Abilene QB

[lklgb]

I saw him Sat. and he is VERY OVERATED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He cannot throw well on the run either way ,he runs awkward and is not quick,and was outplayed by at least 2 other qb's.Why the college world is so in love with this guy beats me.He will be playing D-1 AA ball by his soph. year.By the way,you aren't reading any print about the 7 on 7 tourney hosted by Abilene on sat.That is because they lost their own tourney to Copperas Cove and were pissed about it.The Sunday Abilene paper said they lost on purpose.What a losers limp!!!!!!!!!!!!

[dragonsdaddy]

i agree somewhat with the criticism of potts throwing on the run, but remind me again how many sprint out plays leach has in his playbook. the proof is in the production. how did he do as a jr? he will be facing some fair to middlin comp in lubbock, so you may be right about how he does, but he is a very good qb.

[Favpack]

Slow, can't throw on the run poor mechanics, weak arm, etc. - Taylor Potts?

No, I was referring to regular criticism of Drew Bledsoe, Tom Brady, Peyton Manning -- I could go on.

They all hear the critics - truth is, we don't know how good he'll be in college - but he will be plenty good next year - bank on it.

[CCDawgs05]

They lost on purpose....thats something sad to say....I know Abilene has way more class than that....they lost to a great 7 on 7 team....

[lklgb]

I was just posting my opinion.Would anyone who was in Abilene Sat. please post and give your opinion of the tourney ,on Potts ,or who you think the best QB there was.

[jtk1519]

To try and judge how a QB will play in college based on what you saw at a 7 on 7 event is somewhat ignorant. It seems like 7 on 7 tends to be built more for more mobile QBs who like to roll out and throw on the run... that aint Potts. He's big he's slow and he doesnt throw well on the run. Potts is a kid who doesnt throw many INTs at all, but his final pass last season was an intercepted pass. It's no coincidence that Potts threw that INT while rolling out to his right on the run. Potts is also still learning how to put more touch on the ball. Last year during 7 on 7 , he had only one speed when it came to throwing the ball... hard. You didnt ask him to throw a fade pass because he couldnt. Those are things that he's still learning. Potts is a pocket passer... no doubt about that.

I saw three QBs Saturday afternoon that looked better than Potts... Kye Darden from Brownwood, Brent Garner from Cove and the lefty from Frenship. However, of those 4 QBs (Potts, Darden, Garner and the lefty) I would put money on Potts to lead his team to the better season in the fall.

BTW, the Abilene Reporter-News never said AHS lost the game on purpose. Here's what they did say...

Knowing it had already clinched a state-tournament berth, Abilene High played many of its backup players against Copperas Cove, giving them valuable experience against a quality opponent.

I'm sure the fact that it was 3 in the afternoon with a heat index of 98 had something to do with that as well. The writer did go on to say...

In 7-on-7 competition, tackles are made by simply touching the player below the neck and ''excessive force'' is not allowed. The rules define excessive force as ''shoving, pushing, or striking a blow.'' The rules also state that ''responsibility to avoid contact is with the defense'' and that ''deliberate bumping or grabbing'' is not allowed. Finally, there is to be ''no taunting or trash talking.''

All of these infractions are subject to penalization and Copperas Cove routinely broke most of them against the Eagles, yet was never once penalized for doing so. Williams said while frustrated at the way Copperas Cove played, he was happy with how his team responded in turn.

''It's not that we don't take it seriously, too, but there's a point x85 this is summer ball. I mean, it's like flag football - it doesn't mean anything. This is supposed to be for fun.''

http://www.reporter-news.com/abil/sp_fb_hs_abilene/article/0,1874,ABIL_18396_3867015,00.html

Anyway, if you want an idea as to how Potts is going to do in college, look at his stats from last season...

http://preps.reporternews.com/sport/football/PlayerDetail.cfm?SiteID=ABIL&DesignID=ABIL&TeamMemberID=198165&SeasonOffset=-1&Gender=Boys&SportID=FTB

...dont look at a 7 on 7 event.

