SMU And Chris Phillips

[ponydawg]

I sent Calvin an email yesterday regarding Phillips, he sent me an email saying he replied in his blog......
http://sportssay.beloblog.com/

January 26, 2006
SMU and Chris Phillips

Reader Jeff asks:

"Read about [SMU quarterback] Chris Phillips.....I don't get it. He is a gamer and proved that he has what it takes to lead the team. Being an SMU alum, the rumor is that he never fully recovered from his shoulder injury, but that has never been confirmed."

Jeff,
Chris did have shoulder problems that took a while to get resolved. He was throwing the ball well in practice during the season but still needed work on his mechanics. His throwing motion, and the fact that at times he looked disinterested in practice, had some offensive coaches a little concerned.

He also had some personal issues. He’s a young dad, and that distracted him from football.

Those issues are ongoing, but Phillips, I believe, can compete for the starting job in the spring.

[ThadFilms]

Hey Jeff,

Thanks for asking the question we all wanted answered. And again it was good meeting you on the Blvd. this season...

This is the info. that I have been waiting to hear for quite a while. I think that if Chris goes into spring ball with the right attitude, and makes the starting QB position his priority, we just could be in for a great season. He is such a trmendous athlete, and I just hope he comes in willing and ready to set aside an entire page of the SMU record book to himself.

Because, if he comes in with that attitude, and still doesn't nab the starter position... well, then whoever does - I'd have to feel good about.

Go Ponies. Go Phillips.

[AusTxPony]

Couldn't agree with you more Thaddeus. Finally a straight answer on the problems of Phillips...from someone we can assume knows the "skinny". If Phillips can be #1, then great. If not, then we don't blame the coaches as many do. I wish him the best of luck in all his endeavors.

[LonghornFan68]

I love me some Chris Phillips. When I saw him play in the game against TCU two years ago, I thought he would be future of this team. Whatever happened to that? Only the baby jesus knows.

[ThadFilms]

Phillips loves me this I know
For the Watkins tells me so

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

You're going to think I'm nuts - but when it happens remember you heard it here first.

Chris Phillips will get All-America considerations in 2006.

[that's great raplh]

is that chris phillips baby up there trying to devour souls?

[KickedintheDingDing]

You're going to think I'm nuts - but when it happens remember you heard it here first.

Chris Phillips will get All-America considerations in 2006.

Judging from some of your other comments (like attendance will improve if we played on Wednesday night), yes, you are nuts.

[LA_Mustang]

based on pure talent.........Chris Phillips, circa 2003, was the most talented SMU footballer in past decade.

[Terry Webster]

If that is the case, why hasn't he produced? Does he just not get the offense? Is he lazy in practice? Does he have a bad attitude?

[SMU Football Blog]

based on pure talent.........Chris Phillips, circa 2003, was the most talented SMU footballer in past decade.

Since noone has seen Phillips play against live competition in sixteen months, I think some remeber Phillips a little more fondly than they should. He played in eight games. SMu won NONE of those games. WE lost those games by an average of 18 points. He has thrown two tocuhdown passes. In 2004, he had a QB rating of 78.0, had two interceptions and no touchdowns.

In what everyone considers his best game against TCU in 2003, he was 7-16 and 116 yards. He had 19 carries for 53 yards, but that includes four sacks.

That being said, I want Phillips to get his shot. I wanted him to get his shot in 2005. My comments on the subject are easier to find than most people's. But the QB decision is not a no brainer, no matter how you look at it.

[ponydawg]

True, but if I recall correctly he got thrown to the wolves his Freshman year having to go from Scout team to Starting QB. And the smu offense was a much BIGGER mess back then.

Excited to see them get after it.

[WorldStang]

Two words.. JUSTIN WILLIS

He will out-perform Phillips this year and be the starter. You know why?? Because he wants it.. and the coaches see the desire in the kid.

Do I like Phillips.. yes. But I really don't see him beating out Willis. For those who saw him in Denton.. he's a gamer and IMO will beat everyone out at the position.. no question.

You have to admit.. for as much as we want our defense to get it together quick and fill some holes.. whoever takes over at QB will have more weapons than any QB in the past 10 years: Chase bros, Kennedy, Ferguson, Sanders, Givens, Henderson, Turner, Dorsey, Martin, Warren.. Burley? good gosh we're loaded at our WR/RB/TE positions.

Will be so key to have the right guy at the helm.. but when was the last time we had upperclass guys surrounding a QB?

[abezontar]

Fall 1996?

[PonySoprano]

Blog-
I agree with you. I am puzzled by the Chris Phillips Love-fest that seems to happen on this board.

With that said, I hope the Phillips steps up in Spring Ball and we have a hell of a competition for the starting QB spot. My biggest fear is that we go into the fall with the platoon-QB system - that never works. It like the old saying - if you have two starting QBs, you have NO QBs.