Although I loathe the idea of switching quarterbacks, and I started out a fan of Burns, I am beginning to think Stanford should consider switching to Chryst.
Before this season, and even two years ago when Hogan struggled, I thought Stanford should just switch to Chryst, who I assumed was the heir and would be the next Luck Lite. Then I watched the spring scrimmage. Chryst started with a a deer in the headlights look, which terrified me, and Burns looked relaxed.
I like them both, but my biggest disappointments with Burns is that he seems to look down receivers, he is slow to recognize open receivers, he has a slow release, and he is a slow, clunky runner and cannot slide in the pocket to buy any time.
And these qualities are a DISASTER combined with the green line that at this time is one of the worst at pass protection I've seen at Stanford in a while. When the pocket collapses, you need a quarterback who can find a receiver quickly and release it quickly, which he cannot do, or who can shuffle to buy time, which he has not done, or who can run with the ball, which he cannot do. Oh yeah, and when a quarterback stares down receivers, they take big hits and get injured.
What little I've seen of Chryst is that he seems more relaxed now (but he also, I admit, benefits from Burns starting 2 drives to calm everything down). Most importantly, when the pocket collapsed on him, he kept his head up, took a few steps to buy time, then hit a downfield receiver, which I cannot recall Burns doing this season. If we had a better line, I could see why we might stick w/Burns, because of his better command of the playbook. But even if you have the whole playbook, in the end, you need the plays to work. And if the pass protection is going to be an issue all season long, I worry Burns has the wrong weaknesses for the team's issues.
Still, this is assuming it is worth "burning" the investment already made, and this also assumes Chryst can handle the pressure and lead the way Burns has shown he can and will not stare down receivers, etc. All I have seen is that Chryst seems to have more aptitude for shuffling in the pocket while looking downfield, which would at least be something.
Before this season, and even two years ago when Hogan struggled, I thought Stanford should just switch to Chryst, who I assumed was the heir and would be the next Luck Lite. Then I watched the spring scrimmage. Chryst started with a a deer in the headlights look, which terrified me, and Burns looked relaxed.
I like them both, but my biggest disappointments with Burns is that he seems to look down receivers, he is slow to recognize open receivers, he has a slow release, and he is a slow, clunky runner and cannot slide in the pocket to buy any time.
And these qualities are a DISASTER combined with the green line that at this time is one of the worst at pass protection I've seen at Stanford in a while. When the pocket collapses, you need a quarterback who can find a receiver quickly and release it quickly, which he cannot do, or who can shuffle to buy time, which he has not done, or who can run with the ball, which he cannot do. Oh yeah, and when a quarterback stares down receivers, they take big hits and get injured.
What little I've seen of Chryst is that he seems more relaxed now (but he also, I admit, benefits from Burns starting 2 drives to calm everything down). Most importantly, when the pocket collapsed on him, he kept his head up, took a few steps to buy time, then hit a downfield receiver, which I cannot recall Burns doing this season. If we had a better line, I could see why we might stick w/Burns, because of his better command of the playbook. But even if you have the whole playbook, in the end, you need the plays to work. And if the pass protection is going to be an issue all season long, I worry Burns has the wrong weaknesses for the team's issues.
Still, this is assuming it is worth "burning" the investment already made, and this also assumes Chryst can handle the pressure and lead the way Burns has shown he can and will not stare down receivers, etc. All I have seen is that Chryst seems to have more aptitude for shuffling in the pocket while looking downfield, which would at least be something.