my thoughts while watching JD were that I like his spunk and his grit but I didn't feel confident in his ability to complete passes. Knowing that Vick was 0-6 I decided to go back and rewatch his series to see if maybe JD should be given the start going forward. I disagree with those who say we should just ride the hot hand, that's not a recipe for long term success in my mind.
Vick possession #1
1st and 10, Ohio 25- Vick on designed roll out to the right targets Mangen in the flat 5yrds past scrimmage, DT being guarded by OL swats the pass.
2nd and 10, Ohio 25- quick screen pass to Patterson to the right 5yds behind scrimmage, pass on hands but dropped. If caught would have been -5 to 0 yards gained with LB closing fast.
3rd and 10, Ohio 25- designed handoff to Patterson, run to left for 5yds. (Not sure why run called on 3rd and 10.)
Vick possession #2
1st and 10, Ohio 25- Vick with a perfect pass to Patterson, dropped at UK 40yd line with room to run inside 30 or more.
2nd and 10, Ohio 15- Vick keep on read option, goes outside left for 13yrds and 1st down.
1st and 10, Ohio 38- Handoff to Edmond, LT pulls right, DE and LB CB come from the left untouched, on Edmond as soon as he touches the ball, loss of 4.
2nd and 14, Ohio 34- toss to Edmond on the right, line blown up, tacked immediately. loss of 4.
3rd and 18, Ohio 30- UK changes defenses late, Vick tries to audible, can't in time, delay of game penalty.
3rd and 23, Ohio 25- back to original line of scrimmage. Pocket collapses immediately, Vick scrambles for 8.
Vick possession #3
1st and 10, Ohio 10- Patterson up the middle, line blow up immediately, no gain.
2nd and 10, Ohio 10- Patterson up the middle, gain of 4.
3rd and 6, Ohio 14- 3 receivers to the left, 1 to the right, Patterson in the backfield. At the snap all 4 receivers take off, none look back while crossing 1st down marker, Patterson stays back and picks up blitzing LB. Pocket breaks and Vick scramble left, 1st down marker is at the 20 but there's only one receiver behind the 30, the other 3 are gone and out of picture. Vick throws sideline pass to Reid at the 27 who can't make the grab. Why, on 3rd and 6, are there 3 receivers running 15+ yards past the first down marker and nobody running an outlet for a short and/or quick pass?
Vick possession #4
1st and 10, Ohio 20- play action pass to Cochran on right sideline. Caught at 50 but out of bounds.
2nd and 10, Ohio 20- handoff to Patterson up the middle for 3 yards.
3rd and 7, Ohio 23- pass to Smith at 50 a bit too strong, incomplete.
Looking back at Vick's 4 possessions I don't see anything that indicates that he's not capable of successfully leading this offense. I saw an offensive line that misses some blocking assignments, I saw a defense that knows that when Tim Edmonds is in the game its going to be a run play, and I saw a couple of very questionable calls on 3rd down. Vick's errors were the delay of game on 3rd and 18, and his two last throws were a bit off the mark. But overall I think he made good decisions and executed well.