Is Donovan McNabb Satisfied with the Philadelphia Eagles’ Offseason Moves?

Last we heard McNabb was going to wait and see what the Eagles do to improve the Philadelphia Eagles. I for one am getting a little curious about what McNabb thinks thus far about the off season moves or in some opinions non-moves.

On one side the Eagles added a monster tackle with unlimited potential in Stacy Andrews. The Eagles have also addressed the lack of a true fullback that has been a big gap on this team for years.

In my opinion Weaver adds a new dimension to this team and really can cause match-up problems with Weaver and Westbrook being receiving threats; add another back thru the draft that can receive and spell Westbrook and the offense has pretty good options in backfield.

The Eagles have also added Sean Jones and Rashard Barksdale to address the safety gap left by Brian Dawkins leaving( possibly the most loved Eagle of all time).

Do these moves and adding another tackle, another rb and an additional te through the draft satisfy McNabb?

Possibly, but I still think McNabb would like the Eagles to add a big physical wr that can free up the field for Curtis and D-Jack. Pettigrew and Celek at te could possibly help there also.

But the lack of not hearing from McNabb makes me wonder where his head is at about what the Eagles Front Office has done thus far.

Does McNabb want to sign extension if the Eagles only add pieces from draft the rest of the off season or did McNabb put the extension out there as a way to get away from Philly ands the fans that do not appreciate what he has done for the organization for the last ten years?

Chicago Bears Offseason Analysis: The Defensive Line

The Chicago Bears’ D-line had an inconsistent year in 2008 and are looking to rebound in ’09.

The centerpiece of the unit is DT Tommie Harris, who had made three consecutive Pro Bowls before missing out following the past season. Harris was the Bears first round draft pick out of Oklahoma in 2004.

He became the first DT to make three consecutive Pro Bowls in Bears history and was signed to a contract extension before the 2008 season making him one of the highest paid players at his position in the NFL.

Harris had his best season in 2007 when he was second in the NFL in sacks for DTs with eight. He had an up and down 2008 season missing a couple games due to injury but still managed to record five sacks and 37 tackles.

In order for Chicago to return its defense to elite status, Harris will need to regain his dominate form that he has shown in previous seasons.

Finding a player to play next to him so he isn’t double teamed is key for the Bears. That player could be Marcus Harrison who was drafted from Arkansas in the third round prior to last season.

The 6’3″, 310-pound DT has good size for the position and played well as a rookie last season. Harrison isn’t the pass rusher that Harris is but he did show good burst into the backfield recording a couple sacks and is a stout run defender.

DT Anthony Adams went from being on the practice squad to starting eight games last year for the Bears. Adams was a second round draft pick by the 49ers in 2003 and responded with his best season in the NFL recording 49 tackles for the Bears last year before going down with an injury.

Adams has a good shot to start at the nose tackle next season next to Tommie Harris. Bears coaches were impressed with his hustle and play making ability and he has good size at 6’0″, 307 pounds.

The Bears’ other DT Dusty Dvoracek has been marred by injuries since being drafted out of Oklahoma in the 2006 draft and has only played in a total of 13 games for the Bears.

His first two seasons were completely wiped off the board due to injuries and it seems that he is another player in the long line of Bears players who just can’t stay on the field. If Chicago takes a DT in the upcoming draft or signs someone in free agency Dvoracek could find himself in the unemployment line.

The Bears DEs are led by starters Alex Brown and Adewale Ogunleye.

Brown was picked in the forth round of the 2002 draft and has been the most consistent end on the team over the past few seasons. Brown has been the iron man on defense playing in 115 consecutive games for Chicago.

He has been in the top 10 in tackles for the Bears every year and has recorded 37.5 sacks during his seven year career. The 6’3″, 260-pound Brown has appeared in two Pro Bowls and had a good year in ’08 totaling 42 tackles and six sacks.

Brown’s partner in crime is Ogunleye who lines up on the left side. Ogunleye wasn’t drafted and signed as a free agent with the Dolphins in 2000.

The Bears acquired him in a trade in 2004 for WR Marty Booker and a draft pick. Ogunleye was coming off a monster ’03 season in which he finished second in the NFL with 15.5 sacks. Although he hasn’t quite achieved that number of sacks with the Bears, he does lead the team over the past five seasons with 35.5 sacks.

He has a propensity for recovering fumbles and has recovered eight of them since 2004 leading the team.

