How does Fitzgerald square the circle when he says "it's about performance, not potential"? All along he has said the QB race was very close. CT has ben pretty average the first three games, admittedly against very good talent in two games. Pat says he's tired of being average, and was all over Vitale and North after they were below average in game 1. IF, and it's purely hypothetical at this point, CT is average again against Ball State, does he go ZO against Minny? Because this could be a really special season, and right now QB is by far the weak link on this team.
Average? I thought CT was several shades below average. About the only decent thing he did was hand the ball off and run. But Fitzerald would change QB's if he felt that ZO would be more productive. As bad as CT is playing, he does seem to keep the defenses honest with his scrambling ability. That buys him and the OL some time. When ZO played last year, there was no running threat and defenses just mad rushed him all day long.
CT has ripped off several 20+ runs, and with our defense, those impact runs have put the opposition in a big hole. Even putting us in FG range could be costly for the opposition since points will be very hard to come by against our defense.
McCall has drawn up some nice plays for CT, putting Vitale in motion to block on the off tackle QB keeper. CT has run off Vitale's back, pass to Vitale off that same play, and handed off to Jackson with Vitale in motion. When Vitale goes in motion, defenses have to be prepared for all 3 options. If ZO was in there, there would be no reason for Vitale's motion.
I do think playing MA for one series would be interesting. Not to replace CT but as a changeup. I hope he gets some game day experience this week.
