Here's interesting info from Bison Blog
BISON Media Blog
Deciphering the QB battle
It's less than a week before the season opener and there still isn't a starting quarterback in the Bison camp, apparently. Nick Mertens seems like the obvious choice but Dante Perez continues to be in the mix by also taking snaps with the No. 1 offense.
Having two guys taking turns taking reps this late into fall camp leads to the following conclusion: even if Mertens is the starter, he'll be eligible for a quick hook. It's something the Bison didn't have the luxury last season with the departed Troy Jackson as the top backup.
The Bison coaches have made no bones about it; they want better production from quarterback and having Perez making some plays in practice is the best scenario they could have hoped for this August. If I were to guess, Mertens will get the start and will be given at least one half to produce.
There is no other way to configure why two guys are still in a battle for No. 1 less than a week before Iowa State.
Posted by: Jeff Kolpack on 8/29/2009 at 10:11 AM | Permalink
Tags: bison football
08 to '09: evaluating the receivers
Got a shout from a friend who thinks the Bison receivers will actually be better this year than last year. I see the point, but let's break it down.
The premise of the theory is Heckendorf was hurt most of last year and Alex Belquist had an off senior year, especially compared to his junior season. The severity of Heckendorf's injury was not disclosed until after the year, but it's possible he was in the 75 percent range, meaning not very effective and the bottom line: Bison had no go-to guy last year, really.
They still have no go-to guy right now, although everybody is still waiting for Warren Holloway to elevate his game. Warren has the height and speed and has been in the program long enough to be given his shot. It's either this year or bust for Warren; what a perfect spot for a guy to become the featured receiver.
Gary Williams looks better to me this fall than he ever has; looks as though he's going after some balls that maybe he was a little hesitant in the past. So, would you take Heckendorf and Belquist of last year or Holloway and Williams of this fall? Jury is still out. I also like Titus Mack but getting into the flow with the quarterback and the entire offense in general in a matter of a few weeks is just plain tough and undependable.
Whatever the case, the Bison need badly a decent passing game, or Iowa Stat is going to put all 11 players, the student manager and the ballboy in the boex.
BISON Media Blog
Deciphering the QB battle
It's less than a week before the season opener and there still isn't a starting quarterback in the Bison camp, apparently. Nick Mertens seems like the obvious choice but Dante Perez continues to be in the mix by also taking snaps with the No. 1 offense.
Having two guys taking turns taking reps this late into fall camp leads to the following conclusion: even if Mertens is the starter, he'll be eligible for a quick hook. It's something the Bison didn't have the luxury last season with the departed Troy Jackson as the top backup.
The Bison coaches have made no bones about it; they want better production from quarterback and having Perez making some plays in practice is the best scenario they could have hoped for this August. If I were to guess, Mertens will get the start and will be given at least one half to produce.
There is no other way to configure why two guys are still in a battle for No. 1 less than a week before Iowa State.
Posted by: Jeff Kolpack on 8/29/2009 at 10:11 AM | Permalink
Tags: bison football
08 to '09: evaluating the receivers
Got a shout from a friend who thinks the Bison receivers will actually be better this year than last year. I see the point, but let's break it down.
The premise of the theory is Heckendorf was hurt most of last year and Alex Belquist had an off senior year, especially compared to his junior season. The severity of Heckendorf's injury was not disclosed until after the year, but it's possible he was in the 75 percent range, meaning not very effective and the bottom line: Bison had no go-to guy last year, really.
They still have no go-to guy right now, although everybody is still waiting for Warren Holloway to elevate his game. Warren has the height and speed and has been in the program long enough to be given his shot. It's either this year or bust for Warren; what a perfect spot for a guy to become the featured receiver.
Gary Williams looks better to me this fall than he ever has; looks as though he's going after some balls that maybe he was a little hesitant in the past. So, would you take Heckendorf and Belquist of last year or Holloway and Williams of this fall? Jury is still out. I also like Titus Mack but getting into the flow with the quarterback and the entire offense in general in a matter of a few weeks is just plain tough and undependable.
Whatever the case, the Bison need badly a decent passing game, or Iowa Stat is going to put all 11 players, the student manager and the ballboy in the boex.
