In the span of one week, he has evaluated the talent at the QB and running back positions and decided that last year's QB back up is really not even good enough to play the position at all at the collegiate level. I don't see the logic of moving him to RB if he is even the third best QB on the roster. This is a ballsy (no pun intended) move on his part. I was struck by Bilbo's attitude change (for the good) and the effort he was putting in and thought he had turned the corner. I hope Ball is everything people said he is because Div 1-A is a long way from high school. Best of luck to both players.
Gotta be impressed with Gailey
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gnats67
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First of all best of luck to all concerned. To Damarius who must be a little (or a lot disappointed) and to young Mr. Ball. If things go well for this young man we could be looking at the beginnings of something very special.
I also questioned the move away from the QB position. Why not keep him at QB? The starting job was up for grabs and one would assume that it might remain in question for some time if not week to week (I hope not) but the seeming finality of the decision to move DBo away from QB is interesting. I'm guessing they just really want him on the field if Ball or someone else is going to win the starting qb job and want to devout full attention to finding his spot.
I also questioned the move away from the QB position. Why not keep him at QB? The starting job was up for grabs and one would assume that it might remain in question for some time if not week to week (I hope not) but the seeming finality of the decision to move DBo away from QB is interesting. I'm guessing they just really want him on the field if Ball or someone else is going to win the starting qb job and want to devout full attention to finding his spot.
3518techie
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I don't understand it. Suggs makes mistakes all through 2002 and keeps the starting job. Bilbo doesn't even make to his 1st start. Maybe he's not the answer but he should have been given a couple of starts. I don't know what moving him to another positon this late will do. I don't see how he can learn it in less than 3 weeks. Ball and Carter might eventually be better but true freshmen quarterbacks rarely can step in and play big time. I was looking at 4-8 this year but that may be optimistic now.
Beebad,
I can't say that Bilbo beat out AJ this spring. He was #1 because they wanted to give him more snaps. From what I've seen AJ and perhaps even Carter were ahead of Bilbo so far this fall. Like I said above, it isn't just about learning the offense. He was struggling with accuracy and putting the football where it needs to be. He struggled protecting the football and even holding on to it. I love the guys talent, but for whatever reason he just couldn't get comfortable at QB.
The coaches probably see a role for AJ as the #2 guy. I think I would have more comfort with him in that role than Dbo. AJ could really excell in that role.
I can't say that Bilbo beat out AJ this spring. He was #1 because they wanted to give him more snaps. From what I've seen AJ and perhaps even Carter were ahead of Bilbo so far this fall. Like I said above, it isn't just about learning the offense. He was struggling with accuracy and putting the football where it needs to be. He struggled protecting the football and even holding on to it. I love the guys talent, but for whatever reason he just couldn't get comfortable at QB.
The coaches probably see a role for AJ as the #2 guy. I think I would have more comfort with him in that role than Dbo. AJ could really excell in that role.
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<font size="2" face="Arial, Verdana, Sans-Serif">Axe.. if he was struggling holding onto the football & the accuracy wasn't there so far in practice... then it couldn't have been there this past spring or last year... Hanging onto the football and throwing, and throwing in rhythm during practice are the basics.. What you are telling me is that he can't even handle the basics.. Seems like we were led to believe differently, that the only prob was grasp of the offense... I"m sure you can see where many people don't know what to believe now...
Even if you assume DBo is the 2nd best option at QB, perhaps CG thought the team would be better served if DBo moved to RB. IMO, that was really all he did well last year, and even that was curtailed toward the end of the season when the opponents figured out he was run first, run second, and only if he can't run, throw the ball.
In fact, last year I remember wondering whether he would be better served just running the ball full time as RB with someone else as QB. With DBo, his playaction was not fooling anyone.
In fact, last year I remember wondering whether he would be better served just running the ball full time as RB with someone else as QB. With DBo, his playaction was not fooling anyone.
BeeBad the difference is you WANT to be confused and not know who or what to believe. The simple truth is the kid has been given every chance to learn the position and basically had it handed to him in the spring. You won't find one single observor, including the media, who will say that he stood out in the spring and every report I've seen on preseason practice has said Ball was ahead. What is so hard to believe or understand? He is a good athlete but evidently not a QB. We gave him 2+ years to do it and he hasn't. The coaches are trying to find a way to get him on the field and not waste him standing on the sidelines. What's so hard to figure out about that? If this move had been made in exactly the same manner by the Fridge, you wouldn't have anything to say. In fact, the only difference in this scenario and Crenshaw's (player of the year in AL) is Fridge didn't give him that last shot.
BarrelORum
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<font size="2" face="Arial, Verdana, Sans-Serif">I cannot believe you are pushing that crap. The coaches gave Bilbo EVERY chance to win the QB spot, and he couldn't do it.
It sucks the decision couldn;t be made earlier, but it was HANDLED just fine. Geeze.
I'm not trying to PEE on anybodys cereal but I hope I never see AJ under center again. He has broken my heart too many times. It does appear that we have an exceptional young QB in young Reggie Ball and the kid seems to have all the confidence in the world in his own abilities. I think with an athletic QB this will give us a better chance against the top teams on our schedule. I would like to see the staff promote young Carter to the back up role. The young kids will be inconsistent but exciting and by playing both rookies we will be solving our QB problem for the next several years.
