The Regression of Chris Leak
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by user Kkfla737
For a Quarterback that has started his entire career at UF, Chris Leak's decision making in big games is baffling.
I wanted to defend Chris Leak. I really wanted to. But after watching the tapes, not only cannot I not defend him, but I am calling him out. After reviewing several games from Leak's four year career the evidence is in that Leak has in many ways regressed as a leader of the Gators. That having been said, the talent around him has increased and with it the Gators results have improved each year he's been in Gainesville. I want to also point out that Leak's brother C.J. was the subject of an epic recruiting battle between Notre Dame and Wake Forest. When Wake won the battle Leak was hailed as the savior but he was a disaster. Despite getting the Deacons to a bowl game as a freshman he regressed as a sophomore and when Jim Grobe took over Wake following that disastrous season, he told Leak to get lost. Leak then showed up at Tennessee and played out his years as a third string QB. Chris Leak's regression hasn't been as pronounced, but he too seems to be worse now then he was in the later stages of his freshman year.
Let's take a game by game look at Chris Leak's performance from the tapes I watched:
Miami (2003)
As a true freshman, The Orange Bowl didn't seem like the sort of venue for Leak to cut his teeth. Miami was riding a 34 game regular season winning streak and the Gators had lost five games the previous season. Yet Leak played well, improvising on a number of occasions and throwing a pretty ball to fellow frosh Dallas Baker late in the first half. the Gators lost thanks to a despicable display of pass defense in the 2nd half as former Gator turned Cane Brock Berlin completed 16 straight passes at one point, but it wasn't Leak's fault. Leak grew up in this game and was ready to become a full time starter. The Gators as team grew up as well, despite the loss.
Arkansas (2003)
An outstanding game for Leak. He really felt the Arkansas rush and stepped up in the pocket several times to make key throws. What was even more encouraging was his ability to calm down the offense and lead by example when Arkansas mounted a furious comeback. Even though Matt Jones became a first round NFL Draft Pick (not as a QB though), Leak was clearly the more decisive and confident QB in this game.
Georgia (2003)
The first signs of Leak's current indecisive nature were on display during this game even though the Gators beat the hated Dawgs, the eventual SEC East Champs. Leak couldn't feel the rush and the improvisation that was so impressive earlier his freshman season had all but disappeared.
Florida State (2003)
Leak was spectacular and the Gators would have won this game if not for 3 blown calls and some late heroics by Chris Rix and PK Sam. Leak showed some mobility and poise in the face of a relentless FSU pass rush and also had a presence in the pocket. Leak's passing was precise and he hit his speedy receivers in stride and threw a some real nice, tight spirals.
Tennessee (2004)
Another good performance from Leak. He felt the rush, stepped up and made good throws when he had to. The Gators lost in unlucky fashion, but again it was not Leak's fault.
LSU (2004)
After having a solid first half, the Chris Leak looked nothing short of awful in the second half. LSU blitzed often and Leak didn't seem to know what to do when facing a blitz. He gave up several bad sacks and failed to look beyond his primary receiver on many plays that broke down. Another problem is that Leak seemed to be going through the motions and exhibited little leadership when the going got tough. The Gators blew a big halftime lead and lost at the Swamp.
Miami (2004)
For all the promise and poise Leak had shown a year earlier versus the Canes, this was a totally disgraceful performance. Miami did not seem that interested in playing in a bowl game coming off a loss to arch rival Va Tech, while the Gators had just beaten rival FSU at Doak. However Leak's poor decision making and mistakes got the Canes interested in the game early in the 2nd quarter and from that point on the game was a rout. Leak couldn't feel the Miami pass rush at all and threw countless wounded ducks in the direction of Miami defensive backs. Leak also forgot how to step up in the pocket and throw or scramble. Also, Leak threw three second half passes off his back foot in a desperate attempt to get rid of the football. Leak looked like a High School QB against who made Miami's weak front seven (who had been torched by NC State, UNC and Virginia) look like they were NFL pro bowlers.
Tennessee (2005)
A shaky effort for Leak but the Gators won nonetheless. Leak seemed to have trouble grasping the spread offense and made a number of poor passes on short routes including a flanker screen play where he overthrew Chad Jackson so badly that the Vols defender had a free exposed shot at Jackson. Andre Caldwell got hurt in this game and that would affect Leak for the remainder of the season. The lack of comfort Leak demonstrated in an offense he had learned all spring and fall was a definite concern and it is no wonder the Gator offense collapsed soon after this win.
LSU (2005)
Leak's junior regression continued in this very winable game at Tiger Stadium. The Gators lost because Leak missed several open receivers and much like the Georgia game earlier, locked onto his primary receiver when other options were available. Todd Blackledge, a Chris Leak defender states during the game broadcast that Leak is having trouble with the spread option but if Meyer tweaks the offense and allows for more pocket protection and deep drops, Leak will be fine. Meyer must have heard those comments because following this game, he made major changes to the offense.
Georgia (2005)
I had to obtain this tape from an Ebay seller and I am wondering why I wasted close to $10. Leak looked alright in the first two drives of the game as the Gators raced out to a 14-0 lead against a DJ Shockley less Dawg team. Despite making the changes Todd Blackledge had urged, Leak looked as disoriented as ever and after the 2nd drive of the game he began taking dumb sacks and making errand throws that were lucky to not be intercepted. Leak made four throws off his back foot in the 2nd half! Three of the four fell harmlessly to the ground incomplete and the 4th was picked setting up a UGA drive near midfield. The Gators won, but it was obvious that Leak's decline had less to do with Meyer's spread option attack and more to do with Leak himself. Had DJ Shockley played for UGA, Leak likely would have lost yet another big game for the Gators.
Tennessee (2006)
I am missing a major portion of the 3rd quarter of this game because my satellite went out. Leak got away with some bad first half throws including one picked off and returned for negated TD, and another that Dallas Baker plucked out of midair. In the 4th quarter, Leak played decently but lacked the fire and spark needed from a senior leader. Timmy Tebow provided that when he came in the game to run the option. The Gator win had more to do with a tough defense stopping a great Vols offense and Tebow then it did with Leak.
Auburn (2006)
Chris Leak's biggest defender Todd Blackledge couldn't even stand up for him this time. Auburn was coming off a blowout home loss to Arkansas and a very lucky win versus South Carolina. Yet the Tigers defense that had been torched by the likes of Syvelle Newton and Mitch Mustain the previous two weeks looked like world beaters against Leak. Again, Leak began forcing throws off his back foot and indecisive in the face of a rush. This word is probably the definitive, last word on Chris Leak.....A QB who has real trouble operating effectively in road games and under duress from the defense.