The Bears third DE is Mark Anderson who they acquired in the fifth round of the 2006 draft from Alabama. Anderson burst onto the scene as a rookie leading the team with 12 sacks which was the third highest total for a rookie in NFL history.

Anderson replaced Brown as the starter prior to the ’07 season and his numbers declined to only five sacks. Last season was a very disappointing one for Anderson who lost his starting job back to Brown and finished with only a single sack.

The Bears’ jack of all trades on the D-line is DT/DE Israel Idonije who was acquired as a free agent by Chicago in 2003.

Idonije is a special teams ace who enjoyed his best season in Chicago last year tallying 23 tackles and 3.5 sacks. He is a versatile player who can play outside at end or come inside and play tackle on the Bears defense.

Chicago’s biggest offseason addition on the D-line wasn’t a player but a new coach so far in coach Rod Marinelli. 

He was a highly-respected defensive line coach with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 1996-2005 before spending the last three seasons as head coach of the Detroit Lions. Marinelli groomed future hall of famers Warren Sapp and Simeon Rice in Tampa and his passion and knowledge on the D-line is a welcome addition in Chicago.

His first task since coming to Chicago has been to work with the young Mark Anderson and try to get him back to the level he played at as a rookie in ’06.

So far the Bears D-linemen have been impressed with their new coach and DE Alex Brown had this to say;“When we come out on the field, we’re going to give him everything we’ve got. Not to say we didn’t do it previously, but I believe that you’ll listen a little more.

“You won’t question as much when it’s somebody that’s been through it and has done it and produced the type of defensive linemen he’s able to produce.”

Hopefully Marinelli will be able to light a fire under the talented but under achieving linemen.

The Bears will probably be looking to add another player or two to the D-line in the upcoming NFL draft. With four of the top 99 picks a young pass rusher will most likely be drafted with one of them.

With more pressing needs at WR and on the O-line, I would venture to guess that Chicago will use one of their two third-round picks on a DE. Look for Tommie Harris to have a bounce back season and with the core of DE’s that the Bears have they should be in good shape for the 2009 season.

I would bet on second year player Marcus Harrison winning the starting DT spot opposite Harris, but Anthony Adams will definitely challenge and at the very least see a lot of playing time.

All together Chicago has a lot of talent on the D-line and with the addition of Marinelli should be in good shape to improve and get back to the domination that Bears fans have come to know.

This article was part five of an eight part series that my fellow writer Joey Garcia and I have taken turns writing. The Chicago Bears Offensive analysis has already been written and if you missed any of them give them a read I have provided the links below.

The offensive line 

The running backs

The wide receivers

The quaterbacks

Why the Oakland Raiders Should Trade Down with Philadelphia or Detroit

So we go again, another day, another mock.  I’m about one mock over the line, because there are too many variables involved with the NFL Draft and thus most mocks are merely based on the rumors and perceptions of the day.

However, I can state one constant with confidence, that the Oakland Raiders should trade down with the Philadelphia Eagles for two picks in the first-round and another pick.

Or with the Detroit Lions for their first-rounder from Dallas, their second and fourth.  But also acquire another first-round pick for a first round pick in 2010.

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Why the Eagles Should Do It: They need an impact player now in order to contend for the Super Bowl.  Eagle fans are antsy now, thanks to the Phillies.  Donovan McNabb’s popularity in Philadelphia is on the hot-seat.  The Eagles could use the pick to select someone like OT Andre Smith or possibly WR Michael Crabtree.

Why the Lions Should Do It: The Lions not only need a franchise quarterback, but a franchise tackle to protect that investment.  The Lions have a future great in WR Calvin Johnson and a good runner in Kevin Smith, but because their defense is a long way away, the Lions should aim to maximize their offense in 2009 like the Atlanta Falcons did (QB Matt Ryan, OT Sam Baker) and worry about the youth on defense for another time.

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Despite what some in the Raider Nation think, I’m not convinced that wide-receiver should be the priority for the Raiders: Michael Crabtree’s speed is unknown which will likely deter Al Davis, while Jeremy Maclin is too similar to Johnnie Lee Higgins, so I believe that the Raiders need a different approach to the draft than to stay at seventh overall.

I think quantity should be the priority—meaning, several good players rather than one impact player.  I think they have big-play guys in Darren McFadden, Michael Bush, JaMarcus Russell, and even Zach Miller plus Johnnie Lee Higgins, but the Raiders need a better foundation around those players in order to flourish.

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I’ve written that the Raiders should target DT BJ Raji; however, if the Raiders can trade down with Philly or Detroit, I think they should.

