Time for a Justin Willis makeover

[MiMiguys]

Alex, thanks. No, I have not had to the pleasure to met Zach's family. I met Zach once.

[mustangbill67]

General,

Your posts have become more and more bitter as of late. We all know Justin isn't perfect, but he's just a kid.

Excuse me! Maybe Justin is just a kid but he is getting an expensive free ride at a major university for one reason, to play football. With this free education comes an obligation to do what is necessary to be the very best football player he can. Whether he is willing to pay the price for greatness, only time will tell. Maybe maturity, a new offensive coordinator, a new QB coach and some competition will be the key.

[OC Mustang]

I think there are some things that JWill needs to perfect in his game. I believe he made significant strides during the year last year, but he has stalled a little. I think the reason for that is that teams now know to look for him as a legitimate threat.

General, the reason that JWill was POed was legitimate, and that ref knew it; otherwise, he would have thrown the flag. They threw him off the field because they said he was bleeding in or around the mouth from the hit he took, and THAT was the ref's fault. Whatever the rest of the game, THAT was crap, and I don't blame JWill for reacting the way he did.

I don't think you are generally right, though. I see confidence when I watch them play. If he doesn't go down his progressions, that's indeed a technical problem. If it is because he is "selfish", as you describe, then there is your reason why. Whether technical or selfish, both are fixible, and a new coach doesn't have to drop a nuke on him to accomplish that goal.

[mrydel]

I have been asking since Bennett was fired for us to use Rhodes for a few series if for no other reason than to get him some playing experience in case he is needed next year to start or to back up. And I do not mean as a running back pitching the ball on a trick play. Let him see how he contends with real opposition at real speed. It is not like Willis can lead us to a bowl game this year. Every non redshirted player should get some opportunity to audition for the new coach.

[OC Mustang]

Oh, and about Zach Rhodes, I bet he would be a great QB, and he would push Justin. I just don't think the coaches will let him.

[PK]

Oh, and about Zach Rhodes, I bet he would be a great QB, and he would push Justin. I just don't think the coaches will let him.

That situation will change very soon.

[Mustang1991]

General,

I agree, at least in part, with your comments about JW. But remember one thing: how many times in the past were we blown out of games by half-time or the third quarter?

Granted, we have lost 4 games in overtime or the final seconds this season, but at least we were in those games to the very end. Perhaps it makes the losses more crushing because you know you had a chance to win as opposed to knowing you never had a chance to win going into the game. Regardless, JW is part of the reason we were in those games so give him some credit.

[Ponymon]

General,

I agree, at least in part, with your comments about JW. But remember one thing: how many times in the past were we blown out of games by half-time or the third quarter?

Granted, we have lost 4 games in overtime or the final seconds this season, but at least we were in those games to the very end. Perhaps it makes the losses more crushing because you know you had a chance to win as opposed to knowing you never had a chance to win going into the game. Regardless, JW is part of the reason we were in those games so give him some credit.

Until the 4th quarter and then JW seems to implode. He has not been able to sustain a drive that could have depleted the clock to allow us to win in the 4th quarter in any of these close losses, which is the PRIMARY reason we have lost. I guess he is pressing too much since he and everyone else knows that our defense is too depleted to make the plays.

[Mexmustang]

My own take is similar...he has become slightly spoiled and yet feels the entire game is his to win or lose. He never completes his fakes, just stares at the ballcarrier, he never runs trying to properly hold the ball. Saturday, he showed not only unsportmanship, but put into question if he is really a leader, he sat alone on the bench, the farthest away from the playing field, the opposite side of the play (action), and never cheered the defense, nor even looked in their direction as they tried to stop Rice on their winning drive. Every once in awhile he glanced at the screen, but never even looked in the direction of the action, he never proved he was a leader, just a spoiled little boy!

[docabel]

This is a good discussion. Again, despite whatever model we may be running under, the coaches jobs are to help the players improve over the course of their careers at SMU. I can think of Justin Rogers as one who did improve, although alot of that was a factor of putting on some size, but cannot think of many others during Phil's time here.

I would also like to see Rhodes get some playing time not only to see what he's got, but with all the hits Willis has been taking, he stands a high chance of being injured, and wouldn't it be nice to have someone with some game experience come it? I hope Rhodes isn't as frustrated as I am that the only time we see him is as a fullback. I would hate to lose another quality QB.

[drs1310]

Haha i love this cause everybody use to rip me when i said Jwill wasnt as great as everyone said he was. Last year he put up HUGE numbers, partly because recievers made amazing catchs! This year he has thrown the same poor balls but the differences is the catchs havent been made. His temper is flat out terrible and it continues to get worse....somethings got to give!!!!!

[George S. Patton]

Again,
I am making this point realizing that Willis may be the best quarterback to come on our campus since we returned in 1989. We could throw Sanders, Bartel and McCown in there but let's stay on point.

I am maintaining that since he is already re-writing the record books here, he is capable of being better than this. We all know he is blessed but his arrogance will be his greatest downfall if it doesn't get it reigned in.




