and gave his very best against UF, I do not believe that he has "all" the qualities to be an SEC starting QB. I may be wrong, and if so, will openly admit same herein. However, given the talent sitting next to him, Joe Cox, and the incoming talent to be found in Matthew Stafford, I firmly believe that spring practice will revolve around the war between Cox and Stafford for the starting position with JTIII and Barnes being eclipsed.
From what I've read about Stafford, he is a true STUD, with a keen sense for the game, the field AND his opponents. Like DJS, he is a dual threat, with a friggin' cannon for an arm. IF, and that is a HUGE IF, Stafford earns the starting spot it is because all that he is reported to be is TRUE!!!...If not, then I suspect his failure to start surrounds learning CMR's rather complex system. THIS IS WHERE COX HAS THE LEAD!!!
Now, I'm not saying that Cox is a distant second in the talent department, he is likewise a STUD, plus he has worked very hard learning the system and developing team chemistry. Suffice to say that the next several years look VERY promising and extremely competitive at QB. I fully expect Stafford to earn the starting spot for 2007, with hushed mutterings of Heisman mentioned around his name....He truly is THAT DAMN GOOD!!!! FWIW: Stafford enrolled early (Jan, 06), is currently on-campus and has already begun making a name for himself...Spring is going to be REAL interesting!!!!!!!!!
If I were a betting man, I'd put my money on Cox starting, JTIII back-up, Stafford red shirting, and Barnes transferring!
GO DAWGS!!!!!!!!!!!
"My advice to you is to start drinking heavily." - Bluto