Competition is in the air.
I started writing this blog while watching a pre-season football game of the Arizona Cardinals vs. the Tennessee Titans. A story line for the game was the competition between two Arizona quarterbacks fighting for the starting job. The pre-season battle between Kevin Kolb and John Skelton was underway with Skelton, the 6-foot 6-inch 5th round draft pick from two years ago, taking snaps under center in the opening drive.
I turn back to my laptop, and back to the latest article of sports to come from ASU. There had been a similar situation brewing. The 3-way quarterback battle that was headlining Camp Tontozona — a mountain retreat used for practice and scrimmaging — had come to a close with a surprising end.
ASU markets Camp Tontozona shirts with hopes that the camp has given the football team new life. Photo by Evan Triantafilidis.The third-string quarterback had emerged out of camp with the starting job. Taylor Kelly, the sophomore from the small city of Eagle, Idaho, soared past the competition during camp.
I then refocus back to the professional level.
The ESPN commentators grab my attention with their call of a Tennessee Titan sack on QB John Skelton's first play. This is not exactly how you want to start a game, especially when you are applying to be a starting quarterback in the NFL.
A play after this is important to the team, and its morale. How does an offense respond after a first-down setback; do you respond with poise or panic?
Skelton takes the snap:
"Skelton lines up in shotgun formation at the 19 yard line. Takes the snap, scans the middle of the field, and fires. INTERCEPTED, by Michael Griffin, all the way down to the red zone."
Meanwhile in Tempe, I continued to read about how much of a surprise this pick was for ASU. Sophomore Mike Bercovici and talented recruit Michael Eubank headed into Camp T as the front runners for the quarterback campaign. Head coach Todd Graham says that with Taylor Kelly at quarterback, it will give the team the best chance to win.
Something must have gone terribly wrong, or Kelly must have done something right. Kelly must have proven himself worthy of the job by competing hard in practice and improving in scrimmages.
Either way, I still find myself comparing: I tune back into the Cardinals pre-season game.
It was Kevin Kolb's turn to make his impression. Kolb gets sacked on the first play, with the blame going to the offensive line.
A routine "3-and-out" for the Cardinals gave the ball back to Tennessee, but they were nice (or bad) enough to give it right back.
Kolb's next drive is going well:
"Kolb, who has thrown for 20 yards on this drive, is looking to add to the Cardinals score here. Kolb gets the play off just in time, looking down field, trying to find Andre Ro... INTERCEPTION, the Titans have taken another one away from the Cards."
A sudden change of events ends Kolb’s series streak. Neither Skelton nor Kolb could prevail.
But, enough comparing; I’m beginning to look at the bigger picture.
When an opportunity rises to prove yourself as the best player for the job, the ones who want it the most will always prevail. Whether it is for a job opportunity, a raise, or winning a 3-man quarterback job, the hungriest competitors always win.
Again, this applies to almost every facet of life.
For the Sun Devils, second-string quarterback Michael Eubank will see the field in limited time, giving him glimpses of what he may see further in his career here.
On the flip side, if there is a silver lining to the Arizona Cardinals quarterback dilemma, I'd e-mail this piece to Ryan Lindley, the third-string rookie quarterback for the Cardinals. There is an opportunity rising for him.
There’s always a “safe” alternative otherwise: if all else fails, call Favre.
You can reach me at etrianta@asu.edu
