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I heard Coach Brandon on Chris Speilman's radio show here in Columbus this afternoon. I only caught the end of the interview and all they were talking about is the number of weekday games the MAC plays and the exposure that gets the league. Did anyone hear the entire thing? If so, let us know what Coach had to say.

the most intersting part was that he said both Turner and Barnes would play all over the field....WR and what not.

This has me thinking something.......(In regards to us having 16 returning starters next year.)

If neither QB is good enough to not be switched to WR...then why not play Glaud who could be dominating.


Or maybe its just coach-speak and he is trying not to say Turner is the starter when Barnes will be out there game one.

As good as Glaud (or Sheehan for that matter) might be, starting a true freshmen quaterback at this level of college football is extremely rare. Josh Harris was a RB under Blackney his first year and everyone knows the wait Omar had.

It sounds like he's not willing to concede a rebuilding year and ready to pull out all the stops to win. With the experience drain at WR, the most explosive athletes should be put on the field to make plays however it needs to drawn up. Youth and inexperience can be offset by speed and athleticism.

I say go for it.

JoeFalcon wrote:As good as Glaud (or Sheehan for that matter) might be, starting a true freshmen quaterback at this level of college football is extremely rare. Josh Harris was a RB under Blackney his first year and everyone knows the wait Omar had.

It sounds like he's not willing to concede a rebuilding year and ready to pull out all the stops to win. With the experience drain at WR, the most explosive athletes should be put on the field to make plays however it needs to drawn up. Youth and inexperience can be offset by speed and athleticism.

I say go for it.

Agree on all points.

"It sounds like he's not willing to concede a rebuilding year and ready to pull out all the stops to win".

I would expect nothing less. While we haven't gotten over the hump and won the title, we're at the level where we all should expect to play for titles and bowl bids on a yearly basis. Why not win the MAC in '06?

GO FALCONS!!!

I totally agree with that. As I believe Herman Edwards said "You play to win the game." I'll go further and say 'You play to win Championships.' I am sure that is what Coach Brandon thinks, or at least he better think that, as far as I'm concerned. A coach, IMO, has to go out and do what it takes right now to win. Don't play for next year, play for 2006. I think Coach Brandon is going to do that and it sounds like he thinks Turner and Barnes are two of his best players and he is going to find ways to get them both on the field this year. That is fine with me.

With our schedule, if we can get through the early part of the schedule, we only need to hit on all cylinders in November to win the East.

As for Glaud, be cautious when evaluating recruits based on their clippings. There's a big difference (sometimes) between what they show in high school and what they can do in college, even for the "highest rated" recruits.

orangeandbrown wrote:With our schedule, if we can get through the early part of the schedule, we only need to hit on all cylinders in November to win the East.

As for Glaud, be cautious when evaluating recruits based on their clippings. There's a big difference (sometimes) between what they show in high school and what they can do in college, even for the "highest rated" recruits.

Never the less, I'm very excited to see what Glaud can do. BUT, I was just as excited when BG signed Turner, so he should get his chance. Too bad he is suspended, because he would give us the best chance of winning the game. He is yet to impress me too much, but he's still young, I'll give him another year.

2006 is "pivotal" for Brandon. This is his season. Does it mean a bowl game? Maybe not.

Even if we end up relying on the "well, it was bound to be a rebuilding season", now is his chance to show his squads have the depth to keep in touch with the Jack London's and the, uh, not so Flash Gordon's of this world. I'd like to include Miami, but I can't think of any cockney slang that would keep me out of trouble with the politically correct, and, well, are they not rebuilding? Or are they not men? Maybe..... they are devo..

Zom wrote:... well, are they not rebuilding? Or are they not men? Maybe..... they are devo..

Zom: That's classic. I nearly spit my coffee all over the screen!

No offense to AT fans, but he should have been able to impress or at least show a spark last year durring Omars absence. My take is he would make a better back as I think he lacks the intuition and smarts to be a competent QB. Another year on this guy is a wasted year, lets build on the future now and pick one of our true fresh to be our QB. not to mention I bet G is better anyway and will develop more quickly. If for some reason we go AT we will be medicore this season.

98_BG_GRAD wrote:I totally agree with that. As I believe Herman Edwards said "You play to win the game." I'll go further and say 'You play to win Championships.'

I'm not sure that it applies to this year's BG team, but in many cases those two are not necessarily the same goal. To apply it to BG's team, this year we are probably better off with Turner or Barnes playing QB, but we are still likely not a championship caliber team. What if the coaching staff comes to the conclusion, however, that neither Turner or Barnes seem to show the potential to eventually be the leader of a championship team, but they think Glaud or Sheehan might have that potential?

