2014 QB Battle

[djm19]

I wouldn't mind seeing Nick Smith take #16. Just seems like a good fit.

[YankPoke]

Stratton

[PotatoCreekPete]

I wouldn't mind seeing Nick Smith take #16. Just seems like a good fit.

I think it would be great to see Nick Smith take #16 as well.

I am more concerned with the short term than I am the long term. Has anyone heard anything more about Pete Thomas?

I am just not feeling comfortable with the QB situation. Coach Bohl even admitted that the QB position was a long way from where it needed to be. Coach Bohl has also said that there are three positions on a football team that you need to be really good at to be successful: QB, DT and CB. The last two positions I feel fairly comfortable with, I just feel that we need to develop depth. But the QB position has me really concerned. To me it seems right now that Colby isn't making the mistakes that others are and that is what puts him ahead, but I don't feel that he is making the type of exceptional plays that are needed to be really successful. Sam is a heck of a player, very enthusiastic but not horribly experienced and probably doesn't have the quicks that he once did due to his knee injury but he is a leader. I am finding it almost funny to see Aaron struggle since he came in bragging so much about how this offense fits him so well and he is a quick learned, etc. Maybe there is a bigger difference between JC ball and FBS ball?????

When the freshmen come in it will be difficult on them because the offense is so complicated but maybe a Pete Thomas could come in and help us be mildly successful while these young guys learn.

I just want the same thing that all of you people want and the coaching staff and the players want and that is for the best person to start at QB that will give us the best opportunity of winning next season.

[fromolwyoming]

I wouldn't mind seeing Nick Smith take #16. Just seems like a good fit.

I think it would be great to see Nick Smith take #16 as well.

I am more concerned with the short term than I am the long term. Has anyone heard anything more about Pete Thomas?

I am just not feeling comfortable with the QB situation. Coach Bohl even admitted that the QB position was a long way from where it needed to be. Coach Bohl has also said that there are three positions on a football team that you need to be really good at to be successful: QB, DT and CB. The last two positions I feel fairly comfortable with, I just feel that we need to develop depth. But the QB position has me really concerned. To me it seems right now that Colby isn't making the mistakes that others are and that is what puts him ahead, but I don't feel that he is making the type of exceptional plays that are needed to be really successful. Sam is a heck of a player, very enthusiastic but not horribly experienced and probably doesn't have the quicks that he once did due to his knee injury but he is a leader. I am finding it almost funny to see Aaron struggle since he came in bragging so much about how this offense fits him so well and he is a quick learned, etc. Maybe there is a bigger difference between JC ball and FBS ball?????

When the freshmen come in it will be difficult on them because the offense is so complicated but maybe a Pete Thomas could come in and help us be mildly successful while these young guys learn.

I just want the same thing that all of you people want and the coaching staff and the players want and that is for the best person to start at QB that will give us the best opportunity of winning next season.

And what, over Pete Thomas' lackluster career at 2 different schools, puts him as an automatic starter? Experience? That don't mean crap if you can't put up the numbers and get the wins. He wasn't even the real starter at NCSU. He was the backup that got thrown to the wolves for several games when the real starter was injured. In Fort Collins, we trounced him. Remember 44-0? And that was with a defense comparable to this last season's defense.

I don't have anything personal against the kid, but thinking that just because he has experience he'll somehow make us good is naive at best. His track record over his career is not exactly mind blowing, unless its by his lack of success.

[PokeOLoco]

If it's Captain Kirk or Sam, I give Fort or particularly Smith a big-time shot at starting against Montana

[WYO1016]

If it's Captain Kirk or Sam, I give Fort or particularly Smith a big-time shot at starting against Montana

Agreed

[OrediggerPoke]

I'm pulling for Stratton! What a great story that would be and talk about a deserving player!

I was basically laughed at when I suggested that Stratton would be a great candidate next year after it was announced Jason Thompson was leaving. Let's face it, we have seen Kirkegaard's skill set and he is not the answer IMO.

[JimmyDimes]

I'm pulling for Stratton! What a great story that would be and talk about a deserving player!

