No shying away: Possibility of a multiple-QB system on the table
CLEMSON – As the sun began to set in Sunset, South Carolina, Dabo Swinney shed some more light on the ever popular quarterback conversation.
The question of who will be Clemson’s quarterback has transformed into “what is it going to take to win the job outright?” Swinney and his staff have been asked thousands of times. The questions won’t stop there as Swinney heads to Charlotte for ACC Media Days.
But the message at the Reserve on Lake Keowee Tuesday night was simple: If you’re good enough, you’re going to play. No matter what.
Yes, it does sound like we’ve heard this turn of phrase before. That all three quarterbacks are “good enough” and could play at any point in time. But when members of Clemson’s coaching staff were asked about the possibility of playing a multiple quarterback system, none shied away from the possibility.
Including the head man.
“At that position, it’s always nice to have a guy that we kind of just hang a hat on,” Swinney said. “But having said that, there’s nothing wrong with having really good players, multiple good players, at any position.”
Swinney eluded to a rotation a couple of years ago between two premier defensive linemen, Shaq Lawson and Vic Beasley, to help make his point. The two players were able to rotate and possessed similar skill sets. Both players were good enough to play and added value to Clemson's defensive front.
At running back this year, it is a similar situation between Tavien Feaster and Travis Etienne. There’s a rotation because there isn’t enough separation between the two in the competition for the starting spot. The list could go on.
“I didn’t care who started,” Swinney said referring to the Beasley-Lawson competition. “Just got play well. We didn’t rotate them just because we were trying to make them happy. We rotated them because they were both really good and they both practiced very well, and they both helped us win.”
This is the quarterback position. A position battle that if handled the incorrect way could be detrimental to a team’s psyche and chemistry. Some would say this is the same type of situation that derailed Clemson’s season in 2014 when Deshaun Watson arrived.
But don’t get it twisted. This August will be a completely different situation than 2014. Well, except for the fact the coaching staff knew Watson was going to play the fourth series of game one regardless of what went down.
Swinney said Cole Stoudt didn’t regress when he was the starting quarterback. Watson just took off and soared. There was a separation.
Watson was ready. And as far as what we’ve heard, Trevor Lawrence could be too.
Quarterbacks coach Brandon Streeter said what he loves about Lawrence is the poise he has shown, in high school on the biggest stage and throughout the spring. He wouldn’t hesitate to throw Lawrence under the lights in College Station if the moment presented itself.
But then Streeter was quick to compliment Bryant on his ability to respond and perform when his back is against the wall. Streeter said Bryant has sadly “gotten used” to the skepticism out there of him.
This time a year ago, Bryant was about to soar. He took the starting quarterback role when there was a question mark. He separated himself.
The bottom line is if there is not enough of a clear-cut separation between Bryant and Lawrence, then the possibility of a two-quarterback system is very much in play.
All three quarterbacks are going to play against Furman. And if Bryant were to somehow lose the job between now and September, he’ll still make his presence felt on offense.
“Regardless of what happens, Kelly is going to have the opportunity to play,” Swinney said. “If he gets beat out, how are you not going to play Kelly Bryant? You don’t think he can help us win? Please.”
August isn’t even here yet, but the topic around these talented quarterbacks Streeter has in his position room is continuing to heat up in the middle of July. The staff isn’t shying away from admitting they are evaluating their options depending on what will happen down the road.
As the sun set on Swinney’s media golf outing, the sun was just beginning to rise on the idea of a dual-quarterback system at Clemson.
“We’ll see how it all plays out, but I am not opposed to that,” Swinney added. “I’ve seen people be very successful playing two quarterbacks.”