Third-team quarterback is not an easy job

Marvin Westwestwords

When Josh says Joe is his main man, we can start worrying about the No. 3 quarterback at Tennessee.

QB2 will be just fine. Fans will call for him after Joe Milton’s second incompletion.

Being the third-string quarterback is difficult. Unless there is a disaster, the position is destined for obscurity. Name, image and likeness opportunities are severely limited.

If Harrison Bailey ends up No. 3, he won’t even be able to root for himself. Football is a team game and a brotherhood. Loyalty does not permit wishing for a serious-enough injury or a shocking failure and total disruption of the master plan.

In addition, there are unwritten rules such as: “Never change horses in the middle of a stream — unless, of course, you’re about to drown.”

In theory, QB3 is supposed to stay ready to play but the two above get almost all practice repetitions. What is left is looking and listening and wondering what-if.

If Bailey is the designated looker and listener, we’ll see if his personality can handle the calmness. Until last season, he was never less than a star. He has more ability that is usually found in the shadows. Maybe he can contribute encouragement and positive support.

This is a poor time for a knee-jerk reaction. It is late everywhere. Allowing disappointment to overwhelm common sense would be a poor solution. Quitting is not in the Bailey profile. He has worked hard to improve. He has invested. He has reason to keep the faith. He can play.

If we go back far enough in Tennessee football history, we can find examples of when the light came on at the far end of the tunnel, when third-team unemployment turned into very busy.

In 1964, Doug Dickey made the daring switch from what was thought to be the tired, old single-wing to the exciting T formation. All the coach had to do was find or manufacture a quarterback to take the ball from center and do something with it, hand it or throw it to somebody or keep it and run for his life.

Hal Wantland, heart of a lion but not so swift, was first choice. He threw 34 times, generated all of 131 yards but failed to complete a touchdown pass.

David Leake, borrowed from the dining room staff, was a pleasant surprise as walk-ons go. He helped win one game.

Art Galiffa eventually claimed the job. His numbers were modest but he looked like a quarterback. His runs were mostly self-defense. Highlight was not getting killed in the stunning 7-7 tie at LSU.

Better story in 1967: Dewey Warren, Charley Fulton and the unheralded Bubba Wyche, traditional bench-warmer, were 1-2-3.

Against Georgia Tech, Warren was injured early and Fulton got hurt soon thereafter. Dickey turned to Wyche: “Are you ready?”

Bubba, with a devilish glint in his eyes, said: “Do I have a choice?”

He was outstanding. He led four scoring drives. He helped wreck Tech.

OK, that was good. What to do about Alabama?

“I have no doubts about Wyche,” said Dickey. “No reason to be uneasy. He’s a good quarterback. We knew it all along. He was just snake-bit by injuries. He’s ready. After all, he has been attending quarterback meetings for four years.”

Bubba and the Vols turned the Tide. The quarterback was the object of wondrous affection. When calls came to him at the dorm, roommate Mike Price always answered.

“Mr. Wyche? I’m sorry, Mr. Wyche has moved to more elegant quarters befitting his station.”

Go with me now to the 1980s. Daryl Dickey was always behind a crowd of quarterbacks – Alan Cockrell, Tony Robinson, Jeff Francis, maybe others.

Robinson emerged as the big gun. Alas, the Vols suffered a crushing blow on the third Saturday of October, 1985. Tony was injured and lost for the year. Dickey, fifth-year senior, son of the former coach, was available but had played sparingly.

No problem. As you might expect, Daryl showed uncommon smarts. Tennessee nipped Alabama. Next came a 6-6 tie with good old Georgia Tech. After that, the Vols won out, including the Sugar Bowl. Dickey was MVP.

Jim Maxwell is my favorite waiter – as in waiting and waiting and finally winning.

He was on the team three seasons before he earned a letter. In 1970, he held for extra points and field goals. In 1971, Jim was the No. 4 quarterback behind Phil Pierce, Dennis Chadwick and Chip Howard.

One by one, that trio fired and fell back. Two became receivers.

Going into the Mississippi State game in Memphis, the Vols were 3-2. In the second quarter, coach Bill Battle finally turned to Maxwell – more in frustration or desperation than inspiration.

“Coach calling my name was a total surprise,” said Blue Max. “I didn’t think I’d ever get a chance.”

Maxwell was slow on stats (eight interceptions and one TD), but, incredibly, provided leadership and stability. He rallied the team for seven consecutive victories, a 10-2 finish and No. 9 national ranking.

I am not suggesting Harrison Bailey or anyone else wait that long to play. I do know, for a fact, that reserve quarterbacks have emerged to save Tennessee seasons.

Marvin West welcomes comments or questions from readers. His address is marvinwest75@gmail.com

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