But I do feel for Bilbo and I know he is hurting but from what is reported he is taking the news like a man and I will be pulling for this kid to excel. As the practices unfold it seems that some of the things that puzzled us all last year is becomming more clear. I was one of Chan's harshest critics last year but it seems that he had just cause for holding Bilbo out for extended periods. At least this has disproved several rumors last year that politics was being played with the position.
I think we will know a lot more about Chan after this season. He has certainly had a lots to contend with in the short period he has been our coach. Maybe things will begin to click for the coaches as well as the players. I certainly hope so.
But I do feel for Bilbo and I know he is hurting but from what is reported he is taking the news like a man and I will be pulling for this kid to excel. As the practices unfold it seems that some of the things that puzzled us all last year is becomming more clear. I was one of Chan's harshest critics last year but it seems that he had just cause for holding Bilbo out for extended periods. At least this has disproved several rumors last year that politics was being played with the position.
I think we will know a lot more about Chan after this season. He has certainly had a lots to contend with in the short period he has been our coach. Maybe things will begin to click for the coaches as well as the players. I certainly hope so.
JJacket
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I have no problem with AJ being a second or third stringer because it is obvious that our team is going to think run first. AJ is entirely capable of coming in, taking clean snaps and handing the ball to ACE, Bilbo, Grant etc... He did that job just fine with Hollings in. The difference between Bilbo and Suggs is that we need an athlete like Bilbo on the field in some form or fashion because of his speed, strength, and athleticism. Suggs is not characterized as having any of these attributes so there is no need to move him from a backup QB role to somewhere else on the field.
BLACK WATCH
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Ahh Beebad is like the other 2 or 3 on this board that will slant EVERYTHING Chan does as Negative..Period....
Bor, I just heard Bill Hartman on Channel 2 say that DBO won no. 1 by Default in the Spring..This sums it all up.. The timing by Chan is NO I repeat NO surprise..We Just have the USUAL 3 or 4 here that spins it the Negative way..........
Bor, I just heard Bill Hartman on Channel 2 say that DBO won no. 1 by Default in the Spring..This sums it all up.. The timing by Chan is NO I repeat NO surprise..We Just have the USUAL 3 or 4 here that spins it the Negative way..........
G
Guest1066
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<font size="2" face="Arial, Verdana, Sans-Serif">Unfortunately, attitude isn't enough at the collegiate level. If after two years, you still can't grasp an offensive scheme and continue to make bad decisions, then it's time for someone else to take the reigns. With Bilbo's size and decent speed, I think he would be a great RB. No pressure, just run to where they tell you.
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If Bilbo wasn't grasping the offense the coaching staff should've made the move in or after the spring to give the young man a chance to either go elsewhere or prepare for another position... This wasn't handled well for anyone concerned...
Bilbo has had since the season ended last year to show the coaches he can handle the position. Evidently it's obvious to everyone who'se attended practices that Ball is way ahead. If Bilbo isn't going to play QB we should try to get him on the field. We have other backup QBs, no need to waste a year on the sidelines. Last year our next best option was Bilbo. This year that isn't true.
Guys if you haven't had the chance to watch practice than I can tell you it is very hard to comment on this stuff. I'm someone that really loves Bilbo's physical talents, however if you watch practice, the move really isn't that surprising. It isn't just reading defenses for Bilbo. He just isn't a consistent thrower. He now has 3 weeks to learn a new position and help the team.
jacketguy
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<font size="2" face="Arial, Verdana, Sans-Serif">Beebad... I can agree with you in principle.. but you are overlooking two big variables that were missing during the spring.. Ball and Carter.. pure and simple, this is the ruins of competition.. not everyone is a winner.. Ball's performance has changed the opportunites of others.. I dont know how it could have been handled earlier.. the information required to make that decision did not present itself until this week...
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<font size="2" face="Arial, Verdana, Sans-Serif">Beebad... I can agree with you in principle.. but you are overlooking two big variables that were missing during the spring.. Ball and Carter.. pure and simple, this is the ruins of competition.. not everyone is a winner.. Ball's performance has changed the opportunites of others.. I dont know how it could have been handled earlier.. the information required to make that decision did not present itself until this week...</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Arial, Verdana, Sans-Serif">That is true.. but Bilbo came out of the spring ahead of Aj & from all indications was still ahead.. Why not give him the opportunity to compete with Ball and at the very least be the #2 QB... Based on injuries, etc.. we will probably have to play our #2 this season, perhaps a lot.. Do you prefer AJ at #2 or Bilbo.. considering Bilbo has 2 more years after this one to keep improving... Let's not forget that Carson Palmer's light didn't come on until his last year... From what we've been told of yesterday's practice & the way Bilbo reacted, didn't sound like the position switch was his idea..
Father WASP
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Irregardless of whether the move was warranted or not, and we should leave that to Gailey, I fear we are in for some choppy waters ahead - rarely does a team win big with a true freshman at QB. With our schedule, especially early, I smell trouble. No knock on any freshman, but it is a long way from a high school field with a couple of weeks of practice before stepping up to the speed, complex defenses, reads necessary let alone huddle leadership with 70,000 people screaming at you. With Suggs all we have waiting in the wings this news hits hard.
One thing that has always dumfounded me - and I've watched alot of practices, is why Camp never gets a chance. He runs well, appears to have command of the offense and throws the best short ball of any of them.
Not sure why he is never in the mix.
One thing that has always dumfounded me - and I've watched alot of practices, is why Camp never gets a chance. He runs well, appears to have command of the offense and throws the best short ball of any of them.
Not sure why he is never in the mix.