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Let me preface this post by saying that I think Max Hall is a fine starting quarterback. I'm not calling for Gaskins to take over, I'm not saying Hall can't throw the ball whatsoever. I'm impressed with the number of wins he's racked up in his career and glad he's our QB.
I'm just saying he's far closer to Brandon Doman than a 2006 John Beck or Steve Sarkisian in terms of ability.
Within 15 yards, he's good to great. We all know he forces throws he shouldn't, and he misses receivers on occasions, but that's par for the course. I have no worries about him locating and getting the ball to a receiver within that window, except for throws to the opposite side of the field that require a lot of zip on the ball.
Where Hall gets into trouble is the long ball. Sure, he had a lot of longer completions to Austin Collie last season, but if you watch the games, most of the balls were underthrown and Collie had to go get it. I struggled to find an example of Collie catching the ball in front of him at full speed as he beat the defense.
A classic example of this is the 4th and 18 from 2007... Collie has everyone on Utah's defense beat beat beat, and a good throw from Hall is easily a touchdown. Instead, he underthrew by quite a bit and Collie was tackled.
Now I know Hall was hurt for that game, but when I see the exact same thing from Hall on Saturday, I get worried. A good throw and McKay is in the endzone. Here are the possibilities I've heard that may explain that throw:
1. Hall didn't set his feet properly.
2. That's a difficult throw.
3. Hall was rushed and unable to use proper throwing mechanics in general.
I contend that he is incapable of making that throw on target on a consistent basis. I could very easily be wrong, but that's what I see right now.
The way this may cost us a game is against great defenses like TCU and Utah. Teams with good to great corners and safeties can play pretty far up on the line without worrying much about getting burned over the top. That means there are more defenders in a smaller space, and more interceptions and tipped balls result.
And shoot, assuming Oklahoma scores 17 or 30 or 40 instead of 13, how do you feel about Max's performance? It was adequate, but not exactly what you expect from a third-year-starter senior quarterback, in my opinion. Oklahoma's defense notwithstanding. I submit the lack of a consistent long ball is keeping Hall from being great.
Someone brought up the fact that Detmer didn't have a great arm, and that's true, but from the games I've watched from 1990, Detmer more consistently made long throws compared to Hall.
Dink and dunk and getting YAC will work against teams like Colorado State or Wyoming, but I fear it's not enough against great defenses with great athletes.
I get the feeling some posters disagree with the argument because it's me making the argument. I'd ask you to separate you negative opinion of me from the argument and take a look at it objectively. I'm trying to do the same.
I'm just saying he's far closer to Brandon Doman than a 2006 John Beck or Steve Sarkisian in terms of ability.
Within 15 yards, he's good to great. We all know he forces throws he shouldn't, and he misses receivers on occasions, but that's par for the course. I have no worries about him locating and getting the ball to a receiver within that window, except for throws to the opposite side of the field that require a lot of zip on the ball.
Where Hall gets into trouble is the long ball. Sure, he had a lot of longer completions to Austin Collie last season, but if you watch the games, most of the balls were underthrown and Collie had to go get it. I struggled to find an example of Collie catching the ball in front of him at full speed as he beat the defense.
A classic example of this is the 4th and 18 from 2007... Collie has everyone on Utah's defense beat beat beat, and a good throw from Hall is easily a touchdown. Instead, he underthrew by quite a bit and Collie was tackled.
Now I know Hall was hurt for that game, but when I see the exact same thing from Hall on Saturday, I get worried. A good throw and McKay is in the endzone. Here are the possibilities I've heard that may explain that throw:
1. Hall didn't set his feet properly.
2. That's a difficult throw.
3. Hall was rushed and unable to use proper throwing mechanics in general.
I contend that he is incapable of making that throw on target on a consistent basis. I could very easily be wrong, but that's what I see right now.
The way this may cost us a game is against great defenses like TCU and Utah. Teams with good to great corners and safeties can play pretty far up on the line without worrying much about getting burned over the top. That means there are more defenders in a smaller space, and more interceptions and tipped balls result.
And shoot, assuming Oklahoma scores 17 or 30 or 40 instead of 13, how do you feel about Max's performance? It was adequate, but not exactly what you expect from a third-year-starter senior quarterback, in my opinion. Oklahoma's defense notwithstanding. I submit the lack of a consistent long ball is keeping Hall from being great.
Someone brought up the fact that Detmer didn't have a great arm, and that's true, but from the games I've watched from 1990, Detmer more consistently made long throws compared to Hall.
Dink and dunk and getting YAC will work against teams like Colorado State or Wyoming, but I fear it's not enough against great defenses with great athletes.
I get the feeling some posters disagree with the argument because it's me making the argument. I'd ask you to separate you negative opinion of me from the argument and take a look at it objectively. I'm trying to do the same.
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