DMN: Phillips starts, Eckert to play more

[RGV Pony]

Positive or negative?
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent ... a7f90.html

[giacfsp]

It's good on both counts. Phillips should start, but I think part of his inaccuracy was due to fatigue, as if perhaps he didn't have the legs left to set up properly. His running is too valuable a weapon to remove from the field, but if spotting Eckert (or Romo?) can allow him to stay fresh, thereby being a running AND passing threat, that would bode well for the offense.

[Pony Up]

I agree that both Phillips and the team in general will play better if Eckert gets a few series in there. And I have to believe that the focus of TCU's defensive preparation will be on Phillips, since he played well against them last year, and they know little or nothing about Eckert and Munlin. This sounds like a good solution by the two-headed monster of Bennett/Burns.

[Stallion]

Coach Flip-Flop. One game into a season in a complicated new offense and he's already bailing. Geez this guy makes Cavan look like a QB's best friend. Bennett has been about 3 times less decisive than Cavan EVERY YEAR. First, Eckert is second string, then third string then backup earning playing time-all within 2 weeks!!!!!!!!! No wonder the QBs don't know the offense-they are splitting valuable learning time 3 ways. I had a feeling this might happen because of the tough early schedule and Bennett's indecisiveness. The best thing for this program is develop Chris Phillips. Really I have rarely criticized any coaching decision by any coach at SMU but this one is a doozy. It's a good thing Tate Wallis transferred or I'm sure Coach Flip-Flop would "have him in the mix too."

[Dooby]

It was to be expected. I thought Phillips played well, but Eckert played one just series and netted a touchdown going 6-9. To properly compare the two, we do need to see Eckert on the field when it matters. Obviously, I don't care who plays as long as they produce.

[Pony Up]

Coach Flip-Flop. One game into a season in a complicated new offense and he's already bailing. Geez this guy makes Cavan look like a QB's best friend. Bennett has been about 3 times less decisive than Cavan EVERY YEAR. First, Eckert is second string, then third string then backup earning playing time-all within 2 weeks!!!!!!!!! No wonder the QBs don't know the offense-they are splitting valuable learning time 3 ways. I had a feeling this might happen because of the tough early schedule and Bennett's indecisiveness. The best thing for this program is develop Chris Phillips. Really I have rarely criticized any coaching decision by any coach at SMU but this one is a doozy. It's a good thing Tate Wallis transferred or I'm sure Coach Flip-Flop would "have him in the mix too."

Mix in some decaf, dude. Coach Bennett said all along that he planned to play more than one QB. He and Coach Burns are simply learning the right balance. That does not mean he's "bailing" - if he was, he wouldn't have Phillips starting Saturday. To even compare his use of QBs to Cavan's is laughable - McCown & Co. were looking over their shoulder after every pass that wasn't completed, even if it was because of a drop by the WR. Coach Bennett has talent and depth at the QB position for the first time, and you want to blast him for wanting to learn how to best use it?

[Stallion]

McCowan was looking over his shoulders after he personally contributed 8 turnovers in two weeks after an 0-7 start. Big Difference. And No most coaches figure this out 2 weeks into fall drills-this ain't the preseason try-outs. There simply is no such thing as "balance" in playing QBs-one is the starter and one is the backup.

[Pony Up]

Tennessee and LSU are playing 2 QBs, too. Want to question those coaches, too?

Everyone's new to this offense. There's a learning curve involved.

[The PonyGrad]

This looks like the logical statement (Bennett's) to make based on what Bennett already said on the subject and based on what happened last Sat. Bennett is just following what he said he planned to do. It is people like you, Stallion, that try to shut down options for the coaches whose job it is to make the most out of the talent we have.

Adding Eckert puts more pressure on the opposing coaches preparation. Allows coach Burns to get more of the offense in faster and allows more players to get experience on the field. In addition, whatever Phillips said, he became less efficient as the game went on, with the exception of the start of the second half. Giving him a rest sounds like good judgement, nothing else.

[Corso]

Absolutely

[Stallion]

both Tennessee and LSU are developing High School All-American freshman QBs

[JasonB]

Here is my impression:

Burns (Bennett really doesn't have the last word on this) thought about throwing Eckert in there in the second quarter, when Phillips was really starting to struggle. But because Tech wasn't scoring, and Phillips wasn't turning the ball over, we left him in.

I think the only thing that this statement says is that if the same situation comes up this week, Eckert will be given a shot. Remember, he had struggled int he fall scrimmages, forced passes, and threw some picks. The hesitation was that he might force something, turn the ball over, and give Tech an easy score.

Since he didn't do that, the hesitation is gone. So IF Phillips struggles throwing the ball, we might change things up.

Also, keep in mind as far as the #2 vs. #3 situation is concerned, that our situation is a little bit different. If quarterback runs are really effective during the course of a game, but Phillips needs a breather, Romo will be used as the backup. If we need a change of pace in order to get the passing game going, Eckert will be used. So, technically, Romo is the backup for Phillips because he can run the same offense. But if we need a change of pace, Eckert will go into the game, even though he is "#3".

Stallion, I would much prefer if we had a situation where one QB was the clear number 1. But it just isn't the case. The only difference from before is now we actually have three players with talent .

I don't think this is a bad move, I actually find it encouraging, because it is an indication that 1) coaches have more faith in Eckert than they did before and 2) we are going to play to win, not just hang in the football game.

[dandyfan]

jason, coach b (flip flop?) does have the say in this QB situation. as a matter of fact less the input from the OC, he has full and final say. now, where i differ from stallion is the choice of QB. chris is a wonderful athlete but his ability to throw the ball with any consistancy has been proven...he simply cant. this type of offense must have a QB that can move the ball down the field in the air. the zone read is not even a part of what he brought from cin. it was added to fit chris's ability as a runner. tony eckert simply gives us the best chance to move the ball on the horny toads or any other team at this point. if nothing else it pulls at least one and sometimes two more men out of the box for a more effective running game.

[jtstang]

Coach Flip-Flop. One game into a season in a complicated new offense and he's already bailing. Geez this guy makes Cavan look like a QB's best friend. Bennett has been about 3 times less decisive than Cavan EVERY YEAR. First, Eckert is second string, then third string then backup earning playing time-all within 2 weeks!!!!!!!!! No wonder the QBs don't know the offense-they are splitting valuable learning time 3 ways. I had a feeling this might happen because of the tough early schedule and Bennett's indecisiveness. The best thing for this program is develop Chris Phillips. Really I have rarely criticized any coaching decision by any coach at SMU but this one is a doozy. It's a good thing Tate Wallis transferred or I'm sure Coach Flip-Flop would "have him in the mix too."

You are right on all counts except one--he started waffling prior to the first game of the season when he announced to the press he'd be rotating THREE QB's against TT. This is ridiculous, but I would not be surprised to see Romo thrown in the mix this week also. Pick a quarterback and stick with him already....

[Stallion]

as soon as Eckert gets about 5 sacks and he throws a few into double coverage I'm sure that will be the next option. Heck he played 3 last year switching back and forth about 6 times IN ONE SEASON.