Regarding QB’s
December 16, 2008 on 3:13 pm | In Uncategorized |The improbable, successful first season’s of QB’s Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco, and the equally improbable emergence of players like Tyler Thigpen and Matt Cassel, have all made the Lions upcoming #1 overall draft pick in ‘09 a hot button issue.
Obviously, the addition of a franchise QB is elemental to big-time success in the NFL. There is no more elusive “El Dorado”, “Shangri-La”, or “Elysian Field” for NFL executives to reach than this critical roster addition.
Teams have won championships without bonafide franchise QB’s (See Dilfer, Trent) in the past, but the most common path to widespread NFL success is one that is driven by a particular era’s Unitas, Montana, or Layne (Don’t want anger any Lions fans!).
I have believed that during recent years there was an evolution occurring where the combined effects of league expansion (Arena, CFL, Europa), NFL team expansion and the collegiate tendency towards utilizing shotgun/spread offenses which feature athletic, multi-threat players had all combined to create a new milieu, where the available pool of NFL QB talent was both diluted and becoming a genuine scarcity.
The fact that so many young NFL Qb’s struggle with their accuracy and footwork and that teams wanted to rely more frequently upon moderately-effective, game-managing, grizzled veterans seem to (at least on the surface) both support my point.
Furthermore, the widespread popularity and emergence of the old school “Wildcat” formation, with it’s athletic, QB’s Bennie Friedman-esque ability to innovate with incredible athleticism, seemed to indicate even more strongly the death knell of the classic, NFL dropback passer.
NFL expert Sean Lahman mentions on his blog that teams expectations for immediate success from it’s young Qb’s are likely what has changed, in response to a Sports Illustrated article.
That’s where the heart of the matter lies, with all of the Lions personnel deficits, will a Sam Bradford or Matthew Stafford be able to thrive and excel amid the ill-defined and paradoxical Lions rebuilding program.
I realize that it’s actually a “chicken and egg” question, Do the Lions improve because of the addition of a franchise QB, or because they have successfully built an environment where a young Qb can grow and thrive reasonably?
It may take longer, but in the end, I am of the opinion that as tantalizing and elusive as a young, franchise QB can be to add, you need to develop and foster an environment where that player can succeed, well before you thrust that player into an inevitably, untenable situation.
14 Comments »
RSS feed for comments on this post. TrackBack URI
Leave a comment
Powered by WordPress with Pool theme design by Borja Fernandez.
Entries and comments feeds.
Valid XHTML and CSS. ^Top^
I agree with you, but will go a step further–this QB talk has to end. This team needs an anchor. Where do we put this anchor? Left F—ing Tackle. That’s it. We need to draft a LT with our pick and a DT with Dallas’ pick. No more BS. I know that WCF likes things which are shiny, but any “Franchise” quarterback we take will just end up getting killed behind the Maginot Line. These cats need to learn how to kill the chicken before they can fry the egg.
Comment by Yukon Dan — December 16, 2008 #
Oddly, but well said Dan.
Comment by Mike — December 16, 2008 #
Yukon–Woody Hayes used to all kind of military analogies to describe football situations. What exactly was it about the Maginot Line that made it so weak? Froggie sensibilities? An overwhelming opponent? Poor strategy?
That’s the quick way to settle a chicken and egg conundrum, for sure.
I like Sam Bradford and Matthew Stafford, but I believe that the Lions may get just as lucky with selecting Rhett Bomar, or any other middle round pick, since this is not regarded as a excellent QB draft class, anyhow.
Plus the emergence of the “Polish Pop Gun”, soon to be “Polish Shotgun”, downgrades the urgency for finding a franchise savior. Plus, the Lions also have Mikey McMah–uh, I mean Drew Stanton, too.
