Mickey Named a Starter Already. Seriously.
Mickey Matthews ended all speculation and named Justin Thorpe the starting QB today. Yes, you read that right. JMU actually has a clear number 1 QB a full 12 days before the season starts. This past few years, I’d gotten used to not knowing who JMU’s true starting QB was 12 quarters into the season. Regardless of which QB you might have been hoping would win the job, this news has got to be greeted with great joy. Or at least relief that someone won separated himself from the competition and won the job.
Thorpe outplayed the other contenders, Jace Edwards and Billy Cosh, and clinched the job after Saturday’s scrimmage. Fan opinion has always been pretty divided on Justin and I doubt this is going to change anything. It’s sort of a glass half-full versus glass half-empty thing. You can look at Justin and either see a QB who struggled throwing the ball as a redshirt freshman, or you can see a QB who closed that season with 4 wins and won the CAA Rookie of the Year. I’m going with the latter.
There is no denying that Thorpe looked lost at times 2 years ago. It’s not being an apologist to point out that he was a redshirt freshman however. Or to point out the fact that he had the misfortune to be labeled the next Rodney Landers when fans’ memories of Landers’ heroics were still fresh. He got better as the season went on and helped a JMU team that clearly could have thrown in the towel, close the season with 4 straight wins. Â Including wins on the road against both UMass and Delaware, two teams that the Dukes just don’t beat away from Bridgeforth. Had Thorpe not gotten hurt in the season opener last year, he might have taken the job from Dudzik anyway and been the clear starter heading into this season anyway.
So I’m fully on board the Justin Thorpe bandwagon at this point. He sounds like he’s matured a bit and studied a lot more film after he got hurt last year. And Dae’Quan Scott moved from wide receiver to assume the starting running back spot which should help make the Dukes a real threat out of the option. Plus the O-line should be better with another year of experience and the addition of Marshall transfer AJ Scott. And tight end Brian Barlow could become Thorpe’s best friend with his hands and big play ability. Dare I say it, but I think I’m actually starting to drink the Kool Aid for the Dukes offense this season.
When I heard the news, I seriously thought I was being punked by Curt Dudley.
Well, at least we know that JMU doesn’t need the forward pass to win games (isn’t that right, W&M?)
It’s not that surprising when you consider that he beat out 2 guys who’ve never taken a snap in college. I hope Thorpe he does surprise people with his arm. I don’t think he’s going to air it out 30 times a game, but I have a feeling the offense will be more balanced and he’ll play well. I really think he got a raw deal from some fans (myself included) 2 years ago.
I disagree. I bleed purple, but at best Justin Thorpe is going to be a 50% completion, 150 yds/game QB who also rushes for 50-75.
That doesn’t sound so bad, but when you are down 13 to Delaware in the 4th quarter, do you want Justin Thorpe in the gun airing it out? I don’t think so.
Let’s face it… over the last few years, JMU hasn’t had much luck coming from behind, and that’s what happens when you have an ineffective passing game (See: Navy) We can’t rely on Scotty McGee last-second magic everytime we get behind.
This is the CAA, not Pop-Warner. You can’t win championships in this league by putting your best athlete at QB and letting him run around the field.
Unfortunately, due to the JMU tradition of refusing to recruit kickers, OL or QB’s (Rodney Landers excepted), there isn’t a proven, better option on the roster (Although playing an un-proven transfer-in QB worked pretty well last time).
I need to give JT some credit, though. He did have a decent year in 2009. I can’t hold 9 INTs against him as a freshman. I’ve still got love for Thorpe…. I just don’t want to see JMU turn into one of these gimmick-offense type schools that look great on Sportscenter but never win national championships (Here’s looking at you VT/M. Vick….WVU/White-Slayton… Ark/Mcfadden)
Cosh must have really pissed Mickey off. Thorpe starting isn’t a suprise, but the Richmond Times-Dispatch is reporting that Cosh and Edwards are in a mix-up for the backup job.
JMU can come out of the gates strong?!? This is unheard of. Finally the Dukes can get themselves in position to make a strong run at the postseason!
Part of me just wants to scrap the entire pretense of a passing attack in our offense and just run a true wishbone option with Thorpe, Dae’Quan and Coble. There is a FB on the roster, no?
I keep reading that Coble has jumped off the page at WR. I hope JT can get it to him. Gotta have faith in the coaches – it was apparently a consensus decision amongst the coaches that JT is the guy.
Tickets came today. I don’t care who’s under center – I’m ready for the season to start.
Matt I’m optimistic that Coble is going to be a real playmaker for the Dukes in the future, but unfortunately he broke his arm last week. The last I heard, he was going to redshirt. It’s a shame because from everything I read, he was really excelling as a WR.
Well, crap. Missed the Coble news, was at the beach last week.
Bleh. All the more reason to scrap the passing game. Run the triple option at ’em til they die.
Go Navy.