Ray Ratto
Jeff Tedford's secret is safe. So far, even from him. And, strangest of all, it is a secret that might not amount to much after all. Tedford is brain-wrestling with himself over his starting quarterback decision for Saturday's Stanford game. He's been at it since Sunday morning, really, and by every indication, he plans to be at it through Thursday, and maybe even Friday. "Actually, I don't have to decide anything until after the coin flip," he said, smiling unconvincingly. "I may not even tell them." "Them" is Joseph Ayoob, the beleaguered starter, and Steve Levy, the fresh-faced backup. "Them" also can be the media, the alums, the bloggers, the chat-room regulars and the student section denizens, all of whom have helped set Tedford's nerves on edge. "I don't know that people know what the kid's gone through," he said of Ayoob, who was routinely booed, insulted and savaged after a profoundly difficult USC game, and a largely frustrating season in general. "What the kid's gone through, and what his parents have gone through." Tedford does not normally reveal his pique, but on this topic, he is in full fume. He hasn't tried to sugarcoat Ayoob's shortcomings, going so far Saturday as to include not only fundamentals but basic confidence. This is an unusual admission for most coaches, who defend their players almost reflexively and almost never delve into questions of mood. Football players need not only toughness, but testimonials on the veneer of toughness. Tedford, though, was and is making a point about how much pointed criticism is enough, and though he is most likely fighting a losing battle here, he is reducing his quarterback choice to three things:
-- Can Ayoob rally mentally from a profoundly difficult day dealt him both by the Trojans and by the folks who claim to have his back?
-- Can he show Tedford he is not only ready but eager to start Saturday?
-- If not, how prepared can Levy actually be, having played nearly not at all?
And because Tedford will need all of today's and Thursday's practices to make up his mind, he is not going to reveal his choice before then. If this sounds at least a bit like Mike Nolan's weekly quarterback fender-bender down the road, it is because it is. Tim Rattay was traded, found guilty of potentially retarding Alex Smith's growth. Smith got hurt, and so did Ken Dorsey. In other words, Steve Levy is playing the part of Cody Pickett, the sentimental favorite based on the overwhelming evidence of having provided no evidence at all. Compare this also to Walt Harris' issue-ette at Stanford, where starter Trent Edwards' left (read: non-throwing) hand looks a lot like his left foot. Edwards will start, though, which means that Harris' decision is not Edwards vs. T.C. Ostrander, but how many pounds of bandaging Edwards can handle without falling over. It is the nature of the position -- fans essentially love quarterbacks who haven't offended them by actually playing, the type of logical leap that has caused literally millions of cerebral sports hernias over the years. Fans have their vote, especially now that they can boo and blog without ever dropping their beers. And this wouldn't be an issue, except that Cal fans are apparently really good at voting. They have questioned, sometimes with exquisite cruelty, just how much Ayoob's well-documented dyslexia is affecting his play. Which brings us back to Ayoob, and the most important practices of his career. Tedford has to find a way to make those practices seem not quite so critical, and in fact said, "I'm hoping to keep it light and easygoing for him a little bit." Tedford wants to see just how deep a pit Ayoob has constructed for himself, and how quickly he can escape it. And then, strangely, he will construct an offensive game plan that logic loudly suggests will be even more run-heavy than any of the previous 10 games. Stanford ranks nearly last in the Pac-10 Conference in run defense, and last in overall defense. The Bears' attack goes as far as running backs Marshawn Lynch, Justin Forsett and Chris Manderino will take them. This is your basic three-letter connect-the-dots game. Thus, the identity of the Cal quarterback would not seem to be as vital as it would be under normal circumstances, and if Cal can get an early lead on the Cardinal, it will be even more a matter of don't-drop-the-snap-and-put-the-ball-in-the-right-gut. Still, Tedford has to play this with greater-than-average delicacy, because as much as he wants to say he has coached teams that went to the Insight and Holiday Bowls in successive years, he also doesn't want to have Joe Ayoob's season in hell on his conscience if he can do anything to avert it.
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