[FlamesHighontheTide]

Let's pump the breaks on "Buckshot" Calvert for just one second. I for one am so glad we signed the kid, no doubt. He is a good talent for our program to get. However, he is 18 years old and unless he can put on 20 pounds of beef he is very thin and looks like a kid playing against men. Aka, injuries are more likely for someone of his body type as of now.

Nevertheless, I want to play out what someone said about the comparison of Mike Brown to Stephon "Big Guns" Masha. Lets be honest, the dude works the biceps out pretty hard or he is just genetically enhanced freak. Regardless, IF Masha has a season comparable to Mike Brown's first as a starter @LU this is what it could be compared to.

Record for Mike Brown as first year starter - (8-3)
NOTE: for our team this year and with the schedule we have, it is easy to say PLAY-OFF LOCK!
NOTE: Mike Brown and LU beat Ball State that year, aka FBS victory.

Total TD's for Mike that year 32(23 passing and 9 rushing) and only 11 interceptions. That's a 2 to 1 INT ratio. NOT bad.
NOTE: Mike Brown was a finalist that year for the Walter Payton award in FCS. This is the Heisman for the FCS.
NOTE: Mike was less than 100 yards away from a 3,000 yard passing season and a little over 100 yards away from a 1000 yard rushing season.

SO, IF Masha has a comparable season to Mike Brown THEN rest assured brothers we will be in for a SERIOUS TREAT! Here is the scary thing about Masha, He is bigger and faster than Brown! In my experience, that will translate into good things on the field.

Finally, let's not get to HIGH on Stephen Calvert at this moment especially when we have a young man who played well against chucky south and the beach chickens in the greatest season of Liberty Football. Again, if Masha's play is a legit comparison to Brown's then Calvert has ZERO chance of de-throning him this year. In my opinion.

[FlamesHighontheTide]

For the record, how many of us would be upset if Masha nearly duplicated browns stats:

17-7 as a starter.

45 to 21 TD to INT ratio

63 Total TD's as a quarterback.

5,620 passing yards and 1,291 rushing yards.

I for sure would be stoked about that and how about this stat, WHICH THIS FORUM WOULD DROOL OVER. . . .

GAMES THAT LIBERTY SHOULD'VE WON WITH BROWN AT QB. . . WAIT FOR IT. . . 10-0

I rest my case for Masha if he mimics Brown.

[alabama24]

I'm not drooling over 17-7.

[LUnpretty11]

I appreciate the enthusiasm Flames High on Life... or Tide.

I was not laying out what IF/THEN scenarios. I was simply bringing people back to earth by showing them the Masha vs MB 1st 2 starts at QB - keep in mind Masha was thrown to the wolves a year sooner and with far less preparation. Many on this board, and for good reason, will tell you MB was one of the best athletes to ever put on a Liberty helmet. The amount of hype behind MB was overwhelming, but Masha (with similar stats) gets discounted by a 3-star HS recruit? That makes 0 sense. This isn't to lay out IF X happens THEN Z will be the outcome. It's simply to put some perspective around how talented Masha is and why we should not be expecting a sub-par season taken over by a true freshman.

[Dr. Sheh]

Let's pump the breaks on "Buckshot" Calvert for just one second. I for one am so glad we signed the kid, no doubt. He is a good talent for our program to get. However, he is 18 years old and unless he can put on 20 pounds of beef he is very thin and looks like a kid playing against men. Aka, injuries are more likely for someone of his body type as of now.

Nevertheless, I want to play out what someone said about the comparison of Mike Brown to Stephon "Big Guns" Masha. Lets be honest, the dude works the biceps out pretty hard or he is just genetically enhanced freak. Regardless, IF Masha has a season comparable to Mike Brown's first as a starter @LU this is what it could be compared to.

Record for Mike Brown as first year starter - (8-3)
NOTE: for our team this year and with the schedule we have, it is easy to say PLAY-OFF LOCK!
NOTE: Mike Brown and LU beat Ball State that year, aka FBS victory.

Total TD's for Mike that year 32(23 passing and 9 rushing) and only 11 interceptions. That's a 2 to 1 INT ratio. NOT bad.
NOTE: Mike Brown was a finalist that year for the Walter Payton award in FCS. This is the Heisman for the FCS.
NOTE: Mike was less than 100 yards away from a 3,000 yard passing season and a little over 100 yards away from a 1000 yard rushing season.

SO, IF Masha has a comparable season to Mike Brown THEN rest assured brothers we will be in for a SERIOUS TREAT! Here is the scary thing about Masha, He is bigger and faster than Brown! In my experience, that will translate into good things on the field.

Finally, let's not get to HIGH on Stephen Calvert at this moment especially when we have a young man who played well against chucky south and the beach chickens in the greatest season of Liberty Football. Again, if Masha's play is a legit comparison to Brown's then Calvert has ZERO chance of de-throning him this year. In my opinion.

