Updated: Discuss our Backup QB Situation (formerly Byron Leftwich)

[SmootSmack]

When, and if, Davis, Kelly, and Thomas come around I wonder what sort of effect that would have on Campbell.

I wonder what it's like for a 6'5" guy to throw to 6'3" guys versus 5'10 guys

[53Fan]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

When, and if, Davis, Kelly, and Thomas come around I wonder what sort of effect that would have on Campbell.

I wonder what it's like for a 6'5" guy to throw to 6'3" guys versus 5'10 guys

If these guys come around, which I expect them to, a lot of problems are solved. A lot of Campbells "problems" will be solved too.

[Slingin Sammy 33]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

When, and if, Davis, Kelly, and Thomas come around I wonder what sort of effect that would have on Campbell.

I wonder what it's like for a 6'5" guy to throw to 6'3" guys versus 5'10 guys

It will be a beautiful thing. JCs completion % and TDs will increase having guys with a bigger "radius" (as I believe Madden so eloquently put it).

I can tell you, it's a QBs best friend to have big WRs (see Kurt Warner).

[Ruhskins]

I think if the offensive line had held up, Campbell would have had a great season. Although we need good QB on this team, not a great QB. I mean look at Drew Brees, carried his team through the season, led the league in passing yards, yet in the end they didn't have anything to show for b/c they didn't have a defense, and they had a suspect running game. As we've stated on this site before, we need a balanced team, because I don't think we have an area where the team is at an elite level.

Our defense was good, but not great; the same for our running game (well at least at the beginning of the season, it was very good). Personally, I don't think we can turn this team around by fixing just one thing. We talk about replacing Jason Campbell, but you forget the offensive line. So what if we trade Campbell, if you can't fix your offensive line, not even Tom Brady could improve this whole team. Our defense was a good defense, but yes we should improve on that pass rush. Our Special Teams play was horrible, so there's another area that we need to fix, make sure we have a good kicker and punter that can help us win the close games (kicker) and win the field position battle.

[gaudiomatt]

Originally Posted by Ruhskins

I think if the offensive line had held up, Campbell would have had a great season. Although we need good QB on this team, not a great QB. I mean look at Drew Brees, carried his team through the season, led the league in passing yards, yet in the end they didn't have anything to show for b/c they didn't have a defense, and they had a suspect running game. As we've stated on this site before, we need a balanced team, because I don't think we have an area where the team is at an elite level.

Our defense was good, but not great; the same for our running game (well at least at the beginning of the season, it was very good). Personally, I don't think we can turn this team around by fixing just one thing. We talk about replacing Jason Campbell, but you forget the offensive line. So what if we trade Campbell, if you can't fix your offensive line, not even Tom Brady could improve this whole team. Our defense was a good defense, but yes we should improve on that pass rush. Our Special Teams play was horrible, so there's another area that we need to fix, make sure we have a good kicker and punter that can help us win the close games (kicker) and win the field position battle.

I agree with everything you said. Which is why our approach to free agency doesn't work. A team has to find its own way to make it work. Big ben isn't necessarily a perfect QB but he's a true steeler and they've found out how to make it work with him. Or you could go the Warner route and get one of those QBs who just wins games. We are not looking at that situation. We just need to make it work with Campbell, and that means getting a line that isn't fing ridiculously old and can't last 16 games. Brennan should be given a shot if Campbell doesn't perform he's going to be good. The only position that matters what round you were picked in in this league is WR, CB, T, DE, other then that its a crab shoot. Half the QBs in this league starting were never expected to be a franchise QB.

[Ruhskins]

Originally Posted by gaudiomatt

I agree with everything you said. Which is why our approach to free agency doesn't work. A team has to find its own way to make it work. Big ben isn't necessarily a perfect QB but he's a true steeler and they've found out how to make it work with him. Or you could go the Warner route and get one of those QBs who just wins games. We are not looking at that situation. We just need to make it work with Campbell, and that means getting a line that isn't fing ridiculously old and can't last 16 games. Brennan should be given a shot if Campbell doesn't perform he's going to be good. The only position that matters what round you were picked in in this league is WR, CB, T, DE, other then that its a crab shoot. Half the QBs in this league starting were never expected to be a franchise QB.

