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Utah Utes football: Quarterbacks take U. spotlight
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Brent Casteel | 8:12 a.m. April 20, 2008
What were Brent Casteel's stats? I want to get them out early to all the
Heisman voters.
Couldn't be there | 9:33 a.m. April 20, 2008
Well I have been planning to attend the R/W game but work got in the way. After
reading all the recaps I am still a little concerned about the QB situation.
Maybe it wont matter to much though, for ever bad thing I hear about BJ, I hear
two good things about the RBs. Can't wait for them to play in the Big
House. Go Utes!!
Comments continue below
Dumb or what | 10:00 a.m. April 20, 2008
Was what Eric Weddle did dumb or what? Trying to play with no helmet or pads?
That was brilliant Coach Kyle to let him do that and take a chance on ending his
pro career. Good thing he didn't get hurt. Weddle & Whitingham: The
Saga of Two Guys Sharing Half A Brain.
Need a better QB | 10:01 a.m. April 20, 2008
I think our offense is still not going to be as good as they could be this year
because of the QB spot. I wish we had a truly talented QB like Max Hall. That
guy is a real stud. I hope Kyle had the team work real hard on the onside kick
play cause we're gonna need it this year.
nice comment: | 11:06 a.m. April 20, 2008
By a dumb cougar fan, Hall is not that good I could throw the ball 50 times a
game and look good too.
utah ute 72 | 12:08 p.m. April 20, 2008
To: need a better QB.
Max Hall in the Utah system would be a lot like -- Tommy Grady. Immobile Quaterbacks just can't run it.
Max Hall in the Utah system would be a lot like -- Tommy Grady. Immobile Quaterbacks just can't run it.
Re: Dumb or What | 12:13 p.m. April 20, 2008
Yup,...I'm pretty sure the only pads you need to kick a extra point in a
practice game is one shoe. And I don't think Whitingham told him to run
after the kick. I'm not sure it's Whit's or Weddle's IQ we
should be looking at.
Weddle | 12:25 p.m. April 20, 2008
Weddle also should wrestle around with little kids, go to a concert, drive
anywhere, or walk up and down stairs because he might get hurt...
He should live in a bubble...
He is a grown man and makes his own decisions, and he knows his own limits...
As far as quarterbacks go, we will be just fine...if you all don't remember right, we have one of the best defensive secondary's in the nation, and the defense is usually ahead of the offense early in the year, as the offense needs time to gel...
I am looking forward to a great year for the Utes, as we have gotten much better, while the TDS seems to be the same except for losing their best guys on defense...
Here is to another MWC championship after a few years off!
He should live in a bubble...
He is a grown man and makes his own decisions, and he knows his own limits...
As far as quarterbacks go, we will be just fine...if you all don't remember right, we have one of the best defensive secondary's in the nation, and the defense is usually ahead of the offense early in the year, as the offense needs time to gel...
I am looking forward to a great year for the Utes, as we have gotten much better, while the TDS seems to be the same except for losing their best guys on defense...
Here is to another MWC championship after a few years off!
Experience | 12:52 p.m. April 20, 2008
Hopefully we can jump on a bunch of teams early and get some of these young guys
in to get some reps. I think Johnson is going to have a decent your, but
probably not anything special. Louks will definitely see some time. I hope Manis
does also. My guess is Christopher will redshirt. Go Utes!
To utah ute 72 | 5:17 p.m. April 20, 2008
Yeah, I bet you can throw a football a mile, too. Now all you need is a time
machine. Now get out of here because you've been ruining everybody's
lives and eating all our steak.
Nice comment? | 5:46 p.m. April 20, 2008
Max Hall is a preseason All-American. I'm confident that you could not
throw the ball 50 times a game and look good too. He's better than your
guy. BJ could have been amazing but he's injury prone do to the type of O
the U runs and hasn't had a real shot to show what he can do. Also, Casteel
as a Heisman Hopeful? Come on guys. The only time his name has been mentioned as
a Heisman candidate is when he graciously predicted that he would be the next
one from the U to win it. Delusional, everyone of you. Harline is still very
very open, and Magic Happens!
