Birdsong preparing for next year

HUNTINGTON, W.Va.—For quarterback Michael Birdsong the 2014 season will be all about learning and preparing for the 2015 season. The transfer from James Madison University must sit out this year according to NCAA rules, which gives him plenty of time to learn his fourth offense in as many years.

“Anytime you have the opportunity just to absorb for a period of time you stand a better chance in the long run of being an immediate impact when it does come time for you to play,” says offensive coordinator Bill Legg. “In the grand scheme of things any time you have an opportunity to sit it serves you better in the long run.”

A year on the sidelines gives Birdsong time to refine his skills while gaining a better understanding of Marshall’s offensive concepts. Birdsong threw for 2,728 yards and 22 touchdowns with the Dukes last season. He completed 60.4 percent of his passes, but JMU finished 6-6 and longtime head coach Mickey Matthews was sent packing.

“I’ve given new stuff everyday and if it is your first time and you’re a freshman or a transfer there’s a little bit of hesitation there,” says Legg. “It’s not going to happen the first time. But once we go through it the next time it will become clearer and clearer.”

Birdsong is also in the unique position to sit behind and learn from one of the best quarterbacks in the country. Rakeem Cato orchestrates the offense to near perfection providing Birdsong and the other quarterbacks insight in reading coverages before the snap and what to expect once the play has started.

“It’s huge, being able to sit out a year. I can work on my game and work on mistakes I used to make my freshman and sophomore year and I get to watch Cato, one of the best do it on the field in this offense,” says Birdsong.

He’s also getting coached up from an unlikely player. Senior center Chris Japserse has spent time with Birdsong pointing out blitzes and keys to look for to help call the proper protection.

“Chris is a heck of a dude. He’s great mentor and great coach,” says Birdsong. “He’s helping me pick up on the blitzes and pick up on the checks. When the young centers don’t see it, he helps me out showing me what to do and how to relay that information to the o-line.”

While Birdsong will watch from the sidelines this season he will be in the thick of the most analyzed position battle next spring.  Birdsong join Gunnar Holcombe and Cole Garvin in next year’s competition to see who succeeds Rakeem Cato. But that’s next year. For the time being Birdsong is focused on making a transition that so many others never successfully complete. The jump from the FCS division to FBS can be a bigger leap than many players expect.

“The biggest difference is the guys, the size of the offensive linemen and defensive linemen and the speed of the skill position players,” notes Birdsong.

Birdsong understands the expectations that come with playing quarterback at Marshall. Following names such as Kresser, Pennington, Leftwich and Cato, to name a few, is a lot to live up to.

It’s a challenge he wants to be ready for when his time to rise up comes next spring.





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