In just eight days, Texas A&M will take on USC in the SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl to conclude Mike Elko's first year as head coach in Aggieland. Former Aggie quarterback Stephen McGee joined TexAgs Live to discuss where Marcel Reed and the offense can take strides.
Key notes from Stephen McGee interview
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I don't know if it's angst toward getting guys with talent, but all Aggies have resentment. “Oh, we signed another five-star kid.” As Aggie fans, we have a right to be gun-shy. In the last decade, we have had five five-stars, and Christian Kirk was a really good hit. You look at the other four. They were worse off the field. I love Mike Elko, and I think he holds people accountable and gets them right.
- Production above talent, but you are talking about guys out of high school who had production and talent, but it gets weird because it's like, “Why did this guy not play?” Nic Anderson was productive at Oklahoma.
- The one thing our offense is lacking has been a speed element on the perimeter. I hope these guys can go. If you get two-high defense and Marcel Reed is your quarterback, he can take off, and that helps you.
- Reed can take baby steps. It's still 15 practices. In season, you are putting in the game plan. He has to develop as a passer. Getting through progressions and aggressively taking what the defense gives you. Be comfortable taking a checkdown. If he can progress that way, it will be big for him. It's a great opportunity for a young guy to develop as a passer. It's the decision of where you go in the passing game that matters so much.
- When a quarterback takes a sack on a drive, the chances of them scoring are a fraction.
- I think Lincoln Riley has recruited really good quarterbacks. They have been talented, but I don't know if it's because of him.
- Buy, Sell, Lease: These topics for a 30-for-30 on Texas A&M. The 2022 class, Schloss-gate and the Billy Gillispie years. I would love to see a documentary on the 2022 class, what was promised and all their own takes on the money and gifts. Schloss-gate is baseball. Sorry, Richard. I would rather watch the golf match in Bermuda.
- Am I buying Billy Clyde? That guy is a legend. I will lease the 2022 class. That was a lot of attention to 18 year old kids that don’t need it. Schloss-gate... Retribution for Richard Zane? Once and for all? I am buying Schloss-gate for my boy, Zane. I would watch all of these.
