Jarrett Stidham will be able to make more decisions at the line of scrimmage, including changing plays, in his second season as Auburn's starting quarterback..
Last month, Gus Malzahn said Stidham would be given "more flexibility" this season. This week, Malzahn detailed what that will will mean on the field this fall.
"From a coaches' standpoint you have checks. The more confidence you have and the more comfortable (quarterbacks) are, you give them more freedom to do with those checks and not have to look to the sideline and everything that goes with that," Malzahn said. "With that being said, the second half of the year, Jarrett did some of that on his own anyway. Just the fact that he understands the offense better, he understands (offensive coordinator Chip) Lindsey better, he's been through this league a year, he's a smart guy and he's ready for it.
"That's what I mean by more flexibility and he'll have more opportunities to change plays or get us in good plays."
Stidham not being permitted to audible out of plays was a hot-button topic last season, but that will not be the case this season, according to Malzahn.
The returning starter, who threw for 3,158 yards with 18 touchdowns and six interceptions last season, will be able to make more reads and decisions on his own.
"I think he's more confident with the offense," Malzahn said. "Chip's more confident in him. There's nothing like experience."
Stidham's passing stats in 2017 rank second in program history for a single-season and fourth in passing yards per game in a season.
Auburn averaged more passing yards than rushing yards last season, just the second time that's happened in Malzahn's 12 years coaching at the college level.
James Crepea is an Auburn beat reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @JamesCrepea.
Last month, Gus Malzahn said Stidham would be given "more flexibility" this season. This week, Malzahn detailed what that will will mean on the field this fall.
"From a coaches' standpoint you have checks. The more confidence you have and the more comfortable (quarterbacks) are, you give them more freedom to do with those checks and not have to look to the sideline and everything that goes with that," Malzahn said. "With that being said, the second half of the year, Jarrett did some of that on his own anyway. Just the fact that he understands the offense better, he understands (offensive coordinator Chip) Lindsey better, he's been through this league a year, he's a smart guy and he's ready for it.
"That's what I mean by more flexibility and he'll have more opportunities to change plays or get us in good plays."
Stidham not being permitted to audible out of plays was a hot-button topic last season, but that will not be the case this season, according to Malzahn.
The returning starter, who threw for 3,158 yards with 18 touchdowns and six interceptions last season, will be able to make more reads and decisions on his own.
"I think he's more confident with the offense," Malzahn said. "Chip's more confident in him. There's nothing like experience."
Stidham's passing stats in 2017 rank second in program history for a single-season and fourth in passing yards per game in a season.
Auburn averaged more passing yards than rushing yards last season, just the second time that's happened in Malzahn's 12 years coaching at the college level.
James Crepea is an Auburn beat reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @JamesCrepea.
from Auburn Sports Impact http://www.al.com/auburnfootball/index.ssf/2018/06/more_flexibility_means_jarrett.html
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