JWill

Chuck Norris · Post by **Chuck Norris** » Tue May 06, 2008 3:16 pm

Im having a tough time figuring out if people on here are serious. Are there really some people who believe that a true freshman has more talent than Justin Willis? Or are you all betting that he's going to screw up again?

mustang1108 · Post by **mustang1108** » Tue May 06, 2008 4:09 pm

I'm excited to see him play, but I dont know how i would feel is he started as a true freshmen. This is a highlight film of mitchell his senior year at katy. http://youtube.com/watch?v=z0OW-mteOxo

Beanman · Post by **Beanman** » Tue May 06, 2008 5:27 pm

Why is everyone so quick to jump on one of the few real tallents that we have had for the last two seasons. His record is amazing, save the interceptions which were caused only by JWill's attempts to win games by merely putting up more points than the other guy.

So you blame Willis for a defense, unable to hold anyone under 40 points. And you blame him for being one element of the team trying to win with everything he had.

You guys would be the same ones who complained about Favre in Green Bay when he threw interceptions before he had the complementary tools to win games as a team.

Personally I hope that he comes back and goes on to be considered a Heisman candidate as was projected after his freshman year. If he gets beat out or blows it off of the field, OK. But if not, support him and BE POSITIVE ABOUT SOMETHING. Quit your b@$&*h'n.

Go Ponies!

expony18 · Post by **expony18** » Tue May 06, 2008 9:14 pm

Chuck Norris wrote:Im having a tough time figuring out if people on here are serious. Are there really some people who believe that a true freshman has more talent than Justin Willis? Or are you all betting that he's going to screw up again?

whatever chuck norris says i will believe

SMU Football Blog · Post by **SMU Football Blog** » Wed May 07, 2008 9:18 am

There are few bigger supporters of Willis than myself. However, having watched Willis start 22 games, I think we all have a good handle on his strengths and weaknesses. So has June Jones, by now. The question is how much does June Jones value Willis' strengths and how much does he diminish Willis' weaknesses? Willis has an ability to make something out of nothing with his athleticism. However, Jones may have little use for Willis if he takes off for a four yard run on 1st down, rather than allow the play to develop.

ponyboy · Post by **ponyboy** » Wed May 07, 2008 9:25 am

SMU Football Blog wrote:I think we all have a good handle on his strengths and weaknesses.

I would disagree with that one statement. I think many on here -- not you -- way undervalue the level of talent he brings. Put me down as another guy who is dumbfounded at the prospect of having a true freshman or a redshirt freshman who only received marginal recruiting interest coming in here and taking the ball from the single best QB we've seen on the Hilltop since pre-injury Ramon Flanigan.

But you're right, fit to Jones' system will be a question that needs to be answered.

pony warrior · Post by **pony warrior** » Wed May 07, 2008 10:56 am

ponyboy wrote:
SMU Football Blog wrote:I think we all have a good handle on his strengths and weaknesses.

I would disagree with that one statement. I think many on here -- not you -- way undervalue the level of talent he brings. Put me down as another guy who is dumbfounded at the prospect of having a true freshman or a redshirt freshman who only received marginal recruiting interest coming in here and taking the ball from the single best QB we've seen on the Hilltop since pre-injury Ramon Flanigan.

But you're right, fit to Jones' system will be a question that needs to be answered.

Didn't Willis start as a freshman...What makes you think womeone else can't do it?

Alaric · Post by **Alaric** » Wed May 07, 2008 10:59 am

pony warrior wrote:
ponyboy wrote:
SMU Football Blog wrote:I think we all have a good handle on his strengths and weaknesses.

I would disagree with that one statement. I think many on here -- not you -- way undervalue the level of talent he brings. Put me down as another guy who is dumbfounded at the prospect of having a true freshman or a redshirt freshman who only received marginal recruiting interest coming in here and taking the ball from the single best QB we've seen on the Hilltop since pre-injury Ramon Flanigan.

But you're right, fit to Jones' system will be a question that needs to be answered.

Didn't Willis start as a freshman...What makes you think womeone else can't do it?

JW started as a REDSHIRT freshman. I'm hoping he picks up the offense quickly and does a stellar job. It will save us the deer in the headlights first five games that almost all true freshman starters suffer...

Mexmustang · Post by **Mexmustang** » Wed May 07, 2008 11:04 am

Call it character, leadership, respect for authority, matturity or whatever...a quarterback has to be able to much more than run and pass. Until he proves "he gets it" the position is wide open in my book.

LAPonyAir · Post by **LAPonyAir** » Wed May 07, 2008 11:23 am

I saw Willis on campus in between classes, so he's obviously still have a chance. My fear with Willis running June Jones' offense is lack of ability to read defenses and settle with throwing to Sanders, and the interception thing. I remember watching Hawaii games and seeing Timmy Chang having 5 interception games......I wonder if Willis' inability to read defenses would translate into similar results? Yea, Timmy Chang is the all-time leader in passing yards, but he's also the career leader in interceptions and was a huge disappointment to Hawaii considering all the hype that came with him (sounds kinda familiar?).

smu diamond m · Post by **smu diamond m** » Wed May 07, 2008 11:43 am

I ran into JWill the other day at a different restaurant... can't remember for the life of me where

chillinfool · Post by **chillinfool** » Wed May 07, 2008 12:15 pm

I disagree about JWill not being able to read defenses, he is a student of the game and is constantly watching football. As I mentioned before, it would have been nice for him to have a QB coach who would teach him the little things like how to do a play fake, or pump fake, or how to look off a receiver (which attributed to a lot of the INT's), etc. I think this year it will be totally differant with Dan Morrison on the staff.

As far as leadership goes, on the field JWill just wants to win and sometimes lets his emotions get the best of him, but he never gives up, nor comes out of a game though he has taking a beating and was obviously injured, and that shows leadership to me.

Off the field, JWill has done some growing up and hopefully learned from his mistakes, and will realize the opportunity he has and move on from here being a model citizen since rumor is he'll be reinstated after finals.

PonyTime · Post by **PonyTime** » Wed May 07, 2008 12:22 pm

If JWill cannot figure out how to hold onto the Football - he WILL be benched by Jones.

Cue Houston tape from last year.

With that said - I think he WILL figure out how to reduce the fumbles and will be the starter.

ponyboy · Post by **ponyboy** » Wed May 07, 2008 12:39 pm

pony warrior wrote: Didn't Willis start as a freshman...What makes you think someone else can't do it?

A talented guy could. I just don't know that we have anyone more talented than Willis. I'd love to be wrong and find that we have someone better.

ponydawg · Post by **ponydawg** » Wed May 07, 2008 12:46 pm

Willis has needed a leader/mentor himself. He now has that and I believe in return, he will be a better leader/player because of it.

I am excited to see him back out there!