[LarryFine]

lklgb, are you saying Mike Leach doesn't know how to judge QBs? I don't know if Potts will be a good college QB or not, but he certainly has a very good position coach.

7 on 7 is the worst place to judge a QB.

[lklgb]

With all due respect,7 on 7 is a great time to judge a qb.It is pure passing.this helps a qb like Potts who is weak in scrambing and running.it hurts qbs that have the talent to both run and pass.7 on 7 is taylor made for pure drop-back passers.

[supercentex]

7-on-7 Football: Bulldawgs headed to state again

By Jon Garrett

Killeen Daily Herald

ABILENE — Texas Football Magazine’s 2005 Class 5A cover boy Taylor Potts of Abilene High School is expected to be one of the brightest lights on the horizon during the upcoming fall football season.

Saturday, however, wasn’t his day to shine as Copperas Cove, led by a colossal second-half defensive effort, hung on for a 25-20 victory over the host team.

The win avenged a controversial 27-26 loss to the Eagles in last year’s Team Hendricks Sports 7-on-7 State Qualifying Football Tournament championship game and gave the Dawgs their second first-place finish of the summer.

For Cove defensive back Tim Atchision, the victory was sweet redemption.

“Last year, they got a last-minute catch and ended up beating us,” he said. “We kind of thought we got cheated.”

It was exactly the kind of scenario the senior and the rest of the Dawgs’ experienced secondary was hoping to avoid this year and managed to avoid thanks to a stellar second-half.

With the game tied at 13 after the break, Cove’s defense made a statement on the first drive of the half.

Alphonso Powell intercepted the Eagles’ backup quarterback (who started the game) and ran it back for a touchdown to put his squad up 19-13 after a failed extra-point attempt.

That’s when Abilene decided it was time to bring in the big gun, pulling Potts from his duties as snapper to try and rally the Black and Gold.

Potts, one of the top prospects in the state at quarterback and currently committed to Texas Tech, was effective at first, connecting with receiver Kortney McDow to knot the game at 19 with 10 minutes left on the clock.

But the 6-foot-5 rifleman seemed to crack under the pressure on his team’s final drive following a quick touchdown strike from Cove QB Brent Garner to give the Dawgs a 25-20 advantage.

With five minutes to go, Potts was unable to find a receiver as Cove’s defense ratcheted up its play, eliminating his options.

Finally after tossing only one completion and being called for four-second penalties on consecutive snaps, Potts came after the Dawgs’ Walter Pam following another deflected pass.

The situation was defused quickly but Abilene would not have another chance to score.

Still, Atchison was impressed with what he saw of Potts’ abilities on the field.

“He’s got an arm,” he said. “But it ended up working out (for us).”

Taking home the championship, while important to the team, was actually just a nice sidenote on an otherwise dominant day for the Dawgs, who cruised through pool play with victories over Midland Lee (28-20), Marlin (39-14), and Early before slipping past 4A Wolfforth Frenship 37-26 to notch a trip to state in the semi-finals (the top two teams earn automatic berths).

Brian Jones had five touchdowns in the win over Frenship, a victory in which faculty 7-on-7 adviser Jeremy Shannon saw the team play some of its best ball of the season.

“Overall, I think this is the best we’ve looked in any of our 7-on-7 tournaments this year,” he said following the game.

Shannon also praised the play of his junior receiver.

“He’s still got some things to work on but he’s getting more consistent,” he said.

Now that they’ve qualified for the Fox Sports Net 7-on-7 State Championship to be held later this year in College Station, the Dawgs will likely pull out of next weekend’s tournament in Brownwood to rest before hosting their own annual tourney to tune up for it.

Cove went 4-2 at the state tournament last year. This will be the team’s sixth trip to state in seven years.

