Tyler has really matured and from comments I've heard from coaches, he will have a breakout year. I know that's not news to most of you, but it's one of the few times the coaches have spoken to me with this much confidence.
MSU QB
- Thread starter madisoninsider
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Tyler has really matured and from comments I've heard from coaches, he will have a breakout year. I know that's not news to most of you, but it's one of the few times the coaches have spoken to me with this much confidence.
We need to find a way to get the ball to #80 a lot more and hopefully ourreceiverscan get someseparationto give Tyler the opportunity to throw the ball downfield. Also, on the other side of the ball, our DB's need to play up on thereceiverswhen we play teams like Upig and TAMU. We are playing off to keep from giving up the deep ball, but it did not work against Ark last year and no adjustment was made. Bama, LSU and Kansas St. in the bowl game were physical with their receivers and were able to slow down the passing game. I will stick with my previous prediction of 6-6 or 7-5. If we get lucky we may be able to win 8.
has he grown enough as a QB to not force the ball and turn it over?
He has a very good arm
No, he wont outrun anybody- but he wont have to this season
He will have a playbook more suited to his skill set
Can he keep from turning the ball over this season? That is what made Relf a decent QB. If Russell can minimize TO's- he will be very good
He has a very good arm
No, he wont outrun anybody- but he wont have to this season
He will have a playbook more suited to his skill set
Can he keep from turning the ball over this season? That is what made Relf a decent QB. If Russell can minimize TO's- he will be very good
That was pleasantly surprised with his speed last year? When he ran the Relf option he didn't look too terribly slow to me. Maybe I am just used to the Kevin Fants and Michael Henigs. Of course there is a noticeable difference between him and Relf speed-wise. I honestly think his reads were what made that option look bad when he was under center last year, not his speed.
Just felt the need to point that out. He's certainly no Relf, but he isn't the slowest QB we've ever had at MSU. Hopefully we won't need to use his legs too much next year, but I bet we see a lot more read options than people would expect next year.
Just felt the need to point that out. He's certainly no Relf, but he isn't the slowest QB we've ever had at MSU. Hopefully we won't need to use his legs too much next year, but I bet we see a lot more read options than people would expect next year.
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Sauron
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He didn't. Dude wasn't that fast, folks. He was just a bull. It took three people to drag him down most times. His arm was never more than mediocre and more often than not was down right bad. In short, he wasn't that great of a QB. Russell, with this offense, will be twice the QB poor old Chris ever was. If Tyler learns to take a hit without breaking or just throw the ball away when the play aint there, we will be just fine at QB.
Sauron, you are correct that Relf is not much faster than Russell in straight line speed. However, Relf was more "agile", athletic, and lighter on his feet than Russell. You are correct in that it isn't pure speed though. That being said, Tom Brady and Peyton Manning are heavy footed as well. To compensate, Russell needs to develop pocket awareness, assuming there is a pocket, and some moves to make one guy miss.
unfortunately QB's need those as well. Tyler is light years ahead of Relf in accuracy and touch- and for the most part makes better decisions. He simply will have to stand up to the rush and eliminate turnovers.
Tyler doesnt have concrete shoes, but he's no scrambler either
Tyler doesnt have concrete shoes, but he's no scrambler either
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Sauron
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Relf could never seem to get reading a D down. I don't know why. Relf was definitely an athlete. He just didn't really have any business playing QB at the college level IMO.
He was a much better runner than Russell is, but he was strictly a power runner. He wasn't ever going to make anybody miss him. But he could damn sure run right through a buch of people. Coach is right, Relf had a very strong arm. He just wasn't very accurate and didn't make good, quick decisions. Russell's arm is probably a little weaker than Relf's (still plenty strong though), he's just more accurate and makes better decisions.
I couldn't disagree with this more. Relf was awful as a scrambler. He was great when called upon to run because once he got a head of steam, you couldn't bring him down. But if he was standing in the pocket and the rush closed in, it was an automatic sack. He had no quickness in the pocket at all. <div>shotgunDawg said:
</div><div>I've actually been very pleased at times with Russell's pocket awareness. He has an ability to sense the rush and make subtle moves to avoid it; there have just been many times where our protection completely collapsed and there was nothing he could do. The kid was a sophomore last year, he's going to be just fine. I have no idea why so many nitpick over him when our history at QB is as bad as it gets. I fully expect him, over the next two years, to become the best QB in our history.</div><div>
</div><div>And I would bet Russell would at least tie Relf in a race over 20-30 yards. Relf was a brutally effective runner because of his build, toughness, and technique. It had nothing to do with his speed.</div>
It's amazing how much better Relf got as a passer over his career. While not a Peyton Manning, he went from not being able to hit a barn, to being able to
mostly hit folks. As long as he didn't have to read the D for too long he was markedly better.
