It's Offcial: 2 QB System

[MarkGrace]

So Doman was on the radio this morning, and I paraphrase: I'm not sure whether it was because the quarterbacks play during camp was really close or for some other reason, but Coach Mendenhall made the decision to play 2 quarterbacks and I support it 100%.

This, added to the less than enthusiastic Wrubell interview with Anae following the announcement: "The No 1 thing is bing united, so that's what we're gonna do" And his statement that "we have 2 starting quarterbacks" opposed to Bronco's statement that Nelson is the starter (http://www.ksl.com/?nid=498&sid=12171258) and Anae's atypical refusal of an interview with Harmon the next day (http://twitter.com/Harmonwrites/status/22373670580), leads me to believe that this decision was 100% Bronco's decision and a reward to Nelson for his hard work and the culture, etc. Seems like Doman and Anae would have made a different decision.

My bias leads me to conclude that Anae and Doman would have just gone with Heaps. Anyway, I think the whole thing stinks. If there are 2 quarterbacks, it seems like it should be Heaps as the starter and Nelson as the situational QB. That's not the plan against Washington.

I get the same impression listening to Brandon and Anae. And it makes sense, especially with Anae, because Nelson can run his offense -- they've had to completely redraw the thing for him.

It seems Bronco's comments about "sometimes the other coaches are over there and I'm over here" and all that stuff about protecting the culture was just a dead on assessement of what happened with the QB situation.

[SCcoug]

My bias leads me to conclude that Anae and Doman would have just gone with Heaps. Anyway, I think the whole thing stinks. If there are 2 quarterbacks, it seems like it should be Heaps as the starter and Nelson as the situational QB. That's not the plan against Washington.

Bronco said during the Monday press conference that the assistants will have flexibility to make personnel decisions during the game. All through camp everyone was saying Matt Reynolds would switch tackle spots depending on which QB was in the game but now it looks like he'll stick to left tackle. Looks like the stage might be set for Heaps to get the majority of play at QB.

[cougjunkie]

Rumor has it Doman and Anae named Heaps the starter and Bronco overruled them.

Big source of contention amongst the coaches and Bronco right now.

[UtahDan]

Rumor has it Doman and Anae named Heaps the starter and Bronco overruled them.

Big source of contention amongst the coaches and Bronco right now.

When the Bronco speaks, the thinking has been done. They need to get over it.

[CardiacCoug]

Rumor has it Doman and Anae named Heaps the starter and Bronco overruled them.

Big source of contention amongst the coaches and Bronco right now.

Ugh.

I think Bronco is trying to prove a point by starting Nelson -- hope it's not a disaster.

[Hot Lunch]

Rumor has it Doman and Anae named Heaps the starter and Bronco overruled them.

Big source of contention amongst the coaches and Bronco right now.

I have heard this rumor from multiple sources as well.

[ERCougar]

I have heard this rumor from multiple sources as well.

Even if this isn't true, isn't it a problem that there are rumors to this effect?

[Hot Lunch]

Even if this isn't true, isn't it a problem that there are rumors to this effect?

It probably is. Players and players families read these boards.

I have a hard time not believing my sources on this. They are usually pretty spot on.

[ERCougar]

It probably is. Players and players families read these boards.

I have a hard time not believing my sources on this. They are usually pretty spot on.

I was guessing your sources were players, and if the players aren't totally behind Nelson, or if they're passing on rumors that he wasn't the first choice, then that seems like a strike against Nelson.

[MarkGrace]

When the Bronco speaks, the thinking has been done. They need to get over it.

Your buddy SU agrees with this in theory:

If Whit announced Griff Robles will start, I'd say, "Great, he's our best guy. Whit knows best." I think my point of view is the natural one.

Apparently you can take the boy out of mormon but you can't take the mormon out of the boy. Or something like that.

[creekster]

Doesnt leaving Reynolds at LT suggest that they are thinking Heaps will be used early and often?

[KillerDog]

I think two things are clear, based on what I've heard from the athletic department.

(1) Anae and Doman wanted Heaps as the first string and a decent number of the players knew it.

(2) Bronco thinks they annointed Heaps without considering how important the "culture" is that he has established.

(3) Bronco is rewarding Nelson for coming to BYU and being a backup by letting him start the season opener.

(4) Nelson will not start again at BYU after the opener unless Heaps is injured.

(5) Bronco expects Nelson will hit the field and be a star because it is a game situation; Anae and Doman think Heaps will hit the field and be a star.

I'm going with Anae and Doman. I think Doman's tendency would be to give Nelson more love because he sees himself in the kid. Despite that, Nelson never could separate himself from Heaps. Heaps will make mistakes but I don't think Nelson can get the job done.

[MarkGrace]

I think two things are clear, based on what I've heard from the athletic department.

(1) Anae and Doman wanted Heaps as the first string and a decent number of the players knew it.

(2) Bronco thinks they annointed Heaps without considering how important the "culture" is that he has established.

(3) Bronco is rewarding Nelson for coming to BYU and being a backup by letting him start the season opener.

(4) Nelson will not start again at BYU after the opener unless Heaps is injured.

(5) Bronco expects Nelson will hit the field and be a star because it is a game situation; Anae and Doman think Heaps will hit the field and be a star.

I'm going with Anae and Doman. I think Doman's tendency would be to give Nelson more love because he sees himself in the kid. Despite that, Nelson never could separate himself from Heaps. Heaps will make mistakes but I don't think Nelson can get the job done.

I think everything about Nelson screams Bronco-type player. By all accounts he's hard working, tough, competitive, fearless, he's paid his dues, etc. He's also, like many other Bronco favorites, less talented than others at his position in the program.

[MarkGrace]

btw, I think Heaps is a future star, but I don't expect him to be one this year. I also don't think Riley ever will be, but he can play a valuable role for the offense.

[beelzebabette]

I don't understand how "culture of the program" is supposed to translate to wins and better opportunities for BYU.