QB question

[SMUguy]

About that poll on the home page: Has everyone forgotten about Richard Bartel? True, he doesn't have as much experience as Luker, but he has a major-league arm (literally, thanks to the Reds.) And he's a mile taller than Luker, and taller than Wallis, who didn't even play QB last year. Folks, we have new coaches in, running a new offense -- experience doesn't mean as much when EVERYONE is learning a new system. Luker has played, that's true, but basically they're all freshmen when it comes to coach Bennett's offense.

You know how a player drops a lot in the Draft, and the "experts" say something about how the guy has talent and has been productive, but coaches want their guys at his position to be taller, or heavier, or faster? Same deal here.

Based on raw stats alone, Bartel gives us the best chance to win. He should start.

[John Wayne]

What stats are you going off of? I'm a Tate Wallis fan myself and right now at this point I believe Luker should be the MAN next year until Wallis or Bartel knocks him off. I'm just wondering what stats you are going off of because Wallis has pretty good credentials along with Luker, and Bartel does too, but not like the other two.

[SMUguy]

Hey, I like Wallis, too, after whatI've seen of him at practice. And I like Luker, too-- all I meant by "stats" was the fact that Bartel is 6-4, has a powerful arm, etc. I didn't mean passing stats or anything. Just his physical features.

You're right about Wallis - he seems to have a swagger, a confidence about him. I still think that Bartel should get the job, based on (here's that awful word again) potential, but Wallis looks like a born leader in the huddle - at least at practice.

Don't mean to straddle the fence here. My vote's for Bartel.

[PonyExpress]

ProudPonyPa -

As the father of a quarterback, you certainly know something about the position. With the praise you offer for Wallis' delivery and Bartel's command of the offense, I'm curious why you lean toward Luker? Experience? (And does that count when the team is switching offenses?) Or is there another reason you lean toward Kelan?
Thanks

[Guest]

I agree with Proud Pony Pa that the new quarterback will have to make quick decisions. Wallis was in a speed multi formation offense that required him make quick decisions, therefore I would have to say he has the upperhand at the race, at least for right now.

[JustAFriend]

OK, I've read enough. Richard Bartel should and will be the starter if SMU ever wants to start winning. I know more about him than any of you including his coaches. I was his leading receiver at Grapevine. And baseball could be a non-factor very soon. Anyways, Bartel will show all of his true abilities to effectively pick apart defenses as soon as Bennett gives him his full fledged support. I've seen Bartel have a very average junior year due to lack of confidence from the coaches. And I've seen him put up stellar numbers as a senior with the full backing of a new coach. And for those of you who think Wallis should start, you are wasting an incredible athlete by putting him at quarterback. He has the ability to be such a huge factor at one of the other skill positions, probably receiver. If Bartel could put up the numbers he did in high school with short white receivers like myself, not overly fast for that matter, then imagine what he will do with the likes of Cardwell, Jay Taylor, and even Tate Wallis. Forget about Luker, aren't you tired of watching him lose. or did you forget about the last two seasons? Bartel is the obvious choice and the guy hates to lose more than anything. If your team ever wants to be decent again, he is the guy for the job. And ProudPonyParent, congrats on your son's scholarship, he will never play, and never should.

[Guest]

Just a friend

Bartel does have the physical ability that you speak so highly of.

But, it takes a hell of a lot more than physical features to be a starting quarterback in college.

Bartel tries to make the big play everytime, except we don't run hall mary's the entire game. His leadership skills consist of throwing fits everytime the coaches try to correct his mistakes or miscues.

The main reason that he is not number one now is because he won't (NOTICE I SAID WON'T) take coaching, and the coaches will and have sat his butt down, because of his attitude.

Therefore, I say stats, shmats, Luker was the second leading highschool passer in the country (of all time) and the best in Texas, ever. WHERE IS HE NOW????????????

