Kevin Costner has the answer.

[JesseMartin]

Funny, I just watched Draft Day last week and after last night, there was a quote that popped into my head. "Every quarterback has one thing. We need to find out what his is, and decide if we can live with it." His point was that there's always something - too small, slow release, whatever - that's an issue with each QB.

Apparently, Dajon is better in games than he is in practice. Can we live with that? Sure. Can a coach? You'd think so.

Greer apparently does everything the coaches want until he walks out on the field and is a deer in the headlights of the opposing defense. Can we live with that? Maybe we have to, I don't know.

I'm wondering if maybe Dajon has the type of learning style that drives coaches and teachers crazy. I've seen it, and in at least one instance, I've been there. I don't know if there's a name for it, but it's when you get out all of your mistakes when practicing so when it's time for a game/test/whatever, you are at your best. Of course you'd like to think that this is ideal, but most people want to see you get to that level of perfection while you're still practicing, so they can have faith in you when it's go-time. But there are just some people who work out the kinks beforehand and might even seem a bit distant while they're working through it, and then when the pressure is on, so are they.

We've seen what happens when someone practices well but can't handle the pressure. Isn't this an outcome-based situation? Isn't it time to try the opposite approach? The reason you practice is to get better. If you're at your best when not practicing, why should that be held against you?

[oldguystudent]

Here's where I think we're sitting with it. So the guy has the talent, but he's missing practices and meetings. What I suspect is going on in Mac's mind right now is that if you overlook the absences and play him, that sets precedent for the other 84 players that maybe they don't need to go to practice or meetings either.

Not defending it, just trying to run every possible scenario through my mind, because winning games doesn't seem to be the priority from my view right now.

[HoustonEagle]

Here's where I think we're sitting with it. So the guy has the talent, but he's missing practices and meetings. What I suspect is going on in Mac's mind right now is that if you overlook the absences and play him, that sets precedent for the other 84 players that maybe they don't need to go to practice or meetings either.

Not defending it, just trying to run every possible scenario through my mind, because winning games doesn't seem to be the priority from my view right now.

This

I was about to write the same thing word for word. Mac is in between a rock and a hard place for sure.

[Cerebus]

This

I was about to write the same thing word for word. Mac is in between a rock and a hard place for sure.

I can;t say it better than Tasty did, so let me just quote him:

F--- practice.

I don't care who pays attention super hard and shows up 15 minutes early for practice. I'm not buying tickets to the Practice Bowl when January rolls around. And I don't think we have a shot at an at-large selection to the Tried Really Hard on the Bench Press During Offseason Workouts Playoff. So f--- all that.

And f--- "maturity", too.

I don't give a crap if Dajon Williams sleeps with a night light and believes in the Easter Bunny. If he's spending all his time in team meetings playing with crayons and making laser gun noises while he smashes GI Joes together... GOOD FOR HIM. It's obviously making him more effective than what more "mature" options bring to the table. Last time I checked, Dajon Williams hasn't been stealing electronics or meat, or credit cards, or driving drunk, or running from the cops, or sexually assaulting anyone, or punching out people on Fry Street, or beating his wife. So, whatever makes him not "mature", he ain't that bad in the grand scheme of things. There's an award for dedication, vocal leadership, and bright eyed adherence to traditional values of success. It isn't Starting Quarterback, it's Eagle Scout. So pin a damn badge on McNulty and Greer, but put the football in Dajon's hands. Pretty please.

And for anyone who wants to point out that almost all of Dajon's success has come late in blowout games, or against backups... You may be right. I think the only way to judge him fairly against our other QBs is to see how they do in the same situation. So, START DAJON. And if we get our asses kicked the way we have against Texas and La Tech (or Tulsa when McNulty started)... Then I'd love to see what Greer can do against backups, when he comes in off the bench instead.

If we have to choose between a guy who stands tall and talks in a deep voice and Leads Real Hard and Practices Like A Champion, or a guy who seems to be a slacker but actually ACHIEVES RESULTS... Start the guy who can accomplish something in a game. And if you're one of our coaches and don't like the tone that sets for the rest of the team... Well, get your ass out on the road and recruit someone who can do both. I'll cheer extra hard for that guy next year, if we manage to find him. Until then, give me Dajon.

Edited September 12, 2014 by Cerebus

[BillySee58]

Here's where I think we're sitting with it. So the guy has the talent, but he's missing practices and meetings. What I suspect is going on in Mac's mind right now is that if you overlook the absences and play him, that sets precedent for the other 84 players that maybe they don't need to go to practice or meetings either.

Not defending it, just trying to run every possible scenario through my mind, because winning games doesn't seem to be the priority from my view right now.

How sure are we that he missed meetings? And how sure are we that he has missed practices where he wasn't injured? During Coach Mac's radio show when he said he'd missed practices it just sounded to me like he was out because of an injury. When Coach Mac has said in the past that someone "missed practice" it's just his terminology for "couldn't practice because of injury." Maybe it is, maybe it isn't.

