Sam Keller Adds Credibility
5 comments so far
August 21, 2007 by
We all know that Sam Keller had an edge on Joe Ganz in terms of live game experience. Keller performed at a high level on the field in a BCS conference and Ganz has yet to start a Division I game at quarterback. But we can’t pretend that’s the only difference between the two players.
Ganz’s strongest attribute as a recruit in early 2004 (along with Jordan Adams and Beau Davis) was that he was still available when Bill Callahan took over late in the recruiting process. He chose NU over the likes of Eastern Michigan. Keller could have gone to Michigan.
Ganz is built like a defensive back, Keller like a defensive end.
None of this is to suggest Ganz is unworthy. After all, Super Bowl champion quarterback Ben Roethlisberger came from the same conference Eastern Michigan played in. However, if a major part of sports is mental, which player is more like to inspire confidence in his teammates and incite fear in opponents, the 6’1” overachiever or the 6’4” specimen who’s built like Roethlisberger?
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darren Aug 21 07
Keller is the starter - big shock there.
But, seriously, it is a real luxury for NU to konw who its #1 and #2 QBs are right now. Many teams don't know the first part of that equation, let alone the second.
True freshman Patrick Witt is #3...interesting. We'll see how Mr. Lee responds throughout the season.
doombob Aug 21 07
I have high hopes for Lee. If there were stocks for QBs, I would have purchased a bunch in Lee a month before his last Junior College game. Look at his stats from last year:
11 Games, 6 Rush TDs, 231/360 passing (64.2%), 3471 yards, 31 TDs, 5 ints
Here are Zac Taylors for comparison
13 Games, 1 Rush TDs, 219/365 passing (60.0%), 3071 yards, 25 TDs, 7 ints
Zac Lee also runs a 4.6 second 40 yard dash. (Eric Crouch ran it in 4.47)
Same thing may happen to him as Purify when he got here - even better once he's got a great team surrounding him. And of course, he's still got to practice like everyone else, but I think his knee injury is what dropped him down right now.
Brian Aug 21 07
As far as the story above goes, two words Major Applewhite. That guy was a tiny little scrappy player that did nothing but win. Then he was replaced by the prototypical QB in Simms and he was horrible. Sometimes the little guy gets it done.
Bill Sep 05 07
Are You Sure ?
Terry Sep 10 07
Its wonderful, Sweet!