Zwick vs. Smith (official thread)

[Vikes]

I agree. Any guy who would pay his own tuition for a year, then be grayshirted, just b/c the coaches wanted to get some separation between him, Smith, and Zwick....is the definition of a team guy.

Did not know that. The Guy is also wise beyond his years and patient.

 

[Oh8ch]

Not knocking Boeckman and I also like what I know of the kid, but to be objective if his goal is to be a Div 1A QB that separation benefits him every bit as much as it does the team.

 

[ScarletInMyVeins]

I agree. I like Smith.

But I'm curious what people think about WHY the coaches would announce this now? Is it to motivate JZ? Satisfy Smith? Confuse UT? I know these ideas have sprouted on this thread (yes, I read it all), but it just seems to me that these are funny reasons. JZ has a scholarship to play at THE Ohio State University. If he needed motivation, would he be at this level? Same goes with Smith - should he need a reason to be confident with his spot at QB? And Texas - do the OSU coaches really think that Texas is biting their nails about who is going to start? I think there must be another reason.. but I can't think of what it is......

Zurp, you are dead on with this statement. This is the conversation that we should be having, not who should start and why, and not who is better. We could argue all day long about who is better and why. Green for you!

 

[Bestbuck36]

I hate to take a quote from Al Davis but "just win baby!" Thats always been the bottom line. Troy is going to get the benefit of the doubt because he has a better winning percentage. It doesn't matter that the rest of the team were "playing better" at the end of the year. When Troy took snaps behind center we won football games. Justin has the ability to direct this team to where we want to go but for some reason hasn't realized his potential. Until he does this is Troy's team, and if he keeps winning it'll stay that way. I hope this didn't sound like a get out of jail free card, its just common sense that if the players keep their nose clean their on-field performance is what matters.

 

[HabaneroBuck]

Coach Daniels called Boekman "young." He may be a Freshman in eligibility this year, but he turns 21 this June. I wonder if he doesn't get a fair shake because of perception (He's a "Freshman" and these two are "Juniors"). Based on reports that have come out, it seems like he should get the nod as #2 behind Smith in sheer terms of talent. He wasn't highly recruited like Zwick, and Justin does nothing too terribly bad. It will be interesting, as this thread has already noted.

 

[Fungo Squiggly]

But I'm curious what people think about WHY the coaches would announce this now? Is it to motivate JZ? Satisfy Smith? Confuse UT?

I suspect that Coach Daniels has been hanging out here at BP and thought to himself, "Gee, these folks aren't spending enough time talking about Smith v. Zwick v. Boeckman. Let's try to keep things interesting."

Seems to have worked.

 

[AKAK]

Coach Daniels called Boekman "young." He may be a Freshman in eligibility this year, but he turns 21 this June. I wonder if he doesn't get a fair shake because of perception (He's a "Freshman" and these two are "Juniors"). Based on reports that have come out, it seems like he should get the nod as #2 behind Smith in sheer terms of talent. He wasn't highly recruited like Zwick, and Justin does nothing too terribly bad. It will be interesting, as this thread has already noted.

Ahhh.... Tood's not getting a fair shake... I doubt that's too much of a problem... he's been around enough by now.

Anyway... I think the best part about this whole thread... and someone always brings this up once in a while... but how long ago was it that Zwick was going to have to start as a True Freshman because Krenzel and McMullen (Not in that order necessarily) were so damned bad that they couldn't beat out Belisari...

Now its about 39 years later and we've got actual depth at the position with pretty mature players who have real experience...

 

[Oh8ch]

JZ has a scholarship to play at THE Ohio State University. If he needed motivation, would he be at this level?

I think coaches play games with depth charts all the time. Motivation has been a significant issue for any number of players every season and you see those comments from the coaches as well if you read between the lines. The list of HS 'superstars' who never developed because they didn't think they had to work hard is endless.

JZ came to OSU wearing the crown of the starting QB as soon as Krenzel left - if not before. Somehow he lost the job. Was that partly because he didn't work as hard as he absolutely could? Did Smith flat outwork him? I have no idea.

JZ also moved from #2 to #1 without playing a down. He has guaranteed job security through the first game of next season. Letting him know very clearly that what happens after that has everything to do with how hard he works this Spring and Fall can't hurt a thing.

Why you would let him know that through the press is an interesting question, but Daniels has been around long enough to know what will happen with any statement he makes - especially in regards to the starting QB.

