Harrison Beck Skips Practice

4 comments so far August 6, 2006 by Darren K. Carlson

Sophomore quarterback Harrison Beck skipped Saturday afternoon’s practice session. According to published reports, Beck is apparently disgruntled about a lack of repetitions in practice or a possible demotion to 4th-string quarterback. Beck’s past – from his hyped recruitment to his injury this spring – played a part in forming this situation. And, current happenings may have huge implications about his future as a Husker.

On the Field
As a player last year, Beck was 1-10, with an interception and no touchdowns. Those are the only performance facts we know as fans.

Unless you were actually at Saturday morning’s practice (and I wasn’t) you can’t know for sure about what amount of repetition Harrison was getting, how well he performed, or how he was slotted among the quarterbacks. Statements from teammates make it seem as if things were fairly normal in Saturday morning’s practice.

Reports from this summer’s activities and early fall camp were that Harrison had lost 20 pounds and was taking a more mature and “business-like” approach to preparation and practice, often being one of the last to leave the field. However, how and why he got to the point where he needed to lose 20 pounds and comments from teammates that there were workouts last summer where he kind of “goofed off and jacked around” paints a contrasting picture of Harrison’s practice habits.

Assuming for a second that the coaches did in fact limit Beck’s repetitions in practice, or somehow demote him, there were probably reasons for it. Fall camp is for preparing the team for the season. It’s not as focused on player development. The coaches may have been trying to find a combination or rotation to see what else their team offered. There may also be a bit of coaching psychology in this, too. Coaches can often challenge players by changing things in the real (or perceived) pecking order. They’ll “demote” to provoke a response. If that’s the case with Beck, then this probably isn’t the response they were hoping for.

Of Hype and Happenstance
This marks the second time a player in this recruiting class has gone AWOL because of a perceived lack of opportunity. Leon Jackson did the same thing, only to later return to the team. This isn’t uncommon, because the nature of all sales is to over promise and under deliver. And all players, especially very talented ones, want (even expect) to play. It is awfully tough to question that drive or need from any player. However, I think it is fair to question how they go about getting that playing time.

Hype played a part in Beck’s lofty expectations. He was one of the most ballyhooed recruits in Husker history. Heck, the kid had his own blog on KETV's (Channel 7, Omaha) website during his senior year of high school. Many fans even believed Beck could push for a starting job last season, despite the recruitment of Zach Taylor from junior college. Potentially unfair expectations are unhealthy for everyone involved.

During his time at NU, there are things Beck could and could not control that all may have hindered his development. He can’t help that his arm was injured this spring, a time when he really needed to focus on improving. He can’t help that his freshman year of eligibility was burned up late into his freshman season, dramatically shortening his timetable as a college player. Though, he could help his practice habits, fitness level, and overall focus on the game. The report of him being a part of a band last year is a good example of split focus.

Comments from Mom Affect Future
It is possible for Beck to return to the team, and for this to blow over. We’ve seen it before with Jackson and Eric Crouch. But, Beck’s case has one variable those other two did not – a mother who is being very vocal in the press. Little was known or said during Crouch’s leaving. And, with Jackson, it sounds as if both parents and coaches called on the player to grow up and try to make the best of it. Beck’s mother Evelyn is doing the opposite. But is backing her son also burning his bridges?

While it’s natural and right to defend your child, it’s hard to believe the things she is saying will make it any easier for Harrison to return to the team. Do you think Beck is going to want to face teammates after his mom said that incumbent starter Zach Taylor was ‘just okay’? Or will the coaches show any faith in a kid whose mom says that if maybe he had stayed in the SEC, he would’ve been playing and that they maybe made the wrong decision? I really don’t think so.

Evelyn Beck-Bothwell’s most telling comment might have been - “He knows that playbook. It’s just an issue of not getting respect from the older players.” Maybe that’s true. But, I don’t think his skipping practice or any of her public comments are making things any better.

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