Link: Malzahn Doesn't Want Nick Marshall Working with QB Guru George Whitfield

[RTR91]

This isn't intended to be another Auburn thread. It's more about Gus' reasoning for not allowing Marshall to work with Whitfield, arguably the best QB trainer in the nation. Link for entire story

Gus' reasoning:

"You want them thinking exactly like you want them to think," Malzahn said. "When you get multiple people working, there's multiple thoughts, so we want them thinking one way."

I understand him wanting Marshall to think along the same lines as he and Lashlee. However, his comments and belief make him sound like a guy who wants his QBs to be what many used to label some QBs: "system QBs." Whitfield would work on his mechanics and reading defenses. He helped Manziel and continues to work with him.

 

[BigEasyTider]

I think the real, and unspoken, criticism here is simply that guys like Whitfield aren't particularly good at what they do, and that working with them is likely to be a waste of time at best, and possibly even detrimental to mechanics at worst. Gus is a bit polite in his answer to this, but I think that's the substance of his directive, whether or not he wants to really say it that bluntly to the public.

FWIW, it's probably worth noting that I don't believe we've never sent a kid to work with him. I know Del Rio did on his own a bit before transferring, but that's it.

 

[jthomas666]

More than likely, Gus doesn't want to share any credit.

 

[seebell]

I think the real, and unspoken, criticism here is simply that guys like Whitfield aren't particularly good at what they do, and that working with them is likely to be a waste of time at best, and possibly even detrimental to mechanics at worst. Gus is a bit polite in his answer to this, but I think that's the substance of his directive, whether or not he wants to really say it that bluntly to the public.

FWIW, it's probably worth noting that I don't believe we've never sent a kid to work with him. I know Del Rio did on his own a bit before transferring, but that's it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Whitfield_Jr.
During his 4 game suspension at the beginning of the 2010 NFL season, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger worked with Whitfield as the NFL Mandate prevented him in participating in any team activities.
In 2011, Heisman Trophy winning quarterback and first overall selection Cam Newton began working with George Whitfield, Jr. in preparation for the NFL Draft.[SUP][4][/SUP]
In 2012, Stanford University quarterback, and NFL first overall Selection Andrew Luck began working with George Whitfield, Jr. in preparation for the NFL Draft.
In 2012, NFL veteran and free agent Donovan McNabb sought out Whitfield's services to aid in offseason weight loss and to prepare for the upcoming season.[SUP][5][/SUP]
Perhaps Whitfield's greatest professional accomplishment is reflected in the Heisman Trophy awarded to Johnny Manziel (aka "Johnny Football") whom he groomed in the summer of 2012. Manziel's rise from obscurity to becoming the first player in history to win the prestigious award as a freshman can, in large part, be credited to his work under Whitfield's guidance.

 

[seebell]

I think the real, and unspoken, criticism here is simply that guys like Whitfield aren't particularly good at what they do, and that working with them is likely to be a waste of time at best, and possibly even detrimental to mechanics at worst. Gus is a bit polite in his answer to this, but I think that's the substance of his directive, whether or not he wants to really say it that bluntly to the public.

FWIW, it's probably worth noting that I don't believe we've never sent a kid to work with him. I know Del Rio did on his own a bit before transferring, but that's it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Whitfield_Jr.
During his 4 game suspension at the beginning of the 2010 NFL season, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger worked with Whitfield as the NFL Mandate prevented him in participating in any team activities.
In 2011, Heisman Trophy winning quarterback and first overall selection Cam Newton began working with George Whitfield, Jr. in preparation for the NFL Draft.[SUP][4][/SUP]
In 2012, Stanford University quarterback, and NFL first overall Selection Andrew Luck began working with George Whitfield, Jr. in preparation for the NFL Draft.
In 2012, NFL veteran and free agent Donovan McNabb sought out Whitfield's services to aid in offseason weight loss and to prepare for the upcoming season.[SUP][5][/SUP]
Perhaps Whitfield's greatest professional accomplishment is reflected in the Heisman Trophy awarded to Johnny Manziel (aka "Johnny Football") whom he groomed in the summer of 2012. Manziel's rise from obscurity to becoming the first player in history to win the prestigious award as a freshman can, in large part, be credited to his work under Whitfield's guidance.

Here is a list of his students:
http://whitfieldqb.com/?p=372

he must have something going!.

 

[jthomas666]

I just think it's mainly a combination of Gus' ego and the simple fact that Marshall is NEVER going to be an NFL-caliber QB, so it makes more sense to focus on his strengths, which are not things that Whitfield is likely to improve.

 

[TideEngineer08]

I just think it's mainly a combination of Gus' ego and the simple fact that Marshall is NEVER going to be an NFL-caliber QB, so it makes more sense to focus on his strengths, which are not things that Whitfield is likely to improve.

Yeah, Gus doesn't need Marshall focusing on things like footwork and reading defenses.

He has one job... read the DE and decide from that whether to hand the ball off or take off running.

 

[CoachJeff]

After seeing ESPN hype of Whitfield and what he's done with guys like Devin Gardner and Braxton Miller I'm not 100% sold on him. He gets a lot of clients though.

