This article says there must be something bad in the water in Southeren California relative to college quarterbacks and their recent lack of success in the NFL. The article states "Since Elway (and even fellow Hall of Fame quarterback Warren Moon of Hamilton High in Los Angeles before him), the quarterbacks from that region have been little more than a series of flops. While Carson Palmer, Alex Smith and Randall Cunningham have had solid careers in the pros, they are the best of an otherwise sad group."
11Wers' what do you think the reason is?
As an aside, with more pro teams receptive to spread-type QB's, could tOSU start to become a kind of "Quarterback U"?
I don't think anyone in the country can, or will ever be able to claim "Quarterback U" because that position, more than any other in all of sport is so hard to predict success. Pro teams also aren't more receptive to spread type QB's, they are (and have always been) excited about athletes who can throw. Look at the young guys who got a lot of deserved attention this year-Luck, RGIII, Wilson, and Kaepernick-all guys who can move, all guys who can throw. The NFL is receptive anything that helps them win and as players get more athletic at every position, the 'mold' of a good player changes. If you can throw-you'll get a look. If you can move, you'll get some attention. If you can do both, the NFL will want you.
Geno Smith is a perfect example. People want to assume he's the next in line for the "Spread\Pistol" QB mold because its assumed he is a guy who can run-when in reality he's an above average athlete at best with questionable arm strength but because he's black, its assumed he's a great athlete-which of course is misguided and lazy analysis-exactly what I've come to expect out of most draft 'analysts'.
4-6 seconds from point A to point B and when you get to point B, be pissed off
Agree. Versatility is becoming more important than pure pocket passing for QBs, and they must be able to pass well. Meyer's offensive philosophies should help recruit these types of athletes to OSU
Outside of Mike Tomczak, I'm trying to figure out how many starts OSU QB's have taken in the NFL, in the past 30 years..... maybe 30? Kent Graham, Troy Smith, T.P, Craig Krenzel.....Who else? have to missing some others. If not, OSU has a long way to go to become a QB U.
Don't get me wrong, I've been a huge fan of OSU's signal callers, since Bellisari gave way to Krenzel (Justin Zwick vs Northwestern and Bauserman excluded).
Tom Tupa started for years in the NFL...but I suppose you meant at QB
Admittedly, I did not read the article, but last time I checked Aaron Rodgers was a damn good Quarterback. Didn't he grow up in the Bay area and play college ball at Cal?
By my guesstimation, for every stellar QB there are 20 or so busts. I think if you look at any region that is putting quarterbacks into the league you can name more guys that didn't pan out than you can guys that did. I think because the PAC 12 is a high octane offensive conference that people expect the QB's, which are the main cog in these offenses, to do well in the pro's. Their are way to many factors to pro success. You can be great when you are the best option with the most experience in college. A college coach is only going to put you in situations where you can succeed. If you fail it is the coaches fault. When you are receiving a pay check and you can't do what they ask of you, you won't be receiving that check too much longer.
The article was specifically about SoCal QB's, not NorCal, so Rodgers (Discount Doublecheck) would not be included in the analysis.
Rodgers grew up in Chico I think (looks close on the map, but is probably as far as Knoxville from Columbus). I think Kaepernick is No. Cal also
If you want to rip on So Cal some more, think Forcier and Claussen
Chico is about 500 miles depending on what part of LA.
As for the reason USC quarterbacks are generally overrated a host of issues in my view. First, they are generally loaded at skill position players which make quarterbacks look a lot better. Second, the PAC 12 isn't exactly known as a defensive powerhouse conference.
As for the reason QBs from Southern California in general do so poorly I think it could be a variety of things. While California puts out a tremendous amount of good high school players they also have the largest amount of kids playing which might water down the talent in general. Also, while I don't know how big of an effect this has, when you can be a QB in high school and not have to deal with any bad weather you are going to look like you throw a better ball. There is a big difference throwing a football when it is 70 degrees and sunny as compared to a state like Ohio which might have rain/snow/wind/calm Friday nights to play in.
Finally, OSU can become a leader at the QB position. I don't know if it will ever be QB U but if you look at the past 10 years from TP-->Smith-->Braxton there is a growing line of athletic mobile spread type quarterbacks.
They forgot about Jimmy Clausen.
Nix that. Saw him at the top.