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There’s a football adage that the talking heads and former players love to spout: if you have two quarterbacks, you don’t have any quarterbacks. If that’s the case, what is there to say about Vanderbilt’s quarterback situation?
Not to sound like LeBron James, but Derek Mason’s depth chart for the Commodores’ upcoming game against Massachusetts lists not two, not three but four co-starters behind center. After Stephen Rivers got the start against Mississippi, redshirt freshman Johnny McCrary jumps to the top spot, although the next three QBs on the chart have “OR” listed next to their name, a pretty clear indication that Mason doesn’t have much faith in any of his passers.
Mason described the battle, which looks more like a pillow fight each week, as an “open competition” on his radio show. The results through two games have been ugly. Vandy has yet to score an offensive touchdown and they’re completing 37 percent of their pass attempts. After rotating McCrary, Stephen Rivers and Patton Robinette in the season opening loss to Temple, Mason stuck with Rivers the whole way against Ole Miss. Neither worked.
Still, Mason believes he has a winning quarterback somewhere on his roster. Whichever QB that is, he hasn’t shown himself yet. The first year coach knows what he’s looking for, at least.
“We need a guy who can extend plays a little bit, who can move the ball down the field accurately,” Mason said at his press conference. “You can’t underestimate a guy who’s consistent, who can provide leadership.”
Could that guy end up being true freshman Wade Freebeck? He’s moved into the race for the job and is listed in that cluster on the depth chart, and Mason seems unconcerned about burning a potential redshirt year.
With Mason describing every game as a must-win, he needs to find a consistent option behind center as soon as possible. Mason acknowledged that he has to find a way to better take advantage of his passers’ skill sets, something he said you don’t have to worry about when you know who your guy is. He said he’s willing to simplify or diversify his offense, whatever will get the offense clicking.
There’s no telling when the position will shake itself out, or even who will take the majority of the snaps this week. Vanderbilt’s running game has been decent, but they can’t lean on that against eight-man fronts. Hopefully for ‘Dores fans, Mason is right and one of his four passers can prove himself to be the guy.
If not, it’s going to be a long season.
A former freelance journalist from Philadelphia, Brett has made the trek down to SEC country to cover the greatest conference in college football.
