Pre-fall camp discussion 1 - The offense

[mthoopsfan]

Brown was pretty good in 2021. Backup qb was not an Achilles heel in 2021, in my view. Yes, Brown didn't shine when he had to come in against JMU, but that was just one game.

Brown completed 64.7% of passes that year. By comparison, Humphrey was 60.9%. Humphrey's 7 picks were a higher percentage of passes than Brown's 4 picks. 3-1 as starter.

From roster:

"2020-21 (R-Fr.):

• Academic All-Big Sky

Performed admirably in 12 appearances, going 3-1 as a starter in a backup role under center for the Grizzlies, finishing the year with 1029 yards and three touchdowns on the season… Showed big play ability on the ground, rushing for five touchdowns in a three-game stretch… Threw for a career-high 256 yards in Montana’s win over Idaho… Completed a 70-yard pass in Montana's win at Idaho, the longest of his career."

Hoops. If we are going to use stats, in all fairness; out of the rounded 65% completion, what was the completion under 10 yards and the completion/attempted for over 10 yards.

Don't know. Why don't you tell us. I just quoted the blurb from the Roster and looked at the stats.

 

[mthoopsfan]

So if we DO have a 2 QB system and QB1 goes down, you think BROWN becomes the new QB1 and McDowell remains as QB2 in the 2QB system, with specific sets/plays for him?

I think that depends on how they feel McDowell can run Vidlak’s part of the offense. If he can do it really well, then he’s probably QB1. If not, then it would make sense to keep the offense as similar as possible, which means he still gets his same stuff (maybe at a higher rate now), but they might spell him with Brown.

I think Griz fans have gotten way too obsessed with our QB2 situation as of late. Most Qb2’s in FCS are not natty winning caliber players. It’s not a problem that only we have.

The reason to have McDowelll playing is to run a dual threat offense and do what he can do, not to do what Vidlak can do.

 

[Griz Time]

Hoops. If we are going to use stats, in all fairness; out of the rounded 65% completion, what was the completion under 10 yards and the completion/attempted for over 10 yards.

Don't know. Why don't you tell us. I just quoted the blurb from the Roster and looked at the stats.

I'm honestly not attacking you but the question is valid for the offense he was given. My guess, those stats at over 10 were less than 30%, it wasn't there, rather the call, coaches or however we blame. His stats were magnified under 10 yard throws, that's my guess.
I like Brown but coach calls or his own, he didnt deliver last year. Period
Which if we are going to be to be honest with each other, it goes two ways. Did the staff under utilize him or was he not capable beyond 10, in the scheme?

 

[kemajic]

Brown was pretty good in 2021. Backup qb was not an Achilles heel in 2021, in my view. Yes, Brown didn't shine when he had to come in against JMU, but that was just one game.

SacSt was another.

 

[Copper Griz]

McDowell is being overlooked because of his late addition to the team. A major mistake and he will push Vidlak in fall camp. Two different styles, but just what the Griz need with their oline and running back scenario. Not like the kid doesn’t have an arm and cannot pass either. His biggest challenge is learning the playbook. Not that big of a challenge for him.

 

[bgbigdog]

McDowell is being overlooked because of his late addition to the team. A major mistake and he will push Vidlak in fall camp. Two different styles, but just what the Griz need with their oline and running back scenario. Not like the kid doesn’t have an arm and cannot pass either. His biggest challenge is learning the playbook. Not that big of a challenge for him.

Agree. McDowell didn't arrive here thinking he was going to be anyone's backup because that's not how Montana was sold to him. The difference between this season and last is now, there's a choice. Johnson was the only choice last season. So let's hope that both guys get a real chance, and the continued coaching and development necessary for them to take the reins, when - not if, necessary.

 

[garizzalies]

This is entirely on Bobby if he trots him out there as our backup QB again. We have a big enough body of evidence to prove he’s just not a BSC caliber QB. He’s a great teammate who goes out there when asked, but if somehow (based on PRACTICE performance) Bobby hangs his hat on Brown again this year to backup Vidlak and he falls on his face again I’m done with Bobby.

Why don’t you just bail now? Save us all from your belly aching.

KB could be QB1 and you should start coming to terms with it rn. He knows the offense the best and so far is the only one of the three who can look off defenders and push the ball down the field.

 

[Spanky2]

Bobby must believe in Brown’s ability . Let’s hope Brown can perform this year.

 

[3-7-77]

I've been on the critical side of KB from the beginning. He shows competence one moment and incompetence the next. Consistently inconsistent. IF we are down to hoping he performs, WHAT have we become?

 

[kemajic]

Bobby must believe in Brown’s ability . Let’s hope Brown can perform this year.

We've pretty much seen Brown's ceiling. It is what it is.

 

[horribilisfan8184]

Bobby must believe in Brown’s ability . Let’s hope Brown can perform this year.

Some players rise to adversity, and shine when the pressure is greatest. Others tend to fold in these situations. KB has the ability to lead this team, it's the execution against superior opponents in crunch time where he needs improvement.

