Desmond Howard supports two-QB system for Michigan

Former Wolverine great Desmond Howard is one of the few members of the media in favor of Jim Harbaugh’s funky dual-quarterback attack at Michigan. Swapping the two guys in and out a year ago worked well enough to get them to the College Football Playoffs, so why change the status quo, according to Howard.

The College GameDay analyst joined ESPN’s First Take on Thursday, and as part of his appearance, was asked if he was alright with the two-quarterback system from his alma mater. Here was his response:

“I am. I’m good with it for one reason. They did this a year ago when JJ was a true freshman. And because he has such talent and they have so much confidence in this young man, they put him in games when games were still hanging in the balance,” Howard said. “He made mistakes, he made plays, he had growing pains. But that just shows you how much talent that he has, what they see from him in practice, and how much confidence they have in JJ McCarthy.

“And you got Cade McNamara. Listen, he had 14 starts, he took them to the College Football Playoff. You can’t disrespect him by just benching him. So I understand what’s going on, the dynamic between the two,” Howard continued. “And it worked a year ago. So why is everyone questioning it this year. If it ain’t broke, then why in the hell do you want to try and fix it? Now, I understand. People say…you gotta go with one quarterback. Why do you have to go with one quarterback if you think you have two very good quarterbacks?”

Pretty definitive answer from Howard. Hard to argue with, too, considering Michigan’s success a season ago. Now, Howard did mention that losing the offensive coordinator who captained the two-QB attack last year is a big deal.

“I think the system that worked a year ago — now, my only concern, is that Josh Gattis, the play-caller from a year ago, is now in Coral Gables running the offense for the Miami Hurricanes,” Howard said. “So Coach Harbaugh has almost an OC-by-committee. He didn’t name one OC. I would much rather see him name one OC than one quarterback.”

Desmond Howard is more concerned about having multiple voices run the offense from the headset, rather than the huddle.