The Case For Jarrett Brown

by Stiles on Oct 26, 2009 7:37 AM EDT

[Note: Stiles is a founding member of the original version of this site.]

I’m going to start by saying; I’m quite possibly the biggest Jarrett Brown supporter out there. Brown could climb a bell tower with a high powered hunting rifle and kill 23 random strangers and I'd still defend him. To my knowledge, he hasn’t done that. But what he has done is go 7-1 as a starter in his career (not going to count the Marshall game) and completely reenergize an offense that was terrible last year.

You remember these numbers? 3, 14, 15 and 13. No? Welll that would be some of the point totals WVU put up last year. Yikes.

So you would think that since the Mountaineers are back to putting up four plus scores a game, people would be on the new quarterback bandwagon, right? Wrong.

I’m amazed wading through some of the comments here and the total disregard for Brown’s game. I mean one dude said they he has lost all confidence in Brown, while every time Geno Smith has come into the game he has been super awesome. Um, really?

Let’s take a look at that. In his first appearance in the Auburn game, he was sacked. Went 2-5 throwing the ball with an interception. Then in the Syracuse game, his presence under center in the fourth quarter led to zero points. After replacing an injured Brown in the first half of the Marshall game, the Smith led offense lit up the scoreboard to the tune of three points. Those three performances are like Brady and Montana rolled into one.

My point here is not to kill Smith. He might very well be a great quarterback in the future. But right now, WVU has a pretty good under center. Just a lot of people don’t seem to realize.

Does the guy make some mistakes? No doubt about it. But on the flip slide, he’s got the Mountaineer offense on the right track. Yet people are still killing him - never mentioning things like his seven yard scramble on 3rd and 6 that paved the way for Devine’s game winning touchdown Saturday. Or him buying time that allowed Starks to get free for a big play that set up the first touchdown in the Auburn game.

Then when you factor in the sacrifices he has made to teams, yes teams, here at WVU, this guy deserves better. Basketball team short players and need JB. No problem, he’s there. Can’t find a decent solution for short yardage last year? Sure, JB will give it a shot. Then you throw in he could have very easily transferred instead of waiting his turn, this guy has been a true Mountaineer through and through. Whatever that means, by the way.

That’s why if WVU is going to win the Big East – which last I checked they still have a chance – they will need Brown to work some magic. With now some game experience under his belt, I think he’s got a pretty good shot.

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OK--I'll agree with you to a point

Because you’re not wrong by any means. And I believe I’m the dude you’re referring to that’s lost all confindence in Brown. Let me explain.

Brown does a great job when he doesn’t get “tunnel vision.” The problem is, that is happening more and more often as the season goes on. Where our team is getting better as the season goes, Brown is regressing. I love JB—I’ve seen him do some things on the field that others could only dream of. BUT, I’m seen him make some mistakes this year (and continue to make those same mistakes) that I rarely see from the local high school team.

Players are going to make mistakes—no one is perfect, and we as fans can never expect perfection. But when it’s the same thing over and over, it just makes you ask WTF.

For one, not tucking the ball away. This is one part of JB’s tunnel vision. He has decided to pass the ball. And that’s it. No other option now. No one is open, he’s out of the pocket and scrambling, still no one open, still scrambling. But JB is still going to pass. So he doesn’t tuck the ball away, he holds it in his hand as if he were still dropped back in the pocket to throw the ball. We’ve gotta think better here—if no one is open, he has to at some point protect the football and either run WHILE PROTECTING THE DAMN BALL, or just cover up and try again on the next down. Not every play is a gain. We’d like to see it that way, but that’s why there is an offense and a defense. Some down, the defense wins.

Secondly, I probably could have made a fortune this year by betting on who JB is going to throw the ball to. He drops back, and only looks at one receiver. Granted, it is a different receiver from play to play. But most of the time, he only looks at one guy running a route. Now I’m not a football coach, or a defensive back. But doesn’t it make life much easier for the defense when most every pass is telegraphed? Yes, we’re scoring more than last year. But we’re also turning the ball over much much more.

I’ll give JB credit where credit is due—he has had a lot of passes dropped this year. And he has made some great runs. But this isn’t the same guy we saw come in on short notice and take over for PW. This isn’t the same guy from the “Big Brown Package.” The one that would cover up the ball and just run over somebody.

