Process for selecting starting QB

[LoudHorn]

Gilbert was picked as the starting QB based on training camp performance, although the race was close. Based on game performance, Gilbert was obviously the wrong choice. The mistake almost cost the Horns the BYU game. It's not the first time that the Horn coaches have misjudged QB talent going into a season. No one knew what we had in Major Applewhite until he came off the bench. Why not? Is pre-season practice a poor predictor of game performance? Is the wrong process being used in selecting starting QBs? Do other teams have the same issue? It seems like Case would have outshined Gilbert in training camp. Any theories?

 

[Burnt Orangeman]

stubbornness

and we missed on offering Andrew Luck a scholarship

and Drew Brees, but at least he was injured

maybe Greg Davis was a poor quarterback evaluator

but danged if they didn't see the diamond in the rough that was one Colt McCoy

Sometimes they just don't pan out. Everybody whiffed on Perriloux and Bomar.

I think you have to judge by how a quarterback does when things aren't going well and how the heck do you do that with a Lake Travis quarterback?

 

[El Sapo]

I'm inclined to agree with Orangeman and
say that sometimes guys just don't pan out.
During the Greg Davis years I always believed
that to be successful despite his offense,
a qb either needed to be an overachieving workaholic
like Applewhite or McCoy, or, he needed to be
Superman like VY. Also, it really helped if the guy
could run for his life when, not if, the play
broke down.

In that kind of environment I'm sure we squandered
some talent that other teams could have made
better use of. I'll be excited to see how the new
coaches develop our qbs as time goes on.

 

[texascoder]

Also, it is a fact of life that there are players that simply do ok in practice but when Saturday rolls around some sort of switch is turned on and they elevate their level of play on game day. Maybe Case is one of those types of players. Other players are great practice players, but in the speed of the actual game, they have too many brain farts and things just don't click the way they need to. Maybe Gilbert is one of those players. While I understand why coaches want to reward hard work and effort in practice with playing time or the starter's job, a good coach should recognize when someone is a "gamer".

The QB situation has caused much gnashing of teeth leading up to this season, mainly based on past history. A lot of people fully expected Gilbert to be given the starter's job and keep it until we had gone through a severe meltdown. But if you take this season in isolation with this set of offensive coaches, there's really not much to argue with I think. With a new offense being installed, it made sense to start Gilbert seeing as how he had the most experience, and he likely looked good in practice. But it didn't take the coaches long to re-evaluate their decision after seeing mediocre play on game day, plus it didn't "cost" us a loss.

 

[Statalyzer]

Some guys don't pan out, especially when thrown into crappy situations right off with no help. Sometimes you just need a fresh start with somebody who hasn't gotten used to mediocrity.

 

[Orangeblood]

Guess y'all are going to eventually hate Harsin then as he has been on record as stating that there are no "gamers." The QB that does the best during the week, starts and plays.

This offense is based upon detail and consistent execution, not who seems to be better when plays break down.