Chip: Gophers QB Tanner Morgan is a game manager — the best kind of game manager

[BleedGopher]

per Chip:

Tanner Morgan describes himself as just one spoke in a wheel. His coach refers to him as a point guard. Both depictions work, but there’s a more direct way to portray Morgan.

He’s become one of college football’s best quarterbacks.

On this point, I have a confession: Morgan is better than I initially believed. Exponentially better.

Like others, I trained my eyes on Morgan’s perceived shortcomings — too short, lack of a cannon arm, not super-duper athletic, blah, blah, blah — and viewed him as a game manager whose success was a product of a system and being surrounded by high-end talent at receiver and running back.

Boy, was I wrong.

Gophers QB Tanner Morgan is a game manager — the best kind of game manager

www.startribune.com

Go Gophers!!

 

[#2Gopher]

Many people give people poor advice at times. This includes teachers, bosses, family members etc. Morgan kept rowing, working hard and allowed the chips to fall into place accordingly. Glad Morgan didn't listen to the naysayers.

 

[PitinoFan]

Yes, Chip. You were wrong, but that’s OK!

It seems most of Gopherhole was way ahead of the curve on Morgan. To the average casual observer, and even some insiders, he was just a backup with a noodle arm.

 

[Jeshurun]

I will admit I thought Zach was the far superior QB based on the eye test. I’m happy to have been proven very wrong.

 

[kellyleeks]

I always believed in him. Not surprised at his success.

 

[Pompous Elitist]

I wonder if PJ ever regrets letting the rumors start re: ZA was going to get the nod to,start the year which always seemed ridiculous on the face of it. Morgan is so modest yet simultaneously clearly confident I don’t believe the criticism or doubt ever got to him.

He can teach all of of us a lot perhaps including the HC in some ways. He’s an easy guy to root for and support. He’s done his part all year, never letting the team down. The statistical leader of the conference, second only to perhaps a guy on a team loaded with blue chippers at nearly every position. He will set most of the single season records. Humility, graciousness. Win this week and you’re an even bigger legend.

 

[oak_street1981]

I was all in on tanner Morgan last year, posted that the ZA being #1 was crazy talk.
Morgan is one win away from being an all time legend

 

[GoldenRodents]

Tanner works so hard and is so well prepared, the game has slowed down for him and he throws darts.

 

[MNfootballfan]

I will admit I thought Zach was the far superior QB based on the eye test. I’m happy to have been proven very wrong.

Zach and Tanner must be pretty close in ability because based off last year I though Tanner was better than Zach.

truth is, we are probably both right and that is why PJ would refuse to name a starter!

 

[RememberMurray]

There was a throw against Northwestern; can't remember who the receiver was, but it was a pass that had to be thrown perfectly, with exquisite touch, in order to have a chance to be complete. Tiny target window. Near the sideline, so timing was crucial as well.

Tanner, as usual, put it on the money. Dropped it in beautifully. The TV guy described it to a 'T':

"Right... down... the chimney!"

 

[golden_boi]

There was a throw against Northwestern; can't remember who the receiver was, but it was a pass that had to be thrown perfectly, with exquisite touch, in order to have a chance to be complete. Tiny target window. Near the sideline, so timing was crucial as well.

Tanner, as usual, put it on the money. Dropped it in beautifully. The TV guy described it to a 'T':

"Right... down... the chimney!"

It was Tyler Johnson - I had to rewind and watch that one a few times. Very nice ball

 

[MNVCGUY]

Zach and Tanner must be pretty close in ability because based off last year I though Tanner was better than Zach.

truth is, we are probably both right and that is why PJ would refuse to name a starter!

Crazy to think this way but the key to this whole season may very well have been ZA getting hurt when he did. Instead of going into the season with two very similar QBs and a lot of uncertainty about who the starter should be, the ball was handed to Morgan and he never looked back.

Morgan went from being stuck in a 1a/1b situation to being the starter. He embraced the leadership role and as a redshirt sophomore his skills really blossomed this season.

Maybe it all plays out the same if ZA doesn't get hurt but I'm not sure it does. Morgan certainly benefits from having great WR to work with but he does a great job getting them the ball in ways that allows them to catch and run and he also does a great job of putting the ball where only his guy has a real shot of catching it most of the time. The thing I have loved most is that for a guy with fairly limited starting experience coming into the season he has done a really good job of avoiding the bad INTs. The ones where it was a terrible throw or thrown into an area where it shouldn't have been. He seems very willing to just take what the defense gives him as opposed to going for the spectacular play.