[LarryFine]

7 on 7 is terrible because it isn't game situations it isn't ever how a QB is going to throw a pass in a game. It is great for building timing and continuity with a QB and his WR. 7 on 7 is to keep teams working together in the off season and give high school football fans something to do in the dead season.

I agree Potts' development is ahead of him, mainly when he gets to Texas Tech and lears to run Mike Leach's system.

[Eaglewatcher]

I hardly know where to begin. First I guess you are entitled to you opinion about Taylor, even if it is based on one 7 on 7 game that he played very little in. Second, I don't think your opinion is probably as accurate as Texas Tech and all the other college coaches that courted Taylor all lat year. I doubt that Tech would waste a scholarship if 1) they didn't think Taylor was already pretty good or 2) if they thought he was already as good as he was ever going to be. I don't think many major colleges want a high school player that they don't think is going to still improve once they get him on campus.

[lklgb]

I saw him twice last year plus 7 on 7 this year and last.His best qualities are:( in order ) 1. he is 6 foot 5 2.he comes from a quality program.I really believe as far as throwing the ball,the cove kid and the frienship kid were superior in arm strength and accurancy.. An Abilene parent told me that they and cove scrimmage in the fall.That may be worth traveling and watching.

[Eaglewatcher]

As far as the game on Saturday against CC, right or wrong it was vary obvious that the 7 on7 coaches decided to low key the finals. Taylor played very little and many of the defensive players switched over to offense for several series of plays. Taylor even played a couple of downs on defense, until the coaches saw him out there and made him come out. I'm not sayin Cove is not good, they are, but don't take the results of that game too seriously, because Abilene didn't and certainly were not "pissed" about it.
The Abilene paper had a prettty big article about the tournament in the Sunday paper which jtk quoted part of above. I'm not computer literate enough to post the whole article but maybe some else can or you can google to the Abilene Reporter news and read it yourself if you want to see more in print about the tournament.

[lklgb]

I don't know,when Potts tried to jump that linebacker ,he looked pretty pissed to me.He did not shake hands afterwards either.Thats either pissed or poor sportsmanship.

[Eaglewatcher]

Abilene High and Cove scrimmage every fall and have for several years.

[lklgb]

Is it normally pretty competitive and clean?

[Eaglewatcher]

He was defending his own player from a push down that should have been flagged from the ref for excessive force. (See the Abilene Reporter News article for more on the lack of control the refs. had on this game). Nobody said we had gone brain dead, but again, the coaches did not play the game they would have if it had been the semifinal with a bid for the state tournament on the line.

[CCDawgs05]

To try and judge how a QB will play in college based on what you saw at a 7 on 7 event is somewhat ignorant. It seems like 7 on 7 tends to be built more for more mobile QBs who like to roll out and throw on the run... that aint Potts. He's big he's slow and he doesnt throw well on the run. Potts is a kid who doesnt throw many INTs at all, but his final pass last season was an intercepted pass. It's no coincidence that Potts threw that INT while rolling out to his right on the run. Potts is also still learning how to put more touch on the ball. Last year during 7 on 7 , he had only one speed when it came to throwing the ball... hard. You didnt ask him to throw a fade pass because he couldnt. Those are things that he's still learning. Potts is a pocket passer... no doubt about that.

I saw three QBs Saturday afternoon that looked better than Potts... Kye Darden from Brownwood, Brent Garner from Cove and the lefty from Frenship. However, of those 4 QBs (Potts, Darden, Garner and the lefty) I would put money on Potts to lead his team to the better season in the fall.

BTW, the Abilene Reporter-News never said AHS lost the game on purpose. Here's what they did say...



I'm sure the fact that it was 3 in the afternoon with a heat index of 98 had something to do with that as well. The writer did go on to say...



http://www.reporter-news.com/abil/sp_fb_hs_abilene/article/0,1874,ABIL_18396_3867015,00.html

Anyway, if you want an idea as to how Potts is going to do in college, look at his stats from last season...

http://preps.reporternews.com/sport/football/PlayerDetail.cfm?SiteID=ABIL&DesignID=ABIL&TeamMemberID=198165&SeasonOffset=-1&Gender=Boys&SportID=FTB



...dont look at a 7 on 7 event.
Ya, ive watched our 7 on 7 and they do kinda get carried away with the pushing thing....but its a good sign saying that our defense is rough....

