Is Hick's really any better than Davis at SMU QB?

Harry · September 8, 2017

I stole this from another guy in another thread but is Ben Hicks a bigger challenge for our defense than that fast as hell Matt Davis cat? Seems to me Hicks is a good QB but not near as mobile and dangerous as Davis was. Maybe I'm wrong. Just seems like Davis beat us with his wheels a lot. Hicks is more pro style.

BTG_Fan1 · September 8, 2017

54 minutes ago, Harry said:

I stole this from another guy in another thread but is Ben Hicks a bigger challenge for our defense than that fast as hell Matt Davis cat? Seems to me Hicks is a good QB but not near as mobile and dangerous as Davis was. Maybe I'm wrong. Just seems like Davis beat us with his wheels a lot. Hicks is more pro style.

If we can pressure Hicks then we should have the upper hand, I would hope... Having to gameplan and spy Davis forced the defense to watch Davis... This should allow/free up 1 more defender to roam hopefully

edcollopy · September 8, 2017

After watching the highlights on BTG again, we sure did blitz alot without getting to the qb. Better QB and receiver play would've burned our secondary numerous times. Hicks has me worried big time.

tmjerm · September 8, 2017

Agreed...Davis was a special player. We HAVE to have a good pass rush regardless to win. Need to be able to get pressure with just four or we will get torched.

NorthTexan95 · September 8, 2017

I'm confused. Is anyone saying Hicks is better? I just figured it was understood that Hicks isn't as good. He may develop into a better quarterback but right now he's not.

MeanGreenTexan · September 8, 2017

It boils down to Hicks' decision-making.
He's obviously not as elusive as Davis when on the move. So if he's smart enough to throw the ball away to avoid a sack, or create just enough space to identify a throw & get the ball out, he's just as dangerous, if not moreso.

p_phelps · September 8, 2017

Been saying this for a while. We had them on 3ed and long mutiple times and Davis would scramble for 12-15 yards. We would be there for a sack and he would run around and turn it into a positive gain. His absence will be felt big time !

Harry · September 8, 2017

30 minutes ago, p_phelps said:

Been saying this for a while. We had them on 3ed and long mutiple times and Davis would scramble for 12-15 yards. We would be there for a sack and he would run around and turn it into a positive gain. His absence will be felt big time !

Good thoughts. I think people are missing this. Davis always made things tough for us.

Wag Tag · September 8, 2017

I think Hicks sets up perfectly for a blitzing D. If we can get to him in the beginning we will shake him up. Davis killed us with his runs and extending plays.

MeanGreenTexan · September 8, 2017

4 minutes ago, Wag Tag said:

I think Hicks sets up perfectly for a blitzing D. If we can get to him in the beginning we will shake him up. Davis killed us with his runs and extending plays.

Or, if he recognizes the blitz, and can quickly get the ball out to his receivers in the vacated space, he'll pick us apart.

It's about his decision-making.
If he cannot figure out the blitz, or makes bad reads/throws under pressure, then yeah! He'll be in for a long night.

TIgreen01 · September 8, 2017

Who are we going to be sending, though? Wheeler and Baulkman are big losses if they can't suit up. Not saying others can't step up, but those guys were pretty effective at actually getting home.

From what I remember, Davis wasn't very accurate and had a pop gun arm compared with Hicks. That allowed our defense to focus on the run and containing Davis. He hit the lucky 3rd and 46, but otherwise we were doing alright. Hicks comes in and immediately hits Sutton down the field. I think that with the receivers that they possess, Hicks is more of a threat to our defense. I'm not sold on our secondary's ability to cover Sutton and Quinn. We're going to have to commit more men to pass protect and that will open up the running lanes for their extremely quick RBs.

Edited September 8, 2017 by TIgreen01

MeanGreenTexan · September 8, 2017

11 minutes ago, TIgreen01 said:

Who are we going to be sending, though? Wheeler and Baulkman are big losses if they can't suit up. Not saying others can't step up, but those guys were pretty effective at actually getting home.

Anything Baulkman can do, Preston can do.
Wheeler may be back this weekend? And if not him, then EJ will do. Garner will be fine. McDonald/LeMasters...