[jcmanson]

I don't think we need him there. It's just better to have him there when we have Beecher at our disposal.

I guess need was the wrong word. We are better with the best people on the field, and I would imagaine having both Brennan and Brown on the field at the same time would be better than only have Brown.

[Hold My Own]

It's a toss up for me right now....hands down Brown is our best player....now that Summers is playing like we've been expecting I really dont mind MB being the QB...I just really think though having Summers and Brown playing good ball (in good conditions) as WR's we're unstoppable...however it's our running game that is keeping us from winning so maybe having that threat in MB as the QB is what opens up the passing game...I'm torn on this

[jimflamesfan]

There is another option. I wish we would have done this on Saturday. I think this could help a lot of our offensive problems.

Beecher at QB and Brown at HB. Especially when we're in shotgun. Hand it off to him sometimes for a draw. It may have made JMU's denfensive line think a little bit.

Also, if you don't hand it off to him, he can run a half-back route out in the flat underneath.

You could do split backs with him and Allen or Hayes. It would guarantee him more touches.

Think Zach Terrell.

[jimflamesfan]

Also, a play that seemed to work well was Brown running behind Bishop blocking for him...so put Brown as the HB with Bishop as the FB and Beecher as the QB in the "I" formation.

[coolhandluke]

Mike Brown is a quarterback... He is just stepping up and playing other positions for us right now. What I am afraid of is that he will transfer just so he can actually play QB somewhere. We almost lost ZT for the same reason. But the thing is, Mike Brown has a much better arm than ZT did. And Zach realized there wasn't much interest in him elsewhere as a QB and he didn't want to lose a year.

The scary thing here is that UVA sucks so bad right now, they may try to court Brown and get him to transfer to be their starting quarterback in 2011. They know they screwed up when they passed up on him. And if he's not able to play what he wants to play here, then he may just pull a Curry on us and transfer...

[Schfourteenteen]

I dont think it's that serious. I do think if Brown is the best QB and we have a good #2 reciever he should start, but again coaches do what's best for the team.

Unless they're named Jim Zorn

[Th3rd]

I dont think it's that serious. I do think if Brown is the best QB and we have a good #2 reciever he should start, but again coaches do what's best for the team.

Unless they're named Jim Zorn

i agree, i think Mike Brown stays no matter where he plays because he is a team player

[ToTheLeft]

You don't go from captain that everyone looks up to to crybaby transfer because you don't get to be the all-time QB. I have more faith in Mike than that.

[Schfourteenteen]

You don't go from captain that everyone looks up to to crybaby transfer because you don't get to be the all-time QB. I have more faith in Mike than that.

Brett Favre?

[ToTheLeft]

You don't go from captain that everyone looks up to to crybaby transfer because you don't get to be the all-time QB. I have more faith in Mike than that.

Brett Favre?

Brett Favre didn't have to sit out a year, plus he's old, past his prime, and just was an overall jerk about the situation.

[olldflame]

I have to say that speculating about Mike transfering to UVA, or any other FBS school is pretty far fetched. You do know that he has used his redshirt year, don't you? He would only be able to play one year. I don't think he would leave anyway, but when you add that into the equation, it's really unlikely.

[Champion]

Beecher. I can't wait to see what he's going to do in a game where we are the better team.

See NCCU 1st half

See Beecher's concussion at NCCU 1st quarter.

[TDDance234]

Brown.
Hands down.

We should have gone to him exclusively in the JMU game. We had no luck running the ball with anyone. I think if I was coaching (and there is a good reason I'm not. It's a lot easier on my couch), I would have spread them out 4-5 wide and just ran Brown wherever I could. We weren't going to complete too many passes in those conditions.

[SuperJon]

Mike Brown is a quarterback... He is just stepping up and playing other positions for us right now. What I am afraid of is that he will transfer just so he can actually play QB somewhere. We almost lost ZT for the same reason. But the thing is, Mike Brown has a much better arm than ZT did. And Zach realized there wasn't much interest in him elsewhere as a QB and he didn't want to lose a year.

The scary thing here is that UVA sucks so bad right now, they may try to court Brown and get him to transfer to be their starting quarterback in 2011. They know they screwed up when they passed up on him. And if he's not able to play what he wants to play here, then he may just pull a Curry on us and transfer...

