AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2006 > August > 12 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USQB race suited to a T
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Mark Bradley
Athens — Joe Tereshinski III has been around Georgia football since birth. His grandfather played here and made second-team All-SEC. His dad played here and won an SEC title and has worked in the program since before Joe T. III was born. Now Joe T. III, who rejected offers to sign with other colleges because, his father says, “They just weren’t Georgia,” is listed as the Bulldogs’ No. 1 quarterback.
Nice homegrown story, right? Well, maybe.
Many on the dispassionate periphery consider his status temporary, the belief being that Joe T. III is merely warming a seat for one (or more) of the three younger quarterbacks. Tereshinski rejects the notion. “I have to consider myself on top,” he says. “It helps with the leadership role, and it helps with my confidence.”
Via his longtime access to the program, Tereshinski has seen quarterback competitions already. He remembers coming to practice with his dad in 1991 — Joe T. III was in grade school — and watching Greg Talley duel Preston Jones and a hot freshman named Eric Zeier, whom Tereshinski would come to regard as “the quote-unquote hero of my generation.”
That said, neither he nor anyone else can cite a precedent to this four-way struggle. Says Mark Richt, who’ll be the ultimate arbiter: “This is the tightest race I’ve been involved with. I’ve seen two guys competing for a job, but not more than two.”
Because Tereshinski is a fifth-year senior and the most seasoned among the other three is a redshirt sophomore, conventional wisdom holds that the current depth chart is more a reflection of seniority than ability. But Joe T. III, having long dreamed of doing as Zeier, with whom Tereshinski played catch after practices, did, isn’t inclined to yield to anyone. Here’s his stance: “I’ve been here four years, and this is my job.”
Says Joe Tereshinski Jr., Georgia’s assistant strength coach and its video coordinator: “I’ve never met a kid who’s happier when he’s competing than Joe T.”
Come Sept. 2, the day Georgia opens against Western Kentucky, Tereshinski figures to be the first quarterback deployed. When in doubt — and clearly Richt is — coaches tend to err on the side of seasoning. But a Bulldogs historian might recall that, even though Zeier didn’t start the first five games of his freshman season, he played so much he was essentially the No. 1 quarterback. And after Zeier engineered a famous victory over sixth-ranked Clemson, he displaced Talley, who was a team captain, as the starter and went on to become the hero of Joe T. III’s generation.
Might such a thing happen again? Would a bad series against South Carolina — or a big relief performance from a younger guy — in Week 2 render Joe T. III a latter-day Talley? “I don’t think it’d be a bad series and out,” he says, “but if you’re making the same mistakes, you could definitely find another guy in for a while.”
Two other bits of history are more in his favor. First, Georgia hasn’t entered a season with a non-Georgian — the three others are from out of state — as its quarterback since James Ray in 1970. And the last fifth-year Bulldogs quarterback to wait his turn wound up being the MVP in the SEC championship game. Is D.J. Shockley’s example a source of inspiration?
“Oh, definitely,” Tereshinski says. “He pushed himself hard and competed every day, and he rallied his team.”
Tereshinski started the Florida game when Shockley was injured last season and didn’t do so badly. (He didn’t throw a touchdown pass, but he caught one.) He did mop-up duty in five other games, and that measure of familiarity with big-time college football could well be the first determinant in this hairbreadth race.
“You’ve got to be able to manage the job,” Tereshinski says, “to set up the team and keep it running.”
A fifth-year senior should be more suited to managerial duty than a freshman or a sophomore, but this is one of those cases where nobody really knows anything. The four quarterbacks have been given no timetable as to when a decision might be made. (Indeed, Richt has joked that Georgia could settle things by letting each play a quarter.) Says Tereshinski: “They’re judging everything, every throw. That’s the reason you have to compete every day. You can’t take an hour off.”
An affable sort, Tereshinski doesn’t flinch when asked to rate the other quarterbacks’ assets. He says Joe Cox has “a very strong arm” and that Matthew Stafford “loves the game. … He can tell you what any player throughout history has done” and that Blake Barnes “gives everything he has.” And the Tereshinski guy?
