Luke Johnson: Cajuns are close, but they won't turn the corner until they get better at QB

[Grantvb]

But, Hark...I don't envision a Tackle pulling block on a sweep or run play like a Center or Guard. That's where I see perhaps a weight and/or agility difference. And yes, I figure 290 lbs is different when you are 6'2" versus 6'4".

[Hark Mudspeth]

But, Hark...I don't envision a Tackle pulling block on a sweep or run play like a Center or Guard. That's where I see perhaps a weight and/or agility difference. And yes, I figure 290 lbs is different when you are 6'2" versus 6'4".

But what I'm saying is t2 guys at 6'4 300 can look totally different, one can look like a fat slob and the other can resemble a tight end. If their weight is in their tree trunk legs or in their stomach they are gonna be different type of athlete. We habevre ruited road graters for a power run game and then tried to make them play a spread, I'm not surprised they struggled. We seem to go for the big intimidating player over the smaller nasty athletic guys. I'd take the 6'2 280 guy who wants to rip your throat out everytime. Our coaches need to put less emphasis on measurables.

[SlickRick]

That may be a little too heavy on the retrospection. I agreed that once we were a long shot at 6-6, we probably should have started the grooming of Davis. But we probably did make it to the bowl on Jennings. And it is too important that we made it to the bowl... for our future recruiting... to discount that achievement. Saying Davis would have also got the 6 wins... not sure about that.

We weren't going to beat USM with any one of our current QBs. We can't place not putting Davis in this year as an excuse for next year. If Davis is good enough... he's good enough. This offense doesn't require a lot of mental gifts to run as a QB. You either have it, or you do not have it.

Biggest weakness I see for JD is poise. Some have it naturally, some need to grow a pair when bullets are flying. Other than that, his arm is stronger than AJ, and based on the quantity of bad throws we saw this season, I believe he is more accurate.

Where he separates from AJ is his wheels. JD runs like a deer and is a threat to take it the distance from any place on the field. He's not super shifty or as strong as DR, but his speed would put some serious pressure on a defense and that usually leads to some wide open receivers. Wide open receivers are a lot easier to throw to!

I keep hearing JD lacks maturity, which IMO translates to not putting in the time to prepare properly. One good thing about AJ being our QB was the example he set for the other QB's in game prep, film study, etc. I hope this has rubbed off on JD.

I know this for sure, JD is one of the most skillful QB's we've had here in a very long time. This is from a couple of guys who know him as well, if not better than anyone, so you can guess who that might be. I was as disappointed in his showing last spring as anyone and believe that lead to the AJ experiment as much as anything. I was there for the final scrimmage before the season started and IMHO, JD had the best showing of all the QB's that day.

So back to the what if JD had played instead of AJ. Our lack of pass protection made AJ a sitting duck most times due to his lack of escapability over the season. JD's speed would have forced defenses and particularly Southern Miss to be more disciplined in their pass rush. 95 yards passing is unacceptable and his lack of running ability seriously limited the chance of a broken play netting positive yards.

If you noticed, when AJ was knocked out of the game for a play, they didn't send in DR, they sent in JD. Why? Because he's a much better passer than DR. DR has significant issues with his mechanics/release. Not sure that can be fixed to the point where he can become an effective passer on a D1 team. JD just needs to get serious about being the starter. He has the tools to be very good, just needs to see those live bullets!

[SlickRick]

Yes. Levi can throw well. And he's a really good heads up runner. A lot of his passing yardage is due to some really good WRs YAC. But he does throw well. He has a quick release and he makes decisions quickly. I like him for UL.

I watched his HUDL video and was very impressed with his arm strength, accuracy and running ability. I don't watch a ton of HS videos, but I have to admit, Levi looks really good. His footwork is excellent and he squares his shoulders in either direction, something AJ doesn't do.

Also, I noticed that he drops back after taking the snap from the shotgun! That's something you don't see. He gets the ball 5-6 yards behind center, then drops back another 4-5 yards. So he's 10 or so yards behind the LOS when throwing most of his passes. You only do that if you have a very strong arm! And, when you drop back that deep, there's little chance you will get pressure from several DLmen. In most cases, only one guy will get pressure and Levi usually escapes with ease. Don't think you can get away with that playing D1 teams, but it is very cool to watch.

