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I was disappointed to learn on Feb. 28 that both Justin Willis and Bryce Hudman were suspended for spring workouts.

With Hudman, I don't know much about him. But obviously, he didn't do as was told and is paying the consequences.

With Willis, we have a far different story. Throughout the 2007 season, my biggest issue with Justin was the way he conducted himself on and off the field.

I actually thought his postgame thoughts after the Memphis game may have triggered the idea that he may have gotten it. I was wrong.

THAT SAID, LET'S BE HONEST. ARE ANY OF US SURPRISED THIS HAPPENED? I'M NOT.

There were several times when he failed to showed leadership. Specifically, I pointed out to a game where his conduct on a penalty that he wanted called, wasn't called, and he basically threw a fit. Help me, I think it was the Tulane game.

Talking to folks connected to the program, there were many times where Justin did not put his team first. The story was he was nearly ineligible for the 2007 season because of grades/attendance and so forth and he had to really step it up in the summer just to make it. I know of film sessions when mistakes were reviewed, the blame went to somebody else and not him.

And of course, we have the assault incident in Oct. of 2006 before the UTEP game. He was suspended. SMU lost the game.

Is that what you want out of your quarterback? And was the previous coaching staff quick to cover for him far more than it should have? It would appear the Jones actually demanded more from him and learned correctly who he was dealing with. And since Jones has a pretty good track record with QBs, he understands that position requires more.

ONCE AGAIN, JUSTIN WILLIS FAILED HIS TEAMMATES AND THIS PROGRAM!

QB is a position where the scrutiny is more intense and more is expected. Like it or not, that's the way it it. We kept hearing from Pops8675309 where Justin would rise to the occasion and be better for this. Obviously, that isn't the case.

There are rules. Apparently, he didn't follow them. Justin Willis had an opportunity to grow and become a very fine quarterback here. Last summer, I called him the most important player this program had had since the return from the death penalty.

But Justin chose not to lead but to apparently run his own agenda. Whatever he smiles and sound bites he had the day Jones was hired were only that.

I do not expect Justin Willis to return to SMU. Of course, the ultimate decision will come from Jones.

With Willis, we are losing a talented playmaker who was also his own and his teammate's worst enemy. How will that affect the season? I guess we'll find out beginning on Aug. 29 at Rice.

EDIT: And if Willis was doing this because he is known as a good baseball player, why did he come here to begin with? We never heard much about his desire to return to the game.

If he was looking for a way out so he could transfer to a JC and play and get drafted, he needed to come clean with the staff. If he was led in this direction, then it was poor direction.

Talent is a difference maker. Undisciplined talent is a complete waste.

Word.

Well stated.
GO PONIES!!!

I will second that.

I have no doubt that SMU will not suffer as a result of this in the long term, but it does raise the issue of a QB who has never started a game, starting the first game of the new regime. But here are my thoughts on that:

On of my biggest problems with SMU was our inability to finish strong, close out games. At key times our offense went to sleep. JW had not proved himself yet.

Maybe someone else will.

George S. Patton wrote:Throughout the 2007 season, my biggest issue with Justin was the way he conducted himself on and off the field.

100% agree.

I remember thinking several times, specifically the Tulsa and Southern Miss games, that this was the guy that was suppose to be our leader...yet he comes flying off the field and gets into the face of Bennett and starts having a hissy fit.

Willis a great player, and I'm sure a great person at times, but with the way this program is and is going (hopefully) we need a leader who won't, as the General said, put himself before the team.

Ahh, yes. The "we didn't need him anyway" crowd makes an early entrance into the fray.

jtstang wrote:Ahh, yes. The "we didn't need him anyway" crowd makes an early entrance into the fray.

dont ya love it.

George S. Patton wrote: [b]THAT SAID, LET'S BE HONEST. ARE ANY OF US SURPRISED THIS HAPPENED?

I'm not. I agree with your assessment.

jtstang wrote:Ahh, yes. The "we didn't need him anyway" crowd makes an early entrance into the fray.

If you were directing that me, then you misunderstood the context of my note. If not, no problem.

Forgive me for misunderstanding the context of your note then.

That's the tenor I gathered from the tome as well, JT. I guess he meant something different than what I read.

Its always news when a program suspends a returning starter, let alone a quarterback, but being objective and deeming it good or bad news is a personal decision and you can make that.

Its not Justin's fault the program overhyped him prior to last season, but it goes with the position. Unfortunately, its been so long since SMU's had a franchise opportunity at quarterback, his bandwagon grew in indirect proportions of what he actually brings to the table for sustained success, ie mechanics, physical limitations, intangibles, coachability, natural leader, body language, etc.

I understand the numbers he put up. They came from a spread offense and often a trailing score. Last I checked, we havent played many SEC defenses. He was supposed to put up numbers.

Its good news if it puts Justin on path to do what he wants to do most. Its bad news if he cant.

Jt and Eaststang, it's very simple,

Did he or did he not let him team down by his actions off the field?

The point of this IS about a team game and that no one should put themselves above the team. He did that. Do I wish him gone? To a degree, but I'm tired of everyone quickly running to his defense over everything he did. Do we need him? Probably but not with all the baggage he seems to be collecting.

WHEN DO WE STOP MAKING EXCUSES FOR HIM?

Again, I mentioned him to be the most important player to come here since the death penalty. So that tells you what I thought of him.

And to be glib,
Those 2,800 yards and 27 TDs -- or whatever they were -- helped us win how many games in 2007?

George S. Patton wrote:Jt and Eaststang, it's very simple,

Did he or did he not let him team down by his actions off the field?

The point of this IS about a team game and that no one should put themselves above the team. He did that. Do I wish him gone? To a degree, but I'm tired of everyone quickly running to his defense over everything he did. Do we need him? Probably but not with all the baggage he seems to be collecting.

WHEN DO WE STOP MAKING EXCUSES FOR HIM?

Again, I mentioned him to be the most important player to come here since the death penalty. So that tells you what I thought of him.

And to be glib,
Those 2,800 yards and 27 TDs -- or whatever they were -- helped us win how many games in 2007?

At least one.....

And, at most one....