He smiles. “I’m more of a pocket passer,” he says. “I’ve got some experience under my belt. I’m the most physical of the guys. I might be able to stand in a little longer and make a throw.”
Joe T. III has waited all his life for this moment to arrive, and he doesn’t foresee himself wilting under the heat, figurative or literal. Being the first name on the depth chart, he says, means “I have to be on point every day. If I’m No. 1, I have to maintain the lead. … I have to keep a lot of pressure on myself just because I’m up there.” Then again, being No. 1 “might add a little pressure.”
And that makes sense. The other three will have other years. For Joe Tereshinski III, a Bulldog born and bred, there’s only this one.
Permalink | Comments (42) | Post your comment | Categories: Mark Bradley
Comments
By GREG
August 12, 2006 11:52 AM | Link to this
THEY SAY THE BOY CAN REALLY PLAY BALL!
By BOC
August 12, 2006 12:06 PM | Link to this
Please start Joe T…I’d love to see UGA go 6-6
By BirdDawg
August 12, 2006 12:55 PM | Link to this
Mark, you left out some really important facts, like the fact that while Joe T may be more “seasoned” QB, he is in fact the least talented.
He has the weakest arm of the bunch. He cannot make the throws that even a college QB must make. He cannot throw over the middle, because a linebacker will have all day to jump in front of the ball. He can throw the 5 yard quick out, but anything over 7 yards will be intercepted.
He cannot, under no circumstances, throw the long ball. What good would our running game be if the defense stacks 8 and 9 in the box because they know the QB cannot reliably or even physically throw beyond 20 yards?
Joe T said Cox has a “strong arm” but failed to mention that while Stafford “loves the game,” he has the strongest arm on the team, can make every throw asked of him and more, and is the most physically gifted QB we’ve had on the team since our last great starting QB, Shock.
Another thing you failed to point out is, that while Joe T is in a similar situation to Shock’s, he is in no way physically able to do what Shock did. He cannot make the kind of throws Shock could throw. He just doesn’t have the talent.
I mean Good Lord, people say that Coach Bobo didn’t have the greatest arm to make it in the NFL, but he could throw the deep ball in college, and was a good college QB.
Joe T isn’t. He doesn’t have the tools. He doesn’t have the arm strength. All he has is some seasoning.
Well, that might be well and good if he were a roast in the crock pot, but it’s not good enough for this team which, because of an easy schedule of SEC West foes, can win their division this year if they recieve competant play from the QB position.
I do not, under any circumstances, have any shred of faith that Joe T can supply this team with competant play as a QB.
And I’ll tell you another thing… many on the team feel the same way.
But he can be my punt protector any time.
By reality check
August 12, 2006 01:24 PM | Link to this
I think Richt is telling the truth when he says the race is close.
My take is that all 4 of the quarterbacks are capable. You can be assured that Richt has somebody ready to play quarterback. If he is having trouble making a choice it is because all of them can play, and that includes Joe T.
By dawgzona
August 12, 2006 01:36 PM | Link to this
I agree BirdDawg. Joe T is no doubt the sentimental favorite but this is not Pop Warner, this is the SEC and week two looms! I believe Joe T. has enough ability to do a good job of moving the team if everything is going well (ie. we’re ahead and moving the ball on the ground). But, if God forbid, we have another West Virgina experience and we need a guy to lead us back into the game, is he the guy? My gut says no. But, at the end of the day, I trust CMR completely. We all should! If Joe T. trots out with the #1 Offense, let’s sit back and give the guy (and coach) the benefit of the doubt.
By BirdDawg
August 12, 2006 01:43 PM | Link to this
When we’re down a touchdown or more by halftime of the USC game, then that will be the last time you ever see Joe T playing QB for the University of Georgia.
Mark it down. It will happen. Joe T will be ineffective against even USC’s pedestrian defense, and he will be replaced. Matthew Stafford will saunter out of the locker room, and just like John Wayne, he will take the reins of this offense and explode open the scene and dominate.
There will be bumps and bruises along the way, but mark my words, by the third quarter of the USC game, we will have scene the last of Joe T under center, and he will be back on special teams where he can really help us out.
