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Started By
Message
Attempt to quantify the improvement/lack thereof of Mettenberger
Posted on 10/21/12 at 10:55 pm
Posted on 10/21/12 at 10:55 pm
There are several debates as to whether our QB is improving or not improving. It is hard to make a uniform statement one way or the other. Is he improving or not improving? Depends on which area you focus on...there are many things that go into being a QB besides just throwing the ball.
Decision making: he is definitely throwing fewer passes in places where he shouldn't be throwing them. Granted, this is by design from the coaches and the plays that are being called, but he is doing a better job of just chucking the ball out of bounds if he doesn't like what he sees.
As far as "pocket awareness", I think he is getting better with that, as well. He is standing in a bit longer and scrambling a bit when he needs to. Of course, his decision to throw that one pass 3 yards past the line of scrimmage was a head scratcher. Overall...I would say in this category he is improving
Accuracy of passes There is no doubt he missed a couple of receivers yesterday that were open. Jacobs was the main one...we never throw to the TE, and he had his man beaten badly, but Mettenberger sailed the ball 5 yards over his head. I do believe the wind may have been a factor yesterday; however, he has missed open receivers in other games as well. Many argue that our receivers don't get separation....this is not true 100% of the time. When they DO get separation, Mettenbergers MUST hit them more often. So for this category, I would say not improving.
Taking care of the ball This is a no-brainer. He fumbled the ball 3 times in the first 2 games. I don't believe that he has fumbled since. The coaches gave him a message about holding on to the ball...he has heeded it. So here, I would say that he is much improved
"Managing the game" Very rarely do we have issues with the play clock running out or with the players being confused about which play is being called, and when these problems do happen, I think they can be attributed to the bench and not the QB (see the end of the first half of the Florida game). Remember the days when LSU would burn 2-3 time outs per half just because they couldn't get the play into the QB in time? That hasn't been a problem this year, so kudos to all involved. So the score here is doing a good job and maintaining
Summary...I think mentally, Mettenberger is doing fine...he is making the correct decisions with the limited choices offered to him by the plays being called. His actual physical throwing of the ball is suffering and unfortunately, that is the most obvious thing the fans see, so they choose to focus on this. I think it is what it is for now...and I think he will be much better next season.
The people who thought he was going to throw for over 3000 yards and 30 TD's were delusional to begin with and they will never be happy either way.
Decision making: he is definitely throwing fewer passes in places where he shouldn't be throwing them. Granted, this is by design from the coaches and the plays that are being called, but he is doing a better job of just chucking the ball out of bounds if he doesn't like what he sees.
As far as "pocket awareness", I think he is getting better with that, as well. He is standing in a bit longer and scrambling a bit when he needs to. Of course, his decision to throw that one pass 3 yards past the line of scrimmage was a head scratcher. Overall...I would say in this category he is improving
Accuracy of passes There is no doubt he missed a couple of receivers yesterday that were open. Jacobs was the main one...we never throw to the TE, and he had his man beaten badly, but Mettenberger sailed the ball 5 yards over his head. I do believe the wind may have been a factor yesterday; however, he has missed open receivers in other games as well. Many argue that our receivers don't get separation....this is not true 100% of the time. When they DO get separation, Mettenbergers MUST hit them more often. So for this category, I would say not improving.
Taking care of the ball This is a no-brainer. He fumbled the ball 3 times in the first 2 games. I don't believe that he has fumbled since. The coaches gave him a message about holding on to the ball...he has heeded it. So here, I would say that he is much improved
"Managing the game" Very rarely do we have issues with the play clock running out or with the players being confused about which play is being called, and when these problems do happen, I think they can be attributed to the bench and not the QB (see the end of the first half of the Florida game). Remember the days when LSU would burn 2-3 time outs per half just because they couldn't get the play into the QB in time? That hasn't been a problem this year, so kudos to all involved. So the score here is doing a good job and maintaining
Summary...I think mentally, Mettenberger is doing fine...he is making the correct decisions with the limited choices offered to him by the plays being called. His actual physical throwing of the ball is suffering and unfortunately, that is the most obvious thing the fans see, so they choose to focus on this. I think it is what it is for now...and I think he will be much better next season.
