Spring football 2-Deep (Offense)

[jsto60]

My understanding is that was because Heard couldn't read a defense and Gray was the one doing it and calling the alignments.

At the elite11 camps Heard won the "diagnosing defense drills" with both his speed and accuracy of picking the D out. Just saying. I didn't hear anything about his job doing so at Texas, but I agree with some of the other guys above.

Namely the OC changes and style are more to blame. We rolled out stripped down versions of an O, with a makeshift OL, and a young QB who preferred like most to scramble when pressured. Sure Heard has plenty of room to grow in running an O, but its not over for him just yet.

People overreacted to his great game vs Cal. And people are overreacting to him predictably struggling as the year went on. We will see if he overcomes it and shines or if someone surpasses him.

 

[oldhorn2]

Frankly jsto...I agree with what you say somewhat. My opinion is that our offensive staff was a train wreck last year and that did not help a young QB. However, I am not so sure that he has the field awareness to get over the hump. I just want good QB play and I dont care who wins out.It isnt as though I dont have a dog in the fight.....it is more like I have ownership in all the dogs and just want one of them to step forward.

 

[Longyac]

He's our best QB right now

I'll wait until he actually plays to judge him.

 

[Longyac]

At the elite11 camps Heard won the "diagnosing defense drills" with both his speed and accuracy of picking the D out. Just saying. I didn't hear anything about his job doing so at Texas, but I agree with some of the other guys above.

Namely the OC changes and style are more to blame. We rolled out stripped down versions of an O, with a makeshift OL, and a young QB who preferred like most to scramble when pressured. Sure Heard has plenty of room to grow in running an O, but its not over for him just yet.

People overreacted to his great game vs Cal. And people are overreacting to him predictably struggling as the year went on. We will see if he overcomes it and shines or if someone surpasses him.

So, you'll default to the judgement of a manufactured, shirts and shorts, two hand touch, seven on seven event over what you saw him do in real football? No, thanks.

 

[jsto60]

So, you'll default to the judgement of a manufactured, shirts and shorts, two hand touch, seven on seven event over what you saw him do in real football? No, thanks.

That's not what I said.

And yeah, I'll default to the tape I saw of him at Elite11 and a former NFL QBs opinion on that specific skill. And the tape I saw of him in HS and college, to form my own opinion. Rather than reading one post on a messageboard and using it to form my opinion.

No disrespect, your 'source' could be good. But I don't remember ever seeing Gray push up to him and call out presnap coverages.

Just saying I think the struggles on O and his regression are much deeper than he can't read a defense. And still, that is one of many areas he can improve upon.

I am saying many first year starting QBs struggle with more complex reads period (and I hate excuses, just read my quit blaming Mack rants, but this isn't an excuse...its just pointing out reality). Especially when given a brand new O to start the year thanks to a firing of a guy who misinstalled a different offense in the preseason. Oh and factor in an OL that struggled in pass pro. And then opponents adjusting to his tape. And a new OC that admittedly said his schemes were often run heavy.

What I saw on tape doesn't exactly come to the same definitive conclusion that he can't read a D. He sure carved up Cal in his first game. Read them quite well, in fact to lead a pass heavy comeback. In his very first action, he hardly looked like a guy that was lost in that regard. The rest of the year was up and down. Again, I don't think it was mostly because of his read inefficiencies and more because of other things.

 

[Son of Wasatch]

So, you'll default to the judgement of a manufactured, shirts and shorts, two hand touch, seven on seven event over what you saw him do in real football? No, thanks.

I disagree with this and here is why.

I can play chess and play it on a fairly high level. However put me in a match with a clock and I couldn't beat a soul.

It is possible that at a QB camp like Elite 11 when there is no pressure he can perform, but in a game situation where he needs to make split decisions he freezes.

Now If this is the case then it is possible he can grow used to the speed of the game and make those split decisions, or he may never get it.

I used to play guitar hero with my kids, I could never get past hard, my son is playing some crazy dragon song on the highest level and I can't figure out how the hell he did it.

It could be that Heard never gets a grasp of the speed of the game, only time will tell.

 

[TX1972]

I disagree with this and here is why.

I can play chess and play it on a fairly high level. However put me in a match with a clock and I couldn't beat a soul.

It is possible that at a QB camp like Elite 11 when there is no pressure he can perform, but in a game situation where he needs to make split decisions he freezes.

Now If this is the case then it is possible he can grow used to the speed of the game and make those split decisions, or he may never get it.

I used to play guitar hero with my kids, I could never get past hard, my son is playing some crazy dragon song on the highest level and I can't figure out how the hell he did it.

It could be that Heard never gets a grasp of the speed of the game, only time will tell.

In my day, 2 of the 3 or so chess masters in Texas were students. They would play anyone in 5/1. You get 5 min to make 40 moves, they get 1 min. Everybody else always ran out of time and money.

 

[jsto60]

I disagree with this and here is why.

It could be that Heard never gets a grasp of the speed of the game, only time will tell.

I don't know if that is the talking point. He already has shown flashes. What we are debating is why the downfall as the season progressed...he seemed to regress. And I think that is on him AND on the staff. And both weren't working with a full deck.

Not sure why now we are talking about him reading a D. Pretty clear he has shown he can. You don't trip in to a 500yd game vs a real D1 school. The question is how much, if any, will he grow? Did he essentially peak yet? Can he be a dominant answer for a season?

I don't have the answer. But I wouldn't bet money on him nor against him. Too early to tell. Certainly a good OC and a good OL will help. As will time in a system. First year starters often rely more on making plays happen with their legs and grow as passers as they gain snaps. Not out of the realm to say he can. But his regression is puzzling and certainly allows fans to have reason to tap the breaks.