Relf

[thelaw]

For the past few weeks I've noticed quite a few posters are seemingly glossing over when it comes to Relf, i.e. when Relf is discussed it seems like people provide expectations without any reasons backing them up. What I'm alluding to is Relf's passing game, which in my mind is a huge question mark.

I agree with the idea that Relf rushing for 800 yards this season isn't out of question and is quite possible, if and only if he can keep the opposing defense honest by passing somewhat efficiently. In the last two years, but especially this last year (Egg Bowl and spring game included) I have seen nothing that makes me believe Relf is going to be alright throwing the ball. I think our OL is going to have to provide him with an above average amount of time or we'regoing to be in for a long season.

Does anyone have any legitimate reasons (meaning not pure conjecture) for believing Relf can hit the broad side of a barn with a football? I'm all ears.

 

[jeremyrbrown]

" Chris is a completely different player than he was last year." - Dan Mullen

 

[JacksonDevilDog]

He has another year of experience under his belt. Remember, he has Mullen working with him and his passing, not Woody McCorvey. Relf will not be Tom Brady out there, but I think he'll improve enough to keep defenses honest as you say. If his work ethic has improved the way that Mullen has said it has, than I fully expect him to be better. He knows that the job is his going into fall practice.

 

[thelaw]

but we're working on it."

 

[dawgatUSM]

Yes I know it is a scrimmage but that was all I needed to see to know that he's improved........ ALOT!

 

[MonkeyCheese]

...Wayne Madkin.<div>
</div><div>His junior year at least.</div>

 

[jcdawgman18]

Which was what he got away with against JSU last year, and looked good doing it.

I THINK Relf will be somewhat improved, but I DON'T KNOW for sure. We won't find out until the Memphis game if he really has improved his accuracy or not.

 

[Shunface]

That's the point of the spring game though, Stanley was 11-16 for 166 yards 2td's Cotton was 5-7 for 178 yards 2td's. I don't think either one would be able to provide such a performance when it counts.<div>
</div><div>Relf was 13-24 184 yards and two td's. Russell was 12-27 125 yards.</div><div>
</div><div>Not trying to say he wasn't/isn't improved and it's been a long time since the spring game so he can be that much more improved since then just sayin the spring game is supposed to make players look better.</div>

 

[thelaw]

I don't put a lot of stock in a spring game as an indicator on a key player's performance in games against tough SEC opponents. There are so many differences that will affect a player during a real game that its hard for me to accept Relf's passing game in the Maron Whit game as a viable indicator of his prospective performance.

 

[Boomerdog15]

And he said both of State's quarterbacks looked a lot better than Ole Miss's. Keep in mind this guy is from Arkansas, played quarterback at a small college and doesn't have a dog in the race when it comes to pulling for State or Ole Miss. Just his opinion from what he saw, and one of the coaches that went with him agreed when he said it, and that coach is an Ole Miss alum.

The second coach called me when he was there to tell me Relf looked good.

Take it for what it's worth, but it's an unbiased opinion from someone that knows a little bit about it.

 

[Jake Wimberly]

Mullen took a two star alex smith and turned him into a first round pick.. EASY - Im not saying the same will happen for Relf but he will play to Relfs strengths, have him coached as good as possible and call plays that he can make the safe throw. Unlike Crooms, Relf will not be put in a bad position. If he makes bad decisions, well thats a different story.

 

[SilentDog]

" Chris is a completely different <span style="text-decoration: line-through;">player </span>passer than he was last year." - Dan Mullen

methinks you read it more like this. we'll see...

 

[FISHDAWG]

how many fumbles is that "800" yards going to cost us ???

 

[ckDOG]

If I looked through individual game stats accurately, it looks like Relf only fumbled 3 times with only 1 resulting in a turnover. It took him 500 yards over 76 carries to do that. If you extrapolate that and assume his ypc is roughly the same, we are looking at a hair over 120 carries this year. That will put him at around 5 fumbles and 2 turnovers at last year's rate. I have no idea if that is good, but 2 turnovers for 800 yards of offense doesn't sound like a bad deal to me.

 

[markymark.sixpack]

and relf could have plenty of those. poor pocket awareness results in getting stripped in the pocket. i already ran the numbers once but I think it came out to Relf fumbling once every 39 touches while Tyson was once every 34. Bottom line: it's nothing to take for granted and it has me worried.

If we protect the ball this year and stay in the (+) column on turnovers, we win 7-8 games this year. If we get into the (-), it's going to be more like 4-6.

 

[thelaw]

nt.

 

[biguglyjoe]

and relf could have plenty of those. <span style="font-weight: bold;">poor pocket awareness results in getting stripped in the pocket</span>. i already ran the numbers once but I think it came out to Relf fumbling once every 39 touches while Tyson was once every 34. Bottom line: it's nothing to take for granted and it has me worried.

If we protect the ball this year and stay in the (+) column on turnovers, we win 7-8 games this year. If we get into the (-), it's going to be more like 4-6.

That and small hands.

 

[Todd4State]

the spring game non-withstanding, is it really that hard to believe that Relf will be improved as far as passing? Look at where he was as a freshman under Croom when he came in. Look at him at the end of the year last year. We have a great QB coach in Dan Mullen.

I don't know if Relf will be a better passer or not, but I sure like the odds of him being better.

 

[hotdigitydog]

the system for a couple of years now and he can now readdefenses.......I think these two things alone willgive himmuch needed confidence and make him better......How much better remains to be seen.........

 

[shoeless joe]

it was common for good players to not improve at all under croom. most players that have ability will improve from year to year with good coaching and there is no reason to think that relf has not improved to some extent. but remember he could improve SOME and still not be a great passer. like it was posted earlier, if he can get to the level of madkin passing that would be huge to help our offense.

 

[Hair of the Dawg]

Just looking at Mullin's past working with QBs, I believe he has made him a better QB. Relf has all of the physical tools.

The only thing I worry about is does he have the mental game down yet.