College Football 2011: Stephen Morris Should Start at QB for Miami Hurricanes
University of Miami football has some hope.
Al Golden has started injecting adrenaline into the dwindling heart of a once prestigious program. You can’t help but believe the guy, with his good-willed nature, organized approach and, above all, potent words.
I must have listened to over 15 interviews by Golden over the last two months. Each time I come away shaking my head. How can this man say the right thing every time?
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Roughly 300 former Canes players showed up in Miami last weekend to watch the annual Hurricanes spring game. Seeing that type of tradition and wide array of former and current NFL stars had to have a major impact on the young high school recruits in attendance.
There’s finally some buzz again. But does this hopeful feeling fans have each spring actually have some substance this time around?
How quickly this program turns around will likely correlate with the quarterback play. After all, it’s the top spot, the position that has the greatest impact on a football game.
Jacory Harris (Sr.) and Stephen Morris (So.) bring different elements to the table. Both were inconsistent in the spring game last Saturday, throwing for two interceptions apiece. One will be the guy, and one won’t.
Naming Morris the starter is a no-brainer.
There is no reason Harris should start unless he’s head-and-shoulders the best guy. It’s year one for the new regime, and it’s going to be a process. This team isn’t winning a national title next year. Sorry to pop the ultimate fan’s fantasy bubble.
Although both quarterbacks were turnover-prone last season (combining for 24 interceptions), I think Harris is too far along to break out of his bad habits, namely throwing into triple coverage and tossing soft, floating balls up for grabs. No matter what he does this spring, in the heat of the game he will likely fall back on instinct, and thus far his instincts have failed him.
Morris is young and can still be molded. He has a bigger arm, quicker feet and a moxie to his step. Going with him isn’t necessarily about this season; it’s about the next three years of this program. When Morris was on the field, the offense had life, whereas with Harris you didn’t know when the catastrophic decision was coming—you just knew it was indeed coming.
Was there any question who the better quarterback was in the bowl game against Notre Dame? The Canes offense showed zilch until Morris replaced Harris just 19 minutes in. Harris finished with 37 yards and three interceptions in just over a quarter of action, while Morris completed 22 of 33 attempts for 282 yards with two touchdowns and one interception.
Yes, Morris threw more interceptions (nine) than touchdowns (seven) last season, but considering he was a true freshman who wasn’t supposed to see the field, he had his moments.
With the support of a rushing attack that could easily be among the nation’s best, the quarterback will have help.
Miami returns the electric Lamar Miller, the bruising Mike James and the explosive Storm Johnson. You won’t see a more talented and diverse crop of running backs in the college game. All three have NFL written all over them and bring different strengths to the field.
The key for the quarterback next season will be to manage the game, take smart, calculated risks and, most importantly, take care of the football. Does that sound like Jacory to you?
Although Coach Golden may have a tough time announcing the starter for next season, the choice is in fact an easy one. Jacory’s time has sadly come and gone. It’s time for the Stephen Morris era to permanently take off at the U.
Related Posts
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
