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Come on... We don't really need more qb's. We need people to protect them. On D-line we need big nasty guys to crash into the other team QB.

Focus on the basics - you win or lose on the line.

BIG MEN

Knowing we wont get everything we want, I'd place the Juco priority on the offensive line. Its easier to plug freshman and redshirts to dtackle than it is on Oline. We need some blockers with experience and attitude. I'm pretty sure Phillips can play with some help. Bartel had all the physical tools of a drop back passers too, we just couldn't protect him and he made too many off the field mistakes in such a short time.

I have to admit I'm with you. I want to see at least 2 defensive linemen and at least 3 offensive linemen who:

- are between 6'4" and 6'7"
- weigh 295 or more
- can bench press a Hummer H2 (or at least a couple of TCU defensive linemen)
- have a drooling problem that only gets worse when they bend down to get in a three-point stance
- don't hear the ref blowing plays dead, and keep brawling
- get very protective of "the little guys" who play behind them
- don't care about a social life, shaving, ettiquette, hygiene or anything else that's counter-productive to being the biggest, ugliest, meanest SOB around

Its a solid decision. Tate needs to be moved PERIOD. That leaves two QBs-1 that has never played. Its important to fill a position with the 4 best players that can help you-not just 4 bodies. By signing a JUCO QB you would have a junior, sophomore and freshman in eligibility. ANTICIPATE injuries and defections-they have happened every year at QB for years. If you don't sign a QB with experience then a whole season is lost due to the injury or defection of the starter. Good football teams are at least 3 deep at all positions-don't focus too much on just filling the starting roles filled with competent players-you need kids that can help you in backup positions too. I bet since Flanigan left the SMU QB position has had less combined experience coming into each season than any team in the nation. And we have suffered because of it long enough.

<small>[ 11-19-2003, 08:45 AM: Message edited by: Stallion ]</small>

I agree with Stallion. Wallis now has significant playing experience and has proven a WHOLLY ineffective QB. It is imperative that we have another QB besides Phillips who can make something, anything happen on the field.

Not to mention, a truly gifted QB can put us IN games that we otherwise wouldn't be in... SEE Iowa State sans Seneca Wallace, Indiana sans Randal El, even this year's Kansas State minus Roberson...they lost to an average Marshall team without him.

The QB position, if he is a playmaker, can make this team a whole lot better, more immediately.

I wouldn't mind a QB at all. We're still thin there on experience. But I'm with Bus, a big ugly nasty line can overcome a myriad of sins. An extra second of time, may allow a slightly slower wide-out time to get open or a young passer to find his receiver. A slightly wider hole means a 5 yard gain instead of a one yard gain. Its little wonder that while Joe Gibbs had his Hogs in Washington, they went to the Super Bowl with three different quarterbacks (Theisman, Williams and Rypien) and three different running backs (including no name Timmy Smith getting 200+ yards against the Broncos). He even made it to the NFC title game with Jay (I can't throw for short yardage) Schroeder. Big uglies, need big uglies.

When people get upset that we sign QB's, I'm always reminded of the greatest coach in Ole Miss history, Johnny Vaught. Vaught recruited QB's. His thought was that the QB was often the best athlete on a football team and if they didn't pan out as a QB, you had a guy who could contribute elsewhere. That was many moons ago but the theory worked then and I think it's is still valid. Tate may not be a QB but I have little doubt than he will contribute to the rebuilding of the Mustangs. He has had excellent exposure to the game now and will be a quick study if placed in another position.

Agree with you, OldPony. We need enough QBs to have a capable one in the game and that's by no means certain although I think Phillips is coming on. I would be interested in opinion about what contribution Meeks might make in 2004 after a year in the system, but the minimum requirement is to recruit and keep at least one good freshman QB and have some continuity.

This is not to say we don't need linemen. I've watched, or at least read about SMU getting pushed around the several years I've been on this and the other board. SMU is realy playing the price for slim recruiting three - four years ago, as evidenced by the small number of seniors and juniors. So get a bunch of big HS tackles and mobile centers.

Interesting you should cite Vaught. I think Darrell Royal had similar ideas. He wanted QBs and 4A linemen, that being in the days before 5A.

QBs have historicaly made good safeties,although I'm not sure Tate has the speed to make that transition. He does appear to have the size to make a go at LB. Isn't that where he played in H.S.?

I think he probably has the size and speed to be a solid linebacker or possibly FS. Tate also played tight end some under Cavan I think. Back to recruiting philosophies, H Fry used to go after tall O-linemen (6-4 or 6-5) with decent feet. He knew the really big guys were getting recruited by UT and A$M but he thought if he could get tall guys that he could put the weight on them later. He seemed to have pretty decent success with a few of them. In our position, you have to gamble some. Remember when the Cowboys used to draft guys who hadn't played college football? They looked for athletes who could run and had size. If I'm not mistaken Cornell Green and Pete Gent were basketballers in college. There are a lot of kids who chose basketball because they were 6-3 in jr high but never grew taller so they won't get D-1 scholarwhips in b'ball. You can't make a living doing this but eyes should be peeled for exceptional athletes no matter where. Bennett's HS coaches connections might turn up a guy like this every year or so. John Roderick wasn't a HS footballer but his speed made him a great catch when he showed up at SMU on a track scholarship. Again, it's a question our recruiters should ask when talking to HS coaches- What about big strong or fast guys in other sports? One never knows unless you ask. Keep up the good work Coach and attack as you have been doing -just keep your eyes open.

I think most college coaching staffs scout the top track meets and Basketball games at least if the kid has shown decent football ability.

Old Pony -

I thought John Roderick played football as a junior at HP before finishing at NMMI. I don't know if played in New Mexico and certainly his (original at least) scholarship at SMU was in track.

And wasn't Jim Swink, the TCU All America RB, a HS basketball player, from a school to small to have even six man football?

Originally posted by Charleston Pony:
QBs have historicaly made good safeties,although I'm not sure Tate has the speed to make that transition. He does appear to have the size to make a go at LB. Isn't that where he played in H.S.?

The great Nolan Cromwell (former L.A. Rams star, for you younger PonyFans) was a QB in college, and went on to a Pro Bowl career at safety.
Wouldn't it be cool to see Tate do the same?

Bill Bradley Ditto.