Arkansas QB controversy

[woo_pig_sooie]

Well, it looks like Casey Dick's back has not healed all the way and is having an MRI done today. He's missed the last 3-4 practices while Mustain has been coming on strong each practice. Robert Johnson has also been doing well, but not as consistent as Mustain. If Casey continues to struggle with back problems look for Mustain to get the nod against USC.

[Wizard of Orange]

... very interesting. But SC is not exactly who I'd want to break my new QB in on.

[pc72687]

I agree, but then again it will let the hog nation know right quick whether he was for real or not.

[goallthewayua]

I agree, but then again it will let the hog nation know right quick whether he was for real or not.

I don't think one game is going to be enough to judge how "for real" a kid is going to be, especially when he is going up against USC, but to be honest he is the best Qb we have right now even if Dick's back wasn't messed up. I'm basing this on practice reports so far not that I wanted Mustain to start first game before hand. He does give us the best chance of winning at this moment. JMO, but everything I'm hearing is he is looking really good for frosh.

[GamecockDieHard]

Well one things for certain. Mustain will learn alot from that USCW game. IF he can maintain composure and make a few plays, what do you think that will do for his confidence? I don't think he'll be quite as intimidated by anyone else. First college game and all...

Personally, the guy looks like a future play maker that everyone will be watching. If you got to play him, then I think it's better to baptize by fire and get him started. Who knows how long it'll take but eventually he's going to make good things happen for the Hogs.

[TrueGCFan]

USC defense isn't that good. I'd be much more worried about breaking in a fresh. CB or SS than a QB. Plus isn't this game in Ark?

[goallthewayua]

No dude, USC defense is great, they have the best linebacker core in the country. They are playing 3-4 this year cause their LB's are so awesome. Good news is ours are studs too. I think this will definately be a defensive game.

[goallthewayua]

Ya its in fayetteville

[hmsdawgs]

I think this would be a great game for Mustain to start. He will not expected to win and will be expected struggle...therefore there is absolutely no pressure on him. He can go out there against a top 5 team and play. If he loses, so what, if he throws INT's so what, now...if he plays decent then that can be a huge confidence booster for the more important games down the road.

[WooHawg]

As Mustain said but not in these exact words, if I prove to be the best man for the job then I will gladly play. It remains to be seem what will come of the back issue Casey is having. I have preferred all along for Casey to be the starting QB but with this injury that may not happen. All the practice reports I have read show Mustain as doing better than Johnson for the most part. Maybe the Mustain Era has begun. :mohawk:

[pc72687]

Others said what I meant. USCW is a tough first game for any QB and after that game he should feel that anything is possible. Now if he wins that game it doesn't nessecarily mean he will win everything else but it would give you a good indicater of whether he can read coverages, handle the pressure (from the defense and of the mental variety), and whether he can be a team leader.

[bbqit]

Play Mustain. If I remember right Matt Jones was just thrown out there too. Never thought he was the greatest qb but he would beat you before you realized he had a great game.

[Hawgwild]

Matt jones didnt get in till the 4th game or so i think.

[pc72687]

Well if Mustian is anything like Matt Jones then y'all will be more then fine.

[WooHawg]

Just read that Casey's MRI was negative but he will not be participating in tomorrow's scrimmage. Good news, hopefully with a little rest he will be back on the field.

[HottyToddy45]

Anyone remember Phillip Rivers? He played from day 1 and looked like a senior from Day 1. Mustain should start even if Casey is ready. It would have helped alot to have McFadden to ease the pressure cuse now USCW will make ya'll beat them in the air.

[goallthewayua]

Anyone remember Phillip Rivers? He played from day 1 and looked like a senior from Day 1. Mustain should start even if Casey is ready. It would have helped alot to have McFadden to ease the pressure cuse now USCW will make ya'll beat them in the air.

I agree I was alot more confident about this game before the toe injury, but we still don't have to revert to a spread passing offense. There isn't a lot if any drop off in talent between McFadden and Felix Jones. We still also have two very good backups behind Felix in Hillis and Smith, and still more decent backs after that. Our running game will be more or less the same. I agree though. Would have been nice to have McFadden back there also, but hey there is still a chance he will play against USC.

[Smithian]

At this point, I would rather see RoJo or Casey Dick start.

People forget the change in team he is going from, He is going from having a downright beastly offense at every position that noone in the state to a team that might have the RBs comparable to those at Springdale, but the O-Line isn't as good pass blocking, and the pure number of WRs at a good caliber definately isn't there yet.

Now, before everyone goes nuts thinking I said Springdale would have beat us last year, I mean that the level of support he had compared to other teams was much higher.

Truely, the only reason I would want to see to see Mustain start because all of you know Casey Dick or RoJo could start, throw for 250 yards and a few TDs in a big upset, but if in the closing minutes they were to throw an ill advised pass that was incomplete or intercepted, HALF OF HOG NATION WOULD GO APE DEMANDING MITCH MUSTAIN and the other half will be yelled down for trying to tell them that we have other QBs even though they might not have the level of potential.

[woo_pig_sooie]

At this point, I would rather see RoJo or Casey Dick start.

People forget the change in team he is going from, He is going from having a downright beastly offense at every position that noone in the state to a team that might have the RBs comparable to those at Springdale, but the O-Line isn't as good pass blocking, and the pure number of WRs at a good caliber definately isn't there yet.

