5. Accuracy wasn’t always there at quarterback.
Now, in a way this was a bit of a positive because of what Jim Chaney and Chris Weinke wanted to focus on. As Tennessee football’s offensive coordinator last year, Tyson Helton placed far too much emphasis on Jarrett Guarantano’s efficiency and not him making plays.
Chaney rightfully wants to focus on Guarantano making plays, which is why his completion percentage was barely above 50 percent in the spring game but he had four touchdowns passes. That is indeed more important, and it’s why we were able to say there was no drop-off at quarterback.
However, the newfound level of expectations did expose Guarantano to a degree. With an emphasis on bigger plays, his accuracy wasn’t always there in the spring game. In fact, he took a long time to get going in the first half.
The same was true for Brian Maurer and JT Shrout. Maurer thrived at times in the hurry-up offense, and Shrout also has a big arm. But they couldn’t consistently make accurate throws. When SEC play arrives, this could be a problem.
As much as you want big plays, your accuracy has to be respected somewhat as a quarterback on a consistent basis by defenses. Otherwise, it limits what you can do. Chaney, to be fair, is Guarantano’s fourth offensive coordinator in four years of college ball, so he has time to develop. And overall quarterback a net positive right now. But this is something that has got to get better.