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A new era is beginning at Appalachian State. An era which does not include the two-time Walter Payton Award winner. An era which does not include a man whose name seems to be mentioned in the school's record books as often as "and" or "the." An era which does include a certain No. 14 behind center, a man who led the Mountaineers to two of their three national championships and a "nice" road win at a place they call The Big House. In other words, the post-Armanti Edwards' era has begun.

With spring practice underway, the first competition for the team's starting quarterback position in four years is now being played out. Junior DeAndre Presley and redshirt freshman Jamal Jackson head the list of candidates to take the season's first snap, and head coach Jerry Moore knows either quarterback will have big shoes to fill.

"You can't help but miss Armanti Edwards," Moore said after Monday's practice. "He was a great athlete and a guy who could make plays other guys can't ... We got spoiled. These guys have good arms and can run, but still have a lot to prove in terms of showing that they can move the football team."

http://www2.wataugademocrat.com/story/A ... _id_002028

This is going to be an interesting battle.

We need a spy in the practice center - these cryptic articles do nothing but raise my blood pressure.

Surprised to see Cadet already designated WR given his amount of time under center. I could understand if Jackson was already starter so you have stability (relative) under center for 4 more years like Edwards & Williams. But if you are going to go with a junior, i was more impressed with Cadet than Pressley.....

Jackson is very similar to AE. Both about the same height and weight and both lefties. I think he'll get the nod come opening day.

Appaholic wrote: I could understand if Jackson was already starter so you have stability (relative) under center for 4 more years like Edwards & Williams.

I thought that about Justin Thorpe, too. And, uh, ah, well...I was wrong.

You gotta figure Jerr-Bear knows what he's doing and have faith in that.

mcveyrl wrote:

Appaholic wrote: I could understand if Jackson was already starter so you have stability (relative) under center for 4 more years like Edwards & Williams.

I thought that about Justin Thorpe, too. And, uh, ah, well...I was wrong.

You gotta figure Jerr-Bear knows what he's doing and have faith in that.

I hope you're right - Jerry's had 3 yrs to try to backfill a QB, but let's face it, you don't completely replace a player like Edwards. Hopefully some spririted competition will take one or both of these guys up a level.

I know this is trite but the worst thing the two new QB's can do is try to fill Armanti's shoes because that ain't gonna' happen. They need to play their own games to the best of their abilities and remember it is a team game.

JConnolly wrote:Jackson is very similar to AE. Both about the same height and weight and both lefties. I think he'll get the nod come opening day.

Jackson is about 4 inches taller than AE. He does have AE's chicken legs though.

How many days til kickoff??

Skjellyfetti wrote:

JConnolly wrote:Jackson is very similar to AE. Both about the same height and weight and both lefties. I think he'll get the nod come opening day.

Jackson is about 4 inches taller than AE. He does have AE's chicken legs though.

I didn't check actual heights, I was just going off what I saw from the field when they were warming up before the Elon game this past season.

Good to see that App State didn't decide to take Justin Feagin afterall (with the being a cocaine dealer and all) It's too bad he was extreamly quick.

sebie wrote:Good to see that App State didn't decide to take Justin Feagin afterall (with the being a cocaine dealer and all) It's too bad he was extreamly quick.

We left him for El Cid to pick-up as Stark's replacement...

I wonder what the Mountaineers will do with Kalik Barnes this Fall.

Folks claim he can really fling the rock.

It will be interesting to see what happens with Barnes, I've only seen limited footage of him but he looked good. I don't think he's enrolled yet?

Aho Old Guy wrote:I wonder what the Mountaineers will do with Kalik Barnes this Fall.

Folks claim he can really fling the rock.

There are several youtube vids of him - seems to be much more of a pocket passer than we're used to. His highlights weren't any deep balls, just short and medium screens, etc. He does play under center and shotgun plus he's a righty - it's good to be this deep at QB.

Thought this was interesting about the primary App State QB candidate:

From uwbadgers.com:

http://www.uwbadgers.com/sports/m-footb ... 10aaa.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Bielema tabs Jackson as assistant coach

Former 12-year NFL veteran rounds out Badgers' staff

March 7, 2010



MADISON, Wis. -- Greg Jackson, a former 12-year veteran of the NFL, has been named nickel back and assistant linebackers coach for the Wisconsin football team, head coach Bret Bielema announced Sunday. Jackson has seven years of experience as an assistant coach at the collegiate level, including the last three at Tulane.

