[AKSportsFan]

"Akron Vision" won the t-shirt contest.

[Zipmeister]

"Akron Vision" won the t-shirt contest.

I thought that shirt had a pretty good chance especially since the contest was sponsored by the Akron Optometrist Association.

[NewZipsFan]

Have skimmed this thread - not read every post.. so I apologize if I am making points already made..

First of all -- the QBs ALL rotated back and forth between the first and second team offenses. Coaches wanted to see how each of them did with the 1's. Don't forget also - that the O-line played BOTH ways the entire game.. we basically had 7 O-linemen for the entire game (due to injuries etc).

Please also remember, that, yes, Dalton was a "back up at an FCS school"... but he was the backup to the WALTER PAYTON AWARD WINNER (the I-AA Heisman), Jeremy Moses. Shannon Dawson - was the Offensive Coordinator during Moses' time at SFA (with Dalton as a backup). Dawson played for Dana Holgerson at Wingate, and is now the OC at WVU. He ran the same offense that Coach Bowden runs - which means that Dalton KNOWS this offense. Here are some tidbits on that offense at SFA with Jeremy Moses as the starting QB:
Stephen F. Austin
- In 2010, Dawson guided the nation’s No. 1 passing offense (362.2) and No. 4 scoring offense (36.3), ranking No. 6 in total offense (442.9).
- The Lumberjacks led the Southland Conference in all three categories, as well as pass efficiency (137.23)
- Quarterback Jeremy Moses was a two-time All-American, two-time Southland Conference Offensive Player of the Year and won the Walter Payton Award, given to the Player of the Year in the NCAA FCS Division
- Moses finished his career as the school and league’s all-time passer, setting records in completions (1,151), touchdown passes (121), passing yards (13,061) and total offense (12,853)
- In 2009, his offensive squad led the nation in passing yards (343.7) and was No. 2 in total offense (468.9), No. 6 in scoring offense (34.9) and No. 10 in pass efficiency (147.8)
- The Lumberjacks led the Southland Conference in all four categories and was second in scoring offense
- Moses led the nation in touchdown passes (40), was third in passing yards (317.2), fourth in points responsible for (18.5) and fifth in total offense (320.5)

So - I guess if you're going to be a backup -- not a bad guy to be playing behind.

I think the game went exactly the way the coaches would have wanted it to go. The First Team Defense was the best unit on the field. Defense wins Championships - period. However, the first team offense was able to score 14 points on them - so its obvious that the guys are picking up the new offense and executing. The 2nd team offense (with the qb's rotating back and forth) did very well -- showing me again, that the offensive players are getting comfortable in the scheme. We know we have issues with depth on defense - and playmakers overall. Those issues are being addressed, and we will be in a better position in the Fall.

There were a LOT more than "a few dozen people" at the game... The University was very smart - and opened the Club Level to the public. Not only because the weather was cold and rainy - but to show the fans what great amenities are available on the Club Level.. so you didn't see a lot of people sitting in the stands. I've heard only very positive remarks about the attendance --- at least double last year's.

Good things are in store for 2012!

[skip-zip]

So - I guess if you're going to be a backup -- not a bad guy to be playing behind.

It's still a very legitimate question to ask how a guy who was not a starter at a lower level could suddenly be considered good enough to be a starter at the highest level. Who was originally recruting him? Why didn't he just go to another FCS school to try to become a starter? Was anyone else pursuing him? Did we discover this "hidden gem", and everyone else was somehow asleep at the wheel?

I don't know much, so I still obviously have a lot of questions.

[NewZipsFan]

It's still a very legitimate question to ask how a guy who was not a starter at a lower level could suddenly be considered good enough to be a starter at the highest level. Who was originally recruting him? Why didn't he just go to another FCS school to try to become a starter? Was anyone else pursuing him? Did we discover this "hidden gem", and everyone else was somehow asleep at the wheel?

I don't know much, so I still obviously have a lot of questions.

I've stated this before in another thread --- but "ponder this"... Coach Bowden really had NO CLUE about the existing QBs on the team (or any other players for that matter). Was the record and stats from the past two seasons really indicative of the ability and talent of the players? Did the film give an accurate assessment of the team? What he did know was: a) he knew the exact offense he was going to install and run and b ) he knew that Dalton KNEW that offense and was capable of running it. Does that mean that the other QBs couldn't/wouldn't learn the offense? Of course not. But in a "worse case scenario" kind of situation - he chose to bring in a QB (the most important position on the field) that he knew was able to run it effectively. He knew more about Dalton than any existing player on the team. Now, after four weeks of Spring, Coach Bowden obviously knows the QBs; what their strengths and weaknesses are, and will ultimately choose the guy to be the starter who gives us the best chance to WIN FOOTBALL GAMES. There is no question in my mind - not one iota - Coach Bowden will choose the BEST 11 players to start. He does not play favorites when it comes to the playing field. Period.

