Bishop's receivers complained- especially crossing routes in the center no more than 10yds deep- they said it actually hurt to catch the ball. Shuler, well, as much as I love the guy he just isn't too smart. Seriously. The 'skins said he hardly got past the first page of the playbook...
Shuler's pro career was disappointing to the point of tragedy.
I really thought he was the next Elway or Aikman.
He was held out of camp for a week or two. Contract negotiations. By the time he got there, (can't think of the guy's name, had it just five minutes ago -- Edit, just did -- Gus Freotte) a low-round, lowly paid guy, had developed the respect of the OL, who resented the high-dollar Golden Boy. Heath got off on the wrong foot, and never could recover. Apparently, he just wasn't that much better than -- dang, what is that guy's name? And then he got hurt...
As far as the intelligence thing -- seems like an ordinary Joe to me. I don't put much credence in the comments of some obscure football functionaries...
Heath, like Overthrow Joe (almost put "OJ". Whoops. That won't work. OTJ?), had the God-given ability to effortless sling the ball great distances on a low trajectory, with exceptional velocity. Or throw it high in the air, a real-estate-gobblng missle. I can still see one of Heath's pinpoint bombs to Carl Pickens. Louisville, '91? '93?
In a game where that is a basic qualification for the QB position at the college and pro level --
to see someone who STANDS OUT at it is a rare and wonderful thing.
Happened to flip over to SECN for a second last night. Good timing! The panel interviewed Josh. And then the former -- Vandy, maybe? -- QB analyzed OTJ's TD pass to Bruuuuu against Clemson. And was raving over his reading the D, checking down his receivers, before making a throw that few humans can.
Josh continues to impress. Well-spoken. Personable. Not a good-looking fella. Just exudes pure competence. We absolutely lucked out. Answered prayers?
He has invented a better mouse trap. As he recruits to it, it is just going to get harder to stop. Other teams with less than blue-chip talent will imitate it. It evens the field. D's will have to adapt.
Josh will have to invent new wrinkles. Stay a step ahead.
I'm optimistic he can do it.
D? I think Banks' criticism is a little harsh. Time and again, we made plays last year when we needed to. Hopefully, we're addressing our secondary and pass rush issues. I've never been impressed with Marinez, a much-travelled journeyman who was not liked (as DC, I think?) at UGA.
(EDIT -- I have no explanation for USC-e. But something effed-up was going on. And it had something to do with Banks.)
I was watching the end of the Bama game on SECN's "Tennessee Day" a few nights ago. I still don't know how we won that game. It was just time for the sun to shine on our arse. That Bama RB holds onto the ball on their last series, and we need a TD to tie. Instead of a FG to win.
Banks dialed up heat play after play. Remember Chief's "prevents", that never prevented anything? We couldn't get to -- dang, now I can't remember the Bama QB's name -- on the play he delivered the dropped TD.
But -- we won.
I said it's great. To be. A Tennessee Vol.
