Goff was way more advanced as a true freshman than anyone on our roster right now. I knew we had our starter within like 15 throws in that opening Northwestern game. The poise, the accuracy, the quick release and the arm strength just slapped you in the face with optimism.
Jackson is an insane athlete but needs A LOT of development. He lo…
Goff was way more advanced as a true freshman than anyone on our roster right now. I knew we had our starter within like 15 throws in that opening Northwestern game. The poise, the accuracy, the quick release and the arm strength just slapped you in the face with optimism.
Jackson is an insane athlete but needs A LOT of development. He locks onto his first target, doesn't throw with touch, and is uncomfortable in the pocket.
On the experience issue, consider Jackson has only one HS season of quarterbacking under his belt. Goff was a prolific passer for multiple seasons in HS, not a guy who had just switched positions upon entering his senior season. I like the idea of allowing Jackson to mature on the field during this season by getting a lion’s portion of snaps. In his own words, he just doesn’t have much experience. Let’s discover how good (or great) he can be. Nothing against Finley, who I think is a good quarterback. While Jackson is developing, I think there is value in giving Ben some situation-based opportunities too.
He played QB his junior year and at TCU for his limited snaps. The exception was his senior year when a more polished QB (current Auburn starter) jumped him on the depth chart (he moved to WR so he could see the field).
Wilcox brought in Finley to have competition from a guy who HAD played a good chunk of P5 ball, and Jackson still won out.
We all noticed it took until the end of fall camp to name a starter. I am thinking Jackson won out because today's coaches are in love with the idea of having a dual threat on the field. There is nothing that Jackson has showed that makes me believe is a a good P5 quarterback or even becoming one. It is extremely difficult to coach a guy to stay in the pocket and go through his check downs when he is first inclined to leave the pocket and improvise for yards on the run. The best quarterbacks in the Pac 12 this year - Penix, Nix, Williams and Ward - are fantastic at escaping pressure. But their first instinct is not to take off and run down field. It's to elude some defenders and still find an open guy downfield. If Jackson becomes that kind of guy, I will change my tune.
Goff was way more advanced as a true freshman than anyone on our roster right now. I knew we had our starter within like 15 throws in that opening Northwestern game. The poise, the accuracy, the quick release and the arm strength just slapped you in the face with optimism.
Jackson is an insane athlete but needs A LOT of development. He locks onto his first target, doesn't throw with touch, and is uncomfortable in the pocket.
We’re not going to win many games with Sammy Jax from the pocket. We need those running plays…he needs to f-ing slide tho!
On the experience issue, consider Jackson has only one HS season of quarterbacking under his belt. Goff was a prolific passer for multiple seasons in HS, not a guy who had just switched positions upon entering his senior season. I like the idea of allowing Jackson to mature on the field during this season by getting a lion’s portion of snaps. In his own words, he just doesn’t have much experience. Let’s discover how good (or great) he can be. Nothing against Finley, who I think is a good quarterback. While Jackson is developing, I think there is value in giving Ben some situation-based opportunities too.
Yeah when Goff hit Harper in strides for a 50 yard TD pass, I knew he was really good.
Before the season we all wanted Kline to play. Not once since the season started.
He played QB his junior year and at TCU for his limited snaps. The exception was his senior year when a more polished QB (current Auburn starter) jumped him on the depth chart (he moved to WR so he could see the field).
Wilcox brought in Finley to have competition from a guy who HAD played a good chunk of P5 ball, and Jackson still won out.
Finley was 4th string at NC State and played because of injuries. He is serviceable but beating him out in a QB comp doesn't mean that much.
We all noticed it took until the end of fall camp to name a starter. I am thinking Jackson won out because today's coaches are in love with the idea of having a dual threat on the field. There is nothing that Jackson has showed that makes me believe is a a good P5 quarterback or even becoming one. It is extremely difficult to coach a guy to stay in the pocket and go through his check downs when he is first inclined to leave the pocket and improvise for yards on the run. The best quarterbacks in the Pac 12 this year - Penix, Nix, Williams and Ward - are fantastic at escaping pressure. But their first instinct is not to take off and run down field. It's to elude some defenders and still find an open guy downfield. If Jackson becomes that kind of guy, I will change my tune.
edit: (current Auburn starter)
Fixed!