ESPN blog ranks the SEC QB's..

[dawgstudent]

Discuss.

http://espn.go.com/blog/sec/post/_/id/65928/ranking-the-sec-quarterbacks-4

For some reason, something isn't sitting right with Manziel. I think he has become too much of a "superstar" and the way he is running around this summer going to the NBA Finals sitting front row. I just think he is in for a rude awakening. I would even say he ends 3rd or 4th in the SEC.

1. Johnny Manziel, RSo., Texas A&M: Even though he's stirred it up on Twitter this offseason and caused more than a few headaches for Kevin Sumlin, Manziel is still the most dynamic playmaker in college football. His numbers a year ago en route to winning the Heisman Trophy were eye-popping, and it was his first season of college football. They don't call him Johnny Football for nothing.

2. AJ McCarron, RSr., Alabama: There are some who would lobby for McCarron to be in the top spot. When you throw 30 touchdown passes, only three interceptions and win your second straight national championship, there's a strong case to be made. McCarron is an excellent leader. He's tough, and he delivers in the clutch. The Tide will lean heavily on him in 2013.

3. Aaron Murray, RSr., Georgia: The knock against Murray is that he hasn't played his best in some of the Bulldogs' biggest games, although he certainly wasn't shabby against Alabama in the SEC championship game last season. His productivity speaks for itself, and with 95 career touchdown passes, he's on track to break Danny Wuerffel's SEC record of 114.

4. Connor Shaw, Sr., South Carolina: After the top three quarterbacks in the SEC, it gets tough. Shaw gets the nod at No. 4 based on his 17-3 record as the Gamecocks' starter. He's played through pain, delivered in key moments and can hurt teams both running and passing. He's also the ultimate team player and is simply one of those guys who gets it done without a lot of flash and dash.

5. Bo Wallace, RJr., Ole Miss: Wallace missed the spring after undergoing shoulder surgery, and his 17 interceptions a year ago were a concern. But he should be even better his second time through the SEC, and there was a lot to like about his first season as the Rebels' starter. He accounted for 30 total touchdowns and was fifth in the league in total offense (3,384 yards).

6. Jeff Driskel, Jr., Florida: Of the guys on this list, Driskel has the most potential to move up. He did everything the Gators asked of him a year ago without much help from his receivers. The 6-4, 236-pound junior will be counted on even more in 2013 to make plays and has the size, arm strength and wheels to be a top-four quarterback in this league.

7. Tyler Russell, RSr., Mississippi State: Despite the shaky close to last season, there's no denying how much Russell improved a year ago. Now it's time to put it all together, and Russell has the pocket presence, release and arm talent to have his best season yet as a senior. He threw 24 touchdown passes last season and could make a push for 30 in 2013.

8. Zach Mettenberger, RSr., LSU: Les Miles said consistently this spring that he felt much better about his passing game. Part of that was the addition of Cam Cameron to the staff, but Mettenberger threw the ball with a lot of confidence and showed the ability to really stretch the field. He'll get a chance to do more of that this season after coming on last November.

9. James Franklin, Sr., Missouri: Franklin was much higher in these rankings this time a year ago after coming off a stellar 2011 season in the Big 12. If he stays healthy, he may well work his way back into the top 5. He showed more toughness than he was given credit for a year ago and gets a chance as a senior to show once and for all what kind of quarterback he really is.

10. Dylan Thompson, RJr., South Carolina: Even though he's not a full-time starter, look at what Thompson -- more of a drop-back passer than Shaw -- has done. He carved apart Clemson last season on the road. He stepped in and threw the winning touchdown pass in the bowl win against Michigan and just seems to get better every time he steps onto the field.

 

[SignalToNoise]

Driskel ahead of Russell? I can't be the only one that disagrees with that.

 

[Son_of_34]

Driskel ahead of Russell? I can't be the only one that disagrees with that.

Driskel? More like why the hell is Bo Wallace number 5 when he was 22/17 last year.

 

[Irondawg]

You get past #3 you get some talent but decision making gets pretty shaky sometimes. 4-8 are all a tossup to me.

 

[patdog]

Move Manziel down to #3 and move McCarron & Murray up 1 each. Otherwise, it looks OK.

 

[boatsandhoes]

McCarron to #1....how can he not be #1? Manziel to #2, I think he either gets hurt this year or it turns into a disaster. He won't have that same offensive line this year...far younger. Fine with Murray/Shaw (tho I think shaw has to earn more as he was hurt most of the year last year). wallace sucks, and I think he'll throw even more int's this year. Not impressed other than his game against us with no pass rush and no coverage. TR deserves to be 5th. wallace/Driskel are interchangeable.

