Derby #2?

[tm3308]

I won't hate Tebow for his beliefs and charity work. Sometimes it gets annoying, but some of that has to do with how the media pumped it up all the time when he was at Florida. But his heart is definitely in the right place.

If Derby ended up as the second coming, that would be great. I don't see him being THAT good, but I wish him the best of luck. He certainly does have the kind of mentality that I like to see. He's competing with a fire to prove everyone wrong. I still think Rudock will be Vandy's successor, but Derby's desire and determination is encouraging nonetheless.

 

[MelroseHawkins]

Since Derby was so adament about playing QB, I think he's working really hard and proving that he can be a great quarterback. I'd be a little sad if he beat out Vandenberg. Being from Keokuk, just 40 mins down the road from where I grew up, playing on one of the biggest stages in college football and nearly clinching a Big Ten title, he seems a bit of a Cinderella story to me.

He's not going to beat out Vandenburg. KF is a "systems" coach & Vandenburg clearly has the best grasp of the O & what they want to do at this point. This includes managing situations & the game clock.

Going back, remember during the QB competition between JC & Stanzi when Stanzi was in an early season game when he got into a little spiff with KOK. It was towards the end of the 1st half (like in the last minute) & Iowa was driving & Stanzi, I believe, audibled out of the play call to a more aggressive play. He was going for it. Anyway, he didn't go with the play call that would wind the clock down more & KOK was right in his mug after that.

I like that Stanzi showed gumption but it clearly was a play outside of the "system" that the coaches were driving for. At least this is how I remember it going down. Maybe someone else could elaborate more if they remember the details. Stanzi never deviated like that again from the "system". Everything is so calculated with KF & what he wants to achieve.

Vandenburg clearly has the lead when it comes to this is my point.

 

[DodgerHawki]

They have to evaluate things...

I've been hearing this for a couple weeks now. The notion seems to be picking up more and more steam every time I get on HN.

Personally, although I know it will likely never happen, I'd love to see Ferentz use Derby like Florida used Tebow back when he was a frosh. Bring Derby in for a couple series a game. Run option, some QB keepers, etc. It would completely throw off the opposing team's d.

Again I realize I'm dreaming here.

based on Derby's skill set at this time and what the needs of the team are. If Derby is indeed the No. 2 QB, the utmost priority is making sure he understands the entire offense so he can play should Vandenberg be injured.

Also, they have to evaluate whether Derby is really a difference-maker as a runner/change-up QB, or if he's just stronger/more mobile than Vandenberg. Florida could ease Tebow in to goal-line situations because Tebow was really a freak in terms of strength and running ability out of the QB spot. Is Derby an elite runner at QB, or just better than anyone else on the depth chart? If he's not an outstanding runner at QB, then he'd be best served by using the same packages as Vandenberg does.

Also, I'm not sure that giving Derby 2-3 series a game is worth it just to do it. Vandenberg has all of 2.5 games (two years ago) as his meaningful game snaps. He needs the game competition. I'm hoping that we can get a good early lead on Tenn. Tech and Derby can get some time with the No. 1 o-line and running backs. But if Derby shows that while the current No. 2, he is still way behind Vandenberg, what good does it do to throw him in for random series against Iowa State and Pitt if those games are close in the 2nd/3rd quarter?

Hopefully we can find out a bit more about the situation this weekend during Kid's Day.