Published: September 07, 2008 10:39 pm            

MARK MAYNARD: Let QBs decide it on field 09/08

One is efficient. One is flashy. It would seem there’s a genuine quarterback controversy at the University of Kentucky.

Mike Hartline is the efficient one. He has done what has been asked him. Play it safe. Play it cool. Don’t turn it over. The play-calling becomes conservative with Hartline taking the snaps. Easy does it.

Randall Cobb is the flashy one. He’s athletic, more exciting, and more dangerous. Anything goes when Cobb is behind center. But with great reward comes great risk.

The fans don’t see a controversy. They see Cobb taking snaps. Period.

But before handing over the reins of an SEC team to a true freshman, even a true freshman that appears to be that good, better take it slow.

Kentucky’s quarterback tandem may be the way to go, at least for now. That’s what it appeared to be headed toward in the offseason when Curtis Pulley was going to battle Hartline for playing time. Pulley’s off-the-field problems made Hartline QB1 by default.

But Cobb’s playing style is much in the mold of Pulley. The advantage in Cobb’s corner is that Kentucky needs playmakers on offense and he’s a playmaker. He’ll make mistakes – fumbles, forcing plays, etc. - because of being a playmaker

Hartline is the safe choice, somebody who knows the offense, who can manage the clock. He’s somebody who can play it safe. Steady as she goes. Few mistakes and few flashy moments. But with the defense able to control opponents, safe is a good option, too. There’s nothing wrong with defensive victories.

Before everybody gets too carried away with any kind of quarterback controversy, consider the opponents so far.

Clearly, Louisville isn’t as bad as it looked against Kentucky. But the Cardinals aren’t going to be sniffing the Top 25 either.

And Norfolk State? I’d hope Cobb or Hartline could engineer a victory over the Spartans. Will Fidler could have probably done it, too.

If Hartline has won the starting job, let him keep it … for now. But Hartline and Cobb should have a two-game audition for the position. Use them both equally against Middle Tennessee (which, by the way, upset Maryland on Saturday) this week and then again in two weeks against Western Kentucky University.

Those are games where experimentation is possible. Benching Hartine would be confidence shattering for him and, even if he’s not the best man for the job, there’s going to come a time during the rugged SEC part of the schedule that he could be needed.

Bottom line: These two games have determined nothing final about the best man for the job. That’s still a question to be answered.

MARK MAYNARD can be reached at mmaynard@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2648.

        

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