QB Contro at UA

There’s No Quarterback Controversy at the UA

Robert Shields

There seems to be some push to make people believe that there is a quarterback controversy, or at the least competition, at the University of Arkansas between Tyler Wilson and Ryan Mallett. I guess fans buy into that so easily because they like to believe the idea that there are two SEC-caliber quarterbacks on campus ready to blow the competition away.

But there is hardly anything close to a quarterback controversy for the Razorbacks.

I know some of the local preseason magazines show both of them on the cover and have interviewed both like they are some type of equals on the team with equal starting chances. Many like to point out that Wilson gets the offense and that he’s smart. It doesn’t matter.

Let that controversy or idea of a competition for the starting job end now. Mallett will be the starter short of getting caught with a Foot Locker card and some cocaine. Not even a steroids bust will stop him from playing. Wilson may be a fine person and a great student of the game, but I am here to tell you now that if you are confused he is no Mallett.

Mallett may end up being a flop on the field, but in pure raw ability he is by far the best Razorback to take on the position as QB1. Michigan’s Lloyd Carr did not start him as a true freshman because he lacked ability. The reason Carr started him was because he has Michigan Wolverine-caliber ability as a quarterback in the lines of Tom Brady and a host of others.

He fits the bill at 6 feet 7 inches and pushing 250 pounds. At such size, he will not go down easily for defenders. Some will point out that Matt Jones was the same way (regarding being hard to bring down). The difference is that Mallett will be looked at as a QB in the pros and Jones was not.

I don’t know why there’s the fetish to believe that the second guy is always better than the starter when it comes to quarterback, but it has always been the case. Everyone loves the associate pastor instead of the pastor. I promise you, if you attend a game or two this season, you will hear some fan yell, “Put in Wilson.”

Mallett is not close to perfect and has his load of problems, but the coaches know he has the best starting blocks to be a great quarterback. There are some things you just can’t coach and Mallett has a lot of those abilities.

Mallett threw a few interceptions in spring that were not pretty and that will have to be corrected. He made a mistake in the offseason, but that aside it appears that he has grown in maturity since that mistake, which is a huge plus for the team.

He seems gutsy. He has the arm. He will have the power when needed to get the tough yard. I believe now he has the trust of the team.

Mallett will be on some people’s ballot after SEC media days as one of the leading quarterbacks in the conference. Wilson will not be on that list. Mallett will be bestowed that level by some without even ever taking a snap at Arkansas, which says a lot of what others outside this state think of his ability.

There is no other position in college football that matters like quarterback. The Hogs have been lacking in that position for almost a decade. Now you will get to see a team that has one. A great quarterback finds a way to win. We will see if Mallett is that caliber of signal caller this season.

The only way a real quarterback controversy ignites is if Mallett gets injured or suspended and Wilson has to take over in a game and he performs well. And as a fan, you better hope that does not happen.



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