Between Speight and Malzone, who would you rather see start?
I realize Shane Morris is still in "the conversation," but things aren't looking too good for him right now. Based on what we've been hearing out of spring practice, the battle is really between Alex Malzone and Wilton Speight. So my question to the board is, of those two, who would you rather see start?
Speight has the measurables. He's 6'6" and 230 lbs., but has mechanical issues. He threw a crucial INT at the Under Armour game. But he redshirted and should be an ideal fit for Harbaugh's offense if he can improve.
Malzone is accurate, cerebral, and has been the most impressive with his consistency. But he's 6'2" and only a true frosh. I find it hard to believe that we can get to 9+ wins and upset MSU and OSU with a true frosh, but I suppose anything's possible with Harbaugh.
I agree with this. I think people are leaping to some really early conclusions about Speight/Malzone based on not much information.
Thanks for the comment.
I think it's at least based on some information. After all, even Brian had mentioned it on a blog post recently:
Even so, the overall vibe from that presser seemed to confirm reports floating around at Scout, Rivals, and in my inbox: there's considerable debate about who looks better between Malzone and Speight… and there ends the debate.
I don't agree with Brian's take on that press conference, and I also have heard different things. One day Morris looks better, one day Speight looks better, etc. The vibe that *I* get is that nobody is emerging right now, which is not a surprise since we're only a third of the way through spring practices.
The QB who gets the first rep of the day in drills and when they go O vs D, is the QB who won the previous day. Shane has been the guy more often than not.
That could mean he has emerged as the front runner or it could mean the competition isn't very good. Fall is where the real answers will come.
Other reports are leaning toward Morris, Malzone, Speight. August will tell the tale though, not spring.
This is the first report I've seen saying Morris is the leader so far. If this is true, that would be most welcome news. Shane is the one I really want starting. I'm hoping some actual coaching with Harbaugh and Fisch can get him to realize his potential.
You mean you've actually attended 4 practices right?
Does anyone know if HarbaughorBust is legit? I don't mean to bash him or anything but I don't recall seeing any insider info from him before or anyone talk about him, so I'm genuinely curious if I should take his info seriously.
March 16th, 2015 at 11:18 AM ^
Certainly not calling you a liar or anything, this would just be the first report from a practice attendee of this sentiment. People we all believe to be very plugged-in (Sam Webb and the scout.com crew, Brian, etc.) all have said things to the effect of "no one has seperated themselves, but Morris is a clear 3rd". Even Fisch's quotes alluded to Morris being behind. There was even the report of Morris and Jim clashing over Jim's insistence that all quarterbacks take the snap with the right hand on top.
Now, we all know Morris has the arm to beat Alex and Wilt so if he has put it together mentally (something I am highly doubtful of) then this report wouldn't be shocking, but you can understand why people are surprised by this information.
Soooooooooooo...did you get kicked out of practice too?
I think that is Malzone. I could be dead wrong, but Speight just doen't seem to have it. My opinion means less than nothing.
March 16th, 2015 at 12:22 PM ^
You're a tremendous slouch.
...
I hope that was a Caddyshack reference.
March 16th, 2015 at 12:56 PM ^
but accurate and safe are not words that come to mind when I think about true freshman QBs.
March 16th, 2015 at 11:33 AM ^
Then let's have Rudock do that and slap a redshirt on Malzone
I don't care if it is a senior (who dont have any) or a true freshman who starts, whoever wins us the most games should be our guy
Malzone. The Curse of The Borges looms heaviliy over Speight.
Don't understand this.
March 16th, 2015 at 10:29 AM ^
Not just that he recruited him, but that he was the only one to recruit him. I haven't verified this myself, but if you trust Brian's analysis of all the QB's Borges has recruited since there's a record on the internet of it, none have started as an upperclassman. One guy started one year as a sophomore at IU, then was moved to TE the next season. That's not a good track record. And unlike Morris who had a bunch of other offers and all the scouts saw his potential, Speight took a 'prep' year to get more offers, and didn't get any. Except for Borges who seemed to offer him exclusively on Steve Clarkson's opinion. You know, the QB guru Speight's parents were paying to give Speight QB lessons.