I know, I know.  Al Davis has rarely traded down (if ever).  Davis still knows the game like the back of his hand, but he’s also stubborn as a result of past success.  We Raider fans have given Davis leeway on the issue because of what he’s done, but we also know that the Raiders need to update some philosophies—as in, the draft.

Before the great success of the 1983 NFL Draft and the magical trade that was The Trade of Herschel Walker to the Vikings from the Cowboys: The Draft did not have the relevance it has now.  And the fact is, the Raiders last won the Super Bowl in 1984.

College players are better prepared for the pros, because their agents prepare them so, in order to maximize their earning potential in the Draft.

Every player at every position strives to be the best at their position, which devalues the importance of one or two players—a team must cover every facet of the game from the wedges and the long-snapper to the tackling-machine and the signal-caller.

I hope though that Al sees this Draft as a new opportunity to collect value after overspending on flops (they know who they are), and I hope that Detroit or Philly would see the value for them in trading up.

The Raiders would benefit greatly by adding an outside linebacker, safety, defensive-tackle, and an offensive-lineman within the first three rounds, so they would need extra picks in order to do that.

If the Raiders swapped with Detroit and acquire another first rounder from a different team.  As well, the Raiders would be able to use an extra pick in the third to trade up for Matthews but also could dangle Hiram Eugene in any trade-ups.

Analyzing the Detroit Lions’ Options at No. 1

The Lions locked up the first pick in the 2009 NFL Draft with ease last season, but with Draft Day fast approaching next month, the real work for Detroit begins.

The experts are all over the place with their predictions for who the Lions will pick next month, let’s look at each of the suspected choices and see how they fit with the Detroit Lions.

The most talked about player and the popular first overall selection is Matthew Stafford, former Georgia Bulldog quarterback. The Lions have been flirting with Stafford for several months now; they invited him to a private scouting day in Allen Park, MI earlier this month.

Stafford was a great college quarterback, he had an accurate arm and a cannon for a college arm he finished the 2008 season 235-of-383 passing for 3,459 yards, 25 touchdowns and just 10 interceptions.

His play does a lot of talking for him, but there have been some concerns about his readiness for the NFL.

He was a junior coming out of Georgia and is thus a bit young, but that hasn’t stopped players from leaving college early before. Even though history is against quarterbacks who leave college early, most end up being busts.

Also, any quarterback who comes to Detroit must deal with the quality of the offensive line. Detroit’s offensive line is not exactly the Berlin Wall; it’s more similar to a spaghetti strainer. It may slow some people down, but they will all eventually get through it.

A quarterback that lines up behind that offensive line is taking his life into his own hands. With defenders rushing past the line going full speed, a Lions quarterback must be able to scramble to avoid the oncoming sea of humanity and still be able to get the ball to his receivers down field.

Stafford has the ability to scramble, but it is tough to ask any player, let alone a rookie, to stand behind a sieve and navigate the pocket successfully. To draft Stafford is to condemn him to a short unremarkable pro career; he would be thrown into these games ill-prepared for what awaited him.

If the Lions were to draft Stafford it would be eerily similar to the drafting of Joey Harrington, and look what that got the Lions.

There are some up sides to drafting Stafford; if the Lions draft him and focus the remainder of the draft on offensive linemen and defensive players then he may stand a chance out on the field.

But if the Lions select Stafford, a significant amount of talented offensive linemen will have already been selected by the twentieth pick leaving the Lions, once again with a vacancy on the line.

Another popular choice is Wake Forest linebacker Aaron Curry. Curry is a highly skilled ferocious linebacker who was an outstanding collegiate player. Curry stands 6’2″ and carries 254 pounds of pure defensive power.

Through the 2008 Wake Forest season Curry amassed ninety-nine tackles, three sacks, two forced fumbles and four interceptions. Curry was a major option for the first pick until the Lions traded for Seattle Seahawk Julian Peterson. Peterson is a Pro Bowl caliber linebacker and is joining another highly skilled linebacker in the Lions own Ernie Simms.

Curry was excited about the possibility of playing in a line backing corps with Peterson and Simms, he said about it, “I can learn so much from Julian Peterson; I can learn so much from Ernie Sims because of their experience and them being great ballplayers. They know what it takes to be successful linebackers.”

The possibility of a linebacker corps consisting of Julian Peterson, Ernie Simms and Aaron Curry is tantalizing for Lions fans. A corps such as that would quickly become one of the best in the NFL, they would either have to run at Peterson, Simms or take a run at the rookie.

