OK, Clausens Probably Gonna Start

[OldVol]

If Clausen does start, will we interfere with a rythm by inserting Ainge in the 3rd series.

Or, if Clausen has us ahead after the first 2 series, will we stick with Rick and hope he can hold the hot hand.

My vote is stick with the starter until he cools.

Ainge did look pretty good until he sat out the 3rd and 4th series. When he came back in, he was colder than a witches ... uhm, he was cold.

I say in a huge game like Florid and LSU stick with your starter until things appear to fall apart and then go for a hotter hand if the starter isn't getting it done.

This, "Both of them will play" is probably a formula for disaster.

 

[milohimself]

Yep. Pick a man and stick with him. I wish I could get a rerun of Saturday's game... I didn't pay enough attention to the pass protection by the o-line. Ainge was throwing on the run too much. He just needs to sit in the pocket, our WR's can get open.

 

[Freak]

I think at least a couple of those were designed roll out plays milo.

 

[milohimself]

How well did Ainge throw on the run last season?

I think he's only so-so at that at best.

 

[GAVol]

Maybe, but one of Ainge's signature plays last year was the throw on the run across his body for a TD against Florida.

 

[milohimself]

That one had us all wowed. I still remember that.

 

[OWB]

I thought Ainge looked great on the run last year. Like I said in another thread, Ainge was trying to float balls in there instead of zipping them, especially on the run.

 

[GAVol]

Well, I think I remember hearing that on the first pick, the ball simply slipped out of Ainge's hand, so it may not have even had much to do with him being on the run.

 

[OWB]

The second one was a floater.

 

[GAVol]

Yeah, the second one was an awful throw.

 

[volinbham]

It seems to me that the planned rotation like we saw in this game and in some games last year with EA and BS is designed to help with confidence rather than hurt it. In other words, you weren't taken out because you screwed up.

That being said, when you remove the planned rotation - when do you pull the plug on your starter? Is an interception going to do it? We've all seen QB's have shaky series but go on to have great games. If you replace your starter and the backup struggles, do you yank him? If so, when?

Having two capable QB's is a dual edged sword. The only guarantee is that second guessing will occur.

 

[Big Orange Diesel]

With a little more playing time I think Ainge will make all the throws. Remember he has only played eight games. He still very young.

 

[dan4vols]

sophmore jinx? I dont think so. But I agree start one and stay with him till after 2 series he shows he cant move the chains. Ainge looked like a hs qb at times saturday, but Ive seen him look like tom brady when he was a freshman...this kid is a truckload of talent, but I suspect he has issues involving either his ego or for lack of a better way to put it...'do I deserve success' . I think this is where coach cutliff could be worth a fortune to the Vols...these two need to get tight.

 

[BHAMVOLFAN]

I have no probem starting Rick and bringing in Eric on the 3rd series. UF would have to respect Erics arm and that might soften up their D a little. But, as of right now, Rick's the man.