At what point do you expect the $8,000,000 man play up to his compensation level?

#226
#226
No excuses for plays that he should have made.

Nico needs to improve on his game awareness and processing speed. For the most part, his mechanics look pretty good.

My post was to point out the other offensive areas of imperfection that affect his performance and development.
 
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#227
#227
SayUWantAreVOLution said:
Choices are:
Gaston Moore - knows the system but likely lacks the athletic gifts to be successful in the SEC

Jake Merklinger - true freshman who likely has only the rudiments of the system down and next to zero SEC experience

Ryan Damron - redshirt freshman walk on

Navy Shuler - legacy redshirt senior walk on

So........ who performs better than Nico, you think?
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Crap is crap. If Moore or Merklinger play like crap, then what have we lost if Nico is already stinking it up? Nothing. On the other hand, if Nico is continuing to play like crap and we switch things up, we at least give ourselves a shot for something better. Heupel should not be afraid to change things up, if we see more 1st halves like we have lately.
 
#228
#228
Until the Florida game, I wasn't quite sure it was Nico but rather how we were using them/strategy.

There were times in the Florida game where Nico botched plays (overthrows and fumbles).

IMO, he partially paid for himself by the hype he brought and other recruits but it was probably silly to expect him to come out and be Bryce Young day one.

Regarding his performance, I am leaning on the coaches. I am not sure where he is at or what is being coached into him to do versus him not doing (i.e. running more for example).
 
#229
#229
87Vol said:
Crap is crap. If Moore or Merklinger play like crap, then what have we lost if Nico is already stinking it up? Nothing. On the other hand, if Nico is continuing to play like crap and we switch things up, we at least give ourselves a shot for something better. Heupel should not be afraid to change things up, if we see more 1st halves like we have lately.
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But he's not "stinking it up"
 
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#230
#230
87Vol said:
Crap is crap. If Moore or Merklinger play like crap, then what have we lost if Nico is already stinking it up? Nothing. On the other hand, if Nico is continuing to play like crap and we switch things up, we at least give ourselves a shot for something better. Heupel should not be afraid to change things up, if we see more 1st halves like we have lately.
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Pull Nico for Moore or Merk in a non mop up situation and his next run will most likely be to the portal.

We're currently 5-1 with Nico but you think Moore or Merk are more ready for Bama and GA without ANY reason whatsoever, you just think we need to shake it up?

Let's get this straight. You want to experiment with essentially completely SEC untested QBs against Alabama? Sounds like a solid coaching move.
 
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#231
#231
SayUWantAreVOLution said:
Pull Nico for Moore or Merk in a non mop up situation and his next run will most likely be to the portal.

We're currently 5-1 with Nico but you think Moore or Merk are more ready for Bama and GA without ANY reason whatsoever, you just think we need to shake it up?

Let's get this straight. You want to experiment with essentially completely SEC untested QBs against Alabama? Sounds like a solid coaching move.
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I'm saying IF (and only if) Nico can't get it together and keeps playing poorly with turnovers and inaccurately not making plays. That would be the reason. IF we're getting poor QB play, what difference does it make who we get it from and also what difference does it make if Nico transfers. If he can't get it together, then give the others an oppportunity. If they can't do it, then manage the best you can this year and move on to the new highly rated kid coming in next year. The bottom line is, especially if you are making big money like Nico is, you've got to get it done or sit, or be gone. There are no excuses for Nico. This is his second year. He either has the goods or he doesn't. There is very little time to waste waiting and hoping for him to improve.
 
#232
#232
87Vol said:
I'm saying IF (and only if) Nico can't get it together and keeps playing poorly with turnovers and inaccurately not making plays. That would be the reason. IF we're getting poor QB play, what difference does it make who we get it from and also what difference does it make if Nico transfers. If he can't get it together, then give the others an oppportunity. If they can't do it, then manage the best you can this year and move on to the new highly rated kid coming in next year. The bottom line is, especially if you are making big money like Nico is, you've got to get it done or sit, or be gone. There are no excuses for Nico. This is his second year. He either has the goods or he doesn't. There is very little time to waste waiting and hoping for him to improve.
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The persons at fault are: Coach Josh Heupel and Coach Glen Elarbee.

