QB

[AppStateNews]

Shuler has made a night and day change this Fall camp. Last year, and in Spring, he was able to make all the throws but struggled with the mental aspect of the game. That has changed this fall. I don't know if it's mentoring from Brice/Huesman, him digging into the playbook more, him studying film more, or Ponce just being that much better of a teacher. My guess is all of the above.

Tabscott and Goodman will both be good as well. It's just a completely different game coming from high school where they are likely among the best athletes on the field to going to a top 30 FBS program and everybody is on the same level (or higher).

[AtlAppMan]

From what I have seen in his game film, Brice is able to get passes to receivers in tighter coverage than Zac or Taylor. Both of Zac/Taylor had their own strengths but we appear to be stepping up to another level of QB. Brice has a quicker release and has a bit more juice on throws and can feed receivers in traffic and short routes. He also appears to be able to pass while rolling out/moving with more power and authority while maintaining accuracy. Armanti had that quality and it killed defenses when he moved out of the pocket buying time. Remember Brice was the 15th QB overall (4 star) coming out of high school when entering Clemson. He just happened to be behind probably one of the best college QBs in decades in Lawrence. That does not guarantee us anything but he definitely has probably the highest pure QB type tangible skills of any QB we have ever had at App.

I think we all know what we want but the biggest intangible is "Can they step up, bring their A game when in a BIG game (big stadium, top tier competition, national TV, when conference championship is on the line) and the weight of the team is on your shoulders?" That is what makes you say, he has IT. Taylor, Zac, Armanti had IT while still constrained within their physical abilities. The guy that replaced Zac in Ga Southern game a few years ago that transferred out of program didn't have IT. He wilted under pressure. That is how you know whether they have IT (Zac at Penn State or the other guy at Ga Southern).

[AppSt94]

Brice is certainly not Zac. Don’t expect as much. Where Zac would take off down the field and get what he could from his legs, Brice is going to stay in the pocket, go through his progressions and let the downfield routes develop. He is also comfortable dropping the ball off to his check downs to get what he can out of the play. Combination of Lamb’s smarts and Thomas’ grit, with a better arm than both.

"Better" as in stronger or as in all-around (strength, touch, accuracy)? I'd buy the latter, no so sure about the former.

I do think Brice is a competent and willing runner, though. Just not the game breaker that Zac occasionally was.

Better is a loaded term. He’s different, so I can see where someone used to Zac’s game may think that he isn’t. Brice brings a different dynamic to the position. He is patient with his reads. He makes throws that we haven’t seen from an App QB. It allows Ponce some creative options. I’m not comparing stats for them because Brice will have better weapons than Zac had last year. Sutton returns, Henni and Virgil are healthy and the Christians, Davis, and Tucker are a year wiser. We should be able to move the ball more consistently and let the defense do their thing.

[PhillyApp1]

Thank you all for your knowledgeable comments.
I appreciate the dialog, a lot.

Beat ECU

[AppSt94]

I'm not sure if Clemson or Duke paint an accurate picture of what Brice is going to be here. Obviously that's two different levels of talent and we're wedged somewhere in between that. It'll be interesting for sure though.

I can agree with that assessment. I choose to look at it this way. The talent that he played with at Clemson was better than that of most P5 peer schools. The talent that he played with at Duke was not even the same as an average P5. I equate what he has here as on par with the Clemson scenario as it relates to our level of competition.

[TomA415]

A lot of Chase’s mistakes last year were on him but if there’s an offense you don’t want to have to play in after having no offseason it’s David Cutcliffe’s. Duke’s scheme is incredibly tough to pick up and then you factor in the no off season with a bad OL and bad WR’s and he was set up for failure last year.

I think a full offseason with our weapons in our scheme that is not overly complex will really help him be more effective.

[BambooRdApp]

From a offensive standpoint, a QB with a better than good to great OL along with a running game, can make a QB look really special...

[Rekdiver]

Thank you all for your knowledgeable comments.
I appreciate the dialog, a lot.

Beat ECU

Amen, Now this is what I'm talking about...FOOTBALL!!! Thanks for everyone chipping in the info.

[Appst86]

Shuler has made a night and day change this Fall camp. Last year, and in Spring, he was able to make all the throws but struggled with the mental aspect of the game. That has changed this fall. I don't know if it's mentoring from Brice/Huesman, him digging into the playbook more, him studying film more, or Ponce just being that much better of a teacher. My guess is all of the above.

Tabscott and Goodman will both be good as well. It's just a completely different game coming from high school where they are likely among the best athletes on the field to going to a top 30 FBS program and everybody is on the same level (or higher).

Perhaps he received some counseling from the former congressman he lives with!

[Black Saturday]

Brice was rated 4 stars out of high school, not sure any of our previous outstanding QBs all the way back to Kevin Joyce during my association were rated that highly. Plus he brings in the experience of being at the very top at Clemson. I think we are in for an exciting year, provided our play calling this season can get more artful, than last years version. I'm counting on us using the whole field vertically and horizontally. A great season will be one loss considering the U, hopefully a competitive showing, and am looking to payback those we owe for our conference losses last season.

