[Sly Fox]

From the fishwrap:

LU will continue to rotate quarterbacks

By Chris Lang
Lynchburg News & Advance
October 18, 2006

For a minute at least, Liberty quarterback Brock Smith was a little miffed.

Liberty's second drive Saturday against William & Mary ended when Smith threw his second interception of the season, and Smith didn't see the field again until midway through the fourth quarter.

Was Smith's benching punishment for the pick?

"At first that's what I thought," Flames quarterback Zach Terrell said. "Then the coaches told us after the game that I was coming in for the third series anyway."

Such is the reality of Liberty's quarterback situation. Flames coach Danny Rocco is set on using a rotation of Smith and Terrell, and whoever has the hot hand will remain in the game. It happened last month against Savannah State and again Saturday against the Tribe.

Rocco isn't the only coach going against the conventional wisdom that a team has to pick one man at quarterback and stick with him.

It's happening most notably at Florida, where Gators coach Urban Meyer has split series between senior Chris Leak and freshman Jeff Tebow.

Gardner-Webb, Liberty's opponent Saturday, used a quarterback platoon, with Devin Campbell and Stan Doolittle sharing snaps until Doolittle injured his knee against Appalachian State last month.

"You do it with every other position - offensive line, running back, wide receiver. Why not quarterback as well?" Charleston Southern coach Jay Mills said. The Buccaneers primarily use one QB, preseason Big South offensive player of the year Collin Drafts. But Mills' son, a high school senior, is part of a quarterback platoon. "Particularly if you have two quarterbacks who give you different options as far as what you're doing.

"People have said in the past that you have to play just one. You have to make a decision. Says who? Football is a game of matchups. I think you use your personnel wisely."

For Rocco, that meant sticking with Terrell last Saturday. The sophomore, known more for his running ability than his arm strength, scored both of Liberty's touchdowns and moved the offense well.

But when Rocco needed to spread the field more in the fourth quarter with his team trailing by a point, he turned to Smith, who entered the game facing a third-and-long situation.

"There definitely was some pressure," Smith said. "I'll just do whatever the coaches feel they need to do to give us the best chance to win. That was the best thing."

The quarterback rotation cannot work if both QBs aren't on the same page, and it can't work if they don't support and like each other. (If those conditions aren't met, then by definition, you'd have a quarterback controversy.)

In practices, both Smith and Terrell work with the No. 1 offense. Both know that they'll get snaps.

But the rotation begs a natural question: Is a coach unnecessarily toying with a quarterback's mentality? By yanking him, is he saying "you've done something wrong here?"

"Yeah, I worry about it," Rocco said. "I know it's hard for the student-athlete to be in that position and always be ready to perform, but that's part of what he's got to be able to do."

Smith converted the first down and led the Flames into field goal range, but he overthrew a couple of passes, leading to another question: Is the rotation having an effect on Liberty's receivers?

Liberty junior Wynton Jackson took as much blame for Smith's overthrows. After watching film of Saturday's game, he said he "misread" some of Smith's throws and didn't break to the ball like he should have.

It's clear Jackson and Liberty's other receivers are still getting comfortable with the two-quarterback system. Jackson is convinced it can work, though.

It will have to.

Rocco doesn't plan on changing the system any time soon.

"We get plenty of practice with both quarterbacks," Jackson said. "Zach and Brock each have a different rhythm. The timing will be different. But as long as the receivers run the same routes every time, (the QBs) pick up on that. The receivers have to (run every route) the same to help them out.

"It's always going to be a factor. But whatever quarterback is in, that's the choice the coaches have made."

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[bigsmooth]

i just do not like it. but it's the coach's decision, so we will have to live with it.

[adrianb]

Gardner-Webb, Liberty's opponent Saturday, used a quarterback platoon, with Devin Campbell and Stan Doolittle sharing snaps until Doolittle injured his knee against Appalachian State last month.

"You do it with every other position - offensive line, running back, wide receiver. Why not quarterback as well?" Charleston Southern coach Jay Mills said. The Buccaneers primarily use one QB, preseason Big South offensive player of the year Collin Drafts. But Mills' son, a high school senior, is part of a quarterback platoon. "Particularly if you have two quarterbacks who give you different options as far as what you're doing.

"People have said in the past that you have to play just one. You have to make a decision. Says who? Football is a game of matchups. I think you use your personnel wisely."

I don't know if I buy that. Other positions on the field are not as dependent on rhythm or confidence as the QB. In G-W's situation I don't think it was good for either kid. I believe it would would be a better idea to platoon offensive coordinators from time to time.

[A.G.]

YO ADRIAN. Great point. We've tried it with kickers and it hasn't worked there, either.

[Stevev]

I see the QB rotation as Coach Rocco not having confidence in either one (Zack or Brock).

[SuperJon]

I hate the rotation. If Rashad is out this week, I don't think we'll see too much rotating.

[nickrichard]

Here's what I don't get. If that was truly the plan going into the W&M game, shouldn't you share that info with your quarterbacks? If Brock truly did not know that the plan was to bring in Zach after the third series, he would be mentally gone thinking that mistakes cost him his job. And then you ask him to come back and make a key pass in a tough situation? I am not calling out the coaches by saying this was not their plan, but don't you think the QB's have a right to know?

