Is the Starting QB Job Tyler Wilson's to Lose?
by John Expat on Feb 8, 2011 7:30 PM CST
in Arkansas Razorback Football
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PrintAfter setting more than 30 Arkansas passing records and leading the Razorbacks to new heights of offensive production, Ryan Mallett has left the Bobby Petrino and Garrick McGee with some very big shoes to fill. Although some fans are forecasting an effortless transition from one star to the next (see: Manning to Martin, UT 1997-98), it's the opinion of this blogger that there will inevitably be some bumps in the road along the way...Mallett is too good not to miss.
With nearly a full set of offensive skill players returning, next year's QB will certainly have the weapons needed to succeed, but that also means anything less than greatness from that position will be an opportunity wasted. Tyler Wilson seems like the clear front-runner, with visions of his amazing hot streak against Auburn dancing in everyone's heads (as opposed to his miserable showings against South Carolina or the early season cupcakes). Meanwhile, Brandon Mitchell is a popular choice among the "we haven't seen much of him but he's probably awesome" crowd, and Jacoby Walker and Brandon Allen remain even more mysterious options.
With that in mind, it has to be Wilson, right? Or will Petrino try a Spurrieresque platoon approach? Or will Mitchell (or Walker) dominate in spring practice and move to the front of the line? ESPN's Chris Low certainly is in the Wilson camp...in his rundown of offseason QB battles he barely even mentions Arkansas as having much of a decision to make.
What's your take? Vote in the poll below, then share your more in-depth scouting report in the comments section.
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Apologies to Brandon Mitchell with two L's
That was an accidental misspelling, but I can’t go back and edit the poll once it’s live. Just wanted to go on the record with that.
Word of the day: Spurrieresque
Love it. And oh! I have recently found myself in the “we haven’t seen much of him but he’s probably awesome” camp.
Stay Classy San Diego.
This is amazing to me.
Tyler Wilson has never shown us a bad performance with a1st string supporting cast and has only had bad performances with 2nd and 3rd teamers.
On the other hand, we’ve never seen Ryan Mallett in this situation. Think he would’ve done better?
Also, we’ve never seen how Mitchell or Walker would perform in a live game where the plays aren’t scripted. (ala last seasons spring game)
Question: Whats the big debate all about? Tyler Wilson will be our starting QB in 2011, hands down.
our QB will be
Whoever CBP figures to be the best for the team. I will have no issue with that.
"I solemnly swear to tell the truth as I know it, the whole truth as I believe it to be, and nothing but what I think you need to know."
I hope no one takes this wrong.
Because i for one am gonna miss Mallets rocket arm, but am i the only one who thinks that a qb (Wilson or Mitchell) with a little more mobility (one that can go run for that eight yard 1st down instead of having to wait until the receivers come open and getting sacked) will make Coach P’s offense even more productive. Just my thinking, what do you guys think about that?
agreed
for sure, it’s not just cbp’s offense. a quarterback that will escape the pocket some can be really effective in the college game.
by Brock Carpenter on Feb 9, 2011 12:42 PM CST reply actions
agreed
Yeah, it does sound refreshing to envision a defense that has to prepare for an Arkansas qb that is something of a threat to run the ball. They had a lot to prepare for in Mallett, but him hurting them on the ground was not one of them.
I'd say anytime you have.....
a QB that presents a mobility problem outside the pocket, it limits even more what you can do on defense with pressure up front.
If you have an OLB dropping back into coverage or picking up a TE across the middle, it takes him away from the play. If the DE gets blocked to the inside and the QB rolls out, he can run for a few yards before running out of bounds or just easily stop and dump it off to a RB or TE over the middle.
If the pocket collapses and the middle opens up, then the QB could possibly run and slide for a first down before getting hit. (I saw Tyler Wilson do this numerous times in high school.)
Either way, it does make the QB position much more versitile, even if you don’t posess a cannon like Ryan Mallett does.
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