Mano-A-Mano: Penn QBs

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Before we start, let's get this out of the way: Yes, we did consider going Mano-A-Mano on the Battle for I-95 for the third week in a row. But we have come to accept that it's time to move on, so we're turning our attention to football. Penn has dropped its first two games and starting QB Billy Ragone has struggled, throwing two picks in each contest. Backup Ryan Becker got a few reps in during the blow-out loss vs. Lafayette, but rode the pine for the entire Villanova game, even despite Ragone's troubles. The curious — or not so curious — move by Coach Al Bagnoli prompted our own Alyssa Kress to make the case that Becker needs to be used more consistently, so we must ask ourselves:

Question: How should Bagnoli handle the QB situation going forward?

Brian Kotloff: First, a few concessions: The Quakers would not have repeated as Ivy League champions last season were it not for the stellar play of Billy Ragone. And you can't scrap all your plans after two bad games, especially if those plans worked to perfection just a year ago. But I don't think Ragone should have the quarterback spot 100-percent locked down. He played great in 2010, yes, yet only occasionally did he impress with both his legs and his arm. Plus, he seemed to take many teams by surprise and get by on sheer talent and instinct. This season, Lafayette and Villanova have already demonstrated the formula to shut him down: contain him in the pocket, cut off short routes and force him to beat you downfield. Of course that's easier said than done, but there are plenty of Ivy defenses loaded enough to execute a similar game plan. That's why I believe Ryan Becker, who has much better arm strength, should begin taking at least some of the snaps for Penn.

Kevin Esteves: I agree to some extent, but to all those clamoring for a consistent two-QB system, I still think it's way too early to change up the offensive philosophy. Ragone has definitely struggled, but the All-Ivy first-teamer is Bagnoli's guy. As a coach, I think you send a poor message if all of a sudden you start pulling your starter (even if it's just for a few drives per game) because A) that messes with Ragone's confidence and B) it affects the confidence level the whole team has in Ragone when he comes back into the game. To be fair, Ragone did throw for 250 yards last game, and his pick-six against Lafayette came on a freak play where the ball boinked right off his receiver's chest and into a defender's hands. He's definitely got some kinks to work out as we head into the all-important Ivy games but give him at least another pair of games to let him work it out.

BK: There's too much at risk to let him work out kinks when one loss might spoil your shot at a title. I'm not saying he should be benched in favor of Becker -- not at all, in fact. I just think Bagnoli needs to look into what exactly he has in Becker and give the decision substantial thought. The next two games provide a perfect opportunity to test his two signal callers. Work Becker in on a few series against middling Dartmouth to see how he fares against Ivy competition. Then use the Fordham game -- which is scheduled almost solely as a tune-up for the stretch run, anyway -- as Becker's tryout. Ragone should still take snaps to stay sharp, but Bagnoli needs to see whether Becker's big arm will give the offense the downfield threat it's missing. As a bonus, inserting him here and there will force the defense to adapt to two different styles behind center. And if it doesn't work, there's no harm in scrapping the idea and handing the keys back to Billy.

Just remember: This kid spent a year in Tallahassee practicing with FLORIDA STATE. He's at least worth taking a gamble on. Who knows? Maybe Becker will take the offense to the next level and Ragone will be better utilized as a wild card -- he did come out of high school with the "athlete" label as a potential wide receiver or running back...

KE: Well, just like you said, Dartmouth and Fordham aren't exactly top-notch competition, so I disagree — Ragone will have the opportunity to work out the kinks. If he's throwing picks left and right in the first half against the Big Green, then sure, you can bench him and let Becker do his thing. But there's not a huge risk in allowing Ragone to just play for these two games and get his confidence back up. After that, Coach Bagnoli will have a much better sense of what his QB situation really looks like. As far as Becker, I agree he should probably get some snaps here and there where he can use his stronger arm, but just to mix it up. Again, if Ragone's struggles continue, then it's a different story.

BK: Alright, ring the bell, this one goes to Kotloff in a TKO (I think the Ragone high school nugget was the final straw). But let me add one more knockout blow: Becker went to St. Thomas Aquinas high school in Florida. It's proven lucky for the Quakers once, and I think it will again.

KE: (Throws in the towel)