Get a sense of humor | 7:59 p.m. April 20, 2008
Casteel was joking about the Heisman. I know in Happy Valley life is very
serious and there is very little to joke about, so I can understand why it is so
hard for Coug fans to understand when someone is joking.
Football Fan | 9:24 p.m. April 20, 2008
Hall is a great quarterback. My favorite play of his-which he has mastered-is
the one where he holds the ball too long and gets hit from behind-then fumbles
the ball. If the defense recovers, it's just icing on the cake. He must
practice it all the time because he executed it flawlessly last season. Must be
living right on and off the field.
Anonymous | 9:33 p.m. April 20, 2008
The only thing worse than BYU football is BYU fans.
Enough already | 10:38 p.m. April 20, 2008
BYU fans, we get it! You don't like the Utes, so spare us your comments.
Actually, this is probably casting too large a net, because many BYU fans are
decent people and sports fans. The incessant infantile commentary from the
"Cougs" probably originate from about six 12 year olds whose mommies
and daddies have failed to properly monitor their computer activity.
So to you delinquents, I say: have the decency to freshen up your pathetic smack one in a "blue" moon. Wow! You got us with that Harline is open and magic happens! And Brent Casteel, yup, he probably won't even be a candidate. But, since he made that remark as a froshman and is now a redshirt senior, it never gets old.
Don't you dolts have a downline you ought to be out managing (or building)?
So to you delinquents, I say: have the decency to freshen up your pathetic smack one in a "blue" moon. Wow! You got us with that Harline is open and magic happens! And Brent Casteel, yup, he probably won't even be a candidate. But, since he made that remark as a froshman and is now a redshirt senior, it never gets old.
Don't you dolts have a downline you ought to be out managing (or building)?
Hall vs BJ | 10:59 p.m. April 20, 2008
Does this even have to be compared? Im a Ute fan but a realistic one too. Max
hall is better than Brian Johnson.
Hey | 5:14 a.m. April 21, 2008
I thought comments that were "abusive, offensive, and off-topic" would
not be posted. Why does the DN post all these postings that fit all of that
criteria? Please be true to that red typing, so those of us with a sense of
sportsmanship can read these comments without having to read such stupidity.
PLEASE PLEASE don't allow posts that completely bash a school and its
people. It's very offensive.
Gretzky | 7:00 a.m. April 21, 2008
the article leaves me with the impression that the Utes were not that serious
this spring. Weddle playing in the game as an alumnus???? not impressed. Sakoda
should be kicking for both sides. the real players need the experience.
Re: utah ute 72 | 7:20 a.m. April 21, 2008
Hey Uncle Rico,
I bet your team would have taken state when you were in high school if they had just put you in during the 4th quarter.
I bet your team would have taken state when you were in high school if they had just put you in during the 4th quarter.
Max Hall | 7:24 a.m. April 21, 2008
My favorite Max Hall play is the one where he finds wide open receivers on 4th
and 18. I bet he wishes he could play the Utes every week. As for Brent
Casteel, he was not joking about winning the Heisman. One of his very first
interviews with the local media when he arrived at Utah he said he came to Utah
to win the Heisman. That is a fact.
Matt | 9:44 a.m. April 21, 2008
Here are the facts. Utah has a solid running game coming back and could have a
great 1-2 punch if Asiata is healthy and lives up the hype. If one or two
emerge as go-to receivers the offense will be potent. Brian Johnson is back and
I expect will be great. He is only a couple years removed from being third in
the nation in total offense before injury. The defense should be solid again
with a more experienced secondary. The MWC championship will come down to
11/22/08 against BYU. I am a Utes fan but let's face it BYU also has a lot
of a key players returning. This year's game will mean a lot more if both
teams come in undefeated or at least undefeated in conference AND ranked. The
rivalry games are great, but would be even better if both teams are ranked and
healthy. Despite the ignorance AND expected arrogance of BYU fans who choose to
comment on an article that has NOTHING to do with BYU (get a life guys!) best of
luck to both teams and let�s hope for the above on
11/22/08!
