I still like Phil Jurkovec. I think everyone realizes Tom Rees and coach Kelly had to make a decision and we all see now that they were probably right for going with Ian Book, but it won't stop me from imagining what this irish team would be like with PJ under center.
What's the kid done so far? Only radically change the offensive character of the BC program that's been a doormat for years in the ACC. Most would agree the Eagles are a vastly improved team with him, having competed with top-ranked Clemson to the wire and hanging in tough with the second-ranked fighting Irish of Notre Dame through two quarters and into the third. Recall this is the same BC team that the Irish beat 41-7 and Clemson beat 59-7 last season. They don't look like doormats anymore.
Is it fair to compare Jurkovik to Ian Book? Most will and that's fine. Just recall that Book has 31 starts now to Jurkovic's 8 and plays behind a veteran offensive line. Also, Book is part of a balanced offense with three tight ends and playmakers at running back. He plays opposite a suffocating defense where he doesn't have to play much from behind or rally his team to keep pace with teams that score at will them. We'll never know what the Irish would have looked like with Phil, but I think there's little doubt his downfield passing game would negate the eight in the box strategy teams have employed against Notre Dame. The running game, as good as it is, would be more effective with defenses spread out to stop the big play. Ian Book is playing well, don't get me wrong, and I think his play right now is so good that I got the Irish right in the mix to win the NC this season (mhmm, i do), but I think this would be a different team with Phil - more balanced, more capable of the quick strike. Ian is clearly more athletic and looks a lot like Johnny Mansel scrambling and extending plays and pick up yardage on his own, but Phil is a big boy too. In summary, I think the Irish would do well with either of them back there - they play two different styles.
How about yesterday? Book is playing lights out right now. Now that he's got options with Avery Davis, Javon McKinley, and Ben Skeronek, and has pass options with Mayer, Tremble, et al, he's tough to beat. Head to head he won. But Jurkovik looked dangerous. He extends plays too, but keeps his eyes downfield and throws well on the run rather than just eat up yards on his own. In the first quarter, when the game was close, he played Book straight up and actually had BC in the lead for a while. I don't know how you all felt, but I was quite impressed. After that, the Irish D was in the backfield on almost every play and, on the other side of the ball, the Eagle defense was so bad that Notre Dame was scoring at will. The whole dynamic changed once the Irish got up by more than 14 points - Phil was having to play from behind with no run game, no defense, and not much of an offensive line. NONETHELESS, he still played well.
I don't know how things will turn out for Notre Dame or BC, but I'm still one that would have loved to see the kid play in blue and gold. He'd have been successful for the Fighting Irish. We should all wish him the best and continued success with the Eagles. Happy to see him already succeed.
What's the kid done so far? Only radically change the offensive character of the BC program that's been a doormat for years in the ACC. Most would agree the Eagles are a vastly improved team with him, having competed with top-ranked Clemson to the wire and hanging in tough with the second-ranked fighting Irish of Notre Dame through two quarters and into the third. Recall this is the same BC team that the Irish beat 41-7 and Clemson beat 59-7 last season. They don't look like doormats anymore.
Is it fair to compare Jurkovik to Ian Book? Most will and that's fine. Just recall that Book has 31 starts now to Jurkovic's 8 and plays behind a veteran offensive line. Also, Book is part of a balanced offense with three tight ends and playmakers at running back. He plays opposite a suffocating defense where he doesn't have to play much from behind or rally his team to keep pace with teams that score at will them. We'll never know what the Irish would have looked like with Phil, but I think there's little doubt his downfield passing game would negate the eight in the box strategy teams have employed against Notre Dame. The running game, as good as it is, would be more effective with defenses spread out to stop the big play. Ian Book is playing well, don't get me wrong, and I think his play right now is so good that I got the Irish right in the mix to win the NC this season (mhmm, i do), but I think this would be a different team with Phil - more balanced, more capable of the quick strike. Ian is clearly more athletic and looks a lot like Johnny Mansel scrambling and extending plays and pick up yardage on his own, but Phil is a big boy too. In summary, I think the Irish would do well with either of them back there - they play two different styles.
How about yesterday? Book is playing lights out right now. Now that he's got options with Avery Davis, Javon McKinley, and Ben Skeronek, and has pass options with Mayer, Tremble, et al, he's tough to beat. Head to head he won. But Jurkovik looked dangerous. He extends plays too, but keeps his eyes downfield and throws well on the run rather than just eat up yards on his own. In the first quarter, when the game was close, he played Book straight up and actually had BC in the lead for a while. I don't know how you all felt, but I was quite impressed. After that, the Irish D was in the backfield on almost every play and, on the other side of the ball, the Eagle defense was so bad that Notre Dame was scoring at will. The whole dynamic changed once the Irish got up by more than 14 points - Phil was having to play from behind with no run game, no defense, and not much of an offensive line. NONETHELESS, he still played well.
I don't know how things will turn out for Notre Dame or BC, but I'm still one that would have loved to see the kid play in blue and gold. He'd have been successful for the Fighting Irish. We should all wish him the best and continued success with the Eagles. Happy to see him already succeed.
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