My opinion, First Post
by Red Raider Chiro on Nov 4, 2009 8:26 PM CST
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PrintHey Guys,
I have been reading this blog for over a year now and have finally decided to put in my two cents. I have given a lot of thought to the Sheffield vs. Potts debate over the past few weeks. Coming into the season I had high hopes for Taylor and this team in general. I knew we would be weak in the offensive line area but was counting on Taylor to be able to move some what in the pocket and to have a good pocket awareness in general. This idea was based on the premise that he was a good recruit with 2 years of watching and hopefully learning, from Harrell. As for sheffield I knew very little about except for the fact that he was a walk-on and my father had said in his opinion that he out played Taylor in the spring game. As the season began I watched Taylor struggle with some things in the first two games. Things such as throwing off his back foot, making bad reads, staying in the pocket to long and trying to force some throws. In my opinion I think he tried to survive off the mere strength of his arm. He still managed to put up some big numbers passing wise ect. but he was not ready for the speed of the game. Then came the Texas game which I thought was the best game he played all year. He still made some mistakes but for being his first game on the road in an extremely tough environment and up against a talented Texas team I thought he played good football. In the Houston game he looked like he was off every where. I think it was due to the Kindle hit which caused a concussion to go undiagnosed due to the nature of Taylor merely being a tough guy. He went back to forcing throws and trying to live off the strength of his arm. The same goes for the first half of the New Mexico and Texas ATM games. Here is where Id like to make my point about Taylor. If you look at all the games that he started in and played the entire game he put up some big stats passing but his completion percentage was low and he threw way to many interceptions finishing with a 2-3 record. Sheffield on the other hand came in to play ready for the speed of the game. He has made his mistakes with a few fumbles and 2 interceptions. However if you look at his completion percentage it is the mid seventies. He has taken less sacks which means he is able to sense pressure and is able to move around the pocket or even out of it in order to make a better throw. This is a big difference between him and Taylor. Now he doesnt have as big of numbers stats wise as Taylor does but he has a 2 1/2-0 record. I only give him half a credit for the New Mexico game since he came in so late in the first half. This brings me to the point that big stats are not needed to win and even to win decisively just look at the Nebraska game. I believe Sheffield brings a leadership quality to the table that Taylor is lacking. If you look at other top teams around the nation even Texas for that matter the stats that are being produced at the quaterback position are not really that big. I havent done the exact research but it would probably be safe to say that most are averaging around 250 yards passing a game. What all these teams have in common is a good leader at quaterback and a team built around them that plays solid on all sides of the ball. I believe we saw Tech do this in the New Mexico, Kansas State and Nebraska game, and even in the Kansas game. In all of those games we saw a team that stepped up on each side of the ball to pick up the slack when one part was struggling. The outcome of that was good solid wins. We didnt have to put up 500 yards passing and score 50 something points. In my opinion Sheffield is the best quaterback for this team this year and next year. I know he is hurt and cant play but he is the team leader in my opinion. I think with him at the helm next year we have a real good chance of doing something special that no other Tech team has done in the past. I believe leadership qualities are that much more important than merely big stats.
Sorry about this being long, guess i had a lot to say.
Peace out
Will
This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Double-T Nation's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Double-T Nation's writers or editors.
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I'll cede
the point that Sheffield has shown the best leadership skills in the games he has played in. But it’s a mute point with him out for the remainder of the season (my guess is he won’t even be able to practice until the OU game).
If TTUMAR’s scenerio for the rest of the year comes true and Potts begins to shine, then Sheffield will have his work cut out for him next year.
Wreck’em Tech!
Hell of a first post
Welcome. I will have to agree with you on this one. But I also agree with faunchin in that if Potts wins out this year and shows leadership, it will be tough to take the spot away from him and rightfully so. If you read my post on the Potts for Heisman fanpost, I said that if Potts shows up something to finish out this year, the best player in practice should get the start. I’m sticking to it.
What type of QB does Leach want?
In one interview Leach said he would take Marino and McMahon out of any qb ever to lead his offense. Now, Potts has been refered to as a Marino style qb so i looked up Marino’s stats whill at Pitt. I could not find anything similar for Jim. And remember that Marino was a four year starter. I think there have been some confidence issues within the offensive unit but I think that with what was seen during the second half of the KU game, those have been or are being worked out. This was found at dolphinsinfo.com. Just throwing it out there.
Marino’s College Stats
Year Att Comp Pct. yards TD INT Rat.
1979 222 130 .586 1680 10 9 80.5
1980 224 116 .518 1609 15 14 71.4
1981 380 226 .595 2876 37 23 90.4
1982 378 221 .584 2432 17 23 67.3
Total 1204 693 .576 8597 79 69 77.7
This is precisely my argument
Potts is, and can be again, the future of our program. He is the prototypical QB ALL OF US ALWAYS wanted but are unwilling to stick with at the first sign of trouble.
