I don't understand the leniency Swoopes is given by some fans. If Heard were to start every game this year and perform like Swoopes did last year, would you be okay with naming Heard the front-runner to start again in 2016? It would be the same thing. Both TS and Heard would have had a redshirt year to learn the offense. If Heard started all year in 2015, he'd have a full season starting experience like Swoopes already has.
My point is I think nearly the entire fansbase would write Heard off for 2016, if in 2015 he performed like Swoopes did last year. But with TS, there's just some strange shield allowing many to think after 2 years in a major college program, the light's gonna come on and he's gonna make a big jump in his 3rd year. He didn't look hardly any improved in the bowl game from his first game. That should never be the case with a talented QB. The kid just doesn't have "IT".
We're looking for a QB who can elevate us to win big games, not a limited player who can hopefully NOT LOSE big games. Wait until he gets in trouble against a solid defense again, he'll revert back to his subpar intangibles and cost us the game.
If TS starts more than a few games (to get Heard accustomed to the role), I'll know the coaches are simply making a QB decision protecting their own backsides. Meaning they are okay with playing it safe and simply finishing with a winning record. Instead of rolling the dice on another alternative (a proven winner in HS) and risking a 5-7 meltdown with no bowl game.
I for one, am not okay with 7 wins and playing it safe until the 3rd year when more options are available at QB. It's like a comment I read on another site..."if you're okay with winning even 8 games next year, then why in the hell did we fire Mack Brown to begin with?" The poster made a valid point.
I enjoyed hearing Mack speak and the way he represented the program very well with the media. I just didn't enjoy his excuses for losing and the poor record. But Mack still gave us 8 wins in his last year. To still be at that level or lower after 2 years of a new coach is garbage. That's where starting TS will keep us, and I sure hope Strong rolls the dice on Heard or Locksley and exceeds that.
So pardon me if I'm not okay with only winning 8 games two years after Mack. Several good coaches have proven it doesn't take that long to get to 9 wins at a new program with a solid foundation. Will Michigan get 9 wins within Harbaugh's first 2 seasons? You better believe it. And they were 5-7 last year, much worse than we were in 2013 under Mack.
What I'm getting at is I'd rather roll the dice and risk massive failure with the chance Heard shocks us all. There's still a chance he's a gamer who can elevate the offense beyond just being a bus driver like they ask of TS. I seem to recall a young James Brown being a horribly inconsistent practice QB, but on gameday he went ballistic.
I know Swoopes doesn't have the QB intangibles to lead us to lofty heights beyond a few more wins next year. If he does win a few more, it's because the supporting offensive cast improved. But there is still a chance Heard has those intangibles to really excel this year. Just like he did on Fridays in HS, while TS never has on either level.
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Last edited: Mar 31, 2015