Gazette

Calhoun goes to bat for QB platoon

Coach draws on baseball success for inspiration

August 21, 2008 12:18 AM

By JAKE SCHALLER

THE GAZETTE

What do former Baltimore Orioles John Lowenstein and Gary Roenicke have to do with Air Force's quarterback situation?

Well, plenty, as Falcons coach Troy Calhoun might lean on some strategy used by legendary former manager Earl Weaver.

Weaver instituted a platoon in left field with lefthanded hitting Lowenstein and right-handed hitting Roenicke. In 1982, the pair combined to hit 45 home runs and drive in 140 RBIs. And the next year, with new manager Joe Altobelli continuing to use the platoon, Lowenstein and Roenicke contributed 34 home runs and 124 RBIs during the Orioles' run to the World Series.

"You had one guy, Lowenstein, that was really good against the right-hander, and Roenicke's really good against the left-hander," Calhoun said. "What's wrong with that at quarterback too?"

Calhoun hasn't named a starter for the season, and don't expect a formal announcement. After Wednesday's scrimmage, Calhoun said he planned to use both senior Shea Smith and junior Eric Herbort in games - the first of which is Aug. 30 against Southern Utah.

"It'll vary game to game, and it'll depend situation by situation," Calhoun said. "Now it might be one game where one guy plays 50 snaps and the other one plays 17 and the next game it might be the other guy plays 45 snaps and the other one plays 20. I say, ‘Why not?'"

Many would answer by saying, "Tradition." Quarterbacks long have been looked upon as the team leaders. "Quarterback controversy" has become part of the American sports fan's lexicon. And while most fans don't notice when there's a switch at left guard, everyone notices a switch under center. There's a reason Wyoming and Colorado State both publicly anointed starters recently.

Calhoun admits his plan is different - "No doubt," he said. "There's a notion that you absolutely have to only play one quarterback."

But he challenges that notion.

"I think they both clearly have strengths that can help us," he said. "If we were a team that got very few reps in practice, then you'd say, ‘There's no way, you can only get one guy ready to go.' I think it's possible that you can get two guys ready to go and it can be series by series. Shoot, we might even change on different plays."

Lefty-righty, like Lowenstein and Roenicke.

While Smith and Herbort both are right-handers, there are differences. Smith has some game experience, he makes few mistakes and he knows the playbook inside and out. Herbort has yet to see any varsity action, but he runs extremely well and is considered more of a playmaker.

Calhoun said his quarterbacks are mature enough to handle a platoon, and both quarterbacks have welcomed the idea - at least publicly.

But the amount each plays in games will hinge on performance as well as situation. So there will be scrutiny each time there is a change under center. And if two quarterbacks become too many, Calhoun knows he'll be criticized. "Does it leave you open to second-guessing? Sure," he said. "But I think it's feasible. "It didn't hurt Roenicke and Lowenstein."