[coolhandluke]

Okay, so I know this was a lively debate before the season. But now that we have had four games to look at each of them, who does everyone think should be our starter?

Here's where I stand...

1. I am not a fan of having Beecher as the started and bringing in Brown from time to time. When we do that, its hard for Brown to get into his rhythm. And he is mostly used as a wildcat type of QB when Beecher is the starter, so they know he is going to run most of the time. How can he be effective if they know he is running all the time?

2. I think Beecher has a lot of potential, but he just doesn't have any confidence. Mike Brown just looks like he belongs there. Beecher makes bad decisions a lot of times when Mike would throw the ball away in the same situation...

3. AND THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT REASON FOR WHY MIKE SHOULD BE OUR STARTER...
In games this season where Beecher plays QB for the whole game, we are 0-2. In games were Mike Brown plays for most of the game, we are 2-0. In the Laffy game he was great, and led our team to a great win. In the NC Central game, we were doing pretty bad, and then when Mike Brown came in at QB after Beecher was injured, we took control of the game and made the score a little more like everyone thought it would be.

Let's look at numbers from tonight...

Beecher was 5/15 tonight with 2 INT's.

And the main reason we said Beecher should be the starter was that we NEED Brown as a WR. Well we did fine against NC Central and Laffy without him at WR. And tonight, Brown didn't even catch one pass.

So what does everyone else think about this situation?

[rueful]

i think the level of competition in is vastly different in those four games, WVU and JMU games cant be compared to NCCU and Lafayatte.

And with the rain tonight I dont think you could even truly judge anyones passing. I do know that Mike Brown needed to try and do something to make JMU think maybe he wont run it this time.

[Hold My Own]

Yeah....tonight I rather have had Brown as QB but that's only b/c of the rain....any other night I want Beecher b/c like Rocco says "I need to have my best two playmakers on the field at the same time"


Think about it. Our passing attack is the ONLY thing we have going for us and Brown is our #1 WR. However Summers is quickly proving himself as competition for that top spot.

[JMUDukes]

Brown is clearly your best play maker. Just gotta make sure he touches the ball more. A variety of ways you can do that (WR, RB, QB, combo, wildcat, etc). Whenever he took off with the ball in his hands my heart stopped because I knew he could be gone.

[SeoulFlame]

I think we need to worry less about who is the starter at QB and more about why our running game is not working. When the running game works we both QBs have less pressure on them and can make things happen.

[jcmanson]

My own personal opinion hasn't changed. I like Mike back there, but it's pointless debating because Rocco likes Beecher and he's going to be the QB this year.

[El Scorcho]

I think we need to worry less about who is the starter at QB and more about why our running game is not working. When the running game works we both QBs have less pressure on them and can make things happen.

Yes, exactly. LU needs the run game for our offense to take off. We took Rashad Jennings for granted for too long. He was a huge part of the reason our offense scored almost at-will the last two seasons.

I also agree that it's hard to hold two losses against Beecher when you're talking about his two starts being the two toughest games of the year. Those are the only games we've seen from him. He stands tough in the pocket and completes some nice passes. I don't have a problem with the guy. I think the rest of this season it's going to open up Mike Brown to make some wild plays.

[Black Snake]

i think the level of competition in is vastly different in those four games, WVU and JMU games cant be compared to NCCU and Lafayatte.

And with the rain tonight I dont think you could even truly judge anyones passing. I do know that Mike Brown needed to try and do something to make JMU think maybe he wont run it this time.

The level of competition may be different, but anyone can beat you on any night, I know this, Beecher started the NCCU game and when he was knocked out we were losing 10 - 0. When Brown came in the game quickly changed and we won 35 - 10 (side note: Didn't Rocco say that Brown hadn't even PRACTICED at QB since the end of camp?? What can he do if he actually PRACTICES at QB???). Lafayette has a very good program and they came in to our house last year, the year we went 10 & 2 and beat us solidly with Brock Smith and Rashad Jennings. This year with Mike Brown we go to their House with literaly no running game except Mike Brown who completed 29 0f 36 passes and carried the ball 20 times for 88 yds. and 2 TDS. And was recognized as FCS National Player of The Week as a QB. JC Manson says Rocco likes Beecher, Rocco also says we have 2 QBs that we can win with that has not been true this year he needs to stop saying that. Can someone tell me whether Beecher has ever won a College Football game? We are 2 and 0 with Brown at QB. When I look back at the WVA and JMU game the QB position made the difference, When you have a mobile QB like Mike and Jarrett Brown it puts a lot of pressure on the defenses because most of the time the QB is not accounted for. Mike brown completed over 80% of his passes in 2 games at QB. he has shown us he is a great passer and a great runner and Rocco says he is the QB of the future, Thats why I beleive Mike Brown should be our starting QB he is complete and we dont need to use wild cat plays-- thats for RBs or someone who can't pass the ball. And last Mike has to run the plays as Streeter calls them, He can't go out there trying to make it look like its not going to be a run when that's all he's been allowed to do. When Brown has the threat of the pass he is more effective running the ball.

