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SMU tries new tactic to keep Mitchell's focus sharp
12:48 PM Wed, Oct 07, 2009 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
Kate Hairopoulos/Reporter Bio | E-mail | News tips
I'll have a story on this in tomorrow's paper, but SMU quarterbacks coach Dan Morrison shared some insight today on attempts to keep quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell's focus sharp throughout an entire game.

Eight of Mitchell's10 interceptions have come after halftime.

Morrison said he's started asking other offensive players, particularly receiver Emmanuel Sanders, to prompt Mitchell to focus and go through all his reads on every snap. Morrison said he did the same thing with Hawaii quarterback Timmy Chang, who holds the NCAA record for career yards (17,072). SMU first tried this approach in last week's loss at TCU.

Morrison also said that it's possible freshman Kyle Padron, out of Southlake Carroll, could play some this season. It's also possible that he doesn't, but SMU is clearly getting Padron more reps in practice.

Also, receiver Darius Johnson (left clavicle) said he's still a week away from returning to play. He's practicing this week but avoiding contact.

I heard all kinds of "prompting" from the stands Saturday Nite. We could start a "focus" chant ourselves.

Can we drop some Adderall by his dorm? Or Focusin?

I've got to concentrate, concentrate, concentrate.

Echo, Echo, Echo

Now batting, Pedro Borbon.


What does it mean when you have to PROMPT your quarterback to focus? Shouldn't he be the last player you would have to worry about when it came to that sort of thing?

This is good. When a player is fatigued, this is the right strategy. His teammates on the field, particularly those who pay the closest attention, are physically the closest to him and can most easily snap him back. Especially when the QB knows why his teammates are saying it, then he is more likely to respond.

This ulcer, sickness, etc. is too much on BLM's body...he's not performing to expectations...particularly his own. Think about it...he had a phenomenal spring and summer sessions...was very accurate...on top of his game...and then the season starts with the flu, then the ulcer...he just isn't healthy yet. He can play through it, but if his teammates need to keep him on task until he can get back to snuff, then all the better. That makes them have to think too.

I'm all for holding him accountable, but if indeed SMU has limited options in his absence, then this is the least you should do to help get him along in the game.

ponydawg wrote:attempts to keep quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell's focus sharp throughout an entire game.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7oVV1pEFeW4

HAPPY..... HAPPY......

OBEY MY DOG

While I'm glad some kind of action step is being taken, I'm not sure that hearing the same thing was done with the all time pick leader is all that comforting.

he was outstanding in Spring and Summer Flag Football tournaments. But now we are playing Football.

OC Mustang wrote:This is good. When a player is fatigued, this is the right strategy. His teammates on the field, particularly those who pay the closest attention, are physically the closest to him and can most easily snap him back. Especially when the QB knows why his teammates are saying it, then he is more likely to respond.

This ulcer, sickness, etc. is too much on BLM's body...he's not performing to expectations...particularly his own. Think about it...he had a phenomenal spring and summer sessions...was very accurate...on top of his game...and then the season starts with the flu, then the ulcer...he just isn't healthy yet. He can play through it, but if his teammates need to keep him on task until he can get back to snuff, then all the better. That makes them have to think too.

I'm all for holding him accountable, but if indeed SMU has limited options in his absence, then this is the least you should do to help get him along in the game.

This is not good. I hear you on the health and how that could be a problem. OK, let's go with that -- is he showing up for treatment? Is he taking all of the medicine he allegedly told us he is? Since SMU or Mitchell has disclosed this (privacy is in play and no one has to comment) but since he is the essential figure on this team, does the medical staff think he should even ben out there? Has Jones pushed him to be out there when he shouldn't be? Has he not been totally up front with Jones?

And it's only now that our alleged second-string quarterback Kyle Padron -- anyone else notice that -- is taking more snaps in practice.

I wouldn't be surprised if we see the same thing we've seen all year.

Seems to me what Coach Morrison is saying is that the coaching staff's patience is wearing pretty thin, right now the only thing holding back Padron is preserving his redshirt.

OC Mustang wrote:This is good. When a player is fatigued, this is the right strategy. .....

“I’ve never heard of a quarterback getting fatigued,” June Jones said.

Stallion wrote:he was outstanding in Spring and Summer Flag Football tournaments. But now we are playing Football.

Well, flag football games are much shorter than regulation ncaa games.

Mexmustang wrote:Seems to me what Coach Morrison is saying is that the coaching staff's patience is wearing pretty thin, right now the only thing holding back Padron is preserving his redshirt.

I think this is right on both fronts.

In his interviews June also sounds worn out with Bo. Im sure the coaches are thinking hard about Padron's redshirt and if he really gives us a better chance to win or not...

to those that declare that Padron isn't ready: maybe he's not, in fact i am betting he's not, but was Bo ready last year?? Hell no. I guess though if a two year starter can lose the job to a true frosh in fall practice, then BLM can lose his job to another true frosh midway through the season. Padron has to be more ready at this point in October than Bo was last August. And he's bigger!

Everyone and most of all Bo would have been far better off if they did with Bo what they are doing with Padron and brought him in mid season only if the starter was faltering.

Did I mention that Padron comes from a pass happy high school program, and well Bo came from a run oriented program?