USF2011Grad

For all we know, this is one successful play out of 200. It does seem that Flowers is being mentioned more than the other QBs, though. True .... but if the other199 were good plays by the D I'd like to hear more about them. I actually like the way spring ball is going. It seems normal for a change. The defense dominates the offense early on and approaching the spring game the offense starts to come together. We pretty much know who our guy is and now the offense is being tailored to his strengths. We've not had that in a while so I'm actually enjoying this. I think it makes a huge difference. In regards to the defense... All they were doing early on was talking about the defense. I mean Our biggest questions are at QB and WR on offense... I actually am enjoying a little QB coverage TBO...

Flowers is our guy, I'm calling it now like I called it before. He won't say it, but Taggart is all in on him. We are going with this kid make or break, cross your fingers. I'm all in on Flowers. White is what he is. I still think Bench hasn't been given a real shot, but whatever. It's not like he's Johnny Football ca. 2012 waiting to be unleashed. Flowers has upside, a little buzz, and he can create plays with his legs. Roll the dice. We've had the worst offense in college football the past two years. If Flowers doesn't pan out, CWT is looking for a job. The upside is that he's also much more likely of the 3 to do something special. I've been down on this team since 2011, Im finally feeling good about it for some reason. I think Flowers is going to turn some heads. There is really something intriguing about this season. I think this team will surprise some folks.

I'd say they are actually pretty close. He has that juke that BJ had. He looks a little quicker in terms of lateral movement, he's more loose than BJ is in the hips. But they are pretty much the same. I think he is where BJ was during his second year of college... meaning I think he's around the same level was when BJ stepped in after Grothe was injured with one difference... I think Flowers seems to be a little better honestly at checking down to his TEs and RBs.... BJ would just break containment when the play wasn't working, Flowers keeps his eyes downfield even when he's runninghe throws a lot to his TEs and RBS... but I think that is a holdover from the west coast offense... and not a bad thing. I think Flowers has the same upside and abilities BJ had with the one difference being that while Flowers is just as talented runner as BJ was, he actually wants to throw first. Also I don't think the entire weight of the offense will be put on Flowers like it was BJ, no need he has Mack, Tice, and Johnson to help carry the load. I have come around on Flowers because I didn't buy him as a QB when I saw him play last season. Now?! I can see I was being a little presumptive and expecting too much from a first year kid. He needed a redshirt, and basically it appears last season served as one though he played. I'm sold on the kid... now my fear is the same fear I had going back to Daniels and Grothe... I just hope he stays healthy because so much depends on if he stays healthy. I just don't see how we can say Flowers is pretty close or as good as a scrambler/runner that BJ was at this point. This will help jog our memories of how good a runner BJ was before Skippy came in and tried to take away that part of his game as much as possible. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQ2fPxtrncI The run BJ makes at about the 15 second mark in that video shows he had it all. Vision, speed, elusiveness,etc. Until I see that from Flowers I'll lean towards he's not really close to the same type of runner. If he is the same type of runner then lets unleash that this year.. I was at that game and have seen the highlights a thousand times (maybe even literally) and that's exactly what I'm saying. I think at this point he's even. I've seen him several times over the year and I think he's really good. I mean I don't think it's that much of a jump to say that. There is a reason the kid is the highest rated QB recruit we've ever had (per recruiting services), but more importantly from what I've seen, the kid has the same elusiveness... I even cracked out some high school tape and I'm saying he's likely already a better runner than Grothe... Just way more athletic, faster, stronger, and moves better. Matt had the heart of a lion though, we don't know what we're getting with Flowers. The first time you see him pull the ball down in space, you'll see what I mean. I stick by what I said. At this point he's likely even with BJ and ahead of Matt in terms of just pure running ability. I'll take a hit for that but hey, I'm just basing it on what I've seen over the years. Running around people like that in college is a totally different ball game compared to running around high school defenders. Until I see Flowers run like that in college BJ, is head and shoulders above him in terms of running/scrambling ability. At least to me. I hope you're right. If you're right, then there is no reason why a zone read shouldn't produce an exciting offense that puts up points. Well he looked really good running today. So I'm sticking to it.

any updates... My wife literally just put on her USF shirt. If you want to be late for sporting events, get married.

I'm ten minutes away... what am I missing?

I'll be at the game today....

