JPW will surprise us all in 2008

[Proxigean Tide]

Many Bama fans looked no further than #14 when diagnosing the Tide's problems in 2007...and seem dejected by the prospect of watching another season with JPW pulling the trigger. Many wonder how Coach Saban could leave JPW in games last season when he was so obviously incapable of making the simplest of plays. JPW to the bench looked like a coaching move even a 3 year old could make...but what if JPW wasn't the problem?

I think sometimes as fans (myself included), we watch the game, but don't really see it. Sometimes to truly understand, its necessary to ignore what you think you saw and focus on surrounding elements:

1. 2007 Offensive line: Paper thin and cobbled together with former defensive lineman and multiple position changes and experiments, it definitely wasn't quite ready for prime time and that was before the book scandel put the best interior lineman on the bench. Sacks were down from 2006, but that wasn't saying much...LOS wasn't typically controlled by the good guys.

2. 2007 recieving corps: Never became the threat they should've been. Only #3 reciever or back-ups would go over the middle and "game-breakers" would vanish for entire halves of football if double-teamed....but was this really their fault when everyone in the stadium knew Bama couldn't run it?

3. 2007 running backs: I think of the Stallings/Bryant theory of college football: "Run the ball and stop the run" and realize that 2007 Bama couldn't run the ball. The entire second half of the season was a blur of "3 and outs". Reason for this? Probably a combination of 1) No big backs 2) injuries to RBs 3) weak O-line play 4) book scandal eliminated talent at OG and RB

I think in 2008 many of the aforementioned problems will be fixed and JPW will have a chance to execute to his potential. I really don't think he has been the main problem with the offense. I always chuckle when I consider that JPW owns the single season passing record at Bama and many believe he doesn't deserve to step foot behind center.

The fact is that he's a gamer with enough physical skill, guts and brains to win championships...he's just not been blessed with consistent coaching or a great supporting cast. I think he is better and we may very well see it in 2008...or not. RTR.

 

[bamapuppy]

Well, He is a seasoned veteran. I believe that he will be much improved this year. But, I hear the "D" is kicking all the QB's right now. We all know that play action works best, if you have a solid running game.

 

[cmmiller711]

thanks for pumpin the sunshine! it's easy to be completely negative when you got feb-july to nitpick holes in the team.

 

[bamanut_aj]

if he can clear out his kitchen, re-vamp his technique, and the list of bads you presented can get cleaned up, then yes, he can have a good season.

 

[OldManFan]

Thanks for the post. I think it does list some good rationale for JPW's performance in the latter half of 07.

My worries about JPW are whether or not he will regain confidence and whether or not he will learn to better use the pocket this season. That, and of course, whether the OL and blocking back will improve their pass blocking.

My worry is not that he has a new offense to learn. It's been said that the passing offense may be only 30% new. Many quarterbacks including true freshman have been able to excel in a 100% new offense. If someone of his experience can't adapt to relatively routine changes, it really is time to try someone else.

Nor am I worried about his approximate 50% completion rate so far this spring. It's early. His experience of his new receiver's patterns, speed, and timing can't help but improve.

With a decent OL and an improving receiver corps, I believe a 60% completion rate this year is in the cards for JPW or even for whoever else may play the position.

I hope so!

 

[BAMA504]

Not so sure that shouldn't of been a question more than a statement!!! LOL...

I agree that there were problems in the OL that may have attributed to some of the bad QB'ing but I go back and watch games like mrs. st or the debacle that I refuse to name (worst lose in history far as I am concerned) and many others and all I see is a QB with no faith in himself and happy feet falling backwards when releasing the ball and just about every mistake you can make as a college QB. I would expect it out of my 9-10 yr old QB's but not a junior in the SEC.

I just find it hard to believe that his mechanics got that messed up in one year cause in 06 the kid was our only saving grace. This year the book scandal and other issues you mentioned didn't help any but throwing the ball 5 yds out of bounds on fade routes is in-excusable... don't know if the back-ups were that bad but I with just about everyone in the BAMA nation wanted him to ride the pine if for nothing else just to give someone else a shot at winning the game not looking for an excuse to throw it away!!
Not sure if our current OC CJM can fix JPW or not but I do like his record with QB's and if it means pulling him out and letting him get his mind right then I can only hope that the mentality that CNS has of making players earn their playing time applies to the QB position as well cause it sure didn't last year!!