Brad | 9:55 a.m. April 21, 2008
I agree with Matt. The rivalry game would mean something if both teams are
ranked and the MWC championship is on the line. The best thing this conference
can hope for as well as BYU fans who are unable to look past reality is that
both teams are ranked going into the final game. Then, a victory actually means
something. Barely beating Utah and claiming superiority with 4th and 18
comments doesn't mean anything to Utes fans when BYU almost lost (and
should have) to the same UCLA team that Utah destroyed earlier in the year.
Re: Hall vs BJ | 10:46 a.m. April 21, 2008
Your comment is legit based on statistics alone from a year ago. However, put
Hall in a Utah uniform (just keep Hall's ridiculous helmet in Provo) and BJ
in a BYU uniform. I wonder how they would perform? Utah's offense would
be very good. Utah would have to go to a drop back passing team based on
Hall's mobility and rely solely on their running game. What about BJ on
the Cougars? A mobile QB who can throw? If you take BJ's abilities to run
and throw and team that with Unga it would be interesting to see how the teams
would fair! That being said Utah has BJ and a great RB already with reliable
recievers. This could be a great year for the UTES!
Re:Brad | 12:47 p.m. April 21, 2008
BYU beat UCLA and Utah beat UCLA. Margin of victory is meaningless to anyone
who knows sports. If you want to compare victories let's compare the wins
over UNLV. Oh yeah, Utah lost to UNLV. I can't believe Utah fans are
still bringing up their victory over UCLA and comparing it to BYU's victory
and then coming to the conclusion that they are the better team. That's
what you do when teams don't play each other. The only score that matters
when comparing BYU to Utah is 17-10. That's why they play each other so
you don't have to worry about who beat who by how much during the rest of
the season.
re Re: Hall vs BJ | 1:22 p.m. April 21, 2008
Pure speculation that can never be proven since a QB switch will never take
place. All we have to go on is their individual stats from last year and the
teams' win-loss records. Not a Ute fan but I believe the Utes will be
better this year than last. However, BYU will also be much better now that all
their 1st year starters from last season have a year's experience. Plus
they've brought in a bunch of new talent that other MWC teams won't be
able to keep up with. Bronco has turned the program into a real machine and
it's going to keep getting better. Just look at last season that was
supposed to be a rebuilding year for the Cougars. No one expected them to do
that well considering the key starters they lost.
Brad | 2:14 p.m. April 21, 2008
Re:Re:Brad "...and then coming to the conclusion that they are the better
team." That is YOUR interpretation of what I said! I know who the better
team was. Records don't lie. But, you need to be realistic. Pereception
is everything in COLLEGE football. It is a beauty pageant. It is not fair, but
that is how it goes. BYU did not do themselves or the conference any favors by
not beating UCLA as badly as the Utes did. Even by 10 points would hav been
good. Margin of victory is big in the sense of this pageantry. To beat UCLA by
a blocked PAT was fun for the fans, but the perception is that it took the MWC
champ to come up with a fluke play in the closing seconds to barely beat the
best of the worst Pac-10 teams. Again, perception is everything, whether or not
it is right or fair. Margin of victory is that perception and the Cougars blew
it. If you want a score try 34-31 twice!
re: Re: Hall vs. BJ | 2:20 p.m. April 21, 2008
Speculation is what sports are all about for the fans. It would be fun to see
what the two QB's could do in each other systems. You made two great
points. Utah should be better than last year. Hopefully, not just physically
better, but mentally tougher to win the games they should (i.e. UNLV). I am a
Utah fan but BYU could be scary good this year. Who knew Hall would be as good
as he was so quick? I happen to agree with Matt that these two teams would be
better off playing each other ranked going into the final game. That would make
for a REALLY good, meaningful game. Not just bragging rights. Should be a fun
year to watch both teams.
re: Re: Brad | 3:03 p.m. April 21, 2008
Just to piggyback on "re: Brad". I am a Utes fan but want I give BYU
their props. They were not supposed to be so good last year. They were very,
very good. BUT, they played a letdown game at the end of the year. Yes, they
won. But, did they? BYU will be ranked to start the year, make no mistake.
