Willis quit

[Hoop Fan]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sophomore_slump

He wasn't that bad his Soph year IMO to justify replacing him with a true freshman.

Anyways...for whatever reason, I have high expecations for BLM this season.

not at all, still had 58% completion rate and put up a ton of points in a lot of games in 2007.

[VarsityShop]

Hoop Fan don't you actually think it is possible the jury is still out? You are assuming we win more games with Justin last year. It is not a given, it is a hope or an assumption. I suppose Coach Jones is assuming and hoping that Bo having that learning year under his belt will make Bo a better quarterback in year 2, 3, and 4. I can not speak for Coach Jones but I think he may have thought would I rather win 2 or 3 games in 2008 with Justin or win 9 games in a season later with Bo as a seasoned QB. Lets see how this plays out.

[Hoop Fan]

of course, the jury is still out on BLM as a player. freshmen are freshmen. Sophomores are just underclassmen too, so i imagine at the end of this year, everybody will still be saying the jury is still out on BLM etc. the jury is not out on the 2008 season for the team not being able to be any worse. The jury is also not out as far as when you have two players with comparable ability, its always better to have maturity/experience than not. BLM did not wow me with his raw ability. If he had, I would be have been plenty content to ride out another lets build for the future at qb decision. BLMs ability, though perhaps unique in his own way, is about the same basic level of Willis, Bartel, Josh McCown, Kelan Luker, Snacks Sanders etc. You get the point, he no super recruit or difference maker, not even for SMU. he's just not. I wouldn't be shocked if he isnt the starter his senior year here either. So my conclusion is like Punch and some others, having Willis at the qb last year and this year would have been better for the big picture of the program. I have never met Willis in my life, so don't stop bo-leavin me, this ain't personal.

[Stallion]

concerning past QB decisions at QB U-it really is amazing how stupid our coaches have handled our QB situation over the years -each time going with the newest so called phenom OVER experience. Each time they made a mistake. Each time the phenom has been run out of town voluntarily or involuntarily within about 1 1/2 years. Most of the time they have gone on to make the decision by SMU Coaches look foolish as they mature. We haven't had an unquestioned experienced upperclassman QB here since the 80s. Even Flanigan should have been given the ball exclusively and had to sit while Cavan went with Sanders in key parts of key games as a true freshman. You win big with upperclassmen, experienced QBs. What I really think is ridiculous is this [deleted] notion that you can't learn on the sidelines unless you are playing. Total [deleted]. Go check out schools like Tulsa, Texas Tech and UT and see how they pull one experienced redshirted benchwarmer after another and turn them into All-Conference QBs. All their QBs redshirt-All of them and they collectively have about 10+ straight QBs going through their system who turned out to be outstanding once given the chance. Many of the opinions on this board are based on that flawed premise about the benefits of "throwing QBs into the fire". SMU has tried that for 20 years with very poor results.

[Insane_Pony_Posse]

"the jury is not out on the 2008 season for the team not being able to be any worse"

Hoopster not really. If Coach Jones is right and BLM benefits from being
"thrown in the fire" and comes back with huge numbers later wouldn't you rather
take 1-11 in '08 to be 9-3 in 2011?

Sure I'll admit it's a lot of "if's" but so is your theory.
It's no sure thing a 1-11 Justin in 2007 makes a huge impact on a poor team in 2008.
Like the General says "we'll never know for sure".

"The jury is also not out as far as when you have two players with comparable ability,
its always better to have maturity/experience than not"

Disagree....if you take the future and the system into account.
If they both have "comparable ability" but you don't have all your pieces in place
yet and you need time to master the run and shoot why waste a year maybe
winning 2 or 3 games on a QB that is not a run and shoot quarterback and does not fit
your plans at all?

"BLM did not wow me. You get the point, he no super recruit or difference maker, not even for SMU. he's just not"

I guess we'll see.

"I wouldn't be shocked if he isnt the starter his senior year here either"

That kid from New Mexico could pressure him....we'll see
whateva June decides I pretty much trust he knows how to evaluate quarterbacks.

"I have never met Willis in my life, so don't stop bo-leavin me, this ain't personal"

Agreed JW has been through hell and back with his injury and his Father.

[Hoop Fan]

wow, this does remind me alot of the Flanigan-Sanders dynamic as the Cavan era began. That was so foolish by Cavan, even more out there than Willis at 4th string behind multiple freshmen. In another twist of irony though, Cavan was trying to distance from the soft ways of the run and shoot at the time. Now vice versa. Wonder how long it will take the next coach to rebuild for a conventional offense once JJ has shot his wad.

[George S. Patton]

Clearly, we have treated QBs like shake and bake batter mix around here. We have never enjoyed any consistency at this position. Hence, only two non-losing seasons since 1989.

Willis did have some nice numbers, but I remember seeing that season unfold and how it was pretty clear it was misfiring. Even the keeper of the star wrote something about that. It just didn't sizzle like it did in 2006. But then again, the defense started it Ole' brand of ball that year too.

