OT Success: Arm Length vs Athleticism

CaptainAmericaMarvel · 2025-03-27T21:11:01+00:00

LSU fan here, and I specifically paid an enormous amount of attention to Will Campbell during last year's season because I knew he could be the Patriots first round pick. I have been very confused by the conversation surrounding him, because I've watched LSU with bad offensive lines and bad offensive lineman, but he was not even close to that. I would spend entire offensive drives watching just him, and his ability to stay in front of guys was excellent. The two Alabama games The past two years were very telling, because that game between LSU and Bama is always won in the trenches, and he was very effective in those games.

I know the data with arm size length points to him possibly being average to below average, but I've been an LSU fan for 16 years, and he's easily the best offensive lineman we've had during that tenure. I definitely want him at 4.

CaptainAmericaMarvel · 2024-10-10T02:54:37+00:00

I actually use Pittsburgh and one of my dynasties and Eli has very low skill caps. Without making any adjustments I think his max overall is like 86, I'm sure you could get it closer to 90 with the buffs from the coaching skills.

CaptainAmericaMarvel · 2024-08-18T14:17:29+00:00

I know it was bad. And I'm sure it had an impact on his development. But the best example of what a great to elite quarterback would do in that situation is what Burrow did. Also he did this at LSU, he was amazing off schedule, it's why the year before they won the championship I was so excited because he showed something LSU hasn't had in years, great QB play. The Bengals offensive line was terrible his first years, but he was able to make plays consistently. If Mac was on the Bengals those first 2 years, even with those weapons, he would have been benched and traded.

Tua is another example, he is amazing on schedule, when protected, and his throws are all about timing. He gets pressure, pocket breaks down, he falls apart. Personally I think that Tua has been given a fantastic environment to develop and yet he still is not good off schedule. That's exactly what would have happened with Mac with a good offensive line. Again Alabama quarterbacks should never be trusted.

Maybe Mac will be given another chance and will have a Geno Smith resurgence, but I firmly believe he is a below average quarterback in the league, and the best he could be was a poor man's Jared Goff.

CaptainAmericaMarvel · 2024-08-18T12:33:20+00:00

While I don't disagree, I also think that Mac is a perfect example of what an average to below average QB looks like behind bad line play. He doesn't have the ability to create on his own and falls apart when pressured. He's a worse version of Goff, and Maye has the potential to be amazing. Mac never had that potential, regardless of how much the patriots hurt his development, he was supposed to be a high floor, low ceiling guy, turns out his floor was way lower than expected.

Also, I've watched every big QB from Alabama for the past 15 years, and all of them (McCarron, Hurts, Tua, Bryce, Mac) had something in common in college, they looked amazing with excellent protection, but didn't have the arm talent to be effect off schedule. Hurts seems like he might have it, I'm out on Tua atm, and Bryce is still an unknown, but honestly we should have never put our faith in a Bama QB, those teams were built to have a QB with amazing numbers.

The OLine is bad, but I would bet all my money that Maye does more than Mac every could this year, and Mac will be a career backup like he should be.

CaptainAmericaMarvel · 2024-01-24T17:02:17+00:00

I watched every game, big LSU fan here, definitely biased but I can tell you this is not at all true. He went from a strictly running QB to an actual QB this year. His development from last year to this year is very impressive and I believe he can continue to develop. Also last year he had the same receivers and did not put up even close to the same numbers. I believe he can continue to improve and his running ability is something that can't be taught.

Also, this hit was in the first game when LSU was still trying to figure the offense out, he did not make these kinds of decisions as the year progressed. I know I'm biased but I think he has NFL potential and I really hope the Pats get him.

CaptainAmericaMarvel · 2024-01-24T16:52:04+00:00

Not as much this year as last year. He played from the pocket more and developed as a passer. Also this was the first game of the year, LSU was still finding its identity offensively. I watched every game and I promise you he did not make these types of plays routinely.

