I figured it would be great to have a thread for and about Kris Brown. After all, many comments are going to get lost in so many other various threads. I have a feeling, he is going to play a huge role over the next 4 years. Not sure yet, how soon that role will begin though.
With that said, the main reason I attended the GRIZ/CWU game was the hope to see Kris Brown play. Granted, just being back in WAGRIZ was terrific and much needed for me. Seeing Kris Brown, made the cold weather and lack of competition well worth freezing my ass off.
I know, it's too early in his career and 2021 to have a true hold of his potential. However, I LOVED what I saw, just not sure how much of the results were due to playing a lower division team. My initial impression, he's a player with a very high ceiling. How high, what kind of potential? I will go out on a long limb, he is capable of being an all time great GRIZ QB, in the TOP 5 discussion. With his arm strength and size, there could be next level interest.
What can we take from the CWU game, regarding Brown?
(1) He has a strong arm. Despite the wind, he made throwing the ball look effortless and easy.
(2) He knows what kind of pass to make when. He wasn't rifling every pass. Many of his passes were with terrific touch. Take note of his TD pass to White. He floated that pass perfectly, and made it easy for White to make that TD grab. Yet at other times, he didn't hesitate to put more mustard into tight windows. I can't recall 1 pass where he made the wrong type of throw to his intended targets.
(3) Did you notice, most his passes were made to what seemed like pretty open WR's, compared to Humphrey, why is that? He knew his progressions, focused on all options, and consistently made the right decisions.
(4) He has terrific footwork and more speed than we expected. Meaning, he keeps plays alive in the pocket with subtle foot movements in the pocket. He can also scramble, just enough to extend plays, while keeping his head up. His TD run was rather surprising.
(5) Defenses won't be able to focus on attacking or over loading one side of the field. His 1st pass was a roll out to his left, throwing against his body, and delivering a perfect pass. Not many qb's can make that kind of pass, let alone a RS Freshman QB. The QB's that can make that throw at that age are usually playing in a Power 5 program.
(6) He is tough, like Humphrey, he didn't shy away from contact and fought for extra yards.
(7) He protected the ball when he ran it, and didn't force his passes into coverage. I actually had peace of mind, watching him control the offense.
(8) He makes his teammates better. He accumulated most of his stats and results without the luxury of 1st teamers. I feel he earned the opportunity to see how well he does with a full 1st team.
With all that said, getting Brown key reps with 1st teamers, against better competition, will be key moving forward for the coaches, Brown, and the team. I won't be surprised to see Brown much earlier against PSU, regardless of how well Humphrey is playing. As a coach, there is no way, I could fight my curiosity of how much potential Brown has. His performance against CWU turned my head. I would absolutely commit a few series to Brown, in the 1st half, against PSU, then go from there.
I'm not slighting Humphrey at all. I like his experience, leadership, and toughness. The GRIZ are a conference contender with either at QB. However, I don't see Humphrey having the big "IT" factor. I see Brown as having the difficult to find "IT" factor. Some of you know exactly what I'm referring to. Others of you, will question that. Please don't ask to define it, I just can't. I just know "it" when I see "it". Let's see how often Brown can give the team the "it" factor?
I don't post much these days, for my own reasons. However, I am excited for the return of GRIZ football. Kris Brown has taken that excitement to a whole new level though. Here is to hoping and praying, Brown and the team will continue progress and impress.
