He’s been a liability all season long, proved it again tonight as he has in every big game this season.
Anyone still left on the Wells bandwagon?
- Thread starter Marine03
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I’m sure someone will comment that he’s a great kid and you shouldn’t ever say anything negative about him. Or point to some stat that has no context.
I think he isn’t over the concussion, honestly. He played worse tonight by a wide margin than in any other game this year. Even with all his turnovers he makes 8-10 good passes a game and I didn’t see any tonight of note.
The thing is, I WANT Wells to succeed. I don't want to be right in my assessment of him, and I will gladly eat crow next year, should he turn things around.
But this has turned into some weird pissing contest between those who get on here and blindly defend him, make excuses, etc., and anyone who dares to suggest otherwise.
After the Navy game, I was convinced he was going to be one of the next great QBs here, but as the season went on, I've just seen too many mistakes. Yes, there have been other major issues with our offense and Cramz doesn't help matters with his dog shit playing, but above and beyond all that, he's been far too inconsistent. Debate away some of the INT's if you want, Wells still is an INT Demigod.
But this has turned into some weird pissing contest between those who get on here and blindly defend him, make excuses, etc., and anyone who dares to suggest otherwise.
After the Navy game, I was convinced he was going to be one of the next great QBs here, but as the season went on, I've just seen too many mistakes. Yes, there have been other major issues with our offense and Cramz doesn't help matters with his dog shit playing, but above and beyond all that, he's been far too inconsistent. Debate away some of the INT's if you want, Wells still is an INT Demigod.
He looked like Joe Montana against Navy (awful), NC Central (bad FCS), FIU (awful), FAU (awful) and Charlotte (awful).
He was somewhere between pedestrian and terrible in the rest of the games.
His measurables are average, his decision making is poor, ability to read a defense is nonexistent and he is not good in the read option run game.
But what's worse is what we saw last night - He looked scared. I'm not a psychologist or a witchdoctor so I don't know how you fix that. The play where he willingly ran out of bounds 2 yards short of a first down instead of diving for the sticks was telling, and he was gun shy all night in the pocket.
It reminded me of Jay Cutlers last season with the Bears when he chose not to dive on a fumble that was at his feet because he didn't want to get hit. He was done at that moment... I hope that's not the case for Wells. I'm certain he's a nice young man. But being a starting QB is a different beast at this level.
He was somewhere between pedestrian and terrible in the rest of the games.
His measurables are average, his decision making is poor, ability to read a defense is nonexistent and he is not good in the read option run game.
But what's worse is what we saw last night - He looked scared. I'm not a psychologist or a witchdoctor so I don't know how you fix that. The play where he willingly ran out of bounds 2 yards short of a first down instead of diving for the sticks was telling, and he was gun shy all night in the pocket.
It reminded me of Jay Cutlers last season with the Bears when he chose not to dive on a fumble that was at his feet because he didn't want to get hit. He was done at that moment... I hope that's not the case for Wells. I'm certain he's a nice young man. But being a starting QB is a different beast at this level.
As I watched Wells close up pictures, I could see he was not liking the plays as they were being sent in. Even worse he took way too much time making snap and it appears does not know how to check out of a bad play to another play when the defense has figured out what he is going to call for that situation.
Coach Huff needs to look to the transfer portal and find a talented experience QB that can take over the reins and help teach the incoming QB's how to play at this level. Wells has loss his drive and mental capacity to manage a team on the field.
If we are stuck again with Wells then Marshall needs to wait until the 2023 before joining the Sun Blet Conference and even staying the 2022 season is going to be a very long one because the other conference teams appear to be getting better.
Coach Huff needs to look to the transfer portal and find a talented experience QB that can take over the reins and help teach the incoming QB's how to play at this level. Wells has loss his drive and mental capacity to manage a team on the field.
If we are stuck again with Wells then Marshall needs to wait until the 2023 before joining the Sun Blet Conference and even staying the 2022 season is going to be a very long one because the other conference teams appear to be getting better.
I just hope he shaves that trooper stache. I blame that thing.
So who ya got better?? IMO all the incoming guys will go thru the same growing pains Wells has.
I agree whole heartedly if we don't find a coach that can develop a quarterback. Something tells me something is wrong. When I first saw this kid wells I thought may have something special but he seems to get worst that is why I question his development 🤔
Can’t be growing pains if you aren’t growing.
He’s over the “concussion”. Just say it….”he quit on this team, again.” He’s terrified to take a hit.
I defended him endlessly on here. I really felt he had enough talent to evolve into a decent player for us. I believed he would learn from the earlier interceptions and recognize coverages and progress. Last night was an abomination. I was wrong. The combination of he and Crapsey is toxic soup.
