Redshirt Heaps

[jay santos]

I'm not thrilled with the possibilities with Riley Nelson next year, but I think the way to maximize the program over the next few years is with Riley Nelson starting two years, Heaps redshirting and backing up Nelson as a freshman (or battling him and overtaking him as the season progresses ala Detmer over Covey). In fact now that I think about it Detmer Covey is probably a good example. Detmer redshirted and probably needed that year. I just don't see a lot of benefit to throwing Heaps to the wolves his true frosh year. I'm hoping Nelson can turn in a 9-3 season next year with his legs and short to mid range passes.

[Indy Coug]

Then you'd better hope Munns or Lark is ready to go in 2010. If Nelson is QB, you might as well move Jacobsen to DB.

[jay santos]

Then you'd better hope Munns or Lark is ready to go in 2010. If Nelson is QB, you might as well move Jacobsen to DB.

I haven't seen Nelson enough to really have an intelligent comment on that.

You might be right, especially since that seems to be the general consensus on Nelson. But sometimes it's hard to sift out the voices when a lot of them have personal motivations.

Hall doesn't have a strong arm and he can get the ball to Jacobsen.

[Blueintheface]

I'm not thrilled with the possibilities with Riley Nelson next year, but I think the way to maximize the program over the next few years is with Riley Nelson starting two years, Heaps redshirting and backing up Nelson as a freshman (or battling him and overtaking him as the season progresses ala Detmer over Covey). In fact now that I think about it Detmer Covey is probably a good example. Detmer redshirted and probably needed that year. I just don't see a lot of benefit to throwing Heaps to the wolves his true frosh year. I'm hoping Nelson can turn in a 9-3 season next year with his legs and short to mid range passes.

But Covey had arm strength that Nelson just flat doesn't possess. Covey's problem was accuracy. Nelson can run but can't throw the necessary out patterns and timing routes in this offense. He has a hard time throwing in the seam to the TE as well and no I'm not just basing that on 7 or 8 passes but rather his body of work through camp and freshman year at USU. The kid can run but to me is nothing more than a change of pace guy. Ulimately it's Bronco's decision to make but I think Heaps is primed like few other high schoolers to come in and start right away. BTW, the only way we go 9-3 with either QB is if the defense progresses.

[Goatnapper'96]

I'm not thrilled with the possibilities with Riley Nelson next year, but I think the way to maximize the program over the next few years is with Riley Nelson starting two years, Heaps redshirting and backing up Nelson as a freshman (or battling him and overtaking him as the season progresses ala Detmer over Covey). In fact now that I think about it Detmer Covey is probably a good example. Detmer redshirted and probably needed that year. I just don't see a lot of benefit to throwing Heaps to the wolves his true frosh year. I'm hoping Nelson can turn in a 9-3 season next year with his legs and short to mid range passes.

Next year is going to be rough no matter what. Two sophs at MLB, likely a freshman or two in the rotation at DL. Road trips to SLC, Fort Worth and Talahassee. On offense BYU returns its OL, a bunch of runningbacks that nobody is excited about and some above average receivers. It is a rebuilding year, the first BYU has seen under Mendenhall. Knowing this is likely what gives the program the most benefit?

Throwing out a qb unable to throw the ball downfield but who is probably the best rusher and has a huge heart or give the damn ball to a kid who will create a buzz and get pussy fireside hatin' folks like '71 back to the game? I think that Heaps as an experienced sophmore is the best qb BYU could have in 2011. Next year it doesn't matter because not one of the will be good enough for BYU to get to 9 wins and or compete for the MWC Championship. I think Heaps starts.

[jay santos]

But Covey had arm strength that Nelson just flat doesn't possess. Covey's problem was accuracy. Nelson can run but can't throw the necessary out patterns and timing routes in this offense. He has a hard time throwing in the seam to the TE as well and no I'm not just basing that on 7 or 8 passes but rather his body of work through camp and freshman year at USU. The kid can run but to me is nothing more than a change of pace guy. Ulimately it's Bronco's decision to make but I think Heaps is primed like few other high schoolers to come in and start right away. BTW, the only way we go 9-3 with either QB is if the defense progresses.

Give me a break. Nelson can't throw as hard as Covey could??

[jay santos]

Spring will be a good battle ground. Heaps is graduating early and will be here for spring ball right? I'll wait and see then before giving my take. It seems like it's best for the program if Nelson could handle the job for two years. I did think Olson should have started in 2002 when they mucked it up during that bye week/USU fiasco.

[Blueintheface]

Give me a break. Nelson can't throw as hard as Covey could??

You've seen Nelson throw right? You remember Covey, right? I didn't have a radar gun with me at the time but the eyeball test tells me Nelson's pass into the turf at half the speed of Max is slower than I remember Covey's pass.

[jay santos]

You've seen Nelson throw right? You remember Covey, right? I didn't have a radar gun with me at the time but the eyeball test tells me Nelson's pass into the turf at half the speed of Max is slower than I remember Covey's pass.

I may be remembering it wrong, but I think of Covey as the weakest armed QB I can remember BYU or any other D1 team. I picture him with hands the size of a kindergartener trying to grip a football and heaving it with his might to complete a pass to the TE over the middle. It's been a long time, though.

[cougjunkie]

I may be remembering it wrong, but I think of Covey as the weakest armed QB I can remember BYU or any other D1 team. I picture him with hands the size of a kindergartener trying to grip a football and heaving it with his might to complete a pass to the TE over the middle. It's been a long time, though.

That sounds a lot like Nelsons. Lets put it this way, even BYUs corners that play 15 yards off the ball jump out routes thrown by Nelson in practice, on a daily basis.

[TripletDaddy]

I will say that there is a very good reason why true freshmen don't start at QB in D1 football, at least not if great success is the ultimate goal.

[jay santos]

Didn't we play Trent Edwards as a true freshman? He was awful. And I mean worse than awful. And that was a kid as highly recruited as they come and ended up an NFL QB.

[Indy Coug]

I will say that there is a very good reason why true freshmen don't start at QB in D1 football, at least not if great success is the ultimate goal.

If great success is the ultimate goal, then using true freshmen QBs is barkleying up the wrong tree.

[Raketemensch]

Imo, the writing is on the wall w/ Heaps. A big part of the reason he's coming to BYU as opposed to another school in the first place is because he expects to start right off the bat. That's his expectation and his families' expectation, who have been very involved in the whole process. That's why he's coming early to do spring ball. The guy expects to start.

I think the coaching staff has been willing to go along with this. Notice Anae being very vocal about it and volunteering info to the press that the QB derby will be "wide open" and everyone will be on equal ground. What I hear from that is a specific message to Heaps- "Don't worry Jake... we're not grooming Nelson to be the starter..."

[TripletDaddy]

If great success is the ultimate goal, then using true freshmen QBs is barkleying up the wrong tree.

i knew someone would call me out on the matt for that one!