Not labeled as a running QB, Smith improvises


West Virginia senior avoids pressure, completes high percentage of throws

Argue if you want that the statistics posted by West Virginia’s Geno Smith deserve a disclaimer.

Still, the senior quarterback’s tuneups against Marshall and James Madison were impressive, nonetheless.

“If he can continue to play like that against better competition then it’s something special,’’ Mountaineers coach Dana Holgorsen said Monday on the Big 12 teleconference.

Smith has proven he can make special plays. At times, he does so on his own.

Through a 2-0 start that included blowout wins against Marshall and James Madison, Smith improvised to avoid pressure. More so, in fact, than what Holgorsen would prefer since the coach counted at least five would-be sacks averted by his slippery quarterback.

“He’s getting out of situations that are going to be harder to get out of,’’ Holgorsen said.

The result is a 408.5-yard average in total offense, which ranks Smith second nationally. He is 66 of 75 passing for 734 yards. Quick math reveals he has the same number of touchdown throws (nine) as incompletions.

“He’s improved, and he’s been practicing like this since the beginning of August,’’ Holgorsen added. “Watching him translate out there in a game has been fun to watch and coach.’’

Although the scrambles Smith made give him 83 yards rushing through two games, Holgorsen resisted any dual-threat terminology.

“If we wanted to we could do some things that would give him the label of being a running quarterback. It’s just not what our offense is,’’ Holgorsen said.

“We’re not going to work on zone reads and stuff like that. He’s getting rushing yards because he’s doing a good job of getting out of bad situations in the pocket and extending the play.’’

That's a great tape, but I see the potential for early-era Sanchez with this guy too.

LMAO What does this even mean?

Did you watch any Sanchez/USC tape evar? I see similarities.

I don't. They are completely different systems offensively. Smith also seems to have a better arm and pocket presence.

Really, the similarity is that they both play QB IMO.

No.

It's not the system. It's the tendencies and the overall skill-level.

There are similarities.

No. There aren't.

Neither are white.

You must mean that he looks like he could win a playoff game.

LMAO

Have to disagree. Different throwing motion, different footwork within the pocket, different release point. If by tendencies you mean being good college QBs, then yes. Overall skill-level, Geno is probably close to what people though Sanchez's ceiling was before he was drafted.

I can go more in-depth if you'd really like but I don't want to make myself watch film of Mark Sanchez.

Ever.

Not really. These are just two very different players. Sanchez was/is athletic for a pocket-passer. Smith is simply athletic as shit.

Smith has more concerns with footwork and arm angle, while Sanchez has less "feel."

Both were elite prospects, but Smith's athleticism makes him more dynamic on tape in many ways.

Didn't mean athletic ceilings. Overall production. My bad for not clarifying.