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Post by deaux68 on Jul 17, 2008 19:06:37 GMT -6
Well I don't guess it's really a problem. It has just been really weighing on my conscious (sp?)
First off, it's my first year as an OC. We graduated probably the best QB we've ever had last year. So I'm faced with replacing him.
Right now I have two kids vying for the spot. Both of them are great kids. One played a bit last year when the starter got injured. The other is an athlete with a big, big arm and is a 4.5 guy.
Here's my issue. The athlete is a kid who has never played QB. He had medical issues last year and wasn't cleared to play. He has a relatively good understanding of the offense, but really needs reps and drill work. The problem is he is in a bad home situation. He can't always get rides. Sometimes he has to leave after workouts (which is when we do most of our work as QB's) and take his Mom places or get her the car back, etc.
The other kid has more money than I'll ever see in my lifetime. He played in two games last year when our QB was hurt and led the team to two of the biggest wins in program history. This isn't hyperbole, we are only 6 years old. He knows the offense inside and out. He knows football.
The reason I say it's weighing on me, is because I feel like the athlete has a chance at the next level. I have sat down with him over 20 times since April. Showed film. Handouts. Tests. Everything I can think of, but he is still struggling and I believe this is because he isn't getting reps.
Bottom line is I feel like I should do something. I don't have a clue what, but something. I'm 28 years old and I'm getting stomach ulcers and going gray.
Any help is much appreciated. Thanks a ton guys.
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Post by coachd5085 on Jul 17, 2008 19:20:13 GMT -6
deaux---does the athlete guy HAVE to play qb?
As I mentioned in another thread... Peyton Manning wasn't the best "High School" quarterback at his school in the 8th grade. BUT the TEAM was best with him at QB and that more athletic kid elsewhere.
I find it hard to imagine that the 4.5 kid couldn't help the team SOMEWHERE. And it wouldn't be a "demotion", it would be getting the best 11 on the field.
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Post by deaux68 on Jul 17, 2008 19:31:56 GMT -6
Yeah he can definitely help us at other places. Both guys have played WR in the past.
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Post by coachd5085 on Jul 17, 2008 19:38:01 GMT -6
then...i would say athlete is backup qb and starting wr...
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Post by chadp56 on Jul 17, 2008 20:35:23 GMT -6
Coach, sounds like a good problem to have. I'm wondering how much you run your QB. That could play a factor in who you chose as typically you aren't working on the running game as much in the summer so you are probably only thinking about who is the better passer. That is why if I were you I'd have them both take reps at QB and WR during 7on7's. Then I'd give them both reps through preseason before I made the choice. Who knows, maybe it will become obvious, or maybe you can play them both depending on the situation. That is what I ended up doing this year when I had one QB who could run better and one who could pass better. When the passer started struggling late in the season, I just went with the running QB full time and we became a heavy run team.
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burn
Sophomore Member
Posts: 181
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Post by burn on Jul 17, 2008 22:43:39 GMT -6
Deaux,
First off realize that if this is the biggest problem you have then you have it pretty good in football and life. Second the athlete is going to play somewhere on your team so coach em up when you can and let the chips fall where they may. If you are 28 and worry this much about football I am sure that your team is coached very well and you do a great job.
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Post by dubber on Jul 18, 2008 13:19:54 GMT -6
Stick the stud at WR......go with the kid who is a FOOTBALL guy at QB.
Trust me, tall guys who run 4.5's will get their shot.
If he has an arm, per se, the old WR reverse pass off the veer option look should be in your arsenal
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wccoach
Sophomore Member
Posts: 159
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Post by wccoach on Jul 18, 2008 13:29:18 GMT -6
Would you consider developing a play package for the athletic QB that does not need as much reps? Some teams will run two QB's that have varying skill sets and develop a scheme that fits thier skills/Mental abilities. Just an Idea.
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Post by lionhart on Jul 18, 2008 21:21:45 GMT -6
wccoach... you beat me to it. i wuld consider maybe giving the athlete a "package" that you could use as a change of pace. hell, teach him 3 runs and 2 passes (one being a rollout) and put then on a wristband with his assignment on there. rep his package for 5 minutes every offensive session and then give the kid the chance to make plays. kinda like a chris leak/tim tebow deal.
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Post by Yash on Jul 18, 2008 22:58:08 GMT -6
I agree with the two guys above me. Put in a run with him, a counter off that run and a play pass off of that. Expand as the season goes on. Give it some reps each practice and let the guy who knows the offense direct it. Instead of going with the high risk high reward theory by putting the pure athlete but not pure QB back there, go with consistency and put the pure QB back there and put the athlete back there for some home run plays. Put the kid at WR and find ways to get the ball to his hands. Return kicks with him. If hes truly a 4.5 speed guy, it will show up other places and colleges will take notice. Now put him at QB with 4.5 speed and he makes a ton of mistakes and colleges will also take notice, except for the wrong reasons.
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Post by unc31 on Jul 19, 2008 10:38:05 GMT -6
no brainer here....play the guy who has the big arm but more importantly has proven himself in big games. Let the other guy be the backup and start him at slot or flanker so he is learning the routes, concepts, etc. Plus he can get the ball on jet sweeps, counters, reverses, etc. You can't win with potential alone. Maybe this athlete has great potential but there is something to be said for going with what you know......such as this other kid who has won big games for you.
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Post by schultbear74 on Jul 19, 2008 12:01:41 GMT -6
The athlete with a chance at the next level has a better chance at WR than at QB.
The package deal is ok, but it depends on the team. Who is the leader for a team like yours.
Sounds like a good problem to me.
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Post by raiderpirates on Jul 20, 2008 6:29:14 GMT -6
Use both. You have slash, and you have your management QB.
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Post by spreadattack on Jul 20, 2008 8:48:13 GMT -6
I agree with the consensus. Go with the main QB, and if the other guy is as talented as you say it sounds like he could play WR and RB (if he's your best guy don't put him only at WR if he'll only get the ball three or four times a game). Sometimes being a QB is about more than having the talent and even about being a good kid. Look at a lot of the College Nat'l Champion QBs over the last decade, I look at guys like Wuerrfel, Josh Heupel, Tee Martin, Ken Dorsey, and Craig Krenzel. Not that these guys were terrible or that in HS we wouldn't love to have them, but they all - for whatever reason - were guys who led their teams and were winners, despite not exactly running 4.5s or having big arms by any means. None had/have pro futures really.
So it sounds like your decision has already been made. It's no disrespect to the other kid, and it might not be his fault one iota, but quarterback is a special position, and sometimes the fates and circumstances are just against you. If you want to work the other kid in maybe do some Darren McFadden stuff. But go with the QB who won you those big games last year so long as he can get the ball to the guys who score. That's his job.
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Post by ttowntiger on Jul 20, 2008 12:25:42 GMT -6
I would play the athlete at receiver and bring him in at times at QB in sort of a "Tebow" like package. Then, maybe in a game if you are struggling, you may wind up playing him more if he has a hot hand.
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Post by wonderingcoach on Jul 24, 2008 23:49:31 GMT -6
I am going to go another route than the guys above. I know your an OC, but if this guy is a stud, move to D. Let him have a role on O that doesn't require a lot of reps and make him a DB.
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