The Other Legacy

There is a quarterback in Texas who implodes at crucial points of his season. Now there is also one that does the exact opposite. After the Texas-Oklahoma game on October 17th Colt McCoy looked over hyped, over stressed and over awed. It was by far his worst game in the last 2, maybe 3, years. Just in case you’ve forgotten, lets recap; McCoy completed 21 passes from 38 attempts, he had 1 touchdown and 1 pick and, worst of all, Colt McCoy the potential Heisman winner passed for 127 yards. And only 33 yards rushing, at an average of 2.4. This was a painful degeneration of a great player, McCoy looked a shadow of the player who took his team to within 10 seconds of a perfect season. Whilst the numbers were awful it was the play that was the worst aspect. He was making bad throws, failing to make any plays outside the pocket and making the Sooners defensive job easy. Just as the well looked empty, McCoy and the entire Texas team looked wildly overestimated at National Championship contenders.

Then came Missouri and the Colt McCoy everyone knows, and loves to watch, walked out of the locker room with the rest of his team. It wasn’t vintage, more classical, but the touch was back, the fire in the eye returned and so did the performance level. There was no great statement, nothing to thrust him back into the forefront of Heisman voting, just a nice game. These nice games continued, three in total between Oklahoma and now; Missouri, Oklahoma State and Baylor. If there were other nice games there would be nothing special or significant about the season that Colt McCoy has had. These three games were however highlighted by three outstanding efforts. The one’s where McCoy puts the Burnt Orange on his back and carries them, like he did all last year. Central Florida became the first team this year to play against the real McCoy. 470 yards later and the doubts had begun to seep away, slowly though, tempered by only throwing 2 touchdowns and still giving up a pick. Then came the last two games of the year, Kansas and Texas A&M. This was when the intangibles as well as the measurable were both on display. The toughness that is bred in most young men in Tuscola, Texas shone through, the leadership qualities of the fourth year senior, the accuracy and the mobility all came together again to form a new Colt McCoy. 700 yards passing and 204 yards rushing over the last two games combined showed the statistical prowess but there was more. It was the leadership against Kansas, on paper not a tough game, but in practicality a big banana skin. This was when the passing game came back to him, the incredible accuracy, the touchdown passes and finally zero interceptions. Did anyone ever honestly believe that last years version of the Texas quarterback could be bettered? Well over the last two weeks we have found out the answer to that question. Emphatically yes. This was highlighted in a glorious pyrotechnic display in the tightest spot of his, and Texas’, year. Whilst his usual accuracy deserted him he found a way. A way to contribute 479 yards to the Texas offence and again showed the leadership that was required at the crucial time.

The nation has seen the Tebow moments; the jump passes, the rushing touchdowns, the charging down the touchline. Thanksgiving night in College Station, Texas was the first genuine McCoy moment. It is different to that of Tebow’s, he is a different person, a different player, a different entity to that of the Gator. He is just as good a person, like Tebow he provides missionary work to South America, he is Tebow’s equal in leadership and his superior in quality of play. He is just quieter and from a different programme, a different state. He has maybe taken on more in leading the Texas Longhorns than Tebow has in leading the Gators. Consider coming into that team after Vince Young, the National Championship and handling, handling it well enough to become the winningest QB in college football history. Regardless of these outstanding features to McCoy and his legacy he will always be measured against Tebow. Can he surpass the Florida QB and all he has achieved? Can he establish himself as the best player of his class? There are two accolades that McCoy needs to do this, one will be won in New York and the other in Pasadena. If he achieves this, the legacy is complete. If not 2009 is still turning into a year of McCoy.