Making the argument: 3 reasons Mike Elko and Texas A&M football should not waver from Conner Weigman as their starter
As I wrote in my instant reaction to Texas A&M football’s win over Florida, I predicted that QB controversy would be upon us. I mean, I guess it’s not that much of a prediction if certain fans were calling for Reed to be the starter after the literal first pass he made in the game.
Nonetheless, QB controversy is here, whether we welcome it or not. At least, on the side of the fans it’s here. It remains to be determined if Mike Elko has any indecision on that front.
I’ve written the case for Reed to be the starter already. Now, let’s discuss why Weigman should remain as the guy at signal caller.
3 reasons Texas A&M football should stick with Weigman: Also an effective runner
Maybe the most convincing argument that fans are making in favor of Reed is that his ability to run the ball adds a dimension to Klein’s offense that Weigman can’t bring. But that’s clearly not true.
Reed is a better runner than Weigman—I’m not contesting that fact. But as far as the quarterback run opening up the offense for Klein, that aspect of the game simply has to be a factor. The defense has to be looking for called QB runs.
That means that the rate of returns, schematically speaking, diminishes rapidly after you reach a certain floor as a runner—and that’s a floor that Weigman exceeds. People like to talk like he’s a Kyle Allen-style pocket passer, but he can get out and run well when the moment calls for it.
The QB run is a factor with both Weigman and Reed. We’ve seen Klein opt for the better passer who runs sometimes with Will Howard over Avery Johnson up at Kansas State; the signal caller’s ceiling as a runner matters much less for the scheme than if he can exceed the necessary floor, which Weigman does.