Potts to Start in Alamo Bowl

by Vassago77379 on Dec 9, 2009 10:08 AM CST Comment 54 comments

What the hell is going on? Is Sticks THAT far behind in his healing process? I mean I have warmed over on 'Nick', but it was only in the impression that Sticks was coming back for the Bowl! Leach tells ESPN that Potts will be the starter, and I don't know if it is a ploy to make MSU think Potts will be in when its Sticks all along or what... In any case I'm a bit shocked AND worried about our bowl game now.

http://espn.go.com/blog/big12/post/_/id/8124/tech-qb-potts-will-start-alamo-bowl-against-michigan-state

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Double-T Nation's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Double-T Nation's writers or editors.

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Bowls

are meant to be fun in my opinion. They are a reward for a team that has excelled in the regular season. As long as it is not a BCS bowl, there aren’t really many pros or cons for winning/losing. I know it gets media attention and can bring our season record to 9-4 so it looks better when people flip through the archives. But somehow I doubt a loss to Michigan State would be any more of a deterrent than a loss to UH or a blowout loss to a&m.

Like it or not, Potts did play the majority of the season and has earned the right to play in this bowl as his reward. Do I think Sheffield is a better QB, of course! Do I think we have a sporting chance at losing this game with Potts starting, of course! Is it the right thing to do to start Potts, of course!

I know I will catch flack about how the coach’s job is to win games, not be his players’ best friend. And how the right thing to do is to put yourself in a position to win games. And during the regular season I agree with you whole-heartedly… but when bowls roll around we’ll just have to agree to disagree.

(On a side note I saw Sheffield still hobbling around at the Baylor game, so even if he is healed in time for the bowl game itself you have to consider all the practice and preparation for said game that he will miss/not be 100% for.)

by jdeeTTU on Dec 9, 2009 10:16 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

I agree with the decision...

Sheffield will be our starter next year if everything goes a s normal….There is no use risking further injury. Potts will be a capable back-up next year.

by VirtuaCory on Dec 9, 2009 10:26 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

I wouldn't leave everybody else out of the QB contest just yet.....

Karam and Doege could just as well pass the 2 seniors in competition. Not to forget Young either, we might have a very capapble 4 year starter on our hands. There is no way of telling what’s going to happen in the next couple of months.

" Answers -- Become Resources."
Without Questions; There are limited Resources...

by KWashburn on Dec 9, 2009 10:37 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

not a chance!! even if they are good…. Leach likes experience, you should know that by now

by johnlaf13 on Dec 10, 2009 5:55 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

experience? graham harrell had no experience. one year redshirt? i think karam has a solid oportunity

by cfraider on Dec 11, 2009 1:03 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Experience?

How many 5th year Seniors started for one season? Symons, Cumbie, and Hodges. The possibility is highly likely. Karam or Doege could easily slide in to the starting role if they show up in the spring. Depends on who wants it bad enough…..

" Answers -- Become Resources."
Without Questions; There are limited Resources...

by KWashburn on Dec 11, 2009 5:36 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

It's not a ploy

It’s not a ploy Leach will start with Potts in the bowl game and will probably stay with Potts as the starter next season (he is too stubborn to change his original decision about Potts being the first choice QB for the team). He gave Sticks a chance only because Potts was either out for concussion or we were losing to teams like New Mexico. Now unless something like that happens, I don’t see Leach giving anyone else a chance as long as Potts is on the roster. I am preparing myself mentally for another year of Potts in 2010.

by jef on Dec 9, 2009 10:39 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

And I mean this in the most friendly way possible.....

I’ll prepare your crow first hand….

