Karam should have been the redzone qb at least. Lynch have to work on hand offs and tossing. Karam doesn't make those mistakes. I'd give him a B-.

I can't grade him, in all fairness, until he gets more run blocking.

I would also like to see Karam go in and relieve Lynch at times so the coaches can coach him.

I think today validated why he's the starter. With lynch teams have to defend the whole field because the deep ball is definitely in play. I gotta be honest he throws an excellent deep ball. The receivers get a D-. The OL gets a B for pass blocking and a D- for run bloking. Its hard to grade the running backs so they get and incomplete. I give special teams a B+ maybe an A. I give the defense a B.

Either I'm just pessimistic or I bought into the fantasy of a 'much improved' Tiger squad. I realize some folks are sold on Lynch but based upon today's performance, Lynch is not ready to be the starting QB. He has a lot of talent with some potential but he doesn't command respect from his receivers or his backs.

Karam may not possess as much raw talent as Lynch (according to all the hype) but the receiving core and backs responded well to him. That much was obvious toward the end of last season. That kind of bond between a QB and his receivers develops over time; not according to talent. That was missing in today's game but responsibility for it falls on the coaching staff rather than either QB.

The ideal scenario that comes to mind is that of Kenny Stabler. Many of you may be too young to remember but Stabler played in the NFL for the Raiders. If he ever threw a spiral pass, it was by accident. He was one of the worst passers to ever play professional football. He lacked talent but the man invariably found a way to win games! How? Because his receivers trusted him to throw wobbly passes which were consistently off-target. They knew what they needed to do to adapt!

The ability to adapt is absent from the Tigers squad, starting with Lynch. Lynch doesn't need to rifle the ball with every pass. He has to adapt to the circumstances of each passing opportunity. He has yet to learn how to adapt but his receivers aren't sufficiently familiar enough with him to make the necessary adjustments in his stead.

I'm not implying Fuente's decision to start Lynch is a bad one but it is most definitely premature. I believe Karam would've been more productive for the Tigers just like ole Kenny Stabler was for the Oakland Raiders.

I already trust him on deep passes in a way I've never really felt before. He's so accurate downfield, and such a smart, poised player already even when the play breaks down. I can't wait to see him develop.

Anyone who thinks a) Karam gives our offense a better chance to put up points and/or b) that using a "game manager" over a stud-in-the-making in a year where we're not expected by most to even compete is being incredibly short-sighted.

Seriously, dude above me, what are you expecting from a freshman playing in his first game with zero support on the ground? Karam was hardly the player he was at the end of the season when the year began, and being a senior with limited talent means we cannot force him into games at the expense of someone who can become much, much better.

Paxton Lynch, Game 1 vs. Duke 2013
14/24 for 148 yds, 42 yds on 8 rushes

Jacob Karam, Game 1 vs. UT-Martin 2012
12/28 for 157 yds, 1 TD, 52 yds on 10 rushes

(09-07-2013 09:37 PM)biguofmfan Wrote:  Karam proved he can win games (I know the last three games were weak teams, but Duke is not that great either).

I disagree here--

Duke is a team that promises to be improved over last year's team that went to a bowl. They're also in a BCS conference-- Memphis hasn't beaten a BCS conference team since 2004.

Neither of those things are true for any of the 3 teams we beat to finish the season last year. IMO, it may not quite be "apples and oranges," but it's at least horse apples and crab apples.

By the way, Lynch gets a solid B for his first game in my book.

The fumble on the QB sneak sucked. There were a few pitches to the RB that were sloppy, and a few handoffs that were slow.

However, he can get you yards on the ground, which for his height is impressive. Also, what an arm! The threat of the deep ball is real, and should open things up for us as the offense has an opportunity to gel.

He needs to get more from his O-line and from the running game. He can't do it 100% by himself.

Like Karam, he didn't hurt us. He didn't throw INTs, and I can only remember one throw that was in danger of being intercepted... and that was a long ball near the end when we were down a couple of TDs and gambling a bit.

The main thing Karam brings to the table is experience, poise, and not hurting us. He wasn't a big playmaker last year. As long as Lynch keeps relatively poised and keeps from hurting us, I think his ability to sling the ball downfield outweighs the positives that Karam brings to the table, for now. Hopefully he continues to develop and settle in. As someone else alluded to, Karam didn't exactly start the season off with a high comfort level last year. Lynch is going to settle in and we'll finish out the season strong.

Interesting observations on a R/S freshman QB's first start. I believe Wolo said Duke brought back 8 senior starters on their defense. They absolutely blanketed TE Cross (0 receptions). Also keep in mind the offensive game plan probably had maybe 40% of the possible plays to help Lynch focus on just a FEW things. More plays will be introduced as the season goes on.

