Ideally it would be best if Jimmy Clausen came in, played spectacularly, and beat out the other 3 guys with each of them playing to their max. This isn't realistic, but it would be ideal for the team's success. Given that Clausen will be a Frosh, that Jones/Frazer did not get any game action last year, and that Sharpley didn't get asked to do much when he was inserted into late action, it would be impossible to say 'who I want to start'. Too many unknowns. It will be much easier to form opinions when news starts to filter out about spring ball. Repost this thread in the summer.
Regarding the large number of comments about 'Sharpley being used in late action, to preserve Jones/Frazer eligibility': IMO, the arguments make little sense. There are a few reasons why it would be ludicrous to suggest that Coach Weis would take that approach:
-Weis was NOT thinking about 2010 as the year unfolded, he was focused on 2006. Do you honestly believe that if Quinn had been hurt, that Weis would have wanted to insert his 'real back-up' having not given that player any GAME reps prior to the injury? Do you think that Weis has coached in the NFL, and is now the HC in South Bend, by accident? He surely would want to have a back-up available who had at least been in SOME LIVE ACTION. You may think that handing the ball off to Alridge is meaningless, but the fact of getting into games is a HUGE deal for young players (helps with building confidence).
-Weis has the UNANIMOUS #1 QB for the 2007 class coming in next year. Do you think that Weis was really mostly concerned about having BOTH Jones and Frazer retain eligibility for 2010? At the expense of potentially impacting development of Jones or Frazer for next year (where Clausen will be a Frosh and may not start). Weis is a pretty confident guy, so he would surely expect to be getting the top 1-3 rated QB in at least every other draft class. I doubt his big concern this year was 2010 eligibility for Frazer/Jones.
-Also, in the same vein of thinking. Many people suggested in another thread that Jones and/or Frazer are at risk of transfering given the expectations on Clausen. Weis surely has high expectations of Clausen for the future. Weis would have likely had the same thoughts about one or both of this year's frosh potentially transferring if Clausen meets the hype. Thus, isn't it logical that Weis wouldn't be as worried about both guys retaining their eligibility in 2010 as he would be about having one ready to back up Quinn for 2006 and be better developped for 2007?
When was it ever demonstrated that Sharpley was not as good as Jones or Frazer. Is this based on the number of stars these guys were assigned as recruits? Clearly Sharpley hasn't shown much in his limited game time; but HE is the guy that Coach Weis is putting in. There is a reason for that; and it is not about preserving a 5th year for guys who are current freshmen. Weis wants to win soon, not in 2010.
Not saying that Sharpley in 2007 will be ahead of the other 3; but I don't understand how anyone could argue that he is definitely the odd man out. Is there something posted somewhere where Weis indicates that Sharpley is NOT a potential QB for 2007? The only quotes that I have seen are that the position is open, it is a 4 man race, and will be won based on merit. Are the posters here better judges of the QB talent than the guy with the big rings on his fingers???
