Who Should Start: Eckert or Romo

[abezontar]

Do I have to actually be sitting in my ticketed seat to win?

[PerunaPunch]

Pencil me down for Romo. #1 I didn't make it to Okie State so I'd like to see him in a game situation. #2 He's faster than Phillips, although he's probably not as good of a runner (Chris just doesn't come down very easily). But he's got some breakaway speed. #3 He's a gym rat. His bench is around 400, and that's just sick for a QB. #4 He has great chemistry with the young OLs - Poynter, Peveto, Boren.

I like what I've seen from Eckert so far, but he does need to make better decisions. Forcing a pass into coverage that's likely to result in an interception is akin to a RB fumbling. And we've had too many da*n turnovers.

Romo's TD against Okie St. may or may not have been in "garbage time" (that's another arguement entirely), but you can see from that one series how dangerous he can be. The more legitimate weapons we present in a spread offense, the harder it is (almost by definition) to defend.

[Hilltopper]

I've never seen either one, except in the spring game. Give me whichever one's better.
How's that for a cop-out answer?

[RGV Pony]

I'd say Romo. I subscribe to the don't keep doing what you've been doing, or you'll keep getting what you've got theory. Granted, no one has done much and we haven't gotten much, but Eckert's been on the field more so far, which means he's contributed to the lack of scoring. In fact, I think he and Romo are even with TD's...(let's see here....one....two....yep). Add the mobility of Romo, and that's what I see.

[Mustangunner]

If Phillips is out then, the question should read "Who should start Ekert, Romo, or Nixon?"

Why count Ashton Nixon out of getting some PT. He played extremely well in the few snaps that he got during the spring game. Ashton Nixon's I believe a redshirt junior and is number 12 on the field. This guy looks like an amazing athlete on the sidelines. Can this guy not play? In the spring game he threw one of the best balls out there!

[Higher Authority]

I don't know what the specific reasons are, but Nixon has never really appeared on the coaches' radar for playing time. And you're right - he looks the part. He'd got OK size (6'2" I think) and he does have a very live arm - he can get it downfield. I wonder if it's an accuracy issue? Or maybe he's shown in practice and scrimmages a difficulty reading defenses and making the right checks? I simply don't know.

As for the guys who will play: I think Eckert should start. That might not be fair, since I didn't go to Stillwater, so I know very little about Romo. However, when Eckert has come in to games against TT and TCU, he's shown he can start hot. My thinking is that we should try to do Saturday what TCU did to us a couple of weeks ago: start the game by flinging the ball all over the place in the spread offense and then take advantage of the spread-out defense by pounding away with the running game. If you have Eckert in and he's able to do that -- spread out the defense -- and then bring Romo in with that mobility and left-handed delivery, I would think it would cause headaches for the SJSU defense. (Of course, if Eckert is lighting it up. leave him in!)

So that's my prediction: Eckert leading off, Romo in the on-deck circle.

[Dooby]

JUCO transfer Eckert to start at quarterback for SMU


12:04 AM CDT on Friday, September 24, 2004


By CALVIN WATKINS / The Dallas Morning News



UNIVERSITY PARK – Tony Eckert will start at quarterback Saturday against San Jose State. Eckert, a junior college transfer from Lumberton, Texas, is making his first Division I-A start.

Eckert will start because Chris Phillips is out with a strained left rotator cuff in his throwing shoulder. SMU coach Phil Bennett said backup Jerad Romo also will play.


Briefly ...

Chris Foster, Jay'Mond Cleveland, Bobby Chase and Cortley Blackmon are the first-team receivers. ... CB Charles Akinyemi is listed as questionable with a pulled hamstring. ... Left tackle Darrin Johnson, who sprained his left ankle during training camp, expects to play.

[Bobby Savoy]

Duke Hasson should get the start Saturday.

[Diehard Pony]

Went by the Spirit Shop this afternoon and met none other than Tony Eckert, his Mom and his girlfriend. Tony seemed like a very nice guy, and while some of us might question some of his decisions on the field, let me assure you when it comes to his girlfriend I would say his decision making is excellent. Tony is excited about his start tomorrow night as is his Mom.

Before parting (we were all in line to buy something), I asked Tony what was up with names being missing from the jerseys this year. He said it was Coach Bennett's decision as he "didn't like the chemistry on last year's team, and he wanted the players to focus on the name on the front of the jersey, not on the back". Tony also said he thought "they were going to have to earn them back". Tony's mom added that "the players don't like the names being gone and want them back, and that the players parents don't like it either".

Here's hoping they make their first big installment on getting their names back tomorrow night.

[FloridaMustang]

Duke is still with the team? No wonder the scout team is [deleted].