Quote:
Originally Posted by O.city
Rice isn't doing that stuff because Pat isn't targeting him. JuJu didn't do anything in those that Rice can't do.
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Juju’s route tree was more advanced and it’s likely his timing was considerably more consistent than where Rice is at the moment.
I’m a big Rice guy, I think he’ll get there, I don’t think he’s there yet.
DJ disagrees with my take on this, but our O had the second highest 3rd down conversion rate last year and Juju was responsible for converting nearly 20% of
all of our O’s third downs (despite only starting 14 games). While that doesn’t seem like a super high number, to me that’s the difference between 1 of our drives per game stalling at midfield or settling for 3 (as we’ve done a lot this year), and a grind it out, 15 play drive that ends in 6.
FWIW, I think Patrick has taken a step back, too. However I don’t think we can waive off Juju’s absence by saying Rice is better or even that he’s already at the level Juju was last season.