re: Y'all ready to admit Burrow > Etling?

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What do you think is/are the reason(s) for Burrow's statistically inferior season thus far (compared to Etling)? Not trolling, asking seriously.

Burrow - 7.3 YPA, 53% completion, 122 rating
Etling - 9.0 YPA, 60% completion, 152 rating

I know you feel like drops have been abnormally high, but what else? Is a slightly worse running game this year having that much of an impact?

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Thank you


If Burrow is so much better, when are his stats going to actually reflect that. As of now they reflect the opposite.

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Etling's numbers were better because of the scheme and circumstances.

He was here a year as a redshirt, sitting out games after transferring. During that time he practiced with the backups, I believe.
When he got his chance, notice that Chark also emerged. Chark was a backup with him, we had Dural and Dupre. But Etling's favorite target from game 1, until the final game, was Chark. Obviously, those two had some connection.
Also during his time here, he had Fournette, Guice and D Williams. The focus of the offense was to run the ball, and then throw on play action. Even Canada's offense was set to play off Guice and Williams.

Burrow, in contrast, has been here only since the summer. No WR that he's developed a rhythm with, he's just now starting to click with Jefferson. Also, while Brossette has been competent and Edwards-Helaire is beginning to emerge, the scheme is flipped. The offense is Burrow in the shotgun passing, setting up the run.

If Burrow had a favorite receiver already lined up, if we had an All-American RB and a deep O line, and Burrow got the benefit of just throwing off play-action, I think his numbers would be way better. He's been very accurate on his targeted attempts, and if you defuse the pressure with a running focus, he might be close to 70% (without the drops).