Would you start Brennan if Campbell begins to fail because he has to run for his life due to a crappy offensive line? I agree that if JC fails on his own, we should give Brennan a chance (like when Brunell sucked, JC was given the start). But if our o-line turns JC into a punching bag, then putting Brennan there would like when Spurrier traumatized Ramsey with the lack of protection.

[44ever]

if JC wins in 09 he's not going anywhere! Complete speculation here

[Meks]

no thanks...

[GTripp0012]

Don't worry about the article. Wilson's source is Michael Lombardi, who had graded Andrew Walter out higher than Jason Campbell when he worked for the Raiders in 2005.

That's pretty much all you need to know about that one.

[44ever]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

Don't worry about the article. Wilson's source is Michael Lombardi, who had graded Andrew Walter out higher than Jason Campbell when he worked for the Raiders in 2005.

That's pretty much all you need to know about that one.

Thanks for stopping this one in it's tracks GT.

[GusFrerotte]

Originally Posted by 44ever

Thanks for stopping this one in it's tracks GT.

The article was pretty much a no brainer. If JC is mediocre next season he won't be resigned if he wants a raise, which will most assuredly happen.

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by GusFrerotte

The article was pretty much a no brainer. If JC is mediocre next season he won't be resigned if he wants a raise, which will most assuredly happen.

What if he's good again (but not a pro bowler) and you arbitrarily decide that he's average, and Vinny re-signs him. Then what?

[GusFrerotte]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

What if he's good again (but not a pro bowler) and you arbitrarily decide that he's average, and Vinny re-signs him. Then what?

He was average this season, and if he repeats being average next season and doesn't get us in the playoffs he doesn't get resigned. THe big reason is he will want a raise for sure, and why should the guy be resigned for a higher asking price for mediocrity? Keep a guy who will be destined to be a bckup eventually at a higher asking price? Not going to happen. Listen G, I was a Ramsey man, then a JC man. I think Ramsey got a raw deal, but I think Gibbs knew he couldn't get the job done. JC has been given ample time to show us his stuff and well, I don't think it is the "right" stuff to get us to the promised land, unless 7-9 to 9-7 victory range is what you are looking for, which is the same victory range as Gus had.

[Dirtbag59]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

Don't worry about the article. Wilson's source is Michael Lombardi, who had graded Andrew Walter out higher than Jason Campbell when he worked for the Raiders in 2005.

That's pretty much all you need to know about that one.

Well that's not the craziest evalutation in terms of scouting. I mean JC is hands down better then Walter on his worst day in the pro's then Walter is on his best day. However you have to remember that Walter was thought to be a lock for the first round before the 2004 college football season began so I can concieve the possibility that a scout might have graded a guy like Walter over Campbell who at the time was projected to go to the Browns in the early 2nd (Campbell that is) while Walter was flirting with the possibility of being a late second round pick.

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

When, and if, Davis, Kelly, and Thomas come around I wonder what sort of effect that would have on Campbell.

I wonder what it's like for a 6'5" guy to throw to 6'3" guys versus 5'10 guys

Grrrrr more Upside talk, but at least it's concerning 2nd round picks and not some obscure 7th round pick that's going to save our D-Line.

The great thing though about player development, when it works, is that it ends up looking like you got brand new players in the offseason. However unless we get an O-line then the effect those three have on the offense is going to be limited . That is unless JC can summon the Ben Rothesberger in him and extend plays like Big Ben which ironically wouldn't be the worse thing if we end up not getting any new big uglies this offseason, which with Vinny at the healm is a distinct possibilty.

[The Goat]

Originally Posted by Dirtbag359

The great thing though about player development, when it works, is that it ends up looking like you got brand new players in the offseason. However unless we get an O-line then the effect those three have on the offense is going to be limited . That is unless JC can summon the Ben Rothesberger in him and extend plays like Big Ben which ironically wouldn't be the worse thing if we end up not getting any new big uglies this offseason, which with Vinny at the healm is a distinct possibilty.

Don't say that man... don't even think like that.