Not gonna hold judgement till I see JPW throw the first INT and see how it goes from there. I know in the bowl game he was the old JPW and took charge of the team and made them win that's how he was before ( not going to knock xc-ma) but something happened during his time here and it was not good for JPW at all. The big ?? is can he find the old JPW and get the cornerback mentality of if something bad happens let it go and make up for it later. Don't go into a COMA and keep your head in the game (mrs. st game) let it go there are 4 qtrs of FB and by god play them all not just the ones where you are doing great, make a mistake so be it, have faith in your defense to bail you out and let it go... More often than not or defense bailed him out and gave him ample oppurtunities to make up for it but he was so wrapped around the axle the game was over before the clock expired!!

Not asking for the ucheat performance every single game but 8 or 9 games like that and we can certainly contend for the SECCG... I truly think getting JJ and some better atheletes on the field will help him out tremendously cause it gives him options rather than just DJ he must find or check down to his other reads. The offense has to get better or at least I hope so or it is going to be another long long season of screaming at the TV and arm chair QB'ing!!!!

 

[theBIGyowski]

If you keep JPW from making game changing mistakes...we win against LSU and Miss State in 2007. That gives us 9 wins on the season and puts Bama back in the hunt as far as being relevant in the SEC. His problem last year...and the year before...was that he made game changing mistakes and you can't continue to make those as a veteran QB. So...if he can fix that part of his game he will be a great QB for us in 2008. We know he's capable of making the game winning plays...so that's never been an issue. I think the mental mistakes is something McElwain can help cure.

RTR!

 

[bamaga]

We had the same problems in '06 and '07, but in '06 we won 6 games because of JP. in '07 we won 6 games in spite of JP, which I believe led to the encouragement of CMA to find another job. I agree about the mental errors, maybe coaching can change that.
Look at uga midseason when their young offensive line gelled and they found a running game. sure helped stafford alot! I haven't given up on JP, especially when he was considered a strength coming into '07, we'll just have to wait and see wait '08 has in store!!:hurray::willy_nilly:

 

[bamabryan]

JPW will be fine.

His numbers in 2006 and 2007 were very similar. The problem with JPW more than anything was the turnovers and the magnitude of the turnovers. The turnovers came at very crucial times and they just killed us.

There were other problems on offense in addition to JPW. He'll do just fine in 2008.

 

[Bamabuzzard]

JPW will be fine.

His numbers in 2006 and 2007 were very similar. The problem with JPW more than anything was the turnovers and the magnitude of the turnovers. The turnovers came at very crucial times and they just killed us.
There were other problems on offense in addition to JPW. He'll do just fine in 2008.

Bingo!!! Nothing wrong with making mistakes. Everybody player makes them. But mistakes are not all made with equal impact. It's one thing missing a blocking assignment on the fifth play of the game and putting your team in a third and long with the score is 0-0 in the first quarter. But have that SAME mistake happen on 4Th & 8 with 3:00 remaining in the game and your down by three in your own territory.

Cut the catastrophic mistakes out and we're not 6-6 in 2007.

 

[derek4tide]

JPW will surprise us all in 2008

From your mouth to God's ear.

 

[Tidewater]

To use a phrase I borrowed from my Arab friends, "Inshallah." (God willing).

I think the guy's confidence is key. That is why Coach Saban did not pull him, because it would have wrecked his self-confidence. For good.
JPW has skills. He is tough. He has been dealt some tough cards (Coach Connelly first and foremost), three OCs in three years, etc. I hope he plays near his potential. If he does, Bama will be fine.

