Ask Eddie Sullivan and A.J. Graham what makes a good quarterback, and both will respond with similar answers and it’s obvious the young quarterbacks have grown up during the offseason. Their first response will not be arm strength, speed, or quickness, it won’t even be a physical attribute. Both understand Doc Holliday is looking for a leader on offense.
“He [the quarterback] needs to be a leader. Everyone needs to be able to confide in him and trust their quarterback. The biggest thing is to build that relationship and you just know what’s going on between each other,” said Sullivan following the first day of workouts.
With Brian Anderson’s graduation, not only did the Herd lose over 2,300 passing yards and 20 touchdown passes, it lost its field general. Marshall also lost other offensive leaders such as Lee Smith due to graduation.
“You’ve got to have leadership skills. You’ve got to set the standards right off the top,” echoed Graham.
That’s left Coach Holliday looking for someone to step up on the offensive side of the ball that teammates can rally around.
“It’s important that somebody emerges on offense and gives us the leadership we’re getting on defense right now,” says Holliday.
Holliday has been impressed with the leadership that has been on display on the defensive side of the ball, but that should hardly be a surprise. Marshall returns nine starters on defense including senior Vinny Curry who is setting the pace for The Herd defenders.
“I like the leadership we’re getting on defense from Vinny Curry. We’ve got a lot of great leaders on defense that can set the standard for the young guys,” stated Holliday.
Curry isn’t the only one that has impressed Holliday so far. Tyson Gale, George Carpenter, Devin Arrington, Omar Brown and Donald Brown are all players that Holliday has mentioned as setting the tone for the rest of the defense early on this spring. Holliday likes how Marshall is shaping up defensively but knows it will be asking a lot of that unit if the offense is unproductive this fall.
“Whenever you have a great quarterback that’s got great leadership skills and intangibles you’ve got the chance to win some games,” believes Holliday.
Now we must wait and so who will emerge as that leader.