.jpg)
In my post highlighting the QB battle between Nate Longshore and Kevin Riley, I had mentioned that all signs pointed to Coach Jeff Tedford not making his decision until the end of Fall practice, most likely just a few days prior to the opening Michigan State Game.
Well it looks like some of the other highly publicized QB battles around the Pac-10 are already beginning to get settled.
The Baby Bears at UCLA have appeared to have settled on Patrick Cowan over Ben Olsen and Kevin Craft. While nothing appears to have been announced publicly, the word is that Cowan will be taking the first team snaps throughout the rest of practice and through the year. If the decision holds, then it will cap off a two year saga in which Ben Olsen has beaten out Cowan twice for the starting job, only to go down midseason, each season to injury, paving the path for Cowan to take over, only to battle his fair share of injuries.
Interestingly, it's a decision that appears to have been made by both new head coach Rick Neuheisel and new offensive coordinator Norm Chow. Again, you have to wonder how much our new OC, Frank Cignetti will get to say about our own matter.
In other, and most likely more publicized news, it was announced that Mark Sanchez has beaten out Mitch Mustain for the starting QB spot over at USC. While one would have expected for Sanchez to have been the obvious starter because of his experience with USC's offense and the starts he had under his belt from last season, it was considered an open QB battle with Arkansas transfer Mustain. Mustain had accumulated an 8-0 record as a true frosh for the Razorbacks, before being pulled after one series against South Carolina and replaced in the game and for the rest of the season, by then sophomore Casey Dick. Mustain then transferred to USC at the end of the season, to patiently wait his turn for the chance to win a starting QB spot. You have to wonder why he went to a program as stacked as USC, but that would be beating another dead horse.
(That's one dirty Sanchez. What? It's after a game, he's got to be dirty.)Either way, congrats to both QBs, and we look forward to facing you guys in the fall.
5 comments:
hilarious dude... dirty sanchez... man, that's going too far but I love it!
You know, just from watching UCLA games last year, I had trouble seeing what the big deal about Ben Olson was. The UCLA offense was pretty useless when he was under center (of course, the same could be said for McLeod Bethel-Thompson and Osaar Rashaan). Cowan was the only guy who could make things happen, which is why I was worried when he was announced as the starter for the Cal game. If he can stay healthy this year, UCLA could be pretty damn good.
Oh... your love for us mexicans never ceases to amaze me.
As far as UCLA is concerned, I do believe Cowan is our best option with Rashaan as the back-up. Plus, I will believe anything that Chow does. And not b/c he is asian.
Keep up the good work Phil! This blog truly rocks!
As much as I dislike UCLA, I actually have some respect for Cowan, and whole heartedly agree that he gives UCLA the best chance for winning this year. He has probably refined his passing game over the years, and his mobility, toughness, and competitive nature will be good change for last year's underachieving squad.
Post a Comment