Key Factor Being Overlooked in the QB Race

FL Cane

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There is one factor I think a lot of us have been overlooking in this QB race, and that's the trust factor. Whoever ends up being our starting QB is going to be the face of this team. They're going to be the leader, the guy whom the coaches are literally giving the keys to, and ultimately the single most important playmaker that'll determine whether we succeed or flounder. That's a big weight for any player, especially those with a less consistent record off the field.

In looking at this factor, it's clear that N'Kosi Perry has had a lot of groundwork to make up. Before Manny became HC, by all accounts, N'Kosi was clowning around here for two years. He built up a massive trust deficit with the last coaching staff and inherited that deficit with the new one. Make no mistake, N'Kosi has made a good effort to use this clean slate to start anew, and he hasn't caused any trouble off the field and by all accounts is working much harder.

I'm not an insider, or guy with sources, but I do have a few friends that were plugged into UM's greek life and party scene over the past two years. N'Kosi was a regular, to say the least, and we all know his off the fieldwork ethic and conduct wasn't great until El Jefe established a new order. All college students party, but as a potential starting QB for the Canes, N'Kosi didn't hold himself to the higher standard needed. N'Kosi's made a ton of progress on and off the field, and he could very well be our starter on 8/24, but until he consistently proves otherwise there's always going to be that fear that he'll revert to bad conduct. He has to put in an extra level of work to overcome that trust deficit he built over two years. Considering talent, if N'Kosi can put it all together, he'll be deadly. Winning best QB of spring is a great start.

Jarren William's doesn't have the same off the field history as N'Kosi. While he was suspended last year, we all know that he didn't have a chance to show anything on the field. That kills a QB's confidence. No matter how bad Malik or N'Kosi played, or how well he did in practice, he knew he didn't have a shot to start regardless. At that point, there was no incentive to practice hard, prepare for games, or meet a high standard of work. El Jefe's clean slate has definitely helped him as well, as we know his conditioning's gotten better and he had a good spring. He doesn't have the trust deficit N'Kosi has, which is a major bonus for him in this QB competition.

Then there's Tate. By all accounts, he hasn't had any off the field issues that we know about. Of all the QB's, per the insiders here, on twitter, and on other sites, he's also the QB that put in the most work post-spring (weight room, film, working on his mechanics, etc.). When it comes to meeting expectations and the level of conduct expected of a UM starting QB, he fits the bill. He also has a bit of experience and exposure when it comes to the media, as he's got 148,000 followers on Twitter and 222,000 followers on Instagram. With all of his hype and pedigree from high school to now, he's never been a clown, gotten in trouble, or been suspended. That's a huge boon for his chances to be our long term starting QB. Manny won't have to worry about him doing something stupid if the team starts rolling.

Overall, Tate is in the best position when it comes to the trust factor. Jarren has a clean slate and had minimal bad conduct last year, so he isn't in a bad spot as well. N'Kosi did have a trust deficit pre-Manny, but he's done a lot of work to change that storyline and he should be commended for it. Nevertheless, he needs to keep that consistency off the field because a few months of doing what you're supposed to does not entirely erase two bad years. Ultimately, our starting QB on 8/24 is going to be the guy that gives our offense the best chance to succeed against the gators. Nevertheless, especially in the long term, it's vital to our staff that our QB has the poise, maturity, and off the field work ethic to be the next starting QB at the U.
 
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You make some great points which all figure into the complicated equation of who will start but when I put myself in Manny's shoes, I turn to Enos and ask " Who gives us the best chance to beat the Gators week 1 ?" That's who starts.
I agree, especially since Game 1 is going to be a unique situation where this isn't the overlying concern. At the same time, I do think they're going to go with the guy that gives them the most options (knows the playbook the most, best conditioning, leadership skills, etc.). A lot of that is tied to the trust factor. To beat the Gators it's not just going to take on the field production, but the necessary off the field preparation.

I don't think it helps N'Kosi that, per the insiders on this site and others, that he seems to have put in the least amount of work post-spring. I do think that Jarren, and especially Tate, have a big advantage on him in this regard. I do think N'Kosi has a great shot to start on 8/24, but I've also gotta think the coaches want the complete package.
 
...I expect the decision of who starts game 1 will be based on preventing transfers.

One of your dumbest takes ever. Anybody that thinks anything other than they’re going to pick the guy who they think gives us the best chance to win, is dreaming.

Go take a nap and rethink this.
 
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One of your dumbest takes ever. Anybody that thinks anything other than they’re going to pick the guy who they think gives us the best chance to win, is dreaming.

Go take a nap and rethink this.