[oldguystudent]

How sure are we that he missed meetings? And how sure are we that he has missed practices where he wasn't injured? During Coach Mac's radio show when he said he'd missed practices it just sounded to me like he was out because of an injury. When Coach Mac has said in the past that someone "missed practice" it's just his terminology for "couldn't practice because of injury." Maybe it is, maybe it isn't.

Pretty solidly sure.

[golfingomez]

i don't see how taking any advice from 'Draft Day' could be considered a good idea

[meangreenacct]

Bottom line is he needs to play. I think coach needs to pull him aside and say that it's his time and he needs to make sure he is doing all the things he needs to in order to lead this team because we need him.

But I echo what Tasty said, he seems like a good guy and I'll take his supposed lack of maturity over Greer's confirmed lack of ability to make plays when the lights come on...

[JesseMartin]

Actually, that's Phase II, so we can all escape from a world where we apparently can't start anyone other than Greer.

[foutsrouts]

I thought the thread's intent was to send Greer on a 3 hour tour with the Skipper and Gilligan.

[Travis]

It is an interesting dilemma. But, my only question is... why play him at all (#2 or otherwise)? If he has done enough in practice and meetings to warrant seeing mop up duty, then how does that mean he shouldn't see more?

I assume that since I saw him out there last night, that he has been showing up more.

Edited September 12, 2014 by Travis

[BillySee58]

It is an interesting dilemma. But, my only question is... why play him at all (#2 or otherwise). If he is done enough in practice and meetings to warrant seeing mop up duty, then how does that mean he shouldn't see more?

I assume that since I saw him out there last night, that he has been showing up more.

Bingo.

[MeanGreenTexan]

It is an interesting dilemma. But, my only question is... why play him at all (#2 or otherwise). If he is done enough in practice and meetings to warrant seeing mop up duty, then how does that mean he shouldn't see more?

I assume that since I saw him out there last night, that he has been showing up more.

Also, we saw him, and not a single snap with McNulty. So at least we know he's moving up the depth chart...

[Travis]

Another thing I thought of... Either way, the coaches are sending a message.

The receivers seem to have no trust or connection with Greer. If the coaches keep forcing the greer thing with the receivers, then it sends a message to the offense that they will not play the best players. Kind of a 'why try' mentality develops.

If DW is as immature as we are lead to believe and he gets the nod, it sends the message of 'you don't have to respect the rules' and can create a precedent of character decay.

There seems to be a degree of damned if you do, damned if you don't.

However, I still think that the simple fact that he was out there showed that he is beginning to show up or 'mature' as Mac calls it. Regardless, if maturing or becoming a man is the issue.... hopefully Mac and Chico will take increase their attention on him. After all, certain kids need different things for their own development. I think you can groom DW even while giving him the ball.

[oldguystudent]

Almost. But those long lines were for Bud/Miller/Coors

[UNT90]

Here's where I think we're sitting with it. So the guy has the talent, but he's missing practices and meetings. What I suspect is going on in Mac's mind right now is that if you overlook the absences and play him, that sets precedent for the other 84 players that maybe they don't need to go to practice or meetings either.

Not defending it, just trying to run every possible scenario through my mind, because winning games doesn't seem to be the priority from my view right now.

Then you dismiss him from the team.

If he breaking so many team rules to where the coach is forced to put an inferior player on the field, you can't leave the superior, rule breaking player on the roster. Plain and simple.

Someone that could be helping the team but refuses due to behavior shouldn't be on the roster.

No one knows if this is the case with DW. Hell, those absences could be excused absences to deal with having a kid.

But either play him or dismiss him at this point, because doing anything else will cause a problem in the locker room.

[meaniegreenie]

This

I was about to write the same thing word for word. Mac is in between a rock and a hard place for sure.

Yep, I've been ready to make the same post too.

I don't know any details about the missed practices, etc., but maybe enough time has passed since these issues occurred and DW has atoned enough that Mac is able to play him w/o setting a precedence.

[Army of Dad]

It is an interesting dilemma. But, my only question is... why play him at all (#2 or otherwise)? If he has done enough in practice and meetings to warrant seeing mop up duty, then how does that mean he shouldn't see more?

I assume that since I saw him out there last night, that he has been showing up more.

Carrot and the stick.

Carrot: playing time, especially if he is doing better on meetings/practice/playbook/whatever

Stick: 3rd team and no PT.

[Ben Gooding]

Make him QB1 and see what happens inside that athletic complex. He will devote himself. The dude isn't dumb. He knows he ls the best QB on that roster and has been shunned and shoved down the depth chart and for what? Not screaming loud enough while lifting weights? For not sitting in the film room holding Chico's hand? And who's to say what he has or hasn't done? None of us know shit. And the ones that act like they do will confirm their BS off he said she said. Greer is a legitimate D2 QB in a D1 frame. Simple as that. Team captains need to man up and go talk to coach. This is their future alma mater and their football careers, not this coaching staffs. Most of this staff would jump ship and leave like a fart in the wind if given the chance. The players are here to stay. GMG