[Captain Kangaroo]

I've stated this before in another thread --- but "ponder this"... Coach Bowden really had NO CLUE about the existing QBs on the team (or any other players for that matter). Was the record and stats from the past two seasons really indicative of the ability and talent of the players? Did the film give an accurate assessment of the team? What he did know was: a) he knew the exact offense he was going to install and run and b ) he knew that Dalton KNEW that offense and was capable of running it. Does that mean that the other QBs couldn't/wouldn't learn the offense? Of course not. But in a "worse case scenario" kind of situation - he chose to bring in a QB (the most important position on the field) that he knew was able to run it effectively. He knew more about Dalton than any existing player on the team. Now, after four weeks of Spring, Coach Bowden obviously knows the QBs; what their strengths and weaknesses are, and will ultimately choose the guy to be the starter who gives us the best chance to WIN FOOTBALL GAMES. There is no question in my mind - not one iota - Coach Bowden will choose the BEST 11 players to start. He does not play favorites when it comes to the playing field. Period.

You say "Coach Bowden" like Frank Caliendo-Madden says "Brett Favre."

[NewZipsFan]

You say "Coach Bowden" like Frank Caliendo-Madden says "Brett Favre."

LOL... What should we call him? My mother always taught me not to use pronouns when talking about someone "with authority", and definitely not to call them by their first names. And personally, I believe that all of the coaches should be addressed as "Coach". Can't stand it when "reporters" like Erin Andrews address head coaches by their first names - especially when coming off the field at half time... "So, Mack - what are you going to do in the locker room to keep your QB from throwing interceptions in the second half?"... Or the famous, "So Bobby - you had 8 holding penalties in the first half... what will you do during half time to keep t hat from happening in the 2nd half?... COACH Bobby Bowden responds, "We're going to pray...."... CLASSIC

Coach Bobby Bowden "melt down"

(actually - after just re-watching that, she originally called him Coach, and then at the end said "thanks, Bobby"...lol)

[ZachTheZip]

My only question about Dalton is why he never transferred to pursue a starting opportunity somewhere. Why was he content to sit on the bench for four years? In the FCS, players don't need to sit out a year to transfer, so that's not it.

[skip-zip]

My only question about Dalton is why he never transferred to pursue a starting opportunity somewhere. Why was he content to sit on the bench for four years? In the FCS, players don't need to sit out a year to transfer, so that's not it.

Thank you. That's exactly what I'm wondering. He played at a lower level, AND sat the bench for 3 years, but was possibly D-1A talent? I'm puzzled.

[Captain Kangaroo]

Erin Andrews can call me "Bobby" anytime.

[NewZipsFan]

Thank you. That's exactly what I'm wondering. He played at a lower level, AND sat the bench for 3 years, but was possibly D-1A talent? I'm puzzled.

He was planning to start - and play in the offense that he learned for three years. In January, SFA hired a new Offensive Coordinator/QB Coach and a new outside receivers coach....and, well - we all know what happens with coaching changes -- different schemes, etc. etc...

[skip-zip]

He was planning to start - and play in the offense that he learned for three years. In January, SFA hired a new Offensive Coordinator/QB Coach and a new outside receivers coach....and, well - we all know what happens with coaching changes -- different schemes, etc. etc...

Hmm. But, if he was D-1A talent, wouldn't you think that a new, incoming OC and QB coach at a school like Steven F. Austin would be doing eveything possible to get him to stay for his senior campaign? After he had been in the program for 3 years already? And with the HC being the same?

Again, it's a very puzzling situation. Alot of questions.

[akzipper]

Hmm. But, if he was D-1A talent, wouldn't you think that a new, incoming OC and QB coach at a school like Steven F. Austin would be doing eveything possible to get him to stay for his senior campaign? After he had been in the program for 3 years already? And with the HC being the same?

Again, it's a very puzzling situation. Alot of questions.

In all honesty I just don't think he's good. But I'm in no way a football genius, or scout. He just didn't impress me in the spring game, but I guess in his defense none of the 3 did. Hopefully they step in up this fall.

[ZachTheZip]

The thing is that despite all that's been said, DW was still right there with our other two QBs, or only a small step behind at most. And he was clearly ahead of at least two of our QBs that got converted to WR. That tells me that the QB position is not in great shape. We'll have to wait until the other three QBs (Steve Franco, Dan Harding, and Marcus Prather) come in this fall to see where we really stand. It's entirely possible that none of the QBs that played in the spring game will start against UCF.

[skip-zip]

The thing is that despite all that's been said, DW was still right there with our other two QBs, or only a small step behind at most. And he was clearly ahead of at least two of our QBs that got converted to WR. That tells me that the QB position is not in great shape. We'll have to wait until the other three QBs (Steve Franco, Dan Harding, and Marcus Prather) come in this fall to see where we really stand. It's entirely possible that none of the QBs that played in the spring game will start against UCF.

I'm afraid that could be the case as well.