We Need Backup!
Anyone who has ever served in any line of duty knows how vital backup is. I'm not talking about when authorities raid a drug house or are executing a precise military mission. Those operations often start with ample resources and personnel. I'm talking about when the sh*t goes down, the unexpected happens, and lives are very much at risk. Backup saves lives. Now take things out of that grizzly context, and apply the metaphor to this season's NU football team.
At quarterback, NU is not exactly opening the season with ample personnel. Yes, they have a very solid starter in Zach Taylor. After that, little is known. Absent Taylor, can NU win 9-10 games? Only backup can save the season. This is why I'm disheartened by the current injuries to Harrison Beck, but optimistic about what Joe Ganz can give the Huskers.
Beck has missed the last 4 practices with hamstring and shoulder injuries. And he's had an MRI conducted on that shoulder. After an over-hyped recruitment and what some might call a slow start to his career (1-10 with an INT last year). I know, give the kid a break, he's a freshman. This spring was supposed to be the best time for him to get reps and develop. Every missed practice is just brutal with that at stake. And, he's at best 50/50 for the Spring game - which would be his best opportunity for some "meaningful" play in front of a crowd. The kid can not afford to have his development stunted any more.
Enter Joe Ganz. In Beck's absence, the sophomore has gotten many more repetitions in practice. And it appears he's making the most of them. Reports from practice say he's been executing the offense and making plays. While not as heavily recruited as Beck, Ganz is a D-1 player. Though most of his attention came from MAC schools like Northern Illinois before NU entered the picture. The book on Ganz is that he is steady. Callahan calls him "a great system quarterback", and believes he has an adequate arm and good feet to make plays on the parameter.
What does it mean?
It means if something catastrophic occurs to Taylor, Callahan and company have a very interesting choice in front of them. Do they go with the more talented but less seasoned Beck, or the steady but unspectacular Ganz? In my book, it is an easy decision. Go with the guy who is less likely to LOSE you a game, and then find other ways to win. The word "upside" should only be used at the NBA draft. Potential doesn't throw touchdowns. At this point they have to go with Ganz.
Taylor said this of Ganz to the Journal Star.
The biggest thing is, he doesn't make mistakes. Guys on the team really respect him. When he's in there, he makes plays.
That speaks loudly in my opinion. Ganz is the game manager they would need to prevent a potentially great season from turning into a sub-par campaign.
It's clear by now that Callahan and company intend to run the ball with more authority this year. And, all signs point to a rock-solid defense. With those in place, go with guy who won't throw picks, and then win games with physical play. As my buddy Bryant always points out, the ability to manage a game and be steady IS a talent. The ability to do so can keep a season afloat, or failing to do so can make a bad situation infinitely worse. Don't agree? I refer you to Joe Dailey's TD/INT ratio from the 5-6 campaign. Or, think of Brett Favre's inability to keep the Pack out of bad situations last year. If either possessed "game management talent", the teams may not have tanked as badly.
NU's backup quarterback has to be the guy that preserves the chance for an 9-win season. If the season started tomorrow, that guy is Joe Ganz.
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