[OutsiderFan]

[quote author=Spiny_Norman link=topic=14930.msg161069#msg161069 date=1461268496]
At the LA Coaches' Reception last night, Shaw said that he is open to extending the QB battle into the season and allowing the players to share the role.  He said that the players decide who will start based on how they perform and both Burns and Chryst are still too close to call.  On the other hand, Shaw told the story that one of his assistants asked, "Coach, does it really matter who hands off to Christian?"  That one got a big laugh.

That's not positive. [/quote]

Maybe it isn't, or you could see a scenario where it isn't, but it very well may be a positive too.  I know from my viewing of the Spring game that I could hardly tell the two apart.  Obviously the coaches know a lot more about what they should and shouldn't be doing than any of us, but isn't it possible that they both are very good and there really isn't much separation?

Picking one guy over another in a coin flip type of decision based on practice play, and then sticking with that guy no matter what as the season starter, without seeing how the other guy performs, seems misguided.  To me, the only place to really tell who is above the other is in actual games.  That's why I'm pleased to see Shaw said he's OK with extending the competition into the season.    If one guy is named the starter and is fantastic, there isn't reason to play the #2.  If the first choice struggles and the next guy does the job, so be it. 

Shaw wants to avoid hearing the "he is sticking with his guy because he doesn't want to admit he was wrong" discussion, so he's saying it won't be his decision and really putting it on the QBs to decide, which shows how he's matured as a coach.  He's already saying he doesn't have every answer by acknowledging he may not know until into the season.  Of course if both suck, Shaw will be castigated and rolling out all the defensiveness we have come to love about him, no matter which order they came in.  :P

Seriously, even if Burns doesn't get the job, Shaw has got to be happy that he pushed Chryst to get better.  In fact, the coaches have to love Burns for improving so much over the last couple years and making the decision so difficult.

[OutsiderFan]

[quote author=Spiny_Norman link=topic=14930.msg161069#msg161069 date=1461268496]
At the LA Coaches' Reception last night, Shaw said that he is open to extending the QB battle into the season and allowing the players to share the role.  He said that the players decide who will start based on how they perform and both Burns and Chryst are still too close to call.  On the other hand, Shaw told the story that one of his assistants asked, "Coach, does it really matter who hands off to Christian?"  That one got a big laugh.

That's not positive. [/quote]

Maybe it isn't, or you could see a scenario where it isn't, but it very well may be a positive too.  I know from my viewing of the Spring game that I could hardly tell the two apart.  Obviously the coaches know a lot more about what they should and shouldn't be doing than any of us, but isn't it possible that they both are very good and there really isn't much separation?

Picking one guy over another in a coin flip type of decision based on practice play, and then sticking with that guy no matter what as the season starter, without seeing how the other guy performs, seems misguided.  To me, the only place to really tell who is above the other is in actual games.  That's why I'm pleased to see Shaw said he's OK with extending the competition into the season.    If one guy is named the starter and is fantastic, there isn't reason to play the #2.  If the first choice struggles and the next guy does the job, so be it. 

Shaw wants to avoid hearing the "he is sticking with his guy because he doesn't want to admit he was wrong" discussion, so he's saying it won't be his decision and really putting it on the QBs to decide, which shows how he's matured as a coach.  He's already saying he doesn't have every answer by acknowledging he may not know until into the season.  Of course if both suck, Shaw will be castigated and rolling out all the defensiveness we have come to love about him, no matter which order they came in.  :P

Seriously, even if Burns doesn't get the job, Shaw has got to be happy that he pushed Chryst to get better.  In fact, the coaches have to love Burns for improving so much over the last couple years and making the decision so difficult.