Brian Kelly says Kizer and Zaire will play against Texas
By Greg Hadley
Brian Kelly announced his decision on the Notre Dame quarterback competition Wednesday, saying both Malik Zaire and DeShone Kizer will play against Texas.
This non-decision comes on the heels of Kelly’s previous comments in fall camp that he expected to play both quarterbacks at times during the season. But this news goes a step further and makes it clear Kelly doesn’t plan on making a choice between the two QBs anytime soon.
Brian Kelly says both Malik Zaire AND DeShone Kizer will play at Texas. As definitive has he’s been about it all camp.
— Pete Sampson (@PeteSampson_) August 17, 2016
Kelly explained his decision by basically saying both players were too good to be left on the bench.
As for how exactly the two will split duties, Kelly was tight-lipped.
Brian Kelly leaving everything on the table with how Kizer/Zaire will play at Texas. Could rotate by series, could rotate during series.
— Pete Sampson (@PeteSampson_) August 17, 2016
The big concern with Kelly’s decision here is that in failing to choose one over the other, the team will suffer without a clear leader on offense. Just because both are qualified to start for Notre Dame doesn’t mean they both necessarily should. Committees can take time to gel, as each player figures out how to play in short bursts and cede control when necessary to the other.
And of course, there’s always the possibility that egos can get involved and either one becomes disgruntled. However, Kelly waved that scenario aside Wednesday.
#NotreDame Kelly says the decision to play both QBs will help them concentrate on getting better and not winning the job
— Marek Mazurek (@marek_mazurek) August 17, 2016
Not sure how much I buy that. Sure, Kelly was able to swing a two-QB situation into an advantage during the Music City Bowl against LSU after the 2014 season, but that was just one game, and Everett Golson entered that matchup crumbling and basically crying out for relief.
A more comparable situation would be that at Ohio State, also after the 2014 season. With Cardale Jones, Braxton Miller and T.J. Barrett all coming back with strong arguments to be the starting QB, Urban Meyer switched Miller to wide receiver and tried to platoon the other two early. The results, while effective, were not pretty. Barrett eventually won out over Jones, and while the Buckeyes did make the Fiesta Bowl, they missed out on the CFP.
People want closure. They want a clear winner and a clear loser. Kelly acknowledged as much in his presser, and he tried to sell his decision as a bold move that will benefit the team.
Brian Kelly: "It’s easier to just play one. My job is to win, and my belief is playing both of them gives us a better chance of winning.”
— JJ Stankevitz (@JJStankevitz) August 17, 2016
Again, not sure if I buy that. It feels more like inaction than decisiveness on the part of Kelly. He’s essentially waiting on one of the two to mess up before he yanks them from the lineup. Zaire has already indicated his dissatisfaction with the competition in the past, and when the two were available to the media a few weeks ago, both seems convinced they should be the starters and not too friendly towards the other.
Kelly’s response to that?
#NotreDame Kelly says both QBs understand that he has to make a decision, even if that decision is best for ND football not them personally
— Marek Mazurek (@marek_mazurek) August 17, 2016
That doesn’t sound like they’re completely on board with this idea.
In theory, this is a smart move. You want to utilize your best players as much as possible, and Zaire and Kizer are both great playmakers, as Kelly said.
But in practice, this could get ugly. Unless Zaire and Kizer find a way to mesh well, the early season promises to be awkward for Notre Dame, with the ever present danger of an implosion.
Oh, and…
Next: Kelly's decision is more difficult than you think
Yup, things are going to be weird this season.