Was that a worst case scenario for our QB situation?

[Color Me Badd Fan]

Texas found out in a hurry what happens to their gritty, scrambling gamer QB with a weak arm(Case McCoy) when you run into a good defense like OU, you need to be able to throw the ball to all parts of the field to keep them honest.

BYU found out in a hurry what happens when you have an inaccurate, clueless, immobile QB when you run into a piece of shit team like Utah State, you need to be able have a modicum of competency from the QB position that can hit a five yard out or a check down to a running back instead of throwing groundballs to keep them honest.

[Shaka]

Since my last exchange with my friend Junkie I'd like to make sure some things are understood about my feelings. Consider this a sort of mid-season mission statement.

1. I wanted Jake to start this year and succeed. I still want him to succeed I just don't want it to happen at the expense of everyone else. If this experience causes Jake to transfer then he was never really our QB.

2. I recognize the strategy of letting Jake work through his problems in games as valid. I disagree with this strategy. For the reason see point number one.

3. My preference that Jake work his problems out in practice is also valid.

4. Riley is getting the job done at this point. I'm going to cut him the same slack I cut Jake the first three games. Let's not forget the SJSU game was his first opportunity to start and play the entire game as a BYU QB. It was also his first week where he received the majority of snaps in practice. Remember last year everything was split.

[Shaka]

Doman was just on 1280. I thought I'd share a couple of points. I'm paraphrasing as was in the car when the interview occurred.

1. Doman stated that Jake spoke with him after he was pulled and told Doman it was the right decision.

2. Doman stated Jake had renewed his efforts in practice and is working on his issues. He also said that much of Jake's problems are in his head and that dealing with the pressure has been an issue.

3. Could be coach-speak but Doman thought Jake was taking things well and his feeling was that Jake will battle through without a transfer. Also stated that Jake may have a bit of a chip on his shoulder which Doman thought is a good thing because it will make him better.

4. Riley has upped is game significantly from last year. Doman wasn't happy with the turnovers but he cut Riley slack due to the fact that this is the first game as a BYU QB that he has started and played from start to finish.

5. There will be no two quarterback system and that Riley is the QB moving forward. If he continues to win and progress the job is his.

6. Doman loves Lark but admitted James is in a tough spot as far as receiving playing time. He also stated that while James deserved to play he may never get that shot as a BYU QB. He went on to say that maybe he would get some time if something strange occurred.

[TripletDaddy]

Thanks, Shaka. That all sounds like positive news, heading in the right direction for everyone (except lark, I guess).

If what he is saying about Jake is true, then maybe the kid does get it and is salvageable.

I agree that a platoon QB system is poo. Glad they aren't doing that.

[jay santos]

Doman was just on 1280. I thought I'd share a couple of points. I'm paraphrasing as was in the car when the interview occurred.

1. Doman stated that Jake spoke with him after he was pulled and told Doman it was the right decision.

2. Doman stated Jake had renewed his efforts in practice and is working on his issues. He also said that much of Jake's problems are in his head and that dealing with the pressure has been an issue.

3. Could be coach-speak but Doman thought Jake was taking things well and his feeling was that Jake will battle through without a transfer. Also stated that Jake may have a bit of a chip on his shoulder which Doman thought is a good thing because it will make him better.

4. Riley has upped is game significantly from last year. Doman wasn't happy with the turnovers but he cut Riley slack due to the fact that this is the first game as a BYU QB that he has started and played from start to finish.

5. There will be no two quarterback system and that Riley is the QB moving forward. If he continues to win and progress the job is his.

6. Doman loves Lark but admitted James is in a tough spot as far as receiving playing time. He also stated that while James deserved to play he may never get that shot as a BYU QB. He went on to say that maybe he would get some time if something strange occurred.

Interesting. I agree Nelson looks a lot better than last year, with caveat that he's gone against weak defenses.

That gives me some comfort about Jake.

Lark must suck.

[BemidjiCoug]

Doman was just on 1280. I thought I'd share a couple of points. I'm paraphrasing as was in the car when the interview occurred.

1. Doman stated that Jake spoke with him after he was pulled and told Doman it was the right decision.

This is very promising. I really hope that Jake can work out the kinks and that when he gets his shot again to start that he will play great.

Riley seems like the right guy for Doman's system (which is looking more and more like Anae's system every week).

[Surfah]

Riley seems like the right guy for Doman's system (which is looking more and more like Anae's system every week).

How so?

[BemidjiCoug]

How so?

Mostly the formations. I feel like the proportion of I Formation and 2 backs out of the shotgun has increased throughout the year. It may be just that the team is more comfortable executing out of these formations.

I am troubled by the lack of motion before plays as well.

[jay santos]

Mostly the formations. I feel like the proportion of I Formation and 2 backs out of the shotgun has increased throughout the year. It may be just that the team is more comfortable executing out of these formations.

I am troubled by the lack of motion before plays as well.

I agree but I think the Doman/Ole Miss offense was back last game. He had Riley moving a lot.