 

[FritoBandito]

I was pretty critical of Daniels' comment the other night, but see now on Bucknut$ that he has reversed his field and claims to have no clue who's going to start the Texas game. No one on the staff has even discussed it. In response to a reporter's softball question, he even implied that it was JT who was leaking hints that Smith was the likely starter against the 'Horns.

If nothing else we've just solved the "who plays corner opposite Youboty?" question. It's former Jackie Sherrill assistant, Joe Daniels. None of the college-age contenders can back-peddle half as fast as their QB coach.

After a good night's sleep, adrenaline levels back in the normal range, my guess as to why Daniels said what he did earlier this week is the simplest, most obvious answer -- that's what Daniels thinks. He was asked a question and answered it honestly. Not wisely, but honestly.

Now, perhaps it was reverse-psychology to motivate Zwick. Or maybe Daniels was publicly promoting Smith so Mack Brown would game-plan for him, making things easier on Zwick when he actually starts the game next September. Maybe Justin was even in on the con. All possible, but none likely. Joe Daniels doesn't seem like that complicated a fellow. I think he just said what he thinks -- it'll probably be Troy. But just because it's true, doesn't mean he should have said it. Honesty is a noble trait, but so is discretion.

For any honesty zealots who think they believe in "All-Truth-All-the-Time, f**k the consequences!", ask yourself this: when you see a sweet young thing walking down the street, with her chest bouncing about, do you tell your wife what you're thinking? Of course you don't, because you know that sometimes it's better to keep your thoughts to yourself. Daniels' speculation on who'll start the Texas game was just such an occasion. Thinking it'll be Troy is fine -- odds are he's right. But saying it is stupid. Daniels realizes that now and, to his credit, is doing his best to undo the damage. And his remarks did do damage, make no mistake. Because Justin Zwick now knows that his position coach expects him to be a second-teamer this Fall. Some may think that's 'motivational', but I sure don't.

 

[HabaneroBuck]

Ahhh.... Tood's not getting a fair shake... I doubt that's too much of a problem... he's been around enough by now.

If you read between the lines of the quotes, it would seem to be that Boekman is probably a little better at what the coaches want from the QB position than Zwick and Smith. I think the coaching staff is absolutely terrified about the prospect of Boekman being (gulp) BETTER than the ones everyone expects to see. Things are not always so easy as, "We play the best player regardless of anything else." That's why I was wondering whether Boekman really is going to get a chance. What happens if he runs with the Ones like Daniels was suggesting yesterday and lights it up? It simply will not be an easy thing to bench Zwick and Smith for Boekman. I'm not even suggesting that he IS better than those two. But the fact remains that neither Zwick or Smith is All-World at this point in their careers. Boekman basically sounds like Joe Germaine with size and arm strength. Again, I'm not campaigning for anyone...but Ohio State rarely has a QB that just picks the other team apart, and Coach Daniels strongly suggested that Boekman is one who can do that.

 

[jwinslow]

Um, regardless of this board's change of heart over his spring'04 woes that were revealed last december, Troy Smith currently is all-world. I definitely don't expect him to play all dozen of the games at the level of the michigan game, but the last time Smith took the field he was arguably the greatest QB ever in The Game.

I realize what you're pointing out, but that is probably the reason Smith was said to be the leader.

Also, I have heard very conflicting reports of the quotation by smith, and it seems like the ozone might have not represented him properly. It sounds as though it was blown way out of context, and that he talked up Zwick immediately after he uttered some variation of the quote that we have all read.

 

[VprHis]

I would guess--GUESS, mind you-- that if Boeckman lights it up in his time with the ones.. and continues to impress through the summer, then he'd get a shot against Miami... which, in turn, could earn him a shot against Texas....


I'd love it if TB were to perform on that level, but I'm not sure my nerves could handle a 3-way QB derby.

 

[jwinslow]

I would love to see Todd become a legit starter for our team. I'd feel much better about him putting Smith on the bench than Zwick if the coaches feel he's ready.

 

[HabaneroBuck]

Um, regardless of this board's change of heart over his spring'04 woes that were revealed last december, Troy Smith currently is all-world.

And the game before his last was Purdue. Like I said, he ain't All-World. Michigan game: great performance. Duly noted.

 

[UGABuck]

All world? I can name a number of players from tOSU that were All World over the years...none of them are named Zwick or Smith. Geesh.

Troy looked good one game and Zwick looked good for 2 games but awful for 5 games. Let's see how our running game works out and then start TB