Winnipeg @ Ottawa

[Sir Blue and Gold]

Zach has no ability to form in his head a "picture" of the line situation, and mentally find the best escape route.  In fact, he usually picks the absolute worst direction to go.  Yes, he used to be better at this, but now he just completely sucks.  Maybe worse than T.Harris.

Which is ironic, because Zach is one of the best at forming the picture of the coverage and picking the right read.  Maybe all his brain power is going to the coverage pictures, and leaving no neurons left for the pocket situation.

Then there's guys like Rourke & Alexander (and remember Mike Reilly!) who seem to always pick the absolute best escape route!  But maybe that's because they are using less brainpower on the pictures downfield -- hence why they are quick to leave the pocket.

Maybe Zach should go fully Ricky Ray and just stay in the middle of the pocket no matter what -- come heck or high tackles.  Just trust the OL and take the hits, like Ricky did.  That might improve his passing results.  Why on earth take a sack at the edge of the pocket rather than just sit in the middle and take it there?  Plus, OL job becomes easier if they know for a fact that QB is in that middle no matter what (unless on a designed bootleg, of course).

I don't think it's a matter of being good (or not good) at it, mentally. When the pocket needs navigating it mostly comes down to athleticism. Zach isn't picking the wrong way, it's just that at his age and speed, every choice he makes is wrong. That makes a big difference over the course of a game. And Zach's success has never really been in the pocket with a timing based game. He's always been much more of a play extending QB. He just can't do that anymore and the results over the last two years are basically his output when he's forced to play a different style game than his first 12 seasons in the league.

[markf]

Maybe Zach should go fully Ricky Ray and just stay in the middle of the pocket no matter what -- come heck or high tackles.  Just trust the OL and take the hits, like Ricky did. 

The difference is the concussions.

I wonder if to some extent, Zach worries about getting hit, and concussed every time he drops back.

He's never been the most exuberant player, but I'm not sure he's enjoying it much anymore.

He can't just stand there and absorb punishment . His long term health is in Jeopardy already.

[Ridermania]

If Zach is healthy, he starts.

[theaardvark]

I think starting Zach is the best bet, for sure, if he is healthy.

And let Dimwiddie know that.

And then, third offensive series, Dru comes out with a special package.  Tosses a wrench into the works.

And then every series after, both Zach and Dru get ready on the sidelines, and the O has already been given the play, and the last player to take the field is the QB for that series.

They bring different looks, different talents, different proclivities.

When you have 1a and 1b, use it.

[dd]

There's very little difference between Collaros and brown, it's not like brown is a running Qb like ford. The defense wouldn't adjust anything

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Practice today, if Zach participates fully he'll be starting.

[Blueforlife]

Practice today, if Zach participates fully he'll be starting.

FB says he is in pads practicing

[Blue In BC]

So it's seems likely the Elgersma gets moved to RR this week.

[gobombersgo]

FB says he is in pads practicing

But Dru is taking 1st team reps.

[Blueforlife]

But Dru is taking 1st team reps.

Wow sounds like a dream scenario

Get our leader healthy as the student hones his craft

[Lincoln Locomotive]

so if Dru is taking all the reps will he be Dru's backup?   

[Blue In BC]

But Dru is taking 1st team reps.

Brown is the new guy and needs more reps than Collaros. It might mean Collaros is just easing back into practice or it could mean he sits out another week. I wouldn't read too much into it just yet.

[gobombersgo]

[gobombersgo]

[gobombersgo]