I was basically laughed at when I suggested that Stratton would be a great candidate next year after it was announced Jason Thompson was leaving. Let's face it, we have seen Kirkegaard's skill set and he is not the answer IMO.

I wonder if Kirkgaard was put in a position to succeed with DC. We all know DC likes his guys and both Smith and Thompson were getting most if not all reps up until the time Colby was forced into action....even if we was labeled the 2nd team guy.

He may be better than we think with proper coaching....but I think the entire team will be better with better coaching.

[PotatoCreekPete]

I wouldn't mind seeing Nick Smith take #16. Just seems like a good fit.

I think it would be great to see Nick Smith take #16 as well.

I am more concerned with the short term than I am the long term. Has anyone heard anything more about Pete Thomas?

I am just not feeling comfortable with the QB situation. Coach Bohl even admitted that the QB position was a long way from where it needed to be. Coach Bohl has also said that there are three positions on a football team that you need to be really good at to be successful: QB, DT and CB. The last two positions I feel fairly comfortable with, I just feel that we need to develop depth. But the QB position has me really concerned. To me it seems right now that Colby isn't making the mistakes that others are and that is what puts him ahead, but I don't feel that he is making the type of exceptional plays that are needed to be really successful. Sam is a heck of a player, very enthusiastic but not horribly experienced and probably doesn't have the quicks that he once did due to his knee injury but he is a leader. I am finding it almost funny to see Aaron struggle since he came in bragging so much about how this offense fits him so well and he is a quick learned, etc. Maybe there is a bigger difference between JC ball and FBS ball?????

When the freshmen come in it will be difficult on them because the offense is so complicated but maybe a Pete Thomas could come in and help us be mildly successful while these young guys learn.

I just want the same thing that all of you people want and the coaching staff and the players want and that is for the best person to start at QB that will give us the best opportunity of winning next season.

And what, over Pete Thomas' lackluster career at 2 different schools, puts him as an automatic starter? Experience? That don't mean crap if you can't put up the numbers and get the wins. He wasn't even the real starter at NCSU. He was the backup that got thrown to the wolves for several games when the real starter was injured. In Fort Collins, we trounced him. Remember 44-0? And that was with a defense comparable to this last season's defense.

I don't have anything personal against the kid, but thinking that just because he has experience he'll somehow make us good is naive at best. His track record over his career is not exactly mind blowing, unless its by his lack of success.

Guys can sometimes blossom with a different coaching situation. At least Pete Thomas has won a QB battle at a FBS level that is more than any of the QB's now at Wyoming have done. Yes, Pete Thomas did win a QB battle and that was coming out of Spring Ball at NCSU. Colby has NEVER won a QB battle at a FBS level school and nor has he even won a game at a FBS level and has only started one with poor results. Sam has NEVER even won a QB battle in college and never started a game at QB at the FBS level and he has been here for years now! So when you start cutting Pete Thomas down, you should know that NONE of the QB's now competing at UW have even come close to what he has done. All of the arguments that you used against Pete Thomas can be used against EVERY QB now at UW several times over. I don't really have a dog in this fight, so to speak, but when you tear down Thomas but ignore the QB's now at UW I find that a wee bit too difficult to swallow without pointing out the hypocrisy.

My take that the QB's with the most talent will be coming in as freshmen this coming year, but I would think it would be a stretch to expect them to be ready to start the season as the starting QB. Who knows but one of them (Fort or Smith) might be able to win the position during the season but that seems like a long shot as well. Despite the fact that Sam is a hell of a guy and a great teammate I just find it difficult to think that he would be the best choice to start at QB for Wyoming next season. I think that there are some on here that are thinking with their hearts when it comes to Sam more than their minds....a little too sentimental. Colby is the most experienced of the QB's fighting it out now but does he truly have the ability to lead Wyoming to a successful season next year? Sorry but his few short stints on the field over the last 3 years don't give me much confidence. Maybe Coach Bohl and Vigen have something in mind to upgrade the QB position before next season that we don't know about?

