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byu6584First time contributor, lonnnnnnnng time reader (going way back the the ErrWolf/Jefe days at CB). Thanks to the keepers of this site who provide this forum and maintain its integrity. Also thanks to those contributors who offer great insights.
Comparisons between Riley and prior quarterbacks have been made, especially to Steve Young and Brandon Doman. I was attending the Y during the Wilson/McMahon/Young era, so I got to see their feats first hand. I was out of state for Doman, so I did not see a lot of his play.
I find it interesting when people say Riley compares more favorably to Doman than to Young, especially when referring to Riley's arm. Having watched Steve Young from the get-go, let me tell you that at the beginning he did not have an impressive arm, and the team did not get off to a stellar start with him, either. I remember well, wandering around the Utah State Fair grounds back in 82, with my wife and toddler daughter. I often stopped by the pavilion where the BYU game against Georgia/Herschel Walker was being aired. BYU barely lost that game and Young threw 6 (yes, six) interceptions. All I could think was, "If only McMahon were there we would have killed Georgia" (and we would have, too). BYU lost on a late-game field goal, 17-14. One interesting side note, Tom Holmoe had a pick 6 that game. The defense scored half our points. Hmmm...
The point is,.. Young did not start out as a great BYU QB. He had to knock off a lot of rough edges. Thankfully, Ted Tollner came on board and saw the leadership and potential there. Had Doug Scoville remained as OC, Steve Young would not be part of any football conversation, today. We'd all be raving about Eric Kryzmarcik (sp).
I'm not saying Riley is another Steve Young, but, to me, there are a lot of parallels. They bring the same leadership, attitude, grit, fire, and excitement to the game. It was painful to watch Young, at first, struggle with his passing. But you knew he was a fearless gamer that would not quit, and would give his all to win the game. I see a lot of the same in Nelson.
Although Riley made a couple of foolish throws and a bad throw against SJSU, I was actually very pleased with his arm, and accuracy. That 40 yard bomb to Jacobson was 50 yards in the air, and a perfect strike. I believe Nelson demonstrated sufficient arm strength. I think what Riley needs is refinement through reps. I have to hand it to the kid for sticking in there with a good attitude, while playing behind Heaps. A lesser person would have become embittered, Riley rose above it.
I just don't believe Heaps is ready, yet. His body of work at BYU does not show a whole lot. My hope is that he is given the time (and uses it well) to hone his game and get some moxy, just like Nielson, Wilson, McMahon, Young, Bosco and Doman ALL did. Those guys were able to put their stamps on BYU quarterbacking history with two or less years of starting duty. Let's hope Jake can do the same, and grow from this adversity he is now facing.
Comparisons between Riley and prior quarterbacks have been made, especially to Steve Young and Brandon Doman. I was attending the Y during the Wilson/McMahon/Young era, so I got to see their feats first hand. I was out of state for Doman, so I did not see a lot of his play.
I find it interesting when people say Riley compares more favorably to Doman than to Young, especially when referring to Riley's arm. Having watched Steve Young from the get-go, let me tell you that at the beginning he did not have an impressive arm, and the team did not get off to a stellar start with him, either. I remember well, wandering around the Utah State Fair grounds back in 82, with my wife and toddler daughter. I often stopped by the pavilion where the BYU game against Georgia/Herschel Walker was being aired. BYU barely lost that game and Young threw 6 (yes, six) interceptions. All I could think was, "If only McMahon were there we would have killed Georgia" (and we would have, too). BYU lost on a late-game field goal, 17-14. One interesting side note, Tom Holmoe had a pick 6 that game. The defense scored half our points. Hmmm...
The point is,.. Young did not start out as a great BYU QB. He had to knock off a lot of rough edges. Thankfully, Ted Tollner came on board and saw the leadership and potential there. Had Doug Scoville remained as OC, Steve Young would not be part of any football conversation, today. We'd all be raving about Eric Kryzmarcik (sp).
I'm not saying Riley is another Steve Young, but, to me, there are a lot of parallels. They bring the same leadership, attitude, grit, fire, and excitement to the game. It was painful to watch Young, at first, struggle with his passing. But you knew he was a fearless gamer that would not quit, and would give his all to win the game. I see a lot of the same in Nelson.
Although Riley made a couple of foolish throws and a bad throw against SJSU, I was actually very pleased with his arm, and accuracy. That 40 yard bomb to Jacobson was 50 yards in the air, and a perfect strike. I believe Nelson demonstrated sufficient arm strength. I think what Riley needs is refinement through reps. I have to hand it to the kid for sticking in there with a good attitude, while playing behind Heaps. A lesser person would have become embittered, Riley rose above it.
I just don't believe Heaps is ready, yet. His body of work at BYU does not show a whole lot. My hope is that he is given the time (and uses it well) to hone his game and get some moxy, just like Nielson, Wilson, McMahon, Young, Bosco and Doman ALL did. Those guys were able to put their stamps on BYU quarterbacking history with two or less years of starting duty. Let's hope Jake can do the same, and grow from this adversity he is now facing.