Play Phillips!

[LA_Mustang]

Which makes the Phillips situation all the more strange. I thought Romo played a solid first half against A&M and was good enough against TCU to get us a win, but based on BCS school interest coming out of high school and his starts as a freshman at SMU, it would be very hard to convince me that Romo gives us a better chance of winning than Phillips. If it is a lack of work ethic, or commitment I would like to hear it from Coach Bennett. Unfortunately, we follow a school where fan and media interest is so low that the coach rarely has to justify his decisions.

[Nacho]

I guess I'm the lone non-Phillips fan on the board. He never showed me anything passing the ball. Yes he can run but all I ever saw from him passing were 3 yarders behind the line of scrimmage. He did have one nice pass against TCU last year that Lowry dropped. I believe I heard that he got up to 270 pounds. Maybe that's why he isn't playing.

[Stallion]

Do you even go to the games? Why would you say something so STUPID?

[Nacho]

Sometimes the truth hurts, Stallion.

[Stallion]

He doesn't weigh anything close to 270-he doesn't even appear to be overweight and yet you throw that out without any real support.

[Bergermeister]

If he was the best quarterback, he'd be starting. Maybe he could start somewhere else. Another position? Another school?

[EasternMarketPony]

Phillips can't even throw the ball. Let's be honest, Justin Willis is the QB of the future.

[Nacho]

Phillips or Willis or someone else is going to start next year. I doubt it will be Phillips since he hasn't even sniffed a snap this season despite being eligible. Your guess is as good as mine as to why. The weight issue has come to my attention. I do admit that he looks to be in pretty good shape now despite missing summer workouts. Mark my words, you will long for the days of the senior Romo next year.

[Hoop Fan]

I don't understand the critics of Phillips who say he cant pass. In the games he played, he made many more than one nice throw. And, he's young. How can you guys write off anybody who is so early in their career? Can he not improve? I think he showed plenty of potential for a freshman.

The other thing is, it ain't like we got John Elway back there instead.

[Bergermeister]

I think he may have passed on some opportunities to improve. Maybe he'll be a "fit" in our next offense.

[EastStang]

I was talking to my HS coach recently and last year their QB was contacted by SMU, but then SMU backed off because this kid was a pocket passer. He's now at Dartmouth. (My guess is the kid wasn't 1-A material).

[dandyfan]

do you really think a coach that has to "win" THIS year would keep a QB on the bench if he were better? the kid has not sniffed the field for a reason...he is NOT A QB.

[WorldStang]

I find it almost laughable that you say Phillips isn't a QB. If you saw him play in HS you would say differently. Yes.. I know, HS is different than college.. but a rotator cuff injury makes a huge difference. The kid even tried to play through it last year.. and that's painful as hell.

He is the type of running QB we need. He's big, tough, can run and can throw adequately enough we he's healthy. Nuff said..

Phillips is a gamer. He's not playing for whatever reason.. and SMU will make do without him. My guess is he has a hard time with his reads and/or picking up defenses.. and that's something you learn in practice, film and on the sideline right now. Honestly, I've been surprised by Romo.. he would have had a hell of a game in the loss against ATM had our WRs caught balls.

We need to let this thing with Phillips go. He's not playing and I don't see Romo losing the job unless a meltdown occurs.. which if the case, we'll see Eckert.

[mrydel]

My best guess? They are going to try and get an extra red-shirt out of Phillips by claiming this year as a redshirt year and last year as a medical redshirt, or vice-versa.

I've seen this same claim from 4 different people now. I dont know why I have to explain this every year, but this cant be done. You have 5 years to play 4 seasons. You cant take a non-medical redshirt after a medical. You dont just keep getting extra years. The only redshirt Phillips could get for last season was a medical, because he played in 3 games.

The only time anyone can petition for a 6th year is when they miss 2 consecutive full seasons due to seperate injuries. I know the thought running through alot of peoples minds now is "Hey, we can fake an injury..... wouldnt that be slick!" But it would never work. Phillips injury last year wasnt major. He never had surgery, and was still practicing. He practices every day now, and has dressed out for every game. There is no way a petition for another injury year would succeed, so just give it up.

I imagine you're not going to believe me, since I've said the same thing a dozen times and it always seems to be forgotten 5 minutes later. The NCAA has the rules posted on their website, read them sometime.

Just for emphasis I'm going to repeat this. You CANT take a non-medical redshirt after a medical redshirt.

XTC:

Question. And in advance, no I did not read the NCAA rulebook. I am too old to concentrate on legalese. What IF they did not petition for a medical redshirt last year. We all assumed they did and we read the rules on that, but I have never heard that they actually did. If that were the case, could this year be a redhirt year, being his true Junior year, he play next year as a senior, and then after the season petition for an extra year due to the injury last year? I know that is a stretch, but the silence on Phillips not even being given a chance is deafening. You would think a coach in trouble would at least try him. I think that Bennett has perhaps been assured of one more year, is preparing Phillips and has softened the schedule to show improvement next year. If that is the case, I think he has made a big mistake, but some things just do not add up. Thanks for considering my scenerio.

[Stallion]

this is the only logical reason-after all he did play substantial number of plays in 3 separate games. Otherwise, SMU deserves 127 yards total offense, 9 sacks and 17 tackles for loss and whoever made that decision should be fired for being a moron. Once I again I'll say it again-Bennett has put his job on the line with this decision.