QB has to have presence

By John Shinn
The Norman Transcript

August 18, 2007 01:18 am

— The phrase “huddle presence” has been thrown around by Oklahoma’s coaching staff like invalid points in a political debate.
And yet the phrase isn’t something used to steer clear of the real issue. Huddle presence will likely be the deciding factor in the competition between Sam Bradford, Joey Halzle and Keith Nichol to become the Sooners’ next starting quarterback.
But what does it mean?
There is no exact definition. Like many things, you just know it when you see it.
“There’s a way you look, there’s a way you act, there’s a way you talk,” offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson said.
A strong arm is a great thing for a quarterback to have. Fleet feet are a major bonus. The ability to quickly decipher defenses always comes in handy.
But above else he must project confidence to those around him. He must be a leader.
Some quarterbacks have it and others don’t. It was one of the reasons Paul Thompson helped the Sooners rise from the ashes of Rhett Bomar’s dismissal to win a Big 12 title.
There were quarterbacks out there with better arms. There were quarterbacks who were more agile. Bottom line was the other 10 guys in the huddle believed Thompson could do what needed to be done.
“Whatever it is, Paul had it,” Kelly said. “He always knew the right thing to say.”
Offensive tackle Duke Robinson remembers the way Thompson walked into the huddle during last season’s Big 12 championship game and announced it was time to go score.
Didn’t matter that the ball was on the Sooners’ 1-yard line and they had struggled to do anything offensively that night.
The ensuing 99-yard drive paved the way for a 21-7 victory over Nebraska. Moments like that will be expected from OU’s quarterback this season.
“Paul Thompson was an amazing leader on and off the field. That was one of his best aspects,” Halzle said. “I learned a lot just sitting back and watching him. When things went bad he didn’t let that sway him and make him timid on the field or anything. He just kept competing.”
Quarterbacks coach Josh Heupel, who was a pretty good leader during his two seasons as OU quarterback, has been trying to hammer that home every day.
Heupel’s biggest beef with the Sooners’ scrimmage last Saturday was the way the quarterbacks failed to take charge. The offense struggled to move the ball for several reasons. The running game wasn’t a major factor. There was poor protection that led to sacks. Illegal procedure penalties put the offense in a hole.
It didn’t matter to Heupel.
“Those are things the three guys at the quarterback position have to clean up,” he said.
The Sooners hope things will be different when they scrimmage at 6 tonight at Owen Field.
Bradford, Halzle and Nichol will all take get their shots to run the offense. All will have some good plays and some bad ones.
But will one emerge as the guy who commands attention when he walks into the huddle and as the guy the players believe will get the job done.
That’s what coaches are looking for when they talk about huddle presence.
John Shinn
366-3536
jshinn@normantranscript.com