" Answers -- Become Resources."
Without Questions; There are limited Resources...

by KWashburn on Dec 9, 2009 10:56 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Ha ha!! and you know if it’s someone other than Potts next season then it will be the most delicious crow I have ever eaten.

by jef on Dec 9, 2009 11:07 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

If Potts plays all 2010 we are in trouble.

by logan5555 on Dec 9, 2009 1:42 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Unless he drastically improves. Which I will root for.

by logan5555 on Dec 9, 2009 1:42 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Trust in Leach

We wanted to keep Leach to make these decisions so we need to quit harping on this and trust in Leach. Wreck Em !!!!!!!

by cweber7377 on Dec 10, 2009 8:00 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Whoever

I have to disagree with most and think Potts has the most skills between him and Sheffield. But if I am wrong, it will be the decision of Leach, not us and I will support that decision 100%. That is why we wanted to pay him the big bucks last year. So no matter who is chosen, no booing or cat calls next year.

by cweber7377 on Dec 9, 2009 12:18 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

i agree with your “no booing”. there should be no booing at all ever specially against our team, but it looks like you have not payed attention to the games whe you say potts has the most skills.

by cfraider on Dec 11, 2009 1:05 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I hope Potts plays wonderfully…and then I hope Sticks steals that job outright in the spring. Just my preference for the style of play.

by Tech92 on Dec 9, 2009 1:10 PM CST reply actions 1 recs

+1

Well said ’92. Agree with you as usual.

I hope one of them steps up in the Spring and makes it an obvious decision. Whoever starts in 2010 will be the #1 for a while since I don’t expect Leach to rotate like he has done this year. Not his style.

by imisswesttexas on Dec 9, 2009 1:21 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Agree with that

I’ve kinda seen what I need to see from Potts. Even an improved Potts in the bowl won’t make a believer. I’m ready for a QB with fire and passion like we saw in Harrell.

by Raider1992 on Dec 9, 2009 1:27 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

fire and passion!!!!!!

I agree with this, Potts could use more of both.

fire and passion
QBs and women, both need heavy doses of each.

VIVA LA FIGA!

by bmaxw on Dec 9, 2009 1:36 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

well stated

by RdrPwr on Dec 9, 2009 1:53 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Agree.

Go register. Or else.

by Skin Patrol on Dec 10, 2009 8:34 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm with the OP on this decision

I was really hoping that debacle of a Baylor game was the last time I would have to see Taylor Potts lead the Tech offense. If he’s the starter going into next year, Leach must be betting against the team in Vegas. You can’t lose betting the under when Potts is the starter.

by mbrown603 on Dec 9, 2009 3:53 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Unless it's the number of picks he throws off his back foot

by TechFirst on Dec 9, 2009 3:56 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Confusing on a couple of levels

1) Leach talking for a change – Ever since we started the carousel of QBs this season Leach was always playing his coy ‘game time decision’ line. Now, still nearly a month out from the bowl game he names the starter? Even if Sticks is not ready to go today, who’s to say how he’ll be feeling on Jan. 2?

2) WHY???? – The way I see it we have absolutely nothing to lose by starting Sticks. He’s been a better QB than Potts every time he has stepped on the field. You can’t make an argument that rust will be a factor because he started his incredible run by coming in cold in the middle of a game. It’s not like Potts could really be shaken up by losing his starting job (again). Let’s face it, if losing and regaining your job was an official stat, he would have already set the all-time record. If for some reason Sticks is not performing to his usual standard, you bring Potts in and you pretty much know what you’re getting.

by RaiderArch on Dec 9, 2009 7:11 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Why we all have day jobs!

I love reading this blog!! It often reminds me of why we all have “day jobs” that for most of us pay nothing close to what Leach and his staff get’s paid. Like it or not I just have to think Leach knows what he’s doing. It will be a great Spring battle (Leach already mentioned that) and I will support whomever comes out on top because I just have a gut feeling about next year!! Wreck Em’ Tech!!

by tturef on Dec 9, 2009 7:40 PM CST reply actions 2 recs

You know..

……I had a gut feeling about THIS year….turned out to be a gut punch……..

But I’m right there with you, I have a great feeling about next year also, whoever the QB is. We just all need to keep repeating, “trust in Leach, trust in Leach, trust in Leach…..” and maybe a few little “chings” from our finger cymbals.

