[jcmanson]

It's too early to call for Brock's head. Yes, he had a rough game, yes, he was inconsistent last year, but we don't have a chance to make the playoffs without him. You think Landis or Brown will be able to jump right in and be better than Brock was last week? I don't think so, maybe after 2 or 3 games and by then it would be too late. We have to ride Brock out this year. Until we have a ruined season i.e. 3 or more losses, Brock is our guy. If we do end up having 3 or more losses and Brock has played like he did last week all year, then I'd say put in Landis.

WE CANNOT MAKE THE PLAYOFFS OR GO AT LEAST 9-2 WITHOUT BROCK.

If we don't have any QB's who can throw a few TD passes against a D-2 defense that was clearly focused on the run, then our season was over before it started, in terms of making a playoff run.


..

It doesn't matter how they fare against Tusculum or Shippensburg, all that matters is how they fare against W&M, Elon, Coastal, GW, etc. Brock has shown in the past that he can get the job done, I trust that he will do the same this year.

I agree with Steveev, we have to give Brock through the W&M game. If we lose that, then we can start talking about a change. And by then, our playoff chances would be shot. So, I reiterate: WE CANNOT MAKE THE PLAYOFFS OR GO AT LEAST 9-2 WITHOUT BROCK.

[paradox]

Certainly, we approach it as if we're capable of winning every game. We'll most likely need a huge game from our QB in order to knock off Toledo.

William & Mary is a very winnable game for us, but a lackluster performance at QB and an overall failure to be opportunistic in the passing game has the potential to sink us in Williamsburg.


...

[paradox]

It's too early to call for Brock's head. Yes, he had a rough game, yes, he was inconsistent last year, but we don't have a chance to make the playoffs without him. You think Landis or Brown will be able to jump right in and be better than Brock was last week? I don't think so, maybe after 2 or 3 games and by then it would be too late. We have to ride Brock out this year. Until we have a ruined season i.e. 3 or more losses, Brock is our guy. If we do end up having 3 or more losses and Brock has played like he did last week all year, then I'd say put in Landis.

WE CANNOT MAKE THE PLAYOFFS OR GO AT LEAST 9-2 WITHOUT BROCK.

If we don't have any QB's who can throw a few TD passes against a D-2 defense that was clearly focused on the run, then our season was over before it started, in terms of making a playoff run.


..

It doesn't matter how they fare against Tusculum or Shippensburg, all that matters is how they fare against W&M, Elon, Coastal, GW, etc. Brock has shown in the past that he can get the job done, I trust that he will do the same this year.

I agree with Steveev, we have to give Brock through the W&M game. If we lose that, then we can start talking about a change. And by then, our playoff chances would be shot. So, I reiterate: WE CANNOT MAKE THE PLAYOFFS OR GO AT LEAST 9-2 WITHOUT BROCK.

Actually, we don't know enough about Spencer Landis at this point in terms of making a proper evaluation regarding what he can or cannot do.


...

[paradox]

If we don't have any QB's who can throw a few TD passes against a D-2 defense that was clearly focused on the run, then our season was over before it started, in terms of making a playoff run.


..

It doesn't matter how they fare against Tusculum or Shippensburg, all that matters is how they fare against W&M, Elon, Coastal, GW, etc. Brock has shown in the past that he can get the job done, I trust that he will do the same this year.

I agree with Steveev, we have to give Brock through the W&M game. If we lose that, then we can start talking about a change. And by then, our playoff chances would be shot. So, I reiterate: WE CANNOT MAKE THE PLAYOFFS OR GO AT LEAST 9-2 WITHOUT BROCK.

Actually, we don't know enough about Spencer Landis at this point in terms of making a proper evaluation regarding what he can or cannot do.


...

Also, I wouldn't rule Zach out as an option, especially in week-3.

..

[Knucklehead]

Not sure how this thread has spiraled into a Brock Bash fest. I want to assure that was not my intention when starting the thread. I think Brock is the only option at this point if we are to have the breakout year. I simply wondered what the issue was. I don't think you can say we need to give him the hook after 1 game. It is the first full speed action they have seen in 10 months or so. Brock will be fine I believe, but he must turn the corner by game 3. It will take big improvement to start next Sat.