 

[Dental Dawg]

Bo Wallace is going to be worse

I seriously doubt he comes back from surgery on his throwing arm and is better than last season. He missed the spring training. Will he have the arm strength, timing, and accuracy? Look to see drives stall with any drop off from his injury.

 

[patdog]

I know the thing to do on here is to hate on Bo Wallace, but from what I've seen, he's a good QB. I wish he had signed with us. I think he'll have a good season this fall.

 

[dawgstudent]

If I was starting a team - I choose Tyler Russell. If I was starting a team coached by Dan Mullen - I choose Bo Wallace.

 

[Dental Dawg]

I did not say he wasn't a good QB. I think he may not come back like he was. He may not have quite the arm strength and his timing may be off. He made countless plays with his arm and legs to keep drives alive that led to scores and won ball games. If he struggles, don't be surprised to see bear fans wanting Brunetti to play.

 

[patdog]

He didn't have any arm strength for at least the last half of the season last year and did pretty good. I don't really see any reason to think he won't come back from surgery and be as good as before. Except wishful thinking.

 

[boatsandhoes]

wallace torched our butt so what can I say. I do see shades of Jevan Sneed year two. There is alot of tape on him now, and I think he makes up his mind a lot where to throw pre-snap and stares down receivers. I also think the same thing on Manziel, lots of tape. They were both complete unknowns last year. Now, people will look for tendencies. What do you think manziel will do if he is rushed quickly, and gets hit a lot, or throw a ton of picks early? What if he gets knicked some early where his running is not as effective? He did not get hit much at all last year, but it is really hard to square him up, obviously.

 

[esplanade91]

I know the thing to do on here is to hate on Bo Wallace, but from what I've seen, he's a good QB. I wish he had signed with us. I think he'll have a good season this fall.

Drop back, get sacked, drop back again, lob ball to future 1st round receiver (high success rate), and if a 3rd down is necessary either repeat 2nd down or scramble... Which no one respects you for as a passing-type first year JUCO player.

I think Wallace is good, but I don't think he has the vision or passing ability that Russell has. If Russell had an ounce more athleticism this wouldn't even be a question.

No one who led a league in INT's and not TD's shouldn't be ahead of a guy who threw for 3,000 yards, a better ratio, and has more wins. Russell > Wallace

 

[OzarkaNSW]

if I'm slamming busch light on frat row I take wallace all day

 

[patdog]

Well, he had better passing stats than Russell did. He doesn't have nearly as strong of an arm, but he's better at creating something from nothing and he has a quicker release (Russell's release is s l o w). And that's before you even consider his running ability.

 

[esplanade91]

if I'm slamming busch light on frat row I take wallace all day

Don't you remember? He's not allowed on frat row. Last time he was there he got punched in the face.

Well, he had better passing stats than Russell did. He doesn't have nearly as strong of an arm, but he's better at creating something from nothing and he has a quicker release (Russell's release is s l o w). And that's before you even consider his running ability.

Better? Come on. Their stats are near identical, with Russell having far less INT's and more TD's... And more importantly two more regular season wins.

Russell couldn't beat Wallace in an agility test 10 of 10 tries or even a 20 ft foot race, but Russell is a better college quarterback. In this day of age though even an average quarterback who has good flight skills is looked at more favorably than solid traditional quarterback... See Relf. Sucks for TR's legacy. The only thing most of you will remember about him is his inability to move on designed run plays.

 

[CadaverDawg]

Take away Wallace's run threat and he is very average at best when it comes to throwing the ball. Ole Miss and Bo Wallace hit the jackpot with Moncrief bc it requires no skill to just throw the ball up to him. And since Bo can run, you are forced to blitz and risk the HR to Moncrief, OR cover and risk 5 yds per carry on a scrambling Wallace. They are tough to defend. It has nothing to do with Bo's talent alone...Bo is a better athlete but Tyler is by far the better QB. But as is often the case...it's more about system and who your QB is surrounded by than the QB.

And not to hijack, but this goes back to why I feel Dak should start....Mullen's offense suffers with a pocket passer with no mobility. Much like Ole Miss would suffer with Russell as their QB. It's the QB run threat that makes these offenses what they CAN be. We can still win with Tyler, but probably not as many, and with a much less efficient offense.

