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LoftonPack80
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Get Morris a shot with the rock?
You need go be held accountable. Not saying lets scrap Gardener but maybe light a fire under his ass.
I could go with the carrot and a stick approach here. Have Morris get some first team snaps over the next two weeks, as a warning that no one is irreplaceable. But also someone needs to sit down and have a chat with him, Gardner has lost some confidence for whatever reason and is playing timid. When he is on, he is freaking on, and has shown that he can step up in big situations.
This is a tough one. Certainly Gardner has lost confidence in his passing. He's playing confused and timid right now. Yet, his feet have been our most valuable offensive weapon.
In sports it is common for the back-up QB or back-up goalie to be the fans favorite. Morris is in a bad spot here. Keep in mind that he barely played his last year of HS ball. And that was last year. In the master plan he was supposed to get reps vs Akron and UConn once the games were put away so that he could gain experience and they could see his progress in game action. Obviously they didn't have that luxury.
I agree that something needs to change. Unfortunately, we have very few options at QB. Don't be too quick to say that Morris couldn't be worse. Unfortunately, he can.
Right now, Devin looks like Denard v2.0.
The only time I want to see Sugar Shane out there this season is when/if we have a 3 TD lead late in the game.
Gardner can regain that confidence/poise just as fast as he lost it. The OLine needs to give him a stable pocket to throw from first (though not entirely at fault. DG needs to secure the ball, check down, and hit his receivers in stride better). I also wouldn't mind seeing De'Veon Smith and Justice Hayes get a few touches out there either. I think Hayes in the slot would give DG a bigger, more athletic target than what he's had thus far.
I think Hayes for Dileo would be a bad idea, mostly because Dileo catches pretty much anything thrown in his area. His hands are what make him valuable. I'm guessing Hayes doesn't have nearly the catching talent, or he'd probably be out there because, as you said, he'd be a bigger target.
I'm not sure why my post was edited.... At any rate I should have added that Hayes catches the ball very well. With his ability i.e. speed and hands, lining up in the slot wouldn't be much of a jump.
Things you want in a WR:I like Dileo, and he does catch everything but he's become a non-factor, fast. Hayes is bigger, faster and more athletic. I'd like to see what he could do if thrown the ball. I think his YAC production would be decent. Maybe even give Hayes an opportunity to return a punt. It's not like our return game has been stellar (though I still think Norfleet takes one to the house sooner than later).