[BemidjiCoug]

One of the greatest things about the offense's under Lavell Edwards (and other great west coast offenses) was their ability to run the same plays out of different formations utilizing motion to read the defense.

[BemidjiCoug]

I agree but I think the Doman/Ole Miss offense was back last game. He had Riley moving a lot.

If the run game keeps going the way it has been, play action will lead to some huge plays. I would like to see them do more bootlegs with Riley with a run/pass option.

[Shaka]

I agree but I think the Doman/Ole Miss offense was back last game. He had Riley moving a lot.

Doman covered that as well. I can't remember exactly what he said but the gist was he was using plays/formations that we really weren't great at. The last couple of games he has been evolving things the other direction.

I actually think Doman has improved a lot since the first game. It sound to me like he's off in the right direction. Good for him.

[Surfah]

Doman was just on 1280. I thought I'd share a couple of points. I'm paraphrasing as was in the car when the interview occurred.

1. Doman stated that Jake spoke with him after he was pulled and told Doman it was the right decision.

2. Doman stated Jake had renewed his efforts in practice and is working on his issues. He also said that much of Jake's problems are in his head and that dealing with the pressure has been an issue.

3. Could be coach-speak but Doman thought Jake was taking things well and his feeling was that Jake will battle through without a transfer. Also stated that Jake may have a bit of a chip on his shoulder which Doman thought is a good thing because it will make him better.

4. Riley has upped is game significantly from last year. Doman wasn't happy with the turnovers but he cut Riley slack due to the fact that this is the first game as a BYU QB that he has started and played from start to finish.

5. There will be no two quarterback system and that Riley is the QB moving forward. If he continues to win and progress the job is his.

6. Doman loves Lark but admitted James is in a tough spot as far as receiving playing time. He also stated that while James deserved to play he may never get that shot as a BYU QB. He went on to say that maybe he would get some time if something strange occurred.

This is the only disappointing thing to me. Riley just isn't a very good Div 1 college QB. I know you hate when I say this, but Riley's ceiling will hurt us down the road. I don't know what more progress he can make aside from cutting down on the turnovers. And I just don't see that happening with his talent, particularly against much better defenses. He's going to win this year because Terrence Brown could win at QB with our remaining schedule. And I expect him to get a long leash this week, at TCU and at Hawaii because we won't be favored to win (I think we're -1 at Oregon State). So this means no more live reps for Heaps, barring injury to Nelson.

We have a rare opportunity to use the rest of the year to prepare for the next two (which could be very big) the way our schedule is shaped. It really disappoints me that we're squandering that right now. I am not saying that Heaps is the future. But he could be. And I'd rather find out now than over another tumultuous offseason. Riley is not the answer. Like Goat said, he's the ultimate backup QB. Heaps may not be the answer but we need a setting outside of practice where he shines to see. As it stands, we have two shitty quarterbacks. One with potential. One with heart. Heaven help us Taysom Hill.

[BemidjiCoug]

Doman covered that as well. I can't remember exactly what he said but the gist was he was using plays/formations that we really weren't great at. The last couple of games he has been evolving things the other direction.

I actually think Doman has improved a lot since the first game. It sound to me like he's off in the right direction. Good for him.

I liked the play calling against SJSU. Thought that Doman got a little spooked by the Interceptions and got a little more conservative. Heck I would have to if I could run the ball for 5 yards a pop no problem.

The key is that Doman is willing to adjust. Something it sounds like Anae had trouble with.

[Shaka]

This is the only disappointing thing to me. Riley just isn't a very good Div 1 college QB. I know you hate when I say this, but Riley's ceiling will hurt us down the road. I don't know what more progress he can make aside from cutting down on the turnovers. And I just don't see that happening with his talent, particularly against much better defenses. He's going to win this year because Terrence Brown could win at QB with our remaining schedule. And I expect him to get a long leash this week, at TCU and at Hawaii because we won't be favored to win (I think we're -1 at Oregon State). So this means no more live reps for Heaps, barring injury to Nelson.

We have a rare opportunity to use the rest of the year to prepare for the next two (which could be very big) the way our schedule is shaped. It really disappoints me that we're squandering that right now. I am not saying that Heaps is the future. But he could be. And I'd rather find out now than over another tumultuous offseason. Riley is not the answer. Like Goat said, he's the ultimate backup QB. Heaps may not be the answer but we need a setting outside of practice where he shines to see. As it stands, we have two shitty quarterbacks. One with potential. One with heart. Heaven help us Taysom Hill.

I get why people are down on Riley. I also get that he is playing better than Jake.

I've already admitted that I find the, "play Jake because he's the future" argument is a valid one. My, "play the guy who's playing the best" argument is also valid.

A caller on Hans and OC just stated that from talking to some parents of players that Jake isn't well liked by a significant amount of the team. Hans confirmed that Jake has a small cadre of supporters but generally it is true that Jake has lost the team. He also agreed with me that Jake can rehabilitate this image if he humbles himself and works hard in practice.

If it's true that Riley has the support of his teammates coupled with the fact he's playing better, then it's very tough to put in Jake just to give him practice. Coaches lose teams and their jobs by doing this sort of thing.