50+BigGames;842859697 said:
Reading between the lines...
In the interviews with both Wilcox and Baldwin we sure don't hear many superlatives in describing the QB battle between Forrest and Bowers. The narrative is mostly about how they are each improving and have good and bad days, and comments like "we can win games with these guys". I'm sure the coaches want to manage expectations, but still I'd be more encouraged if I heard comments like "We are fortunate to have two great quarterbacks competing to be our starter".
I do not think Wilcox will really ever speak in superlatives and as the OC Baldwin is unlikely to deviate from that at least not right now. This program fired their coach and is picked by everybody to finish dead ass last. Not nearly the right time to be speaking in superlatives. Baldwin has seen Bowers and Forrest in the Spring. He has an idea about their "talent". He had not seen either Garbers or McIlwain in person. He needs to see what they bring to the table. By the end of this week Baldwin should have a much better grasp of what they really have in Garbers and McIlwain. Since McIlwain is likely to not be eligible it would seem reasonable that his reps will decrease after this week. The remaining 3 (Bowers, Forrest and Garbers are all unknowns) have no game experience and need to be truly evaluated to see what each can offer.
Depending on the day each has had their moments (good and bad). JMO but I believe the one that makes the best decisions wins out for the opener. Then he will need to perform to keep it. The one thing a new staff cannot do is make the wrong choice on the QB. That player needs to EARN the spot. There is a lot to process as a P5 QB. None of these guys has played. McIlwain is the only one that has really played (at South Carolina) but is unlikely to be eligible for 2017. I think they want to give Garbers a real shot at showing if he is ready to compete to play in 2017. I would like somebody to separate and force the staff to name him the starter. The earlier that happens the better for preparing for UNC. But they need to be sure.
I think this works out by the end of next week. But it might not. IMO Garbers is unlikely to be the starter unless he is far and away better than the others. But that is my opinion. Since none have any experience the staff may be willing to roll the dice with Garbers if he is clearly the more talented player. IMO Bowers wins the job to start the season. I just believe he is a little better than Forrest and Garbers will not be quite ready. Next Spring it will be interesting. Garbers will here but McIlwain will be playing baseball.
One thing for sure, none of us know what Baldwin and Wilcox really think and they are not about to tell us. Expect more coachspeak from both. Even if they name a starter they may not tell us. We may not know until that first series vs UNC.