If the Lions were to draft Curry, they would be best suited to put him in the middle of the field, that way the two experienced players would be bookends for the rookie and could easily back him up if necessary.

With opponents being forced to make their runs at Curry, he would quickly mature and with Peterson and Simms serving as mentors and teachers he would develop into a high caliber linebacker rapidly.

The third name that is circulating is that of Baylor offensive tackle Jason Smith. Smith was a left tackle for Baylor in 2007 until they changed up their scheme last season.

As a left tackle, Smith was a force to be reckoned with on the line, he was able to keep the defensive players from breaking his blocks and was able to push them backwards for his offense to work.

One of the knocks on Smith is that he plays for Baylor, a program that hasn’t had a winning season since 1995. But their lack of a winning program is the reason Smith chose Baylor over any other school.

He said, “It was a great experience because, every weekend you’re going up against a team or a person that’s ‘better than you.’ So you get to really see who you really are.

“Are you the guy that’s going to lay over and take it or are you going to make him take it. It was a great opportunity and I look forward to seeing Baylor win a lot of games (in the future).”

Smith is a good option for Detroit because he plays left tackle, the Lions are very weak on the offensive line to begin with, but are very vulnerable at left tackle. A position that they have not had a true player for several seasons, they have had right tackles playing the position and centers filling the spot.

But Detroit hasn’t had a real left tackle in quite some time, and with the addition of Smith would allow for Jeff Backus to move to his actual position of right tackle.

If the Lions were to select Jason Smith, it would greatly benefit their offensive line and in addition their offense in general. If the offensive line is healthy, the whole of the offense is healthy.

The offensive line controls how many defensive players get into the backfield and how fast they do it, if the line is good, then the offense has more time to run its plays successfully.

It gives the quarterback more time to find an open receiver, gives the running back more time to find an opening to explode through and gives the offense a better chance at making it into the end zone.

The final name that has been floating around, almost lost amongst those of Stafford, Curry and Smith is that of Boston College defensive tackle BJ Raji. Raji has not been really mentioned by any of the draft experts.

At Boston College Raji was primarily a run-stuffer before the 2008 season, but during last season he transformed into a pass-rusher getting seven sacks. Prior to the Senior Bowl, Raji was seen as a strong defensive tackle, but while at the Senior Bowl escalated to become a top prospect for the 2009 NFL Draft.

Lions General Manager Martin Mayhew said that the Lions need to get another defensive tackle, Raji may be that player, he may not be. But I don’t see him as qualified for the first overall selection, he is a great player but he just doesn’t have enough to justify such a high selection slot.

Looking towards Apr. 25 and the NFL Draft, there are many possibilities for the Lions to choose from, and each has their up-sides and down-sides.

Much pressure is directed at the Lions to select Matthew Stafford first overall, but unless Detroit shores up its offensive line, drafting a quarterback is a futile effort and doesn’t address the major problems the Lions have.

Stafford is the popular choice, but not the right one for what the Lions need this season.

Aaron Curry is a highly skilled linebacker who could add much to any defense in the league, but with the recent addition of Julian Peterson, it seems like it would be counterproductive to draft yet another linebacker when the corps already contains two high caliber players. Curry is still a good choice, but not the best for the Lions.

BJ Raji has just burst onto the scene as a top prospect as a defensive tackle, he has only just begun to work to become a pass-rusher and has had off the field issues in the past. The Lions want to add a defensive tackle, but it is not as necessary as the addition of other positions.

Smith will end up being a good player, but he is not up to par with other options for the first pick.

Jason Smith is a great offensive tackle who can fill a much needed vacancy for the Lions; he would benefit the offense and help to create a strong blocking front. Smith could help the Lions to more effectively run the ball and provide more time for whoever ends up taking the snaps.

Smith is not the most glamorous choice, but he is the correct one for Detroit’s needs.

Pacman Jones Should Be a Baltimore Raven

A long time ago, an NFL player had a man die after a run-in with his entourage. The fans in that player’s city rallied around him even though it seemed he’d obstructed justice. 

That player turned it around. If he ever retires, he’ll walk into Canton. He’ll be remembered as one of the greatest to play his position and a pillar of his community. 

Who would have thunk it? 

More recently, an NFL player had a man lie paralyzed after a run-in with his entourage. This player was drafted higher than the first one. He’d shown incredible talent on the field but his organization and his city didn’t rally around him. 

