What we know and a look ahead

[TrickySU]

Earlier George McDonald said, "Drew is our quarterback." Today Scott Shafer indicated that there were no plans for change, including at quarterback. Here's an excerpt from a post standard article today:

"The key to me is trust within our inner circle, which would be our staff and our players," Shafer said Tuesday.
"And we really can't have any regard for those outside our inner circle, and we need to stay the course that we set out months ago and really believe in the initial intent of the plan." http://www.syracuse.com/orangefootball/index.ssf/2013/09/syracuse_coach_scott_shafer_on.html

I love hearing this from Shafer, not just because I believe Allen is the best option right now, but because it shows that even as a first year head coach, Shafer isn't going to be pressured into anything. Shafer and the rest of the coaching staff believe in Allen. I understand what we've seen from Allen has been less than desirable, but you have to remember that in addition to a new head coach and offensive coordinator, we had to replace our top 2 wide receivers and 2 offensive linemen. Drew has the physical skills, now it's a matter of getting the playbook down and becoming comfortable with the offense and the receivers.

I had to laugh when I heard people calling into ESPN radio yesterday and comparing Terrel Hunt to Donovan McNabb, and I was told he was also compared to Peyton Manning. This coming after he had 1 series against second and third stringers during garbage time in a blowout. I'm not saying he can't be that good, but he's not there yet.

Looking ahead, the coaching staff trusts Allen, and it's clear that for the near future Allen will be the guy moving forward. Unless Allen looks completely lost against in these next two games, he will be the quarterback unless it becomes clear that this team will not be going to a bowl game which won't be happening anytime soon. These next two games are the time to get the offense in sync and give us some momentum moving forward.

 

[OrangePA]

Clearly Allen has proven to the staff that he gives the team the best chance to win this year.

I don't see it at this point, but I don't watch these guys in practice or on coaching film.

I have to defer to Coaches McDonald, Lester and Shafer.

I hope my view turns out to be wrong - I hope the coaches are right.

 

[SoBristol]

Well, obviously Shafer and his staff have to trust their judgment, and can't be swayed by flak from fan boards.
But the course was set months ago? Before Allen took snaps?

I hope our staff has left some flexibility to adjust to what they see, as Hackett did last August when he saw how a hurry-up offense was effective. And naturally, the staff looks at the video and sees what is working, which players are getting the job done, whether someone like Estime or Moore is better than expected ... Or whether the punter penciled in months ago might not be the guy.

 

[bevosu]

Coaches are human. They can make mistakes.

 

[SWC75]

I realize Hunt was in against the second team and I haven't seen any practices. But it seemed to me from the body language of the players around Hunt that they were excited to have him in there. I may be interpreting too much but I got the impression that Hunt might be the players choice as to who they want to play with.