QB Talk

It looks like Nate and Kevin will get equal reps this week, and it will be a game time decision as to which one starts.

i think this is great. First of all, I think Kevin will start, and Nate will go in later, after we are up by 28. I do think that this change really puts Kevin's feet to the fire.

Starting at QB is a lot more work and a lot more prep time than being #2. Hopefully this will open up Kevin's eyes to the fact that if he wants to start at QB for the Bears, it is a full time job. You need to be a student of the game. Nate is that, and he has done that for years. Kevin is new at it.

There is the rule of 10,000 hours. Essentially, that means that to become expert at something, you have to really have dedicated about 10,000 hours to perfecting that practice. In other words, if you are a cook, or an attorney, or a sales guy, it is after about 5 years where you really feel like you know what you are doing. Or if you are working 80 hours per week, 2 1/2 years.

These guys play about 20 hours per week in High School for about 15 weeks per year. That is 300 hours x 4. Maybe they played pop warner, maybe pickup games. Let's give them 2000 hours before they get to college.

Nate has been working probably about 1500 hours per year on his game at Cal. So he is now at about 8000 hours. Riley, on the other hand, is probably about 5000 hours. That is a huge gap. It is why 5th year seniors in the Pac 10 do well, and others need more practice. On top of that, studies and other responsibilities are more difficult.

I would say that providing any way for Kevin Riley to focus and put the time in this year is a huge positive for him. it is just practice - he has the tools to get it done eventually.

But if he does not, Nate is there, and he will be fine.

GO BEARS!!