"There's nothing that cleanses your soul like getting the hell kicked out of you." Woody Hayes

by cityman on Dec 9, 2009 8:10 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

It's the spring battle that concerns me

Potts probably plays much better when 5 Big 12 Def linemen aren’t fighting to take his head off as he decides (or fails to decide) who to throw to. He won the battle last spring by looking good in practice & look at how our season turned out. Tech finally had a legitimate defense this year & our passing offense went off the rails under Potts. We need timing, we need quick reads & quick throws, we need a QB who will plant his feet before throwing, who won’t throw sidearm, who won’t underthrow the short routes and overthrow the long routes. We need a QB who won’t drill the medium passes so hard the receivers can’t hold on to them. We need less turnovers in the red zone. Most of all, we need more points. Leach’s offense is supposed to score points. This year we resembled an SEC team.

Heck, maybe Leach is just blowing smoke to throw off the Michigan State coaches. I sure hope so.

by mbrown603 on Dec 9, 2009 8:47 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Spring competition

Here’s hoping they take the blue jersey off the QB’s in the spring and go first team 11 on 11 and see what they need to see. Gotta think if you can sit back and know you’re not getting your head knocked off, you’ll be a little more comfortable. Certainly there is no need to throw off your back foot.
Put the first team out there against the first team for at least some of the practices and make it a game situation.
But to TTUREF’s point, this is probably why I have a day job that doesn’t pay me to make these decisions. LOL

by imisswesttexas on Dec 10, 2009 8:54 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

+++++1

by cweber7377 on Dec 10, 2009 7:59 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Potts to Start in Alamo Bowl

The sky is falling…

It seems Bill Belichick is a Romer disciple as well.

by Campeador on Dec 9, 2009 8:52 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Who was the Thursday Night Hero?

In past years we have heard about the heroics of the likes Crabtree and Jeffers in the Thursday night scrimages but this year I don’t recall hearing about any standout. I am not sure what that says about Karam, Eric Ward and the others.

What’s the word on the street?

by ttu_porters on Dec 10, 2009 6:46 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

heard alot about ward from early practices

by RdrPwr on Dec 10, 2009 7:49 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Let Sticks heal!

Potts will be adequate, he has 3 weeks to prepare. I would much rather see a loss in the Bowl game and have Sticks full blown and ready to rock the Big XII next fall. Most of us had wrote this season off as a rebuild anyway. I think our D can step up and hold the Spartans low enough to where our O can prevail. Worse case, 2009- 8/5. I’ll take that for a 11-2 2010! Wreck ’Em Tech!

Badgerman

by Badgerman on Dec 10, 2009 9:59 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

11-2 is not acceptable....

" Answers -- Become Resources."
Without Questions; There are limited Resources...

by KWashburn on Dec 10, 2009 4:19 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

ill take nothing less than 13-0.

by RdrPwr on Dec 10, 2009 7:50 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Hell yeah!!

No, wait…….

14-0 would include a Big 12 Championship and a BCS Berth. Let’s get our facts lined out…….

" Answers -- Become Resources."
Without Questions; There are limited Resources...

by KWashburn on Dec 11, 2009 5:37 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

All for 14-0

The team we have returning for 2010 absolutely should be in the running to win the Big12. OU loses a lot and so does UT. Big, big expectations!!!

by imisswesttexas on Dec 11, 2009 9:57 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I forgot the big 12 ’ship. I was looking at the big picture haha

by RdrPwr on Dec 11, 2009 4:08 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Potts is Better

look, next year will be a totally different team. They (qb/wr/rb) will have all summer and spring to work on the play book. next year they will be more on the same page than this year. it just takes time. wr will know when to cutoff routes and potts will know when they are going to. What we had was a first year starter who struggled being precise with the young recievers. despite what everyone wants to think, this was a transition year, and we exceeded expectations with an 8-4 season and Alamo Bowl. We could have been 6-6.
Be Patient and WREK ’EM TECH

by TechRed01 on Dec 10, 2009 2:03 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I see what you’re saying there, but he has been in this system for 4 years now. It just seems he would be able to read it a little better at this point. But what do i know?

