[lueer]

For any of you around campus, what' s the deal with the quarterback competition? I assumed Zach would be moved to slot or running back, but Chris' article today makes it look like it's still wide open. Anybody have any thoughts on this?

[LUconn]

what? A discussion about football? Well I know one thing, our starting QB will have one heck of an ops center and new turf!

[lueer]

You know, I've been thinking the same thing. Those threads seem to be the only ones getting any action.

[Sly Fox]

Here is the story Chris wrote that you are referencing:

Liberty QBs overcoming weaknesses

By Chris Lang
Lynchburg News & Advance
August 16, 2006

When fall practice started, Liberty University had two different quarterbacks, sophomores with distinct styles who were easily pigeonholed into labels like "scrambler" and "dropback."

Zach Terrell could run from trouble, but he didn't have enough patience in the pocket to be a precise passer.

Brock Smith could drop back and throw, but he was bulky and lumbering as a runner.

Going into the first two weeks of practice with those preconceived notions in tow, one might be surprised to watch Terrell's calmness in the pocket. Last week, he stood in a tunnel as chaos unfolded around him, calmly checking down receivers until he found an open man - in this case running back Terron Lawrence - and fired a perfect pass.

Later that day, Smith was seen wheeling to his left and flinging precise passes on the run to open receivers.

Because each has put exhaustive work into making himself a complete quarterback, Flames coach Danny Rocco has a decision to make: Terrell or Smith? Who's going to start Aug. 31 against St. Paul's?

"Because of the competition and the strengths that they have, I can see either one of them going in," Flames quarterbacks coach Brandon Streeter said.

Rocco, Streeter and LU offensive coordinator Scott Wachenheim all characterize the race as very close, so much so that none will admit to a frontrunner.

Rocco said that he wants to decide on a starter by the end of this week, lest the issue turn into a dreaded quarterback controversy that lingers into the week leading up to the season opener.

"Both quarterbacks are having good camps, and what we have right now is healthy competition," Rocco said. "We've got two guys that are competing hard. They admire each other and they help each other."

Terrell, who started six games at tailback last year, only threw 16 passes as a quarterback and worked almost exclusively out of the shotgun.

Most of Wachenheim's two-back offense starts from under center, so Terrell had to adjust.

After some bumpy spots in the spring, Terrell has looked increasingly comfortable in fall practice.

"His footwork has been very much improved since the spring," Streeter said. "The footwork and timing go hand in hand, and that's what he's improved on a lot."

Smith, who started the last three games at quarterback and threw for 814 yards and five touchdowns, missed half of spring practice while recovering from mononucleosis. He spent that time holed up in his dorm room, painstakingly familiarizing himself with every nuance of Wachenheim's playbook.

"Actually, it made me better because it made me more hungry to come back and play," Smith said.

However the quarterback battle ends, it's clear Terrell won't languish on the bench. He won Big South freshman of the year honors and nearly led the league in rushing despite only playing half a season at tailback. The coaching staff insists there are plenty of ways to get Terrell on the field.

In practice, he's lined up at running back in two- and three-back sets, and at times last year, he split out as a slot receiver. His 41-yard reception against Connecticut gave the Flames their best chance to score against the Huskies.

"Obviously, he's got some special abilities," Wachenheim said. "We have some offensive packages designed to take advantage of those."

That message has been shared with Terrell, who will do anything to contribute as much as possible; at quarterback, running back, receiver ? it doesn't matter.

"The No. 1 priority is to just get on the field and help the team out," Terrell said. "I am going to work hard to be the starting quarterback, or wherever the team needs me."

http://www.newsadvance.com/servlet/Sate ... th=!sports

[Chris Lang]

If you watch practice, it looks like Smith is ahead, but none of the coaches will say that, on the record at least. Expect a decision by the end of the weekend.

[lueer]

Thanks for the reply, Chris. I assumed that was probably the case, but was curious.

[PAmedic]

my take on CHRIS' article is that it seemed Brock is gonna be the guy. Terrell just seems to have the game for a RB or wideout. we'll see by Monday I guess?

[TDDance234]

I think both have too much talent to be on the bench.

Brock's only potential position is QB and he played it darn well at the end of last season. ZT is a threat to score from any position on the field. He's got to to have the ball in his hands.

Either way, we're going to have a heckuva QB for this team.

[TIMSCAR20]

Rocco said at media day today that both QB's are good, both QB's you can win with and both QB's are gonna play QB virtually every game! He didn't say how he would do it but he did mention the strengths and improvements of both guys. He really likes the fact that Brock is a pocket passer but is mobile and can throw on the run with a degree of accuracy. He loves Terrell's athletic ability and thinks his drop back pocket passing is much improved. I really enjoyed the media day. It was great to be back in Lynchburg.

[SuperJon]

No, dang it. I hate flipping QBs in a game. That's why Ohio State sucked at the beginning of the season last year.