Here is the thing. Let’s stop and take a second and recognize that crazy irrational fans everywhere want to pull their quarterback after a bad game. Remember last year when everyone said pull DG for Jackson? It was silly then and it’s silly now to say we should move to Hawkins after he has played 3 games as a starter. Let me break this down for my rational friends out there.
First, Jackson played well against temple and had some incredible throws. Early in the Houston game he had a couple misses, but also threw some great balls. When we were up 14-3 around the 50 yard line we had 3rd and 11… Jackson hit Bauer Sharp in the numbers for a first down.. he dropped it. Next possession Jackson hit Zion Ragins in the hands on 3rd and 9 around the same part of the field dropped it. Jackson threw a screen pass to our fastest player that was blocked up well… dropped it. When you have a young quarterback you need players around him to help make him comfortable and make him better. Build his confidence. Jackson got the opposite of that against Houston. Run game was bad and receivers missed the opportunities that were there for big plays.
Now, I’m not saying Jackson didn’t start to struggle… he certainly did. But it started to fall apart after some missed opportunities and the pressure of being in a one score game shook him up a bit. But guess what… that happens to young players sometimes when things are going poorly. They have to work through it and grow out of it. Give the kid a chance to do that.
Yesterday Caleb Williams looked rough in his opener in the NFL. You think the bears are ready to bench him? No. Because rational coaches and GM’s who know football better than the common person don’t think irrationally.
Give Jackson some time. Let’s see if playmakers can start to help him out and get his confidence back. He has elite tools and is crazy talented. Let’s just take a breath and see what happens against Tulane. There might be a time to bail on Jackson, but that time is not now.
First, Jackson played well against temple and had some incredible throws. Early in the Houston game he had a couple misses, but also threw some great balls. When we were up 14-3 around the 50 yard line we had 3rd and 11… Jackson hit Bauer Sharp in the numbers for a first down.. he dropped it. Next possession Jackson hit Zion Ragins in the hands on 3rd and 9 around the same part of the field dropped it. Jackson threw a screen pass to our fastest player that was blocked up well… dropped it. When you have a young quarterback you need players around him to help make him comfortable and make him better. Build his confidence. Jackson got the opposite of that against Houston. Run game was bad and receivers missed the opportunities that were there for big plays.
Now, I’m not saying Jackson didn’t start to struggle… he certainly did. But it started to fall apart after some missed opportunities and the pressure of being in a one score game shook him up a bit. But guess what… that happens to young players sometimes when things are going poorly. They have to work through it and grow out of it. Give the kid a chance to do that.
Yesterday Caleb Williams looked rough in his opener in the NFL. You think the bears are ready to bench him? No. Because rational coaches and GM’s who know football better than the common person don’t think irrationally.
Give Jackson some time. Let’s see if playmakers can start to help him out and get his confidence back. He has elite tools and is crazy talented. Let’s just take a breath and see what happens against Tulane. There might be a time to bail on Jackson, but that time is not now.