AJ Long

[qdawgg]

Think people are forgetting how excited we were about AJ Long after his first two games last year.
- FSU he was 16/27 for 167 yards and threw for 2 TD's
- Following week against WF he was ACC rookie of the week after going 22/32 for 171 yards
- NC state he had 300 yards and 2 TD's
- Finished season (6 games) with 935 yards, 4 TD's, and 8 INT's

The new narrative seems to be that Dungey and Long early successes are not the same. I even saw it mentioned there were concerns about Long last year from the start. Well no surprise about that, his first two opponents were FSU and WF. However, I searched the threads from AJ's first couple weeks and pretty much have read the same commentary I read last night and today.

Obviously I'm cherry picking to some degree and the more games Long played the more glaring his weaknesses were but his first two games against FSU and WF, real programs (or 1.5 real programs) a majority of posters thought he was the real deal. Myself included.

This isn't a negative roscoroney post, I'm just pointing out the board did the same thing last year with Long. I was really disappointed that Long didn't continue to shine because I said to my wife during FSU or WF game, after he threw a bullet to the sidelines to Ish, "this kid is a freaking player, he might play the next 4 years".

I do think Dungey showed more but it was against RI. He did have some issues a few passing plays when there was pressure so we'll have to see as competition progresses. He looked very poised and natural though from the start. I also really liked his touch on the ball on med-long passes. Some were misses but you could see the touch and it felt like those won't be misses with more game experience. The dropped TD in the end zone was a fantastic play and throw. He also made some nice plays with his feet escaping pressure despite what I pointed out above. I really hope he's the real deal, we deserve it

 

[Marroniac]

AJ's biggest weakness may be his size.
I don't think we have to worry about Dungey shrinking.

 

[NateW]

AJ Long is not a Div 1 starting QB... Awkward throwing motion, weak arm, and he's tiny. I was in the Dome for FSU, no clue why anyone would project him to be a major contributor going forward. Great guy and bleeds Orange but let's hope he doesn't sniff meaningful snaps for the rest of his career.

Dungey on the other hand has size, speed, and an excellent over the top throwing motion. Just needs to get his footwork and pocket presence down.

 

[money3189]

Keep in mind AJ had all winter, spring and summer. Dungey came here in July

 

[qdawgg]

AJ Long is not a Div 1 starting QB... Awkward throwing motion, weak arm, and he's tiny. I was in the Dome for FSU, no clue why anyone would project him to be a major contributor going forward. Great guy and bleeds Orange but let's hope he doesn't sniff meaningful snaps for the rest of his career.

Dungey on the other hand has size, speed, and an excellent over the top throwing motion. Just needs to get his footwork and pocket presence down.

Did you state this opinion after FSU or WF last year? I don't recall seeing it mentioned when I was looking through all the threads from that time frame. I'm not really sure CFB coaches shared this opinion completely because you could argue that A.J. Long was in the very least as much of a sought after QB recruit as Dungey. He did have offers from UCLA and Arizona. Regardless, misses the point of my thread.

 

[upperdeck]

wilson doesnt get hurt Long might never get past him on the 2 deep. Dungey did that in 3 weeks. Long might well become the #2 again.

 

[qdawgg]

Keep in mind AJ had all winter, spring and summer. Dungey came here in July

Definitely a good point. I was going to write more about why I thought he truly had a better upside but my 8 month old wouldn't let me. Not trying to bash him at all, I think he really has the potential to make a difference but I also think there has to be some perspective based on the opponent. He's going to make mistakes and look as bad as AJ did, it's just inevitable being a Freshman QB but it seems he has the physique and tools to get better and better.

 

[qdawgg]

wilson doesnt get hurt Long might never get past him on the 2 deep. Dungey did that in 3 weeks. Long might well become the #2 again.

That is true but AJ looked like the far better QB against FSU, wasn't even close. Which just illustrates my point.

 

[NateW]

Did you state this opinion after FSU or WF last year? I don't recall seeing it mentioned when I was looking through all the threads from that time frame. I'm not really sure CFB coaches shared this opinion completely because you could argue that A.J. Long was in the very least as much of a sought after QB recruit as Dungey. He did have offers from UCLA and Arizona. Regardless, misses the point of my thread.

First time I saw him throw a pass I formed my opinion, and just because I didn't post it on here doesn't make it any less true.

Not trying to shiz on the guy or derail your thread, just saying that I see things in Dungey that give me reason to believe he can be a good college QB. Didn't see any of those things in Long (with my very untrained eye.) And just because AJ had an offer from UCLA and Arizona doesn't mean they wanted him at QB.

 

[qdawgg]

First time I saw him throw a pass I formed my opinion, and just because I didn't post it on here doesn't make it any less true.

Not trying to shiz on the guy or derail your thread, just saying that I see things in Dungey that give me reason to believe he can be a good college QB. Didn't see any of those things in him (with my very untrained eye.) And just because AJ had an offer from UCLA and Arizona doesn't mean they wanted him at QB.

My reply came off like a douchebag, I apologize.

