Keller Demonstrates Arm Strength, Lack of Judgment
10 comments so far
March 23, 2007 by
There are two qualities most coveted in a passing quarterback - the ability to make good decitions and a strong arm to deliver a throw on time and on target. Husker quarterback hopeful and Arizona State transfer Sam Keller demostrated none of the first and some of the second this week, when he got ticketed for disturbing the peace. Apparently he got in a shouting match over a parking space and threw a plastic cup at the woman involved. In the pantheon of athletes behaving badly, this isn't exactly the worst thing I've ever heard. But, the incident demonstrates that Sam may not quite understand the scrutinty he is under, puts him on watch with both coaches and skeptical Husker fans, and underscores something larger about the Keller-to-NU situation in general.
Welcome to the Fish Bowl
Lets be clear about Keller's misdemeanor infraction. He was stupid, and he's being held accountable by the police. But really, any person who thinks this is worse than something they may have done when they were 21 needs check themselves. None of us were there, heard what the woman said, or saw what went down. Police say he cooperated. That's about all the context we have. He will pay a fine for stupidity more than anything.
As I have said before, when "Joe College" does something dumb, it does not lead the 6:00 p.m. sports news, or make the newspapers. This event makes me believe that Keller has not quite grasped the scrutiny he is under at NU. I mean, could the timing of this be any worse for him? Probably not. And, football is a Big Deal in Nebraska, maybe more so than at ASU where Keller was before. Young man, people are watching you very closely. It's sad that this had to happen for you to figure that out.
Judge and Jury
This event doesn't merit too much in and of itself. But, it puts Keller's future behavior squarely on the radar of his coaches. Callahan has shown a great willingness to suspend the remove players from the team for their actions. He is the ultimate judge of a players worthiness, on and off the field. And, sadly, the best indicators of a person's future behavior tend to be their past behavior. I hope there is not more where this came from.
Keller must also worry about the jury of skeptical Husker fans. I would describe the fan reaction to Keller's transfer as excited but wary. Merited or not, Keller has a reputation as a cocky guy, a hot head. Having this kind of event happen right at the start of spring practice does not exactly give fans a reason to view the guy as a white-hat-wearing hero at the QB spot. It makes him less likeable. Don't think that matters? Remember when NU fans booed Scott Frost in 1996 because they liked Frankie London better? (the shame...). Fan sentiment absolutely matters.
Have Arm, Will Travel
This whole thing just reminds me of how potentially volatile the Keller experiment is for NU. This is a one-year deal with a kid that fans may or may not entirely trust. He's a Paladin quarterback - have gun,will travel. Make no mistake, NU is using Keller for his talent, and Keller is using NU for an opportunity to play and be noticed. Providing both sides' interests coincide, everyone may win. But, the instant one agenda trumps the other...things could get very scary.
Confounding all this is that Keller is following Zach Taylor. NU fans *heart* Zach Taylor. The guy was all heart and guts on the field, and is a great person off of it. I don't expect Keller to be like Taylor. That would be unfair. But, he can't be a cocky, malcontent, Zabka-esque jerk and expect NU's coaches, teammates, and fans to embrace him.
I really hope this was a misunderstanding and a very isolated incident, for everybody's sake.
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Husker Mike Mar 23 07
Great take, especially when you consider the circumstances around Keller's departure from Arizona State.
Jerry Krueger Mar 23 07
Darren,
Great commentary. Very well-reasoned and balanced. I greatly enjoy reading your articles. Please keep sharing your opinions with the rest of us cyberHuskers.
Jerry
Brad Mar 23 07
Darren,
This is the first time I can recall totally disagreeing with you:
1)I wouldn't call his actions "stupid." I would call them typical, as in almost everyone else in his situation would have reacted similarly.
2) From what has been written, he threw the cup at her car, not her.
3) Keller is a victim. Yes, I said it. He is a victim because he is a celebrity here, and if he wasn't no complaint would have been filed. How stupid is it that he has to go to court for this?
4) If you go out to the UNL parking lots today, you could probably find similar incidents. This one is no more newsworthy than the rest.
This whole thing could be good. It is like a warning to Sam that he needs to be more cautious because of the scrutiny here. I'm glad he gets this warning for such a stupid and petty incident.
Darren Mar 23 07
Hey Brad,
I love disagreements. That's what makes the Internet great. And really, we agree a lot more than you might think.
Yes it is typical. And it is stupid. 21-year olds do *typically stupid* things. That's kind of the point. I screwed up a LOT worse than this at that age.
And, I fully agree that Keller is being ground up by the "news" environment around Husker football. I stopped short of calling him a "victim", as you do. But, really, he's suffering from the same syndrome that Husker players dating back to Osborne did. You sneeze, it is on the news.
And, okay, he threw the cup at the car, not the woman. My bad on the reporting of that.
Grant Mar 23 07
I can't believe this thing made ESPN's website. I wish the media would tone it down a notch. It's both good and bad to have such a drive for info to the fans. Great that prospects see how interested fans are in their football team. Bad, b/c it could be intimidating for prospects to see their every move between ages 18-22 are documented and publicised (sp?). Thank God I, and most everybody else, didn't have to go through that. My exploits between those ages would not be something I'd want in print!
Bigger fish to fry my UNL Police friends!
AJ Mar 23 07
Brad, that's the dumbest thing I've ever heard...and you are the same group of people who said you would beat USC last year.
Darren Mar 23 07
AJ,
Wow, I just means so much for somebody who runs a "Husker Hater" website to come over and call Brad's opinion "dumb". That's some good work out of you. Don't try too hard to have a point. Jeez.
Yeah, many Husker fans (short for fanatic) thought NU could beat USC. Can you blame us? We're fans. And by the way, what does that have to do with anything on this topic???
Don't hate...celebrate. Don't get bitter...get better.
Brad Mar 23 07
AJ,
I'm not sure what to say to you because you didn't say anything at all really. And I still stand by everything I said in my first post. If it turns out that Keller did anything more than was reported then he deserves a punishment, but as of right now this is one of the dumbest stories the associated press has ever picked up.
As for USC (why are you talking about USC?), I didn't think we would beat them last year and if I had to bet this year, I would go with them again.
Alex Mar 25 07
There is a good chance that at the time of the incident Keller failed to understand the microscope under which he was living as a future Husker QB. After the exaggerated fallout from the incident, however, I'm sure he fully grasps the reality of his situation and will behave accordingly.
While I cannot speak to the circumstances of his departure from ASU and his behavior leading up to it, there is little doubt that the series of events humbled him. This humilty was revealed by his stellar attitude as a scout team QB last year and his open outlook towards the QB race this year. His actions betray an understanding of the need to go out of his way to gain acceptance with his new teammates and a belief that nothing has been handed/guaranteed to him in Lincoln.
I look for big things out of Sam Keller in 2007.
Nick Mar 26 07
Not much to add, I just wanted to second what alex had to say. Certainly we're all filled with a high level of (guardedly) excited anxiety about 2007 and Keller, but it does give me calm to know that he's a 22 year old with more life and game experience than the average college quarterback. I think he understands the opportunity before him, and just how severe the fallout would be should he blow it.
And yes, thank my lucky stars I never had the AP writing about what I did on a friday night...