N&O (Note: Beck in photo, throwing off-balance off his back foot)Luke DeCock took the time to catch up with ex-Pack gunslinger Harrison Beck for an unnecessary article about how he's doing at Division II North Alabama. Beck, true to form, was not shy about commenting on his time at State, which was DeCock's goal from the outset, I'm sure. Can you come up with a better reason why this article was penned?
Here are a couple of gems:
"Obviously, it was a difficult couple years at N.C. State," Beck said. "Whatever happened, happened. I've always felt that I've been able to play the quarterback position at high level. Now it's probably a combination of everything, but the truth is I've got receivers here who understand who I am as a quarterback. It works out better."Right. You have receivers that understand you better. Got it.
DeCock takes that and runs with it:
The Division II defensive backs are a half-step slower, giving Beck's aggressive throws a better chance of find their way to the multiple receivers of North Alabama's spread offense.Parker and Thornton were both three-star recruits coming out of high school. I'm not going to say Owen Spencer, TJ Graham and Donald Bowens are light years ahead of those two guys, but let's not pretend cast-offs from FSU and UNC equates to having more talent at receiver than at State.
He also may be surrounded by as much, if not more, receiving talent than he was with the Wolfpack, which also doesn't hurt. Among his targets: Florida State transfer Preston Parker and North Carolina transfer Kenton Thornton. (Former UNC cornerback Richie Rich is at UNA as well.)
Beck continues:
"Coach Bowden and I understand each other," Beck said. "Sometimes he calls plays and says, 'We want to throw deep on this one so just take the shot, go do it.' That's a little different than what I've ever had. It was always, 'Don't lose the game,' 'Don't throw that,' 'Check it down to the fullback, throw it short, take that stuff.'Heaven forbid the coaching staff would encourage you to NOT LOSE THE GAME WITH A BONEHEAD PLAY.
"Coach Bowden stresses touchdowns before checkdowns, not checkdowns then touchdowns. He lets me be who I am. He understands who I am as a quarterback."
I think this last comment pretty much sums it all up:
"I tell 'em all the time here," Beck said, "I wish I could have come to dang North Alabama right out of high school."No disrespect to North Alabama, but that's not a "destination school" for high school football talent. I'm glad Beck has found a place where he can be himself as a quarterback, but it's telling that it's at the Division II level where he can "sling" it all over the field with minor repercussions. His unwillingness to be coached to protect the ball by the staff at Nebraska and then at State is the reason why he is where he is...on the Island Of Misfit Toys where Terry Bowden is collecting all the other cast-off talent that couldn't hack it in the FBS division (26 Division I-A transfers now play for UNA).
"but the truth is I've got receivers here who understand who I am as a quarterback. It works out better."
ReplyDeletei bet they do ...here's their understanding "there's a 50/50 chance that Beck is going to throw it directly to the cornerback and i am going to have to act as a defensive back on this play and try to knock the ball down."
Two completely unrelated points here:
ReplyDelete1. UNA is almost where Cam Sexton decided to go. I can't even begin to imagine what the N&O would do if he and Beck were part of a DII QB controversy.
2. Heh heh. DeCock.
6-0 #3 team in country headed to national title?
ReplyDelete3-2 headed to meineke carcare bowl?... maybe a bowl?
ummm.........
face it! in terms of total offense, UNA has it all over NC State! They are infinitely more sophisticated in their play calling, and the talent level is off the charts!! state wishes they had these receivers,especially Preston Parker who knows what YAC means!!
ReplyDeleteHarrison has talent, but an ego to match it, which doesn't allow for coaches to do their job.
ReplyDeletelol....somewhat respectfully written, but you're just like those seedy media people that take excerpts out of someones quotes and misinterprets them. Did you post any quotes where my brother expressed his regrest for how he acted in prior years, or that he knows he's made a lot of mistakes and is now just trying to look to the future? My brother could have said much worse things for the way he was treated by NC state coaching staff, and by the players at Nebraska..He didnt stand a chance at Nebraska because of the medica coverage he got, none of the players would cooperate with him. He would try to rally them to come and throw/catch and practice during down time with him so he could build relationships with his recievers and no one would give him a chance..he was too young, or too overrated..etc..He was told he shouldnt be playing guitar or have facial hair...politics, not football. At NC state...they screwed him, and maybe it was partly his fault..he was sometimes immature, but they knew he had the works to be a great QB...they told many other D2 schools that..told them he had all the talent to be a great QB...and when the coaches asked "well then why are you trying to get rid of him?" they had no reason...him and O'brien never saw eye to eye..it didn't matter what My brother did...O'brien wanted his own QB..that he could mold from the beginning..O'Brien is SUCKING at NC state and him and Bible ride on the coat tails of Matt Ryan..as if they formed him, when really he formed himself and they just happened to be his coach. Listen..UNA is in the second round of the playoffs, going toward the championship, they have lost only one game all season..my brother is in the running for the D2 heisman, been invited to regional Combine for 2010...has had an amazing season...so stop hating, get a life, and when you actually know what you're talking about write another article..maybe that one will be a bit better...btw have u ever played football before?!?! Have you worked that hard for something and had to fight for it!??! I doubt it...Not everyone is a Tim Tebow, but they can still be hard working, and a great QB.
ReplyDeleteI think what has been said pretty much sums up Beck as a player--he was uncoachable and that's why he is where he is. I watched him play several times in CF and he was easily the worst of the qb's prior to Wilson and that's saying a lot.
ReplyDelete