QB1: 65%, 3462 yards, 7.9 yds/att, 29 TD, 9 int QB2: 65%, 3292 yards, 7.7 yds/att, 25 TD, 5 int QB3: 71%, 3521 yards, 8.1 yds/att, 27 TD, 12 int QB4: 58%, 3357 yards, 7.2 yds/att, 21 TD, 9 int QB5: 65%, 3036 yards, 9.3 yds/att, 26 TD, 10 int ... ... ... Just in case you want to try and guess at where I'm going with this.... ... ... ... QB1: Sam Ehlinger 2019 QB2: Sam Ehlinger 2018 QB3: Colt McCoy 2009 QB4: Major Applewhite 1999 QB5: Vince Young 2005 Some context for the stats matters. It's easier to pass now than it was 10 or 20 years ago. Vince Young's TD count was a little low because our running game was so good (55 TDs on the ground that year, 5 players scored at least 8 rushing TDs) but then that also helped his yds/att get so high. And then of course this is leaving out Colt's 2008 year, which blows all 5 of these others away. But let's not forget he still finished 3rd in the Heisman in 2009 and many here were saying and still say that he should have won it. And Ehlinger is still comparing reasonably well with that. And for all the bemoaning of Ehlinger's regression, his stats didn't really get worse. Basically the difference between this year and last year was that the single truly awful game he had between the two seasons came in 2019 and not 2018. It's not like he's declined consistently on a game-by-game basis. Really the worst you can say is that he plateaued rather than improving much and had 1 really bad game.
Can't compare with the new rules where you can't hit anyone. Also the wide open offenses and new rules combine to allow huge passing stats the last 5 years or so. Where Ehlinger regressed was in his running. It was obvious the coaches told him not to run. Didn't look the same on the zone read, and waited too long often times to take off when nobody was open. When he did run he didn't look as aggressive as last year. They had him playing not to get hurt. If he plays like that next year they might as well replace him now, or be ready to go 7-5 yet again.
Considering the OL performance after game 4, I think he progressed slightly, but not as much as he could have with better protection. I think next year we will notice a more hardcore and dedicated Sam with less tolerance for OL mistakes. I can imagine him calling in him own OL substitutions if he is not satisfied. He knows it is his last chance. If Brady comes on board, watch out. He got to see Ehlinger live. so I bet he would love to coach him up and rewrite the offensive playbook before grooming the remaining and incoming QB at Texas. If he is smart and has good advice, he is not signing any renewal until after the season is over.
Well, it could be argued that he actually improved his running skills because he did not get badly injured and have to miss some games like he has every year before back through high school. So I would call that progress. Just imagine how bad the record could have been if he did get hurt for a couple of games in the second half of the season. Thompson is good, but a collapsing OL is not a good learning environment. We could easily be 5-7.
OR ...Thompson could have lit things up with being more elusive and pulled out the ISU, TCU, and or Baylor games.
Sam Ehlinger is (for me, now) one of the top three QBs we have had probably since the late 60s. If not, he’s certainly very close. Give him a good play caller, reasonable O-line play (which I expect) and with the receiving and RB talent we will have in 2020, not only will the offense thrive — for a full season, but Sam will immediately be in the Heisman conversation. And deservedly so. Sam was the least of our problems this season.
Sorry but Sam's not a Heisman QB even if he improves from last season. Heisman QB requires spectacular clips, and in today's day and age that usually means long QB runs as well as passes. His deep passing is fine, but his QB scrambles are Tim Tebow -- he'll get 10-15 yards but very unlikely to bust out a 50 yarder.
can't find any breakdowns of this but it seems to me that Sam's mid-range passing game is not strong. He predominantly has two gears...short dumps and long (cross-your-fingers) bombs. He's a good quarterback and a strong competitor and is much more of an asset than a hindrance but he doesn't seem strong with the 8-20 yd routes. To be elite, he'll need that. I'm hoping he develops that for next year.
My visual from the outside over the last few years is that Sam is not a precise passer on average. He reminds me of an arm like Trevor Knight. Sometimes he's awesome and slays the Alabamas of the world, but, often, not so much. I think he would be better served with a strong running game to use play action and some strong TE/FB/HBack play and CD Lamb type of receivers. Duverney helps as that guy is a STUD. I think with that skill set the "take the top off the defense" offense is fool's gold. He's one tough sucker.