I'd say they are actually pretty close. He has that juke that BJ had. He looks a little quicker in terms of lateral movement, he's more loose than BJ is in the hips. But they are pretty much the same. I think he is where BJ was during his second year of college... meaning I think he's around the same level was when BJ stepped in after Grothe was injured with one difference... I think Flowers seems to be a little better honestly at checking down to his TEs and RBs.... BJ would just break containment when the play wasn't working, Flowers keeps his eyes downfield even when he's runninghe throws a lot to his TEs and RBS... but I think that is a holdover from the west coast offense... and not a bad thing. I think Flowers has the same upside and abilities BJ had with the one difference being that while Flowers is just as talented runner as BJ was, he actually wants to throw first. Also I don't think the entire weight of the offense will be put on Flowers like it was BJ, no need he has Mack, Tice, and Johnson to help carry the load. I have come around on Flowers because I didn't buy him as a QB when I saw him play last season. Now?! I can see I was being a little presumptive and expecting too much from a first year kid. He needed a redshirt, and basically it appears last season served as one though he played. I'm sold on the kid... now my fear is the same fear I had going back to Daniels and Grothe... I just hope he stays healthy because so much depends on if he stays healthy. I just don't see how we can say Flowers is pretty close or as good as a scrambler/runner that BJ was at this point. This will help jog our memories of how good a runner BJ was before Skippy came in and tried to take away that part of his game as much as possible. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQ2fPxtrncI The run BJ makes at about the 15 second mark in that video shows he had it all. Vision, speed, elusiveness,etc. Until I see that from Flowers I'll lean towards he's not really close to the same type of runner. If he is the same type of runner then lets unleash that this year.. I was at that game and have seen the highlights a thousand times (maybe even literally) and that's exactly what I'm saying. I think at this point he's even. I've seen him several times over the year and I think he's really good. I mean I don't think it's that much of a jump to say that. There is a reason the kid is the highest rated QB recruit we've ever had (per recruiting services), but more importantly from what I've seen, the kid has the same elusiveness... I even cracked out some high school tape and I'm saying he's likely already a better runner than Grothe... Just way more athletic, faster, stronger, and moves better. Matt had the heart of a lion though, we don't know what we're getting with Flowers. The first time you see him pull the ball down in space, you'll see what I mean. I stick by what I said. At this point he's likely even with BJ and ahead of Matt in terms of just pure running ability. I'll take a hit for that but hey, I'm just basing it on what I've seen over the years.

Name as is officially say it.

I think Taggart will name Flowers the starter after the Spring game. He was slinging the ball today evidently.

It's nice to hear QF is progressing as a passer, his legs have never been the issue. If he's even serviceable throwing the ball, he's got to be ahead of White and Bench. I'm with you though, I want QF to win the job, not be declared the starter by default. Take this news for what it's worth, being the front-runner in March is even lower on the confidence meter lately than being named the starter in August. FWIW...I think he's been showing he's more than serviceable thus far. I don't think he's winning by default, he appears to be the better QB. I had a chance to see him practice and play last season and I've been to a handful of practices this season and I can say this, he's not the same guy I saw practicing as a true freshman. What I've noticed about him now is that he has a far better throwing motion than last season; he appears to see the field better than last season; he's far more confident and while he hasn't connected on a lot of deep balls consistently, he's showing that he has the arm to do it (the rest will come with timing it's just the spring); and he's leaned out some (he's down to 210 which looks comfortable for him). Honestly I think everyone knows pretty much he's the best QB we have but as a coach you have to keep the other guys competing. With White and Bench it appears they are as good as they are going to be, Flowers has honestly already passed both of them. People forget that he was a true freshman last season. We've suffered from that for a while since skipshitz never actually recruited a D1 QB. But from my take, Flowers could be developing into the real deal. Now I'm not anointing him "the one"... but I really think he can be really really good. Timing on the deep throws will come but from what I have seen, he's clearly better than both Bench and White and more importantly, he's showing he's getting better. I think 7-8 wins in this conference can be attainable if he continues to show the type of improvement he is. I went to a handful of practices last year and his throwing left quite a bit to be desired. It's good to hear he's progressed so much with his mechanics and ability to get the ball downfield. I agree, if you saw him in practices last fall he would not have left a good impression at all. I can tell he had put in time in regards to his game. I just wonder why White hasn't shown more improvement. Bench is a backup... I never really thought he could be the guy.

I can't tell if you are serious. I think his ability to run is pretty much an afterthought. Everyone knew he could do that... I think most of my questions, as well as others, was in respect to his ability to pass. Nothing misleading about saying the kid can run. We actually have a sample size also. He can run.

