How Long (or Short) is Tanner Morgan’s Leash in 2021 (if Morgan doesn’t take a step forward in big way, I can’t imagine Fleck waits long to change)

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BleedGopher

BleedGopher

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per Strack:

No QB Controversy… yet.​

We know who will start the Ohio State game behind center, void of any unforeseen circumstances over the next two months. As Max pointed out in his depth chart projection from Monday, Tanner Morgan established himself as the starting quarterback for the Gophers back in 2019, when he posted an incredible 13 G, 3253 YDS, 30 TD, 7 INT statline and led them to an Outback Bowl victory over Auburn.

But what Tanner’s done for us lately (7 GMS, 1,374 YDS, 7 TD, 5 INT in 2020) isn’t much. And last I checked, recency bias matters in sports. So that begs one to question: With so much on the line for PJ Fleck and the Minnesota Gophers in 2021, how patient can the head coach be if Morgan stumbles out of the gate? If Tanner looks more like his 2020 version, than his 2019, how quickly does Fleck make a change?

Zack Annexstad​

Well, that question begins with a dude you might remember, Zack Annexstad. Before Morgan’s breakout 2019, Annexstad was the betting favorite to win the starting quarterback job in Minnesota. That was before a preseason knee injury wiped those dreams away and anointed Tanner the unquestioned starter for that program-changing season.

Annexstad regained his health and backed Morgan up for all of 2020, while the QB1 struggled mightily. Fleck stayed the course and never waivered behind Morgan, even through the 2020 storm. But if Tanner Morgan doesn’t take a step forward in a big way, I can’t imagine Fleck waits long to make a change.

www.minnesotasportsfan.com

How Long (or Short) is Tanner Morgan's Leash in 2021

Tanner Morgan may be the Minnesota Gophers starting quarterback now. But with Zack Annexstad waiting, his leash can't be that long.
www.minnesotasportsfan.com www.minnesotasportsfan.com

Go Gophers!!
 




If there is any leash we'll know by about Nebraska I'd say.

Bad game vs OSU - no big deal their OSU
Bad game vs Miami OH - no big deal still should win
Bad game vs CO - probably will lose and we'll be 1-2
Bad game vs Bowling Green - no big deal still should win
Bad game vs Purdue - prob lose and were 2-3 and there are question marks
Bad game vs Neb at home - prob lose and the boo birds will be out. 2-4 could mean changes
 



BleedGopher said:
per Strack:

No QB Controversy… yet.​

We know who will start the Ohio State game behind center, void of any unforeseen circumstances over the next two months. As Max pointed out in his depth chart projection from Monday, Tanner Morgan established himself as the starting quarterback for the Gophers back in 2019, when he posted an incredible 13 G, 3253 YDS, 30 TD, 7 INT statline and led them to an Outback Bowl victory over Auburn.

But what Tanner’s done for us lately (7 GMS, 1,374 YDS, 7 TD, 5 INT in 2020) isn’t much. And last I checked, recency bias matters in sports. So that begs one to question: With so much on the line for PJ Fleck and the Minnesota Gophers in 2021, how patient can the head coach be if Morgan stumbles out of the gate? If Tanner looks more like his 2020 version, than his 2019, how quickly does Fleck make a change?

Zack Annexstad​

Well, that question begins with a dude you might remember, Zack Annexstad. Before Morgan’s breakout 2019, Annexstad was the betting favorite to win the starting quarterback job in Minnesota. That was before a preseason knee injury wiped those dreams away and anointed Tanner the unquestioned starter for that program-changing season.

Annexstad regained his health and backed Morgan up for all of 2020, while the QB1 struggled mightily. Fleck stayed the course and never waivered behind Morgan, even through the 2020 storm. But if Tanner Morgan doesn’t take a step forward in a big way, I can’t imagine Fleck waits long to make a change.

www.minnesotasportsfan.com

How Long (or Short) is Tanner Morgan's Leash in 2021

Tanner Morgan may be the Minnesota Gophers starting quarterback now. But with Zack Annexstad waiting, his leash can't be that long.
www.minnesotasportsfan.com www.minnesotasportsfan.com

Go Gophers!!
Click to expand...

WTF did I just read.
 

Fleck can afford to be very patient. He has built up much goodwill with the fanbase and AD with his recent success. With the season last year resetting expectations, he can claim this season is the new YEAR 0. So he can just coast, don't get anyone important injured, and slowly build up young players so that incremental progress can be measured into YEAR 1 next season.
 




Last time a coach yanked that leash Nelson left and we had 4 yrs of leidner. Easy does it on that leash, sparky.
 

Morgan is a very accurate passer but he does not have a 'cannon' arm.
He is short and not fleet of foot.
The games he was thought to do poorly were games in which he was under heavy pressure and was bounced around.
With adequate protection and gifted WRs he will pick you apart.
The absence of a talented pass receiving TE in the offensive play book really limits him.
 

He won’t get yanked. Only chance is if we start like 0-5 and he is playing horrible, last year he was not horrible.
 

BleedGopher said:
per Strack:

No QB Controversy… yet.​

We know who will start the Ohio State game behind center, void of any unforeseen circumstances over the next two months. As Max pointed out in his depth chart projection from Monday, Tanner Morgan established himself as the starting quarterback for the Gophers back in 2019, when he posted an incredible 13 G, 3253 YDS, 30 TD, 7 INT statline and led them to an Outback Bowl victory over Auburn.

