BYU vs. Wyoming open thread

[MarkGrace]

I'm not talking about criticism, I don't think Bronco needs to do that. In fact, I think the statements he made after the TCU game were pretty much the line he should be taking, ie. "we feel like Jake is getting better and more poised ever week, despite the fact that it hasn't been reflected in the win total; we're pleased with his progress; blah blah blah."

To me that's good, positive reinforcement in a situation where it would be easy to be critical of his play. What I don't think Bronco needs to be saying is the stuff like "he's one of the brightest prospects at the position I've ever seen" and "he has the potential to the one -- if not the best -- to ever play the position at BYU."

Seems out of Bronco's character to me, and I don't think it does anyone any favors.

[Jacob]

I'm not talking about criticism, I don't think Bronco needs to do that. In fact, I think the statements he made after the TCU game were pretty much the line he should be taking, ie. "we feel like Jake is getting better and more poised ever week, despite the fact that it hasn't been reflected in the win total; we're pleased with his progress; blah blah blah."

To me that's good, positive reinforcement in a situation where it would be easy to be critical of his play. What I don't think Bronco needs to be saying is the stuff like "he's one of the brightest prospects at the position I've ever seen" and "he has the potential to the one -- if not the best -- to ever play the position at BYU."

Seems out of Bronco's character to me, and I don't think it does anyone any favors.

This is a just a case of over-analyzing what the coach says. Here's the quote someone at CB provided:

Toby Christensen: "Well James the quarterback position has always been a highly scrutinized spot here in Provo and for the first time in 13 years the Cougars are starting a true freshman in Washington native Jake Heaps. Now despite his early struggles, BYU head coach Bronco Mendenhall told us yesterday that he's 'confident that by the end of THIS season BYU fans will realize that this young man [Jake Heaps] has the potential to be ONE OF the greatest quarterbacks in the history of BYU' and then he said 'PERHAPS THE GREATEST.' High praise indeed, James."

James Bates: "I'll say Toby, Thank you."

Note that Toby is quoting Bronco, though we don't know if he's just paraphrasing. But all Bronco said is that he has the POTENTIAL to be one of the best. Northing wrong with Bronco saying that. I will continue to encourage coaches to say what they actually think. And I agree, I think Jake has that potential solely based on his play thus far.

[MarkGrace]

But all Bronco said is that he has the POTENTIAL to be one of the best.

Correct, that's exactly what I wrote in my post. And as I said there, I don't think that kind of talk is helpful to the situation. Puts even more pressure on the kid, and increases expectations for the fans.