I'm in no way saying Dungey will turn in to AJ, btw. Just that it's one game and while I also think he could be really good I think there has to be a wait and see with all of these players until the competition increases. But I really really hope he's our future QB.

* Correction. It didn't come off like a douchebag, I was being a douchebag. Sorry about that.

 

[money3189]

Your right, Its definitely is a wait and see. He will make mistakes. I just hope he learns from them and he gets progressive better

 

[jgeorge322]

Well i still think aj can be a good d1 qb

 

[Stern]

The offensive playcalling did Long no favors last year. If we had a coordinator who called games to his strengths he would be fine.

 

[tep624]

The offensive playcalling did Long no favors last year. If we had a coordinator who called games to his strengths he would be fine.

That's the hardest part I have with the QB play last year. With the swiss cheese O line and the playcalling, it's tough to tell up from down as far as QB abilities or long term potential.

 

[PhatOrange]

Im personally hoping AJ is ready to go this year.

 

[CanadianSU]

I still think we haven't seen the end of the QB drama...

 

[TheCusian]

Think people are forgetting how excited we were about AJ Long after his first two games last year. - FSU he was 16/27 for 167 yards and threw for 2 TD's - Following week against WF he was ACC rookie of the week after going 22/32 for 171 yards - NC state he had 300 yards and 2 TD's - Finished season (6 games) with 935 yards, 4 TD's, and 8 INT's The new narrative seems to be that Dungey and Long early successes are not the same. I even saw it mentioned there were concerns about Long last year from the start. Well no surprise about that, his first two opponents were FSU and WF. However, I searched the threads from AJ's first couple weeks and pretty much have read the same commentary I read last night and today. Obviously I'm cherry picking to some degree and the more games Long played the more glaring his weaknesses were but his first two games against FSU and WF, real programs (or 1.5 real programs) a majority of posters thought he was the real deal. Myself included. This isn't a negative roscoroney post, I'm just pointing out the board did the same thing last year with Long. I was really disappointed that Long didn't continue to shine because I said to my wife during FSU or WF game, after he threw a bullet to the sidelines to Ish, "this kid is a freaking player, he might play the next 4 years". I do think Dungey showed more but it was against RI. He did have some issues a few passing plays when there was pressure so we'll have to see as competition progresses. He looked very poised and natural though from the start. I also really liked his touch on the ball on med-long passes. Some were misses but you could see the touch and it felt like those won't be misses with more game experience. The dropped TD in the end zone was a fantastic play and throw. He also made some nice plays with his feet escaping pressure despite what I pointed out above. I really hope he's the real deal, we deserve it

Put me in the camp that just doesn't think it matters. If you read both recruiting threads on them - their are question marks and doubts, along with hope for both.

I think if you put both players on a football team with the same amount of practice, Dungey would win out. I think the coaches see it just like that.

I'm not sure why our posts about AJ after one game should be compared to Eric's at all. A cautionary tale (don't get too hyped)?

 

[Crusty]

I said after the Wake game, which was a windy day that AJ did not have a strong enough arm. It really was obvious.
My biggest problem with him was he kept forcing things and throwing into coverage as if he was still in high school. That might have changed in time but not his arm strength. Dungey made good decisions. He missed open guys several times, but he did take care of the ball. He has poise and will see the field better as he gets more experience. His arm is also plenty strong enough.

 

[qdawgg]

I'm not sure why our posts about AJ after one game should be compared to Eric's at all. A cautionary tale (don't get too hyped)?

People make comparisons between Marrone/Shafer recruiting weekly, as well as many other comparisons. There are similarities between the QB situations. I'm confused why a message board might not have a thread to discuss this other than it doesn't fit your narrative?

 

[tbonezone]

1 game in 1 QB down.

wouldn't count out a.j. just yet. he may be well getting snaps.

 

[baggerbob]

Hopefully AJ gets well soon, because I don't like the idea of Wilson being our next in line, we would really be in trouble.

 

[kcsu]

Hopefully AJ gets well soon, because I don't like the idea of Wilson being our next in line, we would really be in trouble.

Wilson will do well in the Lester O. He has the strongest arm by a mile and Lester will not put him in horrible position like George did last year. I like Wilson think he can shine in this O

 

[upperdeck]

i dont you can get caught up in how wilson looked last year. he made mistakes but he made good plays too. he wasnt helped by scheme or oline play and he isnt going to overcome both most of the time.

 

[Chip]

I'm not sure why our posts about AJ after one game should be compared to Eric's at all. A cautionary tale (don't get too hyped)?

That's where I was going with it. Dungey is almost certainly going to have games where it looks like he has no clue what he's doing. And there's nothing wrong with that, he's been thrown into the deep end way sooner than he should be.

So when that happens, people shouldn't make the same proclamations that they eventually did about Long last year when points and yards were suddenly tougher to come by.

True freshman QBs are nearly unchartered waters. Some of our best here didn't even have to face that.

 

[Rocco]

Long's biggest issue is staying healthy. He is a mess right now physically.

No clue if he would even be available this year.