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The University of Mississippi Athletics
INSIDER: Quarterbacks Analysis
8/3/2007 | Football
OleMissSports.com Insider
OleMissSports.com filed summer reports previewing each position area of the 2007 Ole Miss football team. Previous reports include analysis of the secondary, linebackers, defensive line, offensive line, wide receivers, running backs, tight ends and specials teams.
Overview: Perhaps more so than any other position, the quarterback carries the weight of Ole Miss' potential success in 2007 on its shoulders. After inconsistency from the Rebel signal callers last season, Ole Miss will head into the camp having yet clarified a situation that must be resolved.
Before he arrived on campus last August, Brent Schaeffer was named the Rebel starter. But due to his unpredictability from game to game, he will now face a battle with the likes of former walk-on Seth Adams and redshirt freshman Michael Herrick for his shot to lead the offense.
After starting all 12 games in his first season with the Rebels in 2006, Schaeffer used the spring to work on his timing; an area in which he is expected to make vast improvements since last fall. With undeniable athleticism, he can pose significant problems for opposing defenses with his ability to create.
The issue, however, has not been Schaeffer’s athletic ability, but his inconsistent play at the position. Orgeron stated at SEC Media Days that Schaeffer has shown glimpses of All-America potential in some games but has also made questionable decisions and errors in others.
Schaeffer led the team in passing last year with 1,442 yards and ranked ninth in the SEC in that category. He finished with nine passing touchdowns to 10 interceptions, and his improvement and performance in camp will determine if he gets the call in the fall.
Adams earned a scholarship last season after transferring from
The senior completed 16-of-20 passes for 159 yards and one touchdown in the spring game, while leading the Blue squad to a 23-21 victory. He also logged extensive time against LSU and
Herrick enters the fall battling for his first snaps under center. With a great understanding of the game, Herrick spent the majority of the spring working on his timing, which he improved significantly. At 6-foot-1, 185 pounds, he is a bit undersized but has surprising arm strength.
As the all-time leading passer in
Sophomore Jevan Snead transferred from the
The former Longhorn is equipped with a strong arm and quick release, which is only matched by his ability to make fast decisions. His ability to read defenses and orchestrate an offense is second to none, as he completed 7-of-12 passes for 56 yards and one touchdown in the Red-Blue game. With the outstanding spring, Snead projects as the future behind center for the Rebels.
Returning Starters: Brent Schaeffer
Key Returnees: Seth Adams, Michael Herrick
Key Signees: Jevan Snead (ineligible)
Key Losses: none
Quotable:
Senior Brent Schaeffer
On what he has been working on this offseason:
“My goal is to get better all around and just become a better quarterback. I look at my mechanics from last year, and they were really unsound. I have worked in the offseason to get better in that area. I have increased my knowledge of the offense and of the plays. I have worked to improve my decision making.”
On his improvement:
“I feel a lot of progress is being made, and I am getting better. I’m trying to focus on everything in my game.”
On the improvement of the team as a whole:
“I think everybody is gelling. We are all seeing the field better than this time last year. You can’t substitute for repetition. We have used this offseason to get the game down pat.”
On the competition at quarterback:
“You have to go into the situation as doing everything you can. You have to compete against your teammates and watch film of yourself from the year before. Everything we do as quarterbacks is based on improvement. Whoever gets the job, they are going to have to get ready.”
On his mindset heading into the season:
“This year I know the team, coaches and my surroundings. I have been here for a year. I am more comfortable. I know what I’m doing. When you know what you are supposed to do, you have more confidence in yourself and your decisions. I learned from my mistakes last year and I have been working toward turning those things around.”
On his performance last year:
“I am not making excuses for anything. I knew what I was coming into. I just have to get better and work toward having a good season, a better season. You can tell that there is a sense of urgency. We want to win.”
On his expectations for himself this season:
“I am just trying to do what I can and my piece to make our team better. We are in the SEC. Every team shoots for the SEC championship. My goal is to do my part in helping our team in achieving that overall goal.”
On his approach toward the season:
“I’m much more confident than I was last year even though this year there is no starting quarterback. Last year I knew I was the starter coming in. I know it is up to me to get it done. I am working hard to make sure I don’t repeat last year’s performance.”
Senior Seth Adams
On the offseason program:
“We have been doing involuntary team workouts, but everyone has continued to improve and get better.”
On his approach this year compared to last:
”I knew the situation last year and went into the season as prepared as I could. I felt I was going to get to play some and was able to do that. I just want to continue to get better and work hard to be the starter in the fall.”
On the situation entering last season:
“I was told that Brent was the starter and I would compete for the backup role. I worked as hard as I could and was able to play in some games. Last season I kept working hard and was able to get more playing time as the season progressed.”
On the experience he gained from last season:
“It helped a lot. The crowd factor and big game situations played a key role in my growth. Those situations were vital in my development. The more experience you get, the better you are going to be.”
On his opportunity to play at Ole Miss:
“It has been a dream come true. I always wanted to play here and play in the SEC. I have just tried to continue to get better. Here I am today and hope to be the starter next season.”
On the improvement he has made this offseason:
“I feel I know the offense really well. I got a lot more reps with the ones this spring and was able to develop further. We worked on some short passes and high-percentage throws and I got better. The spring definitely benefited me. I’m stronger and in better shape than I have ever been in. My footwork has gotten better, and I feel more comfortable than I ever have.”
On the improvement that has to be made by the quarterbacks:
“We were definitely lacking in the passing game last season. We have a great offensive line, great running backs and a great wide receiving corps. We just have to get better as a unit to make this team better.”
On his relationship with Brent Schaeffer:
“We have a great working relationship. This situation has made us both better. I have known that I have had to work hard ever since I got here. I know I have to get better and compete to the best of my ability if I want to be the starter.”
Final Analysis: The overall success of the Ole Miss football team could depend greatly on the play of the quarterbacks in 2007.
Brent Schaeffer has shown hints of brilliance, but his inconsistency has led to a quarterback competition in Rebel land. Although his numbers are not gaudy from last season, he demonstrated the effect he can have on a game with both his arm and his legs, as he finished as the fourth-leading rusher on the team. How he responds to the pressure placed on him by the coaching staff to get better will determine his fate as possible leader of the Ole Miss offense.
Despite lacking the athletic ability displayed of Schaeffer, Seth Adams has a superb football I.Q. with a firm understanding of offensive coordinator Dan Werner’s system. With Werner moving to a short-intermediate passing game, emphasis will be placed on quick decisions and timing; a system in which
Redshirt freshman Michael Herrick is the underdog headed into the fall, but has a chance to see significant playing time if his progression continues. With surprising arm strength and understanding of the position, Herrick could emerge as a serious contender in the QB battle.
Although no one player has been named starter, the quarterback position is a critical area for the Ole Miss football team headed into the season. With three capable candidates, the situation shows promise, but one man will have to surface as the leader in August.
