Comments on: Johnson Named Starting Quarterback

By: HJHog

HJHog — Fri, 18 Aug 2006 08:49:05 +0000

Deer-in-the-headlight… nuf said about RoJo. However, I do believe that it is best in the long run for Mitch that he is not going to be thrust into the starting job against USC. I'm sure knowing HDN's inability to stick with one QB, Mitch will see plenty of action without the additional pressure of starting his first game as a freshman and that will be good for him.

By: Taxhawg

Taxhawg — Fri, 18 Aug 2006 08:42:18 +0000

I'm still trying to figure out what is ridiculous about comparing RoJo to elementary kids and Bradshaw.

Is Jayhawg implying that RoJo is incapable of improving? That we should automatically write him off from the program?

RoJo will have another shot to redeem himself, and as someone pointed out last night on Chuck's show, people can and do improve. How many of us penciled in an Auburn win in the preseason because Jason Campbell was the quarterback?? He was horrible his first 2-3 years at Auburn. He gets a new qb coach and OC and the next thing we know he is being drafted by the NFL.

Let's not be so quick to write-off RoJo…Mustain is the future, but for now, RoJo is the present. I think he will surprise a few people come game day.

By: Bill CHILL

Bill CHILL — Fri, 18 Aug 2006 05:42:14 +0000

I agree totally with the #4 post. All Rojo has to do is not get us beat! IF he can act like he's been there this time, I think we'll do pretty damn well against the Trojans. Our o-line is supposedly ranked 4th in the country. Our running backs are top-notch. Our defense is killer this year! We're all worried about the stinking passing game. I have faith that if we can just put a semi-passing package together, then we'll be alright. USC faces the same problems, but we've got home turf! I like that M-16 business. Hell yeah!

By: BelAirHawg

BelAirHawg — Thu, 17 Aug 2006 13:23:07 +0000

I agree with JayHawg… to an extent. One thing I don't believe that the starting QB will be the deciding factor in the USC game. Looking two deep at QB for both USC and ARK you find a grand total of 7 games started between RoJo, Booty, Sanchez, and Mitch. Obviously Sanchez and Mitch are freshman/redshirt freshman but stats don't lie. Of those 7 games you would expect to find a fairly even split between the two 21 year olds. But expect the unexpected. RoJo is the only one walking through the tunnel and RRS on Sept. 2 with any kind of game experience. Like it or not he is our best shot in a game where it will likely be a Defensive battle. We're not asking him to be Peyton Manning, we're just asking him not to do anything to "RoJo esque." Gus has consistantly shown he can do more with nothing (See reaching state tourny/championship game at Springdale with QB's such as Moody, Johnson, and Martinez), and I expect for one game he can pull off the greatest miracle in recent Razorback history…. Limited RoJo screw ups. So I am going to support the man, he may let me down, he may not…. But we're not beating USC starting/playing a freshman. Mitch may be the future and possibly the present, but RoJo has got one day on him, Sept. 2…. We shall see where the rest of the days fall after that….

By: Walking on Sunshine

Walking on Sunshine — Thu, 17 Aug 2006 13:12:31 +0000

It is hard to visualize any of the QBs leading us to victory in that first game. That's why I still hold out hope that the coaches will play Mitch against USC; hopefully a lot. That might lead to more playing time for him and maybe a start against Utah St or Vandy. If that were to happen, he might be ready to ease into that starting role by Alabama, which is where the season really starts in my mind.

I agree with Jayhawg though…its easy enough to ignore a few "catcalls" to pull RoJo from the "old people sections", but it's going to be hard to ignore 12,000 students chanting "M-16". ESPN will have a field day with that.

By: Jayhawg

Jayhawg — Thu, 17 Aug 2006 12:47:29 +0000

Just as most everyone predicted RoJo garnered the starting job, and come September 2nd I believe he will once again live up to expectations and be pulled mid-way through the game. While it is hard for a coach to throw a true freshman out in the mix, it is sometimes necessary.

To optimistically compare RoJo to elementry students and Terry Bradshaw is ridiculous! Both RoJo and Mitch will make mistakes, but Razornation will benefit more in the long run if Mustain is the one making the mistakes. Also with RoJo starting there is more pressure on HDN, I expect the "Mustain, Mustain" chants to be booming from the student section fairly early, whereas if Mustain started and made mistakes we'd be far less likely to hear RoJo's name echoing.

Mustain is the future, and with the unfortunate injury of Dick, he is also the present. They say you play like you practice, but I believe you play like you play (if that makes sense). Mustain is a gamer, nuff said.

By: Taxhawg

Taxhawg — Wed, 16 Aug 2006 22:04:03 +0000

I know that the airwaves will be booing like crazy once everyone gets word that Johnson is the first-team quarterback. Most of the criticism stems from last year's deer-in-the-headlight play, but the booers (is that a word?) are assuming that Mr. Johnson is not capable of improving over last year's performance – I just don't buy that argument.

Think about it, in first grade there are some kids who are light years ahead of other kids in the same class; however, study after study shows that most kids have caught up with the first year brainiacs by the end of the 2nd grade – middle of the 3rd grade at the latest.

The man has paid his dues here at Arkansas, Dick should be the starter, but his back isn't going to cooperate. We all know that Mustain is the future. All we need Mr. Johnson to do is NOT freak out, do what he's been practicing, carry over what he has done in scrimmage to the game. And, hopefully, Mr. Johnson will be the next Terry Bradshaw! (Some of you may remember that Bradshaw was absolutely horrible his first few years as a pro, before putting it all together for 4 Super Bowl Champions.)