We don't know until we see them in camp... But it's clear that Wells is not the answer. If we are going to lead the country in interceptions we might as well try a guy with some moxie that can get it done when the chips are down.
I like Wells. He may not be the best qb to ever step foot on Marshall's campus - but, he has a lot of physical skills. There are two distinct problems though - both the fault of Cramsey and Huff.
First - Well's throwing motion. Whenever he is rushed or in a hurry - he has a tendency to throw with his hand more under the ball (like the baseball infieler he was) and not with his hand on the side or toward the top of the ball. This is the main cause of his sailing, high throws. Should have been worked on by Cramsey since the first day Wells stepped foot on campus.
Secondly - don't know if this is Huff's philosophy or just the nature of Cramsey's play calling - but, good coaches design offenses and call plays to fit the talent of the players they have to work with - not call plays for the type of players they wish they had.
First - Well's throwing motion. Whenever he is rushed or in a hurry - he has a tendency to throw with his hand more under the ball (like the baseball infieler he was) and not with his hand on the side or toward the top of the ball. This is the main cause of his sailing, high throws. Should have been worked on by Cramsey since the first day Wells stepped foot on campus.
Secondly - don't know if this is Huff's philosophy or just the nature of Cramsey's play calling - but, good coaches design offenses and call plays to fit the talent of the players they have to work with - not call plays for the type of players they wish they had.
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Wells will be the starter next year and the crazy train will continue down the tracks on this board.
These guys think a 19 year old green freshmen gonna lead us to a league title.
Lol!
If we are to win in 22, either Wells has to make huge strides or Huff has to grow a pair and get a QB from the portal
I don’t think he is over the concussion. It takes time and he likely knew if he got hit and hit his head, he was done. Yeah, he stunk, just like Litton did after his concussion.
It’s a combination of poor QB play and possibly the worst OC in all of college football
You are generally a pretty smart guy... You can't possibly think last night was anything short of awful.
Face it. He’s over the concussion. He’s afraid to take a hit.
I’ll take freshman mistakes and a fire to lead and win at this point.
I would take that chance as a last alternative but we all know once the kid has a bad game or two, that kid will be thrown under the bus as well and onto the next one.
Disagree. Concussions take time. He can pass protocol easily. My daughter had one in college playing soccer and it’s easy to pass protocol.
Grant likely knew he was our best chance. Sure as hell wasn’t Zban.
Two years in a row we’ve seen the same thing late in the season. He was afraid to get hit. He quit.
Why couldn't a freshman start next year at Marshall? Everyone says our offense is 10 plays or less. I believe Huff needs to bring in a transfer QB next year because Wells just isn't getting any better and yes it's not all on Grant but for the most part it is. Grant could call a better play move people around and he throws the ball and hands it off. Te and wide outs are not helping with the drop balls. Grant over throws way to many passes or is forcing passes. Marshall could have the best OC available and still have the same results ( Need more formations 4 wide, 5 wide , 2 rbs and so on) But until you get better players your kinda stuck in what you can do. With Huffs first class coming in and with Huff able to pick up some more from the portal I think we will see a much improved team next year. And if not then it's time to force some staff changes. Just my thoughts.
I personally love Well's, he has done what is asked at him to the best of his ability I believe. He is trying to do what is asked of him. I am not sure that he has the ability we are looking for as our QB though.
I try to remember I am nothing more than a silly Marshall fan. I cannot coach football and my short lived attempts at playing the game were laughable. I admire Wells for using whatever skill he has in the game to pay for his college education.
A fair critique of a game or his play in a game is acceptable, but some posts have stepped over the line.
A fair critique of a game or his play in a game is acceptable, but some posts have stepped over the line.
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Sorry Mr conductor, I’ll skip your ride and stay with the Marshall fans that cheer for the Herd vs root against a player.
This is where I know your superfan ignorance bleeds through. Not once have I ever rooted against him, but this is the typical response I get from “fans” such as yourself who simply can’t handle truth. Truth is he was not good, numbers show that. Deal with it
So it boils down to:
1. Keep Wells as the starter (unless someone really shines in camp) and let the others learn for a season.
2. Toss a Freshman QB in there and endure seeing tons of growing pains.
1. Keep Wells as the starter (unless someone really shines in camp) and let the others learn for a season.
2. Toss a Freshman QB in there and endure seeing tons of growing pains.
Recruit the transfer portal hard
Two points.
Point One...After the Green fiasco last year with Wells "earning" the start, I don't think he's ever had this team in his corner.
