At college level, 2016 champ Clemson among those seeking to settle position
There is a natural revolving door at quarterback in college football. Great players leave — often early — and must be replaced.
Teams are used to the constant adjustments, but there always is uncertainty. Even the slightest drop in performance can alter a team’s chemistry and success.
Most of the top teams in the preseason polls thankfully aren’t facing this challenge. But there are five potential College Football Playoff contenders seeking answers to their quarterback questions with the season at hand.
CLEMSON
The last throw of Deshaun Watson’s career ended with the Tigers winning a national title.
mal Saturday after he received a surprise start against the Detroit Lions. Coach Todd Bowles doesn’t plan to name a starter until next week, but journeyman Josh McCown will almost surely get the nod if the Jets want to be remotely competitive. Bryce Petty seems like an afterthought.
Cleveland Browns: Like the Jets, they might be pursuing one of the promising studs expected to highlight the 2018 draft ... unless they make a move for Jimmy Garoppolo or Kirk Cousins in free agency first. For now, coach Hue Jackson seems to be deciding between veteran Brock Osweiler and rookie DeShone Kizer and hopes to “put this thing to bed” Wednesday. Judging by the stats, it’s a slam-dunk for Kizer, who lofted a game-winning 45yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter of the preseason opener, then scored Cleveland’s only touchdown in Monday’s win against the New York Giants on a 1-yard run. He has a great arm and provides a dimension of mobility that Osweiler lacks. But Kizer has not faced starting-level competition, and Jackson and his staff have seemed content to bring the second-rounder along slowly. Jackson said Kizer played much better Monday but said his verdict likely would be based on a gut feeling. That could mean a nod for Osweiler, who initially didn’t appear to be in the club’s plans after being acquired in an offseason salary dump. Cody Kessler seems destined for clipboard duties.
ROOKIE WATCH
Chicago Bears: No. 2 overall pick Mitchell Trubisky has been busy impressing skeptical Bears fans. But stopgap Mike Glennon, who has the support of veteran coach John Fox, rebounded in his second start after a forgettable first outing. Perhaps more telling, Mark Sanchez was first out of the bullpen Saturday, while Trubisky played with reserves clinging to the bottom of the roster.
Houston Texans: After a stirring debut, Deshaun Watson missed on seven of 10 throws in his second contest, while veteran Tom Savage connected on eight of nine, including a touchdown. Coach Bill O’Brien has treated Savage as the starter all year, and it appears any momentum Watson was building to move to the top of the depth chart has stalled.
Kansas City Chiefs: When they picked Patrick Mahomes in the first round, there was rampant speculation 2017 would be a redshirt year and possibly 2018, the final year incumbent QB Alex Smith is under contract, too. Coach Andy Reid is resolutely behind Smith, saying Monday, “It’s Alex’s job. That’s what it is. There’s no gray area with that.” Still, Mahomes appears to be well ahead of schedule and is entrenched as the primary backup after three of his first 17 preseason completions resulted in touchdowns.