BearcatLair.com - Tuesdays with Kelly: Who will start at QB?

November 3, 2009

Scott Springer
BearcatLair.com Staff Writer

It's become a weekly routine in the Bob Goin Meeting Room. And truly, it is a little more interesting than the standard preview of the upcoming opponent which typically (at all locales) is full of coach-speak and generalizations on a Tuesday before a Saturday game.

It is the new guessing game that's sweeping the (Bearcat) nation..."Who's your quarterback?"

Realistically, it's not much of a guess anymore. If you want to make a decision based on the evidence at hand, Zach Collaros is your guy. (My reasoning? He was one of the Bearcats provided to local media in the weekly gathering.)

Statistically, even the most daring coach would have to wrestle with pulling a guy who's 41-52 for 620 yards in two starts for seven touchdowns, plus 206 yards rushing and two scores. Then there's the fact that Tony Pike JUST THIS WEEK got a cast/brace that would allow him to play in the first place.

"Pike saw Dr. (Angelo) Colosimo this morning," said Brian Kelly Tuesday. "We're seeing some good signs in terms of the x-rays. We have a brace coming in (from a manufacturer in California). We should have it tonight. We will fit him with that brace and he will begin practicing tomorrow to the level that we can prepare him to win. He's out there throwing the ball around but I'll be candid with you...he can't go with the cast that he has on right now."

Perhaps another reason why Pike was in his Adidas sweats the last two games.

"We've got good signs relative to the bone and the healing," Kelly continued. "We'll put him in this brace and see where he is."

Personally, based on UC's lack of rushing attack against UConn last year (30 yards) I've wondered whether or not it wouldn't make more sense to start Collaros anyway-given that his added running threat could open more things up. Then, if Pike clears all medical barriers, maybe get him some snaps and start working on preparing him for West Virginia.

"It really would depend on how he practices," said Kelly. "He hasn't been in there handing it off, moving on the perimeter, I couldn't answer that question 'til I see him. It may be the case that we think he's 75% there and we can't start him, but he could come in for certain situations. That's a scenario that's possible. I would prefer that not to be the case. I would prefer for him to be 100% and able to start."

Based on that, logic would say Collaros would start again. While Tony's as well-versed in Brian Kelly's offense as anyone, it would appear difficult to me to get him ready with a new brace in a matter of a couple days when he's missed two and a half games. The key drawback to getting Pike back on the field is Kelly's offense itself.

"If we were an I-back team and we were under center, maybe we could push it a little bit quicker," said Kelly. "The way we play and the style that we play-you're going to get hit. You have to be able to protect yourself. You have to be able to play the game without risking injury or re-injury."

To the common ear, that might sound like Brian Kelly is being overly cautious with Pike because he's got a "hot hand" in Collaros running the machine. Part of that is very true. On the other hand, Kelly's very clear over who has superior knowledge of the product on the field. Hands down, it's Tony Pike.

"The list is long," said Kelly about Collaros' faults in the "driver's seat". "We're not at that level where I can have the same conversation that I have with Tony Pike that I have with Zach Collaros about the quarterback position. It's a different conversation. We're talking about different things. (With) Tony we're talking about eye control on the safety-moving the safety with your eyes. We're talking about some specifics about how he moves a movement key. I can't do that with Zach yet. We're still in some 'big picture' issues."

That's not to say Collaros can't grasp these things. Let's face it, on the fly, he improvises well (see botched field goal attempt at Syracuse). To think you have two-plus more years of plays like that is pretty exciting.

"Oh yeah, it's fun," acknowledged Kelly. "He understands what you're talking about, it's just we're not there. We can't get to that next page with him yet."

While Zach himself admits to being great friends with Tony Pike and Pike has been very visible cheering for Collaros on the sidelines, it's no secret that Collaros has a lot of influence from another Bearcat starting quarterback in Ben Mauk.

Mauk has been an unabashed supporter of Collaros for two years (and in the shameless give-me-some credit department, so have I.) Ben Mauk made that known through the media and to Brian Kelly. Again, some of you may not remember, but Mauk was on staff last year as an offensive grad assistant and was a key part of their Orange Bowl run even though the NCAA wouldn't let him play one more year.

This is why I've referred to Collaros on occasion as "Mauk 2.0".

"Oh, he's much better than Ben," Kelly joked to the Tuesday gatherers. "He has a lot of similar traits obviously. One thing that they both carry is they're great competitors. They love to play the game of football...absolutely love to play the game and compete. That's a trait you love to have with your quarterbacks."

IF Collaros turns out to be better than Mauk...look out. As I've documented before, Mauk holds the single-season record for touchdown throws with 31 in '07 (and that was with missing a couple starts due to his arm and shoulder difficulties). Mauk, like Collaros often made plays with his legs, but could keep looking downfield finding the open receiver.

Then there's the fact that neither are prototype size, they're both from the northern regions of Ohio and they both won a slew of ballgames as prepsters.

"They hit it off, they're DNA's very similar," said Kelly. "They're both competitive guys, both extremely dangerous on the perimeter. They keep their eyes downfield, they make plays outside the realm of the offense, there are a lot of similarities. You could see why those guys hit it off."

And, like Mauk, Kelly expects Collaros to suck it up and be there for the team-even when it means coming off the field (when Tony Pike is deemed ready to return).

"He'll accept his role," said Coach Kelly. "He's a team player. He won't be happy with it, but he'll accept his role. I'm confident of that."

What Kelly should really be confident of is what he has to work with next year at quarterback. Even though it won't be like this season where Pike returned as the starter, he will have Collaros back and the games that #12 has under his belt can only mean good things for the future success of the Bearcats.

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