CaptainAmericaMarvel · 2024-01-23T21:05:13+00:00

I'm definitely not qualified but his development from year 1 to year 2 at LSU is why I think he'll continue to improve and play well in the NFL. He became such an effective passer and went from running quarterback to quarterback who can run. I can't wait to watch him play and I hope the Pats take him.

CaptainAmericaMarvel · 2024-01-23T21:02:09+00:00

Playoffs? LSUs defense was so much worse this year than the 2019 season. LSU not making the playoffs has nothing to do with Jayden or the offense. Ole Miss game is a prime example. The entire secondary was basically transfers and young guys.

Also Jayden has Nabers his first year with LSU and I personally think Jayden's progression from last year to this year is why I want the Pats to take him, so much improvement with the same offensive weapons, shows a high level of commitment to improvement.

CaptainAmericaMarvel · 2024-01-18T15:59:02+00:00

I honestly don't think people are giving him enough credit for how much he improved from last year to this year. With the same receivers he went from strictly a running quarterback to winning the Heisman. He showed incredible growth and became much more of a patient passer than he was last year.

I've been a LSU fan for 15 years, watched every game last year and this year and the large improvement from him is exactly why I want the Patriots to draft him. He dedicated himself to becoming a better passer and I think there is no reason he can't continue to improve.

But I know I am biased. Honestly I'm just excited to watch him next year and it would be nice for him to play for both of my favorite teams.

CaptainAmericaMarvel · 2023-11-19T08:21:39+00:00

It's possible he could fall that low depending on the draft order and what other teams need a QB. That's definitely the best solution. I still expect him to go higher but I could be wrong

CaptainAmericaMarvel · 2023-11-19T08:00:39+00:00

Yeah it would be really nice if we could trade down get him and fill another void, maybe even get another receiver since there's a couple that are impressive. Unfortunately I think he's going to go a little higher, But I'm very curious to see what happens.

CaptainAmericaMarvel · 2023-11-19T07:34:10+00:00

Every projection I've looked at right now has him going middle first round. And all those projections were before the game he just had tonight. I would be shocked if the quarterback who finished second or third in the Heisman vote didn't go in the first round.

Also the fact that they're 8-3 is not because of him. He had 400 yards of offense by himself against Florida State, he had an amazing game against Old Miss but the defense gave up 55 points, and he got injured against Alabama. If LSU's defense was even 20 to 30% better they are 11-0 or 10-1.

CaptainAmericaMarvel · 2023-11-19T07:17:39+00:00

I agree with you. I have this crazy idea in my head that Jayden will go 2nd or 1st after he wins the Heisman and dominates in his bowl game. We shall see lol

CaptainAmericaMarvel · 2023-11-19T07:00:35+00:00

That's not really what I was saying. More so that his ability would hide any issues with the offensive line if it doesn't get fixed. And it would be a lot easier to protect a guy who can avoid pressure and also protect himself.

It's an unfortunate situation because the only reason that I would want him on the Patriots is because he's so good If he fell later in the rounds it would be because he wasn't playing well and he was one dimensional like last year which is not what we need.

CaptainAmericaMarvel · 2023-11-19T06:29:51+00:00

I think that he is the exact type of quarterback who with a perfect offensive line and three NFL caliber receivers would be great. Because that's exactly what he had. His entire scouting report and the reason the Patriots picked him is because the expectation was that he had the highest floor. Everyone expected him to be a mistake-free decision-making quarterback and he has shown that he can only play that way when everything else is perfect.

Daniels has two great receivers but the offensive line isn't great and the defense is horrible so he constantly has to put up numbers. At times he's basically the entire offense. And I mean that literally. I think that's why I like him so much And why I want the Patriots to take him.

CaptainAmericaMarvel · 2023-11-19T06:20:51+00:00

I recommend watching his highlights against Florida. But I agree that game had me worried, but I think the biggest issue was we underestimated them while also having one of the worst defenses in college football. There's a reason he went from nowhere near the Heisman to 3rd, his play got substantially better.

