What grade sound you give Drake Lindsey for his first career start?

[PeoplesFront]

I went with B. On a numerical scale from 0 to 100, I’d give him a solid 84. I know it was one game against a MAC team, but QB’s rated 72 don’t make plays like Drake did last night.

Dear reader, if you find yourself a bit lost reading this post, I am taking a direct shot at EA Sports.

 

[mnsportsgeek]

Receiver did him no favors and I really only ding him for the end of the 2 minute drill. Great first game. Improve from here. Next test is cal. Northwestern State isn’t gonna tell us anything.

 

[julius_the_cat]

Quality performance by a red shirt freshman in his 1st start. Initial drive featured two 15 yard out patterns accurately delivered with good velocity (caught by Perich and juggled/incomplete to Smith).

I particularly liked a sequence in early Q2 with another 15 yard out caught by Smith on 3rd & 10 for a 1st down immediately followed by a deep cross to Tracy for 27 yards. Both were good reads with accurate throws at mid-long range yardages. The 60 yard touchdown strike to Smith was a stellar play with good footwork stepping up to deliver another precise pass.

What a treat it will be to watch consecutive years of high quality QB play by a Gopher.

 

[fmlizard]

I give him a B from last night's game, but I think he has A potential and we're in for a good season throwing the ball.

 

[mcrow47]

I think overall very solid game for his first game as a starter. I don't know why he would throw a ball to a guy on the ground a pass and there were a couple of other head scratchers but that's going to happen with an inexperienced QB. But he can sling the ball for sure, if the WR & TE could catch the Gophers probably put 30+ on Buffalo.

 

[holereader]

He is talented - strong arm and mostly accurate - my main observation is that the passing scheme seems to be pocket passes. He was able to move in the picket a bit but this O line will need to pass protect against better competition and with that id like to see him more mobile and creative. On the goofy interception play he had wide open field to tuck and run but he didn’t - im concerned that if or when the OLine can’t provide enough protection that he will need to make plays on his own - hopefully he will grow in that regard

 

[PoockItInfor6]

He is talented - strong arm and mostly accurate - my main observation is that the passing scheme seems to be pocket passes. He was able to move in the picket a bit but this O line will need to pass protect against better competition and with that id like to see him more mobile and creative. On the goofy interception play he had wide open field to tuck and run but he didn’t - im concerned that if or when the OLine can’t provide enough protection that he will need to make plays on his own - hopefully he will grow in that regard

Later in the game he did take yardage on similar plays with his feet, so I think you saw maturation even within the game.

 

[GopherinFlorida]

His family has money and a history of legacy building in college football at Arkansas so that gives me hope that he might play for another year at MN before going pro...but man, the tOSUs of the world are going to offer this kid $5 million to play at their school next year...enjoy the season...hope it's fantastic...

 

[scools12]

Gave it a C.

Lindsey was good but a couple of times they didn’t convert in the red zone which for me kept it from a higher grade.

 

[Full Speed Ahead]

Hard to complain. The INT was not his fault. I was surprised that the game started with lots of passes. How refreshing to have a QB capable of and confident in passing the ball into so,e pretty tight windows.

Disagree. He threw the ball to a receiver who was lying on his back. With nothing open downfield he should have either taken off and tried running it or thrown the ball out of bounds. Instead, he threw it at the receiver and put the ball in play where the unlucky bounce and interception happened.

 

[Roland Brooks]

B… He made some real good throws a couple of bad throws.. not sure how the Bulls DB dropped that pick in the end zone… a couple other throws that real good DB’s might make plays on.. throws to the sideline were nice but scared me a tad.. just my opinion.. looks the part good touch good feet.

 

[touchdownvikings]

That's the best looking freshman QB I've seen in a long time.

If you don't call that performance an A-performance, then you have unrealistic expectations of a freshman.

This year might be special, but it's hard to put together so many new pieces in a single year. ...But Drake, Javon, and Jalen are all back next year with one year of experience together. If Darius can put off the NFL for one more year, then next year they'll be a playoff team.

 

[mcrow47]

Disagree. He threw the ball to a receiver who was lying on his back. With nothing open downfield he should have either taken off and tried running it or thrown the ball out of bounds. Instead, he threw it at the receiver and put the ball in play where the unlucky bounce and interception happened.

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The INT was his fault. Why is he throwing the ball to a guy that was already on the ground when he threw the ball?

 

[touchdownvikings]

That's the best looking freshman QB I've seen in a long time.

If you don't call that performance an A-performance, then you have unrealistic expectations of a freshman.

This year might be special, but it's hard to put together so many new pieces in a single year. ...But Drake, Javon, and Jalen are all back next year with one year of experience together. If Darius can put off the NFL for one more year, then next year they'll be a playoff team.

One more thing...

Anyone notice that Nathan Roy was playing at left tackle? He looked real good. I'm all for locking that spot down with Roy and going into next year with that position under control.

 

[gopherbadgerman]

Disagree. He threw the ball to a receiver who was lying on his back. With nothing open downfield he should have either taken off and tried running it or thrown the ball out of bounds. Instead, he threw it at the receiver and put the ball in play where the unlucky bounce and interception happened.

View attachment 38605

I didn't notice it live, but watching the replay that was a poor decision for sure. Need to just throw it away there.

 

[GophersInIowa]

Disagree. He threw the ball to a receiver who was lying on his back. With nothing open downfield he should have either taken off and tried running it or thrown the ball out of bounds. Instead, he threw it at the receiver and put the ball in play where the unlucky bounce and interception happened.

View attachment 38605

I'm not sure he needed to do anything yet at that point. There was no one close to giving him pressure. He could have held the ball for a few more seconds at least.

 

[highwayman]

B but he would get an A without the throw in the end zone that could have/should have been picked by two defenders. I feel better about the QB position after the first game this year than I did after the first game last year. (And I ended up loving Max r QB>)s ou

Um. Wasn’t picked. No “almost” plays in any sport count.

Maybe horseshoes.