Here's a football axiom, college or pro, sandlot or frat ball: Quarterbacks can either run or pass well. They can't do both in a great way.
It's almost like science. As one skill rises to an exceptional level, the other slips. It makes sense. Expertise requires tons of practice. And there aren't enough hours in the day, or bones in the body, to run and pass with similar excellence.
Obviously on any level, throwing great wins the big ones.
Running quarterbacks are like race horses that have closed late for a win. The media loves the dramatic. The dramatic is often an illusion.
Who won the last Super Bowl? The passer. Who won the phony national championship? The passer.
What did the SF quarterback run for in the big one, five yards?
What will the Eagles do with its college coach and college offense? Very little.
The college game is so weird. Here's what often happens. Great runners drag doggy teams like Michigan and the Aggies into national acclaim. Then the running quarterbacks get worried that no pro team will take them because they can't throw so well. And their senior years, they become overnight chunkers auditioning for the NFL. And their teams suffer.
The perfect quarterback is one with a big arm and quick feet.
Having slow feet is the rap on Bradford and Weeden.
Running the option is for the chumps. Getting out of the way of rushers and being able to scamper 20 yards upon occasion is for champions.
OU's Bell is the front runner to start. He can get you two yards any time, anywhere. Even on first down. We'll see if his arm is good enough.
Kendal Thompson is also competing for the job. He's a left-hander who has lighting feet and a decent arm. If his proclivity is to run first, forget about him. But if he leaves the pocket only as a last resort, we predict he will be a major surprise and could even wind up as the starter.
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