Welcome to the inagural edition of the DSM Roundtable where we will be asking DSM writers their opinions on various topics for sports gaming.  We will tackle issues anywhere from preferred strategies to the latest gaming news.  This week our staffers tackle the subject of which type of quarterback is best to build a program around in the NCAA.   Let us see what the DSM staffers think!

In your opinion, what is the best style of Quarterback to build an NCAA program around, pocket passer, balanced or a scrambler?

Erik "Ralnakor" Westfall: Much to the chagrin of the NFL, I have to say a scrambling quarterback. Think about it, sure, their accuracy is a bit shaky but they generally have power and you now face a dual threat in the running game while still having to look at a passing threat. Look at what both Appalachian State and Oregon did to Michigan. No, Michigan's not having a good year, but look at how many different threats Oregon had when on offense. Dixon had two running backs, he had a solid passing game which was set up by the run, and they still left things open for the option as well. In today's NCAA offense, I can't see a better option.

Bryan "Hellisan" Clark: I'm going to say that a balanced QB - but a very good one - is what it takes. Even Vince Young, by my estimation, is a balanced quarterback. He just happens to be a better scrambling QB than even Pat White, but he's still balanced enough to hurt you with the pass. In the end, there hasn't been the upper-level success (championships) with the classic scrambling quarterback yet.

These days, the scrambling QB offenses are set up with that West Virginia style. It's a style that absolutely shreds an overmatched defense but isn't quite able to take you to the top... at least so far. It's also boring in my opinion, but that's another subject. To sum up, I don't think you can win the NCAA championship these days with a Drew Bledsoe statue type QB, but he'd better be able to keep a very good defense honest with his arm.

Dave "BlyGilmore" Branda: You want to play championship football? At the quarterback position you need three things. First, a player with quick, strong release. This is what seperates guys like Peyton Manning from the Kerry Collins of the world. Peyton lets that ball fly in a split second. I've seen Kerry take longer to finish his windup than it took Optimus Prime to go from truck to bot. (Want a fun game? Pickup Kerry Collins in your franchise and make the Transformers noise every time he throws. Your buddies will wet their pants). The only thing that should be quicker than your QB's release should be his mind. Some guys have all the talent in the world but don't know a Cover 2 from a Cover 3. Third, the ability to play-action pass. This is often a very underrated trait, but this is one way a QB can make not only the passing game better, but also the running game.

Patrick "BigWill33" Williams: Building a future powerhouse NCAA program from the ground up and you need a quarterback do you? Well I would imagine your line is a little subpar, and you maybe have one true decent wideout and an average halfback to go with them. So naturally you better have your best athlete lining up behind center. You will need a quarterback that is elusive and mobile because he is not going to have the time to sit back there and throw. Tony Rice, Major Harris, Tommy Frazier, Duante Culpepper, Mike Vick, and even Tyler Donovan (not sure who he is, ask a Michigan fan) are freaks that could turn any team into a contender, or atleast send them in the right direction, within four years. Give me speed, agility and size if you have it. Give me Ben Roethlisberger or Jared Lorenzen even. Just remember, SPEED KILLS, mobility keeps plays alive.

Chase "Slizeezyc" Becotte: Is this a REAL life question? I feel compelled to stand up for the flabby man-boobed reality that many gamers live in, so I will answer this real life question from the NCAA Football 08 perspective. And since I am going that route, then it's definitely all about the scrambling QB. In real life defenses overplay the option QB and have all day to throw once scrambling from the pocket right? I'm pleading ignorance in the other case, so my argument is infallible. Recruit a bunch of athletes and option QBs and let the National Championships just roll in year after year.

Chris "ChrisS" Sanner: Like many of my colleagues here at DSM, I feel that a QB who can run is the best bet to build a program around. For starters, if you are buidling a program chances are the talent will be thin across the board, and that includes your lineman.  Having a QB who can escape the pressure from an overmatched offensive line's gaping holes is a huge asset. Another big factor in deciding is what type of offense will you run? For starters, I prefer to utilize as many possible threats every single play as possible.  In my opinion, Urban Meyer is an absolute genius and understands this concept fully. I also think that having a quarterback who can run (and throw of course) is a huge assett to such an offense.