 

[3-7-77]

Long ago, there was a AFL(Australian) coach who said these immortal words: 'There are those who make things happen, those who watch things happen, and those who say, "WHAT HAPPENED?" '

 

[reinell30]

If KB is our number One choice for backup, or even starter, I believe this team will be in trouble. However, on a positive note. I for one want KB to be amazing! The better he is the better for the Griz! He must show great things in practice or Bobby would not put him where he is? I also believe this new offense will help him be the best he can be. What ever that may be.
Go Griz!

 

[mthoopsfan]

Bobby must believe in Brown’s ability . Let’s hope Brown can perform this year.

We've pretty much seen Brown's ceiling. It is what it is.

You may be right, but you also be wrong.

 

[HelenaHandBasket]

We've pretty much seen Brown's ceiling. It is what it is.

You may be right, but you also be wrong.

99% right, 1% wrong?

 

[Griz til I die]

We've pretty much seen Brown's ceiling. It is what it is.

You may be right, but you also be wrong.

Dude he's been in the program for 5 years now. If he hasn't figured it out yet, he's not going to at this point. His problem is between the ears. Mentally he's a step too slow. He has a tendency to not pull the trigger in time and instead hang on to the ball and take sacks. A new offensive scheme is not gonna fix that problem for him. The only one who can fix that problem is him. Physically he's got all the tools to be a good QB, but if he can't overcome the mental part of the game then it's gonna be more of the same!

 

[ElrodGrizzly]

This is entirely on Bobby if he trots him out there as our backup QB again. We have a big enough body of evidence to prove he’s just not a BSC caliber QB. He’s a great teammate who goes out there when asked, but if somehow (based on PRACTICE performance) Bobby hangs his hat on Brown again this year to backup Vidlak and he falls on his face again I’m done with Bobby.

Why don’t you just bail now? Save us all from your belly aching.

KB could be QB1 and you should start coming to terms with it rn. He knows the offense the best and so far is the only one of the three who can look off defenders and push the ball down the field.

I have gone out of my way to never say one bad word about KB. By all accounts, a fantastic kid and he is a serviceable backup. But his BIGGEST flaw is that he absolutely does not look off defenders. He locks on to one guy pre-snap, and does not leave them. If you are saying that he has added that to his game recently, then that is one thing. But to say that he has proven it seems difficult to believe.

I'll make sure to watch for that when practices start up, but I have never seen him look someone off in a game. If he has made that change and is keeping his head on a swivel, and intentionally looking off DB's, then that would be a BIG step forward for him.

 

[3-7-77]

We've pretty much seen Brown's ceiling. It is what it is.

You may be right, but you also be wrong.

https://youtu.be/ilsv0C1-aBw

 

[garizzalies]

Why don’t you just bail now? Save us all from your belly aching.

KB could be QB1 and you should start coming to terms with it rn. He knows the offense the best and so far is the only one of the three who can look off defenders and push the ball down the field.

I have gone out of my way to never say one bad word about KB. By all accounts, a fantastic kid and he is a serviceable backup. But his BIGGEST flaw is that he absolutely does not look off defenders. He locks on to one guy pre-snap, and does not leave them. If you are saying that he has added that to his game recently, then that is one thing. But to say that he has proven it seems difficult to believe.

I'll make sure to watch for that when practices start up, but I have never seen him look someone off in a game. If he has made that change and is keeping his head on a swivel, and intentionally looking off DB's, then that would be a BIG step forward for him.

Sorta. You’re close. I didn’t say proven or in games but I get the concern.
I said so far he’s the best of the 3 at doing that and pushing the ball down field. Two things. Both probably not up to our standards but going into fall camp, I think he may be the best we have at those things. All that can change in flash over the next couple weeks are of course.

 

[ElrodGrizzly]

I have gone out of my way to never say one bad word about KB. By all accounts, a fantastic kid and he is a serviceable backup. But his BIGGEST flaw is that he absolutely does not look off defenders. He locks on to one guy pre-snap, and does not leave them. If you are saying that he has added that to his game recently, then that is one thing. But to say that he has proven it seems difficult to believe.

I'll make sure to watch for that when practices start up, but I have never seen him look someone off in a game. If he has made that change and is keeping his head on a swivel, and intentionally looking off DB's, then that would be a BIG step forward for him.

Sorta. You’re close. I didn’t say proven or in games but I get the concern.
I said so far he’s the best of the 3 at doing that and pushing the ball down field. Two things. Both probably not up to our standards but going into fall camp, I think he may be the best we have at those things. All that can change in flash over the next couple weeks are of course.

That is fair, I can't speak to McDowell's eyes at all. In the spring game I didn't feel like Vidlak locked on as hard as Brown has done, but I also obviously can't see his look offs from that vantage point as a fan, and you're right that you said the best out of the three without saying he was amazing at it. Fair play, you're right that I was talking past your point in some ways there.

My hope is that he is better in every facet. Nothing but love for a kid who has stuck it out and been a contributor to the program for this long.