As far as Geno is concerned, I am still impressed. Auburn, he came in completely unexpectedly in a very tough situation as a true freshman. With short time down in the 4th qtr, I felt he handled the situation very well. His field presence (and this is just my opinion) seemed like he really took control of the offense. Yeah, he got picked, but a large majority of QB’s throw picks in those instances.

I’ve just felt better about things with Smith under center than Brown recently. I feel Smith takes better care of the football, and has been the more accurate passer. And he seems to be able to scramble pretty well too. Am I implying Smith is a better QB than Brown? No, but I’m not saying he isn’t either. Right now, all I’m saying is Smith is covering the number one fundamental of the game better than Brown—taking care of the football.

by wvdiehard on Oct 26, 2009 8:10 AM EDT reply actions

Solid Points

Solid points. Although I can’t speak to locking onto one receiver. That is something the coaches would have a better grasp on. But my counterpoint is, who is he throwing the ball to? Saunders is a very good player, but a slot guy who can make plays in tight spaces near the line of scrimmage. Starks is still learning the position. Arnett is pretty good, but a good corner can shut him down. Lyons? I mean do we really need to bring up again how worthless he is? I mean it is pretty hard to make chicken salad out of chicken shit. I think Brown has done a pretty good job of doing just so.

As for the turnovers, they are improving. As is the team as a whole. Although the pass defense and Cincy give me nightmares. I’m excited for the stretch run. Enjoy it.

For the record, it wasn’t you that I was targeting.

by Stiles on Oct 26, 2009 8:32 AM EDT up reply actions

JB looks at more than one WR...

after reading your justified criticism the other day I went back and watched some of the game. I couldn’t watch it all because my blood pressure is high enough from KFC and McDonald’s.

I noticed on multiple occasions, when JB had time to throw, that he would look in one direction and then looking away to another read. I point to the TD pass as the perfect example. JB’s first read was the FB or TE which was covered and then looked to Urban in the back of the endzone and threw a perfect ball.

The problem is that he has had little to no time to throw and can normally only get to one read.

Has he fumbled outside the pocket other than when he was knocked out?

Leave no doubt tonigt! Leave no doubt tonight! No doubt! They shouldn't of played the Old Gold'n Blue.

by 5th Year Senior on Oct 26, 2009 9:18 AM EDT up reply actions

fumble....

He actually did during the UConn game—unforced, just kind of bounced right back up to him and he walked out of bounds with the ball. He was rolling to his left.

by wvdiehard on Oct 26, 2009 9:26 AM EDT up reply actions

Yeah...

I meant to say past the line of scrimmage not out of the pocket. My B.

He has lost the ball like that two or three times this year and it is blamed on “excessive sweeting.” I think he does have a problem carrying ball all willey nilley but it seems to me that he gets it tucked in time.

Leave no doubt tonigt! Leave no doubt tonight! No doubt! They shouldn't of played the Old Gold'n Blue.

by 5th Year Senior on Oct 26, 2009 10:11 AM EDT up reply actions

....

He just needs to put Taking Care of the Damn Ball at the top of his list. I may sound a little harsh, but I honestly have taken 15 years off of my life expectancy from just this season so far.

11 guys on each side playing fundametally sound football can beat anyone at any time. As a matter of fact, a fundamentally sound team usually doesn’t lose.

by wvdiehard on Oct 26, 2009 10:17 AM EDT up reply actions

I'm going to give JB

a break and hope he just had a concussion hangover Saturday, because he was off hus game. His flaws were exacerbated and I’m hoping it was just a little leftover fogginess.

He was terribly inaccurate, indecisive, dropped the ball for no reason, wouldn’t stay in the pocket (protection wasn’t great but learn to be patient and throw it when you know you might take a hit). His mechanics were terrible. He refused to set his feet, instead he rushed throws on the run jumping to throw instead of squaring up – which is why the ball bounced 5-10 yards in front of open receivers a few times.

There were a few times I thought Rasheed Marshall was back behind center.

Hopefully Mullen will be on him to be more disciplined. He will have to be against USF’s pass rush with our young line (btw Capers is still overrated).

