I didn't feel good because our backup was thrown in against ND and Miami. I may be remembering incorrectly, but I though Patti was battling some injuries last year. Beville wasn't ready to play, nd I think we found out what Yellen likely is.
My point is that most teams don't know what they have behind an established starter.
I'm far from a Pickett apologist and have been critical of his inability to stand in the pocket and find open receivers. Some of that is on the OL, some on Whipple, but also on him. I also realize he's lacked gamebreakers and any type of running game. That being said, he's more than capable of throwing for 20+ TDs and running for another 6 or 7. They need to run him more. Would be nice for Izzy to step up and have another receiver or maybe Krull for the D to worry about. Has to be more than Addison.
I feel a little better about Kenny’s approach this year after watching the last Kenny Pickett show podcasts. He does seem like he is going to really challenge his teammates which is something you hope to see out of a veteran starting QB. Also, it’s funny that I posted about hoping to see him get more involved in his own play calling - and then I saw that he touched on hoping to convince Whipple to let him do more of that too. He is saying many of the things that ahow he is dialing in on the little details that can make him and the team better.. All good. Let’s hope it pays off. It sure would be good for him to prove he can throw 20 or more TDs. 28 puts him in 2nd behind Marino.
I would counter your “Most teams don’t know what they have behind the established starter” comment with “When there is a truly special young QB on the roster, often something special is seen or felt that has the coaches and teammates and even fans knowing he is going to be ‘the guy’ one day.”
Long before Kenny got the call as the starter, there was buzz that he was going to be “the guy”
Before Palko took over, there was buzz that he was going to be “the guy”.
Almost as soon as Marino’s freshman season began there was buzz that it was just a matter of time before he would be “the guy”
Transfer are obviously a little trickier, but even with Peterman there was just something about Nate where you felt “This might be the guy.”
At least at this point, there is no backup on the roster any of us or any of the coaches are going -“That’s going to be the guy.”
One other thing: Kenny was asked on the latest episode of his show who he thought would take over for him. He was very diplomatic, since he is close with them all… but you also got the feeling he no one has truly distanced himself.
There simply sn’t that guy who we all are overly excited about. That needs to happen during camp or early in the season (to me Beville looks to have the most upside) otherwise (if I were Whipple or PN), I would seriously be looking to transfers to cover my ass,