- I like Ian Book, but thought, at points, that his inability to throw a great long ball hurts the offense too much. I still hold out hope that he improves over the summer. This offense is a different beast with the long ball (Golson and Kizer)
- I like tall QBs, like Kizer and Phil much better.
- I wanted Book to graduate, and Phil to be the QB next year. Once Ian Book decided to stay, I thought there was 0.0% chance Phil will beat him out. Kelly loves experience.
- That stinks because I think Phil will blossom once he gets a chance to play a little without someone breathing down his neck.
So I am huge PJ fan. BUT
The game that Brendon Clark came in and got some reps, it was apparent that he had a ton of confidence. More than Phil. I thought, "Ut oh, this guy has Brian Kelly QB written all over him. Phil is in for some competition." I wanted Phil to win, but I was not sure it was going to happen.
Luckily, BC is a legit 6'2". I am not a believer in sub-6'1" Qbs, unless they are freakish athletes. That means I am not sold on Drew Pyne, who is not 6'1" IMO.
All this to say, it sucks that we are losing Phil. But I don't think he was inevitable as the next ND QB. BC looks like a gamer.