Read this and then watched a highlight video from Mike Brown's days at LU. Man...I had almost forgotten how dynamic a player he was! If Masha is anything like Mike we'll be ok.

[R i]

The coaches told him he would have a fair competition for the starting job, and they must have sprinkled in a little, "and we think you can win it" because in every interview given, he says the reason he chose Liberty is because he has a chance to play early.

That coupled with the few players that are telling their parents and friends about his talent level, and the fact that Masha's accuracy has been questioned since he got here. The competition between Buckshot and Mr. Masha is closer than your leading on.

Here is the grain of salt, there are offensive starters that believe Masha will start for the next two seasons , no contest.

Jon - Every football team in America is selling hope and optimism and over hyping their team right now. I think those message board posters that aren't, are the ones that live in a bubble these days. A couple more things Jon, Thanks for the Stewart Youtube clip. I had to research millennials. We barely make the cut, but I wouldn't identify myself as one.

[olldflame]

While we are comparing Masha to other QBs, consider this In his 2 game stint at the helm, both games against tough competition, his completion %, efficiency rating and passing ypg are similar to and his TD pg better than the career marks of Mr "4 year starter, 3 year captain" himself Add in the weapon he presents with his legs, and I am optimistic that he will do really well as our starter

[Jonathan Carone]

Jon - Every football team in America is selling hope and optimism and over hyping their team right now. I think those message board posters that aren't, are the ones that live in a bubble these days.

I'm all for living on hope, but if we can't learn from our past then we're doomed to repeat it. I can't speak for other schools because I'm not a fan of other schools. I can, however, speak into the Liberty cycle:

High school recruit is talented
Coaches are excited about recruit
Hometown newspapers talk about recruit because he's a big deal in their area
We sign recruit
We celebrate
We immediately think recruit is going to have gigantic impact as an 18-year-old freshman
Recruit doesn't win the Peyton as a freshman
We question coaches for not playing him
Recruit goes into sophomore year with still high expectations
Recruit performs better but doesn't light the world on fire first half of season
We question if he's a bust
Things click and recruit has positive second half of season
We enter offseason expecting him to have All-American season as a junior
Recruit has solid to great final two seasons

Examples: Mike Brown. Chris Summers. Terry Adams. Danny Broggin. Gabe Henderson.

There are more but you get the idea.

The kid is a freshman. He hasn't even gone through training camp yet. Let's not expect him to be the next great Liberty quarterback in year one. Give him time to grow into being a great player.

[Yacht Rock]

Nothing like Liberty fans overhyping a recruit before he even steps foot in an official practice.

Never change, Liberty. Never change.

I dont participate, but there is nothing unique about Liberty in this regard.

This. I've seen just about every team I follow have a set of fan that drool over "rookies", etc every season. This is especially present when the fans need something to get excited about. Considering last season's results, I'm not surprised people trying to hype anything they can.

[rtb72]

Nothing like Liberty fans overhyping a recruit before he even steps foot in an official practice.

Never change, Liberty. Never change.

I dont participate, but there is nothing unique about Liberty in this regard.

This. I've seen just about every team I follow have a set of fan that drool over "rookies", etc every season. This is especially present when the fans need something to get excited about. Considering last season's results, I'm not surprised people trying to hype anything they can.

...and that sir, is the truth! Last year was disappointing, and I for one am stoked about what we have both in our QB competition (which will be beneficial for the play of both our relevant QBs) as well as our receiving corps. I think Masha being exposed to the "hyped up" freshman will make him very hungry and driven. That can only serve to make him more motivated to really play above expectation.

[forbidden]

Lets get one thing str8 for sure, for SM to hold on to this job he has to be better in his passing, PERIOD. Last year when he played there was no choice but to go with him as the starter was OUT. That is not the case going forward. If you remember anything that HCTG wanted out of his QB that was better ball placement. IDC if he is 18 or 20 if you can spin it then you can spin it, and by all intense and purposes the kid can spin it. No inside info just seeing is believing. If they told him he has a chance to start then one thing we also know about HCTG is that he is a man of his word, and that means they didn't just give the keys to the car to the older driver. What will be important is how the chains move, and while your looking you might wanna go back and look at the 18 yr old highlights, he may not be 4.5 but he looks faster than last years QB. If he gets a clean pocket I think he can do damage, he wont be a sitting duck back there. SM gives you an advantage with his feet but ACCURACY must be improved, or your looking at RG3 and Kirk Cousins, lol

[BJWilliams]

I think he can be a special player but I don't think I have been "overhyping" Calvert...Now, I have said that in order for him to be the starter game 1, he will need to show that he is significantly better than Masha when the two are side by side once practice starts in a couple weeks. I mean its one thing to look good working on your own (even if it is with your teammates), but, as obvious as it sounds, its another thing to look good for the guys who will be making the game plan for VT over those 4 weeks leading up to the game.