Mike has said over and over he wants to do what's best for the team. You can see that he means it when you talk to him or see him. Last year he wasn't that sold on being a WR. I remember seeing him the day he got moved and he was pretty upset. This year he sees what he can do and how he can help the team from other positions. He's a captain for a reason.

[thepostman]

I think its impossible to answer this question. I think it depends on the situation...I thought, and still do, that with the conditions this past saturday that mike was the qb to go with...especially with no consistent running game...spread out the offense with 5 receivers and let mike go to work...maybe it wouldn't of worked, but I would've like to see how JMU reacted to that..

Regardless it is unfair to blame tommy for this loss or the wvu loss...

[SumItUp]

I'll accept whatever choice Coach Rocco makes.

[coolhandluke]

I think its impossible to answer this question. I think it depends on the situation...I thought, and still do, that with the conditions this past saturday that mike was the qb to go with...especially with no consistent running game...spread out the offense with 5 receivers and let mike go to work...maybe it wouldn't of worked, but I would've like to see how JMU reacted to that..

Regardless it is unfair to blame tommy for this loss or the wvu loss...

I blame him for both losses. He made bad decisions in the 4th quarter of both games and threw picks when we had a chance to make a drive that closed in on the opposition's lead. My overall problem is that until Beecher proves himself and actually plays a decent 4th quarter, then I will always be afraid to go into a 4th quarter with anything less than a two TD lead. If we have to make a drive for a TD to win the game, Beecher will never be able to do that. That's why, with Beecher, we will never win the big game.

So if we win out and then by some miracle we make the playoffs as a 9-2 team... I just don't feel comfortable putting the unconfident Beecher in a big playoff game. He'll probably do fine until the 4th quarter when the game is on the line. Then he'll probably choke. That's his history.

Now with all that being said... I hope I am wrong. I hope he proves me wrong, if Rocco is still sold on having him as the starter. I hope we are put in the position to win a game on the last drive and Beecher stays cool and calm and throws for a TD instead of a pick...

But I just don't see that happening.

[Kolzilla41]

I think its impossible to answer this question. I think it depends on the situation...I thought, and still do, that with the conditions this past saturday that mike was the qb to go with...especially with no consistent running game...spread out the offense with 5 receivers and let mike go to work...maybe it wouldn't of worked, but I would've like to see how JMU reacted to that..

Regardless it is unfair to blame tommy for this loss or the wvu loss...

I blame him for both losses. He made bad decisions in the 4th quarter of both games and threw picks when we had a chance to make a drive that closed in on the opposition's lead. My overall problem is that until Beecher proves himself and actually plays a decent 4th quarter, then I will always be afraid to go into a 4th quarter with anything less than a two TD lead. If we have to make a drive for a TD to win the game, Beecher will never be able to do that. That's why, with Beecher, we will never win the big game.

So if we win out and then by some miracle we make the playoffs as a 9-2 team... I just don't feel comfortable putting the unconfident Beecher in a big playoff game. He'll probably do fine until the 4th quarter when the game is on the line. Then he'll probably choke. That's his history.

Now with all that being said... I hope I am wrong. I hope he proves me wrong, if Rocco is still sold on having him as the starter. I hope we are put in the position to win a game on the last drive and Beecher stays cool and calm and throws for a TD instead of a pick...

But I just don't see that happening.

Luke,
don't forget Mike 3 boneheaded plays himself in game. He took losses of 5 yds or more instead of throwing the ball away when we was quarterbacking. We stand the best chance if they are both on the field at the same time. If Mike is lined up at WR, Chris Summers is out next best option. If Mike is lined up at RB, and Chris Summers at WR, then we have the ability to run or pass.

[ballah09]

Beecher

[TylerBakersGonnaBGreat]

Brown. Compare all you want skill package, but "You play to win the game" and Until Mike Loses a game for us Ill stand on wanting Mike at QB

[Chris Lang]

This is a really good discussion. As an outside observer, my thought is that I don't have enough information to make a conclusive decision on who should be the guy, or what system would work best. As others have pointed out, it was not Beecher's fault that Will Quarles dropped a touchdown pass against North Carolina Central, or that the special teams crapped the bad for the entirety of that first half.

