AJ Long

[OttoinGrotto]

The one thing I'd caution is that I'm seeing a lot of statements assuming pretty huge in-season improvement from Dungey, things like oh he'll make that read with a few games experience, or he'll see that guy open with a few more reps under his belt, etc.

Hard to say if that's really true. We can expect some improvement with reps and experience but it might be asking a lot for a true freshman to make huge strides during the season. To qdawgg's point, Long's best games were arguably his first two starts. I believe he was a better QB by the end of the season, but teams also had tape on him and an understanding of his tendencies and limitations and could plan accordingly. For Dungey to look much better, he's going to have to outpace that. It's possible, but that's also asking a lot.

 

[donniesyracuse]

I would certainly hope that we get an update on Long's status this week. Last I had heard, he was throwing again. I can't imagine he would be far off from 2nd or 3rd on the depth chart. I think an unrehearsed Long is probably a better option than Womack or the walk-on.

 

[omniorange]

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

Not sure about this. The staff saw the starting QB go down with what they had to have known was a season ending injury. The #2 comes in and does well enough that the score is 40-0 towards the end of the third quarter. They sit Dungey then and play Wilson. Why would the coaches basically let him do nothing but hand-offs for a full quarter? If they knew he was now going to be one bad break again from being the starter, shouldn't they have tried to get him some passes, especially since he has this supposedly great arm?

It seems odd to me. But then, what do I know?

Cheers,
Neil

 

[Crusty]

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?

Yes, like the Rutgers dumpster fire thread! Call it All Things Marrone!

 

[Crusty]

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.

Of course you are right. I think most know this (or should) however, to arrive in July and not only beat out Wilson, but also to have Lester plan on burning his shirt in the first game speaks volumes about his smarts and ability to master the offense and recognize defenses.

He did this against the first team D. This is no ordinary true freshman. I really believe they had a notion that he might beat out Hunt by the end of the season.

There will be ups and downs, and he was by no means error free on Friday. He failed to see open receivers many times and needs game experience to see the whole field. However, remember that he will now have the first team reps and he is practicing against a second team P5 defense.

There is no telling how long it will take for the P5 game to slow down for him. but when it does watch out. Man, do I like smart players.

 

[Crusty]

I would certainly hope that we get an update on Long's status this week. Last I had heard, he was throwing again. I can't imagine he would be far off from 2nd or 3rd on the depth chart. I think an unrehearsed Long is probably a better option than Womack or the walk-on.

I really think Womack is now a WR. Otherwise, why burn his shirt in the first game on garbage time? They are going to try and get him ready to be a burner opposite Brisly as well as KO returns.

Womack is probably as fast as Brisly and has better hands. I would love to see those two stretch the field - it would be something not seen in quite some time at SU.

 

[TheCusian]

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?

I'm fine with discussing it. My take is that in this case I'm not sure why the good things we said about AJ relate to the good things said about Dungey. They are two different players with two very different ceilings. One does not impact the other.

 

[Cuse'91]

Why would the coaches basically let him do nothing but hand-offs for a full quarter? If they knew he was now going to be one bad break again from being the starter, shouldn't they have tried to get him some passes, especially since he has this supposedly great arm?

It seems odd to me. But then, what do I know.

Seems like Shafer didn't want to embarrass his friend's team any further. I too would have liked to see our players gain more experience, but I also can see the logic to end the game as quickly as possible. Ole' Miss put up 76 points in their first game, that kind of score on an outclassed opponent is a bit obscene...

 

[BKCuse]

Is AJ any smaller than Flutie?

I don't think we can really judge anything from the era of McD's slow ass play calling. It would be very interesting to know how AJ would have done if he was healthy and competing this fall camp.

I for one will never sleep on that kid.

 

[omniorange]

Seems like Shafer didn't want to embarrass his friend's team any further. I too would have liked to see our players gain more experience, but I also can see the logic to end the game as quickly as possible. Ole' Miss put up 76 points in their first game, that kind of score on an outclassed opponent is a bit obscene...

Perhaps, but it's an entire quarter. And I would think if you want to see what Wilson will do as your new #2 you let him "play" for a couple of series. But again, that's just me.

If things go south in the WF for Eric, how did not embarrassing RI any more than we did help Wilson as the #2 or the team for that matter?

Cheers,
Neil

 

[OttoinGrotto]

Seems like Shafer didn't want to embarrass his friend's team any further. I too would have liked to see our players gain more experience, but I also can see the logic to end the game as quickly as possible. Ole' Miss put up 76 points in their first game, that kind of score on an outclassed opponent is a bit obscene...

It is obscene. I appreciate we have a classy staff. I wish we wouldn't let up though.

 

[julaw]

Not only does Dungey have size going for him, me thinks he has a wickedly fast release to go along with his arm strength. Those traits will come in handy if our OL gets banged up again. I love AJ but we got to stick with Dungey in the long run.