The only thing that Sheridan does better than Threet is throw the screen, which drives me crazy because it's such a vital yet fairly basic throw to make.
Prediction: if Threet continues to throw 90 mph fastballs behind the receivers on screens, then he does not win the starting QB job next season.
Threet's biggest problem is he can't throw a screen pass. Yesterday Sheridan showed how to execute those, and we saw how critical it is to lead the receiver with med/low velocity on the ball. In contrast Threet has consistently thrown these behind the receiver, often a 90 mph fastball. The difference in result is a 2-3 yard gain plus whatever the receiver can do in space, versus 0 to negative yards with the possibility of a turnover if backward pass.
Sheridan trying to force things and make plays beyond his capability = DEATH. Threet playing hurt and/or attempting a screen = DEATH. Sheridan w/ ball protection + Feagin >>>>>> a healthy Threet.
Today I applaud Sheridan and the entire team for playing a complete game, up to expectations given the talent and experience level. Ok, so Sheridan and the receivers lucked out on a couple of throws that the gophers couldn't make a play on either. So what? Should we all stoop down to Drew Sharp's level and use this victory to whine more about what could have been? Instead, maybe this win should make us all settle down, step away from the cliff, put the razor blade down -- and ponder the exciting possibilities down the road (minus Threet, minus Sheridan, plus a real dual threat QB with Feagin in the slot where he should be). On defense I saw a lot of 4-2-5, which should be the BASE package, given the poor state of the linebacker play. Steve Brown and Charles Stewart are pretty scary at times, but you don't have to be Gsimmons to identify your best chance of success -- make the QB beat you while under pressure from front 4, and add a blitz here and there. Of all the bitching going on about Rich Rod, Shafer, and rest of the coaching staff, the only hard evidence against them this season is their inability to recognize this weakness, and somehow think that a 3 man front is even an option, given their personnel. I hate to speculate too much, but I wonder if the 3-3-5 scheme in the Purdue game was a temporary loss of faith in Shafer by Rich Rod, somewhat panic-induced by the mounting criticism he's been facing.
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Sheridan trying to force things and make plays beyond his capability = DEATH. Threet playing hurt and/or attempting a screen = DEATH. Sheridan w/ ball protection + Feagin >>>>>> a healthy Threet.
Today I applaud Sheridan and the entire team for playing a complete game, up to expectations given the talent and experience level. Ok, so Sheridan and the receivers lucked out on a couple of throws that the gophers couldn't make a play on either. So what? Should we all stoop down to Drew Sharp's level and use this victory to whine more about what could have been? Instead, maybe this win should make us all settle down, step away from the cliff, put the razor blade down -- and ponder the exciting possibilities down the road (minus Threet, minus Sheridan, plus a real dual threat QB with Feagin in the slot where he should be). On defense I saw a lot of 4-2-5, which should be the BASE package, given the poor state of the linebacker play. Steve Brown and Charles Stewart are pretty scary at times, but you don't have to be Gsimmons to identify your best chance of success -- make the QB beat you while under pressure from front 4, and add a blitz here and there. Of all the bitching going on about Rich Rod, Shafer, and rest of the coaching staff, the only hard evidence against them this season is their inability to recognize this weakness, and somehow think that a 3 man front is even an option, given their personnel. I hate to speculate too much, but I wonder if the 3-3-5 scheme in the Purdue game was a temporary loss of faith in Shafer by Rich Rod, somewhat panic-induced by the mounting criticism he's been facing.