If you watch the play you'll see what I mean. The catch was there if the WR pulls up and turns. Water under the bridge now.Originally Posted by theprofessor
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If you watch the play you'll see what I mean. The catch was there if the WR pulls up and turns. Water under the bridge now.
I think the thing we saw in Smith that we've never witnessed in Higgins was composure. He wasn't rattled. He didn't panic. He played with poise and he played with confidence. I'm sure Higgins was better in practice. I'm sure Higgins has a better grasp of the offense. But Higgins has never demonstrated the game composure we saw in Smith yesterday.
There is a real dilemma here imo. I think Smith is more talented. I imagine he can gain a better grasp of the offense. I suspect his practice performance will improve as he gets more insight. Higgins is not going to become as talented as Smith. He will not discover the arm strength and mobility of Smith. I don't think anybody can argue that Smith has more upside than Higgins.
Higgins earned the starting job. Smith earned the right to contend for the starting job by how he played in the first game. If it were me, I'd give Higgins the first quarter against SC State. But I'd give Smith the second quarter. I would do something similar in the second half. Then, I'd let the guy with the better performance start against Texas Tech.
I think Smith demonstrably earned the right to play in the second game.
Have you considered those Dogs?
In Higgins' defense, you're remembering the "Freshman" Higgins, who was thrown to the wolves in 2013 by Holtz, and played behind one of the worst offensive lines --and on one of the worst offensive teams-- in LA Tech's recent memory. I suspect he has matured a lot as a football player since then, and his "on field" decision making has much improved.
higgins has more arm strength and mobility than you're giving him credit for. the only problem i ever had with him was his tendency to complete just as many passes to the defense as he did to the offense. if he hasn't improved in that department, it should be readily obvious in the first couple of series he plays against real competition. if he can't handle the pressure, we know we've got a very capable backup.
I've also seen him in scrimmages and in mop-up duty. He has a tendency to get "happy feet" and panic when pressured. J'Mar's composure was remarkable. Higgins has never shown that level of composure imo.
Have you considered those Dogs?
His arm strength is suitable but J'Mar can flick the ball in situations where he has to wind up to make the same throw. He's nowhere near as mobile as J'Mar. I've got it on video.
Have you considered those Dogs?
http://www.thenewsstar.com/story/spo...ener/89870886/
"(Smith) got this start because of an opportunity Ryan gave to him. Ryan served his punishment, which was to sit out this game," Holtz said. "When you look at the body of work through spring practice and fall camp, Ryan Higgins will be our starter next week."
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I completely agree. The one play by Smith that impressed me the most was when we evaded 2 guys chasing him behind the line and still had the presence of mind to not only throw the ball away, but to put it in the vicinity of a receiver to keep from getting the intentional grounding call. There are many starting QBs in both college and the NFL that won't do that, let alone a redshirt freshman making his first career start on the road against an SEC team. I can confidently say we won't see a play like that from Higgins this year. He'll either fold and take the sack or fling the ball into coverage and risk a pick.
Make no mistake....those SEC refs WANTED badly to call intentional grounding on that play.In fact, they DID call it at first. They were so excited to call "IG" (because Smith was still inside the tackle box), that they never even noticed Trent Taylor standing right under the thrown pass.
And the announcers never told us that the flag was picked up. Could tell only because it was 2nd and 10 instead of 3rd and long.Make no mistake....those SEC refs WANTED badly to call intentional grounding on that play.
Yep. But he was OUTSIDE the tackle box, the ball went past the line of scrimmage, and the ball went over Trent Taylor's head. The flag should have never been thrown. Then when the d*****s official picked up his erroneous flag the Arkansas fans booed long and loud in response.Make no mistake....those SEC refs WANTED badly to call intentional grounding on that play.
I know they did. Kudos to Skip for standing up to them and getting the flag picked up, but he wouldn't have been able to make that case had J'Mar not made a great play there.Make no mistake....those SEC refs WANTED badly to call intentional grounding on that play.
The blatant holding no-call on the 4th and goal score all but confirmed how much the refs wanted to make sure Arkansas won. Don't forget the block in the back penalty they called when Trent Taylor got brought down by the facemask on a punt return. That alone caused a 25 yard swing in field position, assuming they didn't call the block in the back penalty but called the facemask penalty. I don't recall them showing a replay of that block in the back, so who knows if it actually happened.
Looks at all the recievers, quick release, accurate...kind of reminded me of Rattay.
I really did like his quick release. And his arm is strong too.
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