FINAL COFFEE WITH BENNETT

[SMU Football Blog]

SMU still has 3 major obstacles in order to fix this problem. When that commitment is made by the university is the day I make a Commitment to the Athletic Program.

If your three major obstacles are "Nos. 1(Curriculm), No. 2 (JUCO transfers) and No. 3 (Division 1A Transfers)"; then really, this is one major obstacle as are not they so interrelated that they are one and the same? Solve one and the others are solved, are they not?

[SMU Football Blog]

Chris Phillis is moving to tight end.
That is something that was said at the morning PB talk.

And I didn't post this because I still put money on Phillips not being here in six months.

More precisely, Bennett is moving Phillips to tight end. Shoulder still causing problems and he is too good an athlete to keep off the field (a point I think I have made 100 times). I would point out that Bennett didn't say whether or not Phillips was going along with it.

[feelan]

Chris Phillis is moving to tight end.
That is something that was said at the morning PB talk.

And I didn't post this because I still put money on Phillips not being here in six months.

More precisely, Bennett is moving Phillips to tight end. Shoulder still causing problems and he is too good an athlete to keep off the field (a point I think I have made 100 times). I would point out that Bennett didn't say whether or not Phillips was going along with it.

Can't wait to hear what Stallion has to say about that.

[Pony Fan]

and DiamondM I can't tell you how silly a plan that is 16 years after the DP as SMU plays before an AVERAGE of 10,000 SMU Football Fans per game and what 1,000 SMU BB Fans per game. My point is that it is NO SECRET what our natural and traditional rivals have been doing for the last 16 years to beat us which I assume is what SMU's own athletic personel is telling the SMU administration right NOW. These are not Stallion's secrets but are as obvious as the tip of your nose to anyone who knows the first thing about athletics among our rivals. Don't need some SECRET study 16 years too late to figure this out. Some like you and several others have battled me every step of the way in simply acknowledging that SMU still has 3 major obstacles in order to fix this problem. When that commitment is made by the university is the day I make a Commitment to the Athletic Program.

And I am sure the school will ring all sorts of bells when Stallion is pleased enough to contribute to the Mustang Club.

[RE Tycoon]

Chris Phillis is moving to tight end.
That is something that was said at the morning PB talk.

Can the people that were there give as much info on this subject as possible. He said that Phillips will move to TE, got that. Now did he give a reason, or is the injury all speculation? This is really, really bad news in my opinion, can't he be a possesion type WR if we HAVE to move him. I'm a big PB fan, but if he's wasted the talent of this young man...I'm so pissed right now. Unless it trully is an injury that's preventing him from throwing (will we ever know the truth?), I've lost a ton of confidence and respect for Bennett. I hope he knows what he is doing! We have enough under utilized players at TE as is, for Chris's sake I hope he does transfer so someone can use his talent. Will SMU ever get it right?

[Original Frank]

I love it! In reviewing this thread I was looking once again for FrogSnob's astute insight. I was curious as to how he was going to turn this thread into a TCU rah rah. And there it is! This geek really cracks me up. Has he ever posted on our board without promoting TCU?

[Original Frank]

I love it! In reviewing this thread I was looking once again for FrogSnob's astute insight. I was curious as to how he was going to turn this thread into a TCU rah rah. And there it is! This geek really cracks me up. Has he ever posted on our board without promoting TCU?

[PonySoprano]

PB did specifically mention that Chris' shoulder was not back to where it was before he got injured and that it has affected his throwing.

Also, because of Ryan Kennedy's knee injury, it is unknown if Kennedy will be able to participate in Spring Ball. Hopefully Kennedy will make a full recovery, but moving Phillips to TE might make some sense.

Also, we started to run more 2 TE sets towards the end of the season.

[Buddha]

Where do you guys get off interrupting the "I know more than everyone else" rants with actual discussion about the Mustangs?

I find the Phillips move very interesting. He never was or will be a sprinter, but we all saw in his freshman year how he does have a knack to make people miss, and he how he can run over people. And those who have had a chance to meet him can attest to the fact that he has huge hands, so maybe he'll be a pretty good receiver.

With the uncertainty surrounding Kennedy's knee, this move might prove to be both important and brilliant. If we can get a QB in here with the ability to run the offense AND get Phillips back on the field with the ball in his hands, this seems like a decent move. Surely he can be used in an H-back kind of role while he learns to block.

And one other thing: I hope he keeps the number 7. Guys with unusual numbers kind of "work," in my mind. The tight end at Maryland (Vernon Jordan) wears 18, the guy at UCLA wears 19, and Garrett Mills (Tulsa) wears 20. Would be a good look.

[McClown27]

And one other thing: I hope he keeps the number 7. Guys with unusual numbers kind of "work," in my mind. The tight end at Maryland (Vernon Jordan) wears 18, the guy at UCLA wears 19, and Garrett Mills (Tulsa) wears 20. Would be a good look.

Leaving the number issue aside, I hope he contribute next year. I know one thing, if healthy, he is a good enough athlete to play tight end. Flordia State moved Dan Kendra to fullback (i think they changed his number though.

[PerunaPunch]

First, I'd like to nominate DiamondM for PonyFans Post of the Year.

Second, the largest donation Stallion will ever give SMU is his 2 cents on this forum.

Third, nobody should be surprised about Chris Phillips not starting under center this spring... not if you've watched a practice or two. Like many, I originally thought the shoulder injury was just a ruse to buy another year for Chris. But he hasn't looked the same since returning from the injury. On paper and on Stallion's computer – just looking at the tale of the tape – Chris is the logical heir apparent at QB. But like I say, nobody who's been INVOLVED with the program over the last year should really be surprised at this move.

[ponyboy]

First, I'd like to nominate DiamondM for PonyFans Post of the Year

I'll second that motion. And I don't believe it should be taken as an attempted refutation of Stallion's position. I mean as much as it's very very difficult to like the guy, he's basically right. He sees himself as a driver to bigger and better things, not a bad thing. But you get tired of the nonstop, single-sided gloom and doom.

Anyway, nice post DiamondM.

[Mexmustang]

Coach Bennett was pretty definite about Phillips' injury impeding his ability to throw..."his arm simply has not come back". I am not sure we felt comfortable discussing a single athlete on the board, given that his career could be over at SMU, ether out of disappointment or injury. There was no discussion about "attitude" concerning the position move of this student athlete. I am sure it is disappointing to Chris, his fans and to Coach Bennett. He is a terrific athlete, hopefully this change will help him find a greater degree of success than as a quarterback. I had the strong impression that Bennett will give him every chance, which must be a reflection of Chris' attitude this year.