[Schfourteenteen]

Obviously many people are frustrated with Brock Smith, and his productivity. He is the Junior, and hes been our starter for the better part of the last 3 seasons. We won with him last year, but this year he has shown the same issues he did before. Something I have noticed about him stat wise - His comp % has gone up each year(if you dont count Elon, around the same now) but the ypa has gone down significantly, as opposed to up. This, in my opinion, is showing me that he has not developed since he got here, and Rocco's playbook has turned from scoring td's to not losing the game, and it shows. he has as many picks as TD's and 2 of his games were against DII schools. Many have said if we do well its because of him, and the only way we go (now 8-3 at this point) is with Brock at the helm.

Spencer is a big unknown. He went 4-5, but against 4th stringers, so that doesnt say a whole bunch. However there are many things mechanically that he does right that Brock struggles with. His eyes and his ability to hit recievers down field before their routes break. He has always been behind Brock, so putting him infront may screw with everybody's psyche. Hes more mobile, and with StF coming to town, it may be a good time to get him adjusted to game speed before hitting Toledo.

Zach was a QB back in the day, and showed signs of life there. He moved to RB because that's where we needed him, and with the new "Dont lose the game playbook" has been a pine sitter for much of this season, even though he is one of our biggest threats. He hasnt practiced at QB since last year, so this move probably wouldnt be the "quick fix" that we need.

Mike Brown has been dubbed as our future. The dual threat QB is a Freshman who can open up the game with his arm as well as his feet(duh Im an idiot). Many people are calling for him, however he is being redshirted and at this point would waste a year of his eligibility. As someone said earlier, hes on the practice squad, so his timing with the first string offense would be another liability.

Personally Spencer should have the opportunity of a lifetime this week. Brock needs to sit next week, because he has proven the past 3 years he cannot lead us where we need to go. To be honest even if Brock has a good game this week I will never trust him at QB, and neither will his teammates, and thats where the problem is. We have an amazing WR in Wynton and how dare us WASTE his year with a qb who cant throw.

[thepostman]

Brock will start....

now should he start?? thats a whole other question....

[paradox]

If Brock starts, then our problems run much deeper than a QB problem.



Having said that, I think that Rocco is going to do what's in the best interest of the program. A change obviously needs to be made.



...

[jimflamesfan]

I think it's time to give Spencer Landis a chance. Not all the problems are with the QB...we need to find a way to stop the pass. But there is no downside to putting Landis in at this point.

For those who say Landis might not be as good as Brock...that scares me as well. Landis is a Rocco recruit. Brock was a Karcher recruit...I'm glad Brock stayed, and I'm glad Terell stayed...but if Landis isn't even close to the talent level of Brock, then I'm very worried about Rocco's recruiting...b/c the UVA pipeline will dry up eventually.

I'd like to see either Terell or Landis at this point as QB...and I'm actually against more offensive plays...a lot of our problems seem to be our receivers and QB aren't on the same page...maybe instead of lining up one play in the I, the next in the wishbone, then to the shotgun, then in the ace...maybe we could use a pro-set with Landis behind center, and Terell and Rashad in the backfield, and know what we're doing from there. Are we a spread team...are we an I team...are we a run-n-gun team...I don't know...our offense has no identity. I don't know football...but that's just my uninformed opinion as a fan.

[Cider Jim]

Well, I'm impressed by Landis' high school credentials:

Prep: Graduated from Dacula High School … three-year letterwinner … passed for 900 yards and 12 touchdowns, while rushing for 375 yards and four touchdowns as a junior … led his team to the Region 7 AAAAA championship during his junior campaign … first-team all-region, first-team all-county and first-team all-state as a senior, while throwing for 1,571 yards and a school-record 24 touchdowns … finished his senior year with a 12-2 overall record and as semifinalists in the AAAAA state playoffs … team was ranked third in the state his senior year.

http://www.libertyflames.com/index.cfm? ... 0&TeamID=9

[auntie ann]

I understand what you guys are saying about Brock, but I think if Landis were as good as everyone seems to think he would have remember Brock only played a little bit his freshman year, a real little bit, and last year he had Zach in whenever he made a mistake, I would have never felt confident in my position if I were him, but I can honestly say he never complained once, not once.. He tells me everyday what a great athlete Zach is, I mean he tells me his a total natural, he is not a boastful guy at all, and whoever said that is wrong in a big way. I know everyone is calling for Landis, but let us remember that the back up Qb is always the most popular guy on the team. I also want to point out if Liberty's defense would have shown up maybe elon would not have scored over 40 points. I am really thinking this blame goes far and wide. I think we should have let Brock throw more than 3 yards, and maybe we could have seen Zach, I mean why was he sitting the bench? I am hoping if Landis is in next week, that everyone gets what they want, but do not be so sure. I will not be convinced by anyone that Brock is not a good qb, look last week he brought us back against William and Mary, and he has a bad game and he is gone. I am biased, but I am also trying to be realistic..

