Second guessing what? This was all Stevens decision...
Tommy Stevens "spins it" at camp
- Thread starter Obliviax
- Start date
Does anyone know how Tommy injured his foot? Just curious if it had anything to do with a tendency to run quarterbacks.
Yes he was, but the Lion development was an upgraded version that never really took off (in part due to Tommy's injuries).
The transfer thing never struck me as a ploy (not your point... this is mine
for more PT, but he saw the obvious -- unless Trace goes down, he's not playing much. If he could find the right transfer he could play 2 years and hopefully get drafted top 3 rounds. And yes, ALL speculation, but I don't think I'm that far from the truth. But not banking on it, either lol.
I am considering going to see MSU play @ Tenneessee in October primarily to hopefully see Steven's play. Not going to buy tickets unless he wins starting job.
The staff had 4 years to watch TS practice. If he was clearly better than anybody else in the room, JF could have easily named him the starter going into next year. I think JF wants to not waste a year and start investing in Clifford who has 3 years left rather than TS who had 1.
Tommy Gun will go down by mid season as his running will be his downfall. Hope I’m wrong.
Right? Trace ran a 4.55 at the NFL Combine and is allusive. I'm thinking Stevens is nowhere close to that fast and tries to run guys over, which isn't a good recipe for a QB.
I am basing this on what quotes have come out. I do not know for sure that Stevens was the best QB or would have been beat out. Either Tommy, his dad, maybe Trace, I don’t recall whom, but the quote was that Tommy couldn’t risk the uncertainty.
I'm on record here saying that Tommy would be drafted higher than Trace. That was before knowing of this foot injury stuff but I'll hold to that prediction with the caveat that Moorhead doesn't get him seriously hurt in some way. So I expect Tommy to go next year before draft #197.
I've also been on record saying I don't like an offensive system that relies on running the QB. Last year showed what can become the cost. We saw Trace get banged up and we saw what that did to his passing game, and ultimately to the team's results.
The QB is there to pass. He should have enough size and quickness to avoid the rush and extend pass plays. Roethlisberger, for example, destined for the hall of fame, has been tough to bring down -- a major aspect of his game in keeping pass plays alive. That is something I would expect from a QB like Stevens if he can be taught to keep his eyes downfield. He should not be used as a bruising rusher.
The disappointment I've had in seeing the Stevens career unfold is that he never got much of a chance to develop his passing skills, though the limited stats in a backup role are still very good. So what does he do if he's not in there to pass but wants to make an impact? Try to make the most of rushing attempts with his size, hence the evolution of a bruising rushing style.
I've also been on record saying I don't like an offensive system that relies on running the QB. Last year showed what can become the cost. We saw Trace get banged up and we saw what that did to his passing game, and ultimately to the team's results.
The QB is there to pass. He should have enough size and quickness to avoid the rush and extend pass plays. Roethlisberger, for example, destined for the hall of fame, has been tough to bring down -- a major aspect of his game in keeping pass plays alive. That is something I would expect from a QB like Stevens if he can be taught to keep his eyes downfield. He should not be used as a bruising rusher.
The disappointment I've had in seeing the Stevens career unfold is that he never got much of a chance to develop his passing skills, though the limited stats in a backup role are still very good. So what does he do if he's not in there to pass but wants to make an impact? Try to make the most of rushing attempts with his size, hence the evolution of a bruising rushing style.
KWSN, I understand your point and believe it is accurate for today’s football and the desire for the NFL.
However, when it comes to the threat of injury to running QBs, I don’t understand why there would be more risk for Stevens running the ball in the RPO than in a triple-option offense (which I still enjoy).
I don’t remember very many, if any, old Wishbone QBs like Mildren, Street, Hollieway, Lott, or those running Nebraska QBs getting injured and missing many games. Even the Army and Navy QBs seem to make it through the season.
Even QBs who ran the “read option” like Vince Young went through a dozen games w/o major injury. It would seems QBs have more chance for injury on a sack than on a run from scrimmage.