Positives for Lynch - overcame early jitters which are natural in 1st start, strong arm and damn good deep ball, decent running ability, never took too much time (got team on LOS and didn't incur delay of game penalty), ran out all "fake rollouts" on hand offs, only one TO (bobbled 4th down fumble).

Negatives for Lynch - some handoffs and pitches a bit quirky, must develop touch on some passes, expand vision/secondary reads (some guys were wide open on routes but he never looked in that direction), leadership skills will emerge as he gains more confidence.

ABsolutely improved running and less dropped passes would help immensely in sustaining drives and building confidence for EVERYONE on offense. 3-17 on 3rd and 4th downs basically is THE negative stat of the day. Fuente was right in the post game remarks - the team had toughness and conditioning, execution was lacking.

The TIGER offense and QB Lynch we saw yesterday will be much improved by the midpoint of the season (Cincinnati game).

Here's a thought about the option pitch play..... Stop running it. Dayum that's what you folks are griping at Lynch about? I blame the back, particularly whoever number 1 is. That dude was scared to deaths, deer in headlights all day. You gotta get someone in there that can catch a deep ball. Hopefully the recruiters will carry a DVD of Lynch firing bullets to attract some guys who can catch it.

(09-07-2013 08:41 PM)TiminMem23 Wrote:  I give him a B. I think he played well and is going to be really good. He needs to work on his progressions, but other than that he had a good game. Didn't have many bad throws.

Now the people around him, that's a different story. The receivers dropped pass after pass and couldn't get separation. The Rbs are small and didn't do anything. The line pass protected OK but didn't run block much.

I don't think switching to Karam would change anything. The rest of the offense has to improve.

Excellent recap of the game.

(09-08-2013 08:14 AM)Brother Bluto Wrote:  Here's a thought about the option pitch play..... Stop running it. Dayum that's what you folks are griping at Lynch about? I blame the back, particularly whoever number 1 is. That dude was scared to deaths, deer in headlights all day. You gotta get someone in there that can catch a deep ball. Hopefully the recruiters will carry a DVD of Lynch firing bullets to attract some guys who can catch it.

#1 is a freshman.

#12 is a freshman.

4th and 2 and both are in the backfield and the ball is pitched backwards. That falls on the coaching staff.

Experience really helps.

(09-08-2013 05:26 AM)Psicosis Wrote:  I already trust him on deep passes in a way I've never really felt before. He's so accurate downfield, and such a smart, poised player already even when the play breaks down. I can't wait to see him develop.

Anyone who thinks a) Karam gives our offense a better chance to put up points and/or b) that using a "game manager" over a stud-in-the-making in a year where we're not expected by most to even compete is being incredibly short-sighted.

Seriously, dude above me, what are you expecting from a freshman playing in his first game with zero support on the ground? Karam was hardly the player he was at the end of the season when the year began, and being a senior with limited talent means we cannot force him into games at the expense of someone who can become much, much better.

Paxton Lynch, Game 1 vs. Duke 2013
14/24 for 148 yds, 42 yds on 8 rushes

Jacob Karam, Game 1 vs. UT-Martin 2012
12/28 for 157 yds, 1 TD, 52 yds on 10 rushes

Yeah, but check out other numbers since you want to compare games.

364 yards total offense in first game of 2012 vs 237 total yards yesterday. 21 first downs in first game of 2012 and 12 first downs yesterday. We were 9 of 17 in 3rd down conversions and 2 of 3 on 4th down conversions in 2012. Yesterday we were 2 of 13 on 3rd downs and 0 for 4 on 4th downs. We had three 3 and out possession in 2012. We had seven 3 and outs yesterday.

Don't get me wrong. I have no problem with lynch, but i want to win games NOW. I still feel karam would have changed things yesterday. I think a little experience at qb helps the offense. It's just my opinion. The 2nd year coach made the call though. I do believe lynch will be fine overall. It's not like he is tyler bass.

(09-08-2013 02:34 AM)shafted1 Wrote:  Either I'm just pessimistic or I bought into the fantasy of a 'much improved' Tiger squad. I realize some folks are sold on Lynch but based upon today's performance, Lynch is not ready to be the starting QB. He has a lot of talent with some potential but he doesn't command respect from his receivers or his backs.

Karam may not possess as much raw talent as Lynch (according to all the hype) but the receiving core and backs responded well to him. That much was obvious toward the end of last season. That kind of bond between a QB and his receivers develops over time; not according to talent. That was missing in today's game but responsibility for it falls on the coaching staff rather than either QB.

The ideal scenario that comes to mind is that of Kenny Stabler. Many of you may be too young to remember but Stabler played in the NFL for the Raiders. If he ever threw a spiral pass, it was by accident. He was one of the worst passers to ever play professional football. He lacked talent but the man invariably found a way to win games! How? Because his receivers trusted him to throw wobbly passes which were consistently off-target. They knew what they needed to do to adapt!

