Arizona's QB Solomon ready to take step forward in assertiveness

TUCSON, Ariz. -- The evolution and growth of Arizona quarterback Anu Solomon is ever-changing.

As he prepares for his second seasons as quarterback of Rich Rodriguez's offense, he seems more comfortable and confident.

"He wants me to be more assertive," said Solomon, "be more on people but also make sure I do my job and make sure they do their job, as well."

At least a small sample of that should be on display Friday night when Arizona culminates spring practice with its annual spring game. The 80-to-90 snap scrimmage will begin at 6 p.m. at Arizona Stadium.

Solomon understands leadership comes with the position, and it's something he continues to work on.  

"I know no matter what age you are you have to step in, but just the way I was raised you never talk back to a grown up," he said. I always respect my elders. I never talked back or it was punishment for me."

But what works in a family dynamic doesn't always hold true on the football field. While Solomon was reluctant to assert himself with older teammates in his first season as quarterback, he's more prepared for that part of the job the second time around.

It's all been a learning process for Solomon, a third-year sophomore who started all 14 games last season in Arizona's better-than-expected 10-4 season. As the incumbent, he's the clear leader over senior Jerrard Randall and redshirt freshman Brandon Dawkins at the position, unlike a year ago when spring drills ended as an open competition.

All three might get equal reps on Friday, but Solomon is the clear-cut leader, Rodriguez said, because "he's proven."

"He's stronger and he's still learning some things," Rodriguez said. "He's still hard-headed at times, (but) just about every good quarterback is hard-headed to some degree. He's stronger and quicker and has a good understanding."

More importantly, he's learning from mistakes. After he took a sack on Arizona's last play in a Fiesta Bowl loss to Boise State rather than kill the clock for another chance at a possible game-tying score, Solomon vowed to improve his clock management skills.

"At times, I get it, but at times I try to do so much," Solomon said.

Arizona quarterback coach Rod Smith said Solomon seems to have a better grasp of those situations; that's what spring is all about.

"He's further along mentally-wise (than Randall and Dawkins), as he should be. He's done some better jobs on the decisions he's made. We've got to continue to work on those situations."

Solomon has taken it upon himself to help the other quarterbacks avoid similar mistakes.

"You don't keep secrets from anybody," he said. "Just in case someone goes down, someone else will be ready to play."

As practice was ending this week, Solomon jokingly gave grief to Randall and Dawkins because the media wanted to speak with them and not him. "No. 13 and No. 8, No. 13 and No. 8," Solomon said, referring to Dawkins' and Randall's uniform numbers.

"As a whole we are getting better," Solomon said of the position. "Jerrard is making his reads now; he's just not out there playing football. Brandon is still learning and his head is still spinning, but he's getting after it. He's trying to get the offense down."

Dawkins agreed.

"When I got here I got thrown into the fire, and that helps a lot," he said, "but spring has helped slow things down. I got in the classroom with Coach Smith, and he helped slow it down."

He's looking forward to putting those lessons into practice on Friday night.

"I can show what I can do," Dawkins said. "I can prove this spring I took it real serious."

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