Yesterday on Big Drew & Jim, Lester dropped a few hints about what he was looking for in our starting QB and what the offense might look like (and I'm paraphrasing)...
1. In a nutshell, he looks for his QB to be somebody that can manage the game well and limit mistakes; a lot of emphasis on the latter.
2. The coaching staff will tailor the offense to their current strengths (RB, OL, TE) and hide weaknesses (didn't come out and say it but eluded to QB and WR). He wants the best players on the field.
3. He expects to make a decision on QB sometime about 7-10 days out from the USC game.
Tells me a couple things...
I think we will continue to see a shared backfield between Franklin, Bogan, and Bellamy. Also think there's a good chance we see Eskridge and Bellamy sharing catches out of the backfield and putting them in space.
Taking all of this into account, my prediction is that Flacco gets the start at USC. I think Flacco is the safe pick because he has some (limited) experience, it eliminates the chance of breaking Wassink's confidence out of the gate, and if Flacco doesn't do well then Wassink has the opportunity to come in as a backup role.
Anybody else hear this interview and have any thoughts?
I think it's safe to say the offense won't be a high flying, 4 wide out, home run ball type of offense.
With guys like Bellamy, Eskridge, Watson, Ernsberger and really all of our talented guys in the backfield, we're going to see a lot of sideline to sideline stuff. Put the ball in the hands of your playmakers and let them do their thing. Doesn't hurt to have two QBs that can run as well.
Personally, I think Wassink will be the man. Not sure about Game 1 this year but eventually. From following him in HS, he's a winner, good arm, really good runner. I think he has a ton of talent and could become "elite" (assuming I'm still allowed to use that phrase)! But, I like Flacco too.
I think our offense may actually be very well suited for MAC play. There aren't many MAC defenses that are strong on the edges. Bellamy and Eskridge have incredible speed and will simply outrun and/or outmaneuver defenders in space.
(07-11-2017 12:39 PM)Broncos83 Wrote: [ -> ]Personally, I think Wassink will be the man. Not sure about Game 1 this year but eventually.
Agreed.
(07-11-2017 12:50 PM)ColinApocalypse Wrote: [ -> ]I think our offense may actually be very well suited for MAC play. There aren't many MAC defenses that are strong on the edges. Bellamy and Eskridge have incredible speed and will simply outrun and/or outmaneuver defenders in space.
Bingo.
I hope whichever QB we go with is the one Lester views as having the highest upside long-term. I can live with growing pains early in the season.
By the time we close the regular season at Toledo, inexperience at QB (and WR, too) will be a nonissue, and hopefully both positions will be strengths for us at that point.
(07-11-2017 12:39 PM)Broncos83 Wrote: [ -> ]Personally, I think Wassink will be the man. Not sure about Game 1 this year but eventually. From following him in HS, he's a winner, good arm, really good runner. I think he has a ton of talent and could become "elite" (assuming I'm still allowed to use that phrase)! But, I like Flacco too.
I think you can still say elite. Just don't do it while an oar is in your presence.
Guy who does best in camp of not screwing up will start at USC. End of story. Why is this a big deal? We witnessed Terrel come in and cover a known quantity... in the freaking middle of a game against MSU... as a freshman..... we are positioned much better than Terrell was that day...
Let's start being a little more optimistic...
OL - Solid
RB - Solid
WR - Talented unknowns
TE- warrior!
OC - solid and built on using his talents advantageously!
QB - Coached by an HC who's legacy at WMU is only tarnished by the fact he was at a MAC program.
I think we are fine.
Lots of running the ball and bubble screens.
Given how many QB's they are recruiting, not sure he has confidence in either guy as of right now. I honestly think you can put Chris Riddle in the mix. He won't be far behind these guys in learning the offense.
(07-11-2017 08:15 PM)Stampede your face!! Wrote: [ -> ]Lots of running the ball and bubble screens.
Given how many QB's they are recruiting, not sure he has confidence in either guy as of right now. I honestly think you can put Chris Riddle in the mix. He won't be far behind these guys in learning the offense.
"How many?"
He's recruiting 2 a year which is what every coach with a brain does.
(07-11-2017 07:58 PM)flushtheherd Wrote: [ -> ]Guy who does best in camp of not screwing up will start at USC. End of story. Why is this a big deal? We witnessed Terrel come in and cover a known quantity... in the freaking middle of a game against MSU... as a freshman..... we are positioned much better than Terrell was that day...
Let's start being a little more optimistic...
OL - Solid
RB - Solid
WR - Talented unknowns
TE- warrior!
OC - solid and built on using his talents advantageously!
QB - Coached by an HC who's legacy at WMU is only tarnished by the fact he was at a MAC program.
I think we are fine.
