Brint wrote "McKinney can do all that is needed" as the starting QB for this team. Except pass the ball. McKinney is another Gerald Kemp...... both of whom are not FCS caliber QBs, and should be playing other positions. Just because McKinney is a good runner, does not make him a QB. It took us 4 years of hope and prayer with Kemp to finally realize that he was NOT a QB. It will be the same with McKinney. He will start, flounder, make drive-killing mistakes, over-throw wide-open receivers, and interceptions.
I hope that Rosey will figure this out early, and replace him with Brez. Most people do not understand the cerebral element to playing QB. it is much more important than just throwing and running. It involves reading the defense, going through your receiver progressions, audibling out of plays that will not work against that particular defense, etc. DD had it. Ochs had it. Edwards had it. Berquist had it. Will McKinney ever have it? Highly doubtful. But Brez will have it. You could see it last night. He was light years ahead of the other three in reading the defense, and he is very young. He will get better and better with playing time. He has some of the same qualities as DD and JJ. Same Size, smart, quick, can run with the ball. Can avoid the sack.
Couple of comments regarding previous posts. First, it was obvious watching Brez that he has some speed. For those of you who think that everything you read on Rivals or Scout is the gospel, it is not. Brez is plenty fast enough to be an effective runner in the offense the Griz are using. Yes, he needs to bulk-up a bit, as all freshmen do. JJ was not much different in build as a freshman. He will hit the weights and get stronger. We shouldn't worry about him taking a pounding, if our O-line does its job. He should not have to run the ball much if our running game with our backs is working. It is supposedly our strength. You don't want your QB carrying the ball all that much, risking injury.
Bottom line, of the four QBs I watched last night, McKinney should be playing another position, Smithwick hyphenated is never going to start here. He is Nate Montana with half the ability. Gustafson will be a good one, and Brez has the potential to be as good as Jordy. Just my opinion.
Please keep in mind that McKinney has the luxury of playing with the starters. The other three had to play with subs. Big difference. How would Brez and Gus look playing with the first team "O"?