The people who thought he was going to throw for over 3000 yards and 30 TD's were delusional to begin with and they will never be happy either way.
11
Posted on 10/21/12 at 11:53 pm to LSUGrad9295
I think mett can be a 3000 yard qb but that isn't lsu. We pound the ball with the RB. If o line could pass block better mett would have more time and perhaps better results against the teams we can't run against like Florida
Posted on 10/22/12 at 12:08 am to LSUGrad9295
I'd be happy if he were 12-17 with 200+ and 2TD's. That isn't much to ask, plus we need some help getting the grease off OBJ's hands.
He is improving though and zero picks @ ATM was a great step in the right direction.
He is improving though and zero picks @ ATM was a great step in the right direction.
Posted on 10/22/12 at 12:13 am to LSUGrad9295
quote:
Remember the days when LSU would burn 2-3 time outs per half just because they couldn't get the play into the QB in time?
that could be attributed to stud not calling for crazy substitutions. I mean crowton killed us with that shite.
Posted on 10/22/12 at 12:17 am to idlewatcher
You don't think 16.7+ yards per completion and a TD every 6 completions is much to ask? Big Madden fan?
Posted on 10/22/12 at 12:45 am to LSUGrad9295
excellent post. I think his inaccuracy is mostly due to footwork, and that can be corrected easier than a hitch in the throwing motion. Mett will continue to progress and all of the negativity on the board will fade away until he has a below average game. I don't see him making huge strides against Alabama, but I think he will manage the game well and surprise some people with better accuracy. If the oline holds up against Bama (big if) and if a WR will make a big play, the offense will look much better. The WRs need to step up BIG in this game for Mett. They need to take short throws and break tackles for big plays which is something we haven't seen much of this year.
Posted on 10/22/12 at 1:02 am to LSUGrad9295
I think Mett is doing okay and can't understand why so many people hate on him. His obvious negatives are pocket presence and overthrowing receivers, but I feel like he is worlds better than JJ. The main thing I don't understand is how so many of his passes get batted down.
Posted on 10/22/12 at 1:20 am to Zipfer2022
I didn't get to watch the last game due to having to work. But it sounded like Mett played horrible. Now after watching the game on CST I believe Mett actually played pretty darn good against A&M. Sure he missed long on a few passes. But better long than short. I think the TE couldn't get to the ball because he is freaking slow. All in all I thought Mett played much better than he did last week against USCe!
The problem with the offense is not Mett. it is the receivers not getting open. A number of incompletes were due to defensive holding... some called others not called. Then when mett does thread the needle the WR doesn't hang on... sometimes because they suck but often because they are being stripped of the ball as they are trying to catch it. Can't fault the drop but ummm... getting open every once in a while would help.
I blame the coaching staff for not running the WR's in a better scheme to get them open but I could be wrong on that just picking up on what others have said and a number of instances where even I picked up on the predicatable routes. Easy to guard someone if you know the route.
The problem with the offense is not Mett. it is the receivers not getting open. A number of incompletes were due to defensive holding... some called others not called. Then when mett does thread the needle the WR doesn't hang on... sometimes because they suck but often because they are being stripped of the ball as they are trying to catch it. Can't fault the drop but ummm... getting open every once in a while would help.
I blame the coaching staff for not running the WR's in a better scheme to get them open but I could be wrong on that just picking up on what others have said and a number of instances where even I picked up on the predicatable routes. Easy to guard someone if you know the route.
Posted on 10/22/12 at 1:24 am to Zipfer2022
quote:
The main thing I don't understand is how so many of his passes get batted down.
He kinda has a slow release. Not as bad as JJ with the wind-up, but he doesn't have a very quick release like JL did.