 

[JDCrimson]

I think the real, and unspoken, criticism here is simply that guys like Whitfield aren't particularly good at what they do, and that working with them is likely to be a waste of time at best, and possibly even detrimental to mechanics at worst. Gus is a bit polite in his answer to this, but I think that's the substance of his directive, whether or not he wants to really say it that bluntly to the public.

FWIW, it's probably worth noting that I don't believe we've never sent a kid to work with him. I know Del Rio did on his own a bit before transferring, but that's it.

Could be, but also could mean that the mechanics that Whitfield teaches are more preparatory for the NFL and those mechanics may conflict somewhat with the mechanics needed to run his offense. The reality of it is that Nick Marshall is already trying to position himself as a pro prospect going into his senior year while Gus wants him focusing on their offense and a NC run. I like the statement he made because it is something that could be used against him on the recruiting trail. Leaves a lot of interpretation.

 

[theballguy]

Yeah, Gus doesn't need Marshall focusing on things like footwork and reading defenses.

He has one job... read the DE and decide from that whether to hand the ball off or take off running.

I've never been a conspiracy theorist but for the life of me, I can't understand why Gus wouldn't want Marshall to work with Whitfield. Whitfield definitely knows more about QB'ing than most (Gus included to be honest). Marshall is very athletic to be sure but his QB'ing mechanics (and I guarantee Marshall would agree if he was standing right here) could use some work. At the least. But hey, that's *their* team.

 

[TheTradition]

I think the real, and unspoken, criticism here is simply that guys like Whitfield aren't particularly good at what they do, and that working with them is likely to be a waste of time at best, and possibly even detrimental to mechanics at worst. Gus is a bit polite in his answer to this, but I think that's the substance of his directive, whether or not he wants to really say it that bluntly to the public.

FWIW, it's probably worth noting that I don't believe we've never sent a kid to work with him. I know Del Rio did on his own a bit before transferring, but that's it.

I know Cornwell has worked with him some on his own. Not sure if that will continue now that he's actually on the team.

 

[GrayTide]

I will give Gus credit, it is his team and QB and IMO has the final say. Also like most have already said, next year will be Marshall's last in organized football unless he is drafted as a DB.

 

[RTR91]

I just think it's mainly a combination of Gus' ego and the simple fact that Marshall is NEVER going to be an NFL-caliber QB, so it makes more sense to focus on his strengths, which are not things that Whitfield is likely to improve.

Yeah, Gus doesn't need Marshall focusing on things like footwork and reading defenses.

He has one job... read the DE and decide from that whether to hand the ball off or take off running.

I will give Gus credit, it is his team and QB and IMO has the final say. Also like most have already said, next year will be Marshall's last in organized football unless he is drafted as a DB.

Don't tell that to Nick Marshall.

Marshall sees that future at quarterback. Back in January, during Media Day at the BCS National Championship Game, Marshall offered a glimpse into his eventual goals in the NFL Draft.

"That's my dream," Marshall said. "I know that I'll be able to play quarterback at the next level."

 

[B1GTide]

If I were Marshall's father, I would call Gus and tell him to mind his own business. What Marshall does with his own time is his business, and Gus isn't going to write him a pay check if he isn't drafted.

 

[imauafan]

IMHO Gus' track record with QB's is more proven than Whitfield. Given the choice between working with someone like Scott Loeffler and Whitfield I would probably choose Whitfield but Malzahn's track record speaks for itself.

 

[RTR91]

IMHO Gus' track record with QB's is more proven than Whitfield. Given the choice between working with someone like Scott Loeffler and Whitfield I would probably choose Whitfield but Malzahn's track record speaks for itself.

How so? Who has he developed? All of his QBs have been products of the offense. Cam is the only one with significant success, and most of his success came from running.


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[selmaborntidefan]

If Nick Marshall actually believes he can be an NFL quarterback, we must have hit him pretty hard in the Iron Bowl last year.

 

[gtgilbert]

If I were Marshall's father, I would call Gus and tell him to mind his own business. What Marshall does with his own time is his business, and Gus isn't going to write him a pay check if he isn't drafted.

amen - how can it be bad for a QB to work on his game, unless that is you don't want your QB thinking he ought to throw...

 

[cuda.1973]

The more voices he hears in his head...............especially ones of impending doom from crimson crusaders, the better.

 

[imauafan]

How so? Who has he developed? All of his QBs have been products of the offense. Cam is the only one with significant success, and most of his success came from running.


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Almost every QB he has worked with since he has been in college coaching. Products of the system or not, his QB's have been very good. Mitch Mustain was actually a competent QB his freshman year at Arky. I don't know all the QB's at Tulsa but they all had a lot of success while Gus was there. Chris Todd was a very good QB in 2009. We all know what Cam did in 2010. A year ago every Bama fan was laughing at AU for having Nick Marshall as their starting QB. Like him or not, Malzahn can develop QB's. The only year in which he did not have much success with his QB was 2011 and if you compare that season to 2012 when Loeffler was running the offense, then I would say he did fairly good with what he had. What is scary is they almost landed Russell Wilson that year.