Can someone explain to me why Merklinger or MacIntyre can't be QB1?

[SayUWantAreVOLution]

100% agree with this...if we are bringing in a seasoned started from another school, it is to start here and not compete for the role.

Of course they're not nor would any seasoned QB CONSIDER transferring in if Nico were still here.

It's not a slight on Merk and G-Mac. The plan was for them to sit and learn because they aren't ready. If one of them is forced to start, it's not optimal for UT.

 

[the_todd]

Opinions on VN are that Nico was "mid" yet Merk last year and through Spring practices couldn't separate himself and surpass Nico.

G-Mac in Spring practice seemed no better than Merk and has zero snaps in a college game as of yet.

There's a whole contingent saying Nico was the 9th best QB in the SEC last year yet neither Merk nor G-Mac could blow him away in practice.

Ask yourself, why couldn't Merk, at least, distinguish himself above Nico if Nico is the 9th best QB in the SEC?

Honest opinions are that Nico already had a year in the system before merk got here, that’s probably why he didn’t separate

The whole contingent saying Nico was the 9th best is supported by stats. Again, see my first sentence.

Again, Nico had more than a yr headstart on Merk. So ask yourself, why couldn’t Nico separate himself even farther from Merk, when reports came out that Merk made big strides during spring practice (still having more than a yr less time in the same system)

 

[NCFisher]

Yeah and at the time half the volnation experts were pissed that Hendon wa whetting the mop up snaps instead of Harrison Bailey.

Even more, I recall criticism of Hooker as a wash out from VaTech who wouldn't cut it in the SEC.

It's tough being a fan coach.

 

[SayUWantAreVOLution]

Honest opinions are that Nico already had a year in the system before merk got here, that’s probably why he didn’t separate

The whole contingent saying Nico was the 9th best is supported by stats. Again, see my first sentence.

Again, Nico had more than a yr headstart on Merk. So ask yourself, why couldn’t Nico separate himself even farther from Merk, when reports came out that Merk made big strides during spring practice (still having more than a yr less time in the same system)

That's all true which is why I bristle at "why can't Merk give us what Nico would?" Experience, more time in the system, and a higher ceiling.

Merk might ball out and that's great but it wasn't the plan for a good reason. No amount of insisting "he's ready" makes it more likely than it was before Nico left.

 

[SayUWantAreVOLution]

Even more, I recall criticism of Hooker as a wash out from VaTech who wouldn't cut it in the SEC. It's tough being a fan coach.

I recall the guy on VN who said he'd been involved with Maurer and that he needed to be given a chance just like Bailey.

But I do remember those first "introduce the QBs" videos. Joe Milton did look like a grown a** man next to the other guys.

 

[LegionnaireOfTheMiserable]

Milton played 4 quarters against BG and 1 against Pitt.
That's why I think it ridiculous to assert, against that sampling size, Heupel would have never sat Milton.

And then he played 12 games and wasn’t benched even when he got hurt

 

[Batman1948]

Can someone please explain to me why it seems like both national media and local media think there is just no way that a redshirt freshman who was the 13th best QB or true freshman who was 17th best QB just don't stand a chance this year? I get that they are "unproven" but I mean did Nico really prove much last year? His numbers were not great and everyone would point to that. Did he have the physical tools? Sure, but so did Joe Milton and he just could never put it together in three years in the program. Why is everyone so sure Nico would have but these other highly ranked guys couldn't. Why do we need to go get some "proven guy" with maybe a year under his belt in a different system to come in and start over a guy who will have been here a year and a half by the time the season starts. So basically if your not a five start you need at least three years in the system to be good? It's like people wanting you to have experience for the job but if you never get the opportunity to get experience how can you ever prove yourself? I'm just so sick of this narrative that they will be this huge drop off from Nico. I'm not buying it. They can do good. They can lead us to wins. Why in the world would you come here as a highly ranked QB if you couldn't do the job. Why did we bring them in if they can't do the job? How many great QBs have we seen that were ranked where those two were out of high school or lower. Why can't they do it? Why do they need to sit three years before they can do it? Sorry I'll quit ranting. These guys can produce this year. I believe it. I hope one of them goes out and proves absolutely everyone wrong. Go Vols!

Merk has the build to withstand the rigors of an SEC is way too thin schedule and probably has a good grasp of our offense. GMac doesn't have the build to stand up to the SEC schedule. He could get seriously hurt by taking some hits.

On the other hand, it may be impossible to play in the SEC with just two QB's. Too many variables

 

[The_Big_Orange]

QBs can be head cases in general. Throwing one out there too early can ruin them.

 

[NCFisher]

And then he played 12 games and wasn’t benched even when he got hurt

So now you're saying he should have been benched for Nico? Because he was dinged up or because Nico would have been a better option?