Point Two...Why can't a freshman come in and take control? I'm reminded of a high school sophomore qb who came to pre season practice and the guys (upperclassmen) in the huddle were not paying attention. He told them to shut up, pay attention, and get to work. Said qb led the team to 2 state championships in the next 3 years.
Last year I saw the whole team quit. I think that has a lasting and negative effect on Grant. It's not all on him...
Something happened last year that seemed to have a profound and negative effect, not just on Grant, but the whole team.
Remember last year the Herd was 7-0 and ranked 15th in the nation with Grant as quarterback before the wheels fell off against Rice. Was this because of the team "fight" that didn't occur???
I was at the Conference Championship last year when Grant had an 0-fer first half. Coaching staff did him a disservice by not rolling him out to get something going. Still he had the Herd in a position to win until we gave up a 71 yard TD pass late then followed it up with a 15 yard penalty when we got the ball back.
Looking at common opponents between 2020 and 2021 we beat App St 17-7 then lost 30-31. Beat WKU 38-14 then lost 21-53. Beat FAU 20-9 and 28-13. Beat MTSU 42-14 and 28-14. Lost to ODU 13-22 and 14-22.
Notwithstanding Zappe, in two of these games (App St and WKU) the defense gave up considerably more points.
Could Grant have performed better? Absolutely. Is this season all on him? Absolutely not.
Grant has had no QB coach to develop him. It appears he is self teaching with Cramsey-Legg possibly working with him. Would a full time QB coach help at this point?
If Wells is going to start next year, and as of today there is no reason to think he won't, here is a plan to help him be more efficient and limit the turnovers.
1. Reduce intermediate throws -- He is fine throwing short (less than 7 yards) or deep balls (past 25 yards). A vast majority of his interceptions came on throws between 10-20 yards. The reason for this is he decides presnap where the ball is going and locks on that one guy. Routes of that depth give safeties, linebackers and good corners time to read his eyes.
2. Run on first down -- Ali is our best player on offense (by a wide margin) and our offensive line is pretty good, thus run it on first down and get ahead of the sticks. Obviously you can't run it on every single first down, but we need to run it a high percentage of the time. Getting into 2nd/3rd and long because we throw incomplete on first down, is a bad plan when you have trouble with intermediate routes as noted above. This would also help with our lack of time of possession if we run the ball successfully and get the clock moving.
3. Simplify the route tree -- We all heard many many times how a number of Wells interceptions were "not his fault." If that is the case, then cut back the number of routes/combinations. We don't have to have 100 route combinations out of the same 2 formations we run all the time. If you really want to get rudimentary, number the routes for Wells on a route chart (IE once you get the snap, here is option 1, option 2, check down, scramble).
4. Send him to a QB coach this summer -- If we don't have anyone working with him on his mechanics, that isn't his fault. Get a little cash together, find a QB coach looking to "tutor" guys over the summer and send Wells there. The reason he sails so many throws is mechanical, as is his shaky footwork when the pocket begins to break down.
1. Reduce intermediate throws -- He is fine throwing short (less than 7 yards) or deep balls (past 25 yards). A vast majority of his interceptions came on throws between 10-20 yards. The reason for this is he decides presnap where the ball is going and locks on that one guy. Routes of that depth give safeties, linebackers and good corners time to read his eyes.
2. Run on first down -- Ali is our best player on offense (by a wide margin) and our offensive line is pretty good, thus run it on first down and get ahead of the sticks. Obviously you can't run it on every single first down, but we need to run it a high percentage of the time. Getting into 2nd/3rd and long because we throw incomplete on first down, is a bad plan when you have trouble with intermediate routes as noted above. This would also help with our lack of time of possession if we run the ball successfully and get the clock moving.
3. Simplify the route tree -- We all heard many many times how a number of Wells interceptions were "not his fault." If that is the case, then cut back the number of routes/combinations. We don't have to have 100 route combinations out of the same 2 formations we run all the time. If you really want to get rudimentary, number the routes for Wells on a route chart (IE once you get the snap, here is option 1, option 2, check down, scramble).
4. Send him to a QB coach this summer -- If we don't have anyone working with him on his mechanics, that isn't his fault. Get a little cash together, find a QB coach looking to "tutor" guys over the summer and send Wells there. The reason he sails so many throws is mechanical, as is his shaky footwork when the pocket begins to break down.
Admittedly I didn't read this entire thread but I guess I just don't understand what is expected of Wells. Fact of the matter is, he was the best we had this year. He's not a great QB but he didn't have much help either. Does thinking he's the best option put me on the bandwagon? I hope we have better options in 2022 but if Wells is still the starter either Huff isn't doing enough in recruiting or Wells will need to improve big time.
