So are you telling me, without any bias here, that Chris Simms deserved to take Applewhite's job away from him and that Simms is EVERYTHING that UT claimed he is and would be?? If you can say yes to those questions you're out of your mind.
Oh, and let me add that having success against Texas Tech's defense does not make a player worthy of praise or immune to criticism. I've never seen Tech field a good defensive squad.
There's a great range between living up to Heisman type hype and being a choke artist. First, Applewhite and Simms was a tough battle. Neither QB was clearly superior to the other. If you watched the 2001 OU game, both QB's struggled. Applewhite struggled against KSU, Nebraska Championship game and a host of others. Was he a great college QB? yes. However, stating that Applewhite wouldve led UT to a National Championship if he wouldve played instead of Simms is the absoluetly DUMBEST statement anyone has made. There is no way UT wouldve beaten Miami last year. Miami was on another world. We barely beat Washington. Also, if youre telling me that Applewhite was clearly the better QB, you're out of your mind. I suggest you go back and watch games where both QBs played in the same game. It was a close battle.
I'd like to make two points: 1) Simms did not win the starting job in 2001. It was Applewhite's job to lose. Even if Applewhite started, Texas would not have won the national championship. 2) Simms is getting a lot of draft attention because he didn't play in a gimmick offense like Kingsbury. Ever heard of David Klingler? Props to Kingsbury for shattering records. Scouts know that there's a lot of raw untapped potential in Simms.
Before I start a riot, I'll concede that I am a huge Tech fan, I loved Applewhite's heart and despised Simms for his hype, which I thought was unjust. RIET, Smokey... you have both probably watched tons more Texas football games than I have (I live in Lubbock) so I will just have to agree with you, as you (no-doubt) know more about both of these two guys than I do. I agree Kliff played in a gimmicky offense, but I think he's more valuable than Klingler due to his intelligence and toughness. I also want to say that I only really think Kliff will thrive with time to develop and only if he's in a west coast system. My biggest point is this: I (whom I admit is a little ignorant) don't think Chris Simms has really done anything special at Texas to warrant being a first rounder while in his 3 years starting at Tech, Kliff has shown an incredible amount of toughness (no O-Line), smarts, and skill as a QB and is barely mentioned. Sorry, you guys are right... nobody would've beaten Miami last year. I think that Applewhite, had he been in there from the start, might've helped Texas beat Colorado, which would've given them a shot at a title. Once again... just my unedjucated opinion. I also thought Edgerrin James wasn't good enough to hold Ricky Williams' jock, but we're all wrong occasionally right?
The comment about James reflects my opinions before and right when those guys got drafted. It's obvious now that James is a great back and probably warranted getting drafted above or close to Williams. Just wanted to clarify...
Ive heard of a deal involving D Ward to Boston for Shane Hillenbrand . Can someone check this out for us on there ? Thanks in advance .