[RJ]

i think the level of competition in is vastly different in those four games, WVU and JMU games cant be compared to NCCU and Lafayatte.

And with the rain tonight I dont think you could even truly judge anyones passing. I do know that Mike Brown needed to try and do something to make JMU think maybe he wont run it this time.

The level of competition may be different, but anyone can beat you on any night, I know this, Beecher started the NCCU game and when he was knocked out we were losing 10 - 0. When Brown came in the game quickly changed and we won 35 - 10 (side note: Didn't Rocco say that Brown hadn't even PRACTICED at QB since the end of camp?? What can he do if he actually PRACTICES at QB???). Lafayette has a very good program and they came in to our house last year, the year we went 10 & 2 and beat us solidly with Brock Smith and Rashad Jennings. This year with Mike Brown we go to their House with literaly no running game except Mike Brown who completed 29 0f 36 passes and carried the ball 20 times for 88 yds. and 2 TDS. And was recognized as FCS National Player of The Week as a QB. JC Manson says Rocco likes Beecher, Rocco also says we have 2 QBs that we can win with that has not been true this year he needs to stop saying that. Can someone tell me whether Beecher has ever won a College Football game? We are 2 and 0 with Brown at QB. When I look back at the WVA and JMU game the QB position made the difference, When you have a mobile QB like Mike and Jarrett Brown it puts a lot of pressure on the defenses because most of the time the QB is not accounted for. Mike brown completed over 80% of his passes in 2 games at QB. he has shown us he is a great passer and a great runner and Rocco says he is the QB of the future, Thats why I beleive Mike Brown should be our starting QB he is complete and we dont need to use wild cat plays-- thats for RBs or someone who can't pass the ball. And last Mike has to run the plays as Streeter calls them, He can't go out there trying to make it look like its not going to be a run when that's all he's been allowed to do. When Brown has the threat of the pass he is more effective running the ball.

Again, not quite a fair comparison. Beecher was injured early in the game and continued to play before it was discovered that he might have a concussion. since the competition really doesn't matter give it another week and see how he does against WVW ... assuming he didn't get another concussion this week from the late hit.

[Th3rd]

Beecher is a beast. so is Mike. either one at starter is a win win against the Big South.

[olldflame]

I don't believe in "quarterback controversies". If there is a controversy, it is with the coach, because he decides who should play what position. Do any of you guys who are saying Brown should be our starting QB think we need a new coach? If you think so, say it. If not, then stifle yourself; and please don't give me "oh no, I think Rocco is the man, I just disagree with him on this." He's the coach. It's his call. Live with it, or man up and criticize Rocco.

Personally, I think it's a tough decision, because we have had great success with Mike at QB; but IMHO (and apparently Rocco's as well) we have more upside with both of them in the game. That means Tommy plays QB.

[ToTheLeft]

Some people can't criticize Rocco.

Also, you don't have to agree with a coach 100% to support him.

Finally, I think that we should consider a lot of different avenues at the QB position. I think in the WVW game we should try 3 guys at QB, and then pick one and go from there for the rest of the year.

The 3 options:

Beecher at QB, Brown at WR: The WV and JMU game option. Hasn't brought us a win yet, but it's kept us in two games against teams better than us. Beecher has had his ups and downs, and unlike Scorcho I think at times Beecher is scared of getting hit and makes poor choices based on his fear. However, Beecher showed against WV that he is capable of running this offense to the point where they can get the ball down the field. Mike at WR, wildcat QB, and KR/PR gives us Mike with the ball 25-30 times a game.

