Should Nelson Have Told Coaches

so nelson injured himself badly in the middle of the quarterback competition. he said he could barely even take his shirt off or shampoo his hair. Kind of ridiculous that he wouldn't tell the coaches. I know others simply think its tough and admirable but I think it was information the coaches had a right to know about in making their decision. probably no reason to harp about it at this point, but I thought it was interesting information on what happened coming form riley himself.



http://www.heraldextra.com/college/byu/article_4d22a50e-cb7b-11df-b997-001cc4c03286.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Nelson said he didn't tell the coaches or the training staff about the injury because he was in the middle of a battle for the starting quarterback battle with freshman Jake Heaps.

"I kept it from them," he said. "I probably shouldn't have. In fact, I know I shouldn't have."

Nelson said the original injury occurred during a drill where the quarterback wasn't live.

"It was just kind of a freak thing," he said. "My arm was in a weird position. A guy got blocked into me.Painful?"My arm went dead for a few days," Nelson said. I had to battle through it. Sleeping, taking my shirt on an off, shampooing my hair, all that stuff, it was really bad."

Also Sno, later in the article he mentions that heaps is staying post practice to get extra reps with the receivers. That is the third report I have heard in that regard.

Well, consider he was also playing the FSU game with a broken finger on his throwing hand--confirmed by Bronco--and the coaches knew it, not so sure the staff would have cared unless it hindered his play. As far as well all can tell it didn't.



I just do not want to see this QB deal drag into next year, and Riley has already stated he plans to battle for the position next year. can you imagine year 2 of a QB battle, except this time, with 4 guys ready to go? I really want Jake to just earn and keep the job for the sake of continuity and leadership moving forward.

OMG, no more Riley! If we bring him in situationally okay, but no more battles for starting QB unless it turns out Heaps just sucks and is not the future. This is still a possibility after all--he could be an Engemann or Olsen 2.0...

Lawboy wrote:
Well, consider he was also playing the FSU game with a broken finger on his throwing hand--confirmed by Bronco--and the coaches knew it, not so sure the staff would have cared unless it hindered his play. As far as well all can tell it didn't.



I just do not want to see this QB deal drag into next year, and Riley has already stated he plans to battle for the position next year. can you imagine year 2 of a QB battle, except this time, with 4 guys ready to go? I really want Jake to just earn and keep the job for the sake of continuity and leadership moving forward.

I completely agree, I have gotten a sick feeling every time this comes up. When Bronco talked about his hope that Nelson comes back next year - and at QB and then Nelson himself saying he absolutely intends on playing QB next year- I got sick to my stomach. Nothing against Nelson but this cannot go into next year, absolutely not.

mizzoucoug wrote:
...unless it turns out Heaps just sucks and is not the future. This is still a possibility after all--he could be an Engemann or Olsen 2.0...

I have seen nothing yet to suggest such insults. Quick release, great arm strength, good decisions, and a great attitude. He needs more reps, yes, and he'll quickly improve. Once the WRs get used to his throw they'll come along. Let's all collectively hope he doesn't suffer the injuries Olsen had to endure.

For all the talk of Jake's great mechanics, hit footwork still needs some improvement. He is not setting his feet and is throwing off his back foot too often--which explains the poorly thrown deep balls. Fact is, I do not care how strong an arm is if it does not deliver the ball to the right spot. Jake needs to improve that because it has been a weakness the last couple of games. He needs to calm down and just get it done.

Lawboy wrote:
For all the talk of Jake's great mechanics, hit footwork still needs some improvement. He is not setting his feet and is throwing off his back foot too often--which explains the poorly thrown deep balls. Fact is, I do not care how strong an arm is if it does not deliver the ball to the right spot. Jake needs to improve that because it has been a weakness the last couple of games. He needs to calm down and just get it done.

He does it in practice but not in the game. I would think that is natural for a true freshman in his first starting game. Things haven't slowed down for him yet and his execution is not the same in game as it is in practice. Good thing is that we know he can do and he just has to get used to playing at d1 level. its expected. not sure if he will turn it around in just one game, but i exepct by years end heaps will be looking very good.

