So Many Quarterbacks, So Little Time

"We are nowhere near a starting quarterback," said Harvard Coach Joe Restic.

Six candidates lead the race for starting quarterback. That's right, six. Or, Simms versus Hostetler times three.

And, like the competition between the two New York Giants quarterbacks, members of Harvard's sextet claim that everyone gets along just fine, thanks.

"The only pressure is the pressure that I would like to do well," senior quarterback Pete Bassett said. "There's no pressure from any other source."

The six QB's are diverse in every way--in age, in passing style and in mobility.

But regardless of the attributes of the chosen quarterback, Restic said that Harvard will shape its offense around him.

"The multiflex offense can go any way," Restic said. "It depends on the quarterback's capability. We will capitalize on the quarterback's strength."

The Big Gun

If Restic opts to go for a solid dropback quarterback with the strongest arm on the team, he will look to sophomore David Morgan.

Although Restic does not often start a sophomore QB, he said that he will play a sophomore "if he is the best player."

"You hear that Coach Restic doesn't play sophomores," Morgan said. "Honestly, you don't know what is going to happen, so you try not to worry yourself about it."

Last season, Morgan threw 22 completions in 46 attempts for 357 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions for the freshmen. And, his completion percentage of 47.8 lead all freshman quarterbacks.

Another advantage with Morgan is his experience with the multiflex system. He played a simplified version of it in high school.

A Versatile Passer

Sophomore Mike Giardi certainly ranks among Harvard's best all-around passers.

Giardi racked up a triple crown of sorts on offense last season for the freshman squad.

Last season, Giardi led all freshmen in rushing with 270 yards on 50 carries (a 5.4 yards per carry average), in passing with 536 yards and four touch-downs, and in total offense with 806 yards.

Giardi is a crafty quarterback, who can run very well and can throw well, too. He is primarily an option quarterback.

"I am probably better on the run," Giardi said. "I don't have a strong arm. I think Morgan has the strongest arm, but I have the best combination. I think it is pretty much even between five or six guys. Nobody has gotten anything perfect, that's for sure."

The Experienced Gun

Senior Pete Bassett, whose arm strength rivals Morgan's, is also a solid drop-back passer.

Although Bassett has taken only a few snaps for the varsity squad, he is used to the throwing game.

Bassett, who holds five South Carolina high school passing records, played for a run-and-shoot offense that passed "about 90 percent of the time," according to Bassett.

He is also third all-time nationally in touchdowns thrown in high school.

Bassett, who will be playing his third year at quarterback in the Harvard ranks, has the experience edge over the other five players--three juniors and two sophomores.

Mr. Consistency

Junior Joel Lamb is the most consistent and accurate thrower of the group.

"I try to strive for consistency in all aspects," Lamb said. "Accuracy may be my best asset. I feel that my persistency and the way that I play is based on consistency and accuracy."

In other words, he gets the job done.

Like Bassett, Lamb has seen little varsity action in his tenure at Harvard.

But, Lamb completed 22 of 51 passes for 250 yards as a freshman.

Like Giardi and Bassett, Lamb is also versatile. He was a three-sport captain at Natick High School, where he played football, basketball and baseball.

An interesting side note on Lamb is that his father, Tom, coached Heisman Trophy winner Doug Flutie during Flutie's days at Natick High.

The Rollout QB

Junior Dan Freeman is among the quickest QB candidates.

Freeman, who also plays half-back, is a good scrambler. As a halfback, Freeman rushed seven times for 18 yards in four games last season.

"I like to roll out," Freeman said. "I'm pretty flexible. I like to be on the move, but I can drop back, too. I can roll out in case the defense doesn't open up for you."

As a freshman in 1989, Freeman completed 16 of 24 passes for three touchdowns.

Agile Drop-back QB

Junior Terry Wolfram is another Crimson QB with outstanding athletic ability.

Like Lamb, Wolfram captained three sports in high school--football, basketball and baseball.

Wolfram describes himself as "mostly a drop-back passer with decent agility."

He completed 15 of 27 passes for 262 yards and two touch-downs in 1989 for the freshman squad.

Now the decision is up to Restic.

"We told them that we will decide after a three-day period," Restic said, "when we will throw a lot of offense at them. We'll see how they handle that."

Perhaps Lamb best summed up Restic's dilemma.

"I don't think he wants to make the decision," Lamb said. "He is hoping for one or two QB's to set themselves apart."