They spent a ton of effort and money to get Nico, who was extremely highly rated and they no doubt had seen all the film available, talked with Nico, and discussed it among themselves.

If Nico is failing to provide the ROI expected, like Milton failed to provide the ROI expected, then the problem isn't Nico is it?

It's called coaching for a reason and Josh Heupel makes $9M / yr to recruit and coach up players. We have evidence that he didn't get the most out of Joe Milton and we have growing evidence he's not getting the most out of Nico.

It's damn easy to blame the QBs though so I get it but it's not likely the correct route.
 
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#233
#233
PalmettoStateVol said:
Question.......Do all of the "it's not your money he's getting paid with" folks get to say that next year when the university starts charging the 10% talent fee for tickets?
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You have no ground to b1tch about anything if you are selling tickets at 4/5 times the cost..... just saying. Many price gouge tf out of tickets. 10% is a fraction compared to 600 a seat for a game. Just my opinion.
 
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#234
#234
SayUWantAreVOLution said:
The persons at fault are: Coach Josh Heupel and Coach Glen Elarbee.

They spent a ton of effort and money to get Nico, who was extremely highly rated and they no doubt had seen all the film available, talked with Nico, and discussed it among themselves.

If Nico is failing to provide the ROI expected, like Milton failed to provide the ROI expected, then the problem isn't Nico is it?

It's called coaching for a reason and Josh Heupel makes $9M / yr to recruit and coach up players. We have evidence that he didn't get the most out of Joe Milton and we have growing evidence he's not getting the most out of Nico.

It's damn easy to blame the QBs though so I get it but it's not likely the correct route.
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I'm pretty sure he got the most out of Milton
 
#235
#235
Voltradamus said:
The job is getting done by the team. At this point in his career, you can't call him a game manager yet.
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Doesn't it always take a team ?
Voltradamus said:
Which sounds like a talent acquisition/recruiting issue doesn't it???
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Talent is a problem at OL. I personally wouldn't care if our OL coach was replaced
Voltradamus said:
If pointing out what's obvious is 'looney' then I'll be that. You just keep pretending that everything is fine.

All of us want Nico to succeed, but he isn't there yet. Unless they simplify some aspect of this offense for the young man, the offense is going to continue to look like it has for the past 2 games.
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And you believe Gaston can do better ? Lol he does not have the talent. That is why he is a backup and if Nico gets hurt he is a 2 game at best qb to get Merk ready.
 
#236
#236
87Vol said:
Crap is crap. If Moore or Merklinger play like crap, then what have we lost if Nico is already stinking it up? Nothing. On the other hand, if Nico is continuing to play like crap and we switch things up, we at least give ourselves a shot for something better. Heupel should not be afraid to change things up, if we see more 1st halves like we have lately.
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You bench Nico for winning, you can kiss good QB's goodbye. He is not setting the world on fire at the moment but he is winning. 7 games into his career. 6-1 and you want him benched because he hasn't been perfect. News flash NO QB is perfect and beyond making a mistake. And more often than not all first year guys take some lumps. You don't bench the guy if he is your future especially for Gaston Moore. If Merk was ready I could see a shake up in practice to see who the best guy is. Mark is no where near ready hell he can barely complete a pass against UTC
 
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#238
#238
The highest ceiling this team/program has is with Nico. You play him until he reaches that potential or you wait until you have somebody with that type of potential or upside (Macintyre or Brandon) to replace him. Its simple. If Nico hits you have a Heisman level QB. If he fails you move on when you feel like you have someone in that room that can compete for championships. We don't have that guy in the QB room right now. Nico's upside is worth the risk/growing pains. The payoff could be huge.
 
