What to do with Jake Heaps

Lawboy wrote:
I bet they both play Saturday. And they both play alot, and it will not be rotating series. RIley starts, gets 2-3 series, then we see Jake for a series or 2. Worked for Texas. And still is.



Basing it off of Bronco's comments, made both Saturday night and Monday am. When asked about a QB rotation, he talked about it as an option, just different from every other series like last year. Also said practice reps will be revised, which alludes to Riley getting more, since Jake was getting the majority previously.



About the prospect of playing both quarterbacks moving forward, Mendenhall said "I don't think it's ideal."



"I'm not ruling out playing both quarterbacks, but (it's) hard to get into a rhythm and a routine, especially if you're alternating series, things like that."



"I wouldn't see (any rotation) going series by series, I wouldn't see it going quarter by quarter, I wouldn't see it going like that. I think it would be: we name a starter, we go for a while and hopefully that's working well, and if not--and if for some reason they've adjusted to that style--then we might be able to complement it and finish with another (QB)."

Oh goodness, I hope not. One guy has shown that he can't get it done this year. The other guy shows promise, has the hot hand, whatever you want to call it, let him play and let's see how it goes. I really hope that Bronco doesn't repeat the mistakes of last year.

Lawboy wrote:
I bet they both play Saturday. And they both play alot, and it will not be rotating series. RIley starts, gets 2-3 series, then we see Jake for a series or 2. Worked for Texas. And still is.



Basing it off of Bronco's comments, made both Saturday night and Monday am. When asked about a QB rotation, he talked about it as an option, just different from every other series like last year. Also said practice reps will be revised, which alludes to Riley getting more, since Jake was getting the majority previously.



About the prospect of playing both quarterbacks moving forward, Mendenhall said "I don't think it's ideal."



"I'm not ruling out playing both quarterbacks, but (it's) hard to get into a rhythm and a routine, especially if you're alternating series, things like that."



"I wouldn't see (any rotation) going series by series, I wouldn't see it going quarter by quarter, I wouldn't see it going like that. I think it would be: we name a starter, we go for a while and hopefully that's working well, and if not--and if for some reason they've adjusted to that style--then we might be able to complement it and finish with another (QB)."

If this happens I will puke!! What part of last years QB freak show don't you understand? The rotating QB does not work, didn't work last year and won't work this year.



I think you are trying to read between the lines with Bronco's comments. I see it more of, he doesn't want to play two QB but if he needs to it will be more with what BYU did with USU, bench the starter and let the other finish the game, not rotate.

So is Texas making mistakes by playing two QBs right now, and steam rolling their last two opponents? How about LSU, who is now playing 2 QBs and is a top-3 team. Clearly it can be done, and with success.



People saying Riley is the answer are acting so short-sighted, it is humorous. If you think for a second the coaches are ready to turn the team over 100%--looking at total body of work--you are crazy. Riley is gonna start, and he is going to play a lot. If you think Heaps is going to rot on the bench, you are crazy.



Both guys will play, so I suppose people need to get their throw up buckets out.

I've got my barf bag ready! ;)

I guess what I am really trying to say is that heaps Sophomore year is now. There is no red shirt. If we want him to progress more this year, he has to see the field in meaningful situations. HE can always RS next year if an option. But the coaches will not simply burn the last half of his Soph. season for nothing. So the kid is gonna play.

I think he could get better by practicing and riding the pine pony, everyone else does.

I'm fine with Nelson playing the whole game. I'm fine with Nelson playing and Jake getting clean up. I'd be surprised and discouraged if Nelson splits time with Heaps. We saw how that worked last year, and Heaps hasn't got it done this year. Time for a bold and dramatic change, and until it stops working, let it run its course.

Lawboy wrote:
So is Texas making mistakes by playing two QBs right now, and steam rolling their last two opponents? How about LSU, who is now playing 2 QBs and is a top-3 team. Clearly it can be done, and with success.



People saying Riley is the answer are acting so short-sighted, it is humorous. If you think for a second the coaches are ready to turn the team over 100%--looking at total body of work--you are crazy. Riley is gonna start, and he is going to play a lot. If you think Heaps is going to rot on the bench, you are crazy.



Both guys will play, so I suppose people need to get their throw up buckets out.

So let me get this straight just so I can understand where you are coming from. You are saying that BYU can play a 2 QB system because it failed so bad last year and we have the same 2 QB's playing as we did last year, with one supposedly better as far as no injury, and one absolutely worse than last year?



Yet you claim because Texas can do it with 2 QB's that are better right now than our currrent 5 star QB. The whole Texas thing probably wouldn't have happened if BYU hadn't completely made Texas' starting QB look completely foolish. You are also mistaken about LSU running a 2 QB system, they are not, but because of these examples you think BYU will miraculously find the magic key for a 2 QB system and all will be better?



I can't understand this at all.

Can't we just have a QB that earns it on the field? Start Riley because he deserves it based off of last week. If he struggles several series in a row (Quarter +), pull him and play Heaps. If he struggles for several series (Quarter +) you do the same thing. If no one wants to perform, find someone that can. I don't care about stars or hype. I especially don't care about investing long term in a guy by losing now. If Heaps can't play now its not a "waste" to sit him. This is college football, not the pros where you have 15 years for a single QB. You have to play the guy that gives the best chance to win now. No excuses. This week its clearly Riley. Jake can sit and cheer on the team like the other backups. All I want from him right now is to be ready to go in when/if his number is called.