I’ll just keep saying what I’ve said for two years – run the ball first and foremost. Devine gives us our best chance to win. I was getting frustrated that we wouldn’t go to a power running game in the first half but we finally did in the 3rd Q and it forced UConn to stop blitzing. I wish we’d mix in Clarke a little more frequently in non 3rd and short situations. He’s almost guaranteed 4-5 yards with his power.

by Beamer'sGoiter on Oct 26, 2009 9:00 AM EDT via mobile reply actions

Agreed, Capers still looks like a TE in terms of his strength and blocking ability.

by Q-tip Motha on Oct 26, 2009 10:52 AM EDT up reply actions

Athleticism

is the reason JB needs to be the QB. I’m not saying Geno is Brad Lewis, but Brown’s shake is the only reason we don’t give up 9 sacks per game. The offensive line has been porous. He keeps plays alive, and, occassionally, is able to make something good happen. I think, for better or worse, he gives WVU the best chance to win week in and week out.

by couchburner on Oct 26, 2009 10:25 AM EDT reply actions

I like Brown as our QB

I like how we are able to stretch the field with him, something we never could do with Pat’s arm. I think the reason that people are calling for his job at this point are two fold:
1.Geno played well against Marshall
2.Brown can’t seem to get the message about protecting the football.

If Brown can get number 2 squared away there should be no question about him being our starter. We’re a better team with him in there, and while Geno has played well in a supporting role I get the feeling that he’ll have some hiccups along the way that can be attributed to a lack of experience.

One understated and often unmentioned quality that Brown has is that he seems to know how to protect himself. Not necessarily that he shy’s away from contact, but he seems to value his health by stepping out of bounds and understands that its far more important to keep himself in the game than to get an extra yard or two.

If Mullen gets to the point where he feels more comfortable with the deep ball to stretch the defense Brown is the best option for us. Geno just seemed to lack that range in our game last week, which allows the D to zero in on our bubblescreens and Noel, where as if given the opportunity Brown can unleash the dragon*

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXIS5n-Cdg&feature=PlayList&p=MtUZupCOzk

by Q-tip Motha on Oct 26, 2009 10:48 AM EDT reply actions

should’ve been this link instead lol:

http://theflintskinny.blogspot.com/2008/08/rex-grossman-fuck-it-im-going-deep.html

by Q-tip Motha on Oct 26, 2009 10:50 AM EDT up reply actions

yeah, I was wondering about that first link

…is there something you need to tell everyone?

by WVUIE97 on Oct 26, 2009 11:30 AM EDT up reply actions

lol Tried some freeze dried Durian fruit this week and kind of enjoyed it. That Andrew Zimmern guy on the show drinking the cow piss couldn’t swallow the fruit when he tasted it in Malaysia. I was explaining to a friend of mine on IM how I assumed that the two forms had to have drastically different flavors, thus why that link went up when I hit Ctrl V.

by Q-tip Motha on Oct 27, 2009 10:00 AM EDT up reply actions

"If Brown can get number 2 squared away there should be no question about him being our starter."

Hit the nail on head with that comment. But I think you were off a little on Geno with the deep ball. His pass to Arnett was spectacular, and I have little doubt that he couldn’t repeat. But nonetheless, Brown is definitely our guy IF, and I put a huge stress on IF, he can protect the football.

by wvdiehard on Oct 26, 2009 11:01 AM EDT up reply actions

Regarding protecting himself

I just wish you guys could have heard the guy behind me Saturday at the game. When JB would do the correct thing and take it OB, after a positive gain no less, he would just start laying into JB “You’re a f-ing pussy!!!!” “Damn, he’s nothing but a pussy.” Last I checked, we gained yards, got a few first downs this way and he’s bound to be a little gun shy after a concussion, and I’m sure T-1000 told him to avoid hits at all costs.

by WVUIE97 on Oct 26, 2009 11:29 AM EDT up reply actions

You have to love the contingent of people who drinki a few beers, can’t keep a filter on themselves, and don’t understand the game.

Michigan fans are learning the importance of having a QB who can avoid taking hits after he scrambles, the same lesson we’ve been learning the past 7 years.

Anyone recall how often Pat or Rasheed got dinged up for us?

by Q-tip Motha on Oct 27, 2009 10:03 AM EDT up reply actions

I'll post a comment but only because it's Stiles

I agree about JB. Geno would have been sacked 5 times in the first half when selvish capers and his mates were swinging doors. JB was somehow able to escape sacks time and again.

It regoshdarndiculous how he carries the ball, but he for sure gives us the best chance to win.

by The 25314 on Oct 26, 2009 9:18 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

In no way am I defending him, but...

Selvish Capers is still a projected 2nd/3rd rounder. My question is this: if he goes to the pros and becomes a regular player (not even a star), does that condemn Dave Johnson for good?

by Dr. Charley West on Oct 26, 2009 9:53 PM EDT up reply actions