[PokeOLoco]

We 'be had two kids start as freshman in the last 5 years. I don't see it as that far fetched. I'm rooting for Sam. I just wonder if they're seeing what they want from them or they're just leaders by default. Smith in particular is protypical west coast QB. All he's gotta do is make 20 throws a game and hand the bowl off to DJ and Shaun. I just wouldn't right it off so easily.

[PotatoCreekPete]

We 'be had two kids start as freshman in the last 5 years. I don't see it as that far fetched. I'm rooting for Sam. I just wonder if they're seeing what they want from them or they're just leaders by default. Smith in particular is protypical west coast QB. All he's gotta do is make 20 throws a game and hand the bowl off to DJ and Shaun. I just wouldn't right it off so easily.

Yes, but those two freshmen QB's started under a different HC and under a very different and much less complicated offensive system. Frankly Sam is probably the least like what you would be expecting to see in a pro-style QB. He was recruited to a spread offense and that is what his height and mobility is best suited to. I have nothing against Sam in any way shape or form, in fact I think he is one hell of a Wyoming Cowboy...but in all honesty he is far from what you would be looking for in a pro-style QB. There is a reason why they want tall QB's and that is because they need to see over the linemen instead having to look through splits in the OL and pass through those splits like shorter QB's would have to do. Heck I played OL in HS because I was too short and slow to play any other position, and I have received the "horrible" news that I wasn't cut out to be a WR or RB....we all have to realize that we can't all be the QB.

[fromolwyoming]

We 'be had two kids start as freshman in the last 5 years. I don't see it as that far fetched. I'm rooting for Sam. I just wonder if they're seeing what they want from them or they're just leaders by default. Smith in particular is protypical west coast QB. All he's gotta do is make 20 throws a game and hand the bowl off to DJ and Shaun. I just wouldn't right it off so easily.

Yes, but those two freshmen QB's started under a different HC and under a very different and much less complicated offensive system. Frankly Sam is probably the least like what you would be expecting to see in a pro-style QB. He was recruited to a spread offense and that is what his height and mobility is best suited to. I have nothing against Sam in any way shape or form, in fact I think he is one hell of a Wyoming Cowboy...but in all honesty he is far from what you would be looking for in a pro-style QB. There is a reason why they want tall QB's and that is because they need to see over the linemen instead having to look through splits in the OL and pass through those splits like shorter QB's would have to do. Heck I played OL in HS because I was too short and slow to play any other position, and I have received the "horrible" news that I wasn't cut out to be a WR or RB....we all have to realize that we can't all be the QB.

Actually, the West Coast offense that Bohl runs is far less QB centric than the spread. It's more about the QB not making stupid TOs and hitting the open guy on play action, and occassionally throwing outside of that. Otherwise, the QB turns and hands the ball off the designated ball carrier.

[OrediggerPoke]

I'm pulling for Stratton! What a great story that would be and talk about a deserving player!

I was basically laughed at when I suggested that Stratton would be a great candidate next year after it was announced Jason Thompson was leaving. Let's face it, we have seen Kirkegaard's skill set and he is not the answer IMO.

I wonder if Kirkgaard was put in a position to succeed with DC. We all know DC likes his guys and both Smith and Thompson were getting most if not all reps up until the time Colby was forced into action....even if we was labeled the 2nd team guy.

He may be better than we think with proper coaching....but I think the entire team will be better with better coaching.

You could be right! Our last staff certainly struggled turning a talented roster into execution and wins. (A non-bcs team, with a weak schedule, that has 3 draft picks including the QB, but failed to qualify for a bowl game ). Although, I was judging Kirkegaard less on execution and more as to what his throwing ability appeared to be.

If Kirkegaard ends up being the guy and can lead the team to wins, then I will be behind him too.

[BackHarlowRoad]

We 'be had two kids start as freshman in the last 5 years. I don't see it as that far fetched. I'm rooting for Sam. I just wonder if they're seeing what they want from them or they're just leaders by default. Smith in particular is protypical west coast QB. All he's gotta do is make 20 throws a game and hand the bowl off to DJ and Shaun. I just wouldn't right it off so easily.

