Fans love to hate

I have to agree with Mike Sorensen on this article:

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865563033/Mike-Sorensen-Fans-always-think-the-backup-quarterback-is-better-than-the-starter.html?pg=2" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;



I don't think the issue the last two weeks has been that Nelson was not good enough, it was that he wasn't healthy enough. And shame on the coaches for continuing to play him while hurt.

That is why I disagree with his article. I could have missed it, but he never linked fans calling for the back up, not because Riley is a bad QB, but because everyone can see that he is playing hurt and is just not effective. It would be a completely different story if he were healthy and people were still calling for the backup.



To me his whole article is one long false analogy.

LaVell Edwards continued to play Robbie Bosco when he was hurt when BYU played Ohio State in the Citrus Bowl. The backup was the well prepared Blaine Fowler, who was drafted into the CFL even though he spent his whole career as a backup. I never understood that one either because we could have probably beaten Ohio State with Fowler at QB. Bosco was limited due to his injury. So for me, this is simply a repeat of history and it appears that often HC's put more emphasis on leadership ability than current athletic abilty. It's an easy call when you end up losing the game because of that reluctance, somewhat like we have seen in the last two games. It's tough to be a coach and it's tough to watch your team underpreform as a fan.

EM_Puma wrote:
LaVell Edwards continued to play Robbie Bosco when he was hurt when BYU played Ohio State in the Citrus Bowl. The backup was the well prepared Blaine Fowler, who was drafted into the CFL even though he spent his whole career as a backup. I never understood that one either because we could have probably beaten Ohio State with Fowler at QB. Bosco was limited due to his injury.

I suppose the 1985 situation was because Bosco had led BYU over undefeated #4 Air Force (more special teams than Bosco, but QBs take a disproportionate share of credit and blame) several weeks before and the rest before the bowl should have allowed him to heal. BYU should have beat the Buckeyes even with Bosco at QB, but I think you're right that Fowler should have been enough to win.

EM_Puma wrote:
LaVell Edwards continued to play Robbie Bosco when he was hurt when BYU played Ohio State in the Citrus Bowl. The backup was the well prepared Blaine Fowler, who was drafted into the CFL even though he spent his whole career as a backup. I never understood that one either because we could have probably beaten Ohio State with Fowler at QB. Bosco was limited due to his injury. So for me, this is simply a repeat of history and it appears that often HC's put more emphasis on leadership ability than current athletic abilty. It's an easy call when you end up losing the game because of that reluctance, somewhat like we have seen in the last two games. It's tough to be a coach and it's tough to watch your team underpreform as a fan.

Don't forget that Robbie Bosco was injured in the Holiday bowl in 1984, and replaced for part of that game. He was put back in toward the end of the game, and led the Cougars to the winning touchdown and the National Championship. Maybe it's this Bosco experience that leads the coaches to stick with the injured player longer than is probably wise.

IowaCougar wrote:

LaVell Edwards continued to play Robbie Bosco when he was hurt when BYU played Ohio State in the Citrus Bowl. The backup was the well prepared Blaine Fowler, who was drafted into the CFL even though he spent his whole career as a backup. I never understood that one either because we could have probably beaten Ohio State with Fowler at QB. Bosco was limited due to his injury. So for me, this is simply a repeat of history and it appears that often HC's put more emphasis on leadership ability than current athletic abilty. It's an easy call when you end up losing the game because of that reluctance, somewhat like we have seen in the last two games. It's tough to be a coach and it's tough to watch your team underpreform as a fan.

Don't forget that Robbie Bosco was injured in the Holiday bowl in 1984, and replaced for part of that game. He was put back in toward the end of the game, and led the Cougars to the winning touchdown and the National Championship. Maybe it's this Bosco experience that leads the coaches to stick with the injured player longer than is probably wise.

THIS.



And in 1985, Bosco could still do most things, but floated the deep ball in the three losses leading to key interceptions.



And Bosco was limping badly as he led us to that NC win.



This is not unique to BYU. Tough judgment call - easy to 2nd guess and critize in hindsight.



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Ya. Except when the qb accounts for 4of 5 turnovers, including 3 INTs. Sheesh.

But yes, few want to hate on Riley. In fact it's going to turn on the coaches.

And, lower back different than bad leg. Robbie Bosco could still sling the ball to his WRs

dmcougar wrote:
Ya. Except when the qb accounts for 4of 5 turnovers, including 3 INTs. Sheesh.

But yes, few want to hate on Riley. In fact it's going to turn on the coaches.

And, lower back different than bad leg. Robbie Bosco could still sling the ball to his WRs

That's what I recall. It depends on the injury. Even with a bad leg in the Holiday Bowl, Bosco was still moving the ball better than Blaine Fowler did.



With a bad back, Riley has been dead in the water. His throws have no velocity, he cannot make deep throws (as evidenced by the pick that needed 5 more yards in the air to reach the endzone), and he doesn't have the mobility to get away and extend plays like he did--which is what kept drives alive. A hurt Riley might be the fourth best QB on the team. Maybe.

dmcougar wrote:
Ya. Except when the qb accounts for 4of 5 turnovers, including 3 INTs. Sheesh.

But yes, few want to hate on Riley. In fact it's going to turn on the coaches.

And, lower back different than bad leg. Robbie Bosco could still sling the ball to his WRs

you beat me to this point, none of the other QB's had running the ball as a major part of the offense like Riley so I don't think the comparison fits here.



I read Wrubell wrote in a blog that Riley has two cracked disks in his back. If this is true than shame on Riley for trying to play but more important shame on Bronco for letting this go. I don't care how much leadership an individual has, when he is physically hurting the team by trying to play there is no excuse for that.