Mickey Still Won't Pick a QB

[JMU DJ]

according to Mickey Matthews, there will be no change with his team's quarterback situation as the Dukes enter conference play.

Matthews said Monday at his weekly press conference that junior Drew Dudzik and freshman Justin Thorpe will continue to rotate at quarterback against Hofstra.

Matthews said both quarterbacks deserve to play. But he anticipates using Dudzik more because he's proven a better game manager.

"We go game to game," Matthews said. "You're going to change it in the week. You may change it during the game. I always go with my gut feel. Both kids are prepared to play."

Dudzik played the entire second half of JMU's 24-10 win at Liberty this past Saturday. The team used a similar strategy in its opening overtime loss at Maryland, using Thorpe for just a single second half series.

"You know, when you look at it, maybe Drew's going to play some more," Matthews said. "I haven't been able to go that far with it this week, (offensive coordinator Jeff Durden) and I. But both kids are still playing.

We'll just make a decision during the week. Who's going to begin the game, as I like to say," Matthews added.

http://www.whsv.com/sports/headlines/62417567.html



I don't like this... not at all


I've heard some JMU fans say that maybe he's trying to split duty while we play "lesser" competition so that we don't end up with a Flanders injury again... I've also heard that maybe Mickey is using the art of trickery and deception to fool the other teams into our fake offensive schemes. Me, I think it's pretty clear (as it is to fans of the teams we have beat per their message boards) that Dudzik is the clear choice for starter. I hope Thorpe turns out to be a great QB for JMU, but he's killing drives right now while Dudzik is leading us to the end zone.

[DukeJack]

Yeah, I'm not worried too much about it right now, Hofstra isn't likely to put up too much of a fight. I can only hope that Mickey is just trying to get Thorpe the reps before we really jump into conference play. If a quarterback, not just a guy getting first shot, isn't picked for Richmond then there'll be some problems.

[ASUG8]

Yeah, I'm not worried too much about it right now, Hofstra isn't likely to put up too much of a fight. I can only hope that Mickey is just trying to get Thorpe the reps before we really jump into conference play. If a quarterback, not just a guy getting first shot, isn't picked for Richmond then there'll be some problems.

If we weren't 1-2 right now I think Jerry Moore would be doing the same with Cadet right now.

[mcveyrl]

So dumb. I like Mickey and I think he's a good coach, but this is a mistake. I'm afraid it will come back to bite us.

Anybody that watched the Liberty game saw that we moved more effectively with Dudzik.

[JMU DJ]

So dumb. I like Mickey and I think he's a good coach, but this is a mistake. I'm afraid it will come back to bite us.

Anybody that watched the Liberty game saw that we moved more effectively with Dudzik.

When the DNR picks up on it, you know it's dumb... because that paper is last to pick up on anything.

http://www.dailynews-record.com/sports_ ... 151&CHID=3

[bandl]

Maybe he is just afraid of losing the starting QB to injury like what happened last year with Landers? By getting as much experience for both quarterbacks as possible, if the starter (whenever/whoever that may be) goes down with an injury the back up quarterback will be able to step up with some legit (i.e., not just a series or two against a scrub team well after the game has already been decided) playing time already under his belt and some more confidence.

That's how I see it anyways...

[wideright82]

So dumb. I like Mickey and I think he's a good coach, but this is a mistake. I'm afraid it will come back to bite us.

Anybody that watched the Liberty game saw that we moved more effectively with Dudzik.

Congrats on your first post Mc.



Villanova does a similar thing, and I would imagine MM knows what he is doing. The ability to have two elite FCS QB's play is a blessing not a curse. JMU has not had too much trouble this season, and to ride bandls coat tails, I think it is more a precaution so he doesn't get caught with an inexperienced QB should something happen to Dudzik

[JMU DJ]

See, the thing I don't see about the experience aspect is that Dudzik practically had no experience last year but looked amazing when he came in during the Montana game after Landers injury. If the QB is good, he should be able to step in and run the team without the game experience. Look at Flacco in the NFL, he was third string... injury gave him the opportunity to start with no NFL experience and he nailed it.