I don't think anyone called it a big deal in the sense you are making it into. I started the thread because it was the first time I had heard anything meaningful in a while about the QB competition and style of offense that came directly from the mouth of Lester. I'm reasonably optimistic about this upcoming season but the reality of it is that our passing game is basically a complete unknown.
(07-12-2017 07:00 AM)Hoekjeness Wrote: [ -> ] (07-11-2017 07:58 PM)flushtheherd Wrote: [ -> ]Guy who does best in camp of not screwing up will start at USC. End of story. Why is this a big deal? We witnessed Terrel come in and cover a known quantity... in the freaking middle of a game against MSU... as a freshman..... we are positioned much better than Terrell was that day...
Let's start being a little more optimistic...
OL - Solid
RB - Solid
WR - Talented unknowns
TE- warrior!
OC - solid and built on using his talents advantageously!
QB - Coached by an HC who's legacy at WMU is only tarnished by the fact he was at a MAC program.
I think we are fine.
I don't think anyone called it a big deal in the sense you are making it into. I started the thread because it was the first time I had heard anything meaningful in a while about the QB competition and style of offense that came directly from the mouth of Lester. I'm reasonably optimistic about this upcoming season but the reality of it is that our passing game is basically a complete unknown.
My intent is to just call for some optimism here. Your information regarding what you heard from the radio interview with Lester was fabulous. Its always good to hear some feedback from the coaching staff during this summer dead period... I honestly there could be a dark horse candidate in one of the in-coming frosh class... who knows...
As a long time Bronco I have been conditioned to believe that it takes a strong aerial attack and strong WR corps to open up any sort of possible run attack. (Steve Neal, Bush, Jennings, Jordan White, Corey Davis...). This team however can hang its head on a strong run game... This is why I am optimistic that our running game behind a STRONG offensive line may allow our rather inexperienced QB/WR tandems to find success... We still get to see how our shiny new OC performs with schemes and play calling... You are correct with the comment about our passing game being an unknown... I am going to be optimistic until there is proof on the field that there is something to really be concerned about...
(07-12-2017 09:07 AM)flushtheherd Wrote: [ -> ] (07-12-2017 07:00 AM)Hoekjeness Wrote: [ -> ] (07-11-2017 07:58 PM)flushtheherd Wrote: [ -> ]Guy who does best in camp of not screwing up will start at USC. End of story. Why is this a big deal? We witnessed Terrel come in and cover a known quantity... in the freaking middle of a game against MSU... as a freshman..... we are positioned much better than Terrell was that day...
Let's start being a little more optimistic...
OL - Solid
RB - Solid
WR - Talented unknowns
TE- warrior!
OC - solid and built on using his talents advantageously!
QB - Coached by an HC who's legacy at WMU is only tarnished by the fact he was at a MAC program.
I think we are fine.
I don't think anyone called it a big deal in the sense you are making it into. I started the thread because it was the first time I had heard anything meaningful in a while about the QB competition and style of offense that came directly from the mouth of Lester. I'm reasonably optimistic about this upcoming season but the reality of it is that our passing game is basically a complete unknown.
My intent is to just call for some optimism here. Your information regarding what you heard from the radio interview with Lester was fabulous. Its always good to hear some feedback from the coaching staff during this summer dead period... I honestly there could be a dark horse candidate in one of the in-coming frosh class... who knows...
As a long time Bronco I have been conditioned to believe that it takes a strong aerial attack and strong WR corps to open up any sort of possible run attack. (Steve Neal, Bush, Jennings, Jordan White, Corey Davis...). This team however can hang its head on a strong run game... This is why I am optimistic that our running game behind a STRONG offensive line may allow our rather inexperienced QB/WR tandems to find success... We still get to see how our shiny new OC performs with schemes and play calling... You are correct with the comment about our passing game being an unknown... I am going to be optimistic until there is proof on the field that there is something to really be concerned about...
Don't forget that WMU's strong running game last year was set up by also having a strong passing game. Without one dynamic, the defense can key on stopping a one dimensional team. I'm not saying WMU will be one dimensional this season, but I have to believe WMU can not repeat the passing success that existed in 2016.
(07-12-2017 11:14 AM)Luckeyone Wrote: [ -> ] (07-12-2017 09:07 AM)flushtheherd Wrote: [ -> ] (07-12-2017 07:00 AM)Hoekjeness Wrote: [ -> ] (07-11-2017 07:58 PM)flushtheherd Wrote: [ -> ]Guy who does best in camp of not screwing up will start at USC. End of story. Why is this a big deal? We witnessed Terrel come in and cover a known quantity... in the freaking middle of a game against MSU... as a freshman..... we are positioned much better than Terrell was that day...
Let's start being a little more optimistic...
OL - Solid
RB - Solid
WR - Talented unknowns
TE- warrior!
OC - solid and built on using his talents advantageously!
