Willis quit

[PerunaPunch]

Which is a good point. In this O, there's not that much difference between a #1 and a #2 as they keep shuttling them in and out all the time.

Hopefully, JWIll is just a little disappointed right now and will bounce back. As the fierce competitor he is, it's hard to not be the guy running out on the field first. On the other hand, that he's back and has progressed as far as he has considering the magnitude of his injury is pretty amazing.

And just because you're not the starter on day one, doesn't mean you won't become a starter later in the year. Willis may not have his speed, which wasn't that great to begin with, but he has a knack for the football, is consistent and produces results. In think everyone saw that toward the end of last year, especially when some of the guys got suspended.

[PerunaPunch]

Having said all that, I think BLM had a so-so to decent year given that he was a true freshman. I can name 3 or 4 QBs in our conference I think he outperformed. By my definition, that is hardly a debacle.

Heading into last season, BLM didn't look that good to me. I think the consensus amongst us watching practice was that Smith was the most accurate. When they actually got out on the field, the O performed better than I expected (esp. the O-line). I didn't like all the 3 and outs and the INTs, but they DID produce. And without the shoulder in the last third for the season, I think BLM would've impressed.

Defense WAS a debacle.

I was going to argue this point, but then I remembered all the poor pursuit angles, poor tackling, giving up on plays to let the opposing receivers run free past our coverage... But I think the minimal time of possession on the part of the O, made them look much worse than they were.

It would also not surprise me if we are better this year with a ‘seasoned’ BLM than a Sr. JWill, but once again that is debatable.

And for the record, I would have started JWill last season and probably this year as well.

I DEFINITELY would have started JWill at QB last year, and we would have won some games. This year, I think Jones' decision will pay off. The QBs have looked significantly sharper, with BLM looking the best of the lot.

Just in a related note, I think Padron looks like he could develop into the real deal too.

[SmooBoy]

J (whatchoo talkin' bout) Willis, we will miss you.

[VarsityShop]

I am curious about the fans that state they would have started Justin Willis last year and we would have won some games. What are you basing that on since the last year that Justin Willis was the starter('07) we won a total of one game the entire season with him at QB?

[Hoop Fan]

uh, maybe his record in 2006. So it seems the only valid comparison we have is that BLM went 1-10 as a freshman while Willis went what 6-6 as a frosh.

JW's quarterback play was never the problem with the program, not in his freshman season or his soph season. Not saying BLMs was our weakest spot last year, but when you shun experience, you get more 1-10 seasons.

[Hoop Fan]

Willis had a completion % of 67.4% in 2006. Boy, thats really inaccurate for a young qb at the time. Not sure how he ever got on the field throwing like that. He obviously preferred running over passing. I swear some of you guys make crap up with the assertions that he wasn't accurate enough, not a pocket passer, blah blah blah.

[George S. Patton]

I think some of us have selective memory recall.

There's no question that Willis had a brilliant start to his career in 2006. We thought a 4-year wonder was underway. Running, throwing, elusiveness. I called him the most important player since the Death Penalty.

But I also remember in 2007 when it went the other way. The night of the TCU loss in FW, I posted that he was regressing and that he needed help because Rusty Burns was killing him. I think Willis threw 3 or 4 pick six's that season. Then there was the infamous helmet issue with the official later in the season. Team finished 1-11 and Bennett was gone.

Obviously, when Jones came on board, he believed Willis was not a fit for what he was doing, personally or athletically or whatnot. He may have been the best QB fit in 2008. But there's no point debating it because no one can be 100 percent certain. Speculation only fits here. We simply don't know.

Admittedly, I've been very tough on Willis -- maybe too tough -- but I do hope that he will grow as a person from his experience here and use it as a life lesson for his children and colleagues.

I

[Wuba]

I can't figure out why everyone is rehashing the argument about who should have started at QB last year. Willis clearly got over it, as he was willing to make the move to receiver. None of the stories I have seen about him quitting say anything about it being driven by not being a QB in the coming season, they just reference his disappointment with not being a starting WR.

[Hoop Fan]

ok General, so his sophomore season wasn't as great. Granted. But lets remember this. The athletic department put him under alot of pressure building a huge marketing campaign around one guy. He was only a sophomore. Secondly, Orsini gave Bennett a public ultimatum before that year, did he not? So, basically it was up to Willis to not only shoulder the biggest marketing campaign since Mustang Mania, he also has to save his coaches's job, which was publicly on the line. Talk about alot of pressure on a sophomore. And yes, he got frustrated that year it looked to me. The whole story is such a shame, but its really the story of being an smu fan the past 20 years. Think you have a player and a future, and then poof, its gone. Coaches decision. It was crap, sorry.

[Hoop Fan]

I can't figure out why everyone is rehashing the argument about who should have started at QB last year. Willis clearly got over it, as he was willing to make the move to receiver. None of the stories I have seen about him quitting say anything about it being driven by not being a QB in the coming season, they just reference his disappointment with not being a starting WR.

dont read it then, but call it timely reflection as we start another season of exciting, no expectations Mustang football. Willis should be an off the charts performing senior qb this coming season, and instead...

[Dark Horse]

I can't believe we're re-hashing who should have started LAST year. The 2008 season is over with.

There is not one of us on this board who can relate to what he has been through over the last year, with that grisly injury and the manner in which he lost his father. He doesn't need us belaboring a year-old and now-pointless argument.

We're a week away from the start of the season. Wish Justin well, and cheer for the Mustangs — IN PERSON, from the first play to the last. If you happen to meet Justin, thank him for everything he has done for the Ponies, and if you feel the urge, maybe even let him know you wish he would reconsider his decision.

This is a young man who needs our support, and deserves it. Chewing on last year's personnel decision does nobody — particularly Justin — any good.

[VarsityShop]

Sir I am a Justin fan, so I hope you are not directing that at me. Justin had a good 2006, but then his next year SMU won one game with him at quarterback. Agreed it was not all his fault in 2007, but how or why are you so sure it would have been so different in 2008? If it wasn't Justin's fault in 2007 but we still only won one game, why would last year have been anything different? If I am understanding you, it is because you are assuming Justin and the team would have returned to 2006 form and not 2007 form? I am just asking for your thoughts so I understand.

[Hoop Fan]

what should we people talk about? only how we're beating ourselves again in two-a-days? Or getting excited about the last practice report which describes some walk-on picking off a pass from Braden Smith (another qb who supposedly beat out willis) and taking it to the house? stellar.

[Hoop Fan]

Sir I am a Justin fan, so I hope you are not directing that at me. Justin had a good 2006, but then his next year SMU won one game with him at quarterback. Agreed it was not all his fault in 2007, but how why are you so sure it would have been so different in 2008? If it wasn't Justin's fault in 2007 but we still only won one game, why would last year have been anything different? If I am understanding you, it is because you are assuming Justin and the team would have returned to 2006 form and not 2007 form? I am just asking for your thoughts so I understand.

he probably would have, see my point above about the undue pressure put on the kid for the 2007 season. All I know is we had no chance last year with BLM at the helm. that much was proven. With Willis, the team would have had a chance and a hope. As for this year, we'll see what happens, but we should be benefiting from senior all-conference qb, instead we have perpetual youth and unknowns.

[SoCal_Pony]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sophomore_slump

He wasn't that bad his Soph year IMO to justify replacing him with a true freshman.

Anyways...for whatever reason, I have high expecations for BLM this season.