This is the second part of a three-part series in which Theater of Operations will look at the quarterback position. First, we profiled John Brantley, and now it's Jeff Driskel's turn.
During the course of the season, there was a lot of conversations about Jeff Driskel on here and throughout the Gator Nation. Most of those conversations were on the subject of whether or not Driskel (or his counterpart Jacoby Brissett) should be the starting quarterback for next season. While my opinion on the matter is widely known, I'm done politicking on the issue.
Whether or not you yourself believed that Driskel (or Brissett) played good or bad, with happy feet or good judgement, this article probably isn't going to sway your opinion either way. Just look at it for what it is. And no, it's not just for wasting time. Trust me on that. Because if it was, I wouldn't be spending the time on them that I do.
What can't be denied though, is the fact that Driskel's season left a lot to be desired. He completed under fifty percent of his passes, threw no touchdowns and two interceptions and aside from moments in the Auburn game, he looked completely lost. Next year is the year right?
Play No. 1: Driskel's interception against Florida Atlantic:
(Photo courtesy of ESPN)
Again with the play-action plays. Driskel (yellow circle) is going to execute that aspect of the play perfectly.
(Photo courtesy of ESPN)
Just like I said, perfect (yellow square).
(Photo courtesy of ESPN)
As Driskel releases the ball (left yellow circle), he has to realize that he is throwing into triple coverage. The three defenders (green circles) are in perfect positions. One of them is underneath the receiver, one of them is situated over the top and the third one is right where the receiver is going.
(Photo courtesy of ESPN)
The ball is so badly overthrown, that a fourth defender (green square) who was not even originally pictured makes the interception. Notice his positioning compared to the target receiver. Yeah, they aren't really all that close.
Play No. 2: Driskel's interception against Kentucky:
(Photo courtesy of ESPN)
I'm still not sure how much of the blame for this interception you can place on Driskel (yellow circle). I'm around the 0.05% range. Because, it was a good throw (albeit into coverage), it was just a better hit on Frankie Hammond Jr.
(Photo courtesy of ESPN)
Driskel (yellow square) has great protection and is able to step up and make the throw.
(Photo courtesy of ESPN)
The throw hits Hammond Jr in stride (yellow square) but the Kentucky defense just makes a great play.
(Photo courtesy of ESPN)
However, Hammond Jr. is hit (yellow square), the ball (red circle) flies up into the air and right into the hands of Avery Williamson (green square). Is this actually the fault of Driskel? I don't think so.
Play No. 3: Driskel is sacked by Corey Lemonier of Auburn:
(Photo courtesy of ESPN)
Driskel (yellow circle) was sacked twice by the Auburn defense. Well, more specifically he was sacked twice by Corey Lemonier. But, in my opinion, neither one was Driskel's fault.
(Photo courtesy of ESPN)
After getting the snap, Driskel (yellow circle) begins to roll slightly to his right. But, Xavier Nixon (yellow square) gets beat for like the three-hundredth time of the season to this point.
(Photo courtesy of ESPN)
If Driskel is going to get rid of the ball, the time is now. Lemonier is on the move (yellow square).
(Photo courtesy of ESPN)
Yeah, Driskel (yellow square) has no chance.
(Photo courtesy of ESPN)
But Nixon (yellow square) shows us all who is to blame. The other sack on Driskel in this game, occurred when the clock ran out. Now, maybe Driskel did in fact hold onto the ball too long, but the Gators were down 17-6 so it wasn't like the play mattered all that much.
In a season where Driskel didn't have too many highlights, his best play was probably his 31-yard run against Alabama. With a new offensive coordinator, Driskel is going to have a shot to become the starting quarterback. If he can just settle down a bit, he has a very good chance of earning that starting job. He has all the tools you'd want in a quarterback. At this point though, we'll just have to wait until spring practice to see if any improvement has been made.
0 recs | 49 comments
I don't care which QB wins, I just want one of them to show something positive
neither looked good ever last year.
Chekhov's Spread Gun Option - January 17, 2012
Yep. I have the exact same sentiment.
FlaGators - January 17, 2012
Beat me by a minute!
car.full.of.midgets - January 17, 2012
Haha, that’s because you took the time to write something that was more than “Yep, same for me.”
FlaGators - January 17, 2012
This times a billionty.