Really, we've probably argued over Willis' entire tenure here for far too long. To be sure, he was a lightning rod in the program.

As for Mitchell, I'm not sold that he's the answer and that he isn't. I think we're going to find out by the UAB game how much of a leader and competent QB he is. I just let his freshman season come and go because he was a pup, got thrown into the fire so quick and the season unfolded like it probably should have for him.

Jones has sent me the signal that this is Mitchell's team. OK. If I'm right on that, then Bo you need prove it.

We just need Sept. 5 to get here and McNeil to be eligible.

[2thagloomy]

Willis is an excellent run first qb that found himself in a "don't even think about running" offense. Bo was not a debacle - only a football mental midget would claim that. Our defense was abismal. Bo's reads and system knowledge got better as the season went on and in fact there is absolutely no doubt that he is better suited for this offense.

That said - I always liked Willis and think we need more of his competitive spirit and his fight (not just with....well never mind...) . Wish him the best and dont blame him for feeling like there was no future here. He probably was the 6th or 7th receiver on this team so it was not really going to work for him here.

I am not talking about BLMs throwing ability or mechanics or anything like that. How were his leadership skills last year? Was he ready to lead a D-1 team? Hell no and it was obvious from any angle. So, youre a mental giant, you tell me whats more important to a D-1 football team: having legit leadership in the huddle, or having a guy who will never leave the precious pocket? Give me a break. Anybody can learn habits. Justin Willis could have been trained to ignore his good instincts and stay in the pocket longer, but the truth is JJ made up his mind before fall drills even started last year.

That is where you are wrong. BLM has fantastic leadership skills and the team rallied around him as a freshman. He is also a winner. IMO, JWill proved by his most recent actions why he is not starting. He is a quiter. We see him continue to go out every day, but is he giving his all? Only he knows, and those around him. But I would bet he quit on the team a long time ago. Attitude to the fans may be one of perserverance, attitude around the team may be a cancer. They are probably better off without him.

[jtstang]

But I would bet he quit on the team a long time ago. Attitude to the fans may be one of perserverance, attitude around the team may be a cancer. They are probably better off without him.

Wow. Just...wow.

[Hoop Fan]

Willis is an excellent run first qb that found himself in a "don't even think about running" offense. Bo was not a debacle - only a football mental midget would claim that. Our defense was abismal. Bo's reads and system knowledge got better as the season went on and in fact there is absolutely no doubt that he is better suited for this offense.

That said - I always liked Willis and think we need more of his competitive spirit and his fight (not just with....well never mind...) . Wish him the best and dont blame him for feeling like there was no future here. He probably was the 6th or 7th receiver on this team so it was not really going to work for him here.

I am not talking about BLMs throwing ability or mechanics or anything like that. How were his leadership skills last year? Was he ready to lead a D-1 team? Hell no and it was obvious from any angle. So, youre a mental giant, you tell me whats more important to a D-1 football team: having legit leadership in the huddle, or having a guy who will never leave the precious pocket? Give me a break. Anybody can learn habits. Justin Willis could have been trained to ignore his good instincts and stay in the pocket longer, but the truth is JJ made up his mind before fall drills even started last year.

That is where you are wrong. BLM has fantastic leadership skills and the team rallied around him as a freshman. He is also a winner. IMO, JWill proved by his most recent actions why he is not starting. He is a quiter. We see him continue to go out every day, but is he giving his all? Only he knows, and those around him. But I would bet he quit on the team a long time ago. Attitude to the fans may be one of perserverance, attitude around the team may be a cancer. They are probably better off without him.

Aunt B, the kid wasn't ready. Even the coach said as much. Its quoted above. Dont try to defend it, not his fault. but don't torch some other kid personally in the process.

[2thagloomy]

I am not torching him...JWill quit, we just found out about it today. And you are correct, BLM was thrown into a tough situation, but due to his maturity, he not only grew as a player, but as a leader. He never became gun shy because of a fear of interceptions. He is not afraid to fail and this will make him a very good QB for SMU and JJ. It's all about attitude. BLM is mentally tough. You will see an improved QB this year.

[Insane_Pony_Posse]

I sure hope all this drama with Justin does not effect #17. I know they are close. Lets just hope Justin has a change of heart and returns, but I think he must do it pretty quick. Justin should realize anything can happen in the course of a season and he could see some balls. I would love to see Justin catch a game winning TD pass from Bo.

[jtstang]

Justin should realize anything can happen in the course of a season and he could see some balls.

Last time somebody tried to show him some balls he beat the crap outta him.

[PonyKai]

Justin should realize anything can happen in the course of a season and he could see some balls.

Last time somebody tried to show him some balls he beat the crap outta him.

Anything higher than an A+?

[Insane_Pony_Posse]

As much as it hurts to say this, you do deserve an A+ for that JT!