A Sea Of Red

Happy New Year FlameFans!

As we begin 2015, the hearts of many fans are still on the end of what turned out to be a very special season in 2014. With the Flames clinching at least a share of their 7th title since 2007, as well as not only garnering the first playoff bid in school history, but also he first playoff victory in school history, its time to look at the players who will be tasked with building on that success, and we will start by looking at the triggermen in the first of our three looks at the 2015 Liberty Flames

Players Lost
Javan Shashaty No 2014 Passing Stats

This is probably the loss with the smallest impact on the team depth, but it was the player that made one of the biggest plays of the season in the playoff win over JMU. Shashaty, who came to the mountain as the all time leader in FL state history in passing TDs, ran for 26 yards on a fake field goal to keep a drive alive. He could not however outrun his dreams, as he aspires to enter the ministry. He showed flashes of potential on the field, but never quite got the chance to play extended time behind starter Josh Woodrum (more on him below)

Players Returning

Josh Woodrum 210-339 2947 Yds 19 TDs 10 INT 2014 Big South All-Conference Second Team
Stephon Masha 42-66 546 Yds 5 TD 4 INT
JT Bradwell No 2014 Stats (Redshirt)
Bo Swanson No 2014 Stats

Woodrum had another banner year, passing for nearly 3000 yards and closing in on some hallowed passing records in Flames football history. The former Jerry Rice Award finalist made significant strides, especially in his deep passes. He will likely be pushed by Masha, but is still the odds on favorite to be the opening day starter against Delaware State.

Masha, the redshirt freshman from GA, came in despite much controversy on the condition of starter Woodrum in the runup to the Charleston Southern game last year, but after a rough start in that game, showed how great a QB can be in leading the Flames in that game, as well as the upset win over #1 Coastal Carolina down in Conway. If anything happens to the senior at the top, I don't think there will be much (if any) dropoff between the two.

Bradwell, a late addition to the 2014 recruiting class just before signing day, redshirted in 2014 and with Shashaty's departure, will likely start spring practice as the #3 QB ahead of LCA grad Swanson. He is a similar QB to Masha and it will be interesting to see him as he gets his first game action in the fall and hopefully gives Flames fans something to look forward to in 2016.

Masha also showed that passing is not his strong suit

That is something they can work with him on during spring ball. He probably will go in as the #2 and get plenty of first and second team reps and work out the kinks in his passing

Why will he get "plenty" of first team reps?

BJWilliams wrote:That is something they can work with him on during spring ball. He probably will go in as the #2 and get plenty of first and second team reps and work out the kinks in his passing

You either got it or you don't. He doesn't have the arm.

I figure he will get a chance to work with both the first and second team in spring ball and getting him reps with the first team in the fall, even as Josh's backup, will be helpful if something should happen to the starter (injury and what have you)

Purple Haize wrote:Masha also showed that passing is not his strong suit

He just needs to quicken his release some, he'll be fine. Not sure about Bradwell and his arm, accuracy, release and foot speed, not to mention being able to read defenses. The coaches know the answers to this since it is they who work with him and they who recruited him. Sure would like to see him in live action.

Purple Haize wrote:Masha also showed that passing is not his strong suit

that's a real "iffy" comment seeing as how both qbs in there first cpl games did adequate, with Masha going 2-0 and Josh being 1-1, and that's giving him the two extra games where he split time with Hudson. I do believe that one of the points of emphasis for Josh to work on this year per HCTG was his deep ball accuracy. So in saying that, I believe that for that to come to fruition would be to be on the field, and he just may have to sit another year before we can really see what comes about.

To me I think what happens is if the slot position is not solidified that Masha gets a shot there if and only if Bradwell shows that he is competent enough to be Masha-like this coming year, with the RS year under his belt.

forbidden wrote:

Purple Haize wrote:Masha also showed that passing is not his strong suit

that's a real "iffy" comment seeing as how both qbs in there first cpl games did adequate, with Masha going 2-0 and Josh being 1-1, and that's giving him the two extra games where he split time with Hudson. I do believe that one of the points of emphasis for Josh to work on this year per HCTG was his deep ball accuracy. So in saying that, I believe that for that to come to fruition would be to be on the field, and he just may have to sit another year before we can really see what comes about.