 

[patdog]

So even you admit that Russell and Wallace are pretty close to equal in passing ability and Wallace is a much better runner. Not sure how that translates to Russell being so much better of a QB. Don't get me wrong, I like both Russell and Wallace. Neither is an elite QB, but they're both pretty good. It's just that all the Wallace bashing gets old.

 

[SkullCandy.sixpack]

Tyler has one of the best arms in the SEC, but like it has already been said--he has a slow release. I also think he panics under pressure and tries to heave out of it. Wallace had "average" stats with a wounded wing, so I think that if he does well after surgery, he could be a legit threat. The problem for the bears is that even if Wallace's shoulder is 100%, he has missed a lot of snaps and may take 5-6 games or so to hit his stride. Those first 6 games will include Vandy, Texas, Bama, Auburn and ATM. Good luck with that.

 

[esplanade91]

So even you admit that Russell and Wallace are pretty close to equal in passing ability and Wallace is a much better runner. Not sure how that translates to Russell being so much better of a QB. Don't get me wrong, I like both Russell and Wallace. Neither is an elite QB, but they're both pretty good. It's just that all the Wallace bashing gets old.

I'm saying both have similar passer ratings and yards. I think the similarities end there. Wallace extends plays, but he turns the ball over on those plays just as much as he keeps the drive alive. I think he's a better athlete, and I'm saying that's where I believe he gets his value from. Russell makes some elite throws that Wallace just can't do, which is a much rarer talent than pure athleticism.

I believe Russell is a better QB. If the criteria is who executes the best Brett Favre approach to piloting an offense, sure, Wallace is better.

Both will be surpassed by their successors in 2014 or 2015 so the point is moot I guess.

 

[SkullCandy.sixpack]

I agree with everything you said. I don't think I bashed Wallace--I just said he is going to have a problem getting back to full form after surgery, due to the time he's missed. He missed the whole spring. His problem is going to be that 4 or 5 of his first 6 games will be against legit bowl teams, and 2 teams that could be in the top 5. If the Bears win 3 of their first 6 games, they had an incredible start.

 

[patdog]

No doubt that when he's on, Russell's arm is as good as there is. Better than anyone in the SEC except maybe Murray. I hope Russell will be surpassed by his successor, but at this point it's still too early to say he will be although I do like what Prescott has shown us a lot. Don't think Mississippi has anyone behind Wallace at this point that would have a prayer of matching him.

 

[patdog]

I don't think missing the spring will be a big deal for a returning starter. He's got the summer to throw to his receivers and get his timing down. You're right about their early schedule. I expect they'll be 2-5 after 7 games, then win 3 or 4 of their next 4 heading into the Egg Bowl.

 

[jacksonreb]

wallace may or may not be better after the surgery, but if he struggles no knowledgable ole miss fan is going to be calling for brunetti. at least not based on history. now he may have the light come on this summer but we need wallace healthy. brunetti is not the answer and the guy who may be the answer down the road is a true freshman which is never a good thing in sec play

 

[DAWG61]

Manziel broke Cam and Tebow's record and set history by being the first freshman to win the Heisman. Get the 17 out of here with McCarron over him.

Bo Wallace 17ing blows. He is a turnover machine and he can't throw the ball 40 yards. He sucks. Russell is way better. So is Driskel.

 

[TSUNBearHunter]

I bet he catches up on those missed snaps. From what I understand, he has been throwing the long ball for a couple of weeks now with no issues.

http://www.coachingsearch.com/home/...monitor-throwing-mechanics-of-injured-qb.html

 

[esplanade91]

What's more important, winning the Heisman and breaking individual records on the way to the Cotton Bowl or being the guy who personally orchestrates back to back national titles?

 

[DAWG61]

Look at Manziel's numbers compared to AJ. It's not even a debate. If you want to talk best TEAM then you can put Bama at #1 but Johnny Foosball wins best preseason QB hands down. Not. Even. A. Competition.

 

[esplanade91]

TEAM yeah, but McCarron was the most efficient QB this year and was INSTRUMENTAL to Alabama being #1. We can agree to disagree, I honestly don't know who should be #1, but you have to understand that it is indeed a competition.

 

[msstate7]

I bet he catches up on those missed snaps. From what I understand, he has been throwing the long ball for a couple of weeks now with no issues.

http://www.coachingsearch.com/home/...monitor-throwing-mechanics-of-injured-qb.html

How many hits has he taken?