“The experience Greg brings as a player and a coach and the leadership he has shown in both positions makes him a perfect fit for our staff,” head coach Bret Bielema said. “He is a wonderful addition and I look forward to seeing him work with our defense and special teams.”

Jackson coached Tulane’s safeties, nickel backs and kickoff team in 2009, the linebackers in 2008 and the safeties and nickel backs in 2007. Prior to going to Tulane he spent three seasons as the defensive backs coach at Louisiana-Monroe, where he coached all-Sun Belt Conference defensive back Chris Harris, who led the country with seven interceptions in 2004.

Two of Jackson's top pupils at ULM -- Kevin Payne and Chaz Williams -- received invitations to the 2007 NFL Combine. Payne was a two-time all-Sun Belt Conference selection as a defensive back after earning the honor as a freshman at running back. Williams earned all-Sun Belt honors as a junior when he led the league in interceptions.

Jackson joined the ULM staff after one season as secondary coach at Idaho, where he coached the Vandal defensive backs to a No. 31 national ranking in pass defense, up from No. 111 the season before he arrived.

“I’m very excited to be a part of the Wisconsin Badger football program,” Jackson said. “It’s a great situation for me to join a winning football team that has been successful for a number of years. I’m eager to get started and help in any way I can.”

Jackson was a third-round draft choice of the New York Giants in 1989 and was a member of the Giants' 1991 Super Bowl championship team. In 1994, he went to the Philadelphia Eagles for two seasons, and played the New Orleans Saints (1996) and San Diego Chargers (1997-2001).

Jackson's leadership abilities were recognized often and early during his playing career. He was one of five captains of the 1988 LSU team and after only three years in professional football, he was voted team captain of the Giants in 1992 and 1993. He was also voted the Giants' Player of the Year for activities outside football in 1993. He was captain of the 1996 Eagles and was special teams captain for San Diego in 1998 and 2000.

Jackson enjoyed a great career at LSU from 1985-88, helping the Tigers to a combined 36-10-2. LSU won Southeastern Conference championships in 1986 and 1988, and played in bowl games every year.

Jackson, a safety, was a first-team All-American in 1988, leading the nation with seven interceptions. His 219 interception return yards is the second-highest single-season total in SEC history and he tied an NCAA record by returning an interception 100 yards against Mississippi State.

A native of Miami, Fla., Jackson earned a bachelor's degree in communications broadcasting from Fairleigh Dickinson University in 2004. Jackson and his wife Dina, have two children, Greg Jr. and Jayden, while his oldest son, Jamal, is a football student-athlete at Appalachian State University.

Pigskin Steve -
I thought you had posted the wrong article until the last sentence.

ASUG8 wrote:

Aho Old Guy wrote:I wonder what the Mountaineers will do with Kalik Barnes this Fall.

Folks claim he can really fling the rock.

There are several youtube vids of him - seems to be much more of a pocket passer than we're used to. His highlights weren't any deep balls, just short and medium screens, etc. He does play under center and shotgun plus he's a righty - it's good to be this deep at QB.

I think (always a dangerous thing) I recall a newspaper article that Kalik Barnes HS ran a spread offense - at least last Fall.

And depth is always good --- but we need someone to 'step-up' and take the reins.

AppStateAlumQC wrote:It will be interesting to see what happens with Barnes, I've only seen limited footage of him but he looked good. I don't think he's enrolled yet?

Yup. I think he graduated early and enrolled in a prep school. Maybe they can get him enrolled for summer school for some 'independent workout' time before Fall practice starts.

ASUG8 wrote:

Aho Old Guy wrote:I wonder what the Mountaineers will do with Kalik Barnes this Fall.

Folks claim he can really fling the rock.

There are several youtube vids of him - seems to be much more of a pocket passer than we're used to. His highlights weren't any deep balls, just short and medium screens, etc. He does play under center and shotgun plus he's a righty - it's good to be this deep at QB.

hmm, I'm no professional scout but from the little bit I saw on youtube he definitely has some work to do to get better. Put a little loft under a lot of his throws and was it just me or does he have the longest delivery ever?!