Certainly we would not be fielding our best team this season by playing a true freshman, and it would probably cost us some wins. However, if the ultimate goal is to win a championship, and they don't think Turner or Barnes are able to get us to that level this year, then we're looking at next year. Certainly, if one of those two current freshmen are going to be the starter next year we'd be better off if they got some starting time this year. It might not be in the best interest of winning games this season, but it would be the better move in the interest of winning a championship.

Personally, I don't know if this applies, because I've seen nothing but highlights of the 2 freshmen. Unless the Spring game was just a terrible day (which is possible) I don't think Freddie Barnes is the answer. What I saw last year out of AT wasn't too encouraging either, but I would like to see more of what he can do after another offseason in the system. Still, of one of the Freshmen looks to have higher upside than either of the returning players, I think you could make a good argument for pulling the redshirt and getting them some Playing time, or even starting, late in the year.

hammb:

That's probably the first post from you that I've had to re-read, but I think I get the gist and have to agree. It make sense to give Barnes and/or AT their fair short early in the year, but if it becomes obvious that they won't lead us to a title, then you take your lumps and gear up for 07.

I see the point in investing in the future, but I think we should cross that bridge when we come to it. I really do feel that Turner is the real deal and will play much better this year after getting a lot more experience and coming in on more natural terms. Barnes may not be the answer at QB, but he could be such an efficient runner that it doesnt matter how he is throwing the ball. I know this is a bit of a stretch but guys like Tony Rice and Carlyle Holiday were never true QB's or great throwers and found ways to win lots of games. I know that isnt realistic because BG doesnt have ND caliber Def and ST's, but then again we arent playing that tough of a schedule either. Pat White at WVU isnt very good at throwing the football, and as a TRUE FROSH he lead them to a BCS bowl game and win over SEC's own UGA! Which brings up the point for Glaud and Sheenan. If they are good enough, as in better than Barnes or Turner they should be played right away because wins can be had and it doesnt HAVE to be a sacrifice of a season by starting a freshman at QB. However, I dont think it will happen and I think you'll see Turner humor people enough throughout the season to keep his starting job at least through this year, but I cant wait to see how it all unfolds!

Unless Glaud or Sheehan look like the next Vince Young, there is no way I would waste their redshirt in the middle of the season (notwithstanding injuries to Turner or Barnes). They have to establish themselves as clearly the best QB, or they should be redshirted. I recall in the recent past taking the redshirt off a certain QB/RB late in his freshman year. Even though Jacobs turned out ok, I am sure there is not one Falcon fan who before the 2004 season would have said they would have rather had a redshirt soph Jacobs at QB as opposed to a redshirt SR in Harris. And if Harris would have been redshirted, then Jacobs would have only been the starter for one year and would probably still be in BG and we wouldn't have to have this discussion.

My point is they are either the best QB and should start the entire season, or you keep the redshirt on so they can play four full years.

hammb wrote:

98_BG_GRAD wrote:I totally agree with that. As I believe Herman Edwards said "You play to win the game." I'll go further and say 'You play to win Championships.'

I'm not sure that it applies to this year's BG team, but in many cases those two are not necessarily the same goal. To apply it to BG's team, this year we are probably better off with Turner or Barnes playing QB, but we are still likely not a championship caliber team. What if the coaching staff comes to the conclusion, however, that neither Turner or Barnes seem to show the potential to eventually be the leader of a championship team, but they think Glaud or Sheehan might have that potential?

Certainly we would not be fielding our best team this season by playing a true freshman, and it would probably cost us some wins. However, if the ultimate goal is to win a championship, and they don't think Turner or Barnes are able to get us to that level this year, then we're looking at next year. Certainly, if one of those two current freshmen are going to be the starter next year we'd be better off if they got some starting time this year. It might not be in the best interest of winning games this season, but it would be the better move in the interest of winning a championship.

Personally, I don't know if this applies, because I've seen nothing but highlights of the 2 freshmen. Unless the Spring game was just a terrible day (which is possible) I don't think Freddie Barnes is the answer. What I saw last year out of AT wasn't too encouraging either, but I would like to see more of what he can do after another offseason in the system. Still, of one of the Freshmen looks to have higher upside than either of the returning players, I think you could make a good argument for pulling the redshirt and getting them some Playing time, or even starting, late in the year.

I think that on August 15, you have to play the players you think give you the best chance to win games and the conference right now. After the first couple of MAC games, if they lose and Turner or Barnes are not performing and have shown they are not good enough to play QB at this level, then you look at playing a freshman. I think it is a disservice to players and fans if, at this point, you say you aren't good enough to win, so we are going to play young players to build for next year. That can change as the season goes on, depending on what happens.

As far as I am concerned, we should expect to at the very least contend for MAC Championships every single year. By October, we may realize this team will not win a title, but right now, how can we expect anything less? Maybe I am unrealistic, but I feel this program is at a level that we should expect championships, not rebuilding years.