 

[GrayTide]

We had the same problems in '06 and '07, but in '06 we won 6 games because of JP. in '07 we won 6 games in spite of JP, which I believe led to the encouragement of CMA to fin another job. I agree about the mental errors, maybe coaching an change that.
Look at uga midseason when their young offensive line gelled and they found a running game. sure helped stafford alot! I haven't given up on JP, especially when he was considered a strength coming into '07, we'll just have to wait and see wait '08 has in store!!:hurray::willy_nilly:

Good post bamaga. Yes, UGA had a very young OL, 3 true freshmen as I recall and it did take them a while to jell, but JPW is no Matthew Stafford and we do not have a RB in the same class with Moreno. Now that LSU's 2007 seniors are gone, IMO UGA has the most talent in the conference only slightly ahead of UF. I too am in hopes that our new OC can instill some confidence in JPW to avoid mental breakdowns which lead to turnovers.

 

[Proxigean Tide]

Cut the catastrophic mistakes out and we're not 6-6 in 2007.

If there was a national award for the single worst play of the season, JPW might get strong consideration for the first-half-ending pick-six he threw from MSU's 4 yard line.

 

[TexasTideFan]

JPW has skills. He is tough. He has been dealt some tough cards (Coach Connelly first and foremost), three OCs in three years, etc. I hope he plays near his potential. If he does, Bama will be fine.

That's the thing, he has tons of potential. What he did against UT and the first half of the I-Bowl last season prove that he can move the Offense when his O-Line gives him protection. Heck, he will probably own all the passing records at Bama by the end of the year. However, JPW will likely be remembered more for the games he lost than the ones he won which is kinda sad considering he is a pretty talented (when not throwing off his back foot) and durable QB.

Hopefully, he can finsih his career with some double digit wins with 2 being over Auburn and LSU.

 

[bamaga]

Good post bamaga. Yes, UGA had a very young OL, 3 true freshmen as I recall and it did take them a while to jell, but JPW is no Matthew Stafford and we do not have a RB in the same class with Moreno. Now that LSU's 2007 seniors are gone, IMO UGA has the most talent in the conference only slightly ahead of UF. I too am in hopes that our new OC can instill some confidence in JPW to avoid mental breakdowns which lead to turnovers.

Georgia is a good looking football team, Moreno and King may be the two best backs in the league, but Georgia is a MNC contender. I don't expect that, but with solid QB play, we can be 9-3, 8-4 or 10-2, which will be a big catapult for a run in '09 for the conference( even with a new QB). I'm really looking at 2010 to be our year, even with the schedule.

If there was a national award for the single worst play of the season, JPW might get strong consideration for the first-half-ending pick-six he threw from MSU's 4 yard line.

nominate two more from JP, the pick 6 in the 4th qtr against florida in 06; or , of course, the fumble against lsu last year

 

[crimsonaudio]

The only way JPW will surprise me is if he has a bad year - I fully expect 2008 to be a HUGE year for him.

 

[BamaInBham]

IMO, there is no 'old JPW' and 'new JPW'. He has some good qualities and was good at times but he made the same kind of mistakes in 06 as he made in 07. In 06, he almost lost the Vandy game by taking a key and rediculous sack that almost took the team out of winning FG range, but fortunately Tiffin made a 47 yarder; though he had a good game against a soft Ark pass defense, he almost lost it with another catastrophic fumble that was returned for a TD - that is why Shula played it safe at the end, he did not trust JPW in a crucial situation; he threw key ints against UF; he had catastrophic fumbles against AU. In 07 the same: he played well against Ark's soft pass D, but almost lost it with TOs (fumble and int); had terrible fumble against FSU; same against LSU; of course the MSU game. He played well at times, even in those games, but he is simply prone to crucial, catastrophic TOs. He does need a better running game and the OL, while not nearly as bad as some claim, could certainly be better. He often holds the ball too long and rarely steps up in the pocket. He quickly deserts the pocket and rolls right. He often throws off of his back foot. Blackledge and others pointed that out and they are ususally reluctant to say such things.

Again the same in 06 and 07. Stats similar. He may have digressed a bit, but, IMO, he was the same player both years.

I do think that JM is a very good coach and very smart and could make a huge difference in the O this year - including JPW.

 

[drjamesm]

If there was a national award for the single worst play of the season, JPW might get strong consideration for the first-half-ending pick-six he threw from MSU's 4 yard line.

I believe you could add his backward fumble late against LSU too!:mad2:

 

[TexasTideFan]

but he is simply prone to crucial, catastrophic TOs.

There are times when it pays to just protect the football and take the sack.