Lawboy wrote:
I guess what I am really trying to say is that heaps Sophomore year is now. There is no red shirt. If we want him to progress more this year, he has to see the field in meaningful situations. HE can always RS next year if an option. But the coaches will not simply burn the last half of his Soph. season for nothing. So the kid is gonna play.

What part of the first five games weren't meaningful situations? The kid has played - his way right off the field. He earned the right to let others have a chance in front of him

What troubles me about Heaps is: 1) he's supposedly a great QB, 2) he's supposedly very accurate, 3) he's supposedly experienced (freshman and part of soph year), and yet he can't hit a receiver this year? why in the world not? He had Holt behind the defense and had a sure TD if he just lobs it out to him, let's Hold run under the ball (there is no safety back there), but he throws a rocket five feet above his head. This is not what a great QB does.



In the USU game, he missed Hoffman and Apo and others by yards, not by inches, but yards. What is with that? I don't care if you're playing high school kids, if you miss your receivers that badly, you're an awful QB. Why is he this bad? Now, if he is a competitor, and if he really does want to play (I assume he does), he will go out and compete (just like Nelson did last week), if he pouts, if he continues to throw wild balls into the air, then sit him down permanently and let Nelson and Lark throw.

Schmoe wrote:
I think he could get better by practicing and riding the pine pony, everyone else does.

This. He does not need reps. He needs reflection and self examination. And if Nelson backed up by Lark, or Lark if Nelson struggles, can't do noticeably better, a vindicated Heaps takes the reins and rallies the team. If Nelson does not struggle - formal apologies from all of you who have never wanted him to get a chance.



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Based on the comments on this blog, Jake should transfer to the University of Washington, where he can get some good QB coaching from Sark ( a successful QB, not a third stinger that Lavell wanted to move to a defensive back). He's going through a "confidence" issue. And the newly 5 star recruit from the Boise, Idaho area should go to Boise State, where they have a PROVEN offense that functions and lets the QB shine.

What blog?

Lawboy wrote:
I guess what I am really trying to say is that heaps Sophomore year is now. There is no red shirt. If we want him to progress more this year, he has to see the field in meaningful situations. HE can always RS next year if an option. But the coaches will not simply burn the last half of his Soph. season for nothing. So the kid is gonna play.

I am in favor of our backups getting more snaps and more passing attempts. The coaches have not done a good job of getting the backups game reps. Last year Lark had just three pass attempts and 4 "runs" on what may have been called passes. And this inspite of BYU having 4 wins by more than 4 scores and a blow out loss by 4 scores. BYU needs to develop a reliable back up and see what these guys can do in game situations.





But I don't like Heaps getting special treatment. He has not earned it. Not at BYU at least. Before Heaps gets his 569th pass attempt in a game, can't we give Lark his 4th and Munns his 1st attempt.



I'm tired of people excusing Heaps performance and pleading for patience and more reps when he has already been shown so much patience and he has gotten so many reps. Heaps still has potentially 3 and a half years to be shown patience and get reps. Let's give some other guys their first shot before we give Heaps his 15th.



I can guarantee you that if Lark had attempted 568 passes with these sort of results nobody would be pleading for patience and wanting to give him more reps this year. No more special treatment for Heaps. As someone else pointed out, just about every other player has to ride the pine. It isn't a slap in the face.

Isola wrote:
No more special treatment for Heaps. As someone else pointed out, just about every other player has to ride the pine. It isn't a slap in the face.

Let's not act like QB is the same as every other position on the field, though. It isn't. It is way different, and should not be handled the same. Not at all.

Lawboy wrote:

No more special treatment for Heaps. As someone else pointed out, just about every other player has to ride the pine. It isn't a slap in the face.

Let's not act like QB is the same as every other position on the field, though. It isn't. It is way different, and should not be handled the same. Not at all.

True. All the more reason to give Heaps some time to getting used to it.



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This offense was designed for Heaps. All we saw on Friday night were QB draws (plays that already existed for Heaps...he ran one, in fact, just not as well as Riley) and Nelson's ability to create time by scrambling allowing receivers to get open. I saw Riley grossly over throw receivers multiple times, and I saw him nail a couple. I saw him make things happen by being elusive when the pocket collapsed and make first downs running.



I saw Heaps overthrow several receivers, I saw him nail a couple right on. Heaps has shown consistency...it's just consistent mediocrity. Riley has shown a burst of energy that won a game, but the offense simply isn't tailored to his strengths. If Riley's accuracy shows improvement he could be the answer this year, I just don't think we really know based on 1.5 quarters against USU.



My prediction: Riley starts against SJSU as a reward for his energetic play and for saving the game last week. If he plays well and the offense scores consistently he'll stay in the game for the sake of momentum. If we see multiple stalled drives and punts, then I think we'll see Heaps for the rest of the game.



Who knows. Just win, baby!

We are playing SJSU, so the OF should have success. Riley will move it on them. To best evaluate, both QBs will get reps against the same D, and see who plays better. With reps being split 50/50, it is clear both are going to play. It will not be a rotating series deal like last year, but both guys will get multiple series to get it done. The competition is on. Time to sack up or hit the bench.

Lawboy wrote:
We are playing SJSU, so the OF should have success. Riley will move it on them. To best evaluate, both QBs will get reps against the same D, and see who plays better. With reps being split 50/50, it is clear both are going to play. It will not be a rotating series deal like last year, but both guys will get multiple series to get it done. The competition is on. Time to sack up or hit the bench.

Right...and they will run the same core offense. Mendenhall basically said the two quarterback system does not work when you have two different offenses...so Riley and Jake are running the same plays. There will be more quarterback draws for Nelson, obviously.