But where? How much higher would they have been had they beaten UCLA by as many
as the Utes? Their beginning ranking is huge in getting to the BCS (see Utah
2004). Margin of victory counts towards the PERCEPTION of the voters for the
BCS beauty pageant. Unfair is it may be. Don't underestimate that point.
People remember "what you have done for me lately." One point victory
over a bad UCLA team is not impressive in the eyes of the BCS. Also, don't
underestimate what victories over Michigan and Oregon St. would do for Utah and
if they can run the table against the rest. That is a big if, but they do have
the team to do it if they are healthy. Both teams have legit shots at a BCS
berth.
NevadaCoug | 3:37 p.m. April 21, 2008
Eh, I want Utah to have at least two conference losses, but still be ranked,
going into the BYU match up. Of course, BYU would need to be undefeated in
conference at that point also. That way, I don't have to sweat it out so
much when BYU tries to throw the game away for the umpteenth time. Just being
honest.
I, personally, don't have a problem with what Weddle did. He was just having fun, which is what the Spring game is all about, really. He's a big boy, he knows what he's doing.
I, personally, don't have a problem with what Weddle did. He was just having fun, which is what the Spring game is all about, really. He's a big boy, he knows what he's doing.
Re: NevadaCoug | 4:33 p.m. April 21, 2008
Thanks for your honesty, but if Utah has two conference losses at that point
they will not be ranked.
What | 8:55 p.m. April 21, 2008
The Red and White game, hear I thought the u colors were Crimson and White.
Poor u, feel free to KNOW your colors. Here is one color you know, yellow, as
in the short yellow bus that takes you to and from school each day
Rack me.
Rack me.
re: What | 7:13 a.m. April 22, 2008
Funny you would bring up colors. When is BYU going to stop using AGGIE blue?
2 losses | 8:29 a.m. April 22, 2008
Losing at home to UNLV and losing @ Wyoming in a revenge game would for sure not
have them ranked.
Re: 2 losses | 10:14 a.m. April 22, 2008
It is a good thing we'll easily win both of those games. But you do have
such amazing creativity � coming up with jokes about UNLV.
Like we haven�t heard that a million times.
re: 2 losses | 12:10 p.m. April 22, 2008
Each year every team has a "coulda, woulda, shoulda" game or two. It
matters not who the opponent was. It happens. Tell me that the four losses BYU
has had are not losses they "shoulda, woulda, coulda" won? On a
different note, how about the games the Jazz should have won and did not:
Clippers, Timberwolves (2x), Bobcats, Knicks to name a few. These losses would
have propelled them to the best record in the West. It is tough to pull off
perfection in any given season. I hope both teams are undefeated ate the end of
the season. It is about time the Holy War become a catalyst to greater things
besides bragging rights!
QB | 11:51 a.m. April 23, 2008
The U is in trouble with their QB's Johnson is average and injury prone.
They need a QB who is balanced in every aspect of the game. They have some good
runners, but no balance. They need to find someone different. there has got to
be one out there. If they don't it's going to be a long season.
Ute Fan | 12:12 p.m. April 23, 2008
The B@W did not show case their Qb well. Very average display, I agree with QB
above.
Utes4ever | 12:19 p.m. April 23, 2008
Johnson is injury prone, but he is not average. When he is healthy he is
dangerous. DeVonte Christopher is our QB for the future and will most likely be
redshirted. I don't know how good his throwing ability is, but he was
built for the triple option spread offense. If he can also throw, then he will
be that much more dangerous.