[lklgb]

Weren't They Ya'lls Refs?

[Eaglewatcher]

And yes, the scrimmage is usually clean, (I have seen the last 3) and as competitive as the coaches ever allow in a preseason controlled situation.

[Eaglewatcher]

I have no idea where the refs came from, but that group called very differently from the ones we had in pool play.

[lklgb]

I do agree that Coves defense play rough at times.I wouldn't call it dirty but definately a bit dusty.

[Eaglewatcher]

Some of the refs in 7 on 7 will let some of that stuff go, others will throw the flag at the smallest bump. Cove was certainly pushing the limits and some crews would have flagged them several times.

[KT2000]

To try and judge how a QB will play in college based on what you saw at a 7 on 7 event is somewhat ignorant.

Understatement of the year, but I know you were probably just trying to keep things civil and I thank you for that :D .

[Warbird]

http://tv.isg.si/site/ftpaccess/jtk1519/7on7.mpg
^^Speaks for itself.

[jtk1519]

7 on 7 is one of the worst places to judge a QB. Unless I missed the memo and the football gods have suddenly done away with O-lines, running games, pads, putting pressure on the QB, etc. I also missed the memo that said football fields were being shrunk to 45 yards in length.

Judge a QB by what he does in the game when he has mad LBs running him down. Judge him by what he does when the running game cant get going. Judge him by what he does when his pass protection breaks down and he has to get rid of the ball quick. Potts is a kid that last year killed people with his play action passing... something he cant do in 7 on 7. Potts was great at reading the defense, recognizing the blitz and changing the plays at the line... things he cant do in 7 on 7.

I'm one of the biggest fans of 7 on 7 and I cant overstate how important it is to programs like Abilene High, but you have to understand that it is little more than glorified flag football. It is a good way to build a bond between QB and WR and its good for helping defenses work on pass protection, but that's about it. These arent combines with scouts lining the field. It's just for fun and practice.

[Texasfrog]

7 on 7 is one of the worst places to judge a QB. Unless I missed the memo and the football gods have suddenly done away with O-lines, running games, pads, putting pressure on the QB, etc. I also missed the memo that said football fields were being shrunk to 45 yards in length.

Judge a QB by what he does in the game when he has mad LBs running him down. Judge him by what he does when the running game cant get going. Judge him by what he does when his pass protection breaks down and he has to get rid of the ball quick. Potts is a kid that last year killed people with his play action passing... something he cant do in 7 on 7. Potts was great at reading the defense, recognizing the blitz and changing the plays at the line... things he cant do in 7 on 7.

I'm one of the biggest fans of 7 on 7 and I cant overstate how important it is to programs like Abilene High, but you have to understand that it is little more than glorified flag football. It is a good way to build a bond between QB and WR and its good for helping defenses work on pass protection, but that's about it. These arent combines with scouts lining the field. It's just for fun and practice.

If Scouts are going to notice anyone in 7 on 7 , its going to be the "athletes" that are playing WR & DB's. They are going to look at what kind of breaking speed, leaping ability and loose Hips they have on them to break and close on the ball. That will get there name's on the Scouts paper. But, Scouts still want to see them play on Friday Nights.

There's been alot of All-Americans play "flag football" but something about putting those pads on changes some players for the better and worse.

[Eaglewatcher]

jtk, you and texasfrog are right on the money. Many receivers can look good catching the ball over the middle in 7 on 7, but putting on the pads and knowing you are about to get hammered by the mlb or safety has a real tendancy to shorten the arms up a little. The kids that have the concentration and ability to still make that catch will be the ones that continue to get the college coaches attention on friday nights.