To me I think what happens is if the slot position is not solidified that Masha gets a shot there if and only if Bradwell shows that he is competent enough to be Masha-like this coming year, with the RS year under his belt.

Not iffy at all. The film doesn't lie. He is not very accurate and doesn't have a lot of arm strength. The kids a great athlete and needs to be on the field. Just not sure QB is where it needs to be

forbidden wrote:

Purple Haize wrote:Masha also showed that passing is not his strong suit

that's a real "iffy" comment seeing as how both qbs in there first cpl games did adequate, with Masha going 2-0 and Josh being 1-1,

What does that have to do with accuracy or arm strength?

Masha is 1-1 as a starter

Josh first two games 34-44 and 20-27, pretty accurate but even back then he was hit and miss on the deep ball, but now he is a junior soon to be senior and HCTG is still pushing accuracy.


Comp.% Yards/Att. TD% Int.% NCAA QB Rating
129.41176470588235 9.470588235294117 5.88235294117647 2.941176470588235 222.49411764705883

Comp.% Yards/Att. TD% Int.% NCAA QB Rating
135 11.8 10 5 257.12


Masha games are 21-32 and 20-33, without the privilege of those other two games like josh had. With that being said, Masha is only a RSF, so imo, I would think the greater upside could/would be with Masha.


Comp.% Yards/Att. TD% Int.% NCAA QB Rating
152.38095238095238 11.333333333333334 19.047619047619047 14.285714285714284 281.8666666666667

Comp.% Yards/Att. TD% Int.% NCAA QB Rating
165 14.25 5 5 291.2

jcmanson wrote:Masha is 1-1 as a starter

you are correct I was looking at the JMU game and that was Josh

Don't get me wrong, Josh as we all know def has more exp and should lead this team, I just don't think that its so clear cut, oh he doesn't have the arm strength, in Masha, because I just don't believe that to be true. Bottom line is this team will only go as far as Josh takes them, and if he wants to be considered in that top bunch of qbs like Robertson, who was a one man wrecking crew, he is gonna have to have a great year.

Josh will be the starter, without question I believe. about the only way I think Masha becomes the starter is if he basically blows everybody away in either spring ball or fall camp, and Josh really doesnt step up to an even higher level than he did over last season.

If Josh can just get past that 1-2 brain farts per game, he'll go from good to great.

Masha is a very good athlete and did a fantastic job when given the chance. Winning the game at CCU was extraordinary. However, he does not have a lot of arm strength and has trouble throwing the ball over the OL/DL, his release is way too high.
As someone else said, he belongs on the field, not sure he is the long-term answer at QB. Looking forward to next year though.

flameshaw wrote:Masha is a very good athlete and did a fantastic job when given the chance. Winning the game at CCU was extraordinary. However, he does not have a lot of arm strength and has trouble throwing the ball over the OL/DL, his release is way too high.
As someone else said, he belongs on the field, not sure he is the long-term answer at QB. Looking forward to next year though.

That was me!

This tea doesn't need a QB with better "up side" which with Masha is very debate able at best. This team needs a seasoned QB who has been there/done that. A few years ago when we went with Josh we needed someone with upside because we were young and building something

Im interested to see how Bradwell does now that he will join the battle. I'm sure you'll see us pick up a QB in this last month of the recruiting with the dead period ending on Saturday, but I would like to see how the situation develops over the next month

Purple Haize wrote:

flameshaw wrote:Masha is a very good athlete and did a fantastic job when given the chance. Winning the game at CCU was extraordinary. However, he does not have a lot of arm strength and has trouble throwing the ball over the OL/DL, his release is way too high.
As someone else said, he belongs on the field, not sure he is the long-term answer at QB. Looking forward to next year though.

That was me!

