Merklinger as QB

#51
#51
Same. So whack dude. GMac needs the reps too cause we’re screwed if Heup tries to trot Merk out there. He just looks like he has no confidence when he’s out there.
The only way you burn Gmac's Redshirt is if Joey gets hurt.
 
#52
#52
The only way you burn Gmac's Redshirt is if Joey gets hurt.
He can play in 4 games and still get a redshirt. There aren’t many opportunities left this season for him to get live game reps. Really just the NM state game can you expect to see him.
 
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#53
#53
My gosh he has 2nd and 3rd stringers trying to block for him. I would love to see what he could do playing a series or two with the starters.
I’d wager a bet that Joey had worse players around him at App State than Merk had today, yet he found ways to move the ball. Kitna today also had worse players around him than Merk had and threw for almost 300 yards.

I understand trying to be positive and give him the benefit of the doubt but reality is that Merk is just not good at playing quarterback. There’s no part of his game that jumps out as something he can build on. If he wants to be a starting QB he’ll need to transfer to a G7 school or FCS.
 
#55
#55
it seems that older mature QBs thrive in CJH offense.

HH, Milton (had a solid sr. Season) and so far JA.

I think the jury is still out on Merk. He is just a RS Freshman
 
#56
#56
My gosh he has 2nd and 3rd stringers trying to block for him. I would love to see what he could do playing a series or two with the starters.
this is true but only to a point. because his competition was UAB. our 2nd and 3rd string players should be able to score at will against UAB. So while he didn't get to start with the 1s he should not have needed them in this game.
 
#59
#59
I blame Merk and Dilfer playing his starters against our 3rd stringers for us not covering

GMac would have scored at least two tds
Our 3rd stringers are more talented than UAB’s starters. We should have be able to continue moving the ball and continue playing sound defense, although maybe not “shut down” defense like the starters were playing.

I’ve ranted enough about Merk already, but I’m equally as concerned about our 2nd/3rd string defense. We should not be blowing assignments in week 4. Some guys have not been preparing as if they’re the starter. Not sure if they aren’t listening in practice/film study or not asking questions when they don’t understand or what, but they were not prepared for today’s game.
 
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#60
#60
When has any recruited QB ever come out looking like a gunslinger in their first couple of years?

I mean. Just. Let's face it. The three best QBs at UT - Hooker, Milton, and now Aguilar, were all transfer upperclassmen. Milton, of the three, had been here the longest, but he wasn't the "guy" until his fifth year. Nico never looked like the guy, and Merklinger seems like he's struggling to run the system as well.

Makes me wonder if even Macintyre will look like the guy when it's his chance to step up. I certainly hope so. But more to the point, I hope Merklinger looks more in command next year since he'll have been here three years now. I hope.
It’s a fair observation. No doubt. But I cant pin it on Heupel because of his past success with QBs. Just think he’s been unlucky with HS recruits at Tennessee.

But you know what? Who cares. I’ve just now in this moment decided not to care. He’s obviously great at evaluating and developing more mature QBs (Hooker, Milton, Aguilar) and in today’s game that’s really all you need.
 
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#61
#61
What was the one thing Hooker and Joey have in common???

Age and maturity is the answer.
Let me correct your answer.
And your question.

What are the 2 things they have in Common?
1: you answered correctly- Age and Maturity


2: the ability to process what’s happening quickly and efficiently.

#2 is not guaranteed by #1. #2 can be achieved by some at an early age.

Joey put up numbers in 2023 over 14 games that he has this year.

Not SEC competition I’ll grant you but neither were his teammates either so I’d say it’s valid.
 
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#62
#62
You must not really understand how great Faizon is. He wins with his arm and feet, Gmac gets broken in two if he runs the ball in a college game.
Yeah boy he’s guaranteed already without ever have taken a snap at the college level to be the next great vol QB, just like Nico was.



🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣😂
Some people never learn.
Don’t count your chickens before they hatch
 
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#64
#64
Looks like they're trying to redshirt GMAC (also requested by his parents?). Also if he plays and looks good, could create a drama with Faizon before he signs.

Merk looks like the Statue of Liberty standing back there. Wonder if he's checked out mentally and not trying hard in practice after losing the job?
 
#66
#66
Our 3rd stringers are more talented than UAB’s starters. We should have be able to continue moving the ball and continue playing sound defense, although maybe not “shut down” defense like the starters were playing.

I’ve ranted enough about Merk already, but I’m equally as concerned about our 2nd/3rd string defense. We should not be blowing assignments in week 4. Some guys have not been preparing as if they’re the starter. Not sure if they aren’t listening in practice/film study or not asking questions when they don’t understand or what, but they were not prepared for today’s game.
Yeah that deep ball td they threw in the 3rd on the blown coverage was ridiculous. I mean some of UABs first stringers were on P4 teams befoee but you’re right our 3rd team guys should still be able to at least slow them down. I look forward to our injured starters coming back cause the guys starting now will be very good rotational guys once they do.
 
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#67
#67
He’s allowed to play in 4.
He’s the starter for 1 year at most ( guaranteed by experts on here, Faizon is Patrick Mahomes 2.0 for sure)
What if Joey gets hurt and there is 3 games left he Gmac could play and play in the playoffs and still redshirt .
 
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#68
#68
What if Joey gets hurt and there is 3 games left he Gmac could play and play in the playoffs and still redshirt .
Well yes, and if that happens I hope someone will introduce him to Staley, Mathew’s, Brazil, the O line and the backs he’ll be handing off to, because i doubt he would recognize any of them.
 
#69
#69
I think I've seen enough to know that if Aguilar ever goes down this season, MacIntyre needs to be the guy. Merk is a dumpling. Soft and bland and he should be making the same throws in the same offense as Aguilar against a terrible team like UAB. We went from operating on all cylinders to stalling on the highway with our emergency blinkers on 🙄

Come on, dude this is your interview for the staring role and you're blowing it!
He should be better than what he shows coming in as a backup against a UAB. I'll leave it at that.
 
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#72
#72
I don't want to pile on on the guy, but it's been clear to me since the O&W game that Merk simply isn't going to cut it here. Since then, there hasn't been anything from his play to prove my initial impression wrong.

I think Heupel is doing him a huge favor by making him the backup. As long as there are no injuries it will likely result in us being able to redshirt G-Mac. But at the same time I don't think that leash is long if Merk does have to play critical minutes.
 
#73
#73
I think I've seen enough to know that if Aguilar ever goes down this season, MacIntyre needs to be the guy. Merk is a dumpling. Soft and bland and he should be making the same throws in the same offense as Aguilar against a terrible team like UAB. We went from operating on all cylinders to stalling on the highway with our emergency blinkers on 🙄

Come on, dude this is your interview for the staring role and you're blowing it!
He didn't have a great game today, except for a couple of passes. But he looked pretty good against ETSU. Mac looks very promising though.

I would say don't give up on Merk just yet.
 
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