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Jason Campbell on Bo Nix Struggles
Posted on 10/21/20 at 7:41 pm
Posted on 10/21/20 at 7:41 pm
Jason Campbell can relate to Bo Nix perhaps better than most.
Campbell, now with the Auburn Sports Network, not only played quarterback at Auburn, eventually leading the Tigers to an undefeated 2004 season, he also had to overcome some growing pains in the process.
Which, of course, brings us back to Nix. The Auburn quarterback’s play has been dissected since the Tigers' fell to South Carolina 30-22. In that game, Nix threw three interceptions, was flagged for an ill-timed intentional grounding and was tackled well short of a first down on a last-second, fourth-down play.
Campbell, who had a different coordinator every year he was at Auburn, offered some advice to the second-year quarterback.
“You don’t have to make every play,” Campbell told me during a Wednesday appearance on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5. “Understand the game is played in situations. At the end of the game, it can be a chess match. They know if they can face you into taking those chances, then they win.”
In other words, Nix is pressing.
“In high school, he was a man amongst boys,” Campbell said. “He could outrun a lot of people, get outside the pocket and thrown on the run.”
Campbell isn’t wrong. At Pinson Valley, Nix threw for 10,393 yards and 127 passing touchdowns. He rushed for 2,112 yards and 34 touchdowns. “He brought that same element to Auburn where he feels like he has to make every play,” Campbell explained.
Now, Campbell added, opponents are putting more pressure on Nix, so he must rely on his teammates and understand situational football.
“Bo needs to channel himself,” Campbell said. "This is a time right now that’s very critical for him to hold himself accountable, take a step back and breathe.
“You are seeing a lot of new things from (offensive coordinator) Chad Morris and having a full spring. That’s where you go through these situational drills. You are seeing the effects of it now. Chad’s still trying to figure out Bo’s tendencies. He flushed out of the pocket too early sometimes. That’s where he feels most comfortable.”
Campbell compares what we saw late in the South Carolina game to what we saw in the season-opening win last year against Oregon. In the second half of that game, however, Nix “let the game come to him. He played within the system.”
The season is far from over, and Campbell expects the offense to lean Tank Bigsby, who reminds him of former running back and current assistant coach Carnell Williams.
The disagreement Nix had with receiver Seth Williams on Saturday, Campbell said, was part of the maturation process.
“They aren’t at the place they thought they would be,” Campbell said. "I think you are seeing a lot of frustration pouring out. You are seeing a learning curve for him. This is something he’s got to learn how to channel his emotions. At the end of the day, those guys feed off your energy. If you are looking frustrated, then they are going to be frustrated.
Article:LINK
Campbell, now with the Auburn Sports Network, not only played quarterback at Auburn, eventually leading the Tigers to an undefeated 2004 season, he also had to overcome some growing pains in the process.
Which, of course, brings us back to Nix. The Auburn quarterback’s play has been dissected since the Tigers' fell to South Carolina 30-22. In that game, Nix threw three interceptions, was flagged for an ill-timed intentional grounding and was tackled well short of a first down on a last-second, fourth-down play.
Campbell, who had a different coordinator every year he was at Auburn, offered some advice to the second-year quarterback.
“You don’t have to make every play,” Campbell told me during a Wednesday appearance on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5. “Understand the game is played in situations. At the end of the game, it can be a chess match. They know if they can face you into taking those chances, then they win.”
In other words, Nix is pressing.
“In high school, he was a man amongst boys,” Campbell said. “He could outrun a lot of people, get outside the pocket and thrown on the run.”
Campbell isn’t wrong. At Pinson Valley, Nix threw for 10,393 yards and 127 passing touchdowns. He rushed for 2,112 yards and 34 touchdowns. “He brought that same element to Auburn where he feels like he has to make every play,” Campbell explained.
Now, Campbell added, opponents are putting more pressure on Nix, so he must rely on his teammates and understand situational football.
