The Role of Riley Nelson in Y Offense

I agree with you Declo. I have been puzzled by these hate Nelson people. I don't know where he'll end up on the depth charts but I believe the coaches know what they are doing.

Lark killed it yesterday. nelson came in and on his first throw, first snap I believe, attempted a thirty yard pass or so and overthrew his guy by about eight feet right into hauge's hands. Those who argue that nelson can't make long passes very well just got more ammunition for their argument.



I think Nelson "can" make those passes as I have seen him do it on multiple occasions, the wasington and springball touchdowns came to mind. That said he is limited in his throwing ability wich limits the options available to the offense. I agree with lawboy's analysis there.



I really hope Lark is the real deal. it sounds like it so far. Bronco said he came back in phenomenal shape and listening to his interviews you can tell he is a hard worker and has managed to stay patient despite his confidence that he could be starting or should at least be the number two guy. He still has a lot to prove to overtake riley but he seems to be off to an amazing start. wonder if he can keep it up or if he will perform this well against the ones on defense.



Nelson's stock and place on the team is dwindling. It is not a reflection on him and his ability as much as it is a reflection of byu's recent success in recruiting and how deep the team is. I mean BYU probably has 3 of the 4 best quarterbacks in the state on their roster right now.



We will see if Lark keeps this up. It is great to have two very good quarterbacks fighting for the number two spot. That is a luxury that, say, Utah does not have. Wynn was held out yesterday which means his arm is not healed yet. That is worrisome for them. Without him they are us with max hall in 2008 when gaskins was really his only backup.

SpiffCoug wrote:
How many days do you need to out perform the guy in front of you on the depth chart before you move up? One? Two? Five? Do they need to be consecutive?

This is a great question, and I think this is what Fall camp is about right now. The coaches seem to be trying different combinations of players--especially in the secondary--to see how they mesh as a unit. A guy may run with 4's one day, then the 2's the next. Or the 1's, then the 3's. I think the first 2 weeks of camp will be trial and error and putting guys in situations to see how they respond. I bet the true depth chart starts to shake out in 2-2.5 weeks, so BYU can start game planning for Ole Miss about 1.5 weeks before game time.



It is also fun to hear about guys who are stepping up to get noticed. I loved reading coach Pop talk about how KVN is at a new level physically and in his understanding. Also loved him talk about Ansah and how they might use his as a pass rush specialist because he is too good a specimen to ignore. I do want to hear more about the TE battle and who is separating. These stories are the best part of Fall Camp.

More reports on this topic. This time jay Drew:



http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/blogsbyusports/52354752-65/lark-think-heaps-prepare.html.csp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;



"Most observers probably assumed that Riley Nelson is the clearcut No. 2 quarterback on the depth chart. But after two practices -- I know, just two practices -- James Lark has clearly outplayed Nelson. When it is all said and done, I wouldn't be surprised to see Nelson used in obvious running situations to maximize his talents in that regard, and see Lark as the almost-every-down quarterback if Heaps is sidelined."

Thats great news about lark.



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Key point in all of this is that we have talented back-ups and options for them to be utilized. Look for them to get plenty of playing time when we play the WAC teams.



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"Best moment at #BYU camp was 330-lb Hebron Fangupo picking off Nelson. Rumbled to house. Play called dead (sack), but still entertaining."



http://twitter.com/#!/drewjay/statuses/101008758976675840" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Lawboy wrote:
"Best moment at #BYU camp was 330-lb Hebron Fangupo picking off Nelson. Rumbled to house. Play called dead (sack), but still entertaining."



http://twitter.com/#!/drewjay/statuses/101008758976675840" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Not good for Nelson. he was given two series that both ended in interceptions. he was 0 for 2 today with a pick 6 by a 500 pound lineman.



Lark was 2/2 for 32 yards, no touchdown.



Still lots of camp to go. Everybody has bad days.



wish i could have seeen heap's 70 yeard td pass to apo. said ball was in air for 60 of it. hope to see that a lot this year.

Lawboy wrote:
"Best moment at #BYU camp was 330-lb Hebron Fangupo picking off Nelson. Rumbled to house. Play called dead (sack), but still entertaining."



http://twitter.com/#!/drewjay/statuses/101008758976675840" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

This reminds me of the floater that Heaps threw directly to the defensive end in an actual game when the fullback was WIDE open in the flats.

Schmoe wrote:

"Best moment at #BYU camp was 330-lb Hebron Fangupo picking off Nelson. Rumbled to house. Play called dead (sack), but still entertaining."



http://twitter.com/#!/drewjay/statuses/101008758976675840" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

This reminds me of the floater that Heaps threw directly to the defensive end in an actual game when the fullback was WIDE open in the flats.

Oh, you mean like a year ago. Yeah, that was great.

Yep, all QBs throw picks and have off days, every single one.

Schmoe wrote:
Yep, all QBs throw picks and have off days, every single one.

Yes they do. Riley is just having them all together right now. he appears to be in a slump. Camp is only three days in though. He has plenty of time left to turn it around in order to hold off Lark.

Bronco cut Lark's series off.

Lark's series was in progress and the offense was driving when Mendenhall called for a field goal. Justin Sorensen hit from 47 yards, and was then backed up and made a 52- yarder. Two attempts from 67 yards were wide right and wide left, and if they were also short, they weren't short by much.

from wrubell's cougar tracks. He was driving and it appears bronco wanted to see a field goal. Interesting. Wonder what would have happened had lark been allowed to keep going.

I hope Lark continues to shine and that Nelson gets back on track. I hope Munns steps it up. I hope we don't need anyone but Heaps. But you just never know.



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I thought Lark looked very good as a drop back passer last year. He has potential to do great things and I wouldn't be surprised if he gets the regular backup/cleanup spot. I, too, hope that Nelson can find his rhythm again as he's a unique weapon/athlete that our O can use in specific situations.

I can't believe I have let a Lark debate go so long without comment. What a shame.



Few quick hits:



People have got to let the High School Championship game go. If anyone went to that game they would have realized how unfairly the teams were matched up. Pine View had a great Quaterback(Lark), a great receiver(Mees), a great wing(Foote) and a great punter (Stephenson). However, Logan had a great time. The D-line of Logan was getting to Lark before he had the chance to drop back. It wasn't even a fair match up. The stats themselves are a joke too. Nelson played all through the 4th Quarter every game. Lark was taking knees at half time (42-0 against Dixie high), and didn't see much game time in the 2nd half. Bitter memories? Yes. It's a long drive from St.George. (Note Pine View got blown out of the State Championship game 3 out of the 4 years of my high school experience. Coaching edge probably was also with Logan).



Anyways, I am a fan of the way Nelson plays now. I loved watching him during the Spring game. The kid has grit that's for sure. I'm not a Nelson hater. I thought his pass during the Washington game last year was one of the best all season. I think outplaying Lark (and even Heaps at times in spring) has earned him the right to a few days cushion on Lark. But that cushion is shrinking very quickly. I can't see Lark continuing to vastly outplay Nelson and not start to get the back-up reps for more than a few more days.

I thought Lark looked better in his limited mop up duties last year than either of the two starting QB's played in either the AFA or FSU games.

Had a great long pass today that Rhen Brown dropped. Would have gone for 6 and was probably 35-40 yards downfield.



But did throw an INT today when Richard Wilson bobbled a pass and batted it up for the defense to grab.

SpiffCoug wrote:
Richard Wilson bobbled a pass and batted it up for the defense to grab.

It's the coaches' fault. ;)