[Texasfrog]

jtk, you and texasfrog are right on the money. Many receivers can look good catching the ball over the middle in 7 on 7, but putting on the pads and knowing you are about to get hammered by the mlb or safety has a real tendancy to shorten the arms up a little. The kids that have the concentration and ability to still make that catch will be the ones that continue to get the college coaches attention on friday nights.

The best thing about 7 on 7. It gets the kids out running around and gets them in that football "TEAM" mind set. Gets them outside running around and staying in shape and getting in shape. I'm a huge fan of 7 on 7 and wish we had it back when I was playing football. What a fun way to spend some summer days. Getting out and playing "flag football" against alot of other teams across Texas.

[relraiderfan]

I have been wanting to post about the 7 on 7 tournament but my internet has been down. It is interesting to see some of the comments so far. First I want to address the championship game as a whole. It was quite honestly anticlimatic. Neither team cared all that much. CC definatly got away with a lot on the defensive side of the ball. There is no bump and run coverage in 7 on 7 yet they were allowed to play that way all day. Most of the time AHigh was stopped on offense was win Lyle and Taylor were not playing. If both had played the whole game I think the outcome could have been different. However, none of those are excuses to losing a game. Either you play to win or accept the loss.

Now to the QBs...
Taylor is by no means overrated. He was the best QB there all day. His timing with his receivers was great and the overall leadership of his team was unmatched. (i.e. when he ran down the cove player that shoved his receiver in the back) As for the other QBs I was very impressed with Cove's QB. He had a great arm but was inaccurate at times. Darden from Brownwood was also very impressive as was the whole 7 on 7 team. The kid from Frenship I did not think was very good at all. His deep balls were wobbly and inaccurate and he was immobile as well. However his receivers definatly made him look good on quite a few occasions. I personally thought after the big 3 of McCoy for Graham looked pretty good as did the new QB for Jim Ned. I did not see as much of their games, but from what I saw I was impressed.

One final note...
Midland Lee has some big boys playing for them next year.

[LeanderLions3033]

Potts will be fine, you gotta take 7 on 7 with a grain of salt. But to set the record straight, Texas Tech is not qb U, and isnt the ultimate talent evaluater for qb's. When you pass 85-90% of the time, you're gonna get the stats. Kingsburry was a good one, so was Symons, but come on, where are these guys now? Potts' side arm throwing motion will probably need to be fixed at the next level (Vince Young has a side arm throwing motion, but his mobility and play making ability is what puts him in the heisman race). Simple as that.

[Eaglewatcher]

I have seen many people refer to Taylor's throwing motion as "sidearm". That really is an exaggeration. Taylor's motion is only a few inches below "normal" at it's "worst". Which makes his release point about the same as a 6' 1" QB(at worst). Most of the time his release point is higher than that. His stats speak for themselves last year and he will do well again this year. Bottom line, he is effective and many are making much more of this than is realistic. Can he improve? Sure! Who can't? But I really think those of you who are critical of his throwing motion need to put a little balance in your thoughts. If you had watched him play all last year you would realize how pickey you sound.

[sltnusmc]

I did not go to the 7 on 7 tournement, but I did go to most of the AHS games last season and to call Potts overrated is not an accurate statement at all. Just ask the SLC fans that were at Texas Stadium chewing their nails off until that linebacker stepped in front of Abilene's last pass.

[battlin'bulldawgs]

Abilene is full of sore losers. Cove is a hell of a team. Everybody saw that we had more skill than them. This team has the stuff

[drgnbkr]

If you are basing your opinion of Potts & Abilene on a meaningless 7 on 7 game...your nuts....good luck with all of that

[Purple Haze]

Abilene is full of sore losers. Cove is a hell of a team. Everybody saw that we had more skill than them. This team has the stuff

Oh you are full of stuff alright... that is obvious. :D

[CCDawgs05]

I dont have much respect for Abilene anymore...Potts tryin to get an attitude with one of our defensive players...He should know cause we dont want anything to happen like it did vs. Bryan a couple years back....and the person who wrote the article about the tourney in the Abilene paper....senseless....how would you call an opposing team "a bunch of trash talking thugs"....