At this point, they’re virtually indistinguishable based on performance. Here’s to hoping that one emerges during spring ball.
car.full.of.midgets - January 17, 2012
Exactly. Brissett has slightly better stats (read: touchdowns) but with those stats come more interceptions as well. He was able to get those stats, because he played more, but I’m doing the post on Brissett tomorrow, so we’ll be able to look at those plays again.
FlaGators - January 17, 2012
I look forward to reading it.
Theater of Operations has become one of my favorite AA features. Have you thought about breaking down the occasional basketball game as well?
One of the many good things about Weis leaving is that it should put to bed the theory that Brissett was just going to be handed the starting job because he was Weis’s favorite for whatever reason. With Pease as OC, both guys should be on equal footing at the outset.
I can’t overstate how excited I am for Signing Day and Spring Practice. This is going to be a long offseason…
car.full.of.midgets - January 17, 2012
Thanks, and yeah, I’ve thought about it. I thought I’d be a little more advanced in my planning of it by now, but I’ll more than likely give it a shot here pretty soon.
I agree. Like you said, with Weis leaving, hopefully now they are going to be on equal footing. I do think that that is going to benefit both of them. Because now, they both know they are going to have to work really hard and show that they can do things.
We got what? Like two months until spring football is gearing up for the game? Ugh … that’s too long.
FlaGators - January 17, 2012
I like to take it as an opportunity to do all of the outdoors-y stuff
that I avoid doing the rest of the year, since it’s either too hot or there’s football on. The agenda so far includes taking a long weekend in March to hike the Florida Trail through the Ocala National Forest, camping at either Fort DeSoto or Cape San Blas, and a paddle trip in the Ten Thousand Islands, plus day hikes and fishing trips whenever I can swing them.
car.full.of.midgets - January 17, 2012
Yeah, I hear ya. I usually do some trout fishing, maybe a little golf (weather depending of course) and some other stuff like that.
FlaGators - January 17, 2012
Cape San Blas huh?
I might run into you then, I live in Port St. Joe.
Noleforever9399 - January 17, 2012
Port St. Joe huh. So that’s why you went to Florida State and not Florida. Distance. ;-)
FlaGators - January 17, 2012
haha umm yeah we will let you think that :)
Noleforever9399 - January 17, 2012
havent posted here in awhile
you been doing good Flagators?
Noleforever9399 - January 17, 2012
Always.
How you been?
FlaGators - January 17, 2012
pretty good man
started up a new job, and between that and school I been going like crazy. I haven’t been posting but I’ve still been reading alot of your stuff, as always you do a great job buddy.
Noleforever9399 - January 17, 2012
Thanks, and glad to hear you’re doing well. Congrats on the job.
FlaGators - January 17, 2012
Thanks I appreciate it
definitely not an easy thing to come by now-a-days lol
Noleforever9399 - January 17, 2012
They sure aren’t.
FlaGators - January 17, 2012
your students been treating you good?
Noleforever9399 - January 18, 2012
Haha, oh yeah. 3rd quarter now. Their will (to misbehave…etc) has been defeated.
FlaGators - January 18, 2012
haha good to hear
gotta keep them straight
Noleforever9399 - January 18, 2012
Exactly. Yeah, it usually takes them about a month to figure out that I don’t mess around. But during that learning month, I also give a little grace here and there on some things as well. Mostly to wean the summer out of them and what not.
FlaGators - January 18, 2012
What grade do you teach?
I know down here in Florida when me and my friends started back to school it took alot longer than a month to wean the summer out of us. We would still be going to the beach in like October, so we wouldn’t get truly settled down til like mid October when we weren’t itching to go to the beach anymore lol
Noleforever9399 - January 18, 2012
6th grade. And yeah, I was that same way growing up. Fort Myers … the Gulf, you being where you’re from … you know.
FlaGators - January 18, 2012
That region is one of my favorite parts of the whole state.
The beaches aren’t usually crowded, there are Mom & Pop seafood places rather than chain restaurants everywhere, the fishing is fine, and the national forest is practically undisturbed. I hope it never turns into another tourist trap.
car.full.of.midgets - January 18, 2012
Which is why the Gulf side is ten-times better than the Atlantic side.
FlaGators - January 18, 2012
Agreed, although there are exceptions that prove the rule
like Panama City being Daytona’s slutty, younger cousin and the tranquility at Canaveral National Seashore.
car.full.of.midgets - January 18, 2012
True…
FlaGators - January 18, 2012
Live near the Canaveral NS and Merritt Island National Wildlife Reserve so I’m a bit biased. Indian River/Mosquito Lagoon fishing is tough to top, especially when you can ride out to Playlinda Beach after fishing.
