We still need a QB

[57stratdawg]

First, let me say that I'm not advocating Russell, Farve, or Dak Prescott, but stating the QB play at MSU has got to get better.

Relf is pretty good in the running game, but his lack of accuracy really kills the offense at times. When we have faced better teams on D, they have totally shut us down. We will never beat the LSUs, Bamas, and Auburns of the world with Relf at QB. Their D's are too tough to run against consistently.

Relf left probably 5 completions on the field last night and at least one TD. He has to hit Henderson down the middle from the 25 in the 4th quarter. He missed a WIDEOPEN Bumphis in the flats in the first half. That play would have picked up 20+.

What happen to our screen game? I'd love to see some middle screens to Bumphis or Carr even.

 

[Pat Pat]

He's the best we have with the personnel around him. We don't have receivers that can go get the ball (Arceto can at times, sometimes Bumphis). We have a bunch of slot type scat backs. I agree we should do some more screen and swing passes to get the balls to those guys in space with a few tries down field. We have a solid, bruising running back. Relf himself is a good runner. So, in essence, we're doing exactly what we should be doing. Playcalling will always be criticized, on every team, in every fanbase, in the country.

Now in the coming years, when we get some bigger and better true receivers in here (mainly the ones spinning off the Russell/Favre commitments), I suspect you'll see us go to a more traditional passing offense. And fans will ***** about that too I'm sure.

 

[The Peeper]

board have commented on how he never looks off his primary receiver. Last night on his 2 throws I watched him in the binoculars, Holy Crap. He NEVER took his eyes off of the two receivers he threw to (don't remember who now) on the two incompletions. He took the snap, stood completely still and stared them down until he threw it. Hopefully with experience comes wisdom in this case.

 

[MSUCosmo]

I said it last week and I'll say it again, Dan's not doing Ralph any favors with the playcalling. We've apparently given up on the bubble screens. It's obvious he doesn't think Chris Smith or Arceto can block for Heavens and Bumphis to run this consistently. He obviously doesn't believe our receivers have the size or strength to beat defenders on the slant because I think that's a pattern that Ralph could hit consistently. We're trying to become a homerun hitting pass team and it pisses certain fans off when the play doesn't connect.

We could run 15-20 pass plays a game off safe throws, but we never seem to do that. It's either all or nothing. We are really missing out on a Kelvin Love type possession receiver on this team.

 

[Todd4State]

that we've had is the fact that Relf doesn't turn the ball over a whole lot. His accuracy sucks. No doubt about it. But, at least he is so inaccurate, it's where no one on the other team can catch it as well.

And that is at least in part why we are winning and why he will continue to start.

But I will say this- our offense will never take off until we get a QB that can pass the ball and also not turn it over. And when I say take off I mean scoring 30 points a game consistently. As in SEC games and not against C-USA teams.

And yes, I do agree that we are also missing some WR's right now as well, and the o-line has some room for imprvement as well. I'm pretty optomistic though, because we are recruiting talent to fill in those gaps.

 

[Todd4State]

about Tyler Russell besides putting him in the game at that point, was why they didn't call at least one higher percentage short pass to try to get his confidence up.

But back to the topic- Tyler has to learn how to do those finer points of quarterbacking things better for sure. I think he's pretty close, and one more off season and some bowl practice reps will help him out a lot.

 

[yee dawgy]

and starts with the coaches. They don't have enough confidence in the offense (Relf's decisions) to ask them to "win" the game, simply "don't lose" the game. When the other team scores, we pass on first down, open things up for the runninng game and score. Then we run clock and allow the defense to "win" the game with stops or turnovers. This mentallity will allow us to win against non conference teams, UK's and down year Fla, but not Ala, Auburn or LSU.

 

[Sutterkane]

Relf is pretty good in the running game, but his lack of accuracy really kills the offense at times. When we have faced better teams on D, they have totally shut us down. We will never beat the Floridas and Georgias of the world with Relf at QB. Their D's are too tough to run against consistently.

there you go

 

[Joe Schmedlap]

than Dan Mullen. But, State keeps winning despite the lack of a passing game. The coaches see these guys in practice day after day. If Dan thought Tyler Russell was ready to contribute, we would be seeing Tyler play. Based on what I have seen thus far, Tyler Russell is no where close to being ready. Relf is among the most inaccurate QB's in all of college football right now, but he can run and most importantly, he isn't turning the ball over. Turovers are why we lost 7 games last year and the lack of turnovers are why we have won 7 thus far this season. I trust Dan Mullen to put the players in the game and run the offense that best suits our personnel. I believe we will make major upgrades in the receiving corps in the next two years so that Tyler Russell will have every chance to be successful as a junior and senior. It is 3 to 4 yards and a cloud of dust for the time being, and that may be plenty good enough to secure 8 victories and a nice bowl in 2010. Perhaps someone can teach Relf how to throw the short route in the offseason. If Relf were just mediocre as a passer, State's offense would be incredibly potent. For now, as Croom say: it is what it is.

 

[patdog]

It's like when they do put Russell in, the coaches are so excited to have a QB who can throw the ball they call nothing but down-field difficult passes. I'm not saying Russell needs to play more, but at least when you do play him, let him make some easy throws early on to get his feet wet and get some confidence.

 

[Sportsfan620]

atleast Relf isnt, Michael Henig or Tray Rutland or Wesley Carrol. We are winning and thats what matters. Might not be pretty but it gets the job done. And it would help if we had a reciever taller than 5'10. Maybe his accuracy stinks, but he does always seem to hit the big play and throw the beauty here and there. And why would you throw the ball with the way we run it. And im so sick of Russell and hearing about Russell, get used to Relf people bc he will be back!

 

[BehrDawg]

Afterall, Relf is winning us ballgames. Right now, he is the man.

My one complaint about Relf is HE NEVER CHECKS TO HIS RIGHT. He missed tons of open running room when he was pressured AND wide *** open receivers to his right side last night. Watch the replay and tell me how many times he looks to his right. You wont find them.

 

[ImHurtinLinda]

Mullen closes this recruiting class with these WR's, and watch out. <div>
</div><div>I haven't seen the "locking in on receivers"thing too bad. I have seen him not take the safety into account a couple of times. I have also seen a lot of excellent field vision, accuracy, pocket presence by moving up and sideways to give himself time, and surprisingly - pretty good running/management of the read option.</div><div>
</div><div>Next year will be interesting - I don't think you can not go with Relf after the job he has done this year, but I have my doubts about our ability to beat top flight defenses with just Relf at QB - I think you will have to mix it up with both of them (that even goes for two weeks from now against alabama) - although with the way our D is playing, we may not need that many points.</div><div>
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