 

[tb2]

No one will ever be clamoring for Brunetti to take over at QB

I did not say he wasn't a good QB. I think he may not come back like he was. He may not have quite the arm strength and his timing may be off. He made countless plays with his arm and legs to keep drives alive that led to scores and won ball games. If he struggles, don't be surprised to see bear fans wanting Brunetti to play.

Whenever Brunetti is in the game, it is strictly to run the ball. The defense barely has to defend the pass with him in the game.

 

[msstate7]

I bet he catches up on those missed snaps. From what I understand, he has been throwing the long ball for a couple of weeks now with no issues.

http://www.coachingsearch.com/home/...monitor-throwing-mechanics-of-injured-qb.html

On the other hand, there is a painfully lengthy litany of professional and college-level quarterbacks whose football careers were either ended by rotator cuff surgery, or whose performance diminished dramatically following the procedure.

Taken from
http://www.majiknetwork.net/objects/ESPN story.pdf

 

[boatsandhoes]

Not arguing that manziel is not a great playmaker/individually. aTm had a great year. The individual/talent argument has a basis. Are we arguing who wins national titles or the hesiman or individual stats.

two national titles in routs. He was flawless last year except maybe the aTm game. 30 td's and 3 ints

SEASON	CMP	ATT	YDS	CMP%	YPA	LNG	TD	INT	SACK	RAT
2012	211	314	2933	67.2	9.34	85	30	3	22	175.3

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[msstate7]

I think both (manziel and aj) benefited greatly from having outstanding offensive lines (maybe best 2 ol in the country). Is it a coincident that the top ranked qbs in the sec played behind the best 2 ol? I don't think so

 

[Lettucexxxx]

Bo Wallace is a dirtbag....which automatically makes me like him. He could play for me, any day.

 

[DAWG61]

Take Manziel away from aTm and you have a 6-7 winning team. Take AJ from Bama and you still have a 10 game winning team. AJ is a great QB, nobody is arguing against that, he's just the 2nd best QB in the SEC. Remember this is preseason so I'm taking the all-time leader in yards that is the first and only player in the history of college football to win the Heisman as a freshman. We'll see if Manziel can come close to repeating his numbers and I have my doubts that he will be able to do that but since it's preseason you have to go on his numbers from last year and he had over 5,000 yards cumilitive. Manziel's ability to run the ball make him the clear cut #1 pick. Dude had 1,400 yards RUSHING last year alone.

 

[patdog]

About the same number as all the rest of the returning starting QBs in the SEC. Not many.

 

[patdog]

Every QB on that list played prior to 1990 except Couch. Back then, yeah, rotator cuff surgery was a kiss of death for a QB. Not so much today. I had rotator cuff surgery in 1999 for an injury I suffered in the mid-80s. The Dr. told me that I actually did myself a huge favor by waiting so long because with the surgical techniques they had back then, there was really no way my shoulder would ever be the same. But with the new techniques I should be as good as new. I've never had a hint of a problem since. Of course I realize that I'm not a college-level QB, but the basic point is that you can't even begin to compare shoulder surgery recovery from the 1980s to today.

 

[NIC.sixpack]

For what it's worth...

Wallace didn't injure his rotator cuff. At least that's not how the injury is described. Here's some info about his surgery:

http://www.umc.edu/News_and_Publica...QB_heal_from_shoulder_separation_surgery.aspx

I've always heard of the rotator cuff being on the back of the shoulder. Wallace's injury was on the front of his shoulder. That's not to say his recovery will be any easier. I have no idea about that. From what I've read, he's doing pretty well.

 

[johnson86-1]

So even you admit that Russell and Wallace are pretty close to equal in passing ability...

I don't think Russell and Wallace are even close to equal in passing ability (or at least the banged up version of Wallace last year; not sure how good he was before then). You're underestimating what having an elite receiver does for a qb. As much as I like Bumphis, he's not elite the way Moncrief is. Give Russell an elite receiver to bail him out or to open up other receivers, and I don't think there's a question about who is the better passer.

That's not taking anything away from Wallace, he's obviously a good qb for Freeze's system (and I think would be for Mullen's), but Russell is also obviously a pretty good qb even when he's not in the best situation for his talents. If their stats are close when Wallace is in a good situation and Russell is in a bad one, and Russell is still more efficient, I think you have to give the nod to Russell as far as who is the best qb.

The argument for Wallace is that he did what he did in his first year in the SEC while he was banged up for much of the year (although I think that's part of hte package when you are a qb that relies on your legs in the SEC) and outside of Moncrief, his offensive talent was certainly not elite.