[Stevev]

I think that Brock will be fine ounce he works the bugs out. He have too much talent on this team for us to fall by the wayside as in years past, at least I hope so.


Loosing to William and Mary is unacceptable.

[ludeal]

coach streeter has been preaching ball security, that is something that i noticed this week. Yes he threw an interception, but it was a great play by a D line men, not neccesarily a bad throw, Brock was really reluctant to throw any balls that would be up for grabs so to speak. This is where i think that he has to trust that WJ and BT are going to make big plays for him. BUT BALL SECURITY IS GOOOOOOD.............

[FlamingChick]

No, really, let's cut Brock a little slack here. From what we've heard and read, Brock looked really solid during training camp. Maybe he was just nervous with it being the first game? I've only seen Brock play in a total of two games (and I guess you can't really count the spring game?)... But if he's not as BAD as he was at the beginning of last year, but not as GOOD as he was at the END of last year (or training camp for that matter...), it HAS to be something besides a pure lack of skill, right??? I say lets sit back and see how this week goes against Shippensburg, and hopefully it will be a LOT better. If the first half of the game is as bad offensively as last game, I'd think we'd see Rocco change things up a bit and maybe give Landis a few series to see how he performs under pressure. Might even see Brown, but I doubt Rocco would burn the redshirt unless it's absolutely necessary. Hopefully we'll get our offense together by game #3 and wont have another thread like this

[PAmedic]

Hopefully we'll get our offense together by game #3 and wont have another thread like this

don't count on it- there's ALWAYS threads like this on here

[jimflamesfan]

I think it was first game jitters. We have to stick with Brock through at least the first 2 games. If we get a big lead this Saturday, Landis will get some reps, I would think.

If Brock messes up at W&M, then maybe we switch to Landis...but Brock's the senior...and I think he can get it done...it's just that he didn't play to his potential on Saturday...hopefully that will be corrected this week.

[jcmanson]

I think it was first game jitters. We have to stick with Brock through at least the first 2 games. If we get a big lead this Saturday, Landis will get some reps, I would think.

If Brock messes up at W&M, then maybe we switch to Landis...but Brock's the senior...and I think he can get it done...it's just that he didn't play to his potential on Saturday...hopefully that will be corrected this week.

He's actually only a junior

[TIMSCAR20]

Ok, Brock may have missed some throws but it is far too early to talk about Spencer Landis or anyone else. I think the offense as a unit was not very cohesive and you can't put all of that on Brock when you have 11 players on the field. There were some drops and definitely some breakdowns in protection. I was surprised that we had to resort to rolling him out of the pocket a lot just to get passes off. I was up close to Brock a lot during the game and I was looking at his demeanor and not one time did he seem rattled or jittery. He seemed like a confident JR QB that was a little frustrated at times but hardly nervous. I think he will be fine. He needs to get his passing percentage up a little but I think he is the one for the job.

[FlamingChick]

I didnt realize that Brock has been playing since his Freshman year, until I just read his bio online. I'm more convinced now that last Saturday was due to first game jitters. I can't imagine a QB with that much experience under his belt playing like that. Also, it looks like he's had a decent career at LU looking at the stats from previous years. I know stats can be deceiving at times, but I don't think Rocco and Co. would keep him in there if they didn't think he could perform. They have other QBs they can turn to, and the first 2-3 games would be the time to do that, before we get too deep into the season. Listening to Rocco's press conference there seemed to be a variety of issues Saturday night with the passing game, so it was not all Brock's fault. You can have an all-american receiver, but he's no good to you if you dont have a QB that can get him the ball--and on the same note, you can have an awesome drop back passer in your QB, but if your receivers can't catch, well, it doesnt matter. They've got to get on the same page.

[PAmedic]

the Chick is right.

(I'm sure you needed my validation )

[auntie ann]

Thanks Scar for the support of Brock, but I just think it was because Mrs. Buttersworth was at the game.... He will have the jitters workded out this week.. Things will look up.. Auntie Ann

[PAmedic]

I knew it wouldn't be long 'til you got wind of this thread!

he'll get 'em next week, right?

take care of that for us- and don't forget the punting thing too

[auntie ann]

I sure will, thanks for the support, I had a great time. We ned to start a punting petition. He also was the field goal kicker in high school.