[alabama24]

You going to the VT game Beej?

[LUnpretty11]

Lets get one thing str8 for sure, for SM to hold on to this job he has to be better in his passing, PERIOD. Last year when he played there was no choice but to go with him as the starter was OUT. That is not the case going forward. If you remember anything that HCTG wanted out of his QB that was better ball placement. IDC if he is 18 or 20 if you can spin it then you can spin it, and by all intense and purposes the kid can spin it. No inside info just seeing is believing. If they told him he has a chance to start then one thing we also know about HCTG is that he is a man of his word, and that means they didn't just give the keys to the car to the older driver. What will be important is how the chains move, and while your looking you might wanna go back and look at the 18 yr old highlights, he may not be 4.5 but he looks faster than last years QB. If he gets a clean pocket I think he can do damage, he wont be a sitting duck back there. SM gives you an advantage with his feet but ACCURACY must be improved, or your looking at RG3 and Kirk Cousins, lol

Recognizing Masha's talent does not take anything away from Calvert. Expecting Calvert to take over the reigns after the 4th game takes everything away from Masha. He has earned the starting spot and he has earned the right/respect to be a Captain - this should not be discounted by any means. I still don't get the emphasis on Masha improving on his accuracy. It is mentioned on this board as if his comp % was <50%. Every QB can always improve their accuracy year after year, but let's not act like Masha has a hard time putting the ball in the right hands.

[BJWilliams]

You going to the VT game Beej?

Id like to...Lane Stadium is one of the places Ive always wanted to see a game...but it'll depend on a couple factors. If Im still in Hampton Roads I will need to carpool with a Flames fan in the area (01 are you thinking of going?)

[R i]

When was the last time we had a true QB Competition ? Beecher vs Freshman Brown was not a competition because of Tommy's situation. I would say Brock vs Brock in 2005 was the last time we entered a season with any type of push for a young guy to take the reigns. Even if BuckShot doesn't play a down this year, he will provide the competition needed to help Masha continue to improve.

[Jonathan Carone]

When was the last time we had a true QB Competition ? Beecher vs Freshman Brown was not a competition because of Tommy's situation. I would say Brock vs Brock in 2005 was the last time we entered a season with any type of push for a young guy to take the reigns. Even if BuckShot doesn't play a down this year, he will provide the competition needed to help Masha continue to improve.

If only Brock Smith wouldn't have had to play that year we never would've went through the Beecher year.

[R i]

With out the Beecher year, Mike B doesn't have the WVU game, and without the WVU game, Mike B doesn't have the Jaguars career. So it worked out.

[Jonathan Carone]

Mike still would've been a WR that year. Brock would've just been throwing him the ball. And throwing it to the other team less.

[R i]

I am excited to see how practice goes, when does it start up ?

The longer I have had to digest this entire QB thing, the more I think Masha will have an above average year, and Buck Shot will red shirt or transfer. Lets hope he loves the school, or meets a woman.

[Jonathan Carone]

If he transfers because he didn't get time as a true freshman then, for the sake of the locker room, we'd be better off with him gone.

[olldflame]

I am excited to see how practice goes, when does it start up ?

The longer I have had to digest this entire QB thing, the more I think Masha will have an above average year, and Buck Shot will red shirt or transfer. Lets hope he loves the school, or meets a woman.

I really don't get this obsession with Calvert redshirting He is our only viable backup QB Even if somehow Masha made it through the season without missing a play, you still need to be PREPARED for an injury to your starting QB As far as transferring is concerned, That is the stupidest\worst thing he could do if he wants to play He sits a year at his new school and then (no matter WHAT the coach told him) still has no guarantee he will be the starter

[BJWilliams]

If he transfers because he didn't get time as a true freshman then, for the sake of the locker room, we'd beout tter off with him gone.

I agree. If he has the expectation to start from day 1 and transfers because that didn't happen (or fails to reach some arbitrary percentage he has in his head), we probably are better off.

I'm sure that they told him he will get to compete, but gave him measured expectations in the recruiting process...especially given that Masha is a captain for us and still is the man behind the biggest Liberty football win ever.

With that said, if Calvert wins at least the #2 spot, that puts the focus squarely on Yearick, who enrolled early. Does he stick it out and battle with Calvert for the next 3-4 springs, or does he pull up stakes and transfer?

[Jonathan Carone]

He can prepare to be the backup while still planning to redshirt. Mike Brown dressed every single game his freshman year and was available if needed. Last year Josh played every meaningful (and many meaningless) snaps. Gill didn't do anything to give Masha game experience. If Masha is playing well, there's no reason to force the rookie in there just to get mop up experience.

[R i]

Masha is a captain for us and still is the man behind the two biggest Liberty football wins ever.

JMU in the playoffs is schools biggest win , and Woodrum Started that. Am I missing something or has Masha only won one game as a starter ?