by Jim Feist

Depth is such an essential element of success in pro and college football, and one that is easily overlooked. Big college programs have this as a huge advantage over smaller programs. The Florida Gators got off to a strong 4-0 start this season, but then a serious injury against Alabama to starting QB John Brantley changed everything. They lost 4 in a row and end up stumbling into a bowl thanks to a win over Furman last week. Not exactly what the Gator fateful were hoping for under new coach Will Muschamp and first-year offensive coordinator Charlie Weis.

Injuries are to be expected in football, being such a violent, physical game. That's why depth is so important, not just as at quarterback spot but skill positions and both lines. A year ago Northwestern went to a bowl, but the game that clinched a bowl, against Iowa, dynamic QB Dan Persa got injured. It was their last win, too, as freshman Even Watkins was forced in the next game and wasn't sharp in a 48-27 loss to Illinois as a +7 dog. The Wildcats lost their final three games, including the bowl.

The Texas Longhorns are back in a bowl after taking last year off. They've used three quarterbacks this season. Starter Garrett Gabbert got injured in September, but backup QBs freshman David Ash and sophomore Case McCoy played better and improved the offense. Big name programs have an edge over small schools with the ability to stockpile depth, particularly behind center.

Oregon has had a great run the last few years. Because of injuries in 2010, Oregon had to use backup QB Nate Cost in the middle of the season, and he played well in a win over UCLA. Three years ago, Oregon had to use four QBs, including main starters Jeremiah Masoli and Justin Roper, but still managed to have one of the top offenses in the nation. In 2008 their four QBs combined for 19 TDs, 11 picks.

Contrast that with programs like Syracuse, UConn, Purdue, San Diego State, Miami of Ohio, Buffalo, who will be lucky enough to find one competent QB. Even a program like South Carolina had to dismiss starting QB Stephen Garcia in mid-season, starting over in many ways with freshman QB Conner Shaw. Shaw has been pretty good, but the offense, combined with the loss of star RB Marcus Lattimore, hasn't been as potent as last season. Remember in 2007 when Georgia seemingly lost all its running backs? That paved the way for freshman Knowshon Moreno to explode out of nowhere. In the NFL, the Eagles have had a bad run of injuries. QB Mike Vick has been in and out of the lineup with various ailments, forcing Vince Young in, a significant dropoff in production. Now team has had more injuries than the first place Houston Texans and they have to navigate the second half of the season with Matt Leinart replacing Matt Schaub.

Is the value of QB depth more pronounced than in Indianapolis? Without Peyton Manning, the Colts have fallen off a cliff, from Super Bowl contender to top pick in the draft! A few years ago the Tennessee Titans lost starting QB Vince Young in Week 1, but they had a capable veteran backup available in Kerry Collins during their 13-4 SU/12-5 ATS start. That same season the Patriots went 11-5 when they lost Tom Brady, as backup QB Matt Cassell played well.

Good college coaches and pro general managers will build their teams with the understanding that they will lose some players during the season. This is very different from a GM who takes the attitude that we should be a good team IF we don't have any key injuries.

Four years ago LSU needed to beat Tennessee in the SEC title game, but was without its starting QB as senior Matt Flynn had a shoulder injury. Many schools would have been set back, but the Tigers trotted out strong-armed sophomore QB Ryan Perrilloux, who was outstanding in the 21-14 win. Having a capable backup signal caller turned out to be huge as they went on to top Ohio State for the national title.

Speaking of champions, look at the Pittsburgh Steelers the last few years. Eight years ago the Steelers had a starting quarterback in Tommy Maddox, but when Ben Roethlisberger fell to them in the first round (11th pick) of the draft they were delighted. They thought he would go higher. Understand what their thinking was: A player they had rated high dropped in their laps so they took him. They placed and emphasis on drafting talent before need.

The Steelers were stockpiling depth and talent at the most important position. They didn't anticipate Maddox getting hurt in Week 2, but were prepared with Roethlisberger stepping in, winning 15 in a row as a rookie and a pair of Super Bowl titles since. The main reason for depth is one of the most important components of football: Injuries. Football is a violent game and injuries are commonplace.

Stockpiling depth, while managing a salary cap, is essential when injuries strike. It's not just at quarterback. The Ravens played great defensively last week when star MLB Ray Lewis sat out with an injury. The Patriots have had a ton of injuries this year on defense, but are playing better now than when they were healthy back in September with a string of backups stepping in.

Part of it is luck, as it's tough to lose such a pivotal figure as a star quarterback. On the other hand, part of it is smart coaching and management if they prepare properly with depth. It's not the job of a pro football general manager to be praying every Sunday for players not to get injured. Rather, the smart teams evaluate and upgrade depth, as injuries are to be expected.
 

Jim Feist
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