Let me make it clear that I don't think you can read too much into a Spring Game that is this early with a new OC and a format that made it very difficult on the QBs - rotating on every series and sacked with just a touch. However, I do think we saw enough to make a distinction among the QBs.
McCrary - lets get it out of the way first. I don't think JM ever sees the field again for Vandy. I think he will be 4th string when the team starts formal practices again in the summer. He was a disaster yesterday. Overthrew a wide open receiver running down the middle of the field. Threw 2 horrendous picks right into the coverage. All the downsides we have heard about JM were front and center yesterday.
Robinette - I thought he looked a little better throwing the ball yesterday. Looked most comfortable of the 4 QBs, which is to be expected, given his experience. Never threw any intermediate or deep balls, but was pretty accurate and Woods really let him down on the first series. Weatherly ate him up on the botched screen pass, but that was more about Weatherly being a bit of a freak. I think we know what we will get with Robinette - grit, determination, game management.
Freebeck - I thought he looked best of the 4 QBs. Made a beautiful throw down the field to Kentera and should have had a long TD pass on the next play but Sims coughed it up. He had a few sacks that wouldn't be sacks in a real game that kept putting him in 2nd or 3rd and longs which allowed the DL to tee off. His biggest problem was he was a little late delivering the ball, but that would likely be fixed with more repetitions in the new offense. Clearly, the biggest arm of the QBs.
Stankavage - his game was totally minimized by the touch-sack rule. He was clearly the most elusive of the QBs and looks like he could extend plays and make plays with his feet. He would be a very interesting change of pace QB or he may be the right guy if the the OL doesn't improve. Didn't appear to have a very strong arm, but he needs to be the mix this year.
What I would like to see would be to give Freebeck 70% of the reps and Stankavage/Robinette the remaining reps going forward. Freebeck is the guy that can be a difference maker, but he needs the majority of the reps in practice to get him more comfortable and able to make quicker decisions. If they can get Freebeck game ready as THE guy, he clearly has the most upside. Let Robinette and Stankavage split the rest of the reps as there is a potential role for both of them in games. Encourage McCrary to move on.
Now, I expect them to go with Robinette because he is more of a sure thing. Lower ceiling but higher floor. CDM can't afford another disaster season and PR probably gives him a better chance to win 4-5 games.
Thoughts?
McCrary - lets get it out of the way first. I don't think JM ever sees the field again for Vandy. I think he will be 4th string when the team starts formal practices again in the summer. He was a disaster yesterday. Overthrew a wide open receiver running down the middle of the field. Threw 2 horrendous picks right into the coverage. All the downsides we have heard about JM were front and center yesterday.
Robinette - I thought he looked a little better throwing the ball yesterday. Looked most comfortable of the 4 QBs, which is to be expected, given his experience. Never threw any intermediate or deep balls, but was pretty accurate and Woods really let him down on the first series. Weatherly ate him up on the botched screen pass, but that was more about Weatherly being a bit of a freak. I think we know what we will get with Robinette - grit, determination, game management.
Freebeck - I thought he looked best of the 4 QBs. Made a beautiful throw down the field to Kentera and should have had a long TD pass on the next play but Sims coughed it up. He had a few sacks that wouldn't be sacks in a real game that kept putting him in 2nd or 3rd and longs which allowed the DL to tee off. His biggest problem was he was a little late delivering the ball, but that would likely be fixed with more repetitions in the new offense. Clearly, the biggest arm of the QBs.
Stankavage - his game was totally minimized by the touch-sack rule. He was clearly the most elusive of the QBs and looks like he could extend plays and make plays with his feet. He would be a very interesting change of pace QB or he may be the right guy if the the OL doesn't improve. Didn't appear to have a very strong arm, but he needs to be the mix this year.
What I would like to see would be to give Freebeck 70% of the reps and Stankavage/Robinette the remaining reps going forward. Freebeck is the guy that can be a difference maker, but he needs the majority of the reps in practice to get him more comfortable and able to make quicker decisions. If they can get Freebeck game ready as THE guy, he clearly has the most upside. Let Robinette and Stankavage split the rest of the reps as there is a potential role for both of them in games. Encourage McCrary to move on.
Now, I expect them to go with Robinette because he is more of a sure thing. Lower ceiling but higher floor. CDM can't afford another disaster season and PR probably gives him a better chance to win 4-5 games.
Thoughts?