I would be willing to put money on Nelson playing safety next year, with maybe some special plays for him at QB, similar to Eric Weddle.

If Heaps hasn't improved enough to clearly be the starter by the end of the year then I think it will be a very good thing to have Nelson back as QB, because it will mean that Heaps wont cut it as a BYU QB and needs to be benched.

Lawboy wrote:
Well, consider he was also playing the FSU game with a broken finger on his throwing hand--confirmed by Bronco--and the coaches knew it, not so sure the staff would have cared unless it hindered his play. As far as well all can tell it didn't.



I just do not want to see this QB deal drag into next year, and Riley has already stated he plans to battle for the position next year. can you imagine year 2 of a QB battle, except this time, with 4 guys ready to go? I really want Jake to just earn and keep the job for the sake of continuity and leadership moving forward.

It will be/is settled (barring some sort of meltdown by Jake). I don't think Riley is going to be able to come back and suddenly make the throws etc. He will just need to get used to being a situational QB. I think it will dawn on him this Spring that there is no way that Bronco is going to suddenly demote or throw into question his starting QB. It is now etched in stone and there will be no "battle" next season. Riley will have figured it out by end of Spring and will have to start thowing out ideas on how to use him (modified wildcat-modified because he is a qb so not a true wildcat), goal line, short yardage, etc. Repeat, barring some major change there will be no "real" qb competition next year - even if Bronco says there will be, there won't. Mainly because Riley couldn't win it this year against a frosh qb with no d-1 experience and the qb is too talented to take it away from.

Lawboy wrote:
For all the talk of Jake's great mechanics, hit footwork still needs some improvement. He is not setting his feet and is throwing off his back foot too often--which explains the poorly thrown deep balls. Fact is, I do not care how strong an arm is if it does not deliver the ball to the right spot. Jake needs to improve that because it has been a weakness the last couple of games. He needs to calm down and just get it done.

I'm curious, what poorly thrown deep balls. I saw a deep one go out of bounds once and may one or two that were long, but I saw several that fell right where they needed to be where only the WR could get and should have but didn't. BTW my definition of "deep ball" is over 30 yards in the air (counting 30 straight yards and not angle yards-so from the 40 to the 10 regardless of which hash it is thown from) so balls into the endzone from the 10 or 15 do not fall into this category in my opinion.

hawkwing wrote:
If Heaps hasn't improved enough to clearly be the starter by the end of the year then I think it will be a very good thing to have Nelson back as QB, because it will mean that Heaps wont cut it as a BYU QB and needs to be benched.

Yeah, and Riley Nelson is the obvious answer to that. I'm sorry but if Jake can't cut it this year, then it is going to Lark. Jake is already going to have his word cut out for him battling against Lark in the first place. Diondre Borel wouldn't start for us this year, or next. So why are we looking to his backup for hope? If Heaps can't cut it, then an "unrusty" Lark and 35 pounds lighter Munns are the answer. Riley isn't a prototypical BYU quarterback, and our OC isn't nearly good enough to change our offense. It is amazing that you all still can't see this.

There is a definite difference between Heaps in practice and Heaps on the field. Heaps in practice makes every throw while Heaps in the game is off target sometimes.



From what I have heard Heaps is just terrified of making mistakes in games. I think a lot of that had to do with Nelson breathing down his neck and the fact that he is a true freshman starting at QB for Quarterback University. This could explain his problems with footwork in game situations.



With Nelson out of the picture now I expect Heaps to relax a little bit knowing that he is the man. With Heaps relaxing and becoming more comfortable I expect to see improvement every single week.

hawkwing wrote:
If Heaps hasn't improved enough to clearly be the starter by the end of the year then I think it will be a very good thing to have Nelson back as QB, because it will mean that Heaps wont cut it as a BYU QB and needs to be benched.

Heaps progress will be the key. Right now the talk is that Nelson is staying at the QB spot because Heaps hasn't run away with the position. If at year end Heaps has the offense rolling, then Nelson and the Coaches will look for other options for Nelson.