The ability to adapt is absent from the Tigers squad, starting with Lynch. Lynch doesn't need to rifle the ball with every pass. He has to adapt to the circumstances of each passing opportunity. He has yet to learn how to adapt but his receivers aren't sufficiently familiar enough with him to make the necessary adjustments in his stead.

I'm not implying Fuente's decision to start Lynch is a bad one but it is most definitely premature. I believe Karam would've been more productive for the Tigers just like ole Kenny Stabler was for the Oakland Raiders.

(09-08-2013 08:39 AM)tmoneyinmphs Wrote:  

(09-08-2013 08:14 AM)Brother Bluto Wrote:  Here's a thought about the option pitch play..... Stop running it. Dayum that's what you folks are griping at Lynch about? I blame the back, particularly whoever number 1 is. That dude was scared to deaths, deer in headlights all day. You gotta get someone in there that can catch a deep ball. Hopefully the recruiters will carry a DVD of Lynch firing bullets to attract some guys who can catch it.

#1 is a freshman.

#12 is a freshman.

4th and 2 and both are in the backfield and the ball is pitched backwards. That falls on the coaching staff.

Experience really helps.

How about the freshman that wears #11? ONE play 14 yards. Hello?

So here's something I haven't seen mentioned, not saying I'm right, just that it's a possibility: last year Karam fit the talent around him pretty well, he achieved a lot without the greatest abundance of natural talent, and I think that fit our whole team.

So, is it possible that Lynch was drastically better than his supporting cast? I have to say that our receivers did not appear impressive, our O line seemed average at best and our running game was almost non-existent. Is Lynch such a huge upgrade that he now has to play down to their level?

(09-08-2013 09:14 AM)Brother Bluto Wrote:  

(09-08-2013 08:39 AM)tmoneyinmphs Wrote:  

(09-08-2013 08:14 AM)Brother Bluto Wrote:  Here's a thought about the option pitch play..... Stop running it. Dayum that's what you folks are griping at Lynch about? I blame the back, particularly whoever number 1 is. That dude was scared to deaths, deer in headlights all day. You gotta get someone in there that can catch a deep ball. Hopefully the recruiters will carry a DVD of Lynch firing bullets to attract some guys who can catch it.

#1 is a freshman.

#12 is a freshman.

4th and 2 and both are in the backfield and the ball is pitched backwards. That falls on the coaching staff.

Experience really helps.

How about the freshman that wears #11? ONE play 14 yards. Hello?

That was an exciting play by Sam Craft, there goes the redshirt, so we can bet we will see a lot more of him this year.

Wofford had the jitters, but showed promise.

(09-08-2013 08:39 AM)tmoneyinmphs Wrote:  

(09-08-2013 08:14 AM)Brother Bluto Wrote:  Here's a thought about the option pitch play..... Stop running it. Dayum that's what you folks are griping at Lynch about? I blame the back, particularly whoever number 1 is. That dude was scared to deaths, deer in headlights all day. You gotta get someone in there that can catch a deep ball. Hopefully the recruiters will carry a DVD of Lynch firing bullets to attract some guys who can catch it.

#1 is a freshman.

#12 is a freshman.

4th and 2 and both are in the backfield and the ball is pitched backwards. That falls on the coaching staff.

Experience really helps.

To run the ball between the tackles would have meant we had to blow their Dline off the ball. That wasnt gonna happen yesterday--

our team total rushing yardage was 89 yards

we were 2-13 on third down.

4 failed 4th down attempts

we turned the ball over 2 times.

total offense 237 yards
lynch had 148 yards passing and 29 yards rushing

lynch is not the problem

(09-08-2013 10:24 AM)shere khan Wrote:  our team total rushing yardage was 89 yards

we were 2-13 on third down.

4 failed 4th down attempts

we turned the ball over 2 times.

total offense 237 yards
lynch had 148 yards passing and 29 yards rushing

lynch is not the problem

He may not be the problem but Lynch didn't prove to be the solution either. The Tigers lacked cohesiveness in the game and talent alone cannot fix that.

(09-08-2013 03:39 PM)shafted1 Wrote:  

(09-08-2013 10:24 AM)shere khan Wrote:  our team total rushing yardage was 89 yards

we were 2-13 on third down.

4 failed 4th down attempts

we turned the ball over 2 times.

total offense 237 yards
lynch had 148 yards passing and 29 yards rushing

lynch is not the problem

He may not be the problem but Lynch didn't prove to be the solution either. The Tigers lacked cohesiveness in the game and talent alone cannot fix that.

Experience fixes it.