Again, I’m assuming it’s going to be a situation where the best guy for the job isn’t going to be clear.
 
I wonder if jarren can make plays when the pocket breaks down, considering our o line and grantham is very blitz happy. If jarren has time he can torch the gayturds with his arm, but tate seems to have all the intangibles in spades, plus his agility to run around and buy the o line time is a huge plus. Gonna be a tough choice for Manolo & Enos.
 
Jarren has to overcome the stigma that he is lazy and a bit of a malcontent. It can be done. I don't think he lost the trust of the staff last season.

Perry has to overcome a loss of trust, as he was handed the keys to the kingdom last year and f#cked it up royally. It wasn't just the UVA meltdown, every qb has one of those games. He just didn't show any desire to improve after blowing it (and it wasn't just a matter of bad reads, he was deliberately ignoring Richt). Then, of course, he makes a sextape and posts it on the internet. As the DC, Manny had to feel somewhat betrayed by Perry. The guy who was supposed to be the leader of the team was sabotaging a defense that played its heart out. We are only a few months removed from that. I don't think Diaz is going to be able to forgive and forget that quickly.
 
Jarren has to overcome the stigma that he is lazy and a bit of a malcontent. It can be done. I don't think he lost the trust of the staff last season.

Perry has to overcome a loss of trust, as he was handed the keys to the kingdom last year and f#cked it up royally. It wasn't just the UVA meltdown, every qb has one of those games. He just didn't show any desire to improve after blowing it (and it wasn't just a matter of bad reads, he was deliberately ignoring Richt). Then, of course, he makes a sextape and posts it on the internet. As the DC, Manny had to feel somewhat betrayed by Perry. The guy who was supposed to be the leader of the team was sabotaging a defense that played its heart out. We are only a few months removed from that. I don't think Diaz is going to be able to forgive and forget that quickly.
Completely agree with the points you made, which is why I do think Tate and Jarren have an advantage as of now in the overall race. There's always going to be that fear of N'Kosi going back to his old ways if he's the starter and the team starts rolling. He has to put in a ton of work to show he's not that guy anymore.

I also think Jarren really just lost the incentive to do anything last year. When the two guys in front of you are playing like garbage and you still can't get on the field, it shakes your confidence. At that point, he realized no amount of practice or work would matter, so in his mind why do anything to begin with?
 
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For the life of me with the new redshirt rules I dont know why we didnt get Jarren ANY snaps last year, especially late in season
I speculated the same thing then. My guess is that it came down to two factors:

1) Miami didn’t become Bowl eligible until Week 11, so Richt wasn’t risking putting him in against staryets
2) Attitude. Jarren was supposedly ready to transfer the week of the Bowl game, but if that mindset went back to the latter part of the season I could also see Richt not wanting to waste any developmental time on him
 
I want to see what the other two who lose the battle do afterwards. Does anyone seek transfer? Martel has already transferred once and Williams flirted with transferring out after a redshirt year. Does Perry say **** it and go back to clowning? With the battle being this close it will likely go into the season as well (unless the winner lights it up) so who continues to work and stays ready for their shot?
 
I speculated the same thing then. My guess is that it came down to two factors:

1) Miami didn’t become Bowl eligible until Week 11, so Richt wasn’t risking putting him in against staryets
2) Attitude. Jarren was supposedly ready to transfer the week of the Bowl game, but if that mindset went back to the latter part of the season I could also see Richt not wanting to waste any developmental time on him

Wasn't Jarren also suspended a game for violating team rules? Could be another factor outside of our QB position being completely mismanaged by the Richts but I can't fault them for not putting a kid was too busy pouting in the game.
 
I wonder if jarren can make plays when the pocket breaks down, considering our o line and grantham is very blitz happy. If jarren has time he can torch the gayturds with his arm, but tate seems to have all the intangibles in spades, plus his agility to run around and buy the o line time is a huge plus. Gonna be a tough choice for Manolo & Enos.

I don't think it's that hard of a decision. DCs who become new HCs generally choose the most mobile QB.

Perry runs a 4.86 40
Tate runs a 4.59 40

Idea is that the team is led by the defense, and QBs job is to give the D time to rest and not turn ball over. QBs who can run drive DCs crazy. TDs are gravy, but a winning stat line is

15/23
2 TDs , 0 INTs
190 yards passing
60 yards rushing

A QB doesn't have to be DeShaun Watson to put up those types of numbers. What matters is efficiency and trust that the QB will precisely execute the gameplan. Perry went off script last year, and Diaz is fully aware of that (he was there, after all).

Martell is likely the starter unless he totally flops the rest of the offseason.
 
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