Comment by Steve — December 17, 2008 #
And we may not be done with Kitna either, depending on who the next coach is. It would be good to see who would win the competition with a real football guy doing the deciding. (And no, I don’t consider Mike Martz a guy who can make a good QB decision. Kurt Warner wasn’t his, and look what he has done in San Fran)
Comment by Mike — December 17, 2008 #
BTW, is Alex Smith another Joey, or does he still have a chance to blossom under a new system? That will be interesting to see as well.
Comment by Mike — December 17, 2008 #
The Maginot line may have failed for a variety of reasons. Let me throw a few out there . . . 1. Maybe it was improperly staffed and those manning the line were incapable of handling the onslaught? 2. Maybe there wasn’t enough firepower on the line? 3. Maybe they gave up too early in the game? 4. Maybe it was strategically unsound? 5. Maybe everything else was fine, but the opponent just seemed to be a little bit better? 6. Poor leadership?
Isn’t it odd how each of these statements could potentially be made about the Lions O-line? I’m just sayin’ . . . I’d like to see some dead chickens. “mmmmm dead chicken . . . “
Comment by Yukon Dan — December 17, 2008 #
LOL. Thanks for the laugh Dan
Comment by Mike — December 17, 2008 #
Mike–that’s about we can do at this point. This is starting to get a bit out of hand. I just heard on WXYT an analyist make a comment regarding Marinelli’s future–if it were any of the other 31 teams, he would be gone . . . but we are talking about the Lions. I wouldn’t exactly be opposed to Kitna playing next year if we were building from the trenches. Maybe next year draft a quarterback who is not a pop-gun, shotgun, or even a rife. I want a cannon. I’m going to try to attend Sunday’s game–maybe pride can carry the day. These guys have to have that much pride. They made a decent show against the Colts, maybe that can carry over. Maybe.
Comment by Yukon Dan — December 18, 2008 #
Peter King Picked the Lions to beat the Saints. I do think it could happen, if not likely. The Saints are very depleted in the running game, so we might stand a chance there. They will have to beat us in the air which might keep their offense off the field long enough for Jason Hanson to kick five field goals and let Lions squeek by with a one point win (15-14). Now THAT is a non-endorsement. I so badly want to avoid an 0-16 stigma. God, it’s embarassing to be a Lions Fan.
Comment by Mike — December 18, 2008 #
Mike–I think it could happen. I think this might be the right opportunity to avoid immortal futility. One thing that is chafing me right now is the large number of people I hear on talk radio who actually want the Kitties to go 0-16. I can almost see their point that there is excitement to history, but it would be so damaging to the future and the reputation of this team to fall like this. I’m not going to be around the ‘net this weekend, so I’m going to make my prediction:
Motown 28
Jazztown 24.
The Lions will win. My 0-16 prediction, one that I made, but did not want, will not happen.
Comment by Yukon Dan — December 19, 2008 #
Here is hoping you’re right. I am going to try to drive up for the game too.
Comment by Mike — December 19, 2008 #
Have a good time at the game. I really have a good feeling about this–however, I have had good feelings before and they have been dashed so many times by this team. I was going to go, but a change of plans is sending me to Morgantown for the weekend.
Comment by Yukon Dan — December 20, 2008 #
Any rumors in Detroit (I now live in Utah) about :
how far up the management chain the changes (I hope) will come? There has been a lot of talk about who to draft why not look at who will turn the ship around. Perhaos Ford Jr. should take a more active role. Seems nothing happened with Millen until Jr spoke up.
Tom
Comment by Tom — December 20, 2008 #
Tom– your answer came yesterday. Mr. Ford wants to retain the current losers. Sadly, things are probably not going to change much, if at all.
Mike-Alex Smith has a heavy duty injury-history now, but also is quite young. It is up to Alex Smith, what his future holds. I think that the Lions can ill-afford to take on any more “experiments”, they need to find some dependable and difference-making players who can improve their chances for victory, not treading water.
Ford, Jr. is the wild card. He has some sense, the “Old Man” appears absolutely F-ing clueless, given his recent statements
Comment by Steve — December 22, 2008 #