Don’t get me wrong. I and most every other Potts supporter here isn’t kidding himself here. We know that he may flame out and not be what we wanted him to be lest we forget the
Top Ten Facts About Taylor Potts
Like Plano Jeff says below, the issue is bigger than the both of them. If Potts can understand THAT (let alone we DTN’ers), then he very well COULD be the guy we were hoping for at the beginning of the year.
I am confident that Captain Leach made the right choice in naming Potts the starter way back after spring practice and am confident that he will continue to make the right decision.
The Lyle Leong Bandwagon will Continue to Roll!!!
Respect Everyone....Fear No One!
Wreck 'em, Tech!
by Tortilla Pirate on Nov 5, 2009 11:42 AM CST up reply actions
I agree
I also believe that some of the “it” that was coming as Taylor became more confident in his role was knocked out when he was hit un the UT game. If you look at the way he reacted after the H/H hit, it was the same as when he got the final hit in the UNM game. I’m pretty confident that he played with a "mild’ consussion from then on.
Now, I do give Sticks the credit that he deserves. But the “it” can be somewhat subjective. Taylor has never been the type of leader that went 900 miles an hour. As one Abilene High coach put it in a conversation i had with him, Potts wears his leadership by making good decisions, good work ethic, and words of encouragement. The running down field to pick up a reciever after a dropped pass just isnt his personality. Besides, there is a joke among some AHS coaches that he would get two delay of game’s because of the time it took to get there and back.
I believe that the decision making ability that we saw last week, as per Batch’s comments, will only continue. Potts knows what he has to do and he will do everything in his power to get it done. We even saw some scrambleing, not that it turned into a major play but it didnt result in a sac for a big loss either. I think we will see a new Taylor Potts that everyone will enjoy. Just my opinion.
In that case
in honor of our new found support for our teams once and again Leader. Im changing my Avatar!!!
Long Live Taylor Norris!!!
The Lyle Leong Bandwagon will Continue to Roll!!!
Respect Everyone....Fear No One!
Wreck 'em, Tech!
by Tortilla Pirate on Nov 5, 2009 3:08 PM CST up reply actions
or Chuck Potts
Norris does visit Abilene from time to time….Maby they are kin. They do look alike….
Long Live the Raider Nation….and all its fans!!!!!
Nice first post and welcome
I think if Potts plays out the season as a much better performer than previously he might have a shot at goining trust and respect. Personally I don’t see that happening as Sheffield has the “it” factor we all want to see. SS seems comfortable as a leader and that seems to have spread to both the offense and defense. I think Potts will continue to run hot and cold which confuses all of us. For now, Potts is our guy and we all want him to succeed no doubt. If I were coach Leach I would want a leader and and a player that displays passion at game time. Those things typically come natually and we really didn’t get any of that in the beginning of this season. I do agree that Potts did a fine job against UT but I would venture to say that Sheffield could have done the same. We have 3 games left and if Potts comes away with wins and or much improvement I’m sure Leach will make the right decision entering the 2010 season.
You got some chops. I don’t need paragraphs. I’m holding my passion back for the offseason. It’s a long time between Jan an Sep. Need something to get me out of bed. I will note that this issue is larger than the two gentlemen. It’s about the direction of the program and line play can’t be discounted.
This is the first time in 10 years that we’ve had what could be called a legit QB controversy – and we frankly don’t know how to handle it as a fan base. Nobody seems to really understand the dynamics of the team with Potts on the field vs. Sheffield, but there DOES seem to be a difference. Is it leadership? Friendship? Kinship? I don’t really know, to be frank. All I know is things LOOK different with Sheff.
I think, even if Potts excels the final three games and bowl game, that Leach will have a fully open competition for the job going into the spring. He would be a fool not to. Sheff has clearly shown he is, at a minimum, the equal of Potts.
I personally think there are some deeper issues on this year’s team we aren’t privy to. The early season suspensions and banning of Twitter; widespread vocal team support for Sheff vs. Potts; Leach’s repeatedly laying most of the blame for losses at the feet of his players publicly (yes, he’s blamed himself some, but he’s not done a thing to protect his players from criticism after losses, which is what I want a coach to do). It’s just been weird all year.
I'm with ya on the issues....
Tech92, please refer to the second paragraph of my post above. That may give you some insight.
Bad mouthing the head coach again? At least you waited a few days
…Leach’s repeatedly laying most of the blame for losses at the feet of his players publicly…
You don’t like him. We get it.
I'm not worthy. Really.
LOL!!!
I really wanted to post something insightful here, but everytime I try to do that I start laughing at the picture above. It’s like everything I type isn’t right!! hahahah
" Answers -- Become Resources."
Without Questions; There are limited Resources...
Somebody asked that guy if Leach was the next Bear Bryant. (Just gigging you, Camp. Nothing serious.)
Agree with Red Raider Chiro, Tech92......
