Time to Hatch the egg

The QB question

[Comment Below]

By Marie V. Roussel

It’s that time of the year again, Christmas! Well not really, but football season is just around the corner, and most of us here can all agree that Tiger football is just as magical. Last year, Les Miles and the team gave us the greatest present of all – the crystal football, crowning us the undisputed National Champions.

This year, the Tigers have just been ranked No.7 in what is expected to be another exciting season of college football. However, before I get too excited, one major question has not yet been answered: who will be taking the snaps this year – Hatch or Lee?

Although it has been on the minds of everyone since the end of last season, I don’t think anyone really knows who will be better. Even coach Miles has been mum about the battle for starter.

“I can’t imagine at this point that we’ll be making any hard, fast decisions at quarterback – maybe how we play them, [but] not necessarily who we play and who plays first,” Miles said.

Ultimately, the home opener against Appalachian State will hopefully answer the quarterback situation, but until then, I’m going to join the Andrew Hatch club for a couple of reasons, so here I go.

First, the maturity factor goes in Hatch’s favor. At 22, Hatch can probably handle pressure better. Although his only Death Valley experience occurred in last year’s blow out over Middle Tennessee, he at least knows the feeling of being the leader on offense.

Second, he’s dependable. After leaving Harvard, the Henderson Nevada native went on what was supposed to be a two-year mission trip, only to cut the trip short after five months because of a knee injury. In other words, it is most likely that Hatch won’t be a disciplinary nuisance like a former LSU quarterback whose name won’t be mentioned.

Third, Hatch is reputed to be a dual-threat quarterback, meaning he can run just as well as he can drop back and pass. Although his skill will not be clarified until he plays a real game, the fact that he is capable of doing both goes a long way, especially in a conference as tough as the SEC.

Also, by being a mobile quarterback, like Matt Flynn, he gives LSU more options. We all know how much Les Miles loves to excite things with a trick play or two, having a dual-threat quarterback will continue to keep things interesting in the offensive playbook.

Finally, he went to Harvard. Yes, I am aware that Harvard athletics will never be mentioned in the same sentence as the SEC, but being accepted into the best university in the U.S. is impressive. Hatch has to be smart, and he did not leave Harvard because he couldn’t handle it; he simply chose to so that he could go on his mission trip.

So why does being a smart former Harvard boy matter? It is simple; because LSU needs a smart quarterback. The Tigers have enough talent and depth at receiver, tight end and tailback that having the superman-like quarterback is not completely necessary. Give us a strong, smart quarterback who can be more of a leader and know how to handle pressure.

Look at the two quarterbacks who led LSU to both national championships – Matt Mauck and Matt Flynn, neither of them had the freakish abilities of JaMarcus Russell or Tim Tebow for the matter, but they got the job done when it counted, and that is all that matters.

So, there it is my argument for Hatch. However, anything can happen from now through those first three games of the season. Let’s just hope that whoever wins the battle at quarterback can help the Tigers succeed in another Christmas-like season.

Originally Published: Issue 701 - August 19, 2008

Share on Facebook

Back to the top