Explain to me how Ehlinger will be the answer at quarterback

[CS]

I'd like somebody who really understands quarterback play to make the case that Ehlinger can be the answer, because here's what I see:

1. No arm strength at all. The pace on his passes look like what you'd see from a middle-aged guy throwing the ball in the park with his kids.
2. Zero accuracy. Offhand, I can't think of a quarterback less accurate than Ehlinger. It's not just that the passes are often delivered in sub-optimal location; they are often not in the same zip code.
3. A demonstrated pattern of making bone-headed decisions at the highest leverage moments of games. He plays the game as if he believes there's an Undo button.

I'll listen to an argument that #3 can be overcome with sufficient experience and maturity. I'm not sure I'll believe an argument that #1 and #2 can be overcome. And maybe there are additional points in his favor that I'm not considering. But I'm completely unable to look at the reality of Ehlinger as a quarterback (today, at least) and project a plus player at this level.

 

[Achilleshorn]

He hasn’t improved at all.

 

[Ace Boogie!]

Yeah, he has one of the weakest arms I’ve seen. Chad Pennington-esque I could throw a football with more velocity.

It’s surprising given his build.

 

[Dr. Leo Marvin]

Rising is the future.

Shane needs to be given the keys and just ask him not to make fatal mistakes.

 

[Guy Smiley]

Maybe the critical mistakes and losses early on have ruined him. I admire his competitiveness, but he's killing us. If we can continue to pass pro like we did, then I'd be leaning towards seeing what Shane can do.

 

[pdrscott99]

He needs to play H-back and they need to get a real QB behind center. Stevie Wonder can see that. For some reason Mensa Tom can’t.

 

[CS]

Yeah, he has one of the weakest arms I’ve seen. Chad Pennington-esque I could throw a football with more velocity.

It’s surprising given his build.

Pennington is exactly the guy I thought of as well. Except he was highly accurate, which allowed him to excel in college and play at the next level. Ehlinger isn't anywhere near Pennington on that front.

 

[El_Chile_Relleno]

He should be a situational QB at best, like when you need a few yards for a first down. Oh wait nvm.

 

[JTIC]

Sam is a shittier version of Tebow. He’s actually too big and bulky. Someone made a post in jest about him being a full back, honestly that might be for the best.

 

[Dank Bank]

18-Wheeler package

 

[WFHorn85]

The biggest issues are a) the scheme does not fit him well b) he does not the ball on the run well, especially rolling out and on bootlegs which are a big part of the offense and c) he’s not a quick twitch athelte. He’s the type of guy they need to keep out of the weight room and try and make him quicker instead of constantly looking to make him stronger. He’s literally growing himself out of the position IMO.

 

[Achilleshorn]

Anyone have any insight as to how sub-par Shane must’ve looked in camp to get beaten out by that?

 

[Incognito2]

Hes got a solid enough arm, but hes putting too much touch on the ball for fear of making mistakes. Hes too scared to let it rip.

All mental with Alpha Fail

 

[WFHorn85]

Bottom line, if Sam’s the guy moving forward, he needs to be running 10-12 times per game minimum because that’s his biggest strength to this point.

 

[shrevehorn]

He hasn’t improved at all.

True unfortunately

 

[Hoekem]

Like I said in another thread yesterday, if he wasn’t from Westlake and had no family history with UT, no one would bother to defend him.

The 3 big completions yesterday were more about the receivers effort than his own.

If he starts next week, it’ll just be more of Herman’s hypocrisy and arrogance.

 

[Ace Boogie!]

Pennington is exactly the guy I thought of as well. Except he was highly accurate, which allowed him to excel in college and play at the next level. Ehlinger isn't anywhere near Pennington on that front.

Facts

 

[Seftees]

We just thought we’ve been in the dark ages. AM gets any more momentum and it’s all over but the crying.

 

[horn92]

He is not very good on multiple levels.
Poor decision making and poor accuracy.
I always felt we should have taken Charlie Brewer. We win yesterday with Brewer and we win at least 2 more last season

 

[Vinsanity12]

He isn’t. But not sure the answers are ready yet either

 

[UTRULZ]

Love the kid, but he doesn’t protect the football. How do you expect to win when your leader on offense has repeatedly failed to protect the ball? He only made 2-3 plays yesterday off-schedule. He’s not a dual threat nor is he above average at running or throwing the ball. We have severe limitations at QB.

