Offensive coordinator Danny Langsdorf is subtly pushing for more from starting quarterback Tommy Armstrong. You sense it in the comments Langsdorf makes about Armstrong — efficient, but needs to keep working — and the effusive praise he’s heaped on true freshman Patrick O’Brien. Rarely have several checkdowns received such warmth as a handful of O’Brien’s did after Thursday’s practice.
“That takes a long time for some of those quarterbacks — takes them even a couple years to do that,” Langsdorf said. “So the fact that he’s doing that already is really good.”
The undercurrent there: Armstrong has to throw to his safest option more often. Throughout Armstrong’s career, he’s overlooked the back in the flat for the big throw downfield. This has been true again, at times, in spring camp. That tendency, honed over three seasons, has led to what some fans and message board activists call “Good Tommy” and “Bad Tommy.” I think Armstrong could benefit from an elite defense that he’s never really had the luxury of enjoying, but since he probably won’t get that in 2016, better to take care of the ball.
O’Brien has thrown the ball OK. He did have a beauty Thursday, a deep sideline pass thrown right into a receiver’s arms, but he’s been so-so on the shorter, timing stuff. O’Brien is pretty careful with not throwing interceptions, though. At least he has been thus far.