 

[IrishGoph55]

down by 6 with 3 minutes to go and 2 timeouts. Does he lead an all time epic historical drive for the win? ( I know he did the first 3 weeks but the scenario has changed.)

I would believe.

 

[PitinoFan]

The bolded are underrated parts of his game....

True, a quarterback surrounded by marquee talent should perform better than a quarterback trying to prop up an overmatched cast. Morgan has the benefit of throwing to two future NFL players in Tyler Johnson and Rashod Bateman, a massive offensive line and a stable of running backs led by 1,000-yard rusher Rodney Smith.

But to minimize Morgan’s impact in that equation is to miss the point. He’s allowing those players to thrive by throwing accurate passes and fooling defenses with his play fakes and RPO ball-handling and reads. Highlight catches often require perfectly thrown passes.

“He makes everybody else better,” Fleck said. “I tell him all the time, I think he’s a tremendous point guard. He’s a distributor of culture, a distributor of the football, of the calls.

 

[RememberMurray]

Crazy to think this way but the key to this whole season may very well have been ZA getting hurt when he did. Instead of going into the season with two very similar QBs and a lot of uncertainty about who the starter should be, the ball was handed to Morgan and he never looked back.

Morgan went from being stuck in a 1a/1b situation to being the starter. He embraced the leadership role and as a redshirt sophomore his skills really blossomed this season.

Maybe it all plays out the same if ZA doesn't get hurt but I'm not sure it does. Morgan certainly benefits from having great WR to work with but he does a great job getting them the ball in ways that allows them to catch and run and he also does a great job of putting the ball where only his guy has a real shot of catching it most of the time. The thing I have loved most is that for a guy with fairly limited starting experience coming into the season he has done a really good job of avoiding the bad INTs. The ones where it was a terrible throw or thrown into an area where it shouldn't have been. He seems very willing to just take what the defense gives him as opposed to going for the spectacular play.

The media absolutely love them a QB controversy, and if ZA hadn't gotten hurt the eventual starter (whichever player it was) might have been second-guessed every time he had an 'off' performance.

That being said, Morgan's play this season really hasn't left much room for debate.

 

[Go Gophs]

He went from a guy looking at splitting time, to the no doubt starter and honestly, he might be a Heisman candidate next year. He is the straw that stirs the drink. Big-time leader and program guy. He has the heart of a lion. Can't say enough good things about this kid.

 

[Veritas]

Crazy to think this way but the key to this whole season may very well have been ZA getting hurt when he did. Instead of going into the season with two very similar QBs and a lot of uncertainty about who the starter should be, the ball was handed to Morgan and he never looked back.

Morgan went from being stuck in a 1a/1b situation to being the starter. He embraced the leadership role and as a redshirt sophomore his skills really blossomed this season.

Maybe it all plays out the same if ZA doesn't get hurt but I'm not sure it does. Morgan certainly benefits from having great WR to work with but he does a great job getting them the ball in ways that allows them to catch and run and he also does a great job of putting the ball where only his guy has a real shot of catching it most of the time. The thing I have loved most is that for a guy with fairly limited starting experience coming into the season he has done a really good job of avoiding the bad INTs. The ones where it was a terrible throw or thrown into an area where it shouldn't have been. He seems very willing to just take what the defense gives him as opposed to going for the spectacular play.

How utterly lucky we have been re Tanner getting injured. SO FAR. When have the football gods ever been so kind to us?? I would also add that Tanner is still showing serious errors in throwing into double or even triple coverage even as recently as the Northwestern game and the staring down the receiver is still there too often. But this is not to net complain. He does throw a spot on pass more often than not.

 

[MGGopher]

He’s allowing those players to thrive by throwing accurate passes and fooling defenses with his play fakes and RPO ball-handling and reads. Highlight catches often require perfectly thrown passes.

Agree 100%. I watched the ASU-Oregon game the other night and couldn't believe how poor the play-action fakes were by both QB's, but primarily ASU. Tanner and the RBs have really perfected riding the mesh point as long as possible in RPO. It's a thing of beauty.

Accuracy for sure. Tanner makes throws most of our previous QBs wouldn't have attempted because he knows that just because a defender is nearby doesn't mean the WR is covered. If you throw an accurate ball, our guys will usually catch it. I hate to even say this, but he reminds me of Brady the way he runs the offense and throws a highly catchable ball.