So I'll start with the first graph and two things.
Part of CFB is that kind of angst. You watch a guy all the time, you learn his limits. You also tend to let that command your perspective. If you'd like to tell me there were 1 3/4 years of laments about arm punting, that I'll buy. But he was second in the county in passer rating as a freshman, setting that team for an actual title, and the next year OSU fans spent a chunk of the year asking for him over Jones. Heck, Barrett had four TD passes in that 2016 win over Oklahoma and had them looking good though at least four games (I think sentiment started to turn in the latter half of that season).
It's also worth noting, Burrow didn't "show up at LSU and put himself in Heisman contention." He showed up at LSU and was the 12th rated passer in the SEC. As a fourth-year junior. This points to another interesting happening. We see our teams all the time. Our nits bother us. What happens to other players, former players, we only really see the highs and lows. In this case, more this year than last year.
I empathize with your last graph. I really do. Because we spend a lot of time with someone and their flaws become all we see. If Barrett had not gone 23-4 with a playoff appearance and Big Ten title, he'd actually be remembered more fondly. But it points to another factor. If Burrow had been given three-plus years or runway, there's a very real chance OSU fans end up annoyed by one flaw he has or another. Perhaps he's a stud three years running who gets better and better. More likely there are ups and downs, and he ends up looking less shiny compared to 2015 Barrett. Perspective is weird that way.
I must not be conveying my thoughts very well. Yes Barrett had an amazing career at tOSU. He put up incredible numbers and won a lot of games I will not argue that and in fact am very appreciative for it.
My point is that while he was very good, he was also somewhat limited in how far he could really take the offense. I would even speculate that had he NOT gotten injured in the last reg season game in 2014, tOSU may not have steamrolled Wisconsin and gotten into the playoffs. And had they managed to get in, the would have been steamrolled by Bama. Not because JT was not a good player but because he could not pop the top off the defense the way the Jones did. Bama would have just loaded the box and dared JT to throw it downfield. He may have completed a couple here or there, but most likely would have thrown a few picks.
Also, look as Zeke's rushing numbers for a 3 game stretch, 220, 230 and 246 yds. Those are the 3 highest yardage games of his college career. Not 3 of the highest, the 3 highest. And what was different about those games other than they were arguably the 3 of toughest opponents in a 3 game stretch that he would see in college? A QB that could pop the top off the defense and an offensive coordinator that tailored the offense to his abilities. While Jones was capable of running the ball, that was not his strong suit. Meyer was FORCED to allow the OC to change his offense.
However, the following season, they went right back to the Meyer offense predicated on a running QB sharing caries with the tailback. Yeah they won those games, but they didn't look impressive doing so. Jones struggled and JT was brought back in because of his ability to move the ball in that offense.
With all of that said, the issue was that Barrett played to the best of his ability and had some great wins and awesome moments. I am very grateful that he was the QB and happy with the results. But his throwing ability along with UM's insistence that HIS system was the only way to go, possibly cost them even greater success. And even with that, he had another QB later that could both run and throw the ball downfield but never gave him an honest opportunity to demonstrate it. Had he given Burrows that opportunity, they may have achieved even more. But who knows.
When it's all said and done, I am very happy with where they are now. I am glad that Fields is there and will be for next season. I am happy with the way the current offense and defense are playing. I am also happy that Ryan Day is now the coach and is doing well. I wish Urban well and hope he enjoys his new job. Things really could not be much better.