Now the first player’s team finds itself ever so close to the Super Bowl. They could use a punt returner. They could use a cornerback that can play alone on an island. 

They could use someone who can do all the little things that second player can do. 

Ray Lewis is a role model. Pacman Jones is a free agent that could use a role model. 

The interest in Pacman probably hasn’t been as high as you’d expect for a guy who had nearly as many tackles as Frank Walker or Fabian Washington in far fewer games. 

Or a guy that returns kicks and punts and up until sitting out a season was perhaps the most exciting player in football. 

Now, conventional wisdom says Pacman has run out of chances in the NFL. Funny, I can’t find a single thing that says convicted in any article about Pacman Jones. Lots of words like probation, suspended sentence, you know, things they said about Ray Lewis. 

Lewis wasn’t even suspended when that guy died after the run-in with his entourage. 

Considering Ray’s career path, considering the man he’s become, the pillar of the community and considering the similarities in their pasts. 

Ray sort of owes Pacman some mentoring. I’m not sure if Pacman would accept it but he could help the Raven’s to a place I’m sure Ray wants to be. 

Pacman? I have no love for Pacman. I could care less if he ever plays again. But if Ray can go without even a suspension, Pacman might as well get a break too. 

He needs a mentor. He needs a city that will embrace him based on his play. He needs a team that needs his skill-set. 

He needs Baltimore. 

Baltimore Ravens’ Report Card

With most of the major free agent signings now out of the way, the core of the Baltimore Ravens is in place for the 2009 NFL season. The following is a positional breakdown of the Ravens current roster (as of Mar. 23, 2009) and a preview of what path the Ravens may take in the Draft next month.

 

Offense

Quarterback

Joe Flacco, Troy Smith, Todd Bouman

After a standout rookie season in which he narrowly missed becoming only the third rookie QB in NFL history to throw for 3,000 yards and leading Baltimore to the AFC Championship game, Joe Flacco has entrenched himself as the face of the Baltimore offense for years to come.

A slow start in the first quarter of the season was overshadowed by several excellent performances throughout the remainder of the year, and gained this young offense’s confidence and respect.

Possessing elite arm strength, outstanding accuracy on deep routes and surprising athleticism for a player his size, Flacco has all the tools to become one of the league’s premier quarterbacks, and will look to improve on his impressive rookie campaign.

Troy Smith will provide good insurance as the team’s backup QB, and can step right in should Flacco go down. Smith is also used occasionally in special packages on offense.

Grade:  B+ 

 

Running Back

Willis McGahee, Ray Rice, Le’Ron McClain

Filling in for an injured McGahee, McClain established himself as a dangerous short yardage HB, and was often asked to carry the majority of the load.

However, McClain must show an improvement with his ball security, and had problems dropping easily catchable balls thrown his way as well. McClain’s primary role in the offense this year will likely be as a short yardage back.

McGahee and Rice will split duties in between the 20’s. McGahee was plagued by injuries last year, but when healthy is a dangerous runner who can bounce to the outside as well as he can run between the tackles, and is a threat to break off big yardage at any time. Rice brings a totally different look on the field.

A quick, shifty runner who has excellent ball skills and hands, Rice will see a lot of time as the team’s third down back in addition to spelling McGahee.

Last year’s fourth-ranked rushing attack figures to get even better this year with a healthy and more experienced offensive line returning.

Grade:  B+

 

Wide Recievers

Derrick Mason, Mark Clayton, Demetrius Williams, Marcus Smith, Yamon Figurs

With Mason turning 35, Clayton looking like a possible first-round bust and Williams already developing an injury-prone label, the WR corps is in need of a major overhaul.

Mason may still have one more good year left in the tank, but at this point in his career is mainly a possession receiver who has lost a step and is beginning to show signs of wear and tear on his body.

Still, one of the league’s best route runners and possessing great hands, Mason is QB Joe Flacco’s go-to reciever and the Ravens’ main weapon through the air.

Clayton has yet to develop into the deep threat that Baltimore was hoping for when they drafted him 21st overall in 2005, and has been very inconsistent throughout his career.

This may be his make or break year in Baltimore, as he will be eligible for free agency after the season. Clayton showed flashes of potential at times, and is still building a repertoire with Flacco, so he will likely be given one more chance to take over the No. 1 spot at receiver.

Williams was an unpolished player with mountains of potential coming out of Oregon in 2006. Three years later, he has not shown much signs of progression when he has been healthy enough to play. He could also be on the fringe this season if he does not stay healthy and produce.

