Web(er) of Intrigue

Adam Weber is 14-24 as the Gophers' starting quarterback. But he also earned second-team All-Big Ten honors in 2008 and has shown flashes of brilliance. He has a chance to go down in school history as perhaps the best signal-caller ever. But a sparkling senior season is necessary.

By doogie1980

May 18, 2010 at 5:01PM

My sincere apologies for the lack of movement on this blog over the past few weeks. I have been basking in the glory of my career highlight; a mid-March interview of adult film star Joslyn James on ESPN-1500. James would've fit in perfectly Sunday night alongside Miss Colorado and Miss California during the Miss USA pageant. A sidenote: could you imagine having your fate decided by Johnny Weir and Carmelo Anthony?

But onto the point: alongside hard-hitting questions about the new Arizona immigration law, or whether birth control should be paid for through your health insurance, this little doozy could've been added: what is Adam Weber's legacy? Miss Michigan could've said, "He torched my Spartans last year for 416 yards and five touchdowns; I'd say he's pretty good." Miss South Dakota could've offered this rebuttal: "Did you see him against my Division I-AA Jackrabbits? In the 36th start of his college career, he looked scared to deliver the ball. 94 yards -- are you kidding me?"

I'll be the first to admit that I'm a Weber apologist. From Jedd Fisch foolishly tweaking his throwing motion last year, to poor offensive line play and the lack of a running game, there are many reasons to explain his below-average 2009 season (13 TDs, 15 INTs). Losing go-to receiver Eric Decker during the season also didn't help. But at some point, if Weber is to be considered one of the best quarterbacks in Gophers' history -- his numbers have him in the conversation -- he has to make more plays and, more importantly, win more games. He is as much of a sports enigma as we have in this town, and those who disagree with the decision to start him in 2010 have lit up the message boards. The vitriolic ill will is intense.

He is 14-24 as the Gophers' starting quarterback. But he also earned second-team All-Big Ten honors in 2008, an indication that he has shown flashes of brilliance.

Weber is onto his fourth offensive coordinator in five years. Everything I've heard about Jeff Horton is positive. One of his colleagues on the Detroit Lions staff last year has nothing but endless praise for him. Now it's on Horton to ensure that Weber reaches his full potential. It's also on assistant coach Tim Davis to do the same with his offensive line and Thomas Hammock with his running backs. Football is the sport with the most moving parts. Weber needs a lot of help. But if he gets that help, he could shatter many school records and save head coach Tim Brewster's job. This is exactly why Weber is Brewster's guy this year; his job is on the line, and Weber gives him the best opportunity to win. Weber's college legacy will be written this year. It's up to him to make it an easier answer at next year's Miss USA pageant.

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doogie1980