Quote:Legaux, Kay to compete for Bearcats QB job
February, 28, 2013

By Andrea Adelson | ESPN.com

Cincinnati quarterback Munchie Legaux might have lost his starting quarterback job last season, but new coach Tommy Tuberville is going to give him an opportunity to win it back.

Tuberville said in a phone interview with ESPN.com on Thursday that Legaux and Brendon Kay will once again compete for the starting job when spring practice opens Friday. Legaux and Kay were involved in a competition last spring and fall before Legaux won the job. He started the first eight games last season before Kay replaced him midway through the Syracuse game.

Kay ended up starting the final five games of 2012.

"(Legaux) and I have spent a lot of time together talking in the last three or four weeks about his future, and we’re going to give him every opportunity to win the starting position," Tuberville said. "I know over the last five or six games last year he was moved back to the backup role after getting off to a great start, but he’s a senior and he’s excited: new offense, new coaches, new perspective on showing us what he can do, so it’s wide open.

"Our starting quarterback, Brendon, he understands the same thing. We’re going to play the best quarterback. They’re going to be on an equal playing field going into this spring."

Don't expect a decision any time soon, either.

"I don’t know whether we’ll have our starter this spring or even at the end of spring," Tuberville said. "I think probably this is going to go on up to eight to 12 days of camp next fall. There’s not enough time to put enough offense in to evaluate what they can do with this offense, but there will be some competition. We’ll have three good scrimmages, and they’ll both have an opportunity to work with the first-team offensive line, receivers and running backs.

"Competition is the best thing in the world for a football team, especially when you have two quarterbacks who have played. They’ve competed against each other. Both are good friends. It’s going to be fun to watch those guys compete."

Legaux took heavy criticism last season because he had a tendency to make too many mistakes, and his accuracy has also been up-and-down. That led to his benching against Syracuse. Kay came into the game and led the come-from-behind win. He was better at taking care of the football, too. Kay was granted a sixth year of eligibility, and now he gets to fight for the starting job, again.

(02-28-2013 04:23 PM)Racinejake Wrote:  Also, it would be great to see Coney or Norvell emerge as a true #2 at some point this season. Need someone who has seen some live reps heading into 2014.

(02-28-2013 04:29 PM)FLIP Wrote:  I fully expect Kay to beat out Munchie in the spring, with possibly Coney ending up #2 and Munchie moved to WR in the fall. We lack WR depth as it stands now, and I just don't see CTT letting Munchie waste his talent standing on the sidelines when he can be used elsewhere. The only benefit Munchie brought to QB position was his running ability - when he was allowed to run - but his passing is his achilles heal, and it just isn't good enough. Kay is the better passer and decision maker, and from his performance in the Belk, his running ability isn't bad either. Overall, Kay is just better IMO.

(02-28-2013 04:42 PM)subflea Wrote:  

(02-28-2013 04:29 PM)FLIP Wrote:  I fully expect Kay to beat out Munchie in the spring, with possibly Coney ending up #2 and Munchie moved to WR in the fall. We lack WR depth as it stands now, and I just don't see CTT letting Munchie waste his talent standing on the sidelines when he can be used elsewhere. The only benefit Munchie brought to QB position was his running ability - when he was allowed to run - but his passing is his achilles heal, and it just isn't good enough. Kay is the better passer and decision maker, and from his performance in the Belk, his running ability isn't bad either. Overall, Kay is just better IMO.

I do not think there is any scenario where Munchie gets moved to WR.

(02-28-2013 03:37 PM)BearcatBeta Wrote:  Somebody get the stretcher for Rath.

(02-28-2013 06:31 PM)cinbinsportsfan Wrote:  Munchie and Kay competing for the #1 quarterback job is probably more about the staff getting to know their players better than anything. Kay should win out.

(02-28-2013 06:30 PM)rath v2.0 Wrote:  

(02-28-2013 03:37 PM)BearcatBeta Wrote:  Somebody get the stretcher for Rath.

I appreciate your concern. But no need. Being right since spring practice has a way of soothing the nerves.

Add in that all the butthurt Munchie and Jones apologists (most of whom probably thought proper mechanics was a magazine for gear heads) did an abrupt about face and I couldn't be happier with the prospect of a faux QB competition.

This staff didn't recruit these guys so they will not make the same mistake the last clowns did. Honestly the thought of El Munchito under center in a pro set is enough to make me chuckle.

Ball don't lie.

(02-28-2013 04:54 PM)CliftonAve Wrote:  

(02-28-2013 04:42 PM)subflea Wrote:  

(02-28-2013 04:29 PM)FLIP Wrote:  I fully expect Kay to beat out Munchie in the spring, with possibly Coney ending up #2 and Munchie moved to WR in the fall. We lack WR depth as it stands now, and I just don't see CTT letting Munchie waste his talent standing on the sidelines when he can be used elsewhere. The only benefit Munchie brought to QB position was his running ability - when he was allowed to run - but his passing is his achilles heal, and it just isn't good enough. Kay is the better passer and decision maker, and from his performance in the Belk, his running ability isn't bad either. Overall, Kay is just better IMO.

I do not think there is any scenario where Munchie gets moved to WR.

Agreed. If Kay is the guy it is best to have an experienced backup available in case he goes down. History has shown that Qb's generally don't make it through the season unscathed here. Plus, Munchie would just get lost in the WR shuffle--- that is probably the deepest position group we have on the roster with McClung, Chism, Chris Moore, Johnny Horton, Shaq Washington, Jeremy Graves, Shakim Alonzo, DyJuan Lewis, Nate Cole, Braxton Lane and others.