Nineteen-year-old freshmen make mistakes. A lot of mistakes.
From off-the-field issues (i.e. Jameis Winston), to on-the-field miscues, young players are often excused by their coaches and veteran teammates for making mistakes, because they know players — like all people — have the ability to learn and correct mistakes along the way.
But when the young guy weaving a basket of mishaps is the team’s starting quarterback, when do coaches decide that the player’s trial-by-fire development is hurting the team’s ability to win games?
Tulane coaches should ask themselves the same question freshman quarterback Tanner Lee.
Lee has demonstrated a natural ability to make big throws in the Green Wave’s first four games, along with acting as a vocal leader in the locker room. He’s thrown eight touchdowns thus far, placing the Green Wave at a respectable No. 32 national rank in TD passes. Coach Curtis Johnson continues to support his young field general, even after Lee threw three interceptions (zero touchdowns), against Duke last Saturday.
“He’ll be better,” Johnson said in a press conference following the Duke game. “We just have to continue to cut the penalties out and improve with him, but just don’t get him in third-and-15, third-and-12, or third-and-10.”
Johnson either has a crystal ball telling him Lee will become one of the AAC’s best QBs in the near future, or his faith in backup Devin Powell and third-string Nick Montana — both started games last season — has bottomed out.
Lee’s three interceptions on Saturday lifted his total for the year to nine, and he’s now thrown more INTs than TD (8) passes. At that rate, opponents points scored off interceptions masks touchdowns thrown.
Lee’s completion percentage is also concerning. The freshman QB has only completed 50 percent of his passes twice this year and sunk to 40 percent against the Blue Devils.
Despite Lee’s increasing ineptitude at quarterback, his offensive line isn’t helping him develop—the Green Wave have allowed nine sacks, ranking 97th in the country. When young players are hurried to make decisions, they have less time to consider the proper measures to take.
Adding up Lee’s performance with the 0-line’s lack of protection, the Green Wave should consider starting Powell.
The redshirt sophomore is in his third year with Tulane; he knows the offense and he brings an extra layer of mobility that can help alleviate the front’s deficiencies.
Powell started two games against East Carolina and Tulsa last season when all three teams played in Conference USA. Powell completed 59 percent of his passes in victories against the Pirates and Golden Hurricane, but also threw three picks.
Lee thoroughly beat out both Powell and Montana in spring ball by exhibiting great leadership skills, a big arm, and potential for being a great quarterback down the road.
Lee may still develop into one of Tulane and the AAC’s greatest gun-slingers, but the first four games have shown that perhaps he needs to stand on the sideline and take notes from a quarterback with more experience. Even if Powell makes just as many mistakes, at least Lee will get a glimpse into what he’s been doing wrong and will have a better grasp on how to fix it.
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