Riley Should Move To Safety

1st - He's not playing in front of Jake. Period.

2nd - He would have a hard time beating out Lark and maybe even Munns provided he gets into shape for the back up duties.

3rd - He may have some advantages in reading QB's, having played the position for some time.

4th - He's certainly physical enough for the position.

5th - His leadership on that side of the ball would be invaluable.

5th should be 1st. With Rich gone, there is a huge need for leadership in the secondary.

Kid would have to add a solid 30 to play like RIch, and I do not see it. We will be solid i the secondary next year. I love the corners playing bump cover on the edge, and it will happen with the guys we have for the next several years. I like his chances as a slot receiver better, personally.

Don't mean to be a party pooper but Riley isn't going to be playing much next year. He's a backup at best. He won't be able to learn the safety position well enough to start before he even graduates.



[ Post made via Mobile Device ] http://cougarcorner.com/images/mobile.png" alt="" loading="lazy" style="max-width:100%">

That's like saying Jimmer should move to Power Forward.



Nelson doesn't have the size, the speed, the experience, or the know-how to walk over and play D1 safety. I say give him the headset, teach him the chest bump, throw him two option keeps a game, and we're all happy.

I agree with giving him the option keeps (ala Tebow).

ProV1 wrote:
That's like saying Jimmer should move to Power Forward.



Nelson doesn't have the size, the speed, the experience, or the know-how to walk over and play D1 safety. I say give him the headset, teach him the chest bump, throw him two option keeps a game, and we're all happy.

He still has a redshirt year in case his shoulder doesn't heal in time for the season to start.

Can he hit enough to play safety? I don't know.

cougman wrote:
1st - He's not playing in front of Jake. Period.

2nd - He would have a hard time beating out Lark and maybe even Munns provided he gets into shape for the back up duties.

3rd - He may have some advantages in reading QB's, having played the position for some time.

4th - He's certainly physical enough for the position.

5th - His leadership on that side of the ball would be invaluable.

Sounds like the very same sage advice that was given to Steve Young and later, to Brandon Doman. But those fools ignored the advice.



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why would you redshirt a guy who isn't going to play? Riley will never play QB for BYU again.

Cougarbib2 wrote:

1st - He's not playing in front of Jake. Period.

2nd - He would have a hard time beating out Lark and maybe even Munns provided he gets into shape for the back up duties.

3rd - He may have some advantages in reading QB's, having played the position for some time.

4th - He's certainly physical enough for the position.

5th - His leadership on that side of the ball would be invaluable.

Sounds like the very same sage advice that was given to Steve Young and later, to Brandon Doman. But those fools ignored the advice.



[ Post made via Mobile Device ] http://cougarcorner.com/images/mobile.png" alt="" loading="lazy" style="max-width:100%">

Are you really lumping Riley Nelson into the same category as Steve Young and Brandon Doman? Riley never had a chance to be as good as those two. Riley won't play as QB unless Heaps, and maybe Larks are injured at the same time. The only way he has a chance of sniffing the field with any serious playing time is to change positions. Why is it so hard for you to admit that as a pure QB, Riley isn't that good? I hate having a QB that runs well over half the plays run on offense. All opposing defenses have to do is stack the box against him. Even then he'll still try to run it.



As a true freshman, Heaps is playing better at QB than Nelson ever did. Nelson just isn't a good QB fit for BYU in any fashion.



I don't hate Nelson. I love his heart and determination. I really do think though that if he's used as QB it should be only in select circumstances, and only in a few designed packages, and not all that often. Brenden Gaskins steped down as backup QB to make room for Riley. Riley should now do the same for Larks or Munns.

Ungoy wrote:

cougman wrote:
1st - He's not playing in front of Jake. Period.

2nd - He would have a hard time beating out Lark and maybe even Munns provided he gets into shape for the back up duties.

3rd - He may have some advantages in reading QB's, having played the position for some time.

4th - He's certainly physical enough for the position.

5th - His leadership on that side of the ball would be invaluable.

Sounds like the very same sage advice that was given to Steve Young and later, to Brandon Doman. But those fools ignored the advice.



[ Post made via Mobile Device ] http://cougarcorner.com/images/mobile.png" alt="" loading="lazy" style="max-width:100%">

Are you really lumping Riley Nelson into the same category as Steve Young and Brandon Doman?.

Beat me to it.