[bandl]

See, the thing I don't see about the experience aspect is that Dudzik practically had no experience last year but looked amazing when he came in during the Montana game after Landers injury. If the QB is good, he should be able to step in and run the team without the game experience. Look at Flacco in the NFL, he was third string... injury gave him the opportunity to start with no NFL experience and he nailed it.

But what's to say that Thorpe would be able to do the same thing as Dudzik in a big time game if he didn't have some legit playing time? Not every person is the same. I know you don't play any real sports (figure skating doesn't count) but even the best athlete can be a little bit rusty and antsy when they first go in if they aren't already playing every game.
Now if we get into the meat of the schedule and MM is still going with the 2 QB rotation then I might and will become concerned...

[JMU DJ]

No doubt Nancy, as long as this is over by next week when we play UR I'm fine... I still think 4 games into the season and you still haven't chosen a QB is stupid. If they are practicing and getting reps with the first team every week, they shouldn't be rusty, it should be just like coming off the bench in any other "real sport." I can see the validity of giving them both PT to reduce wear and tear as we don't have a bye week this year. Why not just come out and say that? Do you really think there is a QB battle still going on? I think Mickey is just BS-ing like Bill Belichick, but that's just an unvalidated conspiracy theory. AND FIGURE SKATING IS SOOOOO A SPORT!!!!

[putter]

I can see doing it through OOC to determine who is the best QB but I think you need to choose one. Montana was doing it until Roper got a concussion and Selle got the nod. It spoke volumes when the media intervied Selle and he said it was good to be able to go in the game and get a rhythm going and know you would be going back in.

[mtgrizfan4life]

Coach Hauck stated since last game, that he too plans to stick with the QB rotation. In the case of the GRIZ, right now, it is not so much our offense worrying me as it is our defense being too passive and giving up over 300 yards per game.

Kind of ironic that 2 of top FCS programs are both rotating qbs. Hell the GRIZ even find time for the 3rd qb for a change of pace.

[putter]

Coach Hauck stated since last game, that he too plans to stick with the QB rotation. In the case of the GRIZ, right now, it is not so much our offense worrying me as it is our defense being too passive and giving up over 300 yards per game.

Kind of ironic that 2 of top FCS programs are both rotating qbs. Hell the GRIZ even find time for the 3rd qb for a change of pace.

Yes, and if Kemp would actually hand the ball off sometime he may be a real threat...

[mtgrizfan4life]

Coach Hauck stated since last game, that he too plans to stick with the QB rotation. In the case of the GRIZ, right now, it is not so much our offense worrying me as it is our defense being too passive and giving up over 300 yards per game.

Kind of ironic that 2 of top FCS programs are both rotating qbs. Hell the GRIZ even find time for the 3rd qb for a change of pace.

Yes, and if Kemp would actually hand the ball off sometime he may be a real threat...

He has been effective despite that. I wonder who would be doing more running with Kemp and Chase teamed up for those series'? I think it would be less predictable than it is now with the GRIZ running game.

[BDKJMU]

So dumb. I like Mickey and I think he's a good coach, but this is a mistake. I'm afraid it will come back to bite us.

Anybody that watched the Liberty game saw that we moved more effectively with Dudzik.

No, MM will give Thorpe some reps at Hofstra. So maybe JMU wins by one less TD thn they otherwise would have. He may not name a starter for UR, but I guarantee you barring Dudzick inexplicably looking like crap vs Hofstra (or god forbid getting injured) and Thorpe playing like a Payton candidate, you'll see Dudzick the whole game vs UR

Later in the season if Dudzick goes down, Thorpe will have some experience under his belt as opposed to being totally green. Smart move.

[BDKJMU]

Maybe he is just afraid of losing the starting QB to injury like what happened last year with Landers? By getting as much experience for both quarterbacks as possible, if the starter (whenever/whoever that may be) goes down with an injury the back up quarterback will be able to step up with some legit (i.e., not just a series or two against a scrub team well after the game has already been decided) playing time already under his belt and some more confidence.

That's how I see it anyways...

Yep.