By BirdDawg
August 12, 2006 01:46 PM | Link to this
Man, I apologize for the attrocious spellings… I need my mid-afternoon nap!
Or, is it knapp? Like the horrible game Greg Knapp called last night?
By al b sure
August 12, 2006 01:52 PM | Link to this
Hey Cafaro, it’s good to have you back in the mix. We miss you on the Falcon blogs.
I agree with you with regard to Joe T. He showed nothing vs. Florida last year — heck, he even almost goofed up the trick play in that game when he fell down.
I’m all for Stafford.
On another note, why are you taking jabs at Knapp’s playcalling in a preseason effort? Like he’s really gonna scheme in preseason!
By northwestDawg
August 12, 2006 02:04 PM | Link to this
Being the type of guy MR is, I don’t think he’s going to make anyone look bad in the public at this stage. Why should he. I do believe he already has an idea or gut felling if you will, as to who will be #1 and 2. I still can’t find and nobody has answered this question: why did MR “hold him back last yr. in the Ark. and Reptile games”? Repeatedly I’v praised Joe T as a true Georgia Dawg. Don’t know what will happen today in the scrimmage, what time does it start? A pattern will begin to form and MRs watching to see if it falls into what he’s already thinking. They may be new, but Freshman are starting at QB more and more in college FB and I think that’s going to happen with the Dawgs. They’ll have a game scrimmage to work on things and will present the best solution to the up coming SC game, freshman mistakes included. It’ll be Cox and Stafford or visa versa. I’m not dissing Joe T and I hope everyone sees that. Good luck to whoever MR picks. Just beat SOS and SC.
By wudawg
August 12, 2006 03:49 PM | Link to this
I love JTIII and he’s a great TEAM guy and a great ST Captain. However, many of you are just flat-out living in la-la land. JTIII is less talented, as a QB, than Cory Phillips. He would be the worst QB we’ve trotted out there in two decades - maybe more. He might start the first game (I doubt he will), but he won’t be leading us into Columbia. You can go ahead and quote me on that. Save it in your little memory bank and lambaste me with it if I’m wrong. You don’t have to make $2mm a year coaching football to see this kid is not an SEC talent at the QB position. There’s a reason we came this close to burning Cox’s RS last year for the Florida game. There’s a reason CMR called that game like Will Ferrell was the QB. He had a fourth-year senior and he called the game like his wife was taking snaps.
Get your heads out of your proverbial a**es. JTIII will not be our QB. No way, no how. CMR is paid too much money to allow that unmitigated disaster to occur.
By gp
August 12, 2006 03:51 PM | Link to this
Hey Cafaro er ah BirdDawg you want to criticize the Falcons last night? Start with their inability to stop the run. Same old same old. BTW, why do you bother with a username?
By Claude
August 12, 2006 03:56 PM | Link to this
By Claude
August 12, 2006 04:00 PM | Link to this
By aadawg
August 12, 2006 04:47 PM | Link to this
I want to know if Bird Dawg has ever watched Joe T play. Are you at all the practices? The coaches will not put the sentimental pick in at quarterback, they will do what is best for the team this year. It is not Joe T’s fault the play calling was awful in the loss to Florida last year. Joe T is a great talent, he was ranked as the 5th best quarterback coming out of high school, by the sporting news. He can make the throws and I believe he can lead UGA to the head of the east again this year.
By aladawg
August 12, 2006 05:12 PM | Link to this
would you bozo’s let up and give Joe T. a chance. He showed alot of grit last year against the gators. I think he’ll do fine.
By GW
August 12, 2006 06:22 PM | Link to this
Why is an expert like BirdDawg wasting away on an internet blog? He should be coaching in the NFL, in between naps.
By john
August 12, 2006 06:23 PM | Link to this
Birdawg - you’re the type of guy that sits in the crowd getting on everyone’s nerves because you have all the answers. I know as much as anyone about Georgia football but I’d never pretend to know more than Richt and the coaching staff. If Joe T. starts, then he’s the best QB on the team.
