[4everfsu]

Quarterback spot could be a rotating one for Liberty this season

By Chris Lang
Sports writer
Published: August 1, 2009

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Mike Brown arrived at Friday’s Big South media day in a dark gray suit with a pressed black shirt and tie, looking every bit the part of a leader. A Liberty sophomore, Brown earned that role during spring practice, when he impressed Flames coach Danny Rocco so much that he made Brown one of six team captains.

The only other sophomore to earn captain honors under Rocco, running back Rashad Jennings, is preparing to head off to the Jacksonville Jaguars’ training camp, so Brown is in select company.

Now the burning question: Will Brown be Liberty’s first-string quarterback on Sept. 5, when the Flames open their season at West Virginia?

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[coolhandluke]

Lang, I thought captains were voted on by the team, not selected by Coach.

[Chris Lang]

Good point there. Oversight on my part. I think Rocco still has to sign off on it, but you're correct.

[coolhandluke]

I'm sure Rocco has to sign off on it, but he opens it up to the team to choose their own captains. He doesn't choose them himself...

[Sly Fox]

Beyond the nitpicking, well done story by Chris. Can't wait until the Hillcats season is over (no offense, HMO) so we can Chris concentrating on our world everyday (yeah, I know he still has UVa duties as well).

[Chris Lang]

My UVa duties will be extremely limited in the fall. And once practice begins next week, there will be more of a focus on LU on my end and less on the Cats, since essentially, they're playing meaningless games until the playoffs start.

[Sly Fox]

You could argue they are playing ... nevermind. Sorry, HMO.

[RJ]

As usual, that was a good read Chris. It really clears up Rocco's thoughts on that controversial QB situation heading into camp. Sounds like he is prepared for any outcome...regardless of who "wins" the starting job at camp.

[jcmanson]

Rocco is supposed to name a starter in the next few days. After reading all of the training camp info from the various media outlets, I think it will be Beecher. Brown will get snaps from there though, I would guess about 10-12 per game, and the rest of the time he will be lined up as a WR.

[Sly Fox]

And starter for WVU wouldn't necessarily indicate starter for the season. I'm just guessing but I would presume that Beecher gets the call to start Saturday based in part because of his experience in large venues making it not as much of a factor as it would be for Mike. But I'll bet they both see plenty of action and the player that shows the most spark against the Mountaineers gets the call in Week Two.

[SuperJon]

Both have had a good camp at quarterback. The thing that I think puts Beecher over the top is how good of a wide receiver Mike has turned into. He could quite possibly be the best receiver in the conference. He catches anything thrown his way, is extremely fast, and can run through traffic. I saw him catch a fade route in the end zone behind his back after the defender knocked it away.

[El Scorcho]

Both have had a good camp at quarterback. The thing that I think puts Beecher over the top is how good of a wide receiver Mike has turned into. He could quite possibly be the best receiver in the conference. He catches anything thrown his way, is extremely fast, and can run through traffic. I saw him catch a fade route in the end zone behind his back after the defender knocked it away.

Based on Lang's assessment of the receivers, I'd say we might need Brown out there if his hands are that solid. It's not that our receivers sounded bad, but the lack of experience was clearly indicated by Lang's review. We've had a go to guy out there for so long I think that it's become easy to take the big/good catches for granted. I'm all for Brown being on the other side of the throws if Beecher has what it takes.

[Rooster Cogburn]

This is starting to sound like what I've been saying all along. Beecher fits Rocco's offence best with Mike providing "new looks". Mike is as SJ says an absolutely amazing WR and could really break out in that position. I say Beecher is the man with Mike at WR and a wildcat who throws from time to time. Again reinforcing the thought that Beecher came here to play and Rocco brought him in to fill a 1 year NEED.

[SuperJon]

We've got a ton of talent at wide receiver. Thursday night they showed that big time. Pat Kelly caught a pass on the sidelines that was just sick. Freddie Brown caught one that I still can't believe he caught. Jimmy Eden was slick going across the middle. And then Chris Summers caught a pass in the end zone that I can't believe he held onto.

I think you'll see Mike take a lot more than 10-12 snaps at quarterback. There are just too many things we can do with him back there and he's just too good to keep from being back there.

[El Scorcho]

We've got a ton of talent at wide receiver. Thursday night they showed that big time. Pat Kelly caught a pass on the sidelines that was just sick. Freddie Brown caught one that I still can't believe he caught. Jimmy Eden was slick going across the middle. And then Chris Summers caught a pass in the end zone that I can't believe he held onto.

To be clear, I wasn't questioning our available talent at WR. The potential was quite evident in Lang's review as well. It was just clear that there's a lack of experience at the position. I have no doubt these guys can make big catches, but game experience just isn't there yet. I like the idea of Brown being in there for catches.

Of course, I also like having options. Options are good, especially in football.

[JK37]

Thursday night they showed that big time. Pat Kelly caught a pass on the sidelines that was just sick. Freddie Brown caught one that I still can't believe he caught. Jimmy Eden was slick going across the middle. And then Chris Summers caught a pass in the end zone that I can't believe he held onto.

Do you happen to recall from whom these catches were being passed, Brown or Beecher?

Also, guys, let's not forget that Beecher didn't have Spring Ball. It might still take.a few weeks into the season for Beecher to be ready.

[SuperJon]

Beecher threw the one to Summers. Brennan threw the one to Kelly. I think Mike through the one to Freddie.

[flafan]

Chris Lang's Twitter just said that Beecher will start at West Virginia and he'll be posting soon on his blog. Just FYI.

[ToTheLeft]

Chris Lang's Twitter just said that Beecher will start at West Virginia and he'll be posting soon on his blog. Just FYI.

I really like this. I think having Mike Brown play all over the field, including some snaps under center, will be best for the team. He is too great of an athlete to have him just play QB.

[Chris Lang]

Blog update posted. New depth chart, DL preview, QB talk.

http://tinyurl.com/mtkhyz

[flameshaw]

Blog update posted. New depth chart, DL preview, QB talk.

http://tinyurl.com/mtkhyz

As always, thanks for the good coverage.

[Chris Lang]

Thanks for reading!