SS just brings something to the field Potts has yet to bring. TP did a much better job of reading the D against KU and to be honest that’s what I expected the first part of the year. Check to the running game and keep it simple then gain confidence. SS also seems to be able to carry his play to another level. TTech went conservative in 2nd half vs. NU but SS had a broken foot. Potts needs to bring his Harrell game(at least in reads, rb passes and get rid of ball quickly) to the osu(copycats) game. If TTech plays like they did against KU in the last 3 games I believe TTech will win all 3!!!! Welcome Red Raider Chiro. Wreck"Em Tech
Tech92 is on to something.....
I think that is the best insight yet. We really don’t know what is going on. I too believe internal issues exist. It makes no sense for the team to drop support of the QB they went through all Spring Practice with, and 2 a days. Yet thats exactly what they did, and publicly.
The most logical theory I can come up with is that Sticks has played above the level coaches and fans thought possible, and Potts has played below the level coaches and fans thought possible. Regardless, Potts is now the guy, and so best case scenario is that Potts has yet to, but will realize his potential. In the end, IMO the coaches need to start Potts, and let him know he is the guy for the rest of the season, no matter what. Get rid of the “looking over the shoulder stress”, and let him play. If confidence is the issue, that will go along way.
Taylor Potts...
doesn’t sleep he waits
can sneeze with his eyes open
can kill two stones with one bird
uses Tabasco sauce for eye drops
eats lightning and farts thunder.
mustache hair is said to be an aphrodisiac in China…
If you've been reading this blog for so long
and your first opinion doesn’t include a segment about me, your opinion is incomplete.
Chaotic Thoughts about an Air Raid QB
I will not be surprised to see Potts start next Fall, I will be surprised to see Sheffield start next Fall.
I do not care who starts, I do not have a dog in this fight, it is an issue for a coach, his responsibility, his accountability.
It is interesting to talk about what is happening…most of which is the result of circumstances. The O-line is not o-lining, it is a constant state of flux, either due to coaching are simply without depth or both. This is the first issue and feeds all the remaining. Until the o-line starts consistently protecting the qb—3.5 to 4 seconds the qb, any qb is at risk.
During that 3.5-4 seconds, the wr’s are supposed to run precise routes—which are being contested every step by some ugly person in an ugly uniform—and get open enough in the right place on the field for the qb to to venture a pass. If this does not happen, with 5 players, or if the qb does not see it when it does, the qb is in trouble, maybe a good time to move his feet, or to fold up and take the sack, or to legally shuck the ball (consider fat girl friend in the stands.)
The qb is coached, at length, even threatened by tradition, to stay in the pocket and make reads. Maybe that is changing with this season, but I will get a big surprise if I see an Air Raid qb who becomes a consistent runner. He is supposed to distribute the football.
I find myself worn out by the on-going comparison of two (or three) players as if one is really an Air Raid qb in the mold of what we expect to see from our fanseats. Not one of them has stepped into the role with elan, vigor, or consistent effectiveness. I think all are suffering from needing more time, more reps, and more experience.
I am expecting Coach to take his first opportunity to go back to his mode of making a call and sticking with it at qb It is a fundamental in working a plan that to continue work a somewhat incomplete plan very well will give you an advantage over continuously changing a plan in hopes that one will be found that gives better success. Mike Leach believes that reps are valuable and key to the development of a player.
"Mike Leach believes that reps are valuable and key to the development of a player."
What were the two years of second string work and cleanup time behind Harrel? So far, Potts has many more reps that Sheffield, yet Sheffield is outperforming him. Now, I’m not saying that Sheffield is our man for sure either. But, if Mike goes for Potts just because he is prototypical and his first choice, I’m going to be wondering just how much a genius he is.
If potts steps up and looks good these next 3 games, then we have a real quarterback battle on our hands over the offseason. If that’s the case, the player who performs best in practice and the spring game should start. No doubt in my mind about that. But since apparently Potts has played well in practice, come gametime, he should be on a tight leash. Either quarterback should be on a fairly tight leash actually. Nothing wrong with throwing in the backup for a series to let your starter regroup, especially if your backup is pretty dang good himself.
However, if Potts throws 3 more interceptions in these last 3 games, I feel he should be doomed to be a career back up. Harsh I know, but we cant have turnovers like that.
To further clarify my point,
on Leach’s ESPN chat, this came up.
Noel ((Lubbock, TX)): In your honest opinion, what is the best intangible a college qb can possess?
Mike Leach (2:59 PM): The ability to lead and move the team.
From what I have seen this year, that is Sheffield. Granted that COULD just be because he is the backup, and the backup is always the favorite. But Sticks seems to go out and just have fun, which in turn makes the team just have fun and play ball. I think Sticks grasps Leach’s ideas of the QB role on this team. It’s simple, someone is open every play, just find them and throw it to them.
It May Be Sheffield and I will be surprised
But not unhappy, I do not care who is qb.
Mike Leach has also said, as recently as the last two weeks, that we do not have a qb who has demonstrated awareness of just how easy it is to play that position. I take that to mean that he does not have a favorite currently.
I kind of have a feeling that Leach is protecting Taylor's feelings,
but who am I to guess at the mind of that man?
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