“Bo needs to channel himself,” Campbell said. "This is a time right now that’s very critical for him to hold himself accountable, take a step back and breathe.
“You are seeing a lot of new things from (offensive coordinator) Chad Morris and having a full spring. That’s where you go through these situational drills. You are seeing the effects of it now. Chad’s still trying to figure out Bo’s tendencies. He flushed out of the pocket too early sometimes. That’s where he feels most comfortable.”
Campbell compares what we saw late in the South Carolina game to what we saw in the season-opening win last year against Oregon. In the second half of that game, however, Nix “let the game come to him. He played within the system.”
The season is far from over, and Campbell expects the offense to lean Tank Bigsby, who reminds him of former running back and current assistant coach Carnell Williams.
The disagreement Nix had with receiver Seth Williams on Saturday, Campbell said, was part of the maturation process.
“They aren’t at the place they thought they would be,” Campbell said. "I think you are seeing a lot of frustration pouring out. You are seeing a learning curve for him. This is something he’s got to learn how to channel his emotions. At the end of the day, those guys feed off your energy. If you are looking frustrated, then they are going to be frustrated.
Article:LINK
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Posted on 10/21/20 at 7:46 pm to AuburnFan2019
He is spot on. Bo is pressing too much while carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders.
Posted on 10/21/20 at 7:58 pm to TailbackU
quote:
He is spot on. Bo is pressing too much while carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders.
Making Bo Nix throw 50 times a game is squarely on the coaches. That kid should not be throwing that much.
We have a fricking stable of running backs to take the beating. It is absurd having Bo throw so many times a game.
Posted on 10/21/20 at 8:08 pm to Rhino5
Trying to make plays work that worked in high school. If you want to know why Nix plays the way he does, just go look at the high school highlights.
We call guys like Seth 50/50 guys. Bo is also a 50/50 guy. It’s hard wired in and I’m not sure you can get it out now
We call guys like Seth 50/50 guys. Bo is also a 50/50 guy. It’s hard wired in and I’m not sure you can get it out now
Posted on 10/21/20 at 8:42 pm to AuburnFan2019
Hard to improve when you dont have a coach that knows shite about being a Qb
Posted on 10/21/20 at 9:18 pm to AuburnFan2019
JC is one of my favorite Auburn guys ever. I believe the poor guy had a few different OCs at the start of his NFL career as well.
Posted on 10/21/20 at 9:37 pm to Leto II
quote:Always liked JC.
I believe the poor guy had a few different OCs at the start of his NFL career as well.
Believe it was every year at AU and something like the 1st three in the pro's. And then maybe injured when finally getting to have same coordinator the next year.
(although might have just been 1st 2 years in NFL)
Posted on 10/21/20 at 10:08 pm to awestruck
Jason said it much more eloquent then I have said before. When I said Bo was pressing.
Posted on 10/21/20 at 10:19 pm to Rhino5
quote:
Making Bo Nix throw 50 times a game is squarely on the coaches. That kid should not be throwing that much.
We have a fricking stable of running backs to take the beating. It is absurd having Bo throw so many times a game.
This can’t be stated enough. Not sure why our multimillion dollar coaching staff can’t see it?
Posted on 10/21/20 at 10:31 pm to Aubie Spr96
And if we ran 50 times and threw 15. It would be we should be throwing more. Or we are beating our running backs to death. Or first down run up the guy Gus. Unless you can identify the game plan, most defensive coordinators can in the few couple drives, then what plays are called are never going to make sense to the casual observer. I think the game plan was to throw first against USCe then let the run game work late in each half. shite went off the rails when we lost the lead and had to get a little pass happy. Sure Bo made some bad decisions and some poor throws but like I said a couple of the interceptions appear to be on the intended WR. I can’t know for certain because I don’t know the route. But you didn’t see Chad or Gus go over to Bo and even ask what he saw. Gus no matter who will chew that arse out for ball security. The one that was definitely on Bo, Gus went straight to him and was questioning him and you clearly could see the disgust in his face. Just my opinion and I’ve said that repeatedly. Bo isn’t a pin point passer but he has protected the ball pretty well throwing. His accuracy will improve when he stays in the pocket. We don’t have to have an 80% guy we just need him to be around 65%.