Posted on 10/22/12 at 1:24 am to Zipfer2022
I think it's hard to expect a 20 year old amateur athlete to have absolute confidence in his abilities when his boss does not appear to. I think that vast improvement is likely if they opened it up, rolled the dice some, and had fun.
Posted on 10/22/12 at 1:49 am to JR Hamilsbach
Part of his struggles has to do with the injuries on the O-line. We are constantly having to use max protect with both a FB and RB to allow him time to drop back and scan the field. Protection issues will dictate how many receivers are on the field running routes and what type of route they will be able to run.
They will have to open the playbook and help Mett get rid of the ball fast and utilize the receivers/backs ability to gain YAC. Similar to what Alabama did in the NC game. It eventually opened up the vertical game and neutralized the blitz.
I'm hoping we come up with a great game plan that revolves around YAC and misdirection.
They will have to open the playbook and help Mett get rid of the ball fast and utilize the receivers/backs ability to gain YAC. Similar to what Alabama did in the NC game. It eventually opened up the vertical game and neutralized the blitz.
I'm hoping we come up with a great game plan that revolves around YAC and misdirection.
Posted on 10/22/12 at 3:05 am to supe12sta12z
*suoe12sta12z you are spot on with Mett and the O'Line. I think they do a good job but can be much better. I would like to see more TE involvement and RB releases and let those studs pick up some YAC. If CLM would do that, I think that bama LB's would back off and open the run and also give Mett the chance to throw some down the field. If this doesn't happen, IMHO, LSU will be in for a LOOOOONNNNNGGGG day.
Posted on 10/22/12 at 3:33 am to idlewatcher
quote:
He is improving though and zero picks @ ATM was a great step in the right direction.
I agree 100%. That was the game difference to me. He also appeared to have more pocket awareness and seemed to not stare down down the entire route/receiver.
That TD pass was spot on and it was a beauty.
I can see the improvement in the young man.
Posted on 10/22/12 at 5:28 am to LSUGrad9295
Posted on 10/22/12 at 6:12 am to omegaman66
quote:
But better long than short. I think the TE couldn't get to the ball because he is freaking slow. All in all I thought Mett played much better than he did last week against USCe!
Practice is where a qb learns about his receivers. Mett has been here a year and a half. Each player has different speed. Not the TE's fault.
Posted on 10/22/12 at 6:45 am to Good Times
quote:
Sure he missed long on a few passes. But better long than short.
Very good and informational post...
Posted on 10/22/12 at 7:16 am to mpwilging
Realistic expectations for Mett this year
60% completions on roughly 20-25 throws/game
180-220 yds/game passing
roughly 2:1 td:int
This would be a solid first year QB in the SEC. Especially one that plays two road games against ranked opponents and plays two top 3 teams at home.
60% completions on roughly 20-25 throws/game
180-220 yds/game passing
roughly 2:1 td:int
This would be a solid first year QB in the SEC. Especially one that plays two road games against ranked opponents and plays two top 3 teams at home.
This post was edited on 10/22/12 at 7:17 am
Posted on 10/22/12 at 7:19 am to LSUGrad9295
I think Mett has had his confidence shaken. We run run run and when he finally gets an opportunity to pass he is on his back every two seconds. Then we get that fixed and he feels like he has to be Joe Montana or everyone is going to shite on him. Its a tough thing to turn around, I hope he can do it.
Posted on 10/22/12 at 7:26 am to Zipfer2022
quote:
I feel like he is worlds better than JJ
Of course you do.
1 TD and 4 interceptions in SEC play. But at least he can run like JJ to give us a chance.
Not saying he won't be good, but so far we are not getting good QB play.
Posted on 10/22/12 at 8:03 am to Tigertown in ATL
What changed ?
I know, it was Northwestern St,but...
Passing Cmp-Att-Int Yds TD Long Sack
-------------------------------------------------
Zach Mettenberger 8-11-0 92 1 24 0
I know, it was Northwestern St,but...
Passing Cmp-Att-Int Yds TD Long Sack
-------------------------------------------------
Zach Mettenberger 8-11-0 92 1 24 0
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