#245
#245
To quote the Bay City Rollers S A T U R D A Y night!
Remembering the first 3 games, when Nico is not flustered he is outstanding. And on those games he was getting the ball off fast enough to avoid sacks against the SEC competition.
I think the int against OU where his arm was hit has a bigger impact on him than all the straight sacks
 
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#246
#246
DaytonLawVol said:
"Hes a kid."
"Hes a Redshirt Freshman."
"He's only played 7 games."

All of that is fine and good.however, the money drastically changes expectations. This is now a professional sport.
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Soon, please soon. I will give him youth and the complexity of the system. Can’t wait till he starts connecting the long pass. Just a few inches on a couple of passes and we blow UF out Saturday
 
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#247
#247
Doesn't it always take a team ?
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Of course it does. The point is, he isn't performing at an efficient level right now. That isn't to say he won't at some point, but he isn't right now. I don't expect a 1st year starter to play like a sr., but it's not unreasonable to expect them to be an effective game manager at the very least.

Talent is a problem at OL. I personally wouldn't care if our OL coach was replaced
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I don't understand why people have no problem criticizing our Oline/Oline Coach, but the QB/QB Coach is off limits. Explain that one to me.

There were times in both the Arkansas & Florida game where blocking wasn't the issue in the passing game.

And you believe Gaston can do better ? Lol he does not have the talent. That is why he is a backup and if Nico gets hurt he is a 2 game at best qb to get Merk ready.
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I don't know if Moore is better, but I do know that if I spent $8 mil on a qb, I may take an additional $200-500k and go secure a guy from the portal just in case.

With all that said, I do hope they simplify the offense for him this week.
 
#249
#249
Voltradamus said:
Of course it does. The point is, he isn't performing at an efficient level right now. That isn't to say he won't at some point, but he isn't right now. I don't expect a 1st year starter to play like a sr., but it's not unreasonable to expect them to be an effective game manager at the very least.


I don't understand why people have no problem criticizing our Oline/Oline Coach, but the QB/QB Coach is off limits. Explain that one to me.

There were times in both the Arkansas & Florida game where blocking wasn't the issue in the passing game.


I don't know if Moore is better, but I do know that if I spent $8 mil on a qb, I may take an additional $200-500k and go secure a guy from the portal just in case.

With all that said, I do hope they simplify the offense for him this week.
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So we are going to go back and forth continously. It is ok to say Nico needs to get better. He does and likely will with some real experience. The OL is experienced and have not performed. I can assure you that if Moore was good enough to be a starter he would have transferred and done that at some point. Won't disagree we could have used the portal for a potential player. I don't think he needs it simplified. I think he needs either some rollout early or his OL to protect him early. He needs to protect the football and play the game instead of thinking. His OL Coach is not off limits nor Nico however the way we approach and deliver those critiques are what has some ruffled.
 
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#250
#250
BigALWiLson said:
So we are going to go back and forth continously. It is ok to say Nico needs to get better. He does and likely will with some real experience. The OL is experienced and have not performed. I can assure you that if Moore was good enough to be a starter he would have transferred and done that at some point. Won't disagree we could have used the portal for a potential player. I don't think he needs it simplified. I think he needs either some rollout early or his OL to protect him early. He needs to protect the football and play the game instead of thinking. His OL Coach is not off limits nor Nico however the way we approach and deliver those critiques are what has some ruffled.
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I don't think we could've gone to the portal successfully for QB.

Nico was here and assumed to start.
Merk is essentially next.
McIntyre is committed.
Faizon is committed.

Why would an upperclassman good enough to start come to UT where there's a talented QB room and have to scrap to win the job? Unless we attracted a Dart or Manning or Ward "true superstar," which seems really unlikely, anyone else transferring in would be rolling the dice on whether they'd play or not.

When Heupel had a dumpster fire, Joe Milton took a chance that he could beat Hooker, Bailey, and Maurer. Gaston Moore wants to learn to coach, not play, most likely and knew he was a role player.
 
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