[PhillyApp1]

Amen

Let's run the ball..... hit someone.... throw the ball.... and kick their a$$'$

Remember
Beat ECU

[AppSt94]

Brice was rated 4 stars out of high school, not sure any of our previous outstanding QBs all the way back to Kevin Joyce during my association were rated that highly. Plus he brings in the experience of being at the very top at Clemson. I think we are in for an exciting year, provided our play calling this season can get more artful, than last years version. I'm counting on us using the whole field vertically and horizontally. A great season will be one loss considering the U, hopefully a competitive showing, and am looking to payback those we owe for our conference losses last season.

I’m not totally convinced that Miami will be our hardest game.

[BeauFoster]

Brice was rated 4 stars out of high school, not sure any of our previous outstanding QBs all the way back to Kevin Joyce during my association were rated that highly. Plus he brings in the experience of being at the very top at Clemson. I think we are in for an exciting year, provided our play calling this season can get more artful, than last years version. I'm counting on us using the whole field vertically and horizontally. A great season will be one loss considering the U, hopefully a competitive showing, and am looking to payback those we owe for our conference losses last season.

I’m not totally convinced that Miami will be our hardest game.

I can’t accurately summarize why I agree with you, so I’ll just say I completely agree. ULL is shaping up to be TOUGH

[hapapp]

Honestly, I don't think this is anything new at all. When Lamb was the QB, I didn't hear much about the backups. I read the occasional comments about Zac or others, but the fact is that none of us knew exactly what we had in the wings. Pretty much EVERYBODY was scared going into Happy Valley. That's why that game was so amazing!

I do hope that our young guys are developing. We need to have someone emerge for the future. I would love to see one of those young 'uns step up in a 4th quarter role this season, but frankly I hope that's all we see because anything else means something has gone horribly wrong.

Go Apps!

Agree. And the backups who sound like they have a realistic shot to be the next starter are both true freshmen, so they're not where they will be next spring or next fall.

And, as 94 noted, it's at least possible Brice could return in '22.

Exactly. If we get down to our 3rd string QB then we are in big trouble either way.

[t4pizza]

In my mind Miami is our toughest game and it isn't even close. I don't think ULL is all that great, their qb has never impressed me and they lost their stud running backs, and I certainly don't think the Beach Chickens will leave Boone without a well deserved humbling. I give credit to both for making the most of the Covid year and getting some well deserved recognition for the Sun Belt but that ends this year and App State lets everyone know who is the best team in the Belt.

[hapapp]

Shuler has made a night and day change this Fall camp. Last year, and in Spring, he was able to make all the throws but struggled with the mental aspect of the game. That has changed this fall. I don't know if it's mentoring from Brice/Huesman, him digging into the playbook more, him studying film more, or Ponce just being that much better of a teacher. My guess is all of the above.

Tabscott and Goodman will both be good as well. It's just a completely different game coming from high school where they are likely among the best athletes on the field to going to a top 30 FBS program and everybody is on the same level (or higher).

Glad to hear that about Shuler. He really showed up in Boone at a bad time and really never had much of an opportunity to learn the system. There were a lot of folks critical of the previous staff for recruiting him.

[AppSt94]

In my mind Miami is our toughest game and it isn't even close. I don't think ULL is all that great, their qb has never impressed me and they lost their stud running backs, and I certainly don't think the Beach Chickens will leave Boone without a well deserved humbling. I give credit to both for making the most of the Covid year and getting some well deserved recognition for the Sun Belt but that ends this year and App State lets everyone know who is the best team in the Belt.

My rationale on Miami is based on the fact that we don’t know which team we could get in week 2. What is their frame of mind if they get rolled by Bama and have Michigan St the following week? Louisiana may be the toughest for us due to being on the road and the Chickens coming to town the following week.

[AppAlum1]

Covid Carolina is in for an old fashioned whoopin come Oct. 20. I hope they come into Boone 6-0 and ranked.

And i think App will beat Looziana twice this year!!!

[AppAlum1]

I totally get the comparison thing that guys always want to do but personally I don’t do that. I’d rather consider a player for what he is and rate his skill level. Have we had a guy of this size with the ability to make throws on the money both to the sidelines and 50 yards downfield (on the money) while under pressure? Over the years we have had all types.

I get your point and you are right. Comparisons can be a mixed bag. But, to those App fans who know who Joe Burchette was, you are real Mountaineers. I daresay everyone who knows Burchette is a grey head. My 2 sons are exceptions to that rule.
Truth being App has a rich tradition of football with a lot of great players in different schemes. Can you imagine the power I in todays college football at App? We take alot for granted and really we have alot that others schools just wish they had.

[BeauFoster]

I totally get the comparison thing that guys always want to do but personally I don’t do that. I’d rather consider a player for what he is and rate his skill level. Have we had a guy of this size with the ability to make throws on the money both to the sidelines and 50 yards downfield (on the money) while under pressure? Over the years we have had all types.

I get your point and you are right. Comparisons can be a mixed bag. But, to those App fans who know who Joe Burchette was, you are real Mountaineers. I daresay everyone who knows Burchette is a grey head. My 2 sons are exceptions to that rule.
Truth being App has a rich tradition of football with a lot of great players in different schemes. Can you imagine the power I in todays college football at App? We take alot for granted and really we have alot that others schools just wish they had.

Jesus, I’m not that old…

That said, I would probably have some grays if I had any hair on my head, but that ship sailed a couple years ago.