I don't know what you do with nelson at this point. Phillips is probably going to be our slot guy. safety seems like the best place for him despite the issues raised above. i imagine they will keep him at qb and have some limited pacakges for him. i used to like this idea but now i am liking it less and less. i say find a new position for him.

Early in this season Riley was very effective running the option...especially in third down situations. In fact, I remember at least two early games where the option was the only way we could move the ball. Next year Riley should have a couple of option packages where we can use his talents, and I do think Riley has talent. Granted, the kid could not throw, but he sure can run and he is an impressive leader. I like having him around and I like the fact that we could have a change of pace QB to come in and run the option or just run. I think he is still usable. Switching him to safety, RB, or slot, just isn't going to work for him or us. He is an option QB that can't make all the throws (he should have gone to AFA).

I am excited to have Riley as a situational QB threat. He can come in and run the option perfectly, he can scramble on his own, and I've seen him make a 20 yard touchdown strike in a game so I'm not too concerned about his passing abilities. As long as he doesn't need to throw 30+ yards he can make the pass.

Cougarpoke wrote:
Early in this season Riley was very effective running the option...especially in third down situations. In fact, I remember at least two early games where the option was the only way we could move the ball. Next year Riley should have a couple of option packages where we can use his talents, and I do think Riley has talent. Granted, the kid could not throw, but he sure can run and he is an impressive leader. I like having him around and I like the fact that we could have a change of pace QB to come in and run the option or just run. I think he is still usable. Switching him to safety, RB, or slot, just isn't going to work for him or us. He is an option QB that can't make all the throws (he should have gone to AFA).

I don't think his body could handle being a full time option qb at air force.



I liked the change of pace qb thing but at this point I see it being more of a hinder than help. we have good running backs and a good qb. I am not sure the benefit of the change of pace is worth taking out our guys.



I hope having riely back doesn't resurrect some of team chemistry issues that were obviously a problems with this years team, especially early on.

I saw Riley play all year, and the 2nd half at AFA. Reminded me of the story of the scorpion and the frog. In case you wondered, Riley is the scorpion. If he plays QB, and is used for more than situational play, it is a huge mistake. HUGE. And by situational, maybe 2-3 plays a game, at most.

"Riley Should Move To Saftey!"



I have been saying this same thing on this board all season. Riley could be our Eric Weddle. Weddle played QB in high school and still got a few option packages given to him in College.



Sorry to mention a former frUte in such a positive light, but at least the guy got baptized and shook John Beck's hand.

I think moving Riley to safety would be a mistake on a par with the 2QB system earlier this season, and for all the same reasons--you stymie the growth of the younger players.



I don't think Heaps or the fans need to feel threatened with Nelson in the QB race. Heaps has a clear edge going into Spring camp. Bronco saying the competition is "open" isn't the same as saying the job is anyone's to take. It's Heaps' job to lose, and if any of the other three want it at this point, barring injury they are going to have to break the coaches collective mind with their play, combined with Heaps losing it. The one thing no one questions is that Nelson is a competitor, and I think that attribute could be a benefit to the development of Heaps knowing that Nelson won't quit trying to take his job.



A switch to safety on the other hand would put a guy in the position room who is well behind the learning curve, which would further slow the coaching down on a position where youth could hurt us. I don't see any benefit to starting a junior or senior "athlete" who has only played the offensive side of the ball since high school 6 years ago over an underclassman recruited to play that position who has a couple of years in the program.



The way the QB position was handled was a real detriment to the development of Heaps--he should have been redshirted or named the #1 coming out of camp. Let's not duplicate that mistake and slow the progress of our secondary just to find a spot for Nelson on the field. I'm fine with him getting situational (but no more than 5) snaps a game at QB in short yardage and goal line situations--he's average 4.8 and 5.8 ypc the past two seasons.

Did Rich have an understudy this year?

ProV1 wrote:
That's like saying Jimmer should move to Power Forward.



Nelson doesn't have the size, the speed, the experience, or the know-how to walk over and play D1 safety. I say give him the headset, teach him the chest bump, throw him two option keeps a game, and we're all happy.

No way. Nelson easily has the size, speed, and the know-how to walk over and play D1 safety. He's definitely bright enough and after that it's all about athletic ability. Riley has shown great athletic ability and where he played the QB he had to always be cognizant of the safety and line backers. Seems like a natural transition that could pay huge dividends. The alternative is he holds a clip board and takes Larks or Munns spot. This would be a nightmare if Heaps went down as we would have to change the entire offensive strategy and revert back to what was pretty painful to watch earlier this year (Riley play QB at BYU).