QB Competition Positive, Even If Not Real
6 comments so far
August 7, 2007 by
Many of us have been anointing Sam Keller to be Nebraska’s starting quarterback for 2007 since the day his transfer to Nebraska was announced. Yet coach Callahan has maintained that the starting quarterback job remains open for competition. So is Callahan just blowing smoke or are the rest of us rushing to judgment?
Probably neither.
If Joe Ganz, Zac Lee, or Patrick Witt played at a level that was quite obviously better than Keller, you can bet they’d emerge as the starter. But how likely is that really? Sure a guy could grade out a little better but it’s doubtful that any of those players will stand out as head and shoulders above a player who averaged more than 300 yards and nearly 3 passing touchdowns a game as a starter at Arizona State. If things net out as basically a tie between Keller and another quarterback, why would the coach choose a new starter over the more accomplished player? Answer – he wouldn’t.
So on some level Callahan knows Keller will emerge as the starter. So why keep the job open this long for competition? Look at what it’s done for Keller and Ganz. Both have been working like madmen to win the job. You think that won’t help the team? Do you think a chance to start this Fall didn’t keep Lee focused on rehabbing his injury? So keeping it open was the right move for the team, even if it’s just a formality.
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Darren Aug 07 07
Great thoughts, Steve. I agree Keller is the defacto starter, but competition is better for everyone involved.
Ganz also provides an amazing "escape hatch" or "emergency exit". That is, if Keller tries to gun sling in this offense and throws ugly INTs against Nevada or Wake, BC could reach for the quick hook and get Ganz in there.
This offense doesn't require a flashy super star. Think of Zach Taylor (From juco to Big 12 POY) or Rich Gannon (journeyman turned MVP). NU can win 9 games with a Steady Eddie quarterback. That's Ganz. I fully believe that Keller is the bigger talent. But, he must harness that talent *within* the offense or run the risk of Ganz usurping him. Callahan has too much at stake to risk an INT-prone QB.
Maybe Joe should stand on the sidelines in a glass box with the words "in case of emergency, break glass" stenciled on the side.
Tyler Aug 07 07
Darren,
That last line is worth the price of admission! :)
Brandon Aug 07 07
Agreed, agreed, agreed on all fronts. Keller will win the job but kudos to Coach for keeping it open.
However, if Keller turns out to be the gunslinger he was for at last part of his 05 campaign might it not make more sense to open things up a bit? We're not extraordinarily deep at RB and the biggest question with Lucky at this point is his durability now that he'll get the bulk of the carries.
Keller has proven that, when given the chance, he can put up some huge numbers so why not air it out a little bit more. You'd save some wear and tear on Lucky and you'd be utilizing Nebraska's biggest offensive strength coming into the season, the receiving corps.
Pound the rock? Maybe not this year. How about "Toss the Rock?"
Shane Aug 07 07
Great job Steve, I enjoy your work. I like everything you had to say here except one thing. If the QBs are neck and neck at the end of the fall, you could make the arguement that Keller would be the last choice. Especically if Lee is in the mix. Doesn't it make sense to go with the equal but younger player? I know Keller has the great physical attributes, but they ought to carry him to the clear starting role, if not I'd play a guy with three years left to groom and improve.
Your thoughts?
Steve Aug 07 07
Shane,
There's definitely an argument to be made for taking youth over experience in terms of what it gives you for future years. But I doubt that Callahan feels he has the luxury of putting anything less than his best product on the field this year and that he'll deal with next season when it comes.
Osborne had the luxury of redshirting Eric Crouch. His team was stacked and he'd won two titles in the three prior seasons. But unfortunately there's a non-trivial contingent of fans waiting to run Callahan off if they don't see progress. I'm not saying that they could, but the perception of the program can affect recruiting which in turn can affect the program. Naysaying can start a vicious cycle.
There's also the "Chris Simms" argument to be made. Mack Brown started Simms over Applewhite, in part because he wanted to position Simms to be an NFL quarterback. He felt that would pay dividends in recruiting (and perhaps it has). If Keller has a good year he can be a high draft pick in 2008. That's bound to help when assembling the recruiting class of 2009 (and 2010, 2011...). Even with a couple of big years, it's hard to see Joe Ganz as having that potential.
Between Zac Lee's injury and available redshirt year (which Witt has too), there's no rush to getting those two onto the field. So while I think your argument has merit, I think in this case specifically Keller seems like the clear choice.
Greg Morrow Aug 08 07
Shane, Steve
If Callahan went with an equal but younger Lee, for example- Keller (and Callahan) would be looking at a Deja Vu moment all over again! (Thank's Yogi)
It would have to be the technician (Joey) if Keller doesn't seize the moment. Because, he's best prepared to run the multiplicity of the offense. This year anyway, sheer experience in the system wins out over what heresay has said about the new, exotic talent in Lee.
Next year has the most intriguing quarterback scenarios in my memory, and I go back to '75, since I've been following the team day to day.