid and he's experienced enough to know how NOT to take a hit. I'm good with 4 or 5 designed JJ runs a game.
Jefferson is a big, solid feller. We don't need to treat him like glass, nor do we need to run him regularly and get him hurt, but he'll have to run sometimes. He'll have to scramble when the pocket breaks down for sure. But we also have to keep the quarterback draw in the offense and run it now and then to keep defenses honest. And if we are going to be able to run the option to take advantage of our speedy running backs and keep defenses off guard, the QB has to be a threat to run the ball or its just a pitch play and not an option.
The stats had him 10 for 36. I don't think it distinguishes between designed runs and those where he scrambled on a pass play.