By jim
August 12, 2006 06:28 PM | Link to this
It’s absurd to point out that Joe T. can’t make certain throws “under any circumstance” as you say Birdawg. Let the kid play first, and by play I mean substantial time. I agree with John, if he starts then it’s because he’s the best we’ve got right now. Stafford will be great but c’mon, he was at PROM 2 months ago. Do you remember Shockley before he took the starting role? Do you remember him during the Tech game in 2004? So let’s give him a chance and not decide on what type of player he is based on one game.
By jenny
August 12, 2006 06:36 PM | Link to this
Richt also doesn’t know that Mike Moore (redshirt freshman) is the answer to our 2nd receiver problems. He doesn’t know because Birdawg hasn’t told him yet.
By weatherdawg
August 12, 2006 07:33 PM | Link to this
Although I know it will be hard, I think Coach Richt and his staff will somehow muddle through without the “expert” advice on this blog. Whichever qb is tabbed as the starter should receive our full support and let the chips fall where they may. Go Dawgs!
By Gene Smith
August 12, 2006 09:26 PM | Link to this
I am ashamed that you have “Dawg” in your name…Where do sit at the games or have you ever been to a game…You have no idea how “others on the team” feel about anything…Get a “Life”…Go “Boo” somebody…
Gene Smith
By Carew Rowell
August 12, 2006 09:42 PM | Link to this
I just love some of you arm chair coaches. Do you think that Mark Richt would have Joe T at the number one spot if he couldn’t play. It’s ridiculous. Mark Richt is going to play whoever is going to put us in the best position to win each game. Da… I sure glad some of you are not our coach.
By Bulldog Bry
August 12, 2006 10:01 PM | Link to this
I’m sure glad I read this blog. I appreciate all the input. I didn’t know there were so many coaches that write in. (picking up on the sarcasm?)
Let me ask you this. If Joe T stinks so bad, how did he get to be #2 on the depth chart last year? By default? Then why didn’t Barnes or Cox surpass him already? I don’t know if he’ll start or not, but if he does, I’ll be pulling for him. How ‘bout you?
You Joe T bashers aren’t real fans. You’re the same armchair punks who this time last year who said we can’t win with DJ.
By chris
August 12, 2006 11:13 PM | Link to this
BIRDDAWG IS RIGHT ON!!
I have never ever witnessed a quarterback with the mediocre arm strength of Joe T. If he threw a deep route, the corners would have time to run all the way across the field to make a play on the ball. Might be Joe Cox, could be Blake, hopefully Matthew, but NEVER will the worst quarterback in georgia’s history Joe T. play more than a half!!
By BirdDawg
August 12, 2006 11:18 PM | Link to this
No, I always said we could win with DJ, in fact, I loved the fact that Richt used him and Greene both.
And you are right, I was the guy annoying the other fans for the last four years, because I was the ONLY one in the stands who loved it when DJ came into the game.
If y’all can’t seriously see that Joe T’s arm isn’t strong enough to make it in the SEC, than I’d like to borrow your ros color glasses.
I bet you are the same kind of fans who love everything Bobby Cox has ever done, give him all the credit for the million division titles y’all are so enamored with, btu then when he screws the pooch in October you blame the players, right?
I mean, it’s you same people, right? You people who can’t see the forest for the trees.
And I’m not the only one who sees that Joe T can’t cut it. Just about anyone who knows the college game is saying the same thing. Joe T will never be more than a caretaker, he can never win you the game, he can never make a difference on the field. But Stafford can, and will.
Joe T has never proven anything on the field. Stafford hasn’t either, but Stafford has something that Joe T doesn’t: immense talent. And yes, that counts for a lot.
You guys better watch out, because of your particular blindness, you’re gonna bust your nose up on quite a few Georgia pines out there.
By chris
August 12, 2006 11:40 PM | Link to this
The only reason why Joe T. has even been mentioned in the qb race is because his father is on the coaching staff.
Oh, and bulldawg bry, try to tell me that i am not a true fan when my former roomate, (I graduated), has played on the team for 2 years!!
By george
August 12, 2006 11:41 PM | Link to this
Birdawg - You have all the answers. You obviously know much more than Coach Richt (since Joe T. is our starter) and the rest of the coaching staff, much less the rest of us peon fans. We bow to you. I only hope and pray that God will give our coaching staff the wisdom and expertise that you already have, even though you get most of your information from internet blogs and not practice. If Joe T. starts and you really believe we have a more ready and capable QB at that time sitting on the bench, then I proclaim you a true moron.