Our defense is better than last year. Our offense still has a few questions at WR and TE, but our running game is stacked with quality RBs and our O-line should be decent.
No doubt - BYU could be scary good this year. But to fall back on perceptions based on "quality of victory", Utah could climb the rankings quickly if we can put on impressive performances against Michigan and Oregon State. It would be a dream come true to watch two undefeated MWC teams battle it out in SLC with the winner going to the Fiesta Bowl and the loser destroying a PAC 10 team in the Vegas Bowl.
Our defense is better than last year. Our offense still has a few questions at WR and TE, but our running game is stacked with quality RBs and our O-line should be decent.
No doubt - BYU could be scary good this year. But to fall back on perceptions based on "quality of victory", Utah could climb the rankings quickly if we can put on impressive performances against Michigan and Oregon State. It would be a dream come true to watch two undefeated MWC teams battle it out in SLC with the winner going to the Fiesta Bowl and the loser destroying a PAC 10 team in the Vegas Bowl.
QB SITUATION | 12:24 p.m. April 23, 2008
WITH THE CURRENT QB SITUATION THEY WILL ONLY WIN ABOUT 1/2 OF THEIR GAMES THIS
SEASON. THERE IS NOT ONE QB THAT HAS WHAT IS TAKES THE TAKE THIS TEAM TO THE
NEXT LEVEL. VERY AVERAGE!!!
other qb's | 12:25 p.m. April 23, 2008
did the u pick up any other freshman qb's? if so who are they?
To Utes4ever | 12:33 p.m. April 23, 2008
How can you say that DeVonte is the future at 5'10" and you don't
know how well his passing is ? Give me a break. Nice thought but it won't
work. So Johnson goes down, then what?? You have to game play this senario cause
it will happen it's just a matter of time. With the RB's that the U
has that is great need a dual QB with those RB's then you will have a great
O.
re: QB situation | 12:47 p.m. April 23, 2008
Are you serious? Not one QB to lead the team. I certainly hope you won't be
in the stadium this fall. People like you are a cancer to the team. Why
don't you go and try out if you are such the evaluater of talent. I for one
am very excited for B. Johnson and the offense this year. Louks had a breakout
Spring and Devonte Christopher is only going to become better. Also learn how to
turn off your stupid caps lock key. Go UTES!
What Ever | 12:49 p.m. April 23, 2008
Some Good Runners, are you kidding me? The third, fourth and fifth strings are
classified as good runners this year. The QB situation will be fine. Brian
Johnson, last year�s bowl game, was worse off than he is
now and he still got MVP of the game. Corbin Louks is a great back up and will
help the Utes a lot this year.
Utah offense is very balanced this year.
Go UTES!!!
Utah offense is very balanced this year.
Go UTES!!!
re: HEAD IN THE SAND | 1:04 p.m. April 23, 2008
IT IS OK TO TAKE YOUR BLINDERS OFF EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE.
To re: Brad | 3:01 p.m. April 23, 2008
I read a quote on Fox Sports that further illustrates my point that Margin of
Vicory is big in the eyes of the nation. In an article by Pete Futiak,
"The Mountain West should be better, with TCU and Utah each able to ruin
the Cougars' dream, but the the non-conference schedule isn't bad with
Northern Iowa, at Washington, UCLA and at Utah State. Would that be good enough
to send a 12-0 BYU team to the BCS title game? That could be the big debate of
2008, but a huge win over the Bruins could set the tone and generate the buzz
needed for the national attention." That huge win he is speaking about is
not about just about a victory. He states BYU needs a "huge win" over
the Bruins. Beat them again by one point and it might be a dissapointing
season. When Utah went in 2004 they DESTROYED the teams the played. They left
no room for debate. Good luck Cougars. If Utah doesn't make it, I hope
BYU does!
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Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
NFL football player, former Ute and honorary coach Eric Weddle (L) goofs around with QB Brian Johnson, who only took a few snaps
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It was actually Greg Newman that helped Robert Johnson throw the ice cold water on Weddle. Good article!