Why can't we all think like this

I decided to peruse through ESPN.com for some comedy goldmines, and instead I found this. At first, when I saw it was going to talk about "system quarterbacks", I thought it would be great to pick apart. I was astounded to find out it would be great instead to post here and share with everyone for its insight.

It's not really Ivan Maisel who provides much of the insight, but rather coaches who seem to understand the game so much more than anyone in the media. Surprise!

In the past, the term has been used to diminish the inflated statistics of players who run spread offenses. Texas Tech quarterbacks have thrown for at least 4,200 yards in five consecutive seasons in coach Mike Leach's offense, yet none of them has gotten enough votes to merit serious consideration for the Heisman.

The apprehension dates back nearly 20 years. In 1989, Houston quarterback Andre Ware led the nation with 4,699 yards and 46 touchdown passes. Ware won a close Heisman vote over tailback Anthony Thompson of Indiana. But Ware's struggle in the NFL cast a shadow over the shotgun, run-and-shoot and spread quarterbacks who came after him.

The phrase "system quarterback" stuck its nose into the lexicon.

That's understandable. A player does great in college, but then does terrible in the pros, so he wasn't deserving of the Heisman, because as everyone knows, the Heisman is an award that goes to college players who then have success in the pros.

This season, when nearly all the top quarterbacks have come out of these offenses, may have taken some of the condescension out of the voice of everyone who utters the phrase.

Hooray!

"If there is a system quarterback, then we're all dumb. We should be running that system," said Oregon offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, who took over the Duck offense for this season and transformed Dixon into one of the best players in the nation. "I hear that all the time. Obviously, some guys flourish in one program. Matt Ryan [of Boston College] is not going to come in and run the spread. He's a helluva quarterback."

Finally, someone who gets it. I mean, to say "Oh, he threw for 4800 yards, but he's just a product of the system." is stupid. If that's the case, why don't more people do it? That's a lot of points. Points = offensive success.

Hawaii coach June Jones created controversy a few days ago by referring to Tebow as coming out of a system. Jones, attempting to clarify his remarks, said he had no intention of demeaning Tebow, whom he called "a great quarterback who'll probably win [another] national championship."

But Jones said Tebow is more of a system quarterback than Brennan.

"My quarterback [Brennan] has been labeled a 'system quarterback' for three years," Jones said Monday, according to a transcription on the school's Web site. "He is the best passer in college history. He is. There is no question about it. Tim Tebow is in a system. … Colt Brennan plays in an NFL passing game. You can dial it up and see that it is not a system. Tim Tebow's system is a college system."

Now, of course I loved this part of the article for reasons other than its insight and intelligent analysis of football. I happen to hate Tim Tebow and love (no homo) Colt Brennan. But it really does astound me that more people can't see this. A lot of people may read this and say "No NFL team throws the ball 95% of the time like Hawaii does!" The thing is, the plays they call are NFL plays. He runs an NFL-style passing game. The way Tim Tebow runs the offense wouldn't cut it in the NFL. Tebow runs the ball over 20 times a game. That would kill a quarterback in the NFL. Colt Brennan doesn't have to do much to adjust to the NFL. It's not hard to go to a quarterback who threw it almost all the time and say "Okay, now you're going to do the same thing, only hand it off to the running back sometimes." He's not going to look at him and turn his head, wondering what that is. He just gives it to the running back.

Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville's roots are in defense. His Tigers limited Tebow to 201 passing yards, his second-lowest total this season, and held McFadden to 43 rushing yards, his lowest total of the season. Tuberville said all quarterbacks are system quarterbacks.

"Look at Gino Torretta," said Tuberville, referring to the 1992 Heisman-winning quarterback from Miami. Tuberville coached the linebackers on that team. "He was the product of a system he ran for five years. He learned how to run it. Tebow was the old single wing quarterback. He just ran the ball and threw it. You can score 20 [rushing] touchdowns if, every time you get the ball inside the five, they call your number."

Apparently coaches are the only ones who get it. Why can't anyone else comprehend such a simple concept?

This all said, Tebow probably will win because his numbers, regardless of any system, are better. If you want to look at talent, McFadden or Brennan should win. Unfortunately, players like Michael Crabtree (WR Texas Tech) and Kevin Smith (RB Central Florida) aren't in the final group, because they deserve it more than any of the four finalists.

If the sophomore wins Saturday night, he will make history. He may also make "system quarterback" a term that can be used in polite company.

For some reason I feel that won't happen. I don't think enough people think of Tebow as a system quarterback, even though he's more of one than anyone else, as Hawaii coach pointed out. So it looks like the Heisman will continue to go to someone who is not as deserving as others. Oh well.