Will Heaps Transfer

[Green Monstah]

First off, buddy, as an ALUF I'd like to think that I am above "instigator" tactics.

Heaps' stated goal (correct me if I'm wrong) is to play in the NFL. He has also chosen to forgo a mission in order to get early playing time at the collegiate level to further progress toward the NFL end goal. If Nelson starts then, Heaps is faced with the possibility of starting as late as his Jr. year.

In todays college quarterback environment starting early and getting PT is paramount. As such my opinion is that he, in his own best interests, should transfer if he doesn't start.

Signed,

Mark Sanchez & Matt Cassel

[Hot Lunch]

Signed,

Mark Sanchez & Matt Cassel

I am pretty sure USC and BYU aren't on the same level. I may be wrong though.

[FN Phat]

I am pretty sure USC and BYU aren't on the same level. I may be wrong though.

I wouldn't compare any PAC team to bYu.

[Shaka]

I have a couple of thoughts:

1. I want the best guy to start. Right now it looks like Heaps is that guy. However Nelson (other than Saturday) has had some good days in camp including an awesome day today. Me thinks if Nelson has a few more days like today Bronco's decision is that much harder. Note that a lot of Nelson detractors were starting to warm up towards Riley after last Friday. Saturday sent them back to their previous opinion.

2. There is a lot of camp left. As the defensive scheme becomes more complex Heaps may struggle. Running the O against a base D is one thing. Running it when stunts and blitzes are coming at you in a hundred different ways is another thing entirely. Heaps my do great but this is where playing a true freshman can get you in trouble.

3. From what I've seen of Heaps he doesn't seem to be the type to take his ball and go home if he isn't chosen. However, if for whatever reason Nelson is chosen and Heaps starts moaning and threatening to transfer I say good riddance. I do not want that guy on my team no matter how highly touted he is and I'm reasonably sure Bronco doesn't either.

[wally]

You're just a troll

That's pretty cold, dude.

[MarkGrace]

I have a couple of thoughts:

2. There is a lot of camp left. As the defensive scheme becomes more complex Heaps may struggle. Running the O against a base D is one thing. Running it when stunts and blitzes are coming at you in a hundred different ways is another thing entirely. Heaps my do great but this is where playing a true freshman can get you in trouble.

You could say the same about Nelson. In fact, people (like Hans) already seem to be lamenting the fact that Jaime keeps giving Nelson basic looks that don't account for his running.

[Green Monstah]

I am pretty sure USC and BYU aren't on the same level. I may be wrong though.

But those are guys with one year and zero year's experience on the college level who are both starting QBs at the NFL level (thus undercutting the idea that getting early PT is "paramount" to an NFL career). I doubt very highly that Terrell Pryor will be an NFL QB and he was the fulltime starter his sophomore year (with considerable PT as a freshman).

[Color Me Badd Fan]

I don't mind Riley Nelson starting out the year. BYU starts with two decent opponents and they're definitely winnable games. The question for me centers only on two things in descending order:

1. Which QB gives you the best chance to win those first two games?

2. Will you wreck your true freshman QB if you throw him to the wolves too early?

I bet that rookie QBs in the NFL have a better track record than true freshmen QBs in college. The transition from college to the NFL is a jump, but it seems like the transition from high school to college is an even bigger jump.

Rather than deal with the true freshmen jitters against UW and AF, Nelson should start because those are two winnable games. Heaps can get some PT against those two teams along with SDSU, USU and Nevada. Let Nelson get hammered by Florida State and TCU. After the TCU game, Heaps can be brought in for a more full time role. The four games after TCU are Wyoming, UNLV, Colorado State and New Mexico- three of them are at home.

[Shaka]

You could say the same about Nelson. In fact, people (like Hans) already seem to be lamenting the fact that Jaime keeps giving Nelson basic looks that don't account for his running.

You could however this is where Nelson's previous experience at USU and his year at BYU give him an edge. This stuff is usually learned by in-season practice when you are preparing for another team and hundreds of hours of film study. Sure Heaps will have the opportunity to do this as soon as they start prepping for UW but Nelson had an entire year of it in the BYU system as well as what's going to be discussed this year.

[MarkGrace]

You could however this is where Nelson's previous experience at USU and his year at BYU give him an edge. This stuff is usually learned by in-season practice when you are preparing for another team and hundreds of hours of film study. Sure Heaps will have the opportunity to do this as soon as they start prepping for UW but Nelson had an entire year of it in the BYU system as well as what's going to be discussed this year.

I think in theory it gives him in edge, but practically that doesn't seem to have played out.

Utah St - terrible
Mop up duty last year - terrible
Closest thing to game situation this fall (scrimmage) - terrible

I'm not getting my hopes up that suddenly under game situations he morphs into some stud. His experience and in-season practice sure hasn't translated into much. I think he looks better so far in practice for a reason.

[Hot Lunch]

But those are guys with one year and zero year's experience on the college level who are both starting QBs at the NFL level (thus undercutting the idea that getting early PT is "paramount" to an NFL career). I doubt very highly that Terrell Pryor will be an NFL QB and he was the fulltime starter his sophomore year (with considerable PT as a freshman).

Look at where they played, the competition they played against and look at their size. You can't compare it. Also, there aren't many that do what Mark and Matt have done. Very few now a days.

If you don't think Terrell Pryor will play in the NFL please see Vince Young as an example as to how Terrell will end up an early NFL draft pick. For the record, I don't like Terrell and I would never take a chance on him but he is a freak of an athlete and he will be picked very high.

[wally]

But those are guys with one year and zero year's experience on the college level who are both starting QBs at the NFL level (thus undercutting the idea that getting early PT is "paramount" to an NFL career). I doubt very highly that Terrell Pryor will be an NFL QB and he was the fulltime starter his sophomore year (with considerable PT as a freshman).

Try selling a blue-chip QB recruit (or better yet, his parents) on the plan that he will "play back-up to the best" and get into the back door of the NFL.

[Shaka]

I think in theory it gives him in edge, but practically that doesn't seem to have played out.

Utah St - terrible
Mop up duty last year - terrible
Closest thing to game situation this fall (scrimmage) - terrible

I'm not getting my hopes up that suddenly under game situations he morphs into some stud. His experience and in-season practice sure hasn't translated into much. I think he looks better so far in practice for a reason.

There's no theory about it. When you prepare for a team the quarterbacks get the same information and watch the same film. Then they go on the practice field and the scout team simulates what the other team does. The starter gets the most reps but as last year's backup Nelson got all the same info, watched the same film, and got the same spiel from the coaches as Max. He also got the backup reps.

This is the stuff a freshman, even one who came in the spring, hasn't yet experienced. Having spent a season in the system is one advantage Nelson has over Heaps.

[Non Sequitur]

Didn't Tim Tebow backup Leak his freshman year? It's pretty rare -- almost unheard of -- for a true freshman to start in D1 football. I'm sure Heaps realizes that and knows that his time will come.

[Rickomatic]

Try selling a blue-chip QB recruit (or better yet, his parents) on the plan that he will "play back-up to the best" and get into the back door of the NFL.

It worked for Matt Cassel.