Griese, Dreisbach battle for QB position behind new-look line

FILE PHOTO/Daily Michigan coach Lloyd Carr isn't tipping his hand as to who will be the quarterback, but indications are that fifth-year senior Brian Griese will run the offense.

Quarterbacks

The Michigan coach jinxed himself at the press conference following last season's Outback Bowl defeat against Alabama, when he was questioned about something that has subsequently become a four-letter word in his vocabulary - quarterbacks.

"The last thing I want to do is start a quarterback controversy," Carr fatefully said nine months ago.

Imagine, then, what may have been some of the things that he most wanted to do.

Whether he admits it or not, Carr has the most troubling dilemma for a football coach on his hands. What may please this master of second-guessing is that the quarterback decision will not be completely resolved this season unless Brian Griese or Scott Dreisbach can make fans forget about Michigan failing to land a high-schooler named Peyton Manning four years ago.

Both Griese and Dreisbach have their strong points, but they each serve as the other's biggest enemy to earning the job outright because of what makes them attractive to Carr as a starter. Griese, as evidenced by his leading Michigan to a second-half comeback against Ohio State last year and performing admirably in defeat against Alabama, possesses more leadership qualities and seems to have a better overall field sense while in the pocket.

His arm, however, is nothing short of mediocre. Dreisbach, on the other hand, has a stronger arm and is clearly the better overall athlete. His 72-yard touchdown scamper against Illinois last season showed that, if need be, he can effectively scramble. He's also the sentimental choice for some, if that's possible, because of the record-setting debut he turned in against Virginia in the 1995 season-opener throwing for 372 yards on 27 completions.

But Dreisbach's confidence level has to be questioned. After all, his name was practically etched in stone as the team's signal-caller for most of the 1996 campaign, becoming only the fourth Wolverine to throw for more than 2,000 yards in a season. Then, almost suddenly, a subpar half against Ohio State and a season's worth of pounding caught up to him and cost him his job for Michigan's two biggest games of the season.

Regardless of who Carr ultimately chooses, this scenario is just a disaster waiting to happen. Even though Carr adamantly says his decision will be final and a two-quaterback system similar to that of Ohio State's - where Stanley Jackson and Joe Germaine alternate halves - is out of the question, the starter will always feel threatened knowing there is a backup just as capable licking his chops to regain his job.

With that said, how effective can the starter be if he has to constantly be looking over his shoulder wondering if his next interception or failed third-down conversion means a seat on the bench?

- Alan Goldenbach

Offensive line

This season, the Wolverines have shuffled things up a bit to compensate.

Redshirt freshman Jeff Backus, who missed spring practice while recovering from surgery to repair a ruptured appendix, will play left tackle. Fifth-year senior Zach Adami has started the Wolverines' past 23 games, but he will leave his entrenched spot at right guard to play center. Sophomore Chris Ziemann was expected to battle Backus for time at left tackle but will start at right guard instead to replace Adami.

Ziemann's move leaves sophomore Steve Frazier, considered full of potential by coach Lloyd Carr, on the bench. Redshirt freshman Steve Hutchinson had an excellent spring and will start at left guard, backed up by highly heralded redshirt freshman Paul Tannous.

Through it all, the anchor will be co-captain Jon Jansen, a 6-foot-7, 290-pound junior who could be an All-American this season. A third-year starter, Jansen is playing his second season at right tackle and has started the Wolverines' past 25 games.

Nimble enough to be recruited and redshirted as a tight end, Jansen has the quick feet and good hands that, when combined with his bulk, could make him a high NFL draft pick if he were to forego his final year of eligibility this winter. But Jansen has given no indication that he will.

"Being named captain is the greatest honor ever for me in sports," said Jansen, who was an All-Big Ten honorable mention in 1996 and a frequent dream-team selection in high school. "To be elected by your peers to lead them in battle is one of the greatest honors anyone can have, especially at Michigan. It is a wonderful honor to be in such an elite group."

Carr has plenty of praise for Jansen.

"Jon Jansen is smart, tough and determined," Carr said. "There is no question that he will be a great leader."

- Nicholas J. Cotsonika

09-11-97