Quarterback replaces a standout, starts vs. a powerhouse, but he's feeling no pressure.
By PETE YOUNG
Published August 29, 2003
TAMPA - Thanks for your concern, but Ronnie Banks is sleeping just fine these days.
He is eating well, too, as evidenced by the sandwich wedges and chips he scarfed down at Tuesday's media luncheon.
And, apparently, it is not an act. Banks has betrayed no anxiety regarding the double-barrelled situation he is marching into: replacing South Florida standout Marquel Blackwell at quarterback and starting his first career game Saturday at storied Alabama.
"No, no pressure at all," said Banks, a redshirt junior from New Orleans. "Sleeping's not a problem, except for talking on the phone late. I definitely give myself enough sleep.
"Marquel did a lot here, and I only hope I can do the same things. The big thing is trying to manage the game, and I really feel if I manage the game everything will fall into place. Marquel told me before he left, play within the offense and you'll be fine."
Banks appreciates what Blackwell accomplished in four seasons as a starter. He recognizes that Alabama is Alabama, and on Saturday when he walks onto famed Legion Field, 80,000 lungs will be hollering for him to screw up.
At the same time, it is not that big of a deal.
"I have to focus on not putting too much pressure on myself. It's a team game, we all do our jobs individually and collectively," Banks said. "Everybody does their job. That's how you win football games.
"You're going to feel the jitters. That's part of football because you want to do well. My big thing is, I want to do well to make everybody proud, to make the school proud."
There are good reasons Banks is confident and even-keeled. It is his fourth season in the program, so he knows the no-huddle, fast-paced system. He learned a lot from watching Blackwell. He has known for more than a year he would be in this position, so he has prepared.
"Being on that sideline the past three years has been beneficial in some ways. I've seen things, things that we can do to get better," Banks said. "I saw things from a different perspective, maybe some things that we can work on and try to do better."
Banks, 21, also had a few acclaimed cameos in relief of Blackwell, at Utah two years ago and at Arkansas and Oklahoma last season.
"I like him. I like what Ronnie does," 1989 Heisman Trophy winner and ESPN announcer Andre Ware said of Banks, whom he has watched on videotape. "He doesn't get credit for his mobility but he can move around. He seems to know the offense and move the chains."
Teammates have expressed little, if any, concern about Banks' ability to replace Blackwell. If anything, they are a little weary of all of the questions about it.
But things will be a little different under Banks. He will throw deep a little more, tuck it under and run a little less, talk it up in the huddle a little more and (probably) make a few more negative plays - interceptions, fumbles, sacks - because he is new, and because Blackwell made so few.
"With Ronnie, don't think you're too deep to get the ball," receiver Huey Whittaker said. "You can be 60 yards downfield, turn around and the ball might be there. He'll throw it.
"Black, he might have scrambled out of the pocket a little quicker. Ronnie, he might take a step back or a step up and make that 60-yard pass."
Whittaker said Banks (6 feet 3, 230 pounds) is more outspoken and naturally has developed into a leader.
"With Black, you didn't always know how he was feeling. With Ronnie, you know," Whittaker said. "Ronnie's become more vocal with the linemen and the other receivers, and he shows confidence now. That's important, you have to show that confidence to be a successful quarterback. He's just grown."
Said Banks: "I've always been vocal. Even when Marquel was the quarterback, I was vocal. So this year, I just took it up a notch. I talk to them more. Marquel was quiet, but I like to go up to the team, talk to them and give them motivation."
There has not always been reciprocated confidence. Coach Jim Leavitt said as recently as two years ago he was not sure if Banks had what it takes to succeed Blackwell, and he let Banks know about it. Banks responded.
"Coach Leavitt's going to put things in front of you to see how you react. He wanted to see if I would be weak. He was testing me," Banks said.
"Everything he's done has been a test for the position I'm in right now. You can't take it personally. I just stayed strong. Being the quarterback of the team, it's a big responsibility. (Leavitt) knows what it takes, he knows what I can do and he got me to this position. He was testing me. I thank him for that.
"This is definitely something I've been planning on and anticipating for a long time. And it's here. I've thought about it for a long time, and I'm excited about it."