Mike at QB, Summers at WR: Mike isn't the most accurate thrower ever, and he has a case of happy feet and decides to bolt the pocket ASAP. Which is fine because a lot of times, he gets 10 yards anyways. He proved against NCCU and Laffy that he can run the offense and throw the ball to open receivers, but he also had some poor throws. Having Mike at QB leaves you with Chris Summers and Freddie Brown at WR, which is a downgrade from having Mike out there. It also means we lose our best KR/PR, and after watching Aaron Hewlett muff a couple punts, I'm not sure what we would do about that situation.

Brennan at QB, Brown at WR: I know everyone will think this is dumb, but maybe it's a viable option. Tyler has been here under Streeter/Rocco for a year and a half now, and if the long term plan is for us to get the best players on the field together, then why not see if Brennan and Brown can work together now, since they'll have 2 more years to continue to gel in the offense (and Brennan will be here for a third year after that). I don't think this will actually happen, but if Tyler comes out against WVW and zips the ball around to open receivers, I would hope it's considered as an option. Of course, I think Tyler will be amazing, so I am a little biased, but I think it would be great to have Tyler be like Brock and really establish himself as the QB for more than half of his career and lead this team through the Big South schedule.

[SuperJon]

My biggest fear is that Tommy got hurt again on the helmet to helmet. I don't know if he did or not, but when you have a history of head injuries, it doesn't take much to get another.

[LUconn]

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

[jcmanson]

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

[SuperJon]

He played well against NCCU. The receiver dropped a sure touchdown pass and another receiver dropped one right on his hands. Tommy did what he was supposed to against NCCU. It was the special teams that didn't. To use NCCU as a negative against Tommy is not a valid argument to me. If you want to argue against him, use the 4th quarter against WVU and JMU and you have a case.


Also, while Tommy played bad two series in a row in the 4th quarter last night, if it wasn't for him, we wouldn't have been that close in the first place.


I don't really know what they'll do. Tommy's health concerns me the most at this point. I trust Rocco enough for him to put the right guy out there.

[jcmanson]

I know, I was just playing devil's advocate.

[coolhandluke]

I do use the 4th quarters in both of those games to justify my opinion. Beecher is good, don't get me wrong. But when the game is on the line, he makes bad decisions. He has nothing but a history of throwing picks in potential game winning drives, and concussions.

Also, he has only thrown for 3 TD's in his whole career, but he has thrown 8 INT's. That's a great ratio.

And as for the thing about disagreeing with Rocco, I am going to go ahead and go on record as disagreeing with him on this issue. I still think he is a great coach, and I support him. But I question his decision to bring Beecher in here. Beecher has no confidence when the game is on the line. That is evidenced by both the WVU and JMU games.

And from looking at his stats, it says he played a little bit of defense at USC. Maybe he could switch sides for the rest of the season if he keeps on screwing up?



Also, I know I can't blame this all on him. Our O-line has not played well at all and has not given him enough time to make good decisions. However I still think Brown is our better option at QB right now.

[Schfourteenteen]

I think if Freddie Brown was more involved in the offense I would think differently, but Mike Brown is too good as a reciever to move to QB when we have a very capable QB already.

A more important issue here is why we cant run the ball without Mike Brown at QB.

[Schfourteenteen]

When Brown came in the game quickly changed and we won 35 - 10

Let it be known that Mike Brown also stopped fielding punts at that point.

[prototype]

Brown is the future, but Beecher is a great player. The rain was the biggest issue last night. I agree with most though - Rocco needs to let Brown throw the ball - everytime he touched it last night seemed like JMU sent everyone knowing it was a run. They should have made them keep guessing.

[JMU Supporter]

Beecher and Brown. Brown needs to touch the ball a lot in many different ways a la percy harvin. beecher throws a good ball, and i'm judging from the few times i saw him play at USC, not last night in the horrible conditions.

[jcmanson]

So who thinks Brennan wins the starting job next year over Brown? I mean us needing Mike at receiver isn't going to all of a sudden change next year, and from all reports Brennan has all the tools.

[Th3rd]

i love tyler. and he could be in competition for it, do i see it happening as of right now. no.

i think if he works really hard this off season he can be an awesome quarterback

i think he may get the nod next year and if not he will start his senior year

[LUconn]

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