Justin Willis is regressing

[George S. Patton]

Justin is a great talent and has the tools to be a very good quarterback.

He is not helped by his coaching staff!!

The footwork is bad. He doesn't step into throws. The pick returned for a TD is evidence. The mechanics on his throws are not sound. The ball needs to be out in 3 seconds instead of him running around.

The biggest mistake Phil Bennett made this offseason was not bring an assistant or GA who played the position and understands how things have to be done to be a great QB. Someone needs to work with him every day.

Justin has already matched his 2006 INT total this year. He has had two called back because of defensive penalties.

He is the most important player to come through this program since the death penalty. Unfortunately, the coaching staff is not taking advantage of his talent.

Whoever comes here next year -- and that will happen -- one of the first objectives is to put him with someone who can teach this position and get maximum performance. If not, his talent will be wasted here.

[fan]

qb play marginal to date

[Stallion]

I'd bet if you studied the film SMU's WRs are at least equally to blame. It just very rare SMU can run a play where the ball is released in 3 seconds. I'd love to see an analysis of that. On the other hand Tech and Southlake set you up with those plays then take you long. Its precision route running. It should not be so difficult to complete a pass in this offense.

[George S. Patton]

This isn't about the WRs. This is just about him and everything that goes into playing the position. You have to think, eat, sleep that position for 365 days. Does he do that? I don't know.

Hypothetically, if you put a QB guru like Todd Dodge with him, I betcha Justin's play jumps big time. Dodge understands how to coach that position like no one else I've seen.

[southerncomfort]

You have to think, eat, sleep that position for 365 days. Does he do that? I don't know.

No, he doesn't.

[Mu$tang]

You have to think, eat, sleep that position for 365 days. Does he do that? I don't know.

No, he doesn't.

first you don't know, then you do? make up your mind.

[expony18]

It should not be so difficult to complete a pass in this offense.

unless:
1. your Wr's can't get off the ball when being pressed (which means all of the timing is messed up from the start)
2. your OL can't block anything, and your qb doesnt have time to set his feet and go through his reads

[KnuckleStang]

It is worth mentioning that there were certain SMU offensive linemen being OWNED all night long by Ortiz, et al. True, Willis is too quick to give up on a play generally. But his pocket, whenever there even was one, was collapsing way too quickly.

[Treadway21]

In addition, we still have receivers dropping passes. Also, I think he is pressing very hard to live up to expectations and wants to win so badly that he is trying to do too much (not an original thought). The line play isn't helping and the coaches aren't helping with very ordinary play calling.

[southerncomfort]

You have to think, eat, sleep that position for 365 days. Does he do that? I don't know.

No, he doesn't.

first you don't know, then you do? make up your mind.

I meant to quote that but at two in the morning, I forgot to. My bad. But you would have figured it out had you read the post before me anyway.

[George S. Patton]

Once again, this is not about the WRs and OL. I realize that they are valid issues. Those and execution work together on this.

However, this position is not being coached well. You have to just look beyond the game action itself. Take some time and focus on him and watch the mechanics, how some throws are delivered flatfooted, how check downs are not done.

He's locking on to only his first option and doesn't look off. Those are things that should have been done during the week.

Again, I don't know what goes on during the week. But you pay attention to details, and you can see it is not carrying over.

I think Justin is a great player. But his coaching staff is not. I repeat is not helping him.

[JasonB]

The WRs are really not getting much seperation. They are not doing the job. Willis isn't having a great year, but 1) the WRs aren't getting open as much as last year, 2) we don't have a target guy like Pellerin or B Chase who just go up and get the ball, so Willis can throw it even if they are covered, 3) we don't have a WR screen guy like Warren who can juke his way for extra yards and 4) Lowery has dropped a TD pass in every game this season.

[MustangStealth]

However, this position is not being coached well.

Agree 100% with this. It is obvious that there has been very little growth since Willis started playing. You can't miss the raw talent, but he is not being taught what he needs to in order to make himself better.

That being said, when he has good protection and doesn't scramble, he can make some great throws. If we could give him that protection consistently, I think a lot of the mistakes would go away.

[jkflamebo]

justin willis is not a problem on this team

[Pony94]

Of course JW is not the problem....the coaching that can't make him better is! How many players has this coaching staff run off? Is it because those players were problems or did they realize that they were not learning anything??