But what Tanner’s done for us lately (7 GMS, 1,374 YDS, 7 TD, 5 INT in 2020) isn’t much. And last I checked, recency bias matters in sports. So that begs one to question: With so much on the line for PJ Fleck and the Minnesota Gophers in 2021, how patient can the head coach be if Morgan stumbles out of the gate? If Tanner looks more like his 2020 version, than his 2019, how quickly does Fleck make a change?

Zack Annexstad​

Well, that question begins with a dude you might remember, Zack Annexstad. Before Morgan’s breakout 2019, Annexstad was the betting favorite to win the starting quarterback job in Minnesota. That was before a preseason knee injury wiped those dreams away and anointed Tanner the unquestioned starter for that program-changing season.

Annexstad regained his health and backed Morgan up for all of 2020, while the QB1 struggled mightily. Fleck stayed the course and never waivered behind Morgan, even through the 2020 storm. But if Tanner Morgan doesn’t take a step forward in a big way, I can’t imagine Fleck waits long to make a change.

www.minnesotasportsfan.com

How Long (or Short) is Tanner Morgan's Leash in 2021

Tanner Morgan may be the Minnesota Gophers starting quarterback now. But with Zack Annexstad waiting, his leash can't be that long.
www.minnesotasportsfan.com www.minnesotasportsfan.com

Go Gophers!!
Click to expand...
Injury is the enemy of every QB.

Annexstad is a competitor and a true Gopher team player just like Morgan. Heaven forbid that Morgan sustain an injury that will knock him out of the starting position. The Gophers are in good hands with his replacement.

If Annexstad plays really well, it will be tough to relinquish the reigns to Morgan. It is a good luxury to have at this point.
 



FB coaches as a rule do not like to pull QB's no matter how bad things get on the field.

So, assuming Morgan starts the opener, he stays as the starter as long as he is physically able to play. if Morgan sustained a serious injury - one that absolutely prevents him from playing, I would think that Annexstad gets the next shot.

But - I'm not at practice. I don't know how Clark or Kramer look when (if) they get 1st-team reps.

So I could be wrong.

but - let's not forget - the last time Morgan and Annexstad were both healthy and had an open competition for the spot in 2018, the coaches chose Annexstad to start. for all we know, if Annexstad doesn't get injured early in the season, he might still be the starter.

For want of a nail........
 

Morgan not getting pulled with multiple poor performances would probably indicate how bad the backups are.

Don't see him out unless he gets hurt.
 


I’m in agreement with those who say Fleck is too stubborn to pull Tanner, but I really think this offense would take the next step with a QB who was a threat to pull the ball and run on our zone read plays.
 


SPEGOPHER said:
I’m in agreement with those who say Fleck is too stubborn to pull Tanner, but I really think this offense would take the next step with a QB who was a threat to pull the ball and run on our zone read plays.
Click to expand...
I mean, that’s given it is actually an option to take the option. I don’t think fleck overly loves running the QB even if he was fleet of foot
 



I believe Annexstad could win the job this summer. BUT, he has to be good enough in practice that the whole team wants him to be the starter. It has to be clearly obvious Zack (or anybody else) is that much better than Tanner, and only then, I do believe would PJ go with them at the last minute as the starter versus the Ohio State.
I also believe whoever starts versus Ohio State will have to be carried off on a stretcher before PJ will switch starting QB's during the season.
 


It's hard to speculate on just about any of this without knowing firsthand the level of development of guys like Clark, Kramer, and even Zack. Not out of the realm of possibility, given the relatively modest ceiling of Morgan, that one or more QB's have at least closed the gap considerably in the last 12-18 months.

The one thing I would slightly disagree with here in some comments; if indeed the gap isn't massive from Morgan to QB #2, and Morgan starts out playing subpar football, I don't think it would take a MAJOR injury to make a move.

With the returning starters this year, particularly on the OL, obviously the window for a big season is now. Can't sacrifice any games out of loyalty to a guy who had a good season almost 24 months ago.
 

I know this is sort of an off-season talk radio topic but pulling the single season QB record holder -for any of a few unproven alternates - to me seems highly unlikely, particularly when we hear modern practices at full speed with hitting are very limited. What are the actually odds we have a better ie ready to go option waiting in the wings? If the coaches believe TM2 has lost his edge for whatever reason or view this as a developmental year or think we can ride a strong defense while allowing Annexstad or the TX kid to take his lumps that’s one thing. I very strongly doubt it. The offense will probably turn on the offensive line, protection scheme, WRs ability to make plays, keeping the RBs healthy, and perhaps the emergence of Spann-Ford. We’ve seen what Tanner is capable of and we’re lucky to have him.
 

allthgoodnamesrgone said:
Fleck can afford to be very patient. He has built up much goodwill with the fanbase and AD with his recent success. With the season last year resetting expectations, he can claim this season is the new YEAR 0. So he can just coast, don't get anyone important injured, and slowly build up young players so that incremental progress can be measured into YEAR 1 next season.
Click to expand...

That will be a tough sell for PJ since he has the most returning experience in the FBS!
britney-spears-shocked.gif
 

We just saw the QBs play a few months ago in the spring game. I realize it's not the same thing as having bullets fly in a B1G game, but Morgan looked like his 2019 self completing multiple RPO's and sideline routes along with some nice deep shots. Annexstad was impressive, looked athletic running the ball, and aside from a couple boneheaded decisions struck me as an above average B1G QB. Clark didn't play, but I can't imagine he closed the gap enough to overtake either of those guys. Kramer got one series, I believe?
 




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