 

[DaddyChad]

Can someone please explain to me why it seems like both national media and local media think there is just no way that a redshirt freshman who was the 13th best QB or true freshman who was 17th best QB just don't stand a chance this year? I get that they are "unproven" but I mean did Nico really prove much last year? His numbers were not great and everyone would point to that. Did he have the physical tools? Sure, but so did Joe Milton and he just could never put it together in three years in the program. Why is everyone so sure Nico would have but these other highly ranked guys couldn't. Why do we need to go get some "proven guy" with maybe a year under his belt in a different system to come in and start over a guy who will have been here a year and a half by the time the season starts. So basically if your not a five start you need at least three years in the system to be good? It's like people wanting you to have experience for the job but if you never get the opportunity to get experience how can you ever prove yourself? I'm just so sick of this narrative that they will be this huge drop off from Nico. I'm not buying it. They can do good. They can lead us to wins. Why in the world would you come here as a highly ranked QB if you couldn't do the job. Why did we bring them in if they can't do the job? How many great QBs have we seen that were ranked where those two were out of high school or lower. Why can't they do it? Why do they need to sit three years before they can do it? Sorry I'll quit ranting. These guys can produce this year. I believe it. I hope one of them goes out and proves absolutely everyone wrong. Go Vols!

GMac’s issue is size honestly. That dude cannot get hit much in SEC play. His legs are freaking toothpicks right now. He needs a year. Merk is a redshirt freshman. Sure he can play but would be nice to have a veteran when you’re at Bama or Florida and a young player gets shell shocked in those environments.

Freshman or redshirt freshman in the Swamp…..what could go wrong there?

 

[LegionnaireOfTheMiserable]

And, if true, that's lousy coaching.

I recall Magic Johnson telling the story of being on some kind of college all star team with Larry Bird. They are both on the bench talking because the coach, Joe B Hall, started KY players instead of them even though they were the best two players in the country. It's not that I ever cared for KY or Hall but what a piece of trash coach.

If money and hype override skill and execution, your team won't make it to the top.

Well the one time he had an open competition, he picked the wrong guy.

 

[cgrish]

Can someone please explain to me why it seems like both national media and local media think there is just no way that a redshirt freshman who was the 13th best QB or true freshman who was 17th best QB just don't stand a chance this year? I get that they are "unproven" but I mean did Nico really prove much last year? His numbers were not great and everyone would point to that. Did he have the physical tools? Sure, but so did Joe Milton and he just could never put it together in three years in the program. Why is everyone so sure Nico would have but these other highly ranked guys couldn't. Why do we need to go get some "proven guy" with maybe a year under his belt in a different system to come in and start over a guy who will have been here a year and a half by the time the season starts. So basically if your not a five start you need at least three years in the system to be good? It's like people wanting you to have experience for the job but if you never get the opportunity to get experience how can you ever prove yourself? I'm just so sick of this narrative that they will be this huge drop off from Nico. I'm not buying it. They can do good. They can lead us to wins. Why in the world would you come here as a highly ranked QB if you couldn't do the job. Why did we bring them in if they can't do the job? How many great QBs have we seen that were ranked where those two were out of high school or lower. Why can't they do it? Why do they need to sit three years before they can do it? Sorry I'll quit ranting. These guys can produce this year. I beitlieve it. I hope one of them goes out and proves absolutely everyone wrong. Go Vols!

I feel the same as you on this. Go with what we have. I don't think either of then would do worse than Nico. Nico's stats came from weak teams. He did not do very well at all in sec. In 8 games, 9 td, and 4 of them were against Vandy. So in 7 of the other games, 5 td in 7 games. It does not take very much to beat this. Give the 4 stars a chance, or don't recruit them. We do need another back up qb. I wished Moore was still here.

 

[ochocinco]

Because they are here. We only want players that aren’t here. If they were in the portal we’d be drooling over their high school recruiting profiles.

 

[cgrish]

GMac’s issue is size honestly. That dude cannot get hit much in SEC play. His legs are freaking toothpicks right now. He needs a year. Merk is a redshirt freshman. Sure he can play but would be nice to have a veteran when you’re at Bama or Florida and a young player gets shell shocked in those environments.

Freshman or redshirt freshman in the Swamp…..what could go wrong there?

Nico was a redshirt freshman also. Just what veteran are you looking at? Remember Nico put up some very good numbers against the weak teams. Go with one of the ones we have and get a back up

 

[LegionnaireOfTheMiserable]

So now you're saying he should have been benched for Nico? Because he was dinged up or because Nico would have been a better option?

In that particular instance against UTSA, he shouldn’t have played after he got hurt. We were up big. Then he stinks up the joint and let them get back into it.

However, I will say that we saw in September that Joe was not the answer, and every game he played after that was a wasted of reps for Nico. I absolutely believe Nico should have played, not because he was great, but because Joe wasn’t good enough and never would be.

 

[#1fulmerite]

Opinions on VN are that Nico was "mid" yet Merk last year and through Spring practices couldn't separate himself and surpass Nico.

G-Mac in Spring practice seemed no better than Merk and has zero snaps in a college game as of yet.

There's a whole contingent saying Nico was the 9th best QB in the SEC last year yet neither Merk nor G-Mac could blow him away in practice.

Ask yourself, why couldn't Merk, at least, distinguish himself above Nico if Nico is the 9th best QB in the SEC?

Because they weren’t being paid $8 million.

