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re: Florida Fans, thoughts on Mertz starting?
Posted on 9/10/24 at 1:18 pm to DawginSC
Posted on 9/10/24 at 1:18 pm to DawginSC
quote:
If Napier sees the difference right now between Lagway and Mertz being relatively small, then having him get his confidence smashed against this season's schedule isn't ideal. There may not be that many games that could be moved from the loss to the win column by playing him.
I’ve seen several similar versions of the same sentiment.
And admitting in only week 3 that you made the wrong call at QB from the get-go doesn’t help instill any more [badly-needed] confidence in Napier at all.
It’s awfully tough to take QB1’s job away, coming off a 1-week injury. And throwing Lagway into the fire in a do-or-die game is awfully risky, unless you’re absolutely certain he can cut it. The kid has an incredibly high ceiling, but he is still a freshman.
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Posted on 9/10/24 at 1:37 pm to DawginSC
quote:
If Napier sees the difference right now between Lagway and Mertz being relatively small, then having him get his confidence smashed against this season's schedule isn't ideal. There may not be that many games that could be moved from the loss to the win column by playing him.
This early in the season, the following games look less difficult than they did in preseason:
A&M
Kentucky
FSU
UCF
MSU
arguably LSU, too
So there's 6 potential wins on the board even if one accepts the rest is entirely unwinnable, as most did prior to the season.
I doubt that Napier is willing to sacrifice his job to protect Lagway, who would likely transfer if Napier leaves anyway.
Posted on 9/10/24 at 1:39 pm to Wellborn
quote:
It’s awfully tough to take QB1’s job away, coming off a 1-week injury. And throwing Lagway into the fire in a do-or-die game is awfully risky, unless you’re absolutely certain he can cut it. The kid has an incredibly high ceiling, but he is still a freshman.
Yeah I don't see any reason to throw Lagway into the fire as starter, but if he doesn't get 15-20 snaps then Napier is even dumber than I thought.
Mertz played well last year, but he might not make it with the line we have. He also didn't distribute the ball much in game 1, which is probably a symptom of the line we have as well.
We still don't have much evidence at the college level that Lagway is a dual threat at this level, he barely ran at all against Samford.
Posted on 9/10/24 at 1:41 pm to ColoradoAg
Take the under ? 
Posted on 9/10/24 at 2:27 pm to Gator Fever
quote:
He played like the object of the game was not to throw an incompletion instead of moving the sticks on 3rd down.
So, Jarret Guarantano.
This post was edited on 9/10/24 at 2:29 pm
Posted on 9/10/24 at 2:48 pm to jonnyanony
quote:I mean, the game is in the Swamp and it's against Texas A&M. They are a step up from Samford but they still aren't very good. It's not like he's being thrown in against Texas in Austin.
Yeah I don't see any reason to throw Lagway into the fire as starter, but if he doesn't get 15-20 snaps then Napier is even dumber than I thought.
I'm in favor of starting him. It'll give him some experience heading into the game at MSU, who also isn't very good.
This post was edited on 9/10/24 at 2:50 pm
Posted on 9/10/24 at 7:54 pm to Tolbert1906
A&M will win...easily.
Posted on 9/10/24 at 8:57 pm to JayAg
This is a super easy decision matrix for Napier, but we'll see how he does it.
Start Mertz.
Give Mertz a short script, then Lagway. Rotate them based on the situation and have packages for each to be successful.
In critical areas and situations, you send Mertz, ie pinned inside your 5 after a punt, send out Mertz to get a little room, then bring in Lagway.
If one is clearly moving the ball better, let him stay with it. Continue this approach through the Moo St game on the road, and then look at possibly a one QB approach.
Mertz is not as bad as he looked against Miami. UF still needs him. But, Lagway is the future. Saw a breakdown on him by former UGA QB Aaron Murray who was very impressed. Rotate him in, coach him up on the sideline, and let him develop. If Mertz is solid they'll rotate the rest of the way. Like Tebow in 06, though, you can't keep Lagway on the sideline.
Start Mertz.
Give Mertz a short script, then Lagway. Rotate them based on the situation and have packages for each to be successful.
In critical areas and situations, you send Mertz, ie pinned inside your 5 after a punt, send out Mertz to get a little room, then bring in Lagway.
If one is clearly moving the ball better, let him stay with it. Continue this approach through the Moo St game on the road, and then look at possibly a one QB approach.
Mertz is not as bad as he looked against Miami. UF still needs him. But, Lagway is the future. Saw a breakdown on him by former UGA QB Aaron Murray who was very impressed. Rotate him in, coach him up on the sideline, and let him develop. If Mertz is solid they'll rotate the rest of the way. Like Tebow in 06, though, you can't keep Lagway on the sideline.
Posted on 9/11/24 at 12:25 am to JayAg
quote:
This will be interesting. Lagway might come in certain packages if needed.
Starting Lagway vs Samford was 100% a gimmick Napier is trying to keep his job when he goes 4-8
Posted on 9/11/24 at 6:28 am to Miznoz
Going 4-8 means he's canned either way
The only gimmick that saves him is going to a bowl and that seems unlikely in any case
The only gimmick that saves him is going to a bowl and that seems unlikely in any case
Posted on 9/11/24 at 7:56 am to Miznoz
quote:
Starting Lagway vs Samford was 100% a gimmick
Mertz was out. Our only healthy QB outside of Lagway was a walk on (Clay Millen was also hurt).
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