[kel varson]

I think it is a confidence situation as well. I think coach Rocco wants to give each QB a chance to perform that way he can decide who is going to be better for the future of the program. After all, this season is really just a rebuilding process.

[Chris Lang]

Zach has been in the plan to play quarterback since the start of the season, mostly in a series here, series there sort of scenario. If Brock would have played well enough to cement his hold on the position, I don't think you'd see a lot of extended time at QB for Zach. But he hasn't. Is that because the coaches won't allow him to get a rhythm? I don't know. But that's touchy. It's Rocco's job to do everything he can to win games. Brock and Zach are grown men. You can't worry about bruising egos and shattering confidence (Brock says he's fine mentally, at least on the record. What he says to friends/family away from the digital recorder, I don't know).

I guarantee you Zach and Brock were told before the game what the coaching staff's plan for the QBs were. Perhaps in the heat of the moment, after throwing an interception, both completely forgot about the third series switch. It happens. I can't imagine Rocco or Wachenheim didn't tell them prior to the game what the plan was though.

As for the plan this week? Rocco's not sharing, and I understand completely why. He'd rather have some sort of element of surprise for G-W than fully disclose who he's going to start, when he's going to play him, etc.

[SuperJon]

If that's the case, I need to change my post in the other thread.

[LU'sbestmanager]

i just hope the "hummer" plays. this conference would be too easy for him

[auntieann]

I think the rotation is just a waste of 2 good players talents. I hate to see either player on the sidelines. I think this is wrong. I am really so sad to see Brock just standing on the sidelines. He was one of the best Safety's in PA. made first team for the State, and is a great punter, kicker. I am just so frustrated. But Brock is so positive and he is such a balanced and good person, he is handling this like he handled everything else tough in his life, and he has had his share.. Most people could learn a lot from him...He continues to make me proud to be his Aunt..

[A.G.]

i just hope the "hummer" plays. this conference would be too easy for him

That nickname has GOT TO GO!

[El Scorcho]

Definitely not cool. Ditch it.

[A.G.]

The Tank. The Diesel. Heck, just call him MACK. Anything is better than the Hummer. I can see the student signs now
YOU CAN'T BEAT AN LU HUMMER
(and the list goes on)

[SuperJon]

LU Girls Love The Hummer

[HarrisburgFlame]

I am one that doesn't like a set QB rotation. I disagree with Mills at CSU on this point. First of al unless you direct snap the ball to someone in the backfield other than the QB - the QB is going to handle the ball on every offensive play. That to me is enough to make his situation different than any other position player on the team. I'm not just talking about handling the exchange from center. I'm talking about the differences in ball handling, timing in the passing game, timing in the cadence, and the exchange. All QBs are somewhat different. Furthermore, on D you can be a little "helter-skelter" from time to time. On O you need to be consistent, efficient, calm and that starts with the QB. If you have a different guy in there I think it leads to a lack of the afore mentioned areas.

That said, I do believe in a change of pace if the O is struggling. I do agree with getting 2 guys ready to play at QB. I do agree with a series here and there just to give the D something extra to prepare for. The fact is we have 2 QBs with different skill sets. Brock is considered to be a better passer - but if he is off and missing guys in the passing game - why leave him in? Zach gives us another run threat when he is at QB. But if he is ineffective - why not go back to Brock as the game dictates.

I think the coaches have done a great job of using our QBs this year. My only complaint is that if Rocco knows Zach is taking the third series or a quarter - he needs to communicate that to Brock. My understanding is when Brock came out against W&M that was all part of the game plan going in - to give Zach a series in the 2nd quarter. I think that should be communicated to Brock. I thought Brock was on the sidelines because of the INT he threw. I can see where that would be tough on a QB not knowing why he's out or when he is going in.

As for Auntie's comments - I like the idea of Brock playing QB. I like the idea of Brock punting. I don't like the idea of Brock at safety because I don't think he has enough speed to play that positon in D-I football. Not a knock on Brock - but not many do have the speed to cover deep and come up in the alleys and support the run and get there in a hurry. I think Brock is going to continue to develop at QB. His mechanics need some work right now. Based on what I have seen his elbow is way low on the balls he's missing deep. It's causing his ball to float. Just like with a pitcher - release point is everything. Regardless of who is at QB - I think we have two special kids in Brock and Zach and I hope they both understand their roles on this team and thrive going forward.

[auntieann]

Thanks Flame for the insightful and intellegent post. I guess I am just getting so frustrated, it is so hard to stay focused when listening to the game and not understanding why Brock was taken out yet again. I realize now that it was in the game plan, but it is just so hard for a kid's confidence. Let's let him punt, I agree he should be doing that. Thanks again, I hope they help him with his mechanics, maybe confidence would also add to the mechanics... Good points.. thanks

[A.G.]

One thing to remember is, that unlike Karchers last two contract/save his butt seasons, it is NOT about this year. It is about building a program and placing the players in a position where they can succeed. I think, for the most part, Rocco is doing that. I would bet Prof Haize's salary that next year will be much different.

[Rocketfan]

One thing to remember is, that unlike Karchers last two contract/save his butt seasons, it is NOT about this year. It is about building a program and placing the players in a position where they can succeed. I think, for the most part, Rocco is doing that. I would bet Prof Haize's salary that next year will be much different.

Ok funny comment about karcher....sorry but i laughed....and the point about Haize is, do you even know what you are wagering since it really depends on the amount Columbia can import?