No word yet

Just wanted you to know I didn't forget about the QB. Friday came and gone, no word yet. I'll let you know when I get it.

Oh, Hud can't we get along?

Let me preface this by saying for the millionth time that I'm not rooting for one QB or the other. Quite frankly, I get paid either way, and the only reason I keep writing about it is because you guys are interested in it and I'm here to serve you. So I try and get you updates. Don't blame the messenger for the results of those updates. All I can do is ask the questions and give you the answers I'm given and try to interpret them.

In fact, I pointed out the negatives in waiting this long to make the decision (I told him what I've told you guys, that I think he'd have been better off picking one and going with it.) It doesn't do anyone any good to learn two drastically different offenses. And I used the quotes where Mac was critical of himself. That's hardly "kissing" him.

My point about Aubrey's experience was that he has started in this offense and played games at this level. Which is true. You could argue that I could have used a different term than "dual threat," (and you'd be right, I wish I had worded that better) but when Aubrey rolls out he can run or throw. Also true. None of that is opinion. How well he does it, I'll leave up to you to judge.

I wrote that Hunter is thought of to be the more accurate passer because that's what I've heard from some folks in the program. I haven't seen him enough to make my own determination. That's another reason I'm not saying who SHOULD start. I'm just telling you who I think he'll pick based on what I'm hearing.

As I've said, the vibes I'm getting tell me that Mac wants to pick Aubrey. That's my observation. Has nothing to do with my opinion. He might not. It could be that he's been waiting to name Aubrey the starter and can't because he hasn't earned it. It could be that he's had Hunter picked out the entire offseason and just did all this to keep Aubrey working hard by not naming a QB. Or maybe he'll pull a name out of a hat today.

All I know is, one way or the other, I'll tell you as soon as I know who the QB is. I expect it to be today. If it's the guy you're rooting for, wonderful. If it's not, don't shoot the messenger.

But remember two things 1) I'm just telling you what I know and observe, nothing else. I've been wrong before about things I have a much better grasp on than this. 2) I don't pick the winner, so don't yell at me one way or the other.

Your women's soccer preview

Season starts tonight at UHa. The Devils should be good.

http://www.newbritainherald.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=20086410&BRD=1641&PAG=461&dept_id=17739&rfi=6

Rooting for no one

Just a couple of thoughts on the QB thing.

1) I'm not rooting for anyone. Hunter has been a great kid the couple times I've worked with him, and I haven't seen him play enough to have a handle on who SHOULD be the starter. I'm not rooting for either one, nor am I qualified to make the decision.

2) When I've told you I think Mac is going to pick Aubrey, I've meant it, but based on what he's told me and what I know of Mac. It's not that I HOPE he picks either guy. My job is to report to you my observations. And from what I observe, I think he wants very much to give Aubrey the job. Remember, I'm trying to take you inside MAC'S mind, not mine. When it comes to basketball, where I'm better qualified to give you my opinion, I'll chime in occasionally. But for now, I'm just trying to give you the view from inside the halls of the athletic building as best as I can read it.

3) Big Blue -- I wouldn't be so sure that the announcement will really come Friday. That's what Mac said so that's what I wrote, but he's moved the target date back several times now. Could be a gametime decision at this point.

QB update

It's the 20th, but there's still no QB. End of the week is the new timetable. Here's a quick story that will be in the paper in a day or so.


By MATT STRAUB
Sports Editor
NEW BRITAIN -- The decision is coming soon. It has to. The season is, too.
Central Connecticut football coach Jeff McInerney wasn’t ready to name a quarterback on Wednesday afternoon, but expects to make a decision this week, probably on Friday.
“We haven’t made the decision yet, that’s the honest answer,” McInerney said. “We have to figure out who and what we are.”
McInerney was referring to the two different styles of offense his quarterbacks are best suited to handle. Aubrey Norris a junior with loads of experience in his corner, has speed and agility to go with a big frame that makes him a dual threat, especially outside the pocket. Junior college transfer Hunter Wanket is more of a traditional passer, and was thought of as the more accurate passer when he arrived in New Britain.
But neither has stood out enough to win the job yet.
“We have to let it play out, but I’m in the process of narrowing it down,” McInerney said. “To be honest, right now I’m not prepared [to name a starter.] I just have to make a call. It’s a big decision. You have to handle it right.”
The decision has to come soon so his team can handle it as well.
“I think it has affected our play, I think it’s affected our consistency,” McInerney said of the mixing of the two quarterbacks in practice. "There’s no panic in me. I just want to do the right thing.”
McInerney has seen his team practice and scrimmage now, but hasn’t yet seen an offensive style emerge, never mind a quarterback.
“I’m a little bit frustrated because I can’t see the picture,” he said. “If I can’t see the picture, I don’t want to make a rash decision.”
McInerney said he has ruled out using two quarterbacks. something he had mentioned was a possibility last week.
“I’m convinced you have to have one quarterback,” he said. “As time goes on, I regret not just naming one (coming into training camp). Each one does something different, so you try and put things into the offense for each one.”
While the total offensive system isn’t in place yet, McInerney isn’t concerned that it will be a problem in the long term.
“There’s still time. We haven’t even played a game,” he said. “My job is to take the ‘what if’s and make sure they don’t become ‘if only’s.”