Nelson should get a medical redshirt for this year, so I am also hoping Heaps runs away with the job. Nelson will still have two years. Can't have a QB soap opera for one, let alone, two more years.

hawkwing wrote:
If Heaps hasn't improved enough to clearly be the starter by the end of the year then I think it will be a very good thing to have Nelson back as QB, because it will mean that Heaps wont cut it as a BYU QB and needs to be benched.

At that point we still have munns and lark as well. might be good to use nelson in another capacity. i am still a big proponent of the situational qb, but i don't think bronco seems to like that idea.

jonnylingo wrote:

If Heaps hasn't improved enough to clearly be the starter by the end of the year then I think it will be a very good thing to have Nelson back as QB, because it will mean that Heaps wont cut it as a BYU QB and needs to be benched.

At that point we still have munns and lark as well. might be good to use nelson in another capacity. i am still a big proponent of the situational qb, but i don't think bronco seems to like that idea.

If that situation plays out, which I hope it doesn't (I'd much rather Heaps fulfill his destiny!) then I am okay with Munns, Lark, Nelson, or Heaps, whomever wins out in spring camp. As long as the decision is made by the end of Spring.

CannonCougar85 wrote:
There is a definite difference between Heaps in practice and Heaps on the field. Heaps in practice makes every throw while Heaps in the game is off target sometimes.



From what I have heard Heaps is just terrified of making mistakes in games. I think a lot of that had to do with Nelson breathing down his neck and the fact that he is a true freshman starting at QB for Quarterback University. This could explain his problems with footwork in game situations.



With Nelson out of the picture now I expect Heaps to relax a little bit knowing that he is the man. With Heaps relaxing and becoming more comfortable I expect to see improvement every single week.

that is exactly why there will be not qb competition next year. once the game slows down for jake and he gets used to being a qb in the system at a d1 level he is going to start making those in games as well. even with all that he is making a lot good throws and not turning the ball over.

hawkwing wrote:

hawkwing wrote:
If Heaps hasn't improved enough to clearly be the starter by the end of the year then I think it will be a very good thing to have Nelson back as QB, because it will mean that Heaps wont cut it as a BYU QB and needs to be benched.

At that point we still have munns and lark as well. might be good to use nelson in another capacity. i am still a big proponent of the situational qb, but i don't think bronco seems to like that idea.

If that situation plays out, which I hope it doesn't (I'd much rather Heaps fulfill his destiny!) then I am okay with Munns, Lark, or Heaps, whomever wins out in spring camp. As long as the decision is made by the end of Spring.

100 percent agree.

jonnylingo wrote:

jonnylingo wrote:

If Heaps hasn't improved enough to clearly be the starter by the end of the year then I think it will be a very good thing to have Nelson back as QB, because it will mean that Heaps wont cut it as a BYU QB and needs to be benched.

At that point we still have munns and lark as well. might be good to use nelson in another capacity. i am still a big proponent of the situational qb, but i don't think bronco seems to like that idea.

If that situation plays out, which I hope it doesn't (I'd much rather Heaps fulfill his destiny!) then I am okay with Munns, Lark, or Heaps, whomever wins out in spring camp. As long as the decision is made by the end of Spring.

100 percent agree.

Sorry, meant to include Nelson on that list too, don't know if you still 100% agree.

hawkwing wrote:

hawkwing wrote:
If Heaps hasn't improved enough to clearly be the starter by the end of the year then I think it will be a very good thing to have Nelson back as QB, because it will mean that Heaps wont cut it as a BYU QB and needs to be benched.

At that point we still have munns and lark as well. might be good to use nelson in another capacity. i am still a big proponent of the situational qb, but i don't think bronco seems to like that idea.

If that situation plays out, which I hope it doesn't (I'd much rather Heaps fulfill his destiny!) then I am okay with Munns, Lark, Nelson, or Heaps, whomever wins out in spring camp. As long as the decision is made by the end of Spring.

Completely on board with that - My point was we can't name a starter three weeks into the season. It has to be done in the spring or fall camp at the latest. I couldn't care less who is who so long as the best guy wins the job and the second best guy back him up.