Just returned from the Spring Game...

[Dooby]

I was only able to see the first half. And yes, Phillips did drop to a sidearm once or twice. He also made some real good throws, too.

[OldPony]

Improvement in Mustang football lies with the big uglies-plain and simple. No QB has ever been good throwing from his back. Any of the top 3 QBs can do OK with time. None will likely get it. Phillips probably does best with no time but we ain't going anywhere if the Big Guys don't lead us there. We won't be able to tell if they have improved until we see them against decent competition because we don't have the depth to see it playing ourselves. Let's hope the extra weight and strength shows up.

[Lotus]

Chris Phillips was easily the best QB on the day even without his ability to scramble due to the quick whistle-you people that think he can't throw are full of _____.

Slow down, man. I didn't read anything in Diehard's comment ("The long TD pass to Hawkins was beautiful -- that's true -- but he still sidearmed a bunch of passes. Of course, I can't complain too much, because he completed a lot of them. Considering the wind, the quarterbacks all threw pretty well") that says he couldn't throw. In fact, he points out that they threw well. But I have to admit, I'm with Diehard in wanting better mechanics .... for every player on the team. I want the linemen to block better, I want the linebackers to wrap up their tackles better, I want the cornerbacks to jump their routes better and make picks. I didn't see anyone say he can't throw (although I didn't make the game yesterday, so I didn't see him to offer my own opinion).

If he sits SMU ain't going anywhere. Further, if you can't take a QB that talented and turn him into a great QB then you probably shouldn't be a head coach in Division 1A Football. The future of SMU Football rides on Chris Phillips shoulders-you heard it here first.

Ah yes, the Gospel According to Stallion. At least you're not putting any pressure on Phillips. Because clearly the rest of the team has nothing to do with the team's success, right?

[DallasDiehard]

Saw this in Calvin Watkins' story:

"The defense was not allowed to blitz during the spring game, but it totaled an unofficial 10 sacks, four each from defensive ends Justin Rogers and Don Ieremia-Stansbury. SMU had 10 sacks last season."

Sure, the refs had a quick whistle yesterday, but the DEs did look a lot better yesterday than they did during the season.

[Stallion]

oh please they were playing flag football-they would have been lucky to get 2 sacks. They had 10 "Paddy-cake" sacks which means nothing except in Woman's Intramurals. Phillips especially rarely goes down at first contact-that stat is TOTALLY - COMPLETELY worthless.

[RGV Pony]

Stallion, I'm assuming your comment regarding Phillips [rarely] going down on 1st contact is aimed mainly at our guys? My reason for asking is because the only game I saw Phillips play last year was vs. TCU and...well I seem to remember him going down early and often. Come to think of it, he looked slow in that game..as though he was running in deep grass. Later in the year, Romo looked faster than Phillips. Then again, I suppose we're each entitled to our own perspectives.

[AusTxPony]

Having just returned from the Red-Blue game I thought I'd put in my two cents.
1. Nice turnout, best that I have seen in several years.
2. Thought all QB's made potentially game losing mistakes, but also looked in control most of the time.
3. Phillips did seem to throw a few sidearm passes, but he looks imposing on the field. Very athletic. Hope he comes through for us.
4. Running backs looked good for the most part. Disappointing performance form DeMyron, but Richuel was energized.
5. They are certainly throwing to Kennedy more often.
6. I didn't remember Hawkins from last year. Surprise for me.
7. Justin Rogers is bigger and better. Noticed him a lot.
8. The sack stats don't count. Phillips would have gotten out of most of his, I believe.
9. Deep snapping seemed ok to me. Who centered most of them?
10. Punters seemed slow getting the ball off. Might be a function of no rush allowed, hence plenty of time to punt.
11. Saw lots of signees and/or recruits.
12. Lots of footballers from past years there including the 60's (my years).
13. Good enthusiasm thoughout from the squad. They do appear more optimistic.
14. And finally, yes, I am optimistic yet again. Don't know why not. Makes me feel better anyway. Beat Baylor!

[HorsePower]

.... 4. Running backs looked good for the most part. Disappointing performance form DeMyron, but Richuel was energized.

Massey looked great. There's a guy I'm pulling for.

.... 5. They are certainly throwing to Kennedy more often.

If I'm on the offensive coaching staff, we're pumping the ball to Kennedy until someone shows he can be stopped. I have yet to see it.

.... 7. Justin Rogers is bigger and better. Noticed him a lot.

Much bigger. Much better.

[SWC2010]

Sorry, can't help myself. I must throw a couple of comments in about the game. But unlike Stallion, I wont state your "FULL OF ----" if you disagree:

[1] The wind wreaked havoc on all QB's but I thought they did fine. Eckert had the quicker 'reads' while Romo & Philips con't to have quicker feet. Eckert/Romo QB in '05 & Chris gets the nod in '06.

[2] The Smurf running backs impressed me more than Martin did, although I heard DeMyron had the overall better Spring.

[3] JC transfer Cox is certainly quick, but I saw missed tackles and his droppend INT. That's okay since we are deep at LB for the 1st time in a while.