Posted on 10/22/20 at 7:57 am to CorchJay
quote:But we’d be winning in that scenario
And if we ran 50 times and threw 15. It would be we should be throwing more.
Posted on 10/22/20 at 8:26 am to Rig
You might be correct on that. Fans demanded a change. Change was made.
Posted on 10/22/20 at 8:53 am to CorchJay
quote:
Fans demanded a change. Change was made.
Not the right change.
Posted on 10/22/20 at 8:58 am to CorchJay
quote:
You might be correct on that. Fans demanded a change. Change was made.
I would hope a HC isn't making decisions like that based on what a bunch of idiots like us are saying.
Personally, I think Gus took the narrative that he can't develop a passing QB and doesn't prepare guys for the NFL as a challenge and was determined to prove all the talking heads wrong.
Posted on 10/22/20 at 9:13 am to CorchJay
quote:
You might be correct on that. Fans demanded a change. Change was made.
I think most of us thought Nix would improve
Posted on 10/22/20 at 9:16 am to CorchJay
Nix: 24/47 51.1 272 passing
Nix: 15 69 4.6 rushing
-------
62 total touches
Bigsby: 16 111 6.9 rushing
The absurdity of the QB, who by all accounts is struggling, accounting for 62 touches vs Bigsby only getting 16 is amazing.
Nix: 15 69 4.6 rushing
-------
62 total touches
Bigsby: 16 111 6.9 rushing
The absurdity of the QB, who by all accounts is struggling, accounting for 62 touches vs Bigsby only getting 16 is amazing.
Posted on 10/22/20 at 9:18 am to Skyler97
Nix has improved some. Not an excuse but not having a spring hurt plus learning a new offense.
But he should be playing better and played very poorly last week. He has this week to redeem himself some this week. Maybe he's up to it or it could be another day for the Tigers.
It's time to start the upward movement at the position. It won't be over night but should improve each game and by next year he should have just about seen it all and be ready to be top QB.
But he should be playing better and played very poorly last week. He has this week to redeem himself some this week. Maybe he's up to it or it could be another day for the Tigers.
It's time to start the upward movement at the position. It won't be over night but should improve each game and by next year he should have just about seen it all and be ready to be top QB.
Posted on 10/22/20 at 9:29 am to Rig
quote:
But we’d be winning in that scenario
I don't think we know that.
When Gus was running over 65% of the time the last so many years, teams would put 6-7 in the box, and forced us to throw.
We need balance, and for some reason that wasn't the case in the USC game. No idea why...
...But if we had run like past Gus offenses, USC would have adjusted and forced us to pass.
The key using balance is to not let the D know what you are going to do, and if you runs to take time of the clock, be able to do it. If we are getting stuffed on runs, have the ability to use a good passing scheme.
I believe the QB creates rhythm and timing in his throws and execution but Bo is too inaccurate and has those happy feet which destroys any continuity on offense.
I agree it is not his fault Morris had him throw 27 times in the first half, and another 20 in the 2nd half even though we either had the lead or was only behind by 1 near the end of the 3rd quarter. But then Bo and Seth had that terrible INT.
Jason Campbell and Cole Cubelic made the best observations. It is not what the OC is calling that is the major problem, but Bo trying to do too much and forcing the action.
Posted on 10/22/20 at 10:10 am to AuburnFan2019
Jason Campbell was just as frustrating to watch early in his Auburn career as Bo. The 2004 Campbell was awesome.
Posted on 10/22/20 at 10:25 am to slacker130
JC played pretty well in 2003. The playcaller was the problem just calling plays off a sheet regardless of down and distance. Offense put up huge numbers but wasn't efficient
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