re: If we don't have KJ, how many games would we actually win?

It's true I may be latching onto the negative a bit. I've just seen receivers having to reach behind them to catch a ball over the middle way too much for my taste the last two years. Watching Cade come in and buzz one into Ketron's (I think) stomach with very little space didn't help with that perception I'll admit.

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I think it's mixed because what KJ lacks as a passer he makes up for in running the option (which boosts our top ranked rushing offense).

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But also feeds into the fact that we are one dimensional, and vulnerable when defenses clamp down on our running game. I think Briles could help here, just by throwing down the field on first or second down. I don’t know how many times we did that against Bama, but I only noticed it once.

To be fair to Briles, shots are called much more than we actually take them. Some of that is WRs not getting open, some of it is just KJ not seeing guys or the pressure getting to him before the routes can develop so he lowers is eyes to his protection and decides to take off.

I'd wager a lot of those plays where KJ stands in the pocket then tries to squeeze through the protection to salvage the play were called deep shots. Some are designed QB draws, but certainly not all of them.

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There are ways to get receivers the ball, even ones that can’t seem to get themselves open. Why don’t we do those things?

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KJ isn't accurate enough to rely on him throwing receivers open. Same reason we hardly ever run fades in the red zone. It requires a level of touch KJ just doesn't have right now.

I think part of it is KJ himself has gotten more conservative too. He's given up on plays too early to run a lot, IMO. It's not always a bad thing, but I think it contributes to the lowered amount of deep shots this year as compared to last. Burks being gone obviously being another factor. I wouldn't really blame him for having less trust in this group than the safety blanket he had last year.

Ketron Jackson is a good receiver, and could be great in a year or two.

Matt Landers is 6’5” tall. He’s going to have at least 3” on anyone who covers him.

Haselwood is a very talented receiver who runs good routes, and is probably better after the catch than Burkes.

Trey Knox is a freak athlete at TE, and is terribly underutilized.

That’s 4 decent receivers. If KJ can’t find a way to get them the ball, the problem is mostly with KJ. I mean hell, you have a receiver that’s 6’5”, and you don’t have a single play in the red zone where he knows that at the count of three the QB is going to do his best to hit the crossbar with the ball, at either corner or the center post? I just think there has to be ways to utilize the guys we have on offense. If KJ is incapable of doing that because none of them are named Burkes, then KJ is the problem.

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holds the ball too long

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This x 1000. Then he tries to run up the middle and stuffed for 0 yards (if we’re lucky).

Today KJ has the 4th highest QBR in the SEC - ahead of Rogers and Bennett.

And oh by the way, the two losses were against a team we should beat but for the craziest of luck, and the over all #1 defense in the SEC.

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It's a minor miracle when he hits a receiver in stride. Cade came in and did it more in two drives than KJ did all game. We can't attack the middle of the field through the air with KJ as QB. Cade comes in and all of a sudden quick slants over the middle are a viable option.

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Nah

I would like to see KJ play his natural position of tight end.