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

[Cajunsmike]

We need to improve the OL play... big time. I'm like C4L, we need to recruit to and improve on pass blocking OL. I still expected better of AJ. He is perhaps better than what we had on the bench, but he didn't get it done for us. Hud has got to go find a stable of QBs that fit whatever system (?) we are going to operate. I'm proud we fought back and made it a game last night, but Hud has much work to do. He has regressed, regardless of anyone on here's opinion, since arriving at UL.

Improving the OL should be the No. 1 priority in the off season. It was not only an issue last night but in several earlier games as well. Every time we were in a long yardage situation, I cringed for Jennings last night as I knew he was about to be pummeled. It does not matter who the QB is or how the offensive play calling goes, it will be meaningless unless play in that unit improves. Discussing anything else may have valid issues brought up but it pales in comparison to this need.

[CajunSaint08]

Though I have never met Anthony Jennings, I would imagine him to be a very intelligent, nice person. As a football player, he is mediocre at best. I was blasted at the beginning of the season and the first few games for saying Anthony Jennings as QB was a horrible idea. He was horrible at LaSue and I didn't think he would be any better here.

He has no football common sense nor football intelligence. 2nd quarter, he just made an incredible move to get away from the rush, then scrambled to the right sideline. He had all the time in the world to throw the ball away, but instead takes a sack, which cost us serious field position. A peewee football QB would have known to throw the ball away. 8 for 22 for only 95 yards and one costly interception that had he only thrown it to the back of the endzone, it would have been either a TD or incomplete. 95% of his 22 passes were thrown up for grabs. He had no clue (just like the entire season) where the pass route was supposed to be run. He either waits for the receiver to turn and face him or he just throws the ball up for grabs. You would think after 13 games this season, he would know at least 2 or 3 of the receiver's routes.

I would have to agree with another poster, this was an entirely bust of an idea. If you are going to play a one year QB from another school, he better be a super stud and put the team on his shoulders and will them to win. Not waste a position, especially at QB who touches the ball on 99% of your offensive snaps.

One of the reasons the offensive line looked so bad is because Jennings just holding onto the ball not waiting for a receiver to turn around. Again, he did not know their routes, which caused him to hold onto the ball, which gave the defense time to tee off on him.

[SlickRick]

Though I have never met Anthony Jennings, I would imagine him to be a very intelligent, nice person. As a football player, he is mediocre at best. I was blasted at the beginning of the season and the first few games for saying Anthony Jennings as QB was a horrible idea. He was horrible at LaSue and I didn't think he would be any better here.

He has no football common sense nor football intelligence. 2nd quarter, he just made an incredible move to get away from the rush, then scrambled to the right sideline. He had all the time in the world to throw the ball away, but instead takes a sack, which cost us serious field position. A peewee football QB would have known to throw the ball away. 8 for 22 for only 95 yards and one costly interception that had he only thrown it to the back of the endzone, it would have been either a TD or incomplete. 95% of his 22 passes were thrown up for grabs. He had no clue (just like the entire season) where the pass route was supposed to be run. He either waits for the receiver to turn and face him or he just throws the ball up for grabs. You would think after 13 games this season, he would know at least 2 or 3 of the receiver's routes.

I would have to agree with another poster, this was an entirely bust of an idea. If you are going to play a one year QB from another school, he better be a super stud and put the team on his shoulders and will them to win. Not waste a position, especially at QB who touches the ball on 99% of your offensive snaps.

One of the reasons the offensive line looked so bad is because Jennings just holding onto the ball not waiting for a receiver to turn around. Again, he did not know their routes, which caused him to hold onto the ball, which gave the defense time to tee off on him.

I seriously doubt, 13 games into the season, AJ didn't know the routes. Come on, man.

Besides accuracy, he lacked es-capability....something any QB playing behind our OL really needed this season. That's why I was hoping JD would have been given more chances. I hope JD figures it out and gets serious about playing QB for a D1 school.

[jumboragncajun]

When he under threw Jared Johnson And he had to slow down and go back to catch it and allow the defender to make a good play, I thought that play is when the game was over. Under throwing a 6'7" receiver omits the advantage of being a 6'7" receiver.

[Boomer]

When he under threw Jared Johnson And he had to slow down and go back to catch it and allow the defender to make a good play, I thought that play is when the game was over. Under throwing a 6'7" receiver omits the advantage of being a 6'7" receiver.

---think in the 2 minute deal that I give it a vertical with Johnson ----why not???

[CajunSaint]

To be honest I'd rather have better pass blockers than road graters. You ain't pulling off no upset over a solid P5 program trying to run them over.

i get your point, but don't you think if we did have absolute road graders up front, they would be good enough to be decent at pass protection?

[MetryCajun]

Improving the OL should be the No. 1 priority in the off season. It was not only an issue last night but in several earlier games as well. Every time we were in a long yardage situation, I cringed for Jennings last night as I knew he was about to be pummeled. It does not matter who the QB is or how the offensive play calling goes, it will be meaningless unless play in that unit improves. Discussing anything else may have valid issues brought up but it pales in comparison to this need.

Well said Mike. The most concerning thing to me is that we have 4 returning starters. Are they entrenched as starters next year? Can they improve? I feel like the guards can improve since they are both Freshman, but I have doubts if the two Tackles can improve enough to be serviceable. I know some people thought our Center was good, but I hope we can find a quicker guy who can get out in space to block. Bottom line, we need major improvement at all 5 line positions or we will have a similar record next year...regardless of who is playing QB.

[cajun4life]

i get your point, but don't you think if we did have absolute road graders up front, they would be good enough to be decent at pass protection?

Not neccassarily. Good pass protection comes from length and agility more than strength. Run blocking requires to to create gaps and move people off of their spots. In pass protection OL catches the pass rush and just has to hold ground. It's more finess than anything else.

[fanof71]

Hopefully the young man from Eunice will upgrade the center position...and I know that there are several JC or prep school tackles on the recruiting list. While the guards are young and improving, I wonder if any of them can pull, target, and hit anyone outside of a 10 yard window...

[Just1More]

Not neccassarily. Good pass protection comes from length and agility more than strength. Run blocking requires to to create gaps and move people off of their spots. In pass protection OL catches the pass rush and just has to hold ground. It's more finess than anything else.

You know way more than I do about offensive linemen... but I kind of doubt we'll recruit "pass blockers" in lieu of "road graders". What I think is lacking is two things: 1) too much focus on the big shadow a recruit casts - without focus on his agility, and 2) the ability to coach BOTH pass blocking and road grading. I'm hoping that 1 and 2 failed somewhat this year due to the inexperience of the OL... and we'll see marked improved next year.

[Just1More]

Improving the OL should be the No. 1 priority in the off season. It was not only an issue last night but in several earlier games as well. Every time we were in a long yardage situation, I cringed for Jennings last night as I knew he was about to be pummeled. It does not matter who the QB is or how the offensive play calling goes, it will be meaningless unless play in that unit improves. Discussing anything else may have valid issues brought up but it pales in comparison to this need.

I completely agree, Mike. But Jennings has proven to be adequate against inferior opponents... just like our OL... and inadequate against better opponents... just like our OL. I thought he would have a little better escapability than he does. And despite knowing he has a good arm... he thew a lot of wounded ducks. I'll give some of the problems he had to the OL... but when UL faces better opponents... even in the SBC... we are going to have to have a playmaker at QB. We don't run a cerebral system. We're probably never going to amaze people with pass protection under Hud. We need the second coming of Brian Mitchell for Hud to "earn his million".

[31Ragin97]

what kinds of things can be done in the offseason, to improve it?

I thought it was said size isn't our particular problem.