 

[J.Crew]

We need to go with the Leak/Tebow System. Let Shane run the majority of the offense and then bring Sam in to inject some juice and throw jump passes.

 

[CS]

Love the kid, but he doesn’t protect the football. How do you expect to win when your leader on offense has repeatedly failed to protect the ball? He only made 2-3 plays yesterday off-schedule. He’s not a dual threat nor is he above average at running or throwing the ball. We have severe limitations at QB.

We have a guy who has significant bad traits without offsetting good ones, especially if he's not going to be that Collin Klein type of guy.

 

[TexCwby]

Your take is well grounded. At the same time, looked like we called the game as if Buechelle were playing rather than Sam. Not sure why we tried to keep him in the pocket like we did. If Sam is to be effective, he needs to run more and keep the defense honest.

 

[horn78]

It makes me wonder how much in the off season they pounded into his head to TAKE CARE OF THE F'NG BALL,Either they didn't do it enough or he's not astute enough to know what they're talking about and able to recognize those situations.

 

[pdrscott99]

Like I said in another thread yesterday, if he wasn’t from Westlake and had no family history with UT, no one would bother to defend him.

The 3 big completions yesterday were more about the receivers effort than his own.

If starts next week, it’ll just be more of Herman’s hypocrisy and arrogance.

This. Westlake golden boy hasn’t earned anything to be starting QB at UT, except a spot on the bench after his established history of terrible turnovers at the most critical times in games. Mensa Tom might not be able to swallow that pride though.

 

[Baguette]

Time to bench Sam. With the improved OL & running game, is there anyone here who doesn't believe Shane makes 80% of the throws Sam didn't?

 

[THE_Ohio_HORN]

Pennington is exactly the guy I thought of as well. Except he was highly accurate, which allowed him to excel in college and play at the next level. Ehlinger isn't anywhere near Pennington on that front.

Pennington could anticipate as well which made him incredibly accurate and very hard to defend in college. He knew his arm limitations and knew how to work around those limitations and be effective.

Sam clearly has no anticipation (he still throws reactionary balls) and he also forces throws like he has an arm like Stafford. You can’t do that when you can’t spin the football...

 

[hornsup21]

Sam is a shittier version of Tebow. He’s actually too big and bulky. Someone made a post in jest about him being a full back, honestly that might be for the best.

we aren’t going to install a new offense so Sam can be a full back. Herman’s offense is what it is

 

[jimboorange]

He's had a year to learn and overcome #3. Time to move on.

 

[EASTDALLASTEXAS]

We need to go with the Leak/Tebow System. Let Shane run the majority of the offense and then bring Sam in to inject some juice and throw jump passes.

I like this idea

 

[newbeginnings]

Bottom line, if Sam’s the guy moving forward, he needs to be running 10-12 times per game minimum because that’s his biggest strength to this point.

He “let it rip” into four man coverage several times yesterday.

 

[Patrick Batemann]

I'd like somebody who really understands quarterback play to make the case that Ehlinger can be the answer, because here's what I see:

1. No arm strength at all. The pace on his passes look like what you'd see from a middle-aged guy throwing the ball in the park with his kids.
2. Zero accuracy. Offhand, I can't think of a quarterback less accurate than Ehlinger. It's not just that the passes are often delivered in sub-optimal location; they are often not in the same zip code.
3. A demonstrated pattern of making bone-headed decisions at the highest leverage moments of games. He plays the game as if he believes there's an Undo button.

I'll listen to an argument that #3 can be overcome with sufficient experience and maturity. I'm not sure I'll believe an argument that #1 and #2 can be overcome. And maybe there are additional points in his favor that I'm not considering. But I'm completely unable to look at the reality of Ehlinger as a quarterback (today, at least) and project a plus player at this level.

And he’s gotten slower

 

[ModelTFord14]

I think his arm strength is plenty fine, he just doesn’t generally throw a pretty ball and is slow on his delivery. I just don’t think he knows when to deliver a ball with some touch or when he needs to put something behind it...it’s almost like he does the opposite of what he should be doing.

And don't get me wrong, I don’t think he has a canon, just that it’s plenty fine for college football

 

[pdrscott99]

He’s not the answer at QB so there is no explanation. A strong case can be made for him to play H-back though.