While we wait for CBKWit’s views on the b-ball games yesterday, I thought I’d take a moment to talk about the two-QB system. 

So somebody reported that Tedford is considering a two-QB system.  When I read this, I was surprised.  The whole idea of using two-QBs has always been kicked around by Cal fans and rejected by Tedford.  Most Cal fans who advocate a dual-QB system are ones who have seen the success that Florida had with Tim Tebow and Chris Leak.  Or this last year seen the success that LSU has had with subbing in Ryan Perrilloux.  In 2008, expect to see Ohio State use Terrelle Pryor like Tebow.  Yes, having a ridiculously good offense can be sexy, and by doing whatever other successful teams do, we too can be all sexy on offense.  Right?  Well… not really. 

First of all, Cal doesn’t have a QB like Tim Tebow or Ryan Perrilloux.  I’ve heard some Cal fans say that (former Cal QB) Kyle Reed or Kevin Riley is our Tim Tebow.  Umm…. no.  First off, neither has the running power of Tebow.  Neither has the weight that Tebow has.  And I’m not quite sure that either is as fast as Tebow. 

Second, Tedford doesn’t like his QBs getting hit.  Whether it’s in the pocket or outside of the pocket, Tedford doesn’t want his "field generals" getting injured.  We all know what an injury can do to a team (see Cal’s 2005 and 2007 seasons). 

Third, using a two-QB system doesn’t build up player confidence.  Whether you’re simply subbing in your #2 QB for one snap a drive, or you’re merely going with the hot-hand for the game, the incumbent is always left wondering when he’s going to get yanked.  If he simply makes one bad throw, is he going to get yanked?  Two?  Does the coach count WR drops against him too?  What’s the rule on when a player is expected to get yanked?  Tedford has elaborated on this topic a few times in the past few years.  While I don’t have specific quotes on hand from the past, CBKWit got a great quote from his recent 2008 Recruiting Class Party and State of the Program Address (see the second to last question).  Here’s what Tedford said:

I don’t really like the 2 qb system because I don’t want people playing scared, looking over their shoulders every time they make a mistake.

That’s been his standard response every time somebody asks him about a two-QB system.  He doesn’t like it.  Meaning, we probably won’t see it.  The two-QB system doesn’t instill confidence and trust in his incumbent QB.  

Tedford is essentially being fair to the player.  He lets the best player start unless the best player gets injured, or the season is beyond being salvaged and you might as well let the backups get game experience (such as putting Kevin Riley in at the start of the 2nd Quarter of the Bell Helicopter Bowl Game versus Air Force in 2007). 

Anyways, we have two conflicting reports.  One guy on BearInsider-Growls saying that Tedford hinted on the *possibility* of using a two-QB system and our very own CBKWit who heard Tedford say that Tedford doesn’t like the two-QB system. 

So I mean, Tedford could not like the two-QB system but still consider using it, right?  It’s possible.  That statement would validate both the poster on BearInsider-Growls and CBKWit.  But if you look at CBKWit’s report of the State of the Program Address, while Tedford doesn’t explicitly deny any chance of a two-QB system, he does say he dislikes it bringing about the inference that it’s not really a possibility. 

So who are we to believe?  What BearInsider-Growls guy heard?  What CBKWit heard?  Or the strange combination of the two where Tedford doesn’t like the two-QB system but will consider it if a starter can’t be chosen?

Well, I’m going with CBKWit.  First of all, I know CBKWit.  I know he knows his stuff (football and Cal Football).  There is no way CBKWit would confuse the question or answer.  Second of all, Tedford’s answer that CBKWit heard is more along the past explanations that Tedford has given.  Honestly, I can’t even remember EVER hearing Tedford say he’d consider a two-QB system.  And third, Tedford has always said that two-QB systems make the QBs play scared.  So yeah, CBKWit’s report of Tedford’s answer is more along the lines of what we’ve always heard Tedford say than the BearInsider-Growls guy (and I’m not saying that guy is a liar, but that if Tedford gave two different answers to the same question, I believe the "truer" answer was the one he gave to CBKWit). 

So, are we going to see a two-QB system next year with Longshore and Riley?  

No, almost certainly not.