POLL: TO BENCH OR NOT TO BENCH JG - POST WEEK 2 (merged)

[tnvols72]

From Pro Football Focus (a service that analyzes college games for pro prospects, below is the start of their report on the UT offense vs. BYU):

Let’s start with Guarantano, who graded out as the team’s least productive offensive starter Saturday. Against BYU, Guarantano really struggled on throws between the numbers, going 9 of 18 for 113 yards with two touchdowns — both tipped passes — an interception and a dropped interception. On throws outside the hashes, Guarantano was 8 of 8 for 65 yards. He also had two "throw aways." The stats show the difficult dilemma for Jim Chaney, as Jauan Jennings has been fantastic so far this season but he does all his best work between the numbers where Guarantano is really struggling right now.

So I don't analyze film for fun in my spare time, and haven't to this point in time given any particular attention to the specifics of how JG throws, but per this report he is better at sideline passes than over the middle, which I find very interesting. I assume a lot of the "outside the hash" passes were of the behind the line variety, but certainly some were down the field.

Given that this is a specific defect of his, I would think/hope specific emphasis might be placed on throwing over the middle (especially to JJ) in practice and/or the game Saturday might help.

Thoughts?

he sucks and Tn has no shot at winning a game with him at QB

 

[BleedinOrange98]

He threw one out wide to the left in the redzone to Quez and it was almost pick sixed. It was thrown late of course. Not sure I buy the 8 for 8 stat.

 

[TJVol95]

The coaches seem shocked how bad he is in games. He’s some world beater in practice.

 

[The_Big_Orange]

He needs Kiffen like Crompton did. Eerily the same scenario. Not necessarily a big Kiffen fan but he def needs a horse whisperer in his life right now.

 

[m1al]

Backs up what we all saw. He had a bad game. Late on several throws between the hashes.

The same scoring system had him ranked top 25 in the NCAA before the year and has consistently touted his performance.

So what round is he drafted in slick?

You remind me of d4h.....

 

[thegasman54]

He needs Kiffen like Crompton did. Eerily the same scenario. Not necessarily a big Kiffen fan but he def needs a horse whisperer in his life right now.

Have any idea who was Kiffins OC and QB coach ?

 

[Volatility]

He needs Kiffen like Crompton did. Eerily the same scenario. Not necessarily a big Kiffen fan but he def needs a horse whisperer in his life right now.

I have no idea if Chaney or Kiffin was responsible for his senior year, but I would love to see JG have a renaissance like Crompton did when he played Georgia.

 

[TNHopeful505]

It's obvious he is scared to throw across the middle of the field for fear of getting picked. But it makes it hard for receivers to get any YAC if they're pinned on the sidelines. I truly believe kid is playing for stats and not to win. He is trying to make safe plays and not the best play.

 

[HooahVol]

One thing for me is certain, the game is in his head now. That Georgia State loss shattered what little confidence he might have had. He now hesitates too long, makes the "safe" decision, and just looks overall beat. The worse he plays, the further down the rabbit hole he goes. Maybe a couple of good plays against Chattanooga boosts his confidence some but at this point I truly feel Tennessee needs to invest in a sports psychologist for the kid.

 

[DoyleMcOrange]

..shell shocked. .

He looks as bad to me as he looked last year.

 

[ABINGDON VOL FAN]

One thing for me is certain, the game is in his head now. That Georgia State loss shattered what little confidence he might have had. He now hesitates too long, makes the "safe" decision, and just looks overall beat. The worse he plays, the further down the rabbit hole he goes. Maybe a couple of good plays against Chattanooga boosts his confidence some but at this point I truly feel Tennessee needs to invest in a sports psychologist for the kid.

Coaches should be his psychologists. We need a leader at Qb, not a snowflake who needs to operate in a “safe place”

 

[Sara Clark]

I think he would benefit from a sports psychologist.

 

[fullmetalvol]

What difference does it make? He wasn't able to do it against two of the easier teams on our schedule. Just because he looks slightly improved against an FCS team doesn't mean he will be able to maintain that level of play against an SEC defense. It's going to be painful.