By chris
August 12, 2006 11:50 PM | Link to this
maybe they should make joe t our long snapper, because that is the longest throw that he can make!!
By chris
August 13, 2006 12:02 AM | Link to this
coach richt is just trying to make joe t feel good since he is is a bulldog legacy. Read the practice reports in the next couple of weeks, Joe T will “get hurt” in practice and experience a season ending injury that will “force” coach richt to play one of the other 3 qb’s. That will allow coach richt to start one of the capable qb’s while telling the media how good Joe T “would have been”. This will allow him to keep his little family heritage intact.
By Walt
August 13, 2006 07:14 AM | Link to this
I am a graduate and partisan of that great state university in Knoxville. I wish a plague on the Bulldog nation, but in a friendly way of course.
I’d agree with the idea that Joe T. may not even start against USC or will have a very thin margin for error. USC usually plays UGA pretty tough and you don’t want an SEC loss right out of the box. What happens in the first game will tell coach Richt a lot, and even if Joe T. looks good to a lay person, he may not be ready to take on USC, although I understand that they look to be down this year on defense.
If Spurrier is able to impart a lot of knowledge to the QB the way he likes to, the game might turn into a shoot out, and I don’t see that as a good situation for Joe T.
Good luck to the Bulldogs, within reason of course.
Walt
By gtforever
August 13, 2006 09:24 AM | Link to this
Birddawg, Just like 95% of the other dawg fans! You have probably never worn a jock in your life. Just plain stupid!
By northwestDawg
August 13, 2006 11:12 AM | Link to this
IT IS AMAZING! Hi, my blog name is NORTHWESTDAWG, everyday I’m know as Buck Cochran. Just wanted to letpeople know who was posting. Joe T. is a true Dawg. He’s done EVERYTHING he’s been asked to do , and as his dad said, he was warned about going to Ga. i WOULDN’T USE WORDS THAT STRONG, BUT i THINK, AND i’VE SAID IT BEFORE, jOE T. ISN’T THE STARTER. Sr. leadership and past playing time put Joe T. at the top. After yesterday’s scrimmage, all 4 were equal or at least no one had jumped out.MR’s general words. No way Joe T. should be in that situation at this stage of his career. He’s had plenty of chance and 3 yrs. to put things together. He hasn’t yet as a QB. Team leader? Yes. Sr. leadership? yes. QB.? no. MR has said he’ll do what’s best for the team. Barnes played well yesterday but so what. he has also played some real time. Cox? After RS, I thought he would be coming on in spite of Spring Game. Greatest Arm to be on campus since? Don’t know. Football smarts? Learned enough to already be ranked even with all the rest. Up side? 4yrs. I said earlier that I believe MR said more in what he DIDN’T say than anything. Arm Chair QB? I AM AND HAVE NO REGRETS! I post my opinions based on what I think and I’m wrong and right. Right more often than not. Stafford WILL be one of the two. I know some who think MR will put th RS on him. I don’t think so. The kid has come this far so quickly so fast, I’m sticking to what I said a lllllllllllllong time ago. Stafford WILL PLAY EARLY AND OFTEN. I went over the limit for space. I apologize. I’m off to work and I’ll look forward to your opinions when I get in.
By lane4411
August 13, 2006 12:54 PM | Link to this
MR, is one of the developers of quality QB’s in the nation-look at his track record @ FSU and Athens. If memory is correct Brad Johnson, did not start @ FSU.MR, went with the QB, who was the best fit in the system.
MR, will make the right decision. The program is the best it has ever been(excluding Herschel’s yrs.)The years under Richt has been great and will get even better, everyone should should appreciate the good fortune.
JT, will not be a factor-too much air under the ball-no deep threat.
Cox, reminds me of Shockley before he settled into more of a pocket passer-with mobility. Up to the spring game, was reported he was the most accurate passer. The 4 ints.in the spring game, was most unfortunate. Richt indicated the other day, that Cox did not have total grasp of the offense, which i thought was and odd comment.
