Interesting... some thoughts on the QB situation from one of their 247 mods....
I’ve asked around and more than anything A&M wants a quarterback who will allow the play caller to be able to utilize every play in the Aggies’ playbook. You heard this from co-offensive coordinator Darrell ****ey at A&M’s media day when he praised Haynes King for his knowledge of the playbook. That was probably a tip off of where A&M as leaning as far as its starter even before fall camp really got going.
As of right now King allows A&M to call everything for two reasons. First, he is studious enough to know all of the plays, routes, and pass protections, and checks due to his time in the system. King knows where the ball needs to go based on his reads and how to get the Aggies in the best play possible. Second, he is sufficiently mobile that A&M can move him or run the zone read or option with him.
Now, make no mistake about it…King helped himself immensely with his performance throwing the ball. His footwork and delivery improved and thus his accuracy and velocity did so as well. He was considered to be the best quarterback in fall camp from day one and so everyone noted from early on that he was probably going to be the guy.
Even so, King lacks the arm strength that the other quarterbacks on the Aggies’ roster possess. Thus, there’s less margin for error when it comes to his mechanics, footwork, and decision making. Everything has to be aligned for the ball to get to where and when it needs to be.
(Not coincidentally, former A&M quarterback Kellen Mond was the same type of player. He started for Fisher for three seasons and was never was considered a great passer but could be both a drop back guy and an option quarterback in the same game if Fisher needed him to be. He was recently released by the Vikings who used a third round selection on him and gave up on him basically after one season.)
So what happens when that doesn’t occur? In fall camp and then in the opener versus Sam Houston, King made plays but he also threw interceptions. Sideline throws had too much air under them and throws down the middle didn’t have enough. In addition, King likes to challenge defenses both as a runner (he doesn’t slide when he takes off) or as a passer (he’ll throw it and let his receivers try to make a play on the ball).
Against Appalachian State, King had no interceptions but his accuracy was an issue. He left throws short that could have generated big gains or first downs. In all, he threw for under 100 yards and averaged under five yards per attempt. His longest completion was just 19 yards. His speed that was supposed to enable him to make plays on the fly or on designed runs resultedin one 31 yard run but didn’t prevent him from taking two sacks.
Is A&M playing the best passer on its roster or the guy with the most knowledge of the offense? Those can be two different things.
Fisher is able to call everything with King in the game. The execution can be a different story because of King’s talent, A&M’s inexperience, and the offensive line play.
