SI picks up Willis benching

chillinfool · Post by **chillinfool** » Tue Aug 19, 2008 9:19 am

I am still wondering how much of the decision was based on JJ's ego. He made Chang and Brennan stars, Justin was arguably a star when JJ got here, thus for JJ to "prove" what a "great coach" he is, he needs to start with a no name QB.

If SMU wins just 2 games this season, it will show improvement. IF they don't make it to a bowl NEXT season(I am already chalking up a losing season this year), then I'll argue JJ's decision to go with 2 freshmen is one of the dumbest ever. Time will tell.

couch 'em · Post by **couch 'em** » Tue Aug 19, 2008 9:22 am

chillinfool wrote:I am still wondering how much of the decision was based on JJ's ego. He made Chang and Brennan stars, Justin was arguably a star when JJ got here, thus for JJ to "prove" what a "great coach" he is, he needs to start with a no name QB.

If SMU wins just 2 games this season, it will show improvement. IF they don't make it to a bowl NEXT season(I am already chalking up a losing season this year), then I'll argue JJ's decision to go with 2 freshmen is one of the dumbest ever. Time will tell.

No offense, but you are an idiot.

jtstang · Post by **jtstang** » Tue Aug 19, 2008 9:24 am

chillinfool wrote:I am still wondering how much of the decision was based on JJ's ego. He made Chang and Brennan stars, Justin was arguably a star when JJ got here, thus for JJ to "prove" what a "great coach" he is, he needs to start with a no name QB.

If SMU wins just 2 games this season, it will show improvement. IF they don't make it to a bowl NEXT season(I am already chalking up a losing season this year), then I'll argue JJ's decision to go with 2 freshmen is one of the dumbest ever. Time will tell.

It's an interesting question. All he has to do this year is go 2-10 and he can claim a 100% improvement over last year. Everything after that is gravy.

After 20 years of futility, however, I despise the thought that he'd purposefully write off a season just to show that he's a maker of quarterbacks. I hope that is not what it's about.

The more I thiink about this, the more I am convinced that, much to my chagrin, Willis just ain't that great in an offense that does not allow the QB the option to run first.

BRStang · Post by **BRStang** » Tue Aug 19, 2008 9:25 am

chillinfool wrote:I am still wondering how much of the decision was based on JJ's ego. He made Chang and Brennan stars, Justin was arguably a star when JJ got here, thus for JJ to "prove" what a "great coach" he is, he needs to start with a no name QB.

If SMU wins just 2 games this season, it will show improvement. IF they don't make it to a bowl NEXT season(I am already chalking up a losing season this year), then I'll argue JJ's decision to go with 2 freshmen is one of the dumbest ever. Time will tell.

I strongly doubt JJ would make a decision like this b/c of ego. Whether it is right or not, I don't think JJ's ego played any role.

mr. pony · Post by **mr. pony** » Tue Aug 19, 2008 9:26 am

You are absolutely ignorant if you think a true freshman give us the best chance to win this year. I really see this as JJ tossing this season to the wind.

Who gave McIlhenny a chance to beat UT in '80 - as a freshman?

Bo Levi brings a fresh start with good vibe. Willis' act was getting a bit stale. Numbers ain't everything, my broders.

RunPeruna · Post by **RunPeruna** » Tue Aug 19, 2008 9:27 am

The more I thiink about this, the more I am convinced that, much to my chagrin, Willis just ain't that great in an offense that does not allow the QB the option to run first.

Amen jt

jtstang · Post by **jtstang** » Tue Aug 19, 2008 9:28 am

mr. pony wrote: Willis' act was getting a bit stale. Numbers ain't everything, my broders.

Man, you guys are really getting good at disguising "we didn't want him anyway" these days.