[JustAFriend]

ProudPonyParent,

My apologies, what I said was unnecessary. And I can promise you I am more knowledgeable on the game than most people. And Maverick I know exactly what it takes to be a starting quarterback at any level. I had all of those things except for the physical abilities and my junior year Bartel beat me for the starting job based on physical skills alone. So trust me I was the hardest sell on this guy but, the facts remain, of the QB's on the team he should get the nod. Wallis is too good of an athlete to waste at QB and he is the only one currently ahead of Bartel. I admit taking criticism is not one of his strengths but he is coachable and a good coach can coach anyone. He's a little rough around the edges still, but with a little game time he will develop nicely. Lets not forget Wallis got his numbers in high school throwing to all state receivers like Broderic Jones. Bartel didnt have the option to make the big play everytime. The guys he threw to are now: the kickoff/punter at OSU, a defensive back at Wyoming, a pilot trainee, and a walk on pole vaulter. He also threw for nearly 3000 yards in 11 games and the leading receiver only had 800 of those which means he can distribute the ball. I'm not saying that the rest of the guys aren't good quarterbacks, it just seems that Bartel is the right fit.

[Pony4Life]

"Take the bickering to mustangmaniacs. Nuff said."
HA! That might be the best line ever posted on this board.

Now let's all bury the hatchet and collectively support our team.
Go Ponies!

[HorsePower]

JustAFriend says Wallis is too good an athlete to waste at quarterback. I wonder if that's true.

I'm not saying he's not a great athlete - everything I saw this spring leads me to believe that's true. But if the offense we run this year is anything like what they ran at Kansas State, you want a great athlete running the show. Look at the QBs they had up there in recent years: Roberson and of course Michael Bishop - great athletes. Bishop had a huge arm, but both of them had quick releases that allowed them to snap off quick short- and mid-range passes, and both of them had the speed to escape defensive pressure.

If we run the same scheme, Wallis's athleticism might be the very reason we should start him at QB. The knock I've heard on him is that he doesn't have the arm strength that Bartel and Luker have, but if his running ability can create time for receivers to get open, and he can complete the short and medium passes, he might be just what the offense needs.

What do you think?

BEAT NAVY!

[JustAFriend]

If that is the kind of offense that Bennett wants then Wallis is certainly the man for the job. There is absolutely no question. It just seems that with Charles and Kincade running the ball, it should be able to set up the wide open passing game that Bartel exemplifies. Granted he isnt as mobile as Wallis, but with his arm strength and the strength of his backs, well executed play action should give him all the time he needs. But you are correct, if Bennett embraces Kansas State's style, then Wallis is certainly the one to run the show. Should be an interesting Fall.

[JustAFriend]

ProudPonyParent,

It is true I have not seen your son throw, and signing a scholarship to SMU certainly indicates he has the ability. Unfortunately we are both naturally biased, your son, and my best friend, but to be totally honest with you, I am a student at TCU, so you can't exactly call me an avid SMU fan, but my brother's best friend is James McCarthy so I've followed SMU pretty closely and I dont buy into the whole cut-throat rivalry between the schools. I would actually like to see SMU succeed, except against the Frogs. But no hard feelings about the undue comment I made, and I wish the team and your son all the luck. I just hope Richard gets a chance to prove himself, dont write him off just yet.

[jettison]

3P,
I have no opinion about the QB situation. I don't have a clue how any of them - save Luker - throw, and probably won't until one of them plays in a game this year, if that even happens. I don't know what they did in high school. I don't know what they look like. I just find amusing, and a bit familiar, the excitement demonstrated by new players' friends and family.

After the first couple games this year, go and watch a high school game, or even better, a high school pep rally. You'll sort of see what I mean.

[oldsmooguy]

I saw a practice while i was driving by the university the other day and i don't think that Bartel is out there.(could be playing baseball...I don't know) I didn't see Luker either. I saw Tate and a couple of other QB's that might be coming in from a different position, or even different sport. I stayed the whole time watching and Tate took most of the snaps. One guy that i think was a QB, didn't even run a play. That might be one of the incoming QB's. From the size of him i would believe it was GIlray. Tate looked good. I want to see Gilray and Hodges throw it. Who were the other QB's throwing...i don't mean to be negative but they really sucked.

[Guest]

Tate did take most of the snaps, because Bartel is playing AAA baseball. Luker is AWOL, although I have heard from reliable sources he is in Orlando with his band.

The other three kids actually taking snaps were Charles Zars, and two other walk ons - I don't know there names yet.

The kid that was just standing around and looked more like a defensive end than quarterback, is Donnnie Guilray. In fact, I heard (DON'T KNOW FOR SURE) that he played d-end until his senior year.

Mark Hodges has not shown up yet, but looks like a heavier (10+ lbs.) Bartel.