Yes, but those two freshmen QB's started under a different HC and under a very different and much less complicated offensive system. Frankly Sam is probably the least like what you would be expecting to see in a pro-style QB. He was recruited to a spread offense and that is what his height and mobility is best suited to. I have nothing against Sam in any way shape or form, in fact I think he is one hell of a Wyoming Cowboy...but in all honesty he is far from what you would be looking for in a pro-style QB. There is a reason why they want tall QB's and that is because they need to see over the linemen instead having to look through splits in the OL and pass through those splits like shorter QB's would have to do. Heck I played OL in HS because I was too short and slow to play any other position, and I have received the "horrible" news that I wasn't cut out to be a WR or RB....we all have to realize that we can't all be the QB.

Actually, the West Coast offense that Bohl runs is far less QB centric than the spread. It's more about the QB not making stupid TOs and hitting the open guy on play action, and occassionally throwing outside of that. Otherwise, the QB turns and hands the ball off the designated ball carrier.

This is what I'm thinking. This offense is less complicated for the QB than the one we just abandoned, not more. In fact, our offense the last few years was ONLY our QB.

[PotatoCreekPete]

We 'be had two kids start as freshman in the last 5 years. I don't see it as that far fetched. I'm rooting for Sam. I just wonder if they're seeing what they want from them or they're just leaders by default. Smith in particular is protypical west coast QB. All he's gotta do is make 20 throws a game and hand the bowl off to DJ and Shaun. I just wouldn't right it off so easily.

Yes, but those two freshmen QB's started under a different HC and under a very different and much less complicated offensive system. Frankly Sam is probably the least like what you would be expecting to see in a pro-style QB. He was recruited to a spread offense and that is what his height and mobility is best suited to. I have nothing against Sam in any way shape or form, in fact I think he is one hell of a Wyoming Cowboy...but in all honesty he is far from what you would be looking for in a pro-style QB. There is a reason why they want tall QB's and that is because they need to see over the linemen instead having to look through splits in the OL and pass through those splits like shorter QB's would have to do. Heck I played OL in HS because I was too short and slow to play any other position, and I have received the "horrible" news that I wasn't cut out to be a WR or RB....we all have to realize that we can't all be the QB.

Actually, the West Coast offense that Bohl runs is far less QB centric than the spread. It's more about the QB not making stupid TOs and hitting the open guy on play action, and occassionally throwing outside of that. Otherwise, the QB turns and hands the ball off the designated ball carrier.

This is what I'm thinking. This offense is less complicated for the QB than the one we just abandoned, not more. In fact, our offense the last few years was ONLY our QB.

If it is less, why aren't Colby, Sam and Aaron doing better? In listening to Coach Bohl there are a lot more reads than you make it seem, and he himself says that it is really complicated, so it doesn't sound like he agrees with your assessment. In DC's offenses, there were just acouple of reads and the QB had to get rid of the ball or run with it. It was a pretty fast paced offense so the QB was expected to get rid of the ball quickly. The OL job is a lot more difficult in Coach Bohl's offense with a lot more reads, and the QB has to be knowing what his offensive linemen are supposed to be doing. Our offense the last few years depended upon Brett a whole bunch because he was that type of athlete and his WR's were unable to get open much of this last year at certain times. DC's offense was fairly simple if you think about it, the OL was fairly simple in their blocking schemes (already discussed in earlier articles) and the WR's all they had to do was run to a spot and basically turn around (also already discussed in an earlier article). There wasn't a great deal of sophistication. Coach Bohl's offense is MUCH more grounded on blocking schemes and everyone has to know what those are, so I would say that all of the articles by Coach Bohl and the RB's and OL's that have been interviewed contradict your assessment that Bohl's offense as far as the QB is concerned is simpler.

[BackHarlowRoad]

We 'be had two kids start as freshman in the last 5 years. I don't see it as that far fetched. I'm rooting for Sam. I just wonder if they're seeing what they want from them or they're just leaders by default. Smith in particular is protypical west coast QB. All he's gotta do is make 20 throws a game and hand the bowl off to DJ and Shaun. I just wouldn't right it off so easily.