I think we will all agree that a huge part of the issues we had last season were the injuries on the offensive line. The timing of the injuries was terrible, but also, we didn't have the depth to recover from them -- and that threw the offense into a tailspin. I imagine it didn't help either QBs confidence that much either.
While I thought Tyler would quickly surpass Relf, part of that is also Relf stepping up and leading. It's good that we don't have to throw QBs into the fire immediately any more.
And to agree with Peaches ... not turning the ball over and managing the offense goes a long way towards keeping a starting QB job.
mostly hit folks. As long as he didn't have to read the D for too long he was markedly better.
I think we will all agree that a huge part of the issues we had last season were the injuries on the offensive line. The timing of the injuries was terrible, but also, we didn't have the depth to recover from them -- and that threw the offense into a tailspin. I imagine it didn't help either QBs confidence that much either.
While I thought Tyler would quickly surpass Relf, part of that is also Relf stepping up and leading. It's good that we don't have to throw QBs into the fire immediately any more.
And to agree with Peaches ... not turning the ball over and managing the offense goes a long way towards keeping a starting QB job.
Worrying about who is faster is a "tallest midget" contest... but at least can get downfield.<span>
One thing Relf had that Russell doesn't is Ballard. I hope Griffin
Can take on that role but it's going to take time for either Griffin, Perkins,
or Robinson to take up that slack.
Can take on that role but it's going to take time for either Griffin, Perkins,
or Robinson to take up that slack.
and I agree that having a playbook to suit his skill set is key. The other question mark for me is the O-line. I'm very concerned about our line and this is why I predict 6-7 wins instead of 8-9 wins in theregularseason. Keeping Russell healthy, and Russell having time to make decisions will be the difference.
BogeyGolfer said:
Key to the CBs moving up closer to the line is a consistant pass rush. We are blessed with great corners BUT without greater pressure on the QB, there is no way for them keep them covered.
that's what we had with Relf that I still am VERY shaky on with Russell. Whatever we get with Russell in the run game is strictly a bonus but the REAL key is keeping him healthy. First off, Russell doesn't do a good job of avoiding a flush hit when he runs and secondly he is more prone to injury when he does get hit. Russell has already had knee and other physical issues and if he goes down early in the year we are in a bad spot. Prescott may be good down the road but he doesn't look ready to me based on what I saw in the Spring game.
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Sauron
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I bleed Maroon and White. My heart beat says: "Hail State", but.....friend....in case you haven't noticed, that really isn't saying that much. Relf was certainly better as a passer after Mullen got a-hold of him. But lets be serious for a second and admit that he was never anything to write home about when it came to flinging the ball around.BiscuitEater said:
but let's not forget that Ballard was an NFL back in his own right. We might very well have another NFL back or two in the pipeline, but it's not like it's guaranteed and it's definitely not guaranteed that they can pick up blitzes, which is probably what i'm more worried about, as I do agree we should always have a solid rotation of guys that can run the ball.
He could have the greatest arm of any QB to ever play the game, but his footwork/speed wouldn't allow him to fully utilize it.
I have not seen much, if any, improvement in his footwork over two years. To have a breakout year, he's going to have to make a decent amount of improvised plays with his feet. From what he's displayed previously, I do not see these busted plays resulting in positive outcomes for our offense. At least with Relf, he could bulldoze a defender or two on a busted play and outrun a few, resulting in a few positive plays from nothing. With Tyler the case is completely different.
I have not seen much, if any, improvement in his footwork over two years. To have a breakout year, he's going to have to make a decent amount of improvised plays with his feet. From what he's displayed previously, I do not see these busted plays resulting in positive outcomes for our offense. At least with Relf, he could bulldoze a defender or two on a busted play and outrun a few, resulting in a few positive plays from nothing. With Tyler the case is completely different.