I'll disagree with his last sentence in the blog article. The problem with TM wasn't his being a freshman (certainly there were a few ugly looking passes due to his poor mechanics). His issue(s) started with being an injured freshman. Before the injury, he was so explosive that he more than made up for his short-comings.
Spring Position Battles - Quarterback
- Thread starter Mavric
- Start date
Good points. I'd also like to add people see the young freshman QB's at other universities and hope for much of the same in their own backyard. Often times, however, freshman quarterbacks simply aren't ready to play.
The best part about all of this, though, is that he getting a ton of extra practice time in this spring. Playbook knowledge, he'll build some chemistry with teammates, he'll play with college speed, etc. Tons of benefits of that for years down the road even if it doesn't amount to him playing much if at all this year.
"Underwhelmed" is the term DB used, I believe.
He didn't expand on it much more than what you heard; but, for those who didn't hear the segment, DB was not really impressed with POB's ability to throw during one specific drill. The QBs were doing stem route drills throwing from one set of hashmarks across the field to the numbers (about 20 yards), and DB basically said POB didn't have a lot of mustard on the throws. They weren't very tight spirals.
There are obviously a lot of things to take into context here - as DB admitted, it's just one practice. Furthermore, that's one of the more difficult throws to make in football.
Yeah, I feel like we may be over-analyzing this. It's one drill, in one practice, on his what, second day? If we start hearing this consistently, then I might be concerned. Seems like most other analysts aren't blown away with his ability, but definitely not "underwhelmed".
Langsdorf on Armstrong: “He’s got to make the throws we want him to make and not try to do too much.” #huskers
6:08 PM - 10 Mar 2016
damn Langes.......maybe the throws you want him to make ARE too much?
6:08 PM - 10 Mar 2016
damn Langes.......maybe the throws you want him to make ARE too much?
Husker Richard
Well-known member
Ship has sailed on TA, IMO. He is what he is and I don't see him improving in terms of being a better passing QB/decision maker.
Redux
Well-known member
Probably, but he will still be our starter unless POB makes some massive strides.
MichiganDad3
Well-known member
I have to agree with this. IMO TA is the starter all year unless he is injured. I just hope Langs limits the number of throws, and encourages TA to take off running. TA is a special player when he runs. I would rather have the coaches tell him to run if his primary receiver is not open rather than have him check down.
I would just hope they play a bit more to TA's strengths, kind of like you mentioned.
We threw the ball a lot last year I think out of necessity but also out of preference. Our lines didn't block very well at times last year and we didn't have a true #1 back, and then to top it all off, you have a staff that likes a strong passing game. But, how many games did we see 15-20 passes hit the turf? How many times did a guy like Jano, who I thought proved his worth time and again, not see any carries? At some point, you do have to commit a bit more to the run game and, in my opinion, I'd rather gain a few yards and punt than gain zero yards and punt. When 15-20 passes hit the turf you're essentially negating a quarter of the plays you run.
Guy Chamberlin
Well-known member
Seems more likely over the last two seasons and two different OCs that Tommy is actually avoiding the higher percentage passes and insisting on the gunslinger throws himself. Hence "trying to do too much."
The Tommy who is allowed to do whatever he wants and play to his strengths is a fun player to watch, but also a bunch of mistakes just waiting to happen.
If he didn't get the memo last year, he won't get it this year.
Unless he feels his job is genuinely threatened.
Could be interesting.