It's 2009 and you're the coach...

[FQDawg]

Assuming Tyler Russell keeps his commitment and comes to state... Further assume that you are the head coach... Do you redshirt him or throw him into the fire right away?

I'm undecided. Part of me wants to say that if next year is going to be another challenge, then playing Russell won't help and we might as well redshirt him. But, the other part of me wants to believe that he can make a difference and that we should play him.

And apologies if this topic has been discussed before.

 

[FlabLoser]

Lots of good QBs start their freshmen year. They aren't all-SEC that first year. But it helps them develop.

Only teams that can afford to make investments should redshirt players. Teams that will be no worse off playing freshmens instead of less-talented upperclassmens should go ahead play the freshmens.

If Russell turns out to be good sure we will end up wishing he was here another year. But in the process, we'll also attract other QB recruits to take his place.

 

[8dog]

qb is not nearly the problem that O-Line/TE is. Let those guys hopefully grow next year and don't get Russell killed. Meanwhile he (allegedly) learns.

Lee is throwing more TDs than Ints, and he is completing a higher percentage of his passes than anyone other than Tebow and Stafford. I dont' know that we get that from Russell as a true frosh.

 

[patdog]

If Lee and/or Carroll can beat him out, then redshirt him.

 

[futaba.79]

immediately. Croom has nothing to lose so why not. Russell can lead us to 3 wins just as easy as Lee/Carroll can. </p>

 

[Coach34]

Lee and company could be decent with a better coach. Get through the new coach adjustment as Russell redshirts, Lee graduates, and you have Carroll and Russell compete for the starting job in year 2.

 

[RonnyAtmosphere]

..he looks in fall practice.

If he appears to possess football savvy & is unusually mature, then you probably play him.

Keep in mind as a true freshman there is no way he will know all the playbook most of the first season.

But if he is talented, is a leader, possesses football smarts & knows how to win @ the college level, you abridge the playbook & allow him to play.

 

[MSUCostanza]

Lee could at least be decent and has experience. Just needs a damn coach.

 

[UpTheMiddlex3Punt]

He'll only get worse the longer he's in Starkville.

 

[dawgstudent]

but I say RS.

 

[Rockdat2]

Wait and play him in the Egg Bowl next year, don't redshirt him. What sense does that make?</p>

 

[DowntownDawg]

...I play him if he is the best qb on the team.

If I am a new coach, I definitely redshirt him and use 2009 as a rebuilding year.

 

[TDAWG.sixpack]

If in fall practice he is at least 2nd on the depth chart then you DO NOT redshirt him. However if he is 3rd and possibly could move to 2nd then you make a decision after the 2nd game and STICK WITH IT. Of course if he looks like it may take half the season then redshirt him and tell him to hide his jersey so croom wont make any rash decisions

I personally think he should be redshirted. I know our QB situation is bad but
-Lee has been performing above average in my opinion (especially with his surrounding talent)
-Carroll will hopefully (fingers crossed) take this season as a dissapointment and work his *** off in the offseason
-Relf is someone that i would like to see mature. They say he cant read a defense, but he has the size and a cannon for an arm. Not sure how accurate it is because i have only seen him throw about 5 passes.

 

[bulldogcountry1]

in the 9th game when all other microscopic changes fail miserably.