This tea doesn't need a QB with better "up side" which with Masha is very debate able at best. This team needs a seasoned QB who has been there/done that. A few years ago when we went with Josh we needed someone with upside because we were young and building something

In the grand scheme of things with what this team has coming back the "BIG 3" will all be seniors, so I can understand the/your mentality of been there done that, but as soon as he leave, I guess your gonna say the cupboard isnt bare because now Masha has been there done that, with his barring unforeseen injury last meaningful game would have been over a year ago, and getting him on the field in some capacity probably means less qb work. Its def a problem the staff will have to figure out because you will then have Bradwell trying to get some burn, you still have 6-6 Bo Swanson included. So now the next years team will be what "young and building something" to right. NOTHING can prepare you for the games like being in the game.

forbidden wrote:

Purple Haize wrote:

flameshaw wrote:Masha is a very good athlete and did a fantastic job when given the chance. Winning the game at CCU was extraordinary. However, he does not have a lot of arm strength and has trouble throwing the ball over the OL/DL, his release is way too high.
As someone else said, he belongs on the field, not sure he is the long-term answer at QB. Looking forward to next year though.

That was me!

This tea doesn't need a QB with better "up side" which with Masha is very debate able at best. This team needs a seasoned QB who has been there/done that. A few years ago when we went with Josh we needed someone with upside because we were young and building something

In the grand scheme of things with what this team has coming back the "BIG 3" will all be seniors, so I can understand the/your mentality of been there done that, but as soon as he leave, I guess your gonna say the cupboard isnt bare because now Masha has been there done that, with his barring unforeseen injury last meaningful game would have been over a year ago, and getting him on the field in some capacity probably means less qb work. Its def a problem the staff will have to figure out because you will then have Bradwell trying to get some burn, you still have 6-6 Bo Swanson included. So now the next years team will be what "young and building something" to right. NOTHING can prepare you for the games like being in the game.

C
Teams have been graduating QB's for a long time. I'm sure we will be just fine. IMO, we don't have a clear cut heir apparent at QB after Josh, but that's nothing unusual. With Masha's experience it gives him a leg up against the others who want to be the starting QB in 2016. Again, though, Masha has a great skill set that needs to be on the field

flameshaw wrote:Masha is a very good athlete and did a fantastic job when given the chance. Winning the game at CCU was extraordinary. However, he does not have a lot of arm strength and has trouble throwing the ball over the OL/DL, his release is way too high.
As someone else said, he belongs on the field, not sure he is the long-term answer at QB. Looking forward to next year though.

The same thing someone asked me earlier, I hear he doesn't have the "arm strength" but in reality how can you say he doesn't. Are you telling me he can't throw the deep ball, because what other measures are you going to use. We have no route combinations or routes in general where he has to throw the deep out from the opposite hash. All the routes that are thrown is quick out, curl slant, post, fly, seam and corner, nothing else. For that matter both qb's at times for whatever reason have underthrown the fly so whats the REAL point of the "arm strength" discussion and YES he can make all these throws just like Josh can. Now the best thing to work on IMO would be accuracy and that could be applied to both of them, but also all the factors surrounding the throw has to be applied as well.

If you were coaching where would YOU ascertain that the team would be best suited to play Masha to have his skill set benefiting the team.

forbidden wrote:

flameshaw wrote:Masha is a very good athlete and did a fantastic job when given the chance. Winning the game at CCU was extraordinary. However, he does not have a lot of arm strength and has trouble throwing the ball over the OL/DL, his release is way too high.
As someone else said, he belongs on the field, not sure he is the long-term answer at QB. Looking forward to next year though.

The same thing someone asked me earlier, I hear he doesn't have the "arm strength" but in reality how can you say he doesn't. Are you telling me he can't throw the deep ball, because what other measures are you going to use. We have no route combinations or routes in general where he has to throw the deep out from the opposite hash. All the routes that are thrown is quick out, curl slant, post, fly, seam and corner, nothing else. For that matter both qb's at times for whatever reason have underthrown the fly so whats the REAL point of the "arm strength" discussion and YES he can make all these throws just like Josh can. Now the best thing to work on IMO would be accuracy and that could be applied to both of them, but also all the factors surrounding the throw has to be applied as well.

No. He can't. If I was coaching I would want to know what kind of hands he has to try him at receiver. RB is an obvious spot but we are crowded there. DB could be an option.

guess we would agree to disagree that he can't, but I guess for two games that's enough of a window, to ascertain that thought. But lets see if we go back and look he didnt get to have the the only other person on the roster to stretch the field in Shells, since he was hurt. So the opportunities to maybe hit the deep shots probably were a bit more forced, with both teams doubling Petey in most situations, and we didnt go deep with anyone else.