March 16th, 2015 at 11:24 AM ^
if you trust Brian's analysis of all the QB's Borges has recruited since there's a record on the internet of it, none have started as an upperclassman. One guy started one year as a sophomore at IU, then was moved to TE the next season. That's not a good track record.
This is admittedly a really good point, but is a kid really doomed to fail just because Borges recruited him? Seems a little memeish and distanced from reality. Speight is only a RS freshman at this point and could potentially have four years of being tutored by Harbaugh rather than Borges.
Steve Clarkson's opinion. You know, the QB guru Speight's parents were paying to give Speight QB lessons.
How is this a knock against Speight? Lots of QBs train with a private QB coach to get better and get more exposure. And that happens in high school, college, and the NFL. Also, lots of parents who see potential in their kid pay for private lessons or put together highlight reels. I feel like your assessment of Speight is a little unfair.
So being 6'2'' is not tall enough now? I remember Navarre having more tipped balls at the LOS more than any other QB known to man. I think height (Wilson, Brees, Flutie, College Johnny Football) is sometimes vastly overrated at the QB position.
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Sure, I think it's tall enough, but I'm not an NFL scout, and apparently people knock on 6'2" guys because it's not "prototypical" height (which is what, 6'4"? bfd). Of those four QBs you mentioned, only really two are franchise QBs in the NFL. If Malzone is the next Brees, then I say hell yeah. But what if Speight or Gentry is the next Luck?
6'2" is generous I believe. I think he's more like 6' flat. Kind of Russel Wilson height.
And have more information than anyone, including our own coaches have at this moment.
Whoever wins (probably whoever turns it over the least). Ask Michigan State, your quarterback doesn't have to be anything above vanilla to win a rose bowl. I think this means Malzone (between him and Speight). I also think this means Rudock if/when he gets here.
There was a Rivals report recently that stated it was Morris, Malzone, Speight with Morris seperating from the pack. Rudock is the wildcard right now. My guess is that Michigan brings Rudock to A2. Keep in mind, it is early spring. The real competition will happen in August.
March 16th, 2015 at 10:03 AM ^
I wonder if they're waiting to see how the QBs shake out through spring before deciding to bring in Ruddock.
March 16th, 2015 at 10:19 AM ^
Gut feeling says JH brings him in. Nothing to lose.
March 16th, 2015 at 10:31 AM ^
That's what I was thinking. Wouldn't affect scholly counts past this year, and they look to have a couple spots if they need. Unless they're thinking about giving those open schollys to some walk-ons who have earned them. Who knows. But bringing in another QB option with a lot of experience seems like a Harbaugh thing to do. Make starter really earn their spot.
Tough question. I'll go with, "whoever is better."
whoever plays better!
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Because Jim Harbaugh doesn't do what Jim Harbaugh does because he's Jim Harbaugh....Jim Harbaugh does what Jim Harbaugh does because Jim Harbaugh is......Jim Harbaugh
I approve
He will raise the bar.
David Cone
If it came to these two, then whoever threw the least amount of INTs. This will probably be one of the, if not the most important thing for the QB to accomplish this season.
I want the best player to win the job. I don't care who it is. Crazy, huh?
big deal for a college QB, for the NLF maybe but lets remember there is a big difference between being a great collge player and great NFL player...and for now I'll be happy with just a great collge QB.
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Me thinks you are getting misinformation. Morris is probably the leader, Malzone 2nd, and Speight 3rd.
I do think Gentry or Malzone will eventually be "the guy" though. Not to say it won't be Morris or Speight running the show come game time, but I'd bet one of the freshmen will be our guy by either mid-season or for the 2016 season.
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March 16th, 2015 at 10:06 AM ^
If either of them gives us the best chance to win, then go with that individual. I want us to have the personnel on the field that give us the best chance for a win, I couldn't care less, nor do I even think about, who I would rather see start at any position.