Are we overly critical of Brandon Harris? Dual Threat vs Pocket Passer?

Its almost become vogue to criticize Brandon Harris. Interestingly, the criticism comes mostly from LSU fans. As a recruit, you find yourself between a proverbial "rock and hard place." On the one hand, you're in one of the most conservative conferences in the country, and one of the most conservative teams in that conference. On the other hand, you're surrounded by "the best" talent in the country. You'll have games where you're allowed to throw the ball a mere 14-17 times per game, but you're tempted by the speed, size, and athleticism of your counter parts.

You have a fanbase which seems to vomit when you mention the term "dual-threat", which to them means a guy who is guaranteed to take off running at the first sign of pressure. It is also a fanbase that rejoices at the words "pro style" and "pocket passer", and seem to think this style is the path to the promise land. A review of the last 8 season shows that DT quarterbacks have claimed 4 of the last 8 SEC championships (would be 5 if you counted JJ as a dual threat). In that same time frame Johnny Football, Cam, and Tebow won the Heisman.

2015 Jake Coker (PP-QB, some would say a game manager, non-prolific)
2014 Blake Simms (DT-QB, who also played RB at Bama)
2013 Nick Marshall (DT-QB, converted from CB at Auburn)
2012 AJ McCarron (Pocket-Passer labeled game manager)
2011 Jordan Jefferson &Jarrett Lee (LSU)
2010 Cam Newton (DT-QB, Auburn) - ONE-AND-DONE HEISMAN
2009 Greg McElroy (PP-QB, Alabama)
2008 Tim Tebow (DT-QB, Florida)

Other Notables
2011-2013 Johnny Manziel (DT-QB, Texas A&M) - Wins Heisman
2013-2015 Dak Prescott (DT-QB, Miss St.) - breaks almost every school record https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dak_Prescott#School_records

2010 Stephen Garcia (DT-QB, South Carolina) - Wins the SEC East

In an effort to assign blame, LSU fans have oscillated between three theories:

1. Play calling. Miles is too conservative.
2. Failure to develop QBs.
3. Lately, its Brandon Harris' fault.

The latter of which, I take issue. National pundits have joined in the BH bash, apparently forgetting that it was not too long ago, that these same fans were calling for CLMs' heads. Even more interesting, is fans use of Mettenberger as the gold standard of LSU QBing. A review of the numbers shows that 2013 tigers throw about the same rate/attempts as did the 2015 tigers. Brandon Harris' numbers are not far off of Metts, given the fact that a Mckneese State game was not played this year.

Metts 2013 Stats show:

1. Over 1/3 of Metts passing yards were vs Non-Conference opponents (Furman, TCU, Kent, UAB) who had a combined record of 17-31. Our opponents combined record that year was an unimpressive 79-74.

2. Mett only threw a total of 10 TDs versus SEC opponents (12 versus non SEC), for a total of 1957 yards.

3. Play calling was too conservative through conference play, averaging a mere 25 attempts per game. Throwing the ball a total of 17 in a 17-6 win over Florida (who finished 4-8). These numbers are very similar to our attempt total last year.

The point is:

1. Mett did not have a prolific season. He was criticized for not being mobile enough and taking too many sacks. Though he was brilliant in a loss to UGA, he chocked in a 3 INT performance vs Ole Miss. Interestingly, throwing 2 red zone picks, which were easy throws. The same throws we like to criticize Brandon for not making.

2. We struggled with identity that year. With as many as 37 attempts versus UGa, and 20 attempts vs. A&M. I love our coach. But, I maintain, that even with Mett, we didnt know who we were in terms of philosophy.

3. We recruit size, speed, and power. Yet we dont use it all. There are other ways to get the ball in your talent's hand besides throwing.

4. We threw the ball 296 times in 2013, and 276 times in 2015 (and that is without playing the Mckneese). Not a huge shift. Neither year constitutes and aggressive nor explosive offense.

Brandon's development has been fairly typical of college QBs who have started takings snaps as a freshman. I believe that the offensive woes are far more attributable to a system that does not match the personnel. You don't need elite QBs to win the SEC. Game managers can do the trick. However, when it has come to QBs being the deciding factors throughout their career (at least the last 8 years), the championships seem to lean in favor DT-QBs or/and PP of the "game managing variety".