DMN's Gerry Fraley's column following SMU v. Texas Tech

[couch 'em]

From watching the game I'm going to have to agree with Stallion. Eckert's passes were "not pretty." Had he been playing in the first quarter when the tech defense was playing at full speed he would have gotten slaughtered. It is clear Phillips should start at TCU, and the rest of the year.

[PerunaPunch]

I saw the game up close. Eckert's passes "looked" good. Certainly prettier than Phillips' passes IMHO. Although I hear that the long completion to Lowery was actually aimed (high) at Blake Warren though.

I'm not here to argue for Eckert because Phillips was very effective. But Eckert DID look good. He went 6 for 9 (or close to that) for a TD in his only series. Hard to argue with those stats.

[04stang]

I agree with PerunaPunch. Eckets pass WAS intended for Lowery, Warren ran the wrong route. After reading the messages, I am wondering if any of ya'll were even watching the game. It looked as if Phillips was struggling and Eckert should of started the second half. His passes were crips despite the snap that was thrown at his feet. He went in and got the job done, the only touchdown for SMU. Even the crowd was cheering on Eckert and getting tired of Phillips. Phillips record is 0-6 as a starter. Its time for Eckert to get his chance....all you Phillips lovers.

[Corso]

Our CBs played great. TTech likes to score 50, we held them to 20 that they deserved. In both of the longer TD throws, the WR pushed off obviously. Made Michael Irvine look like a choir boy. In the second one – the last TD Tech got – their WR tackled our CB who was going for the ball and had a better angle on it. Probably would've been a pick, but the refs called pass interference on us. UNBELIEVABLE. Should have been offensive pass interference.

Slow down there, Punch -- nobody in the history of the sport has ever pushed off like Irvin (although Cris Carter was close). But hyperbole aside, you're right - Oluoma threw Humphrey to the ground on one TD. Overall, the CBs were so much better than they were in the past that it was hard to believe it was the same defense.

And I'm not sure I agree with jtstang on the absence of a defensive line just yet. Both lines faced a Tech line that was big (on both sides of the ball), and both Tech lines are experienced and run goofy alignments. Let's wait to see how the defensive line does against a more conventional blocking scheme - even a very good offensive line like TCU's -- before we conclude that they're not going to contribute this year, huh? It might turn out that jtstang is exactly right .... I just can't agree after watching them play against Tech.

And besides, I was extremely encouraged by Adami, Jones, Rogers, Muse and Charlie Berry, who quietly had a very good game.

[sorrysummer1]

To all that post that are stating on how Phillips did a great job and deserves the starting job over Eckert I have one question "Did you go to the game?" Phillips showed the same 0-12 quality that he did last year. I heard all these rumors that Phillips had really improved over the summer and i have to ask in what areas "cockyness maybe" because the improvements definetly werent made to the attributes on the field. I was in stands and when Eckert finally came in after a puke poor performance by the starter he showed what a quarterback is supposed to look like. A quarterback is a player that should be a leader and have the arm to make all the throws. What do we have in our starter is a decoy! Look I am going to throw but no I run. So after the second time he does this what happens? The other teams knows that there is no way that number 7 is throwing. After Eckert showed the decoy how things are supposed to go I heard mutters in the crowd "where has this guy been all game" which was exactly what i was thinking. Eckert should have the number 1 spot. We shouldnt worry about hurting our starters feelings tell him you sucked let someone try to get us out of the slump that you have gotten us into. All the coaches need to do is open their eyes and see that their "baby" sucks and they need to try something else to win for once and that thing is clearly number 4 Tony Eckert

[04stang]

For those of you who believe that the only way Eckert got a touchdown was because Tech sent in a prevent defense need to pay closer attention to the game. If they had, then there would of been 3 def linemen, but im sorry...there were still four. They even moved two backers out to try and stop it. Why are all of you OBSESSED with Phillips??? Dont any of you want our team to win?? As soon as we get a TD, then ofcourse there is something wrong with it. Be supportive of our team, not just one player. Phillips had a bad game, go read his stats again. He didn't get any points, our kicker did. He had 5 games last year to get ready and a whole off season. I was ready to see what he could do, but again, its just like last year. Our two JuCo boys should get a chance and its pretty sad when none of you can see past Phillips' bad attitude.

[PerunaPunch]

Whoa! Slow down there fellas. I thought Eckert looked great too, and I thought Phillips maybe needs to work a bit on his target selection. But Phillips really moved the ball against a Big 12 team. His running lead to a bunch of first downs. The offense, while not prolific, was hugely improved over last year.

Praise Eckert, he deserves it. But don't start ragging on Phillips, he played a good game too.

[Stallion]

the two outlet passes were definitely thrown into prevent defense. The Tech CB were lined up 10 yards off the receivers.

[king_k]

Did some of yall not see the sorry third and short conversion attempts. We couldn't run on third and short and when it was third and long Tech blitzed the hell out of us. Phillips was running for his life on 3rd down half of the time. I remember one time when a Tech defensive lineman was hanging on him and he was able to throw the ball away. We need to get both qb's in against TCU.

Phillips single handedly ran the ball down the field in the first half. We couldn't punch it in for touchdowns, but I was impressed with the way the offense was moving at some points. We were playing against TxTech a Big XII school and we moved the ball. I think if we play half as good as we did Saturday against San Jose St. and UTEP we will be able to put points on the scoreboard.

If Phillips can become a polished passer to go along with his running ability we will be much more successful than playing Eckert or Romo with their limited natural talent. Right now a two qb system might be the way to go.

[04stang]

king_k.....Eckert and Romo's lack of natural talent?? So they taught themselves to be able to throw a football that accurate and fast?? Well hell, then im going to teach myself and just go pro. You are ridiculous...and im sure that you have so much natural talent that you can judge when others dont. Good for you !!!

[PonyTime]

Am bumping this thread from 2004. The initial DMN story is a nice read prior to tomorrow for those who missed this game and do not know the history of Tech's classlessness.

[The PonyGrad]

Wow, timewarp!

[ponyscott]

Am bumping this thread from 2004. The initial DMN story is a nice read prior to tomorrow for those who missed this game and do not know the history of Tech's classlessness.

Wow thanks...now I'm really getting fired up for the game.

[redpony]

Leach was obviously as classless as Jack Pardee- the scumbag who ran up the score every chance he got.

GO PONIES!!!
MUSTANG MANIA LIVES

[Ponyx2]

Fraley was a big supporter of PB