| 02 September 2010
It's been a crazy August. When the month began, Nathan Stanley was the Ole Miss quarterback of the future. A week later, one-time Heisman-hopeful Jeremiah Masoli was a Rebel and Stanley was just about an afterthought. Now, barring a Friday miracle, Stanley's the starter again. Don't think for a second he doesn't feel the disappointment from Rebel fans that Masoli won't be the quarterback this year.
From the outset of the situation with Masoli, Stanley handled himself with the kind of coolness you hope to see from a pocket-style quarterback. After all, pro-style passers like Stanley have to face down giant, violent people trying to inflict physical pain all while finding an open receiver and making a precise pass. It takes nerves of steel. Stanley may have them.
At Meet the Rebels Day a couple weeks ago, a line stretched all the way across the indoor practice facility for Masoli's autograph. Cheerleaders were tapping Masoli on the back and posing for pictures with him. Stanley, on the other hand, sat at the end of the same table, minus the long line and the adoring cheerleaders, dutifully signing posters and caps, and you couldn't help but think he had to be upset with the way the Fall of 2010 was turning out for him. This was supposed to be his year. His chance to try to become a famous SEC quarterback. Many people might have folded under similar circumstances and withdrawn into a shell. In fact, a quarterback by the name of Raymond Cotton had literally withdrawn a couple weeks before, which was the first domino to fall in the Masoli grab.
But Stanley didn't withdraw.
You could tell at the scrimmage later than afternoon. Stanley was all business. He showed poise, precision and a strong arm. He completed nearly every pass. He knew the offense. But it was Masoli who received cheers from the thousands of fans in attendance when he took the field in relief of Stanley. When Stanley had taken the field earlier, the cheers were not noticeable. The fans were anxious to see Masoli. If the adulation of Masoli bothered Stanley you couldn't tell. In fact, the opposite was true. Masoli's presence appeared to elevate Stanley's level of play. He remained focused even after being sidelined for Masoli. There was something about his demeanor on that hot August afternoon. Stanley carried himself like this was still his team. As if nothing had changed when Masoli came to Oxford. When Masoli took the field, Stanley took a knee on the sideline, away from the other players, and watched intently. Focused. Like he needed to be learning on each play, because he expected to be on that field. You could tell, Stanley still thought of the Ole Miss offense as his offense, just like it was supposed to be last spring. After a topsy-turvy month, in all likelihood, this is Nathan Stanley's offense now. Saturday, he has a chance to go stake his claim.
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