Definitely saw some growth from the kid this week. He threw one or two picks, but he showed a ton of poise and I saw some real improvement on decision making. I was most impressed by his ability to avoid the rush and either wait for someone to get open or tuck and run it himself. I was also glad to see that he would throw it away when there was nothing available. That was something he hadn't really done until now. I would like to see him run it more though. At times I think he still holds onto the ball just a tad too long, when a lane has already opened up and he could have taken it 5 to 10 yards. Bennett on the other hand, goes to the run too much. I think he is a runner at heart, whereas Mariota clearly wants to throw the ball. Also, last note, that throw he had to DAT just before the end of the first half was amazing. They ALMOST completed that. I'm curious how many yards it was. By my guess, it was at least fifty or sixty yards down the field.
I agree with you about yesterdays game. He was really forcing things early but settled down nicely. As to the season, his growth has been OK, but nothing to crow about.
He's 22nd in the country in QB (2nd in Pac-12) rating as a RS FR, and has 15 TD passes against 5 INTs while completing 67% of his passes. Plus, he has rushed 43 times for 208 yards and a TD. He has no #1 NFL receiving target, except for maybe Lylerla as a TE, either. By comparison, Sean Mannion is 50th in the country with 7 TD passes and 4 INTS on 63% while having Markus Wheaton as a true #1 option, and "Heisman candidate" Keith Price is 111th!!! with 5 TDs/4 INTs and 59% completion. Exactly what would be "nothing to crow about" for a RS QB who is on-pace to throw 32 TD passes and rush for almost 500 yards while missing 6 quarters of action because of blow-outs? Mariota is outplaying every QB in the Pac not named Taylor Kelly, who is an undersized QB that will struggle against UO's large defense.
I love the kid. I think he has star written all over him. He's had some growing pains, but he has shown growth. Like I said, I would love to see him run it more when the option is there, and I like that he's throwing it away when there's nothing available. Have to remember that he's a Freshman and that he will only get better. He has an arm, he can run, and he's 6'4. You can't teach that.
The Ducks have played 2 ranked teams thus far, and Mariota is 23rd in the country in QB rating as a RS FR while beating those two teams by an average of 40 points while averaging 50.5 points in those two games. "Nothing to crow about". LOL Sean Mannion sure looked great against WSU with his 3 INTs against a team that Ducks rolled up 50+ points against.
I think, and maybe for good reason, people misunderstand my position on Mariota. I think he's terrific. I think he fits our system perfectly. I think he'll set numerous records. I also think he's a freshman who's still learning. He's struggled with reads, handing off, first passing too soft and then forcing in passes. But he seems like a very smart kid and he's just going to get better and better. His progress in some areas is evident. This year is a learning year. So will next year, but less so. By his junior season he's going to be an unbelievable QB. Some people here think there's no learning curve and as soon as he took his first snap he was a finished product. That just isn't so. I also am not one to look at stats and use them as the ultimate barometer as they are often misleading. I watch the games and watch the players and that tells me what I need to know.
I agree on all counts, but what impresses me is that he seems to learn from his mistakes and improve. It doesn't seem like he's floating passes as much as he was in the first game, and he's doing a better job of either running or getting rid of the ball when the pocket collapses. Those are improves. You can't really ask for more from a young QB.
Totally agree. He has a strong desire to improve. Add his obvious skills and he's going to be a very very good QB.
I have no fucking clue what you're trying to say at this point, and neither do you, but that's fine. "nothing to crow about"
He is already #2 in the Pac-12, and ahead of Matt Barkley, as a QB 6 games into his freshman season. That is something to crow about, isn't it?
I've said it before, will say it again, he'll be the best QB the Ducks have ever had and will win the Heisman by the end of his Jr. year! Poise supreme is this kid! When he makes a mistake he understands it, goes to the bench, comes back in and throws a strike! We're not half way through the year yet and this kid I already feel very comfortable going into USC with. That said I expect him to make mistakes, how he corrects them is the key!
I think he has as good a shot as anyone in a year or two, if we keep talented players around him. QBs always seem to have an advantage over a RB like James or even DAT.