Barnes, has a grasp of the offense and a relatively strong arm - praised by Richt earlier in the week.
Stafford appeared to be heavy legged and overweight in the spring and questionable grasp of the offense - however he has the cannon!!!!
MR, made the comment that he has never been impressed with a big arm - takes the entire package
Believe Richt will settle on the most accurate passer, with the best grasp of the offense and someone who makes quality decisions.
At the end of last year felt Shockley was better in all categories than Green had been. Prior to last year he horrified me with his lack of discipline, tragedy he did not have another year of eligibility. Feel Shockley will be very good at the professional level.
MR, has a difficult decision to make-rather he than me!!!
My opinion, Barnes will start, with Stafford in the wings- eventually taking over- concern about Stafford is his weight/mobility and ability to play within the system.
Above is only and opinion - time will tell
By Skydawg
August 13, 2006 02:25 PM | Link to this
I’m not going to sit here and say Joe T. will win the job, but I will say this. According to Rivals.com, Joe T. was the 10th ranked Pro-style QB in the class of 2002 and a 4-star prospect. Now I know that doesnt mean squat today, but evidently someone thought high of his talents. But ya know what, when you have 4 QB’s who were all ranked in the top 10 in the country when they were recruited, you are going to hvae tough decisions to make. It only speaks highly of Mark Richt and the faith these athletes have in him and knowing full well that if you come to UGA, you are going to have to compete for your job. All I can say is that whoever wins the job, you can trust that they won the job. Because until Mark Richt proves to me that he can’t make the right decision on a QB (of which he hasnt so far), I have full faith that the right man will be placed on the field. All this speculation if great and fun for the bloggers, but I can guarantee there is no other team in the country that has this problem right now. Its a good problem to have people. So just sit back, let things work themselves out and the best man will win the job. If he slips up then there are 3 more very capable QB’s in the wings. We are just now starting to see the Mark Richt Era take shape, and there will be many more position battles like this in the future. That happens when you continually bring in top 5 classes in recruiting. Sit back and enjoy the ride because the Dawgs are just now hitting there stride. And by the way, I said it here first, this has the potential to be the best defense we’ve had at UGA since Richt took over. Don’t listen to the nay-sayers about our DB situation. We have studs back there once again and our corners will be shutdown corners and yes one will be a true freshman.
By Skydawg
August 13, 2006 02:26 PM | Link to this
I’m not going to sit here and say Joe T. will win the job, but I will say this. According to Rivals.com, Joe T. was the 10th ranked Pro-style QB in the class of 2002 and a 4-star prospect. Now I know that doesnt mean squat today, but evidently someone thought high of his talents. But ya know what, when you have 4 QB’s who were all ranked in the top 10 in the country when they were recruited, you are going to hvae tough decisions to make. It only speaks highly of Mark Richt and the faith these athletes have in him and knowing full well that if you come to UGA, you are going to have to compete for your job. All I can say is that whoever wins the job, you can trust that they won the job. Because until Mark Richt proves to me that he can’t make the right decision on a QB (of which he hasnt so far), I have full faith that the right man will be placed on the field. All this speculation if great and fun for the bloggers, but I can guarantee there is no other team in the country that has this problem right now. Its a good problem to have people. So just sit back, let things work themselves out and the best man will win the job. If he slips up then there are 3 more very capable QB’s in the wings. We are just now starting to see the Mark Richt Era take shape, and there will be many more position battles like this in the future. That happens when you continually bring in top 5 classes in recruiting. Sit back and enjoy the ride because the Dawgs are just now hitting their stride. And by the way, I said it here first, this has the potential to be the best defense we’ve had at UGA since Richt took over. Don’t listen to the nay-sayers about our DB situation. We have studs back there once again and our corners will be shutdown corners and yes one will be a true freshman.
By j
August 13, 2006 02:28 PM | Link to this
bet u guys wish u had Reggie GO JACKETS
By Skydawg
August 13, 2006 02:29 PM | Link to this
Oops..sorry for double post..didnt even hit button twice but oh well.
By BirdDawg
August 13, 2006 04:33 PM | Link to this
Having Reggie Ball is like having no QB at all.