An OC, that was a dumba$$ move on his part yesterday and he should have been flagged. He needed to keep his composure and didn't. That's unacceptable. THAT'S NOT WHAT YOUR LEADER DOES!! Also, you just repeated everything I said about the technical part of the game that can be coached.

He needs discipline in his game.

As this program's quarterback and with his talent, I expect more out of him on and off the field because I think he is that capable.

He is on the verge to being a bust-type of player who just happens to hold school records.

[bigdaddy08091]

I've think we've seen enough of our "captain" to determine that there needs to be a complete overhaul of him from a mechanical standpoint and a leadership standpoint.

I said this after the TCU game, but it's gotten worse:
1. The mechanics are poor. He's overgripping the ball, throwing behind receivers, locking onto his first read -- see the two picksix plays --continually doesn't look at the checkdown and just doesn't portray that presence to have his teammates rally around him.

2. The selfishness is incredible, especially after he got knocked in the chin. I know he wanted a penalty but there is a better way to conduct yourself than violently throwing your arm to get the official off of you and then jaw and come storming off the field. That's not competitiveness. That's stupid. He actually should have been flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct.

3. Whoever the new coach is, I would hope he would sign a JUCO quarterback in December -- probably unrealistic -- and tell Justin the job is open, you better fight to keep it. We would then see if Justin has the stomach for the fight.

3A. And whoever is the QB coach is, he tells Justin that every day, film study starts at 5 a.m. -- be there or run wind sprints -- and study for 2 hours and be drilled constantly and then use another 2 hours (depending on class schedule) for throwing through nets at different distances. And more mechanical work.

4. Part of this problem is that Justin has been babied because he knew this offense was his after Cory Slater left and there was no competition behind him.

His game has slumped, his attitude has deteriorated and his leadership is beyond questionable.

This can be salvaged. Justin is a great talent. But he is going to have to be the one who wants to work to make this happen. If he plays like this next year under the new coach, then you are looking at a similar record.

1. Broken hand that has not fully healed causing some overcompensation, along with the injury to the same hand on opposite side against Arkansas State. Hand is a mess. We only have one read? Two picks, receivers ran wrong routes.

2. Selfishness may equal a desire to win and sick and tired of losing to teams we should beat. Jawing and storming off the field was just anger, but wrong!

3. Please bring in all the competition you can for every position, we need it and JWill welcomes it. We are not two deep anywhere, so maybe there are a lot of positions being babied, OL, Rec, DL, DB, and so on.

3A. This is just totally off base. JWill is a gym rat. Knows more about the offense than Rusty, wait, that is not saying much (: Bring in the next coach please so this stupid post can stop.

4. You called getting the crap kick out of you every game babied. He could have laid it down a long time ago, but he is a warrior for fans like you. Without him and Sledge last night we get beat 43-14?

Still one of the top 40 QB's in the nation on an 1-9 team. Game has slumped, I beg to differ. He has progressed through this season of complete disaster. Once againg your opinions are just that, and appreciated. Stay supportive.

[J.T.supporta]

4. You called getting the crap kick out of you every game babied. He could have laid it down a long time ago, but he is a warrior for fans like you. Without him and Sledge last night we get beat 43-14?

Still one of the top 40 QB's in the nation on an 1-9 team. Game has slumped, I beg to differ. He has progressed through this season of complete disaster. Once againg your opinions are just that, and appreciated. Stay supportive.

Without JW, Rice doesnt get close to 43 points either...

Oxymoron: "one of the top 40 QBs in the nation on an 1-9 team"

[bigdaddy08091]

I totally agree. Last season Rice game was one that Willis by himself and Bennett lost.

I hear my guys talk and many of the players feel same way that Willis has not created good chemistry with the team and he is not a team leader or a team player. He is selfish and not discipline. I get the feeling at this point it's all about Willis instead of the other players combined. What a shame. I want the best for the players and their families, Want Willis to learn the best and use his God given talent the right way.

. Maybe he gets competition, He may learn how to be humble.
Yes, I blame Coaches for not putting their foot down and giving him the training he needs. But making himout that he is the one that the best is just plain nonsence. That why we loss.

If Big Daddy wants to get me, just come on because I have more blood and concussions on that field than he does.

I wish you knew the entire story. Change yourself into a fly and hear about linemen laughing during film time when they have missed blocks. Kids coming to practice stoned. Injured players, not really injured. Seniors quitting before the season ever started. Players missing practice to sleep because they are tired. Find out the facts first before you type. Jwill trying to do to much, yes, I agree. Need to humble himself, I don't know. He is tired of getting beat by teams that should not beat SMU. Saturday he got really pissed off which tell me he cares. Players were on the sidelines laughing when we were losing. I agree with some coaches that do not allow injured players on the practice field or sidelines. That is something that is earned. Bigdaddy is not going to get anybody. This is a damn good message board and your opinions are actually damn good ones.