[abilenefan]

I dont have much respect for Abilene anymore...Potts tryin to get an attitude with one of our defensive players...He should know cause we dont want anything to happen like it did vs. Bryan a couple years back....and the person who wrote the article about the tourney in the Abilene paper....senseless....how would you call an opposing team "a bunch of trash talking thugs"....

Potts is the real deal. He only played one or two series in that game. Had it not been for our backup qb throwing a int that was returned for the winning TD, Abilene would have won that game half-trying with everyone out of position. Quite frankly Jim Ned would have beaten Cove.

I did not agree with the half hearted play but that is what happen. As far as the thug deal, I did not think the Cove players were thugs but they definintely should have been penalized on the play that Potts lost his temper. I was amused; there was a defensive player (#7 I think) for Cove that was bascially playing right up on our receivers and giving them a big bump as they came off the line every play the first half.

My question is this: Was the reporter in your local paper even at the game? I doubt it.
I would guess that they will have trouble at the State Tournament if they play with that much contact.

[relraiderfan]

I was there and watched the game. I wanted Abilene to win, but from an unbiased opinion Cove definatly was the rougher of the 2 teams. I can think of 3-4 blatant plays they had on defense that should have been penalized, including the one where Potts got in your defensive players face. Being just a football fan, I personally thought that showed a lot out of Potts. He was sticking up for his receiver that just went over the middle and got shoved in the back. The team notices that leadership and will remember that. So, CCDawgs, thats not called getting an attitude, its called sticking up for your teammate!

[Texasfrog]

I was there and watched the game. I wanted Abilene to win, but from an unbiased opinion Cove definatly was the rougher of the 2 teams. I can think of 3-4 blatant plays they had on defense that should have been penalized, including the one where Potts got in your defensive players face. Being just a football fan, I personally thought that showed a lot out of Potts. He was sticking up for his receiver that just went over the middle and got shoved in the back. The team notices that leadership and will remember that. So, CCDawgs, thats not called getting an attitude, its called sticking up for your teammate!

Have to agree with you on that. This is one of the things I think 7 on 7 is good for. It creates the "Teamwork & Bonding for a team." That leadership ( standing up for another teammate) will reflect when 11 Man football kickoffs here soon. His teammates will stand-up and follow him (Potts) through thick and thin because they know his got their back.

[LarryFine]

But to set the record straight, Texas Tech is not qb U, and isnt the ultimate talent evaluater for qb's. When you pass 85-90% of the time, you're gonna get the stats. Kingsburry was a good one, so was Symons, but come on, where are these guys now? :D :D :D

So playing in the NFL is the mark of being a good college QB? ;) BJ Symons spent 1 season in the NFL on IR rehabing ACL surgery and you have his NFL career over. That is a pretty quick determination.

I didn't say Tech is QB U, I said Leach is the QB guru in college football. The only time Tim Couch looked good was when Mike Leach was his QB coach and OC. Then he recruited Dusty Bonner, who had a great season at Kentucky. He recruited BJ to OU, who chose Tech instead. Leach recruited Josh Heupel out of no where and had great success with him. Leach recruited Jason White. But since none have been great NFL QBs, I guess Leach isn't really a QB guru. :D

Tech only throws 67% of the time. Everyone keeps saying it is the system that puts up the numbers, but if it were that easy, everyone would do it.

Vince Young is a great running QB, makes great plays, and may end up winning the Heisman, but he could never be a QB in a Mike Leach offense.

[Eagle81]

Abilene is full of sore losers. Cove is a hell of a team. Everybody saw that we had more skill than them. This team has the stuff


Dude you remind of school at midnight.

[drgnbkr]

Dude you remind of school at midnight.


yeah...and he might get on "the short bus" to get there....