You: There's a suspicion that there's more to playing Jefferson than just coaching decisions, like there's some sinister motive in benching Lee against a cupcake. Miles is preparing for the remaining schedule and last night was just one more opportunity to see whatever it is he wants to see. At this point in time, everyone should be saying "whatever Miles wants to do is fine with me".
That was a long post with a very short answer: Miles likes JJ because he's the "safe" QB. If you can win the game without risking turnovers Miles is going to take the option every time. Interesting Stat: JLee through 10 games - 14TDs 3INTs 151 QB Rating. Matt Flynn through 10 games in '07 - 14TDs 10INTs 125 QB Rating. In '07 RP had better stats than JJ has had, yet Miles only started him in 2 games when Flynn was injured. So my question is, What's changed for Miles? Has he lost his fire? Does he value not turning the ball over more than having a better chance to score now? Interesting things to think about when you compare this season to '07.
Good Grief. We're 10-0 , #1 (unanimously) and have only two regular season games to play. And STILL someone wants to question the coach's decision making and motives. Please.
I think that what you wrote here pretty much explains to me why you continue on and on about the JJ/JL thing. You have a story in your mind and you are sticking to it even when you have no idea what is going on. I do respect you for sharing that though because I had similar experiences in high school sports. The reality of the situation is that none of us have any freaking clue about the relationships between JJ, JL and the coaches. We have no idea what is going on behind the scenes. JJ might be the poutiest (that can't be a word) jerk ever, or he could be an intense, lovable fellow that his teammates greatly respect. JL might be a positive oriented guy that never lets his team see him get down, or he could be a jerk that never owns up to anyone's (esp. his) mistakes and shows no leadership. It could be that JJ does everything the coaches ask and does them to the best of his abilities and JL is a hot dog that continually ignores the coaches orders. Or vice-versa. Personally, I have NO problem with the play call on when JL went back into the game against Bama. Those are called Lesticles. If you don't like it, too bad. That is the Hat he wears. What was the least expected call they could possibly run when Lee came back in? How do we know that JL wasn't on the phone with Stud and Krag for minutes ASSURING them that he could make that throw while Stud and Krag repeatedly warned him to throw it away if it wasn't there. Who knows? Truth is, if JL puts that throw where it needed to be, it was 6 points and Miles was a freaking genius and trusts his players. This was against BAMA with a 5th year senior. It was time to put up or shut up. Miles was saying, "Hey JL, you wanna prove your mental instability days are over, go make that throw and be the biggest hero ever". JL is a competitor and I think he craved and wanted that opportunity. Bottom line, he put his trust in JL and JL failed. That is football. That can cost you your job when the competition is that tight. And don't come back with that safety last game, JL would have been creamed even worse. To me, it is insane for some to come on here and "know" that because one is getting to start over the other that the coach is wrong. Now I have no problem with questioning things and discussing it. Going through the what-ifs is fun. Saying that Miles is a bigot toward JJ and making up a big soap opera about it is just too far. I am glad that there is this rumor about JL not going to his classes. Even if not true, maybe it will make people remember that "yeah, I don't really know what is going on". We have no idea what would have happened if JJ would not have been suspended. We have no idea if we will lose to Arky with JJ at the helm. Miles has it covered and would NEVER start a QB because he "likes" him more.
If you can't see that a quarterback controversy has developed, get your head of of the sand. It's got nothing to do with confidence in Les. People clearly want to talk about it. If it bothers you, find another thread.
If Mett does that next year he's gone. One and done. We should all hope Randall or Rivers plays next year. Mett will be four years out of high school next year and if he blows it up in 2012 he's very possibly a one year starter and on to the league a la' Cam Newton. I think RR stays and he and Mett have a really special year next year. Re: the QB issue, I don't think we can safely say anything until Saturday. If JJ starts then it's time to have this conversation, but we should still be undefeated, undisputed #1 so it will probably still be a moot point. Doesn't matter to me who starts. We need em both to have one viable QB. JJ needed those reps Saturday. He's more poised than JL under pressure and offers the option to run if the play implodes. But he's got to get better passing the ball. I think that's what Saturday was for. He wasn't great, but he didn't do horribly and he took shots down field in one-on-one coverage. That's when the receiver has got to make a play. I think it's safe to say they both play. I'm pleased.
How is it that people think JLee can't handle pressure? He won 3 games last year under HUGE pressure. He has played through plenty of pressure situations this season, including taking over for a suspended starting QB against a top 10 team in the season opener. He made two mistakes against Bama that the 2nd one was at least partially due to bad play calling and he wasn't given another chance. I think we need both QBs but any passing QB is going to throw picks. Lee is still the best passing QB we've had since and including '07. It wasn't the pressure that messed up Lee against Bama, it was him trying to make something happen. He didn't shell up and cry, he was trying to punch Bama in mouth and made two bad decisions.