QB - Coached by an HC who's legacy at WMU is only tarnished by the fact he was at a MAC program.
I think we are fine.
I don't think anyone called it a big deal in the sense you are making it into. I started the thread because it was the first time I had heard anything meaningful in a while about the QB competition and style of offense that came directly from the mouth of Lester. I'm reasonably optimistic about this upcoming season but the reality of it is that our passing game is basically a complete unknown.
My intent is to just call for some optimism here. Your information regarding what you heard from the radio interview with Lester was fabulous. Its always good to hear some feedback from the coaching staff during this summer dead period... I honestly there could be a dark horse candidate in one of the in-coming frosh class... who knows...
As a long time Bronco I have been conditioned to believe that it takes a strong aerial attack and strong WR corps to open up any sort of possible run attack. (Steve Neal, Bush, Jennings, Jordan White, Corey Davis...). This team however can hang its head on a strong run game... This is why I am optimistic that our running game behind a STRONG offensive line may allow our rather inexperienced QB/WR tandems to find success... We still get to see how our shiny new OC performs with schemes and play calling... You are correct with the comment about our passing game being an unknown... I am going to be optimistic until there is proof on the field that there is something to really be concerned about...
Don't forget that WMU's strong running game last year was set up by also having a strong passing game. Without one dynamic, the defense can key on stopping a one dimensional team. I'm not saying WMU will be one dimensional this season, but I have to believe WMU can not repeat the passing success that existed in 2016.
Last season, WMU averaged the second lowest passing yards per game(252 yds)in the past 5 seasons. Only the 1-11 2013 season was lower(211 yds). The 2016 season passing TD's were the highest total(33). The 5 year average was 261 passing yds per game and 26 passing TD's. I don't see a drop off, especially with Tim Lester as HC.
(07-12-2017 07:00 AM)Hoekjeness Wrote: [ -> ]I don't think anyone called it a big deal in the sense you are making it into. I started the thread because it was the first time I had heard anything meaningful in a while about the QB competition and style of offense that came directly from the mouth of Lester. I'm reasonably optimistic about this upcoming season but the reality of it is that our passing game is basically a complete unknown.
And we know who to thank for that!
Here my take Flaco and his brother have been workin out all summer and with Lesters guidance and the genius of WMUs offensive coordinator WMU will have themselves a really good QB.Hows that for optimism!!!
(07-12-2017 12:19 AM)Chipdip2 Wrote: [ -> ] (07-11-2017 08:15 PM)Stampede your face!! Wrote: [ -> ]Lots of running the ball and bubble screens.
Given how many QB's they are recruiting, not sure he has confidence in either guy as of right now. I honestly think you can put Chris Riddle in the mix. He won't be far behind these guys in learning the offense.
"How many?"
He's recruiting 2 a year which is what every coach with a brain does.
Don't get all butt hurt. I wasn't attacking your boy Lester. Coaches don't recruit two every year, that would put 8 scholarship QB's on a team. That's just not reality. Given where we are at, it is perfectly acceptable to do so in our case right now.
It's conceivably both a reflection of our low QB numbers, as well as the new staff maybe not being in love with the QB's that were here.
Actually almost every program brings in two a year. Some change position, some simply opt out of the competition over 4 years. Your man crush tried to bring in QBs he just couldn't keep or develop them...........Thomas, Little, Stewart, Maddie. The guy was always an injury away from putting a PWO in at QB. I know......"He was a genius. " ???
(07-12-2017 06:23 PM)Chipdip2 Wrote: [ -> ]Actually almost every program brings in two a year. Some change position, some simply opt out of the competition over 4 years. Your man crush tried to bring in QBs he just couldn't keep or develop them...........Thomas, Little, Stewart, Maddie. The guy was always an injury away from putting a PWO in at QB. I know......"He was a genius. " ???
Haha. Yep. Urban Meyer is an idiot. And Nick Saban would be an idiot too then. They don't recruit 2 QB's every year. Go look it up. If you want to be more accurate, coaches are typically recruiting 6 QB's per four year cycle.
What are you going to say when Lester only recruits one in 2019? Going to have to take your words back.
I'm fine with PJ being gone. I thought what he did to WMU in January was low class. And frankly showed that you are right about a lot of the things you say about him. He is clearly a self absorbed *******.
But life is too short to continue to let your personal **** with PJ affect you this much man. You're the one that can't seem to move on from it. Though it's your time, spend it as you wish.
Just remember something. A lot of these student athletes that he brought here, did stay, and won a championship, the first one we had in 30 years...And now they are here playing for Tim Lester and WMU. Don't take a crap on his era too much, because there are still plenty of guys out on the field giving it up for our University on Saturday's. And they are great ambassadors for our school.
Tim Lester will have his chance. Let's see what he does with it. On the recruiting front, so far so good.