[Boomer]

Stupid question about O-linemen...what size should they be? Sounds like the Tackles, especially mom-blindside should be 310 lbs range. Guards and centers should be 285 - 290 lbs becuase they tend to Pull or run block more. I would also ause that you want a blindside Tackle to be more quick and agile than heavy since he needs to adjust on the block during pass rush...Boomer? Basin Bear? You got some insight? I want compare the optimum size with what we have and are recruiting.. any o-linemen can be considered highly recruited if he obliterates d-linemen in the HIGH SCHOOL game that may be undersized but what's he going to do in the College game against a guy that's 270 - 285 lbs and can get in the back field on the first move?

---Oh not a stupid question by any means, but the most important considerations with many components that you mention---So take pass vs run blocking and the % of time that your offense will be doing one the most, take your recruiting point and future physical maturation (secondary sexual characteristics), athleticism, coach ability, and position assignment and which guys you can get ------ what a tough assignment/order to find and sign, but thus this is the challenge----So let's go back over the list and see what happens---You sign the better pass blocker and you change to a more run philosophy (OOPS)---You sign a guy who weighs the same as when you signed him (oops)---your big tough great kid is not worthy of the ability of this level (oops)--- He is a dummy and screws up blocking assignments (oops)---for whatever reason you have to play him at another position (oops)---you get your guy and he winds up being arrested, family member gets sick, girl friend problem, homesick, grade problems, etc---if you get enough good ones , you win---if you don't get or have some leave you are in trouble!!!

[HOUCajun]

Didn't we redshirt a qb this year? What's his story?

[wcd35]

To do like the thread about OL recruits, here's the QB's recruited during Hud's tenure:

2011:
None

2012:
Jalen Nixon
Brooks Haack
D'Shaie Landor

2013:
None

2014:
Jordan Davis
Dalvin Populist

2015:
Dion Ray
Chris Weaver

2016:
Jake Arceneaux

[2BSS7174]

Let's look back a little. We had two of the best running backs in the nation with Alonzo and Eli. Alonzo pounded up the middle and Eli was great in space. What do we do when Alonzo leaves?? Move Eli to running up the middle!! That will cost Eli millions of dollars in the draft and subjected him to a pounding that he didn't really need.

The whole problem is coaching.

Why not go out and get a big pounder fullback (does not have to be of the same quality as Alonzo, just someone that can bull his way for a few yards up the middle and keep the defense honest). DESIGN plays to get Eli the ball in space. That would take care of the O line problem with not giving enough time for AJ to pass. It would also open up the middle for the fullback and open up the secondary for our other receivers.

I think all of the hype that Hud came with was overrated. His success early on was with recruits brought here by Bustle. He sold himself for something he isn't and got himself a $1 million dollar contract that we are stuck with. Wish he could coach as well as sell himself.

[31Ragin97]

dalvin populist sounds like a cool name, I could see the shirts now, for the populist movement, what happened to him?

[RaginDave]

dalvin populist sounds like a cool name, I could see the shirts now, for the populist movement, what happened to him?

He was listed as a WR on SLU roster for the 2016 season, but never played. I don't think he panned out anywhere.

[Just1More]

But what I'm saying is t2 guys at 6'4 300 can look totally different, one can look like a fat slob and the other can resemble a tight end. If their weight is in their tree trunk legs or in their stomach they are gonna be different type of athlete. We habevre ruited road graters for a power run game and then tried to make them play a spread, I'm not surprised they struggled. We seem to go for the big intimidating player over the smaller nasty athletic guys. I'd take the 6'2 280 guy who wants to rip your throat out everytime. Our coaches need to put less emphasis on measurables.

Absolutely. I'm an impatient fan. And I don't get to put my eyes on all of the HS OL we look at during recruiting. That said, I'm not sure if our current OL are "projects" that will step up as they go through the collegiate conditioning and coaching... or if we choose the wrong HS stock. But no doubt, I've struggled for years with fans that get fired up about a 6'7" 340 pound HS offensive lineman. And then worry when they read one of our recruits is "only" 6'2". Size matters on the OL. But you can't dismiss the other key attributes for how big a shadow they cast. And there has to be a leader in the mix. You cannot fail to recruit, groom, and support the right leadership in each squad. I guarantee you that our best ever OL had chemistry... starting with a leader on that OL.