[SuperJon]

If we would've had a drive last longer than four plays then our defense could've rested a little bit and wouldn't be a step slow the entire first half.

[FlamingChick]

I actually think Brock will start this week. However, I don't believe Rocco will tolerate much more of his inconsistantcy and, if he struggles, I think we'll see Landis by the 2nd Qtr. I dont know if Landis is the answer, but I think as backup QB he deserves a shot if Brock cant get the job done. I'm sure a lot of Rocco's decision will be based on practice this week and how well Landis performs there. We'll just have to wait and see what happens.

[SuperJon]

look last week he brought us back against William and Mary, and he has a bad game and he is gone. I am biased, but I am also trying to be realistic..

You know, you have a good point that he brought us back against W&M. The thing is, he personally stopped two drives by throwing horrible interceptions. Those were no one's fault but his. Both of them, especially the end zone one, there was no one around. We score in those situations instead of throwing horrible interceptions and we don't need the big comeback. I love Brock. He's a great kid. He's just not getting it done right now.

Will he start next week? Probably.

[auntie ann]

thanks guys, I appreciate you saying he was a good guy, I think at the end of the day, that means more to me than if he starts at QB, I want what it is best for the team, and appreciate you guys not yelling at me for being biased.

[thepostman]

thats the thing auntie ann...we love brock...which is why none of us...well almost none of us...were quick to throw him under the bus...but it gets to a point where something needs to change...and the QB position is probably one of them....as well as playing Zach more....

our offense needs to string together some drives in order for our defense to rest...not to say the defense isn't to blame at all, because they are....but if you get no time to rest you are going to be a step behind

[Knucklehead]

Brock will still start in MHO.

[auntie ann]

I agree, you guys have all been so supportve of Brock, I he was playing better, and agree we need what is best for thend if it is not Brock, that is theway it has to be, I admit I will cry myself to sleep.[ team. asize=7][/size]

[qkslvrsrfrboy]

ive mentioned my girlfriends uncle is the offensive line coordinator at notre dame. Whats the number one problem with notre dame this year? the offensive line. Hell be the first to tell you he is doing a poor job at this, and me and her are fine telling him how much he is sucking it up this year. Brock could be a good quarterback. Is he showing that right now? no. Yes he may have broughten us back last week, but as SJ said if he hadnt thrown a few interceptions he wouldnt have had to. Is brock talented? Yes, he has plenty of talent, hes playing FCS football as quarterback. However, right now he has no leadership or consistency. Until he has both of those, he (as well as the coaching staff) should not continue pretending he does and thus he should not be starting.

[Cider Jim]

Anybody stopping by a few practices this week to see if Landis gets more snaps and serious consideration for the starting job on Saturday? BJ & SJ, don't let us down: we're counting on some reports. This may even be more important than band practice and the couple in your biology class. Well, at least more important than band practice.

[Schfourteenteen]

I understand what you guys are saying about Brock, but I think if Landis were as good as everyone seems to think he would have remember Brock only played a little bit his freshman year, a real little bit, and last year he had Zach in whenever he made a mistake, I would have never felt confident in my position if I were him, but I can honestly say he never complained once, not once.. He tells me everyday what a great athlete Zach is, I mean he tells me his a total natural, he is not a boastful guy at all, and whoever said that is wrong in a big way. I know everyone is calling for Landis, but let us remember that the back up Qb is always the most popular guy on the team. I also want to point out if Liberty's defense would have shown up maybe elon would not have scored over 40 points. I am really thinking this blame goes far and wide. I think we should have let Brock throw more than 3 yards, and maybe we could have seen Zach, I mean why was he sitting the bench? I am hoping if Landis is in next week, that everyone gets what they want, but do not be so sure. I will not be convinced by anyone that Brock is not a good qb, look last week he brought us back against William and Mary, and he has a bad game and he is gone. I am biased, but I am also trying to be realistic..

