that he didn't deserve. The guy has done so much for BYU. Some of our most memorable wins of the last 4-5 years were when he went freakish on the other team. Then sacrificed his body for BYU wins, then battled back from injury time and again. That being said, I had to admit as the football season progressed that he was not himself, and not the TH of old. He was playing possibly 20-30 lbs over his 2013/14 and NFL pro-day / pre-season weight (BYU guide said 235 lbs, but I think that was possibly skewed), and I don't think his Lis Franc had fully healed, evidenced by how his speed gradually improved as the season progressed right up to the NFL pro day. And with a possibly painful partially-healed foot, he likely had trouble planting, which is vital for any QB. Just as the shot starts from the lags for a basketball shooter, the pass also starts with the legs (and hips) for any QB, and both loose their accuracy when their legs tire or are injured.

As far as weight, TH's best playing weight is around 220-222 lbs, like he was in 2013, when he passed for almost 3K yrds, and ran for over 1K yards, and on in to 2014, when we were 4-0 to start the season, and 3-0 vs P5 teams before that fateful USU injury!!!! As far as last yr, I'm not sure that TH "bulking up" and out lifting the lineman did him any favors, although I would bet that not being able to do enough aerobic stuff due to the Lis Franc rehab contributed a lot to the weight gain. Regardless, I think both TH and the coaches knew that he was not quite ready to go last year for various reasons (compounded by a new coaching staff, and scheme, and key injuries on the O-line and offense). But what were they going to do, when he committed to come back, possibly play in pain all year, and was likely just as good or possibly better option than Mangum (with all of the issues mentioned above). Exposing a less mobile and less experienced Mangum to that ferocious pass rush, and sitting Taysom on the bench all year was not likely the best option. This was his last chance to see what he could do - he did not have another year to come back. They simply made the best of the circumstances they were faced with.

Still, Taysom was far from the scapegoat for the offense - there was PLENTY of blame to go around - but at least our losses were entertaining, with a chance to win in almost every game. Although I have been just as excited and a fan of Mangum (albeit a different skill set), compare last yr to this yr when our losses have been complete beat-downs, looking woefully over-matched in the trenches and otherwise (even vs Utah, albeit the score was closer- we were statistically and visually dominated).

The reality is that neither QB has been perfect, both have contributed significantly to the offensive woes, but neither should be the scapegoat, nor take the heat that they have on CB. It would be nice if they were to come on CB, and see nothing but support, understanding, log-suffering, and hope, rather than the opposites of those things.