[Sly Fox]

I'm going on record as stating the much of the success of the team is predicated on Brock's improvement. So count me among those strongly in his corner as he gets on track this Saturday.

[Knucklehead]

I'm with you. Brock IS our QB. He is the only one that can make this the good to great season. I for one will not jump off the Brock bandwagon. He'll be fine. I just think he and the WRs need to make sure this week they get and stay on the same page. GO LU!

[El Scorcho]

I really think it was first-game jitters as well. Go Brock, go.

They just have some things they need to out.

Man. I've been waiting for so long to use that emoticon.

[Sly Fox]

The take from Chris in his LU Notebook ...

No simple answer

Brock Smith's stat line from Saturday's 38-14 win over Tusculum wasn't much different than any of his performances in 2006 - 13-for-25, 145 yards, no touchdowns, one interception.

Therein lies the problem. Because the Flames were returning so much personnel in the passing game - the starting QB, top three receivers and tight end all started last year - LU coach Danny Rocco expected a much sharper performance in Saturday's opener.

He spread blame to all areas of the passing game; from Smith's accuracy, to the reliability of the receivers' hands, to breakdowns in protection on the offensive line.

"Most of (Smith's) reads were good, and most of his decisions were good. He just wasn't accurate," Rocco said. "That was disappointing.

"We had much, much higher expectations of what we'd thought we'd be able to do. We thought we'd have a much easier time throwing it and catching it, so we have to get that righted here ASAP."

Click Here for Full Story

[SuperJon]

Have you guys that played sports, whether in high school, college, pick-up ball, etc ever played against someone (or a team) that was athletic but their fundamentals were just so bad that you couldn't get in sync?

[TIMSCAR20]

Have you guys that played sports, whether in high school, college, pick-up ball, etc ever played against someone (or a team) that was athletic but their fundamentals were just so bad that you couldn't get in sync?

Yes. It is kind of like when a boxer fights an unorthodox style. Or as Larry Holmes, heavy weight champ from Easton PA said, Unaquadex. Yes I am aware that it is not a word but I don't think Mr. Holmes knew that. Anyway, I don't know if this was the case on Saturday. I really just think the offense just needs more work and they will be fine.

[paradox]

I'm sorry, but out of sync is unacceptable, especially in the context of who we were playing--an average to below average D2 opponent!

Without our defensive and special teams TD's, the game would have been much tighter (24-14).

Having your junior QB struggle against opponents like these should signal serious concerns. I'm sure he'll rebound against lowly Shippensburg, however, and unfortunatley, inconsistencies similiar to Saturday's debacle, have a way of reeling out their ugly head at the worst and most critical times--and in the games that matter most.


Having said that, he's a lefty, and lefties often struggle with accuracy early in the careers. But this guy is a junior and he certainly should be held accountable to much higher standards. He needs to pull it together this week and maintain that, week in and week out. We should expect nothing less from a junior QB.

I'll be pulling for him in this week's game and would like nothing more than to see a first-rate peformance against a very weak opponent. Hopefully, he'll get "in sync" and it carries over to the William & Mary and Elon games.


...

[Stevev]

I agree and have the same concerns myself after listening to the game. My reasons for dismissing the poor performance are these: first game jitters, poor competition (Maybe Brock overlooked these guys and figured he didn't have to have his A game for LU to win convincingly, and that it was Tusculum's 2nd game and our first. I don't want to get the feeling that Brock is overhyped and a crowd favorate but he did well the last 4 games of last year and did well vs Wake Forest early in the year.

As stated earlier and compounding the problem was the fact that Tusculum's entire focus on defense was to stop the run so our passing game should have had much more success.

As far as Tusculum being an average to below average division 2 team I am not sure what to say about that. They have had some good success the past couple years but lost in their first game to Charleston and that doesn't say too much for Tusculum. They do have a reputation for being tough to run on though.

I still have visions of what happened 2 years ago when we struggled agains't lowly Concord before pulling it out and look what happened after that. I certainly don't want LU to go down that road again in the near future.