Im not at all believer he can get it done! He has spent most of his career squashed into the ground on every play by opposing defenses to the point I think he has PTSD (post traumatic squashed disorder). Pruitt is saying he is still the starter, I'm just saying his leash should be short. I do agree, it's gonna be painful.

 

[ABINGDON VOL FAN]

I think he would benefit from a sports psychologist.

LOL

 

[HooahVol]

They do work. Remember when Braves pitcher John Smoltz game turned a complete 180 degrees after seeing Jack H Llewellyn, the famous sports psychologist in Atlanta. While I generally agree that kids these days struggle with little things I would not include playing in front of 100,000 people on national television a little thing.

 

[jwilliams]

I'd be curious what the routes were on those passes outside the hashes. Were they comebacks and flats (I assume) or were they fly/corner, or even out routes? I'm no expert on QB play, but I suspect he's padding his stats with the "easier" routes. It's like he has the timing down on the comeback routes, but nothing else, in these first 2 games.

 

[davethevol]

He has the physical tools to be a top level QB. It does sound like the pressure has gotten to him. Remember how Crompton got it turned around for the Georgia game and just destroyed them? Hopefully JG makes the same turnaround, especially as he’s not getting removed.

 

[UT-Rex]

They do work. Remember when Braves pitcher John Smoltz game turned a complete 180 degrees after seeing Jack H Llewellyn, the famous sports psychologist in Atlanta. While I generally agree that kids these days struggle with little things I would not include playing in front of 100,000 people on national television a little thing.

Can you prove to us that his dad, over the years, has not already covered these basics.

Maybe the coaches (having not fielded an OL these recent years) just feel obligated to give him more opportunity to shine with more time in the pocket (and we saw some of that (more/sufficient time in the pocket), against BYU).

 

[JMSqb11]

Another good stat on JG:

His offenses have scored more than 24 points vs FBS teams just 3 times in his 2+ years of starting. We are 1-2 in those games.

He’s the type of QB who can’t win a game and needs the defense to play above average constantly.

Not good.

 

[Duckyvol59]

I'm not nor have ever been a JG fan but it seems if he would run more it may open up some passing lanes. As it is now he drops back the opponents fans cheer and TN fans say oh crap what's he going to screw up this time. If you are not going to replace him and his arm and brain aren't working to gets us wins, try his feet

 

[beamerman]

I think he would benefit from a sports psychologist.

Certainly helped John Smoltz and he will agree.

 

[Billy Ratliff]

Throw everything down the seam to JJ til (unless) he figures out how to pull the trigger and not be late on everything.

 

[westennvol]

I would think JJ would have a sit down talk with him by now.

 

[FLVOL_79]

From Pro Football Focus (a service that analyzes college games for pro prospects, below is the start of their report on the UT offense vs. BYU):

Let’s start with Guarantano, who graded out as the team’s least productive offensive starter Saturday. Against BYU, Guarantano really struggled on throws between the numbers, going 9 of 18 for 113 yards with two touchdowns — both tipped passes — an interception and a dropped interception. On throws outside the hashes, Guarantano was 8 of 8 for 65 yards. He also had two "throw aways." The stats show the difficult dilemma for Jim Chaney, as Jauan Jennings has been fantastic so far this season but he does all his best work between the numbers where Guarantano is really struggling right now.

So I don't analyze film for fun in my spare time, and haven't to this point in time given any particular attention to the specifics of how JG throws, but per this report he is better at sideline passes than over the middle, which I find very interesting. I assume a lot of the "outside the hash" passes were of the behind the line variety, but certainly some were down the field.

Given that this is a specific defect of his, I would think/hope specific emphasis might be placed on throwing over the middle (especially to JJ) in practice and/or the game Saturday might help.

Thoughts?

Yep..hence the high completion rate and super low yards/TD's/INT's. He can throw the easy safe ball. Thats it.

 

[FLVOL_79]

Another good stat on JG:

His offenses have scored more than 24 points vs FBS teams just 3 times in his 2+ years of starting. We are 1-2 in those games.

He’s the type of QB who can’t win a game and needs the defense to play above average constantly.

Not good.

When JG is your QB the defense has to score points to beat the other teams offense.