Dont take this the wrong way, but there is not a single reason there as to why Brock should start. He is a great person from what I hear, but great people dont make great QB's, and how personable a guy is can only do so much until his play shows out. Form day one we have been behind him even as a freshman.

With the WM game you can say he broght us back but as others have already pointed out he helped us get in the position we were in there. He threw a 4th quarter pick, that was 5 feet behind Bolden (he must just be too fast or something). We were lucky even to have that 4th quarter drive.

Here is why he shouldnt. He stares down his recievers and he cant throw before someone breaks on their routes. He consistently misses open recievers, and he still cant hit anyone in the flats. Is Landis a better option? We have no idea. For our sake I hope Landis is better because this program deserves better play from the QB position. Doesnt matter what name is on the back, if you cant get it done you shouldnt be number one. If Brock has a great rest of the season then Im glad we stuck with him, but I dont know how much more we can take before we look somewhere else.

He did not have a good first game, and it was against a DII school. His second game was decent but its against a DII school again. William and Mary had people starting Mike Brown chants, and apparently last week, well I wasnt there but it didnt sound too good

[Purple Haize]

Gus Condon

[FlamingChick]

It seems as if the general consensus in the poll is that Landis will start on Saturday. I've got to wonder how much faith our coaching staff has in him?? He didn't touch the field against W&M (I think??) AND he only went in against Elon late in the game after Brock got hurt. If he is better than Brock, I wonder why Rocco didnt put him in during the first half??

[BlueCometAlum]

If brock smith plays next week it is important not to look at the stat line but how he performs. If he is still overthrowing receivers making poor decisions and doing the same things he did this week then regardless of the stats he should be pulled. This week is a game to pad stats. St Francis may be division 1 but they are a nonscholarship so tusculum and shippesburg would beat them by 30 points. they've lost to robert morris and morehead state. If smith cannot make the simple passes against this team he will have no chance with the better defenses we face later in the year. if i were the coach i would give him the start but would have him on a very short leash.

[ToTheLeft]

If we would've had a drive last longer than four plays then our defense could've rested a little bit and wouldn't be a step slow the entire first half.

I have yet to read the rest of the thread, but this statement is so true. I am a Buc's fan, and witness this quite frequently. You have to hold the ball and let the defense rest. The defense is running hard on every play, and every player is responsible to hustle. So they can't be out there for 15 minutes more than the offense.

And in terms of the offense, there is no better way to show everyone that they arent invincible than by taking the QB and putting him on the pine.

[ALAFlamesFan]

I actually think Brock will start this week. However, I don't believe Rocco will tolerate much more of his inconsistantcy and, if he struggles, I think we'll see Landis by the 2nd Qtr. I dont know if Landis is the answer, but I think as backup QB he deserves a shot if Brock cant get the job done. I'm sure a lot of Rocco's decision will be based on practice this week and how well Landis performs there. We'll just have to wait and see what happens.

I agree. Brock starts but with a short leash.

[BJWilliams]

Really I think that Brock is a great guy, and as I said in another post elsewhere, has shown flashes of brilliance at the quarterback position, but really this team is out of tune. Maybe giving Spencer the chance to start might be what this team needs to make beautiful music on the field again.

[Schfourteenteen]

Really I think that Brock is a great guy, and as I said in another post elsewhere, has shown flashes of brilliance at the quarterback position, but really this team is out of tune. Maybe giving Spencer the chance to start might be what this team needs to make beautiful music on the field again.

Well at least someone would be playing something

[JDUB]

I actually think Brock will start this week. However, I don't believe Rocco will tolerate much more of his inconsistantcy and, if he struggles, I think we'll see Landis by the 2nd Qtr. I dont know if Landis is the answer, but I think as backup QB he deserves a shot if Brock cant get the job done. I'm sure a lot of Rocco's decision will be based on practice this week and how well Landis performs there. We'll just have to wait and see what happens.

I agree. Brock starts but with a short leash.

ditto

[paradox]

It seems as if the general consensus in the poll is that Landis will start on Saturday. I've got to wonder how much faith our coaching staff has in him?? He didn't touch the field against W&M (I think??) AND he only went in against Elon late in the game after Brock got hurt. If he is better than Brock, I wonder why Rocco didnt put him in during the first half??

Zach Terrell has played only sparingly over the last couple of weeks, and he's pretty darn good.

The fact that Landis hasn't played doesn't necessarily mean that he's not good--it may mean that the coaching staff has been committed to Brock, at least up until this past Saturday.