[4] Throw the ball to Kennedy & Vincent, then Kennedy & Vincent, & Vincent, Kennedy & Vincent. (See a pattern?)

[5] DBacks, bigger, faster, good signs all.

[6] Interior D-line looked okay-- Adami will be appreciated, but 05 will see improvement there.

[7] Hold your breath on special teams snapping. Seldom saw a snap to a punter that was above their knees. (Quick prayer that Brad K's shoulder is okay.)

[8] Bigger & faster than years past.

[9] A major coupe regarding # of visiting HS JR recruits.

[Dooby]

oh please they were playing flag football-they would have been lucky to get 2 sacks. They had 10 "Paddy-cake" sacks which means nothing except in Woman's Intramurals. Phillips especially rarely goes down at first contact-that stat is TOTALLY - COMPLETELY worthless.

The flip side of that is that we don't know how many of Phillips passes he would have even tried to get off if there was legitimate pressure. In his three games, Phillips sometimes had happy feet and took off early. There was at least one pass on Saturday where he made absolutely no attempt to evade the pressure (I had my camera with my telephoto lens; I have proof).

I was locked in on Phillips the whole time I was there. Despite everything I have said, I thought they set Eckert up to be successful and Phillips and Romo up to fight over the backup spot. If you don't think anybody can dispute that Eckert is the coaches' pick to start. Frankly, early on, I thought they were setting Phillips up.

Other thoughts:

I don't remember Hawkins last year at all, either. That was a perfect pass from Phillips. It was well covered by the defense.

In the first half, didn't we hear Blake Warren's name about 50 times?

Some people feel pretty positive after the game. I wish I did. I just didn't get a great vibe. After last year's game, I was pretty confident we were better; this year, not so much. But the players seemed up for it.

[huntnfish]

offense actually looked pretty good on Saturday.

I am worried about our defense, did not see one real good hit all day and they gave up some yardage. Also, still missing a middle linebacker who can stop the run and make plays sideline to sideline, need to get more physical there.

[Dooby]

Chris Phillips .... If he sits SMU ain't going anywhere. Further, if you can't take a QB that talented and turn him into a great QB then you probably shouldn't be a head coach in Division 1A Football. The future of SMU Football rides on Chris Phillips shoulders-you heard it here first.

We are not allowed to question whether or not a head coach is fit for the job at SMU. We certainly should not allude that he should be fired if the team doesn't perform. I am pretty sure that someone on this board has made that very clear. I can't remember what the rationale was, but I think it had something to do with a model.

[Stallion]

what the hell are you babbling about? I said the reason that SMU's program was non-competive was the lack of an even playing field with its natural and traditional rivals-not coaching. Never said Coaching doesn't matter-Never did. BUT once a coach is handed a talent like Chris Phillips and chooses two leftovers who will never be any better than below average Division 1A QBs over a talent like Phillips then I will be all over that Coach. Nobody should have expected Chris Phillips to be a polished QB coming from the Dallas private school leagues which are equivalent to 2A football for the most part. And yet we get guys coming on here and claiming he's a washout by the 3 game into his second season. He's got skills, and he's definitely got the composure-if you can't polish that kind of talent-then we got a coaching problem. I take comfort in knowing a lot of the same people don't think Vince Young is a good college QB. Finally, BULLETIN: all great NFL QBs throw sidearm on ocassion especially in a spread offense-I've heard many interviews from QBs and offensive coordinators discussing that its really acceptable in many situations. But I do agree Eckert makes great reads on 5 yard passes. Wow! he passed for a whole 87 yards on 13 completions-I take that back Eckert threw some great 3 yard passes where the receiver added 3 yards.

[Dooby]

I don't know where you get "composure" from. There was no blitz and there was no fear of even being knocked down. I would be composed under those circumstances.

My only beef is you come on here and insult anybody that disagrees with you and state your opinion on everything as if it is definitive. And that simply isn't the case.

Facts are Phillips is a tremendous athlete. Facts are also that he didn't complete 50% of his passes or throw a TD pass in his 3 games last year. Most of his completions were short passes. Facts are he hasn't won a game as a starter or as a backup. Facts are Phillips best passing game was Nov. 15, 2003 against Rice where he went 16-23 for 175 yards. You still have to be able to throw the ball to be a successful QB.

I am not saying Phillips can't, I am saying he hasn't proved it yet.

[PerunaPunch]

I was impressed with Chris Phillip's performance. Yes, he slung some sidearm balls (which he's been doing all spring) and it appears that he's lost some velocity, but he made several nice completions, which leads me to believe that 1) he's getting healthier and 2) he's playing smart and using finesse and timing to serve when bullets aren't yet available.

Vincent Chase was on the sidelines. I don't know what you guys were looking at.

Wasn't it Victor Makinde who absolutely FLEW down the goal line and knocked a sure touchdown away from Kennedy?

I think we're going to be O.K. size-wise at LB. Lee, Carrington and Cox are all pretty substantial at 235 and 6'1 or better. If Carrington comes back 100%, you can bump DD Lee out to SAM. That'd give use some serious run-stuffing ability if needed.