NorthwestDawg, you are absolutely right!
If Joe T has had FOUR YEARS to make himself ready, and he is still competing with a RS Sophmore, RS Freshman, and TRUE Freshman for a job he should have sewn up in January, then by what rights should any of us have any kind of confidence in him.
Thinks how it makes the guys on the team feel.
You guys can say all you want about me. But the team has chosen sides in this debate. Whether you want to believe it or not, they have. Every member of that team has a guy they have more confidence in. For some, it’s Joe T. For most, it’s Barnes or Stafford.
And for you guys who believe that it’s Mark Richt’s fault that Joe T had a bad game against Florida ‘cause Richt called a conservative game, did you every stop to think why Coach called a conservative game? Did you every stop and use your brains to put two and two together; that he did so because he knows that Joe T couldn’t possibly run the offense like Green and Shock could?
And as for Coach taking the blame… that’s what he does! He is not Darth Visor. He doesn’t lay his QBs out to dry! He takes it on himself to take the pressure off them!
Joe T had 3+ years to know the offense last year, and still, the Coach had no confidence in him to run the offense. Because he has no arm. Because he floats the ball in there.
You people think what you want to think, that’s okay by me. But I know football. I can read between the lines here, read between what Coach has said and is saying and isn’t saying about Joe T. And more importantly, I saw the Florida game last year. I was there! The only reason for Coach to call that game for a RS Junior is because that RS Junior couldn’t get it done.
You people have got to open your eyes and ears!
By Reasonable Dawg
August 13, 2006 06:02 PM | Link to this
Think about what Birddawg said. MR was more aggressive with DJ Shockley in ‘02 when he was a rs fresh.
Also, did he ever sub in Joe T for future experience in the middle of games the way he did with Shockley when Greene was qb. Maybe that trust was not there sorry to say.
By northwestDawg
August 13, 2006 07:17 PM | Link to this
It’s great to come in from work and read the type of posts I’ve just read. There was one other comment made by MR that I forgot to mentioned this morning. He threw a one lineer in his comments about going with his gut feelings. Not exact words but right on his idea. What didn’t he say? don’t you think that with all his years of coaching QBs that he’s already begun forming a gut opinion? Has anyone ever heard him talk that way? I haven’t. I’ll bet he’s already decided that his gut says one of the two will be Stafford. I’ve listed my reasons so no need to be redundant. The other one? lane 4411 may have it. Barnes showing in the last week may have put a little bee in MRs bonnet. Yes, if Barnes continues to improve, he be the second QB chosen. Predict the Stafford will be the starter early on into the season. By the way, in all my years reporting sports and time since no one has ever defined the term “heavy legged”. What does that mean?
By Lane4411
August 13, 2006 08:58 PM | Link to this
Equates to being slow - not necessarily having large legs. Staffords legs, look like tree trunks. Told, I was heavy legged in the 10th grade-later came to realize that was complimentary, i was slower than death.
Feel compassion for Joe T, he has desire and loyalty but not the skill level/arm strength. Under Richt and the quality of players he recruits, requires a ton of ability to get playing time.
Additionally, feel it would be a grave mistake for Cox, to stay. He could start immediately for someone like Duke-think he has great potential, but not as much as Stafford. Richt showed his personal discipline by not playing Cox against Florida last year and also did Cox a big favor.
Richt is such a great coach and developer of quarterbacks and players overall. Truly believe that the vast majority of players feel very privledged to be in this system. If they dont they should.
By northwestDawg
August 13, 2006 11:55 PM | Link to this
Lane 4411, I predicted a couple of months ago that Cox would transfer. Last week he said the right things, which he had to, and I thought maybe he WAS staying. I do agree that for his sake, if he’s not one of the top two, it would make sense for him to go. I also have said that he would get NO disrespect from me. It’s a hard decision for a young guy to make but I hope he does. I was as slow as a rock going up hill but was very quick with the 1st two steps. Am I wrong to take the description of Stafford refers to his running speed not his foot quickness in the pocket. Is that right? His foot quickness in the pocket is all he needs. MR won’t have him running options or QB draw plays, but, he’ll need to move around in that pocket and dump passes when in trouble.