Derek Thompson...

STE · November 29, 2009

First, let me say that while I’ve been severely disappointed this year with Dodge, I think he deserves one more year. I can understand all those that want him gone and many valid points have been made on both sides of this argument. However, for me it boils down to this --

1) We’ve made significant progress this year with 6 losses of 7 points or less. Four of those losses were by 4 points;

2) Unless RV can pull in a big name (ie a proven winner like Bower) we’re better off staying with Dodge and letting him have one more year. However, I think the decision with respect to who the starting qb should be -- should be taken out of his hands. I think we win several of these close games with Tune at qb.

Having said that, this red shirt issue is inexcusable. I can understand Dodge wanting to win but we were down by two scores with less than two minutes left. The odds were way against us on a comeback. However, he basically made a bad decision in an impossible situation.

Specifically, I don't think Dodge would have burned the red shirt if he knew he was coming back as coach. I also don’t think he would have done it out of spite if he knew he was being fired. The fact that he did not know his fate going into this game put him in the position to win at all costs in an effort to try and save his job. Dodge was only doing what any coach in his position would have done. Thus, I think RV shares some of the blame here.

Edited November 29, 2009 by STE

NT03 · November 29, 2009

A lot of things are burned in Arkansas , I just think Thompson's redshirt shouldn't be one

eulessismore · November 29, 2009

A lot of things are burned in Arkansas , I just think Thompson's redshirt shouldn't be one

There was something that Randy Galloway used to call "Arkansas Polio Weed".

eulessismore · November 29, 2009

An option QB that has been playing safety for 2 years is not the way to win a game. I know people keep saying we probably were not going to win. But answer me this. Why do teams do on-side kicks even though they almost never work? Why to Bball teams foul every time down in the last couple of minutes even though they still lost 95% of the time? The answer to that is the answer to this controversy. You play to win. That is what we have all wanted and that is what we got.

Well there you go. There's something that does seem just wrong when you think a team is NOT trying to win, even though, statistically, it seems insurmountable.

stebo · November 29, 2009

This is one of those decisions that makes you look good if it works and look like an idiot if it doesn't work. You can't just throw anyone in there that happened to play QB at some point in their life.... we were trying to win the game. The system is a complicated system. The only guy that was there that had taken snaps in practice and knew the plays was Thompson, period. The game was not over and you teach these kids to play to the very end. The last play should be played as hard as the first. While the fans seem to think that the season was over - these players wanted to win this game and end the season on a high note. They wanted some sort of validation for all of their hard work. And for those armchair coaches that would have done something different - tell me what you would have done? Run the "Wildcat" when the team has never even practiced it? The game was not over. We still had a chance. Thompson led us down and we scored. If we had recovered the onside kick...well, who knows... maybe he scores another TD and we end the season on a high note going into recruiting.

It seems all for not now but I don't understand the venom. Say what you want about Dodge, criticize him, make fun of him, talk down to his son, whatever makes you guys feel better.... say it all. I am sure that Riley would rather be trying to figure out which BCS game his team would be going to rather than breaking his arm in Jonesboro, AR. Gee, do I want to play for a team that will be in the National Championship or do I want another dislocated shoulder? We should be thanking these players that have put it all on the line for our school, shouldn't we?

I do not think that Dodge is a vengeful person. He is not out to ruin any kid's life to "get back" at anyone. We had one QB on the sidelines that had taken snaps and knew the plays... you play the QB that you have. Any other decision is throwing in the towel and there would be just as many people on this board complaining that the coach "quit" on the team with time left on the clock. It was a no-win situation for him. As for Thompson, he is on scholarship and is behind Riley, Tune, and Baine. Why is everyone so mad about him burning a year of eligibility that probably would not have even used anyway? Did he not get a full year's education, room, and board for this season? When you are a scholarship player - and the team needs you.... whether that be for 10 minutes in the beggining, middle, or end of a season... you are there to play and try to win. Thompson earned the right to get on that field tonight and you are all taking away from his efforts. You should be thanking him and excited about having another QB that could possibly start for the future. I seriously doubt that Thompson regrets burning his shirt - he just moved up the depth chart going into Spring ball. He has had a chance to shine. All of his hard work in practice paid off tonight.

THOR · November 29, 2009

This is one of those decisions that makes you look good if it works and look like an idiot if it doesn't work. You can't just throw anyone in there that happened to play QB at some point in their life.... we were trying to win the game. The system is a complicated system. The only guy that was there that had taken snaps in practice and knew the plays was Thompson, period. The game was not over and you teach these kids to play to the very end. The last play should be played as hard as the first. While the fans seem to think that the season was over - these players wanted to win this game and end the season on a high note. They wanted some sort of validation for all of their hard work. And for those armchair coaches that would have done something different - tell me what you would have done? Run the "Wildcat" when the team has never even practiced it? The game was not over. We still had a chance. Thompson led us down and we scored. If we had recovered the onside kick...well, who knows... maybe he scores another TD and we end the season on a high note going into recruiting.
It seems all for not now but I don't understand the venom. Say what you want about Dodge, criticize him, make fun of him, talk down to his son, whatever makes you guys feel better.... say it all. I am sure that Riley would rather be trying to figure out which BCS game his team would be going to rather than breaking his arm in Jonesboro, AR. Gee, do I want to play for a team that will be in the National Championship or do I want another dislocated shoulder? We should be thanking these players that have put it all on the line for our school, shouldn't we?
I do not think that Dodge is a vengeful person. He is not out to ruin any kid's life to "get back" at anyone. We had one QB on the sidelines that had taken snaps and knew the plays... you play the QB that you have. Any other decision is throwing in the towel and there would be just as many people on this board complaining that the coach "quit" on the team with time left on the clock. It was a no-win situation for him. As for Thompson, he is on scholarship and is behind Riley, Tune, and Baine. Why is everyone so mad about him burning a year of eligibility that probably would not have even used anyway? Did he not get a full year's education, room, and board for this season? When you are a scholarship player - and the team needs you.... whether that be for 10 minutes in the beggining, middle, or end of a season... you are there to play and try to win. Thompson earned the right to get on that field tonight and you are all taking away from his efforts. You should be thanking him and excited about having another QB that could possibly start for the future. I seriously doubt that Thompson regrets burning his shirt - he just moved up the depth chart going into Spring ball. He has had a chance to shine. All of his hard work in practice paid off tonight.

