Thursday, August 9, 2012

NMSU summer position previews: quarterback

This summer, we preview each position on the New Mexico State football team throughout training camp and leading up to the season. We start the series today, by looking at the Aggie quarterbacks:

A huge key for to the Aggies season will be their production offensively, and with that being said, protecting quarterback Andrew Manley (pictured) figures to play a major factor.

Last year saw Manley get hurt at the end of the Aggies Week 3 game against UTEP — he was knocked out for the season with a full tear of the ACL and partial tear of the MCL in his right knee. Manley remains a sophomore — he was granted a medical redshirt — and, if given the time, has shown he can be a difference maker for the team's offense.

That's the key though — providing him adequate protection — as last year NMSU put him in too many seven-step drops early in the season, and the offensive line struggled to hold up protecting the drop-back thrower, albeit with limited mobility.

With that being said, Manley could also do himself a favor by improving his decision making, and getting rid of the ball faster.

Behind Manley is junior college transfer Andrew McDonald, along with sophomore Travaughn Colwell. McDonald put up good numbers at Santa Ana College, and could be in the mold of last year's starting QB Matt Christian.

Colwell showed promise a season ago, although is also a player who could be a redshirt candidate in 2012 if things unfold accordingly.

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3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Went to practice today, I was impressed with the defense
I will predict 7 wins this year with better luck and a good offensive line, franklin needs to step up. Coach Walker sorry about recording the practice.

Anonymous said...

Andrew the MANley will take us bowling this year!!

Jefe

Anonymous said...

Everyone is talking 7 wins= a bowl game.
That's great to hear the players and fans talk about going to a bowl game.

However, Mumme and his "Air Raid" made the same talk in his last two years as HC...and we all know how that ended.

Talk is cheap. Let's bowl!!