2/14/2008 8:07:09 PM

While I would have liked to see Mauk come back for another year, I'm not upset that the NCAA denied him the opportunity. He'll be remembered in Cincy for breaking a lot of records and for taking a team from obscurity and helping to put them on the map. I'm not saying they should retire his number or anything, but he was great this past season and will be remembered as such.

The Bearcats are by no means left with a barren cupboard when it comes to QB with Mauk gone. Grutza is a decent option and Pike has a cannon for an arm. And the addition of Demetrius Jones will be a big boost to the position. He fits the Brian Kelly system well. Strong arm and has the ability to move in the pocket and scramble out of it if necessary. He's a lot like Mauk really, but he could be better in a system like Kelly has.

He wasn't given a fair shake at Notre Dame, getting yanked with a quickness, mainly because of the high expectations the Irish have for the position. While he'll be replacing one of the best QBs UC has ever seen, he'll at least be given the opportunity to lose the job before its just taken away from him...all of that is assuming he wins the job come the beginning of next season of course.

Chris Murdico

2/14/2008 11:28:56 PM

It's Demetrius Jones' job to lose now (I would imagine). I am mad that the NCAA is so anal about stuff. That drives me crazy. Mauk deserved another year. But, it's good for our program to move forward with our stable of young QBs. Grutza is a fill-in only. Pike I'm not sold on at all. I think Mauk is such a bright kid with a firm understanding of schemes that he'd make an excellent QB coach. Maybe he'll get his chance.

Jimmy Dinsmore