GatorJustin - January 19, 2012 via mobile
Yeah, I’ve gone fishing in the Indian River area. Good stuff. Never gone out to Playlinda Beach.
FlaGators - January 19, 2012
They are trying their best to turn it into another tourist trap,
but for now it is still flying under the radar and I’m like you I hope that it stays that way. I love it here, it is a great place to live.
Noleforever9399 - January 18, 2012
You want positive?
No more …
of this …. ugh
ECFIVESTER - January 17, 2012
I almost, and I mean ALMOST, used that photo for the John Brantley review piece. I was so freaking close.
FlaGators - January 17, 2012
Brissett for me just seems more comfortable in the pocket.
Granted, he got more playing time this year and neither QB wowed at all, but I just think he fits what the Gators are trying to do on offense better. He’s bigger and taller, seems to have the stronger arm, and definitely has better pocket presence. He doesn’t have the mobility of Driskel, and that could end up making this a closer race, but Brissett is just clearly the better Pro-Style QB based on the limited action we saw this season. Of course, Driskel is an elite caliber athlete and a lot could change in the offseason, but I think Brissett will ultimately win the job and gives Florida the better chance to succeed running the offense that they want to run.
Cali Gators - January 17, 2012
I love these Theater of Operations posts
but one thing I wish would be mentioned in the plays that went wrong is what should have been done. In the first interception it seems like there was an easy dump-off that would have gotten a likely first down. In the sack against Auburn he likely should have thrown the ball away. Unfortunately, in most of the TV views you can’t tell where the downfield receivers and DBs are, so there’s no way to tell what he should have done.
doker - January 17, 2012
good idea
you could call that section “WWTD?” or “What would Tebow Do?” since he usually made the right decision. Of course, you’d have to resist options such as “shake the grasp of the lineman, and then run over the linebacker for a first down!” that only apply when Tebow is in the game….
skigator93 - January 17, 2012
yea
Driskell missed a wide open crossing route that could have been a first down. I guess he didn’t see him.
Braves24 - January 17, 2012
Yeah, that one was my fault. I usually do do that. Mention what should have been done.
When I was setting up the play, I saw it, but I forgot to mention the running back (who is also open at the 50-yardline) and the receiver who is open in the actual post. I was more just focusing on the the fact that Driskel was doing his best Brantley impression by throwing the ball into coverage.
Even though it happened before Brantley’s play…
FlaGators - January 17, 2012
That’s true, you normally do a good job mentioning the best option when it’s visible.
doker - January 17, 2012
No breakdown on that sweet throw he made in the _(hopefully you can recall and refresh my memory) game? it was where he threw it all the way across the field. Remember what I’m talking about? Sorry I’m lacking details, I remember the entire play in my head, I just can’t describe it right now.
Gators1 - January 17, 2012
I couldn’t remember. I know it was either against FAU, UAB or Auburn though. Haha.
FlaGators - January 17, 2012
Hahaha. Yeah, same here. I think it was FAU or UAB. But I think were on the same page on the play were thinking of…nice, clean, tight spiral, falling off back foot, from one side of the field to the other?
Gators1 - January 17, 2012
Yep. Same play.
FlaGators - January 17, 2012
It was FAU
I was with my dad and Driskel threw an out route across the field to Solomon Patton. My dad and I were at that game. After the completion we looked at eachother and my dad said “that was an NFL throw right there!”
GoGators82 - January 18, 2012 via mobile
Ahhh, thanks.
FlaGators - January 18, 2012
Yes. Thank you. It was a thing of beauty. Hopefully we see more of that and less of throws into triple coverage,
Gators1 - January 18, 2012
Oops!
It was Debose…the pass to Patton was a shorter pass. But yes the pass to Debose was gorgeous and I’m sure the one you are talking about.
GoGators82 - January 18, 2012 via mobile
Yep that’s the one. But the one to Patton was his very first completion as a Gator and it was sexy, too. I know it was just FAU but after going back and watching all 4 of his throws, if the kid can keep his composure in the pocket, he is going to be extremely successful. I’m thinking by the time he is a Junior our O-Line will finally be coming together and that will be Driskel’s breakout year. I think he will end up being the future, but we shall see.
Gators1 - January 19, 2012
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