UT was going to get their money’s worth just like you and I.

 

[DaddyChad]

Nico was a redshirt freshman also. Just what veteran are you looking at? Remember Nico put up some very good numbers against the weak teams. Go with one of the ones we have and get a back up

Favorable home schedule last season. Remind me again how he fared on the road?

Again I have no issue with Merk or Mac. Both are going to be good qbs. I’m just not sure they’re ready right now and this team is a contender if we can figure out the qb position.

 

[Majors]

Can someone please explain to me why it seems like both national media and local media think there is just no way that a redshirt freshman who was the 13th best QB or true freshman who was 17th best QB just don't stand a chance this year? I get that they are "unproven" but I mean did Nico really prove much last year? His numbers were not great and everyone would point to that. Did he have the physical tools? Sure, but so did Joe Milton and he just could never put it together in three years in the program. Why is everyone so sure Nico would have but these other highly ranked guys couldn't. Why do we need to go get some "proven guy" with maybe a year under his belt in a different system to come in and start over a guy who will have been here a year and a half by the time the season starts. So basically if your not a five start you need at least three years in the system to be good? It's like people wanting you to have experience for the job but if you never get the opportunity to get experience how can you ever prove yourself? I'm just so sick of this narrative that they will be this huge drop off from Nico. I'm not buying it. They can do good. They can lead us to wins. Why in the world would you come here as a highly ranked QB if you couldn't do the job. Why did we bring them in if they can't do the job? How many great QBs have we seen that were ranked where those two were out of high school or lower. Why can't they do it? Why do they need to sit three years before they can do it? Sorry I'll quit ranting. These guys can produce this year. I believe it. I hope one of them goes out and proves absolutely everyone wrong. Go Vols!

George is small
Merklinger in his limited action was mediocre

It’s not too hard to understand

 

[cgrish]

George is small
Merklinger in his limited action was mediocre

It’s not too hard to understand

And Nico was not medicore? He was medicore

 

[cgrish]

They haven't done much to prove they can. Nivo had a good showing in the bowl game and honestly I think he was a better QB than Merk at this point. I think GMac has a ton of potential like Nico but he's a bean pole and has very little college experience.

DISCLAIMER: They could look completely different in 4 months.

They were already expecting to sit behind Nico for 1or 2 seasons. It only makes sense to get an upperclassmen with experience in understanding defenses and hopefully some familiarity with our scheme to compete with them.

And who might that be at this point?

 

[cgrish]

Opinions on VN are that Nico was "mid" yet Merk last year and through Spring practices couldn't separate himself and surpass Nico.

G-Mac in Spring practice seemed no better than Merk and has zero snaps in a college game as of yet.

There's a whole contingent saying Nico was the 9th best QB in the SEC last year yet neither Merk nor G-Mac could blow him away in practice.

Ask yourself, why couldn't Merk, at least, distinguish himself above Nico if Nico is the 9th best QB in the SEC?

From everything I read about spring practice, both Merk and G-Mac were doing better in spring practice. They were hitting on the passes and Nico very inaccurate. This comes from reports of the spring training, even before the news broke about Nico and talks going on. Hype was not going to give anyone a chance while Nico was here, just as Milton was going to be the starting qb when he was here.

 

[Majors]

And Nico was not medicore? He was medicore

He wasn’t good enough to over come the challenges of a slow WR group. But yes, mediocre.

 

[njvols]

Can they? Yes

Are they the best option compared to all the currently and soon to be available QBs from the portal? Probably not.

2025 was supposed to be the year when we had an experienced QB leading the team. Most successful teams now have older QBs. Simply put: Merk and GMac are just young and inexperienced, like Nico last year. You see how that turned out.

Agree. Nico or no, win now is the real deal.

 

[chas]

well i ben around for awhile i remember 1994 we lost the top two QB and a true freshman took over in the 4 or 5 game that year and never let anyone elese have till after his senior season . and folks that was PEYTON MANNING. so it can be done just have faith the head man recuited to his need and we will be O.K. and GO BIG ORANGE.

 

[BruisedOrange]

How in the world do they ever get experience? Basically the way everyone talks about it you shouldn't even come here to play QB. You should transfer in. Because you don't get experience here because we apparently don't think you should do that here. We need it before you play. I just have a hard time wrapping my head around that.

It's as much about practice experience.

Once you get within 3 weeks of start of the season, the starting QB gets (at least, it used to be) 80% of the snaps in practice! The 2nd and 3rd string QBs aren't going to get many snaps with the 1st team offense, or going against the 1st team defense.

Spring practice is (traditionally) where the younger or developing QBs get the most time working with starters.

There are basically two ways to make up for losing a starter. A QB with less arm but who knows the offense and can read the field can make up for his pass velocity by mental quickness and anticipation. Or, you can have a gunslinging arm who makes up for his slower on field decision-making by zipping a faster pass to the receiver.

Heupel's experience tells him what realistic expectations by Fall would be for Merk and GMac. I think he will find a good blend of arm & brain, and that the competition between Merk and "Newby" will be real by August... and might even take some actual game time to determine the starter going foreward.