Yes, but those two freshmen QB's started under a different HC and under a very different and much less complicated offensive system. Frankly Sam is probably the least like what you would be expecting to see in a pro-style QB. He was recruited to a spread offense and that is what his height and mobility is best suited to. I have nothing against Sam in any way shape or form, in fact I think he is one hell of a Wyoming Cowboy...but in all honesty he is far from what you would be looking for in a pro-style QB. There is a reason why they want tall QB's and that is because they need to see over the linemen instead having to look through splits in the OL and pass through those splits like shorter QB's would have to do. Heck I played OL in HS because I was too short and slow to play any other position, and I have received the "horrible" news that I wasn't cut out to be a WR or RB....we all have to realize that we can't all be the QB.

Actually, the West Coast offense that Bohl runs is far less QB centric than the spread. It's more about the QB not making stupid TOs and hitting the open guy on play action, and occassionally throwing outside of that. Otherwise, the QB turns and hands the ball off the designated ball carrier.

This is what I'm thinking. This offense is less complicated for the QB than the one we just abandoned, not more. In fact, our offense the last few years was ONLY our QB.

If it is less, why aren't Colby, Sam and Aaron doing better? In listening to Coach Bohl there are a lot more reads than you make it seem, and he himself says that it is really complicated, so it doesn't sound like he agrees with your assessment. In DC's offenses, there were just acouple of reads and the QB had to get rid of the ball or run with it. It was a pretty fast paced offense so the QB was expected to get rid of the ball quickly. The OL job is a lot more difficult in Coach Bohl's offense with a lot more reads, and the QB has to be knowing what his offensive linemen are supposed to be doing. Our offense the last few years depended upon Brett a whole bunch because he was that type of athlete and his WR's were unable to get open much of this last year at certain times. DC's offense was fairly simple if you think about it, the OL was fairly simple in their blocking schemes (already discussed in earlier articles) and the WR's all they had to do was run to a spot and basically turn around (also already discussed in an earlier article). There wasn't a great deal of sophistication. Coach Bohl's offense is MUCH more grounded on blocking schemes and everyone has to know what those are, so I would say that all of the articles by Coach Bohl and the RB's and OL's that have been interviewed contradict your assessment that Bohl's offense as far as the QB is concerned is simpler.

Deep breaths, I can tell you're getting all riled up. Not a big deal.

I think you're correct, the blocking and routes were probably less complicated in Christensen's offense...which means if the o-line didn't have to make reads and the WRs didn't have to make reads...the entire defense was being read by one person. Brett. He had to make reads even when we handed the ball off.

This offense when we hand the ball off, all the QB has to do is remember where to meet the RB. So if our run/pass ratio is 50/50...that's already half the amount of reads that Brett had to make in a game. Not taking into account less snaps.

If last year's offense was a piece of cake and anybody could have ran it, we wouldn't have been so petrified of Brett getting hurt again.

Maybe we are talking about two different things. Is judging how complicated an offense is different than judging how QB-centric an offense is? Either way, we're going to be very disappointed if we compare the stats of this year's QB to the stats of Brett. They aren't even going to be close, even when the new guy plays well.

[PokeOLoco]

Last years offense was so simple that we made Fresno State's awful defense look like the steel curtain.

[fromolwyoming]

Last years offense was so simple that we made Fresno State's awful defense look like the steel curtain.

Awful and incredibly predictable.

[mwc fan]

I am pretty darn impressed by Strattons performance. I thought he was done playing any skill spot because of the knee issues. I also thought Bohl was just giving him a shot at qb for poop and giggles. How wrong I was. Sam is an incredible athlete and a prototype leader. I'm hoping he can be our version of a Johnny Manzel. Now I know thats a tall order, but if he can make all the throws and make the right decisions in game time situations, then im behind him all the way. This could be a great story if Sam comes out as our starting Qb. Im just impressed by this guy.

[SDPokeFan]

I saw all I needed to see out of Kirkegaard against Cal-Poly. If he is the starter, we are in for a long, long season.