Now, before everyone goes nuts thinking I said Springdale would have beat us last year, I mean that the level of support he had compared to other teams was much higher.

Truely, the only reason I would want to see to see Mustain start because all of you know Casey Dick or RoJo could start, throw for 250 yards and a few TDs in a big upset, but if in the closing minutes they were to throw an ill advised pass that was incomplete or intercepted, HALF OF HOG NATION WOULD GO APE DEMANDING MITCH MUSTAIN and the other half will be yelled down for trying to tell them that we have other QBs even though they might not have the level of potential.

Please tell me I'm misunderstanding you, but are you saying that McFadden and Jones are comparable to the RBs at Springdale last year???

100th post!

[gopig]

Please tell me I'm misunderstanding you, but are you saying that McFadden and Jones are comparable to the RBs at Springdale last year???

100th post!

He's just saying that our RBs are much better than the normal college team, just like Springdale's RBs were much better than the average high school. However, while Springdale's O-line and Wideouts were way dominant, Arks won't be. (the line will be great for rushing but prolly not at pass protection.)

[goallthewayua]

"Since practice started and the news of Casey has been discussed, I've felt that Mustain should start against USC. I have read the arguments and thought that the pros outweighed the cons, but this morning I read this post from bacon on hogville MMQB. This is only an excerpt, but he does make really great points about not starting MM or lets just say I agree and he has made a believer out of me.

This is going to be an emotional game. One that will ebb and flow with the fever-pitch of Razorback fans. At kickoff our stadium will hyperventilate. This emotion clouds judgment on the field, especially for freshmen, and especially after a sack, interception or fumble. While I don’t necessarily trust the abilities of our quarterbacks, I do trust that they can stay in the game for two series without doing too much damage.

One of two things will happen early in the game. Either we’ll be able to move the ball against USC or we will not. Imagine Mitch at the helm and the latter happening. To sit him out after a couple of series to only bring in Robert Johnson will be a huge deflation. However, if you reverse the scenario and bring Mitch in should Casey or Robert fail to move the ball you have an instant reinvigoration of the crowd. The positive emotion at that point will no doubt spark our team and give us a second hope.

If Mitch follows up a poor performance by the starter with one of his own, then little confidence is lost. If, however, he follows a lackluster showing by one of them and dazzles the crowd we’ve got a new hero to embrace heading into the season.

For our fan base, Mitch represents hope. Let him be the rallying cry against USC, don’t put him in a position to fail."

[WooHawg]

"Since practice started and the news of Casey has been discussed, I've felt that Mustain should start against USC. I have read the arguments and thought that the pros outweighed the cons, but this morning I read this post from bacon on hogville MMQB. This is only an excerpt, but he does make really great points about not starting MM or lets just say I agree and he has made a believer out of me.

This is going to be an emotional game. One that will ebb and flow with the fever-pitch of Razorback fans. At kickoff our stadium will hyperventilate. This emotion clouds judgment on the field, especially for freshmen, and especially after a sack, interception or fumble. While I don’t necessarily trust the abilities of our quarterbacks, I do trust that they can stay in the game for two series without doing too much damage.

One of two things will happen early in the game. Either we’ll be able to move the ball against USC or we will not. Imagine Mitch at the helm and the latter happening. To sit him out after a couple of series to only bring in Robert Johnson will be a huge deflation. However, if you reverse the scenario and bring Mitch in should Casey or Robert fail to move the ball you have an instant reinvigoration of the crowd. The positive emotion at that point will no doubt spark our team and give us a second hope.

If Mitch follows up a poor performance by the starter with one of his own, then little confidence is lost. If, however, he follows a lackluster showing by one of them and dazzles the crowd we’ve got a new hero to embrace heading into the season.

For our fan base, Mitch represents hope. Let him be the rallying cry against USC, don’t put him in a position to fail."

Very good points there. My whole thing is, supposedly RoJo is looking pretty good so far in practice. There are reports here and there saying he is doing ok while some are saying he looks improved. But I do remember last year RoJo looked good in practice and was supposedly ready for the job...then we all saw what happened during the games. Another year rolls by, maybe Johnson has learned and matured. Now with the reports saying that Mustain has looked pretty good in practice. I can honestly say I am not sure at this point who I would rather have at QB for the first game if Casey is not healed.

[WooHawg]

Fair enough...... http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/littlerocking/2006/08/jr_and_henrys_sports_column_qu.aspx

[shanksta13]

Mustain starting in this game would be a huge confidence booster from the simple fact that the coaching staff would be willing to set him out there against arguably one of the best teams in the country. I think it's a great chance for him to win the support of the fans as well.

[hogtusk34]

Greetings everyone. New to the board. Just read on hogwired.com that Nutt has named Robert Johnson the starting quarterback against USC. His statement almost sounded apologetic. All accounts lately have said he has been doing well, but quite frankly I am very surprised. I hope Nutt's hunch pays of this time. Just have memories of last year, not only of ROJO, but also of Nutt waiting until after the loss to Vanderbilt to really throw McFadden into the mix. I think he had one carry against Vandy last year in a last second loss. 15 carries that night and things may have been different. Also waiting 7 games to pull Casey Dick off of the scout team. (2-5 before Casey, 2-2 with him including a close loss at LSU) Hope we don't say the same for Mustain.

Go Hogs!!!!

[PigKahuna]

Robert Johnson has been consistently better in practice. He's earned it.