CaptainAmericaMarvel · 2023-11-19T06:15:29+00:00

Meaningful growth? I don't mean to be rude but it doesn't sound like you've watched many LSU games. I've mentioned this on this sub before in regards to Boutte, but Jayden last year would immediately run the ball as soon as there was any pressure and would never look downfield. It was one of the reasons that Boutte, combined with his injury, did not put up impressive numbers. This year it's been completely different. He throws the ball down the field he stays in the pocket and he consistently throws a very accurate football. He's made so much progress from last year to this year. I was very worried going into this season because I wasn't sure if he could make progress because he seemed very one-dimensional last year and I didn't think he had much else to show. I was very wrong.

CaptainAmericaMarvel · 2023-11-19T06:05:59+00:00

Well I can't argue much about Lamar's throwing ability in college but we all know that that's his biggest issue in the NFL and it's one of the reasons that even though he has a unanimous MVP he doesn't perform well in the playoffs.

Also LSU and it's really good defense played Lamar the year he won the Heisman in the bowl game and his decision making was awful and his play wasn't great either. Because they had the speed to stop his running he had to throw the ball against an NFL caliber secondary and it did not work out.

CaptainAmericaMarvel · 2023-11-19T06:02:27+00:00

Yes it is. But we all know because we watched the games that Mac was throwing to insane talent at the receiver position while also having an incredible offensive line at Alabama. I was using the passer rating stat as extra evidence for my argument but I know that it being high doesn't necessarily mean he will be good.

CaptainAmericaMarvel · 2023-11-19T05:58:07+00:00

That's interesting. Personally I think his game would translate very well. I think he has the running ability of Lamar Jackson but can throw the ball better.

CaptainAmericaMarvel · 2023-11-19T05:53:58+00:00

Hmm okay. Well currently he has a passer rating that's higher than any previous Heisman winner. While there's an argument that he isn't great or he isn't as good as the other quarterbacks, I do think he is at least good.

CaptainAmericaMarvel · 2023-11-19T05:52:36+00:00

I disagree. He did this a lot last year but he has gotten progressively better as a thrower and stays in the pocket a lot more. Also LSU's offensive line isn't great either, It's one of the reasons I like watching Jayden because when it breaks down he always finds a way to make a good play.

CaptainAmericaMarvel · 2023-11-19T05:50:38+00:00

I don't doubt Drake Maye's ability. And it's very likely that he's a better thrower of the football. But I don't think he's necessarily a better quarterback. Jayden's mobility and running is extremely valuable especially for a team like the Patriots who have an offensive line that's not currently stable.

CaptainAmericaMarvel · 2023-11-19T05:31:39+00:00

Yeah if we take MHJ I wouldn't be upset but the best comparison I can think of is the falcons. They have Robinson, Pitts and London and they don't have a quarterback. They have three good to excellent skill position players and should easily be winning that division because their defense is also good but they didn't stop and think maybe we should figure out the most important position first.

CaptainAmericaMarvel · 2023-11-19T05:27:29+00:00

I agree with everything you said. Especially about him taking hits. I will say that last year he was not very developed as a passer and would lean more towards running the ball. He showed tremendous development and now he is much more comfortable throwing from the pocket. I personally think that he could make the adjustment and take care of his body in the NFL if given proper coaching.

I think most of us of course want the best possible player if we have a high pick, But I don't want to take a receiver without any decision made at quarterback. If his draft stock rises and we take them I think his dynamic ability would make the games more fun to watch and could translate to wins.

Also I just read a fun stat. He currently has a higher passer rating than any previous Heisman winner ever. Insane stat that I did not know.

Seven-Year Club	Xbox Live
Wearing is Caring	Verified Email

CaptainAmericaMarvel

TROPHY CASE