I'm just saying I think they can be decent and I'm actually interested in the program again. Nothing more. I finally feel like they are worth following. That's it. I'm not selling anything. I'm am genuinely optimistic and plan on securing my season tickets. I think they are worth a watch.

What I'm saying is at this point in their careers. Flowers is going into his second year, Grothe and Daniels both redshirted... so I'm treating Flowers first year as a redshirt... he's about even. Nobody knew what Grothe or Daniels could do at this point. THis was their first spring and neither did spectacular. So how am I high for comparing them? I actually saw them in spring ball and Flowers compares.

One thing to note. I'm a CJL guy. I started at USF in 2007 and knew I was going there in 2006. That's how long I've been bleeding green and gold. When we hired Skip I gave it a year... even went to watch us play Clemson in the last bowl we went to. After that game I remember thinking, wow! I thought we were on our way. I actually traveled to Pitt in 2011 when we were ranked 13th in the country and coming off a big win over Notre Dame. I remember leaving that stadium and saying the wheels have fell off, I thought we needed to fire Holtz. I tortured through that season and watched us get worst. I lost all interest in what was going on with USF football. I use to be on the old Auman blog and I followed recruiting. But then I didn't. I did not believe in anything that was going on with the program until Taggart took over. TBO, for full disclosure I wanted someone else. I didn't expect anything the first season. I knew a few guys who were on the team and I did not think they looked like football players. It was ridiculous to think we'd win games. Last season was sketchy. I started watching them again and even went to a few games. This season after checking out the first couple of practices I feel differently. I like what Taggart has done. The guys once again look like football players. These guys aren't passive like they were during the Holtz years. I've been impressed and their is a quiet confidence around the guys. So much so that I'm interested again. I'm here blogging about USF football and it's not to complain. I think many will be surprised this season. So my opinions of what I see come from that background. I finally think we are better. A lot better.

I think it's just a timing thing right now and I notice the coaches are emphasizing taking what they give you so they really haven't gone deep a lot. Now don't get me wrong... he and Bench have hit a couple of long ones. But I did notice this. After Flowers threw a stupid int a couple of days ago, he actually listened to the coach and only went deep when he had it. Bench still has a tendency to fling a couple long. White... well he is exactly the same as last season. Nothing at all has changed, which is not good. I think our WRs are in a position to surprise us. They are showing flashes... just haven't been consistent but they are all young so I'd expect it a little. We do need some shake and bake though. That's how Taggart described a couple of the guys coming in... I can't remember his name though. But we should be straight at WR. While there are still a few drops, it is not at all like last season. It's just because of last season, every time someone drops something, you're like uuuggghhh!!.. lol

I'd say they are actually pretty close. He has that juke that BJ had. He looks a little quicker in terms of lateral movement, he's more loose than BJ is in the hips. But they are pretty much the same. I think he is where BJ was during his second year of college... meaning I think he's around the same level was when BJ stepped in after Grothe was injured with one difference... I think Flowers seems to be a little better honestly at checking down to his TEs and RBs.... BJ would just break containment when the play wasn't working, Flowers keeps his eyes downfield even when he's runninghe throws a lot to his TEs and RBS... but I think that is a holdover from the west coast offense... and not a bad thing. I think Flowers has the same upside and abilities BJ had with the one difference being that while Flowers is just as talented runner as BJ was, he actually wants to throw first. Also I don't think the entire weight of the offense will be put on Flowers like it was BJ, no need he has Mack, Tice, and Johnson to help carry the load. I have come around on Flowers because I didn't buy him as a QB when I saw him play last season. Now?! I can see I was being a little presumptive and expecting too much from a first year kid. He needed a redshirt, and basically it appears last season served as one though he played. I'm sold on the kid... now my fear is the same fear I had going back to Daniels and Grothe... I just hope he stays healthy because so much depends on if he stays healthy.

