Morris and Harris in a ‘dead heat’ at quarterback

There were rumors earlier this week that sophomore Stephen Morris had a leg up on senior Jacory Harris in the quarterback competition taking place daily out at Greentree, but according to coaches the two are neck-and-neck with no one standing out more than the other. Both the Miami Herald and Palm Beach Post had the same “dead heat” headline going this morning as that’s the message reigning down for head coach Al Golden and staff.

“It’s like a dead heat right now, doesn’t look like it’ll be resolved before then,” said Golden. “That’s good. They’re going to keep competing. I think it’s awesome. Neither one is backing down.”

With what the fans and media have seen from Golden over the past eight months, this sounds more motivational that confessional. The season opener at Maryland is just over three weeks out and over that span the first-year head coach wants both of these guys going at it non-stop until one separates himself from the other. Even if one currently it, no reason to inflate that guy’s head (or rattle the confidence of the other) at this point, anyways.

Days back the Herald’s Susan Miller Degnan reported that she’d heard from inside Hecth’s walls that Morris was leading. Maybe he is, maybe he isn’t, but regardless, nothing will be confirmed until a decision is made.

There’s a few trains of thought regarding the senior or sophomore and unless one truly pulls away from the other, differentiating himself, Coach Golden has a no-win situation on his hands.

A logical approach if it truly is a “dead heat”; go with the youth movement and invest in the sophomore. Morris has three years remaining and Harris has one. Let the future of the program get his reps now, take some lumps and hope that he learns on the fly and as an upperclassmen next year, has valuable experience.

Like Dorsey’s sophomore campaign in 2000 – after some last season back-up action as a freshman in 1999, like Morris saw last season – it set the stage for a tremendous run over the next few years.

Of course the downside is shattered confidence for your senior if you go with the young guy. Should Golden call on Harris if Morris is injured, or falters, where is Jacory’s head come go-time – knowing he wasn’t the chosen one?

Go with Harris and experience over Morris and potential and it could throw a wrench in the agenda of eliminating turnovers if there hasn’t been true growth since last season.

There x-factor is new coordinator Jedd Fisch and his offensive philosophy, as well as the ability to coach up both quarterbacks. A solid offensive line, a run-heavy attack and shorter passes to receivers, putting the onus on them to rack up some yards after catch will in itself help cut down on interceptions – but it all comes down to who is more mentally prepared for what’s coming down the pike this season.

As ‘The Beast’ mentioned on last night’s edition of allCanes Radio, there’d be no better sports story in the city of Miami this year than Harris getting it right. Hometown kid and high school national champion who struggled at ‘The U’, only to turn it around his final season, putting the Canes back on the map and winning the ACC, a BCS bowl game or more?

With the Heat coming up short, the Marlins in the tank and the Dolphins expected to hover in mediocrity, the Canes become the big show and with a hometown hero at the helm, it’s the type of comeback story we’ve grown to love as American sports enthusiasts.

Some in the Harris camp are convinced that many have it out for J12, but I don’t buy it. This is a program that’s been insignificant for the better part of this past decade and if Seantrel Henderson could get it done under center, people would back the big man gladly.

This isn’t about Harris or Morris; it’s about getting the job done. It’s about living up to the moniker of ‘Quarterback U’ again. It’s about big talk being backed up by bigger play.

It’s about leadership. It’s about results. It’s about moving the ball, running an offense and winning meaningful games. ‘The U’ hasn’t truly had “that guy” since Ken Dorsey lost his final collegiate game in January 2003.

Hell, the Brock Berlin era everyone thought was mediocre at the time – we’d have paid good money for 11-2 or 9-3 (and consistent wins over Florida and Florida State) the past few years.

Based on nothing more than a sneaking suspicion, my gut tells me Morris wins the job. One year of bad coaching versus three years is a lot to overcome and from what it looked like, former offensive coordinator Mark Whipple threw in the towel on Harris early in 2010, creating a junior campaign where the starting quarterback wasn’t given the tutelage he so badly needed.

Can Fisch reverse this in a matter of months? Maybe. But even if the new offensive coordinator resurrects Harris, would Morris not be learning and growing at the same time?

I’d love a fairy tale ending where the hometown senior is light years better than the up and coming sophomore, but if this this is a close as is being reported, you go with the better investment and Morris can be your present, as well as your future.

A true quarterback competition. It’s the reason head coaches earn seven figures a year while the rest of us spew theories and scratch our heads.

Game on and may the best Cane win.

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