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I would assume that Phillips will be our starter, I would also assume that Coach Phil hasn't named him (or anyone) as such.

We all know what happens when one assumes...

I'm also aware that both Ekert and Romo will be seniors, and due to injury Phillips will only be a sophomore... thus, it wouldn't be out of the question to go with Tony the Pony or When in Romo, and allow Phillips another year of seasoning.

My thinking is, though winless as a starter, Phillips gives us the best chance to win. He seems to be a very special player.

So as fodder for board discussion-

Anybody know anything concrete?
-and since nobody probably does-
Who would you guys like to see starting for the Ponies next year?

Regardless of the starter, I'd also like that man to be the finisher, if you know what I mean. (No more of this rotation stuff.)

PonyExpress83 wrote: .... Anybody know anything concrete?

I know that I expect all three to compete in the spring, and probably in August.

PonyExpress83 wrote: .... Regardless of the starter, I'd also like that man to be the finisher, if you know what I mean. (No more of this rotation stuff.)

AMEN!

Agree on the rotation business; it has to stop.

I give the nod to Phillips, because I want to see if his injury was really hurting his throwing motion.

Eckert will be our starter, he will get the nod and will be the starter through the 05 season....and that is what will take the mustangs bowling in 2005

04stang wrote:Eckert will be our starter, he will get the nod and will be the starter through the 05 season....and that is what will take the mustangs bowling in 2005

Look sunshiner, you were wrong in your signature line about 2004, so do everybody a favor and nix the bowl game predictions for '05.

I think Phillips has the most upside. Eckert is probably the safer choice. My gut tells me Eckert starts because we did have some mild momentum at the end of last season. Wins over Tulsa and Nevada and the offense moved pretty well against Utep. I am not in favor of rotation, but if Eckert is the man, I think Bennett has to find a way to get Phillips some more experience and a chance to make some plays. And Bennett has already shown an inclination to put Romo in there in special situations...Phillips would be much more dangerous in that role.

I am a Phillips guy, I just think his mobility is critical with our offensive line. Having said that, I'd probably like to see Eckert pick up where he left off and see how he looks against TCU and A&M. I think people have been unfair to Phillips judging him against tougher part of the schedule last year.

I'm a Phillips guy, too. But I just took a gander at the UTEP game summary. First, I forgot how we were in that game until the debacle that was the third quarter. Second, and more importantly, we might be discounting Romo. He was 14-20 passing, with a TD and no picks, and he ran the ball for 33 yards and another TD. BTW, in that third quarter, Eckert threw just one pass, which was picked off and returned for a TD.

We had mo at the end of the season because our schedule got easier - not becuase our QB got better. You could make the case that had Phillipsm been in there we would have gotten another win - and looked better in the ones we did win. I say Phillips gets more done for us - if you look at TCU and Baylor, we don't need a typical drop back guy throwing behind our line being pursued by their DT's - I don't think our odds are as good as getting someone with better mobility in there.

They all bring something to the table: Philips athleticism, Romo's speed, Eckert's arm. For the 1st time in a while, it will be nice to have the problem of deciding between 3 able-bodied QB's during Spring workouts...

Hard to say right now. I'll be able to give a better educated 'guess' after the spring game...which can't get here soon enough!

Whoever is the starter(s) in the first three games will be sitting on his rear by the 4th game because SMU head coaches don't seem to be able evaluate their QBs against quality competition and have little patience with the starter and confidence in their own coaching and develpment ability. It doesn't matter what you do against Scrub U. or in the waning moments of a 30 point loss.

I agree with you that the coaches put a little too much emphasis on garbage time stats and on lack of performance against quality competition. However, I think there is also for lack of a better word a team confidence factor at work as well. "Gee, we moved the ball with QB #2 and were skunked with QB #1, I hope that #2 gets a shot." Coaches try and put the line-up they think will do the best in a given game. If changing quarterbacks will be a confidence booster to the team regardless of ability, the coach will make the change. He knows if he sticks with the "more talented" player too long, and then scrubie comes in and lights it up, he'll look like an idiot for not making the change sooner. Just ask Joe Gibbs.

Stallion wrote:Whoever is the starter(s) in the first three games will be sitting on his rear by the 4th game because SMU head coaches don't seem to be able evaluate their QBs against quality competition and have little patience with the starter and confidence in their own coaching and develpment ability. It doesn't matter what you do against Scrub U. or in the waning moments of a 30 point loss.

How can you criticize the coaches when they have never had anything to work with?

Dooby wrote:How can you criticize the coaches when they have never had anything to work with?

Too true. Unfortunately that truth is not limited to the QB position or any particular head coach, at least since 1989.

My money would be on all three seeing playing time because I'm not sure any of these guys will distinguish himself as a clear #1. Let's just hope all three are dramatically improved. I think we saw some improvement from both Eckert and Romo and with more reps this spring, the QB situation can only get better from what this program has endured the past 3 years.