You act like Tebow’s running is a detriment to him. It’s not. As you put it, it’s like having an extra running back in the back field. That adds tremendous stress on the opposing defense. Besides, it’s not like Tebow is a bad thrower. He has 13 TDs vs. 3 INT, 240 ypg, 65% completion %, and a 173 passer rating.
I only saw a little bit of Harrell against OKState so I can’t say for sure how good he is, but at least some of his gaudy stats are because of the pass happy system he plays in and the crappy competition he plays against.
Oh, it’s not a detriment to HIM at all. It’s great for him. I do think it’s often a detriment to his team, however. (Not that I mind – I can’t stand Florida.) You’re right in that Florida has an extra running back in the backfield, but it’s at the cost at having only half a QB in the backfield. Seriously, how often does he pull it down and run for a few yards rather than make a difficult throw that a throw first, scramble later QB would make? He doesn’t even look for the throw when there’s the slightest bit of a pass rush. He’s off. He’s got 17.5 rushes a GAME. That’s at LEAST 12 times he should have been throwing. He’s a 65.5% passer, averaging almost 10 yards a pass, so by this admittedly crude calculation, that’s almost 80 yards through the air he’s missing out on.
I know, that calculation didn’t mean much, but the fact remains that you get more through the air than you do on the ground – that’s why there’s a QB on the field in the first place – and Tebow doesn’t really give that to Florida. He’s half-RB and half-QB, and unless you’re Michael Vick, that ain’t no good.
Well of course the system inflates his stats. But it’s only going to inflate gross stats, like yards and maybe touchdowns. But ratio statistics, like 75% completion and 10+ TD/INT, wouldn’t be similarly inflated. He’s accurate as hell, and a far better QB than Tebow.
What a bizarre way to look at it. First off, he gets so many rushes per game because Florida calls a ton of QB running plays, especially around the goal line. It doesn’t matter if Tebow passes up a difficult throw for say 15 yards to run for 4.8 because runs like that will move the chains. Tucking and running instead of trying to force it is a much better strategy. Florida’s offense would be much less dynamic, and much less effective if Tebow just stood back there and threw.
Sure it does. I looked back at ESPN’s statistics and the lowest a Texas Tech quarterback has finished in completion % is 12th in the nation. Granted, none of them are up in the 75% range but his stats will come down once he plays actual teams.
What’s his average completion (before run)? Usually numbers like that mean West Coast offense, with running backs that are really good at making yards on short dump offs and screen passes. If he’s averaging pass of 8+ yards, then those are incredible numbers. Can’t wait to see him in the NFL, but probably not going to see much of him on TV while he’s in the NCAA.
You’re right, it doesn’t mean much. You’re assuming that he would have the same completion rate for “difficult” passes that he has for his other passes. Probably not a very good assumption. Plus, you say it’s an additional 80 through the air, but how many additional total yards is he gaining?
Once you factor in the difficulty of the potential pass attempt and the yards he gains on those runs, it’s quite possible that running is the better bet and helps the team more.
Now you may be right and he is hurting his team by running so much, but your calculation isn’t very convincing.
And this sort of stuff happens almost every year. There is great parity in the SEC, and there’s not a patsy in the bunch. Ridiculously hard to make it through a season unbeaten, and thus very hard for an SEC team to get its shot at the national title.
With the Big Ten, on the other hand, to the extent there is parity, I’m wondering if it’s because they’re all patsies. Interesting that Michigan took it on the chin to Division 1AA (or whatever they’re calling it these days) Appalachian State, but now is tearing through its Big 10 schedule. Hmm… What might that tell us about the Big 10?
Vanderbilt, Ole Miss, and Mississippi State are all patsies this year. No one is denying that the SEC is the best conference this year, but it’s not like this every year.
