A few thoughts on the announcement:
1. Gallup, it's okay man. You've really put yourself out there for Frazer and I don't think anyone is under the impression that you misled them. I think everyone was envisioning a two-deep scenario, and a three-deep situation changes everything. I would imagine that the QBs were under this impression as well until fairly late in the process. This sort of curve is similar to the one thrown at Trattou that ultimately led him to Florida. If Zach opts out for a different school, good luck to him. He's a good kid by all acounts and I think everyone will follow his career.
2. It's tough to watch a well-liked player like Frazer get left behind. We're happy for the guys that made it, but sad for the one that didn't, but that's the nature of competition. Ultimately, a scholarship is not an entitlement to play but affords a chance to compete. This is the cost of program improvement.
3. Inasmuch as Weis' decision to go with three QBs should be taken at face value, I can't help but wonder at a change like this. My opinion, for the 2 cents that it is worth, is that the passing game did not establish itself clearly enough in the Spring to clearly put pass-oriented quarterbacks like Clausen and Sharpley out in front and completely eliminate DD. If the receivers and the passing game is suspect coming out of Spring, it would be foolish to write off a dual-threat quarterback that can tuck the ball and run to make plays. From this decision, I feel that the 2007 Fighting Irish offense has yet to establish its identity. I don't think it will until the fall when the team goes full throttle and the freshman come in, providing Weis with a complete team look. Until that happens, all options are on the table.
4. My gut tells me that Sharpley will start, but I see two senarios playing out in the fall and over the first few games. Scenario 1 is that the passing game does not get established and the line remains suspect due to inexperience, at which point I see DD backing up Sharpley and getting into the game due to the intangibles he brings to the table. If this happens, Weis will keep Clausen out this season to allow the receiver corps time to get built up to accomodate a pass offense. Frankly, it would be wise to keep a talented pass-oriented QB like Clausen out of harm's way during a transitionary period like this and save him for a time when the entire offense- the line, the running game, and the receiver corps -is better established with more experience.
Scenario 2 is that the recievers- existing and incoming freshman -develop and the line establishes a presence. If that's the case, Clausen gets the green light and becomes number 2. Either way, it will be up to the team to decide this and Weis is going to establish a system that gives him the best chance of winning.
