Buy or Sell...the 2 QB system.

[AzzurriDawg4]

Relf and Russell.

Things to think about:

What if Relf improves his passing and awareness markedly over the offseason?
What if Russell shows he can handle it all by himself.
What if the threat of Dixon was the real reason for Relf's success (I know it was at least part of the reason, just wondering how much of it was talent on Relf's part)
If Relf wasn't good enough to grab a majority of the snaps from Lee this season, should we be discouraged if Russell isn't a clear favorite post-spring?

Most people/sports fans don't like a 2 QB system, but I haven't really seen anyone mention that they are apprehensive about running a Relf/Russell combo next year.

My personal preference...if we are going to run a split...is for it to be a 80/20 split in favor of Russell...IF he is ready. Use Relf in short yardage and goal-line packages. A couple Wildcat-type plays. 10-14 snaps a game. So I guess I am buying. Thoughts?

 

[AzzurriDawg4]

Relf and Russell.

Things to think about:

What if Relf improves his passing and awareness markedly over the offseason?
What if Russell shows he can handle it all by himself.
What if the threat of Dixon was the real reason for Relf's success (I know it was at least part of the reason, just wondering how much of it was talent on Relf's part)
If Relf wasn't good enough to grab a majority of the snaps from Lee this season, should we be discouraged if Russell isn't a clear favorite post-spring?

Most people/sports fans don't like a 2 QB system, but I haven't really seen anyone mention that they are apprehensive about running a Relf/Russell combo next year.

My personal preference...if we are going to run a split...is for it to be a 80/20 split in favor of Russell...IF he is ready. Use Relf in short yardage and goal-line packages. A couple Wildcat-type plays. 10-14 snaps a game. So I guess I am buying. Thoughts?

 

[dawgatUSM]

I think Russell gets about 80 percent of the snaps like you said, but I think we use Relf just like we did this year only split him out wide sometimes just to make the defenses prepare for other things (see: Kodi Burns) Only not in a full-time mode. Just maybe certain packages where he is a legitimate threat to pull off a reverse pass or something of that nature. I see lots of possibilities in using him that way, and I think Mullen will see the same.

 

[zerocooldog]

but after way the Relf played in the Egg bowl even including the accidental TD to Bumphis, I won't be surprised if he is the front runner to start going into the spring. There is no denying his size, athletic ability, his ability to throw deep and the fact that he has actual experience in playing against top caliber teams. Also, I think this accuracy although not great is underrated, his intelligence I can't say but I'm sure he could learn 8 plays. I have no problem running 8 plays and making them stop us, it worked against the Heisman contender led #4 team in the country.

 

[ckDOG]

Too many what ifs involved at this point. If Russell appears to be serviceable with his legs and we don't have to tweak the offense a ton for him, I'd prefer him in there for all plays other than mop-up duty. If Russell turns out to be only an effective passer, I'd like to see at least that 80/20 mix you mentioned and get Relf in the game when the offense has gone stagnant. He'd be a good "change of pace" guy that could be used to get the offense going.

 

[Coach34]

You bring up some very valid questions. Russell doesnt have the mobility we need, and Relf cant consistently complete passes nor handle much of the playbook

I dont even think the coaches know exactly what direction the offense is headed until after Spring practice but I will say this- Mullen had Louis Murphy AND Percy Harvin in 2008 and still ran the ball 2 out of every 3 plays...He had Alex Smith averaging 12 carries a game at Utah...We ARE NOT going to transform into a team that throws the ball around a bunch. Russell better improve on running the football if we wants to play

 

[Sutterkane]

You say he doesn't have mobility like he's a two toed sloth. Have you ever actually seen him run? As I've said in the past, his recruiting profiles say he runs about a 4.8. You can teach running vision at the college level. As long as he has moderate speed and can get ~5 yards on the fake, he will fit in fine for the option read.

 

[maroonmania]

that it would seem the defense would pretty much know generally what the offense is going to do based on which QB is in the game. And I realize that was essentially true with the Lee/Relf situation as well although possibly Lee was more of a running threat than Russell will be. That would have probably been the biggest advantage had we gotten Newton. With him you pretty much have everything in one package which totally keeps the defense guessing.

 

[Coach34]

it on 2nd hand information from the mouth of a member of our coaching staff.</p>

As was told to me- "he may be decent eventually, but right now, he can't handle running the football like we need"</p>

And if his recruiting profile says he is a 4.8- it means 4.9-5.0...If our coaching staff doesnt think he is effective enough as a runner, then he probably isnt</p>

</p>

 

[AzzurriDawg4]

Lots of ways to use the read play, even with a pass option. Read/end crashes/quick slant or swing pass. There is still no doubt in my mind that if Russell comes out this spring and knows the whole playbook and is making every throw look effortless, he will get the majority of the snaps.

aGAIN, if Lee's marginal passing ability, combined with his excellent grasp of the offense, caused Mullen to use him predominantly...you wouldn't think it would take much for Russell to do the same. It is not like Lee was churning up yards on the ground. He had a couple big runs but that is it. We already know Russell is a better thrower than Lee and Relf. The X-factor is what progress/development Relf shows this spring.

 

[dawgatUSM]

But he does have smarts, power, and vision. Now if I had to bet I'd say that Russell is slightly slower than he is... But after a year, I'm sure he's smart enough to make the correct reads and be serviceable.