RoyBell · Post by **RoyBell** » Tue Aug 19, 2008 9:29 am

Good Luck to JW on all of your endeavors he is a different kind of Quarterback he is a make it happen if the play is broken. He is a quarterback that if your Oline struggles he can get out there and get you 10 to 20 yards with his feet. Oh yeah he has it all not taking away anything from BLM or BS but I notice on last year that CUSA is only steps away from high school ball played in Texas. You have to have a O line if you don't you the QB could be a sitting duck for lots of sacks. I hope all of you remember how many times Justin had to run out of the pocket last year. It wasn't because he just wanted to run it was because he had no protection.

BRStang · Post by **BRStang** » Tue Aug 19, 2008 9:31 am

RoyBell wrote:Good Luck to JW on all of your endeavors he is a different kind of Quarterback he is a make it happen if the play is broken. He is a quarterback that if your Oline struggles he can get out there and get you 10 to 20 yards with his feet. Oh yeah he has it all not taking away anything from BLM or BS but I notice on last year that CUSA is only steps away from high school ball played in Texas. You have to have a O line if you don't you the QB could be a sitting duck for lots of sacks. I hope all of you remember how many times Justin had to run out of the pocket last year. It wasn't because he just wanted to run it was because he had no protection.

True dat!

OC Mustang · Post by **OC Mustang** » Tue Aug 19, 2008 9:49 am

I don't think JJ is doing any of this because of ego. That's silly. He's being paid $2 million per year, and he knows that expectations that come with that. He's going to go with what he thinks can win. Period.

I'm disappointed that Willis isn't the guy; he's fun to watch. BLM hasn't played a college down. And although that's not a positive, it isn't a foregone conclusion that it's a negative either. I think the bottom line is discipline. BLM has more of it.

But screw the intangibles (BLM's played big games; he's disciplined; he doesn't make mistakes). The kid has a cannon of an arm, is arguably as accurate or moreso than anybody else out there, and he is pretty mobile if you watch the youtube stuff of him at Katy (he's making some amazing throws as he is running for his life).

Give him a chance. If he doesn't work, then burn Jones in effigy.

Water Pony · Post by **Water Pony** » Tue Aug 19, 2008 9:53 am

Let go of your mouses and back away from the computer. Relax. It is JJ's system, experience and decision. Ego has nothing to do with it.

To second guess him on this first large personnel decision at this stage is humorous. I am not giving up on the season. Our learning curve with any QB will be steep, especially early in the season. I want win every game, but JJ has his plan. That is more than OK, it is only way to view this and subsequent decisions.

Beat the Owls!

chillinfool · Post by **chillinfool** » Tue Aug 19, 2008 10:02 am

Couch em, "no offense" is what you'll probably see against Rice.

KnuckleStang · Post by **KnuckleStang** » Tue Aug 19, 2008 10:10 am

Let's be clear, Willis did a lot of this to himself, by not going to class and missing spring ball. Just throwing that out there. This makes me more mad at Willis than it does Jones. My hunch is that, despite his talent and playmaking ability (which as others have noted definitely does not fit the R&S), JJ's negative assessment of his leadership and maturity might be a contributing factor. But what the heck do I know

MustangStealth · Post by **MustangStealth** » Tue Aug 19, 2008 10:11 am

Garret wrote:
TheBestAvailable wrote:Tommie Chang

1. Timmy Chang or Tim Chang. I don't know who Tommie is.

He's the guy who made those stoner movies with Cheech

MustangStealth · Post by **MustangStealth** » Tue Aug 19, 2008 10:15 am

Garret wrote:
3. Record with the Junior QB starting: 0-2. Record with the true Freshman starting: 3-7, plus the following season Hawaii went 9-3.

4. The Junior QB who was passed over for Chang got to start the last 9 games of the following season (Chang got hurt). He finally figured out the offense and had an amazing stretch of games: 3361 yards, 34TDs/9INTs, 8-1 record as a starter.

Which side are you trying to argue? From this what I'm seeing is that the upperclassman ended up with an 8-3 record as a starter, and the freshman ended up 4-9 over those two seasons.

SI picks up Willis benching

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