Quote:
Originally Posted by SCRedskinsFan
Just a random observation regarding the QB position in today’s NFL. For all intents and purposes, a QB that is able to move exceedingly well and run outside the pocket is a must, to the exclusion of all others, like Mac Jones. And quarterbacks in the Russel Wilson mold seem to be much sought and preferred.
In the face of all that, who is the apparent GOAT at that position, who was drafted in the sixth round because of athletic shortcomings? And who just won the Super Bowl as the classic traditional pocket passer he has always been? So despite our excitement about the athleticism of the current crop of candidates, we would be well served that good wheels are not necessarily a reliable predictor of QB success. We would broaden our consideration to those who are tough minded, able to read the defense well, who have a quick release and accuracy even under stress, and who sport a high football IQ. I’m thinking that these qualities are undervalued as we look at QB candidates, and are more likely found in the later rounds of the draft.
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Well spoken. Running QBs don't last. Never have, never will. They take bad hits eventually and get hurt, like Mahomes was this year, like Jackson, etc. More importantly, running becomes a substitute for learning to read Ds and be a pocket passer. Good wheels are not only not a good predictor of success, I would say the opposite is true.
Brees, Rodgers, Brady, etc., the guys in the hunt year after year, are traditional pocket passers that run very sparingly. Assuming you don't have a chicken arm, and can at least make all the basic throws, QB is 90% mental.
To me, Montana the GOAT, never cheated, never lost the big game. He could make all the throws but would be first to tell you he wasn't strong armed.
Trey Lance could be a stud, but has NEVER been forced to make pro reads. Assuming he can is a massive projection. Ala Haskins, though I doubt anyone in this year's draft will be as lazy as Haskins and improve so little. Learning to read offenses is NOT some trivial skill. Those advocating Trey Lance and similar guys have learned NOTHING from RGIII and Haskins. NOTHING. Neither could read a basic D. They destroyed it in college making quick simple plays on offenses loaded to gills with stud skill position players. You mitigate the risk of a QB busting by picking one that has already demonstrated ability to run a real pro offense and read Ds. Pocket passers are the players with longevity who lead teams deep into playoffs year after year. Pocket passers are what we should be looking to draft.
I like Mac Jones, and might take him over Lawrence, because of the mental aspects. Probably not, but maybe. I watched some film on both, limited sample size, and all I'm saying is, no way we get Lawrence, but Jones is the type of guy we should be targeting. I seriously doubt he is there at #19 but if he is, I take him in a heartbeat. His personality, work ethic, etc., remind me of Eli Manning, minus the ruinous alcoholism. People forget that Giants won more SBs than any other NFC team, prior to Brady moving to Bucs, over last two decades. With the statue pocket passer.
I think a team like New England will probably move up and take Jones. Trey Lance makes sense in the 2nd round given he has no proven ability to read Ds, but will be gone long before then I think. I love taking a flyer on a guy like Peyton Ramsey in the 3rd, 4th, or later. No brainer in the 4th for a team with no QB, if he's there. People say our OC wants a running QB for his "system" but great coordinators adapt the system to the player.
A VERY important observation about pocket passers, is that you can actually find a good one outside the first round and outside the top-10. You can find a good pocket passer in later rounds and have a solid long-term starter. You can't generally find a guy that can throw and run like a WR in the later rounds.
Mac Jones if he's there at 19, which I doubt he'll be. I think he'll be gone in top-10, and no way he slides by Pats at 15. I'm NOT a huge fan of trading up, but if Jones is sitting there past 10 it becomes interesting. Dallas and Giants are 10-11, both have their QB, but would they help a division rival snipe theirs or rather help Pats? You'd, going by charts, be talking a 2nd and 4th or 5th rounder. So you would get Jones and still have 2 third round picks. I don't love trades like this, but it at least isn't a total mortgaging of future, and I think the price would ultimately be higher because of bidding war QB needy teams, and would probably take a 2nd and 3rd this year minimum. Too high a price methinks.
And sign Trent Williams to 2-year deal. :-) LOL. LOL. LOL. Bruce Allen, the gift that keeps on giving. . .
At a minimum, we need to take a flyer on a pocket passer like Ramsey in 3rd or 4th round.