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Briles smart not to tip hand
NEW PHOTOS
- gallery: "Meet the Bears" fan event Saturday at Floyd Casey
- gallery: Fall drills
It’s only 12 days away from Baylor’s season opener against Wake Forest, and Baylor coach Art Briles hasn’t yet named a starting quarterback.
That’s a smart move.
Facing a bowl team that should be strong again this year, the Bears need every edge they can get in the Aug. 28 game at Floyd Casey Stadium. The Bears will certainly be the underdogs in the game, so it’s a good idea to keep them guessing on which quarterback will play.
I still wouldn’t be surprised to see Briles alternate freshman Robert Griffin with either Blake Szymanski or Kirby Freeman. I think Griffin is unquestionably the quarterback of the future, but it would be a good idea to let veterans like Szymanski or Freeman help stabilize the Bears.
“I can’t try to read Coach Briles’ mind — it will drive you crazy,” Griffin said Saturday after the Bears’ intrasquad scrimmage. “I think the team will decide who will be the starter because that’s the guy they’ll rally around.”
Comments
By No Leaders--------No WIns
August 16, 2008 4:15 PM | Link to this
Briles may be wise to not tell which boy will start at QB but most teams want the QB to be a known and established as a leader.
Again, Baylor is a different team, running trick plays, keeping secrets and doing the old “razzle dazzle” may help them win a game this year. I agree with El Diablo, that I see much of the same Steele and Mo errors being made.
A bear can’t change his spots..if he had spots. So I look forward to seeing what plays out for all the world to see on TV.
This may be the 13th year of losing in the BIG 12.
By Deep Thoughts
August 16, 2008 4:28 PM | Link to this
“May be” another losing year, huh? Wow, bold prediction there, no leaders, you dumbass.
Briles has run with 2 QBs before with great success. Grant of course did the same here with Tom Muecke and Cody Carlson back in the ay. Not sure if Briles will do the 2 QB thing or not, but it can work.
There should be some explosiveness on offense. Defense, special teams, and eliminating errors will be the main questions.
By El Diablo
August 17, 2008 2:45 PM | Link to this
There’s no need for name-calling, Turd Brain.
You just keep believing that playing 2 qb’s, running trick plays and all those other gimmicky things bad teams do to try and confuse their opponents actually work. Click your heels together 3 times and say it all again…Steele, Morriss, Briles…Steele, Morriss, Briles….
Winning programs aren’t built on gimmicks and secrecy. They beat you with speed, strength and skill. If you ain’t got those, you got to get ‘em before you can play with the big boys.
By Dose of sanity
August 18, 2008 11:19 AM | Link to this
Have you ever seen an Art Briles coached team? Maybe you should have voiced your concerns about two quarterbacks, gimicks and chicanery in playcalling before the hire? I am sure you were the one person calling that out. You and that one other guy that said BU really screwed up by hiring Briles - what with all his trick plays, unconventional formations and plethora of multiple quarterback play. Lets get somebody back in here that can run the option! Fullback dive for two! Big 12 I think you hear us knocking!? Or maybe thats just the sound of the peg-legged ghost of whatever college football memory evoked this comment thread. Tim Tebow what are you doing out of the pocket you silly fool?
By Spurlover
August 18, 2008 6:01 PM | Link to this
Briles hasn’t shown everything yet. This team has another week of camp. I like his sledge hammer approach to the running game, however it’s a bit predictable…remember Coach Briles, you have to do what they don’t expect you to do. At some point you have to use those sledge hammers (they’re mean and hungry) to punch yards out on the ground by carrying the ball…you know what I mean! This will loosen things up for the pass and that well chosen trick play for a big gainer.
By JN
August 19, 2008 7:22 AM | Link to this
I believe that the great coaches start winning right away. They have something extra in their makeup that demands excellence. Motivation is a big factor to go with speed and strength. Lets hope coach Briles is one of those great coaches in the making.
By Big Ron
August 19, 2008 5:31 PM | Link to this
I’m just looking for just a little enthusiasm on the sidelines by coaches and players
By JAMES
August 22, 2008 3:32 PM | Link to this
I believe we are gonna see drastic changes in the running game at Baylor..which i believe is going to pay big dividens in the football season this year….more mix,more of everything we have not seen in the past,which will equal more points,more winning of games in Floyd Casey. I just hope that Waco will be behind the Bears…and make this a year to remember,and also years to come
By Big Ron
August 23, 2008 3:58 PM | Link to this
JAMES, I hope you are right!
By El Diablo
August 24, 2008 8:45 AM | Link to this
Dear Dose,
Why the hostility? I guess a decade of losing football games is finally getting to you.
I ain’t a Baylor fan, but I think Briles is a good choice for BU. At least he seems to be bringing discipline back to the program.
But you gotta admit that things are starting to smell pretty familiar. You can’t keep trying the same old failed ideas and think YOU’RE good enough to make them work.
Gimmicks and trickery should be a rarity. Get some hosses up front to open some holes for a running back. Then your passing game will have a chance to work.