And when Beecher came in Saturday down 17-10, the rain was harder than it had been all night and he was forced to try to make a play down the field with a ball that probably had the weight of a block of concrete. I'm going to give him a pass there. I do think he tried to force that ball against West Virginia, but he had moved the ball well all game up to that point. I don't think Mike Brown completes that pass either.

Another thing to remember about Brown, regarding the Lafayette game. At that point, no one had any film, any pictures of what a Mike-Brown-at-QB game looked like. Lafayette probably had a heck of a time coming up with a defensive game plan that week, and there was a little bit, at least, of an element of surprise. Not to take anything away from Brown, who was spectacular that night, but it had to have been a factor in some regard.

I'd like to see Beecher get more reps in a game where he's not coming off a devastating hit before I call him a dud. Just not enough information yet, IMHO.

[Champion]

This is a really good discussion. As an outside observer, my thought is that I don't have enough information to make a conclusive decision on who should be the guy, or what system would work best. As others have pointed out, it was not Beecher's fault that Will Quarles dropped a touchdown pass against North Carolina Central, or that the special teams crapped the bad for the entirety of that first half.

And when Beecher came in Saturday down 17-10, the rain was harder than it had been all night and he was forced to try to make a play down the field with a ball that probably had the weight of a block of concrete. I'm going to give him a pass there. I do think he tried to force that ball against West Virginia, but he had moved the ball well all game up to that point. I don't think Mike Brown completes that pass either.

Another thing to remember about Brown, regarding the Lafayette game. At that point, no one had any film, any pictures of what a Mike-Brown-at-QB game looked like. Lafayette probably had a heck of a time coming up with a defensive game plan that week, and there was a little bit, at least, of an element of surprise. Not to take anything away from Brown, who was spectacular that night, but it had to have been a factor in some regard.

I'd like to see Beecher get more reps in a game where he's not coming off a devastating hit before I call him a dud. Just not enough information yet, IMHO.

I agree with Chris on this one. My biggest complaint is that Beecher isn't getting good protection. Also, look at the run game. Offensive line is the biggest problem this team has right now. Brown and Beecher are quality QB's. Frankly, I would be fine with either, but having Brown as a receiver has big advantages. Unfortunately he can't throw to himself. Only Summers has proven a steady target at this point and every team LU plays knows this. Give Beecher a fighting chance ... and a little protection.

[SuperJon]

Mike Brown screwed up just as much as Tommy did on Saturday. You can't even have this discussion if you're not willing to admit that.

[jcmanson]

Mike Brown does no wrong

[FlamingChick]

Brown.

I don't think Beecher is a bad QB by any means, but at this point, from what we've seen so far, I think Mike at QB gives us the best chance to win and will be a positive thing for the team in the long run as he gets more experience running the offense. We've seen what he does with very little practice at QB. What can he do if he focuses on that position? I understand Rocco's reasoning for bringing Beecher in and why he elected to start the season with Beecher starting due to Beecher's experience, our lack of experience at the WR position, and maybe Spencer's elbow issue(?). However, I don't think Rocco knew how good or how ready Mike was to play QB. I think I read or saw in one of the press conferences where someone asked Rocco if he expected that type of performance from Mike as QB and he said "No". I think we've now seen that Mike is ready to run the offense AND we have very capable WRs ready to step up (Summers, Brown, Eden, Garner). Also, it seems like when Mike is at QB that opens up the run. Not just for him to run the ball, but for th hand off, the fake, the option, etc. When he is under center, the opposing defenses have a lot more to consider. Not to say that Beecher isn't mobile, but he's definitely not as mobile as Mike. Beecher takes an opportunity if it presents itself, but Mike makes plays. Beecher runs and slides down, 9 times out of 10, Mike runs and takes the hit, spins, and gains another couple of yards before he goes down. That's the difference.

We are 2-2 and may not go to the playoffs, but we still have a very good chance to take the Big South again. We have a young team that needs to gel together. Rocco keeps saying that Mike is the QB of the future. I think the future is now. Let your guys who are going to carry this team for the next couple of years get some playing time (especially the WRs) b/c they are the ones that really need the experience.