by RdrPwr on Dec 10, 2009 7:51 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Yes and we are 8-4 not because of Potts alone. Remember NM, KSU and Neb wins came with Sticks at QB. We were also leading Okie State in the first half when Sticks was brought in, unfortunately we couldn’t get an entire half out of an injured Sticks or else the outcome of that game could have been different

by jef on Dec 11, 2009 10:36 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I agree 8 wins not all on Taylor....and 4 losses not all on him either!

by abiraidr on Dec 11, 2009 10:51 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

+1

by tturef on Dec 10, 2009 9:58 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Makes sense about learning each other, but I still can’t get over the sloppy technique (back foot throws, etc). That shoiuld have been taken care of years ago.

by TechFirst on Dec 11, 2009 9:16 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I don't remember him having a problem with it at Abilene High....

or during mop up duty the last few years. Every qb does it from time to time, but I don’t think it really became a problem until he started getting hit in the chops on a regular basis. I think that inpart, it was a result of a couple of things. First being he is not a highly mobile qb although he can when needed to an extent. Second, thinking he HAD to stay in the pocket as per Leach wanting them to stay as long as they can and getting hit like he was. Trust me, it’s hard not to get happy feet when you’re pretty sure your about to get leveled on a regular basis. IMO ofcourse…

by abiraidr on Dec 11, 2009 10:49 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm with you here

In talking with my dad about it, he said a couple of interesting things. First, this back foot thing never really showed up much in high school. But more importantly, he remembers Potts being fairly mobile in high school. He said he could and did run a little and doens’t understand where his mobility has gone.

I think the only way we know for sure if his throwing has improved in the spring is to go full 11 × 11 in practice and take the blue QB jersey’s off! That should tell you every thing you need to know. Hoping the best for him.

by imisswesttexas on Dec 14, 2009 10:54 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

backfoot throws

all good points. remember sticks threw the int that osu returned for a TD. i agree with the problem of throwing off his back foot. that is a concern that will be fixed in the summer and spring. either by him or sticks will out perform him and win the job!

by TechRed01 on Dec 11, 2009 2:12 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I believe in Potts.I have been furious about is BACK FOOT problem.But he is a devoted player and bleeds RAIDER RED BLOOD.24-7.He will be fine. Let’s support him.WRECK"EM TAYLOR!

by slycanyon on Dec 10, 2009 10:01 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I hope Potts plays well in the bowl game, but I really have to put the poor throwing mechanics on Potts and the staff. It’s something that’s not improved much of the course of the season.

JMHO

by ttu_porters on Dec 11, 2009 8:14 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Potts is not the answer. If Sticks wasnt hurt, he would have started all the games he was out. Potts has been at Tech long enough to learn the system and still fails to understand the simple concept of not throwing off his back foot.

by bthomps87 on Dec 10, 2009 10:47 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

lets forget about our QB issue and cheer all for potts! no more boo’s. next season is totally different. i dont think is that bad i just feel that sticks has earned the job.

by cfraider on Dec 11, 2009 1:12 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

the REAL problem is...

NOT throwing off of his back foot, but rather he has no “internal clock”. by the time Potts realizes that he needs to throw the ball away or run, he’s been sacked. All of you can say what you wanna say, but i think you’re gonna have to agree with me on this one….

by TxTechJim on Dec 12, 2009 10:01 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

I would agree

and have to add something about making better reads and looking off defenders in the offseason. Potts looked amazing in crap time in ’08, he just needs to get back to that mentality. That being said, Im rooting for Sticks haha. But I will undoubtedly support whichever QB gets the nod over the offseason.

by RdrPwr on Dec 12, 2009 7:09 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Potts starting in Alamo Bowl

If Potts starts the game I stay home, simple as that. At least on television I can turn it off when he starts screwing up and not be out the price of a ticket. I’ll take the third string QB over this guy any day of the week.

by Tech62 on Dec 14, 2009 8:17 AM CST reply actions 0 recs