 

[Coach34]

is that Relf will have a chance to make some big throws in one on one coverage due to them trying to sneak an extra man into the box when he is in the game

 

[zerocooldog]

asdf

 

[AzzurriDawg4]

In a traditional I-Form offense, that certainly creates a problem.

Georgia Tech (outside of last night) has shown that if you are disciplined you can still run even if the other team knows it is coming. Hell, Ole Miss knew what we were going to be doing the whole 2nd half of the Egg Bowl.

The drawback I see is a little different. It is more about chemistry, team identity, consistency...mostly intangibles. When you have a passer like Russell, sometimes they don't perform as well when they are in and out. The rest of the team can form allegiances to one QB or the other.

 

[AdamDawgDude]

You say he doesn't have mobility like he's a two toed sloth. Have you ever actually seen him run? As I've said in the past, his recruiting profiles say he runs about a 4.8. You can teach running vision at the college level. As long as he has moderate speed and can get ~5 yards on the fake, he will fit in fine for the option read.

Exactly. He doesn't have to be Ray Ray Bivens (uncatchable in a phone booth). A brisk walk can get the job done.

 

[therightway]

It makes the defenses prepare for two totally different styles. That is the reason that Urban Meyer kept it tight lipped whether Tebow would play agianst LSU or not.

 

[FISHDAWG]

sell .... relph just doesn't seem to have what it is going to take .... I say go ahead and start developing rusell and spegal in the spring then see if favre might be worth playing some as well (if we dont redshirt him ) ..... but one good game against ole miss doesn't mean he has potential

 

[AzzurriDawg4]

nm

 

[KennyPowers2]

Sell because Dylan will become the starter, average 300 yards passing with another 50 on the ground and Russell will be playing QB at EMCC next year. Relf will be Dylan favorite target playing tight end.

 

[FISHDAWG]

nm

everything went right against ole miss this year ...... even Relph had a good game .... the stars were aligned just right for that BS to happen ...... I haven't even seen Spegal play yet and I would take him over relph

 

[maroonmania]

in the Egg Bowl was that we really didn't sell out to the Relf option game until the second half. That meant that Ole Miss had to try and adjust to it real time (without even the halftime break) and luckily for us they never really did. I have no idea if we could have been anywhere nearly as successful with that approach had Ole Miss come into the game fully prepared for us to do that from the get go. I sort of think we probably wouldn't have.

 

[Coach34]

Are we going to benefit enough offensively to make changes for Russell, or do we start Relf, run the football, teach him to make a few throws, and create a 2 minute package for Russell as a change of pace?

1. We arent great by any means at WR- its not going to be beneficial for us to throw anymore next year really than we did this year
2. We have young or inexperienced RB's- blitz pick-ups and protections wont be their strong suit
3. Mullen loves running the football

 

[AlCoDog]

Are you?

 

[dawgatUSM]

I said that he could be SERVICEABLE in the run game. You don't have to have blazing speed.

 

[thatsbaseball]

nm

 

[goldeneye]

i support the Maroon Platoon:

</p>

 

[AzzurriDawg4]

Also, there is no need to quote "nm"

 

[ckDOG]

[No message]

 

[AzzurriDawg4]

 

[AROB44]

Ray Ray Bivens (uncatchable in a phone booth).

It's a shame we didn't play in a phone booth back then.

 

[zerocooldog]

there to illustrate that a QB doesn't have to be fast to be effective in the run game?

So TR isn't "fast" like Tebow isn't "fast", so a QB can be successful running the ball and not be fast.

I agree, but you're still referencing a QB (Tebow) who is built like a linebacker and has proven he can throw the ball and is obviously very intelligent which all make up for his lack of speed, not mention his bond with the jesus. What makes up for TR's lack of speed? Not his size, or proven ability to throw the ball or proven football intelligence at the college level.

 

[msumhsfan]

Seriously some of yall give TR no credit at all. He will be the starter next year barring some injury. He can run the ball. I watched most of his games in high school and he runs the option just fine and can hit people along the way. some of yall were ready to pack the kid up and send him on since the great cam newton was a lock and all. Try to start supporting the future stars of our team. Yes he has to prove it, i know, but he will

 

[JohnDawg]

nm

 

[JohnDawg]

DIE!

 

[LAMSUFAN]

Mullen used the 2 QB system just a few years ago but with sort of a role reversal, with the older guy being the predominant starter and the younger guy being the runner/change of pace. Should be interesting to see how it all plays out.

 

[AzzurriDawg4]

current stars of our team (that being Relphs).

I don't think anyone is giving Russell "no credit"

I don't think anyone wants to run Russell off. If they do, I agree with you - they are idiots.

There are just a few facts we can't ignore here. Primarily, Mullen's (and Koenning's) history as play callers. If you will read through the thread, you will see that I am one that believes Mullen can do great things with Russell, even if he can't run. Of course, that is unknown at this time. The only things we know are:

1. Mullen is not scared to run 2 QB's
2. Mullen and Koenning have been run-first coordinators throughout their careers.
3. Mullen appears to prefer a dual-threat QB.
4. Relf has shown an ability to move the offense on the ground against quality defenses.
5. The staff really liked what they saw from Russell at the end of the year.
6. The staff is still apprehensive about Relf running the show by himself.

This all points to a 2 QB system.

 

[msumhsfan]

I just dont understand the lack of support for TR. Relf is a good runner, but the first thing i want to hear about the QB is how good of a passer he is. i think 70/30 split with TR getting the bulk will be a good combo. But relf just doesnt have much throwing ability to be the starter