Don’t misread me, for I realize no playoff team will ever likely return to the Wishbone for likely good reasons. But I just don’t see why a QB who runs sporadically is more at risk than an option QB who gets tackled on basically every snap.
And possibly in game situational decisions. Having all the physical tools is important and Tommy has those but I am guessing the willingness to tuck and run rather than read the play might be an issue. As he gets more playing time at full speed my gut tells me that will improve. I can't lie, I wish he was our QB this season. Oh well.
No, I can’t remember a Dennis Franklin. I remember a few of the old OU and UT Wishbone QBs, but unless a Penn State win is on BTN (or a live game, of course), I never watch BTN.
Anyway, I don’t really care how Penn State scores. Just hope the Lions win.
His injury in the famous tie in 73 with Ohio State late in the game very well might have influenced the Athletic directors decision to vote to give Ohio State the Rose Bowl bid over Michigan. If you have not seen "Tiebreaker" do yourself a favor and check it out.
My unscientific poll when Tommy left seemed to indicate that the majority here thought Clifford should be the starter anyway.......based on cleanup duty. One thing is certain, according to empirical evidence....If Stevens has a great year and PSU does not.....it will be all Franklin's fault for "losing" Stevens.
The QB is there to get under center and hand the ball off. Passing is only something to be done if you’re desperate. Like if you’re down by 30. Or it’s 3rd and 20. Did you learn nothing from Joe???
Of course it will be. That's why Franklin gets paid the big bucks.
It is not enough evidence to really conclude anything but the pix six TS threw at Michihahaha was as brutal a throw as I have ever seen. He was rolling left and had Polk wide open on the sideline but just had a terrible mis-throw. That play stands out to me.
yeah...but it is one play and is probably not a reflection of his talent. to me, it is about a lack of experience in crunch time. And this is why Tommy was the ideal option going into 2020 from only a fan's perspective. Tommy clearly has the most experience and/or maturity (in the program). SC may well be better, both in terms of physicality and mentally, but the fans haven't seen enough to know. So this decision is on CJF and the staff. Since inexperience typically leads to mistakes, it is probable that there will be more unforced errors with SC than TS in 2020. By this I mean INTs, fumbles, poor reads, etc.
I fear we may miss his running threat as well. Hopefully the OLine and running backs are ready to take a step up.
one can hope. of course, that is all speculation from the fans. It could be that Team-Tommy didn't like something else (Dr.s, CJF, QB coach). Or, it could be that Team Tommy wanted a commitment and CJF, philosophically, didn't want to open that can of worms. Lets hope SC was simply better.
yeah...we are also unsettled at RB although have a ton of raw talent (seemingly) there. Having said that, it is all comparative. I don't think anyone else, outside of UM, is any more settled than we are.
Good news is I anticipate/hope we will have a dominating Defense this year. A lot of speed and athletic ability on that side of the ball. Should help a developing offense.
Does Stevens really have any more meaningful experience actually playing quarterback - not the “Lion” - than Clifford does? Both of their game reps at QB have almost exclusively been in garbage time.
I would rather have a RS sophomore QB that will play3 years thank 5th year Senior that has not had meaningful playing time
But that’s just my opinion
First, I think game time, regardless of Lion or QB, is valuable. Second, TS has much more time in the program. And, finally, he is older and (presumably) wiser. So, all other things being equal, TS has more experience. Looks to me like he has 24 passes, 14 pass receptions, and ~ 80 rushes.
Clifford, on the other hand, is 5 of 7 passing with zero receptions and five rushes.
so, while one can argue that TS doesn't have a ton of experience, he still has a ton more than Sean Clifford.
Fair enough. I think SC is clearly a better option for the next two years (assuming he stays) but perhaps not for early in the upcoming year.
This has nothing to do with TS personally, but rather pertains to the "arm strength" or "live arm" discussion. Obviously this is CFB, but to use NFL examples that most everyone knows, yes, arm strength does matter, as evidenced by Marino and Elway...but it doesn't necessarily translate to accuracy, "touch" or success as evidenced by Jeff George.
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