Thursday, October 30, 1997
Leader
pass
FOOTBALL: Perfection and patience is what makes Cade McNown the
ideal quarterback
By Vytas Mazeika
Daily Bruin Staff
UCLA, meet your quarterback.
He wears a blue-and-gold uniform most Saturdays, from the start
of September to the end of November. You can spot him if you look
for No. 18. It’s easier to pick him out in practice because he
wears a red jersey – but he still sports the No. 18. His name: Cade
McNown.
McNown has a rather laid-back personality that radiates
confidence. He knows what is needed from him on and off the
football field. In the past, he may have tried to do too much, but
you won’t catch him making many mistakes this season. You see,
McNown is the top-rated quarterback in the nation.
With a pass efficiency rating of 169 (which is higher than the
NFL average), McNown surpassed fellow Pac-10 quarterback Brock
Huard of Washington (168.2). He ranks ahead of Heisman Trophy
candidates Peyton Manning of Tennessee (146.2) and Donovan McNabb
of Syracuse (165.4). McNown is even better than probable future NFL
quarterbacks Tim Couch of Kentucky (147) and Ryan Leaf of
Washington State (164).
"I’m excited for him," UCLA head coach Bob Toledo said. "He has
more than reached my expectation level. To have 16 touchdowns and
only four interceptions, and to make some of the plays he’s making
– for a junior he’s playing as well as I thought he’d ever play.
I’m really proud of him."
But don’t expect McNown to take much of the credit. His quiet
nature won’t allow him to gloat over his success. If anything,
McNown would rather have everyone else realize that it is due to
his teammates’ efforts that the No. 12 Bruins enjoy a six-game
winning streak.
"No. 1 pass efficiency, I think, is a credit to the offense, not
just one person," McNown said. "The receivers have to catch the
ball, and the line has to protect for me to be effective. It’s
really a culmination of everyone on the team."
McNown stands 6 feet 1 inch and weighs 215 pounds. Not really
what the NFL considers your ideal quarterback. Nevertheless, McNown
makes believers out of most, with plays like the one against Cal in
the third quarter of Saturday’s game.
Flushed out of the pocket and with a defender draped all over
him, McNown rolled to his left and threw a perfect strike to senior
flanker Jim McElroy. Toledo called it "one of the best plays of his
career." McElroy caught the ball in full stride and scored on the
58-yard play. Plays like this one are what made McNown a great
field general.
"I think his leadership has gotten a lot better – particularly
with his success," UCLA offensive coordinator and quarterback coach
Al Borges said. "I think the best leadership is by example, and he
has exemplified a quarterback who knows what he is doing. There is
a carryover to the rest of the team, and they know he knows what he
is doing … They have confidence that he can get the job done, and
that is the best leader."
McNown wasn’t the starting quarterback during the beginning of
his freshman year, but by the end of the Terry Donahue era in 1995,
he found himself first-string. The experience gained that first
year has helped McNown develop.
Yet Toledo and Borges are quick to point out that McNown has
gone through two freshman seasons. Last year, when a new offensive
system was integrated by Borges, McNown struggled to make reads and
committed many mistakes – as shown by his 16 interceptions, as
opposed to his 12 touchdowns, on the season.
"I was concerned with his inconsistency, but I’ve coached for a
while, and I’ve coached quarterbacks most of my life," Toledo said.
"When you put in a new system, it’s not easy. I think when you’re
playing with a young guy who’s inexperienced, it takes him a little
while to get going. I knew that with his work ethic, his character
and the pride he had that he would be better than he performed. It
was just a matter of time."
The success that both the Bruins and McNown have had this season
is reflective of McNown’s grasp of the offense and his
decision-making abilities. Toledo emphasized last week that McNown
touches the ball on every offensive snap, and the fate of UCLA
rides on his efficiency.
However, as evidenced by the 16 touchdown passes to four
interceptions this season, McNown now finds himself more at ease
with his role in the offensive scheme.
"I think I’m more comfortable in the huddle," McNown said. "I’ve
been here for a while, and it’s nice coming in here and seeing
familiar faces. Guys that I’ve been to war with. It’s a familiar
atmosphere in that huddle."
McNown has a strong belief that his wide receivers – like
McElroy and redshirt sophomore Danny Farmer – will get open, if he
waits long enough. McNown has a career low minus 72 rushing yards
this season because he stays in the pocket until the fourth read in
many plays. To him, that statistic only portrays his commitment to
the team.
"I’m trying to stay away from ill-advised throws," McNown said.
"If something is not open, I’m just going to swallow it, or throw
it away, or something and live to find another day. Interceptions
just hurt a team too much."
McNown expressed his frustration when forced to throw away the
ball in games like the one against Cal. He tends to get upset – not
at himself – but at the situation.
The patience employed by McNown on the field, though, only
enhances the improvements in categories like accuracy and game
management. Nevertheless, McNown knows that he is far from
perfect.
"Obviously I’m not a perennial All-Pro in the NFL, so I’ve got
plenty of work to do," McNown said. "Actually, even those guys have
some work to do once in a while. I’m in a position where there is
room for growth – room for getting better. So if I’m not completing
just about all my passes, I’m going to be a little upset."
Borges describes McNown as a perfectionist, "just like the
entire coaching staff." McNown has high expectations of himself,
and Borges believes that, due to the self-criticism, McNown has
developed into the perfect quarterback for UCLA.
"I know (McNown) fits what we want and he does what we want,"
Borges said. "To say that a lot of quarterbacks can (run our
system), I don’t know that a lot of quarterbacks can do it. But I
know he can do it, and he’s got all of the physical and mental
qualifications that we are looking for in the position."
McNown may not be a Heisman candidate, he may not be a future
NFL quarterback – although his efforts this season may give him a
shot – and he may not end the season as the top-rated college
quarterback, but for another season-and-a half, he will wear blue
and gold as your UCLA quarterback.
AARON TOUT/ Daily Bruin
Quarterback Cade McNown shows Washington State why he’s the
nation’s top passer.