whoa....hold on stebo....you're sounding like the voice of reason....i like it!!!

what you say makes perfect sense and i agree totally!!!

nice...unfortunately, there are plenty on here that are probably going to rip you a new one because they all know more and talk to more people.

Rudy · November 29, 2009

Dodge burned his own son't redshirt last year in an effort to win. Coaches do that. It got reversed by an injury, but you deal with the players left on the sidelines. It sounds (from the post game interview) that Dodge will not be back next year. It sounds very much that way, he seemed to be saying goodbye.... please do not turn him into a Dickey. The man has not seen success but has been a CLASS ACT the entire time. Do not make this out to be a revenge thing. That is the anger and emotions of a fan dealing with another loss being redirected to a man that would never hurt a young man's future (ever). Todd Dodge is a lot of things but he is not a vengeful person. He has those kids backs and most of them appreciate that. They do not appreciate losing - but they appreciate that he cares for them.

:clapping: :thumbsup:

I have been frustrated with some, ok, all, of the bonehead moves this year. I havent talked to the man enough to call him "arogant". However, I believe he has been a class act, and a great ambassador to this school and program. AND he hasnt called the most diehard fans mf'ers. Regardless if he goes or stays, I will support this team. If he does go, then I wish him the best and hope that he finds sucess at his next stop.

how about the PAT and field goal??

Ahhhh, yes, the failed special teams. So, Im guessing we dont care if they burn a redshirt? :lol:

Who is the coach and who is the player? Who is the adult in this instance? So if a kid wants to do something foolish, let them?

I think they were suggesting that Todge went to DT and asked if he wanted to play, even though it would burn his redshirt.

he TRIED?!? 250k per year, 3 years at the job and we're going with "he TRIED"!!?!?!? I think ALL FBS coaches TRY. All stinkin' junior high coaches TRY. I'd TRY, but that doesn't mean I could coach a lick.
As for the argument about saving this job in burning the shirt -- again, I ask - WHAT IF HE WASN'T? There's very very (VERY) good chance he wasn't trying to save his job, boys. And this is the one thing that is NOT Dodge's fault... it's the administration's fault that Football Trilli was allowed to f up the redshirt, be it through malice or idiocy. DeLoach should have been the HC today. Period. You'd think they'd have learned their lesson on this one.

Well, Im not sure they ALL try.

eulessismore · November 29, 2009

I guess what I'm thinking at this point is that Derek Thompson sounds like he could be the quarterback to lead this team next year, the next two years, or the next three years. If he hadn't played in the last 2 or 3 minutes of this game, we might only have known about him from practice, maybe not even scrimmages.

Cr1028 · November 29, 2009

An option QB that has been playing safety for 2 years is not the way to win a game. I know people keep saying we probably were not going to win. But answer me this. Why do teams do on-side kicks even though they almost never work? Why to Bball teams foul every time down in the last couple of minutes even though they still lost 95% of the time? The answer to that is the answer to this controversy. You play to win. That is what we have all wanted and that is what we got.

As Herm Edwards would say "You play to win the game, HELLO!"

LoveMG · November 29, 2009

An option QB that has been playing safety for 2 years is not the way to win a game. I know people keep saying we probably were not going to win. But answer me this. Why do teams do on-side kicks even though they almost never work? Why to Bball teams foul every time down in the last couple of minutes even though they still lost 95% of the time? The answer to that is the answer to this controversy. You play to win. That is what we have all wanted and that is what we got.

you could play to win without wasting talent, that's what we got. the integrity of the program would have been better served saving thompsons full season for another year down the road instead of using it up for just 2 minutes. plenty of running backs can handle a snap from shotgun.

KingDL1 · November 29, 2009

you could play to win without wasting talent, that's what we got. the integrity of the program would have been better served saving thompsons full season for another year down the road instead of using it up for just 2 minutes. plenty of running backs can handle a snap from shotgun.

I still see it as DT went in as 3rd string QB and his number happened to be called period. Other then that you are just beating a dead horse, because it is over and done with.

LoveMG · November 29, 2009

There are no meaningless games, only meaningless fans, and a few mindless fans.

fixed it for you

foutsrouts · November 29, 2009

Just curious, would this raging thread even exist if Thompson had come in and immediately thrown a pick six? Me thinks we have more important things to worry about than what some unproven quarterback will be doing four years from now. In the unlikely event that he becomes the next Colt McCoy we can always all look back and scream about what a bonehead decision this was. Hell, maybe we should have gone ahead and redshirted the handful of proven players we have on this team because their talents sure were wasted on this pitiful season.