[washingtonismoney]

I meant what BostonCard said. Total confidence would've said "Chryst starts." Saying you're going to play both means you think...it's close. But really, if you think it's close, you're really admitting you have no confidence in Chryst. As Shaw himself was at pains to admit, Chryst had a great starting record (which is a dumb stat but I'll have forbearance) and a much longer record of experience. Fine, all well and good. But if you think it's close because Costello played 1.75-2 games well -- not spectacularly, not Second Coming of Luck, but well -- then what does that mean?

Well, it means -- even if you're unwilling to admit it to yourself -- that you actually have no confidence in Chryst, if you're willing to overturn all that based on two games' evidence. Ergo, make the switch!

If Luck got injured and Brett Nottingham replaced him and looked great, Shaw would've said something like, "We're really excited about Brett's future but thankfully Andrew's back and ready to roll."

If Hogan got injured and Chryst stepped in and looked good, Shaw would've said the same thing. I doubt many people would've questioned him either.

Now obviously there's a plenty of space between "Hogan" and "an acceptable QB." It's possible Shaw evaluates Chryst somewhere in that space. It's possible Shaw is not quite sure what Costello's upside is. Coaching's a tough business. Still, that there's even doubt is a determinative indicator. Go with Costello.

[washingtonismoney]

I meant what BostonCard said. Total confidence would've said "Chryst starts." Saying you're going to play both means you think...it's close. But really, if you think it's close, you're really admitting you have no confidence in Chryst. As Shaw himself was at pains to admit, Chryst had a great starting record (which is a dumb stat but I'll have forbearance) and a much longer record of experience. Fine, all well and good. But if you think it's close because Costello played 1.75-2 games well -- not spectacularly, not Second Coming of Luck, but well -- then what does that mean?

Well, it means -- even if you're unwilling to admit it to yourself -- that you actually have no confidence in Chryst, if you're willing to overturn all that based on two games' evidence. Ergo, make the switch!

If Luck got injured and Brett Nottingham replaced him and looked great, Shaw would've said something like, "We're really excited about Brett's future but thankfully Andrew's back and ready to roll."

If Hogan got injured and Chryst stepped in and looked good, Shaw would've said the same thing. I doubt many people would've questioned him either.

Now obviously there's a plenty of space between "Hogan" and "an acceptable QB." It's possible Shaw evaluates Chryst somewhere in that space. It's possible Shaw is not quite sure what Costello's upside is. Coaching's a tough business. Still, that there's even doubt is a determinative indicator. Go with Costello.