Is there a QB controversy? Matt Schaub says there shouldn’t be

By Jerry Ratcliffe

Have been asked on some radio talk shows this week if there is a quarterback controversy at Virginia, and if so, could there be a change coming during the Cavaliers’ bye week.

UVA doesn’t play this weekend, its second bye week of the season, and will get back into action a week from Saturday at Pitt.

My answer to those questions were a simple “no,” and “no.”

I don’t think there should be a QB controversy and I don’t think there will be a change for the Pitt game. I do think Anthony Colandrea will start and play, while reliable backup Tony Muskett will be poised to come in for whatever reason.

We talked about the QB situation during this week’s “The Jerry & Jerry Show” with our special guest, former Virginia star and 17-year NFL veteran Matt Schaub (you can listen to the interview by clicking here).

Both Schaub and I were on the same page. Why would you yank a guy who has started the entire season and perhaps destroy his confidence, particularly a guy who will most likely be your starter for the next two years? Colandrea has played well at times this season, and while he has struggled the past two games, he is clearly the guy that opposing coaches focus on when it comes to beating Virginia.

Remember what North Carolina coach Mack Brown said after his Tar Heels upset Virginia last weekend, 41-14? Brown said that he realized during his scout of UVA that “Number 10 (Colandrea) was Virginia’s spirit … stop No. 10 and you stop Virginia.”

Let’s face it, with UVA’s offensive line missing two starters, Colandrea’s protection was shaky at best. That’s why he was sacked 9 times and under duress the entire afternoon. As for the previous week at Clemson, not a lot of QBs have had a lot of success against the Tigers this season.

At Clemson, AC was 15 for 26, 159 yards and two touchdowns, no interceptions. Against North Carolina, he was 16 for 28, 156 yards, 0 TD, 2 interceptions.

No, those aren’t typical Colandrea numbers, but consider the circumstances. Also consider that Colandrea is much more mobile than Muskett, which means Muskett may have been a sitting duck for UNC’s aggressive defense. By the time he came into the game, it was academic, and Brown had essentially called in the dogs.

Will Virginia’s remaining opponents, three of which are nationally ranked (Pitt, Notre Dame, SMU) in addition to Virginia Tech, closely view that Carolina video? Dang right they will, so UVA may have to find a way to incorporate more of a moving pocket to protect Colandrea, who is generally pretty effective on the run.

Here’s what Schaub thought about the issue:

“I may differ from a lot of people’s opinions on this, but I think you stand your ground that it’s Anthony Colandrea’s football team and he’s the starter. It’s a decision you made going into the season. He’s played well at times and has some really exciting potential. He’s a second-year player, so he has far less experience playing in game-like situations than Tony Muskett, so stand firm and have him play through some trials and tribulations and some adversity.”

Schaub said he knows there’s a handful of throws that Colandrea would like to have back, and that happens to all quarterbacks. He also gave kudos to Muskett for being prepared and performing well coming in the fourth quarter of the last two games with UVA trailing by a significant margin.

Schaub added if Coach Tony Elliott does want to make a change at QB, he would be justified and certainly a bye week would be the sensibile time to switch, but believes the team and the program would best be served if Colandrea finishes out the season.

“If you switch and Muskett struggles in the first quarter, do you flip? A whole can of worms can open up when you go that route,” Schaub said. “But to have Colandrea learn from experience and learn how to play this level of football is important. You’re going to go on the road to Pitt and Notre Dame.

“Let’s go out, let’s reset our jaw and let’s show what we have on the inside. I think you stand your ground and tell Anthony, ‘Let’s go play.’ This is how it’s going to be. You talk to those guys and be honest and upfront with them about the situation. I think that’s how [Elliott] should handle it.”

During his UVA and NFL career, Schaub experienced every scenario as starter, backup, benched, you name it. In fact, he was benched after the opening game of his 2002 junior season and replaced by Marcus Hagans. The move by Coach Al Groh inspired Schaub to greatness. He came back to start the rest of the season, led Virginia to the Continental Tire Bowl victory and was MVP of the game. Schaub also beat out Philip Rivers for ACC Offensive Player of the Year and Player of the Year honors.

“I just think taking a breath and step back this week will be huge for this football team and Anthony Colandrea,” Schaub said. “There’s something to be said about just sticking with it and developing that grit and that mental toughness. You have a lot of it innately, but when you have to go through hard times and adversity, that’s what football is all about, that’s what being a football player is.

“Coddling or appearsing everyone’s emotional desires, there’s no place for it because you’re exposed in football. You’ve got to learn how to deal with things. You’ve got to go through the hard stuff. You’ve got to deal with it and you learn how to stand up and say, ‘Look, this isn’t going to happen again. I’m going to handle my job.’”