I love the idea of JT running the option, but I'm wondering how much midline we'll run with him at QB. I wonder if PJ would consider using a different, more powerful QB for short yardage or goal line situations?
I wonder if the midline vanishing has more to do with our Guard play than with QB's missing reads or taking a pounding. More on that below. Back in 2009 when we could count on Josh to convert 4th and 3 with midline we had Cord Howard and Joe Gilbert. Gilbert was more svelte and quicker, but Howard had good feet and (for what it's worth) made an NFL roster. Fast forward a few years and we had Uzzi who, bless his heart, could barely walk because of bad knees, Will Jackson who bounced around to multiple positions, and other youngsters getting a chance due to injuries. Shaq's a big diesel in there - but I wonder if he has the quickness and flexibility to dip and glide to the second level past a 3-technique DT.
When #92 for Pittsburgh was manhandling Jackson PJ helped him out by optioning him - so we went midline and left #92 unblocked on one of our drives. Vad hurting his ankle against NC may have also contributed to PJ's reluctance to call midline as well. I do look forward to seeing it more, though.
As for the pounding ... it's certainly there. Joshua left the game against UGA in both 2008 and 2009. Dirty hit notwithstanding, you've got to be willing to take a hit. It's silly to say that our QBs will never get hit - because defensive coaches will tell their guys to pound the QB anyway (they tell them to rough up the QB on traditional offenses, too). There are certainly things you can do to minimize those big hits ... but after all, this is football ... you're gonna get hit.
When someone asked Coach Bohannon about Justin being slight of frame and taking big hits on midline he replied, "Well, they've got to catch him first ... he's very slippery." And there's plenty of examples of smaller guys (Dee Dowis, all 5'6" of him) excelling in an option offense. Don't get me wrong - I'd rather have a quick 6'1", 215 pounder in there than a 5'6" Dee Dowis for sure ... but if Justin can avoid big hits and guys like Jordan and the others can provide quality depth I don't think it's anything to be overly concerned about. I'm more worried about Justin's freelancing and odd, bowed-out path on option plays.
...The game Bay Bay had a awful drop and then the game winning TD catch...Burnett also had 2 picks, was a fun game.
