McGee & Swope offer thoughts on the QB position at Texas A&M

Our favorite former player duo of Stephen McGee and Ryan Swope was back on Thursday morning's edition of TexAgs Live. The quarterback-receiver combo shared their opinions on last week's offensive showing at Jerry World and looked ahead to Missouri.

Key notes from Stephen McGee interview

• On one hand, quarterbacks get judged by the win and loss record. Marcel Reed is 3-0 and provided a lot of spark for this football team. I love the way he handles himself on the field, on the sideline and in the press room, as well. He is a great representative. He is checking all these boxes.
   
• The question mark... And this will be a great test, assuming he is the starter, is how his skillset matches up against a better defense. It will be the best test he’s faced to date. Can they bottle him up in the pocket and eliminate the legs? When A&M is in three-and-out situations, can we complete the deep passes? Those are question marks.
   
• The first drove back to Bowling Green, he was playing fast and decisive. The biggest thing I see with Marcel is getting the ball out on time. You throw these deep balls, and it's difficult if you are taking two or three hitches because they outrun your arm. Teaching a young guy to make those decisions on time allows you to get a little more air on the ball. 
   
• When the time comes, the quarterback decision is an extremely difficult decision. I told someone the other day that I am glad I am not the one making it. Our situation is unique because the decision you make is one that you feel will help your football team win games today. Our blind spot offensively seems to be the passing game. More specifically, can we separate on the backend?
   
• What does it take to be a champion at the quarterback position? I have not moved on this for the last decade. You have to be able to complete passes and win football games. Is Marcel ready to take that over? I think both he and Conner Weigman bring great things to the table. I am glad we have two really good players in that position.

Key notes from Ryan Swope interview

• It’s about time we had an explosive play like the Noah Thomas 75-yard touchdown. It was a really good route he ran. Man, I am all in. I want to see more of that. I want to see him consistently stack this. You have to start somewhere. Take pride in that and take that role on.
   
• We saw flashes last year, and now I feel like our receiver corps is below average. Moving forward. Noah had his best game of the year. I want to see more guys step up and make plays. I know they are talented. We have to be more consistent. I think we are heading in the right direction. 
   
• If everything else is average... Buy, Sell, Lease: An elite receiver, an elite running back or an elite offensive line? I am going to buy an elite offensive line. You don't win games up front if you don't have an elite offensive line. I would lease the receivers. I would sell running backs. Although those are very important, we have a running back that won us this football game last week. That’s a tough question because I think you need all of them. A good offensive line helps your receivers.
   
• I have not seen a ton of separation. This last week, out gameplan is becoming more smooth. They are getting more comfortable, which will then create separation. I think we will see a lot of progress. These guys have only played with Marcel for three or four weeks. It takes time. It doesn't happen overnight.
   
• I'm excited about Saturday. Going back to Florida, Marcel gave a spark for our football team. There are a lot of things we can do better. Arkansas was just his third start. I think Marcel Reed gives us the best chance to win. 
   
• I am a big fan of Marcel because I see a lot of potential. There are still a lot of areas he will mature and develop as a quarterback. That will come with reps. He is 4-0, and I see a different Texas A&M football team with him in charge, which is huge. 
   
• Conner has all the tangibles of a great NFL quarterback. What I look at is... Who can help us win right now? How does your entire football team respond to that guy? From what I’ve seen, our team responds better with Marcel at quarterback. His body language, I feel like he holds himself in a better manner as a leader of this football team, and that's contagious.
   
• I think Arkansas called a pretty good game and that they were prepared. I think it takes some time as an offense to figure out a game, but I’m excited. Second and third quarters, they weren't getting anything, but they were patient, and they stuck to it. That’s courage, and that's exciting. We could have easily given up, but we just kept fighting and punching, and that's what you have to do in this league.
   
• I think the offensive line is close to the 2020 offensive line. I’m not going to say they’re elite, but it's impressive that guys are going down, and the next guy is stepping up and playing well.
   
• Missouri’s receivers are impressive, and they have a good quarterback who can play, but I feel confident with our team and where we are at. I think being on Kyle Field will help us. 
   
• Theres no better place to go play in a football game than Kyle Field. The environment is hostile and loud, and at the end of the day, the 12th Man wins our football games. They did it in the 90s, and they did it in the 80s, and I think those comments about Kyle Field not being chalked up to what it is, we’ll see on Saturday.
   
• Hopefully, all the Aggie fans hear this, and they show up on Saturday, and the Missouri players can't communicate out there. We’re creating all these issues for them, and it's why they shouldn't have opened their mouths in the first place. I think we use it as fuel to the fire and show up on Saturday.
   
• Our pass rush and our defensive line were so impressive last week. Both Shemar Turner and Shemar Stewart got it done, and Nic Scourton was incredible. I was proud of our defense last week. This weekend, our offense will get it done. We’re due to have an explosive day, and what better place to do it than at Kyle Field?
   
• I don't think Brady Cook is as good as people think he is. I don't think he gets it done this week. I think our defensive line creates some big turnovers, and ultimately, I think it will be a good matchup. Our DBs have to account for those two receivers who are really talented, but I think it will be a really good game.