Fisher & Petrino analyzing QB qualities before making QB1 decision

Based on past performance, Texas A&M football coach Jimbo Fisher will announce a starting quarterback in about two weeks.

Last season, Haynes King was named QB1 on Aug. 27. The year prior, Fisher’s announcement came on Aug. 25.

This fall, the bet is sophomore Conner Weigman will be the starter, but maybe not for the reasons most would list.

Weigman and Max Johnson are both talented. Both can make difficult throws. Both have running ability. Both have had exceptional games, and both have had struggles.

Yet, a seemingly innocuous quote offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino offered last weekend has me convinced Weigman will win the quarterback competition over Johnson.

Petrino merely responded to a question about the individual assets of Weigman and Johnson.

Petrino praises Johnson’s ability to throw the ball downfield.

But when speaking of Weigman, he said: “Conner has a quick release and can get the ball out accurately and fast.”

Accurate and fast.

Those qualities may be vital — even required — to play behind an unproven offensive line.

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Max Johnson appeared in four games last fall before suffering a season-ending injury at Mississippi State.

Last season, A&M allowed 25 sacks. That’s a mediocre total as pass protection goes, but it’s just one more than the total surrendered by A&M the previous two seasons combined.

The offensive line figures to be improved. The offensive line should be improved.

For the love of God, the offensive line HAS to be improved.

But what if it’s not?

In that case, the Aggies need a quarterback who can get rid of football fast and accurately.

Escapability would be another valuable attribute.

That’s not to imply Johnson doesn’t have those qualities. He frequently demonstrated them in a 23-21 victory over Arkansas.

Weigman seems different, though.

He showed as much in the Aggies’ 38-23 upset victory over LSU. On a couple of plays, he scrambled to avoid LSU’s pass and extend scoring drives. He ignored pressure to throw a touchdown pass to Donovan Green.

Keep in mind that he did that as a true freshman in only his fourth collegiate start.

Of course, Fisher has adamantly maintained the quarterback competition is undecided. He has often said the team — not the coaches — ultimately decides the starter based on how they react to him.

Petrino apparently shares that thought. He suggested leadership is an even greater asset than being fast and accurate.

“The first thing you’ve got to do is be a great leader,” Petrino said. “You’ve got to make the guys around you better. That, to me, is the number one thing as a leader … Your ability to make people around you play at a higher level.”

Weigman seems to do that, too.

The Aggies had their two most productive SEC offensive performances with Weigman starting.

Although it may not be publicly announced until later, Fisher will likely decide on a quarterback by next week.

That will give Petrino more time to tailor the offense to that particular quarterback’s skills, assets and strengths.

“It becomes their offense,” Petrino said. “Each quarterback will be a little bit different. They each have a little bit different strengths and a little bit different weaknesses. You have to know what it is they can do.”

Johnson can do what the Aggies need. Weigman just seems like he can do more.