Coming Soon: The Return of the Mobile Quarterback
4 comments so far
June 13, 2007 by
It seems funny to think that mobility could be lacking at the quarterback position in Nebraska. But not since Jammal Lord was starting back in 2003, have the Huskers had a real rushing threat at the quarterback position. Since Sam Keller seems to be the likely starter for 2007, it probably won’t be until at least 2008 that we see a quarterback that is a threat to be a consistent playmaker running the football. But beginning in that year, chances are good that the Huskers will have a “dual-threat” on the field.
Joe Ganz was a dual-threat quarterback out of high school, running for over 600 yards as a senior. Ganz will enter the 2008 season as likely the man to beat at quarterback. Assuming a full recovery from injuries, Zach Lee is another dual-threat quarterback who will be competing for the starting job and he’ll have up to three years to start. While listed as a “Pro-Style” quarterback, Blaine Gabbert rushed for 8 yards per carry as a high school junior. His reported 4.6 40 time and sturdy 229-pound frame mean he could be a dual-threat regardless of the category Rivals assigns. Barring the quick ascension of Patrick Witt to starting status, it seems extremely likely that the Huskers are a year away from having a rushing threat at quarterback.
When we think of the big years that west coast quarterbacks have had in the NFL (MVP’s like Joe Montana, Steve Young, and Rich Gannon), they’ve all netted out with good positive rushing stats. Compare that to a pure passer like Dan Marino (who averaged less than one yard per carry in his career) and you see that the offense (despite it’s reputation for high-percentage passes) lends itself well to mobile quarterbacks. Just as the college game lends itself to mobile quarterbacks.
A mobile quarterback may not be an absolute necessity in college (see Ken Dorsey), but it certainly gives an advantage. A defense can do seemingly everything right and a mobile quarterback will turn a broken play into a positive. When Terrell Suggs was racking up a record 24 sacks in 2002, he failed to register any against the slippery Jammal Lord as Nebraska easily disposed of the Sun Devils that year.
Regardless of the advantage gained, it should be entertaining to watch. While there’s still a whole season between now and 2008, just knowing that it’s out there is fun to think about.
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Darren Jun 13 07
Well put, Steve.
What *many* people misunderstand or refuse to acknowledge is that a mobile quarterback is not only viable in the WCO, but preferred.
Folks, it's called a bootleg. Even with a player as slow footed as Zach Taylor, Callahan runs the bootleg pass as a counter to the outside stretch run play all the time.
To have a player (Gabbert or anyone else) who can get to the edge, put pressure on the defense with his feet and create a true run-pass option off of a bootleg will be a huge advantage to NU.
doombob Jun 14 07
Joe Montana is my hero, but there's one major reason why he was able to do what he did: Husker RB Roger Craig. Good running backs mean Defenses scared of both pass and rush. Good running backs mean rushing/passing lanes opened up. Good running backs make for good quarterbacks.
Jason Jun 14 07
Totally agree doombob. Coincidentally, Steve just wrote about Roger Craig's contribution to the Niners legend.
Rod Jul 04 07
Steve, you stole the words right out of my mouth. And I have spoken with all of my friends in regards to hoping to see the return of the mobile QB. They know how I feel. Remember back in the days when we Nebraska fans enjoyed the Vincent Youngs? Hopefully, it'll happen again. But be forwarned. Many skillful athletes aren't pursuing QB. They are now shooting for runningback. Look at Rivals.com, and that's where these types (i.e. Steve Taylor, Tommie Frazier, Mickey Joseph, McCathorn Clayton, Bobby Newcombe, Turner Gill, Jammal Lord, etc.). They are now currently settling in at runningback. I recently asked a kind black man at a bookstore who was reading a college football magazine about this trend I noticed when I checked Rivals.com. He told me that the athlete QB types (Tony Rice, Charlie Ward, etc.) weren't pursuing QB any longer because "they are thinking about what they will be doing after college football."
Now, I'm like you about your title of this story. And I am very hopeful that Nebraska can return to the option. It still works. Just look at Florida and Pat White's West Virginia.
Now, my high school team that I coach at Campbell High - in Atlanta, Ga. - has the very type of QB your Nebraska team would love to have. He's a high school senior. His size is like Mickey Joseph's. His name is Brian Sutherland (5-9, 175) and has blinding speed (4.28 40 at a combine - electronic timing). Sutherland will be a senior, and hopefully he'll grow a little more. By the way, I coach the kickers for Sutherland's team.
If the Nebraska people would be interested in Campbell's QB/CB Brian Sutherland, then they'd need to contact my head coach, Kyle Hockman.
Anyway, Go Big Red!