It's nice to hear QF is progressing as a passer, his legs have never been the issue. If he's even serviceable throwing the ball, he's got to be ahead of White and Bench. I'm with you though, I want QF to win the job, not be declared the starter by default. Take this news for what it's worth, being the front-runner in March is even lower on the confidence meter lately than being named the starter in August. FWIW...I think he's been showing he's more than serviceable thus far. I don't think he's winning by default, he appears to be the better QB. I had a chance to see him practice and play last season and I've been to a handful of practices this season and I can say this, he's not the same guy I saw practicing as a true freshman. What I've noticed about him now is that he has a far better throwing motion than last season; he appears to see the field better than last season; he's far more confident and while he hasn't connected on a lot of deep balls consistently, he's showing that he has the arm to do it (the rest will come with timing it's just the spring); and he's leaned out some (he's down to 210 which looks comfortable for him). Honestly I think everyone knows pretty much he's the best QB we have but as a coach you have to keep the other guys competing. With White and Bench it appears they are as good as they are going to be, Flowers has honestly already passed both of them. People forget that he was a true freshman last season. We've suffered from that for a while since skipshitz never actually recruited a D1 QB. But from my take, Flowers could be developing into the real deal. Now I'm not anointing him "the one"... but I really think he can be really really good. Timing on the deep throws will come but from what I have seen, he's clearly better than both Bench and White and more importantly, he's showing he's getting better. I think 7-8 wins in this conference can be attainable if he continues to show the type of improvement he is.

Sanchez is 10 pounds heavier than DD was his senior year. He played last season at 240. He's literally one of the bigger inside LBs we've had at USF 6'3 245... Moffitt played is senior season at 6'2 245. I think Auggie will be better this season than last. He was a redshirt freshman starting in the middle, and play decent. Harris at 6' 220 isn't much different than a lot of OLB we've had at USF. Sam was starting at 225, though he did get up to 230 as a senior. Our LBS actually look pretty similar to those we had under CJL... which makes me happy. I've had a chance to see a few practices now and the biggest thing I'm coming away with is we are going to have a great defense. From what I see, Flowers is improving a lot. He seems to be getting comfortable and seeing his ability to break contain and move... he should make some plays with his legs and I'm actually coming around on his passing. He can run this offense. To be honest, this looks like an old USF team. Guys are flying around on the defense and we run a spread offense based around a running QB. Because make no mistake, the QB who runs this system needs to be able to run. Mack and Tice have been doing about what I expected. I haven't seen a lot out of the WRs. I mean there have been some flashes but to be honest, they are going against a nickel every down and the defense us ahead of the offense. The offensive line... well... the number 1's do OK sometimes. I think we should be able to muster up a pretty decent OLine this year once everyone is here and healthy. Bethel coming in, Brynar, Thor, Djbulkavic (I have no clue as to how to spell his name), Ruff, Hall, Thor, Knox, Galati, Smith... we will be decent. I predict we will look a lot like USF did when Leavitt first left... likely win 7 or 8 games and make a bowl. The difference between now and then I think will be this team will embrace the read option. Leavitt never actually based his system on that. The offense seemed to be winging it a lot back then, IMHO.

Yeah... you're right. The guys were tiny.

stanford has top players!!!!! Which always mystifies me, because their academic standards are top tier. Not top tier among athletic schools, top tier among ALL schools. Combined with the fact that nearly all of their athletics programs win championships on a regular basis. How do they do this? What's their secret Classes like these http://espn.go.com/college-sports/football/recruiting/school/_/id/24/class/2014. Can we please stop comparing our team to Stanford, they recruit on a different level (athletically and smarter players). Actually we do pretty **** good... http://espn.go.com/college-sports/football/recruiting/school/_/id/58/class/2014 I mean you act like we can't recruit.

Most of those chicks are fat... Big Boned... lot F.O.P.A too... way too much. That place would blow to find hot chicks if that's considered top choice. My god... you guys think they are hot? Please tell me no.

How did Holtz work out of us? Would you rather see a practice or a winning team? People forget CJL was pretty much how Taggart is. People got the spring game and that was it. Keep it closed, time to have guys playing and practicing without distractions. Your logic is baffling. Taggart HAD open practices but they were not fan friendly at all. If he is going to allow fans in anyways, then it makes sense for them to have an enjoyable and memorable experience. Many fans at practice or at a scrimmage makes it also exciting for the PLAYERS, and not a distraction, if set up correctly. You were probably someone who initially thought replacing CJL with Holtz was a good idea weren't you?

How did Holtz work out of us? Would you rather see a practice or a winning team? People forget CJL was pretty much how Taggart is. People got the spring game and that was it. Keep it closed, time to have guys playing and practicing without distractions.

Wasn't there a guy on the board that said he was terrible last week? I think he said he wasn't FBS level qb. He called him Division I-AA at best. Now they are considering putting in a package for him, which means his play has so improved in the span of a week the coach is considering burning his redshirt.

1) USF 2) 56-12 3) Tice 4) Price 5) 520