[Just1More]

Biggest weakness I see for JD is poise. Some have it naturally, some need to grow a pair when bullets are flying. Other than that, his arm is stronger than AJ, and based on the quantity of bad throws we saw this season, I believe he is more accurate.

Where he separates from AJ is his wheels. JD runs like a deer and is a threat to take it the distance from any place on the field. He's not super shifty or as strong as DR, but his speed would put some serious pressure on a defense and that usually leads to some wide open receivers. Wide open receivers are a lot easier to throw to!

I keep hearing JD lacks maturity, which IMO translates to not putting in the time to prepare properly. One good thing about AJ being our QB was the example he set for the other QB's in game prep, film study, etc. I hope this has rubbed off on JD.

I know this for sure, JD is one of the most skillful QB's we've had here in a very long time. This is from a couple of guys who know him as well, if not better than anyone, so you can guess who that might be. I was as disappointed in his showing last spring as anyone and believe that lead to the AJ experiment as much as anything. I was there for the final scrimmage before the season started and IMHO, JD had the best showing of all the QB's that day.

So back to the what if JD had played instead of AJ. Our lack of pass protection made AJ a sitting duck most times due to his lack of escapability over the season. JD's speed would have forced defenses and particularly Southern Miss to be more disciplined in their pass rush. 95 yards passing is unacceptable and his lack of running ability seriously limited the chance of a broken play netting positive yards.

If you noticed, when AJ was knocked out of the game for a play, they didn't send in DR, they sent in JD. Why? Because he's a much better passer than DR. DR has significant issues with his mechanics/release. Not sure that can be fixed to the point where he can become an effective passer on a D1 team. JD just needs to get serious about being the starter. He has the tools to be very good, just needs to see those live bullets!

I, like most fans, only know about JD not being "mature" or "getting it" from what I read on here. It's odd to me that he can't do what we require of QBs. And now that he (or whoever starts next year) doesn't have Eli in the backfield (assisting in play comprehension), it may even be more difficult next year to get our full suite of play options built into our offense. Hud and staff really need to figure the QB situation out early... and groom the successors. I don't know their process... but it's been abysmal the past 2 seasons.

[CajunNation]

I, like most fans, only know about JD not being "mature" or "getting it" from what I read on here. It's odd to me that he can't do what we require of QBs. And now that he (or whoever starts next year) doesn't have Eli in the backfield (assisting in play comprehension), it may even be more difficult next year to get our full suite of play options built into our offense. Hud and staff really need to figure the QB situation out early... and groom the successors. I don't know their process... but it's been abysmal the past 2 seasons.

It's very simple.

We either go all in with JD as our QB or we find a graduate transfer who can throw the dang ball.

[RaginFan2]

Or a JC QB. Not my preference, but an option nevertheless.

[Just1More]

I watched his HUDL video and was very impressed with his arm strength, accuracy and running ability. I don't watch a ton of HS videos, but I have to admit, Levi looks really good. His footwork is excellent and he squares his shoulders in either direction, something AJ doesn't do.

Also, I noticed that he drops back after taking the snap from the shotgun! That's something you don't see. He gets the ball 5-6 yards behind center, then drops back another 4-5 yards. So he's 10 or so yards behind the LOS when throwing most of his passes. You only do that if you have a very strong arm! And, when you drop back that deep, there's little chance you will get pressure from several DLmen. In most cases, only one guy will get pressure and Levi usually escapes with ease. Don't think you can get away with that playing D1 teams, but it is very cool to watch.

Our coaches need to know what they see on film... and what doesn't translate at the FBS level. There are prolific HS QBs that look great on film, and they aren't going to cut it at the speed and against the skills of an FBS defense. I don't have the skill watching film to assess the FBS skilled QB. I can see what looks good at the HS level, against HS competition. But I've found that to be inconsequential. Our staff needs to know the separation factors, or pay closer attention to those that do. I'm baffled, not only by our program, at the high rate a number of dual threat QBs that are studs in HS, that don't translate well into the FBS.