A Message to Quarterback U

Remember when the University of Miami was referred to as ‘Quarterback U’?  Kelly, Kosar, Testaverde, Walsh, Erickson, Torretta.  One after the other, it seemed as if the Hurricanes couldn’t miss with the most important position on the field.  Then came the down years.  Limited scholarships resulting from NCAA probation ushered in names like Ryan Clement, Scott Covington and Kenny Kelly.  Ooof.  The phrase ‘Quarterback U’ was as synonymous with Miami as the word ‘innocent’ was with O.J.  Save for Ken Dorsey‘s stint rewriting the UM record books, Miami hasn’t had a quarterback that belonged in the ‘Quarterback U’ family since.

 

That’s not to say that Miami didn’t bring in the blue chip QB recruits.  Even Larry Coker‘s impotent recruiting regime was able to rope in the nation’s top high school quarterback in 2003.  But Kyle Wright, along with many highly touted strong armed QBs, never lived up to the hype.  Neither he nor 2000 National High School Player of the Year Brock Berlin ever matched the resumes of any of the UM quarterbacks from the ’80s and early ’90s.  Even as recently as 2006, Miami brought in Florida’s Mr. Football in Robert Marve, only to see him lose his starting spot to Jacory Harris. 

 

And that’s when we noticed something.  Take a look at some of the QBs that have gone down in Miami lore as the best to step foot in Coral Gables: Steve Walsh, Bernie Kosar, Ken Dorsey.  What do they all have in common? (besides being skinny guys with bad haircuts)  They are game managers.  Do they have the strongest arm out there?  No.  The knock on Dorsey was that his arm strength couldn’t hurt a fly.  But you know what, Ken was 38-2 as Miami’s starting quarterback.  Like Steve Walsh, he knew how to manage a game.  If you’re a quarterback and are surrounded by supreme talent at the skill positions, your job is to not make mistakes.  Dorsey, Erickson and Torretta…they weren’t being asked to win the games themselves, they were simply asked not to lose them.  Look at what happened when turnovers dissipated game management efforts.  Vinny Testaverde threw 4 INTs in the 1986 Fiesta Bowl heading into the game’s final drive and Miami STILL had a chance to beat Penn State.

 

The jury is still out on Jacory Harris.  With close to 5,000 career passing yards, he very well could break the school’s passing record by the time he’s done.  Though with 28 interceptions, he can also break the school record in that category.  Heralded dual threat QB Teddy Bridgewater appears to be the next in line to get a chance to crack the elusive ‘Quarterback U’ lineup.  But from now on, we have a message to the coaching staff at the University of Miami: “Stop recruiting blue chip quarterbacks.”  I don’t want any more USA Today Players of the Year.  I don’t want any more Florida Mr. Footballs.  What I want is a quarterback that is a proven winner.  While at Miramonte High School in Orinda, California, Ken Dorsey led his team to the state championship game in each of his two years as the starter.  I don’t care if a guy can gun a football at top speed on the radar gun and I don’t care if he runs a 4.2 40.  I want someone who knows how to manage a game and doesn’t turn the ball over. 

 

I’m no Sherlock Holmes, but I see a pattern here.  Steve Walsh, Ken Dorsey: good.  Kyle Wright, Brock Berlin: not so good.  Please, from now on, I want effective game managers that will bring out the best in the surrounding speed and talent on the Hurricanes roster.  Please, someone start recruiting Chad Pennington Jr.