Marcus Smith’s rookie season was quiet, and didn’t see much time on the field. Although still a bit raw, Smith has all the measurables to be a force at WR.

A project who will need another year or two before Baltimore knows what exactly they have, Smith is a player to keep an eye on over the coming season.

With so many questions surrounding the position, look for Baltimore to target WR’s early in the draft.  The Ravens recently brought in Darrius Heyward-Bay and Kenny Britt for private workouts with Flacco, and have also shown interest in Hakeem Nicks.

Grade:  C-

 

Tight End

Todd Heap, L.J. Smith, Quinn Sypnewski

The signing of former Eagle’s TE L.J. Smith was a great move on the Ravens part, providing depth and flexibility at the TE position.

Although Smith has come under fire in recent years for injury and alleged attitude problems, when healthy and motivated, is a very effective receiving option that would allow Baltimore to run confusing two-TE sets in combination with Heap.

Heap’s production last year fell off due in large part to the offensive scheme put in place by new OC Cam Cameron. Despite his reputation as one of the league’s best receiving TE, Heap was often asked to stay at the line to help bolster a young offensive line.

When he was running routes, Heap showed that there is still a lot of mileage left in him, and should see more opportunities this year if the offensive line improves upon it’s pass protection.

Sypnewski is the best blocker of the three and will see occasional playing time in two-TE formations.

Grade:  A-

Offensive Line

Jared Gaither, Ben Grubbs, Matt Birk, Marshall Yanda, Willie Anderson

Led by C Jason Brown and first year starter OT Jared Gaither, this young and talented unit played very well, even dominant, at times last season.

The loss of Brown to free agency was negated by the pickup of six time Pro Bowler Matt Birk, and could actually serve to strengthen the line further. Birk is a proven leader whose pass blocking skills will be a big factor playing in the AFC North.

With the retirement of LT Jonathan Ogden, Gaither stepped right in and quietly had a tremendous season, even while battling injuries most of the year. Gaither will only improve in his second year as a starter, and should be a force for years to come.

OG Ben Grubbs has so far lived up to expectations as Baltimore’s first round pick in 2007. A very well rounded player with few weaknesses, Grubbs should have multiple trips to Hawaii in his future, and will combine with Gaither to invoke memories of Ogden and Mulitalo in their heyday in Charm City.

At age 33, C Matt Birk is entering the twilight years of his career, but is still capable of playing at a very high level, and will provide much needed veteran leadership to the young offensive line. He will instantly upgrade the pass protection schemes and will open up the center lanes in the ground attack.

OG Marshall Yanda returns from spending last year on the IR after a very promising rookie season.

A blue collar type, Yanda isn’t overpowering or very athletic, but shows excellent technique and good football intelligence. An asset in both pass protection and opening up running lanes, Yanda will be a long time fixture at OG.

OT Willie Anderson returns for his 14th NFL season. A massive, powerful veteran, Anderson is perfect for the Ravens smash-mouth style of football. As long as he can remain healthy, Anderson will be the bulldozer Baltimore needs at right tackle.

A very talented crew with a great mixture of youth and experience, look for a big year from the Ravens’ offensive line.

Grade:  A-

 

Defense and Special Teams coming soon.

Top 10 NFL Running Backs Today

There has been so much contreversy over who is actually the best running back in the NFL. Ladanian Tomlinson has owned the top spot for years, but Adrian Peterson has been climbing up the rankings along with DeAngelo Williams and Brandon Jacobs. So who has the #1 spot right now? I’ll rank them, 1-10, to settle this once and for all.

Montana vs. Young: A Public Service Announcement for Peyton Manning Homers

If you’ve been with Bleacher Report for a month, you’re well aware of how damn tiresome the debate over Tom Brady and Peyton Manning has become.

Fools around the country are watching the sands slipping through the hourglass with increasing anxiety, our clocks have already leapt ahead, and you STILL see a flippin’ article dissecting the two NFL stars on a weekly basis.

It’s been almost two full months since the season ended and Tom Brady played one quarter! Yet they come out like clockwork—you’ll probably see another after this is published.

The great majority come from Manning homers because, well, they’re the only ones laboring under the misconception the question is close and worthy of incessant badgering.

Clearly, I’m not in Peyton’s camp, so this won’t directly be about the current incarnation of a very old argument. If I allow myself to point out how easily Tom Brady outranks Peyton Manning one more time, even I’m gonna start hating Tom Terrific.

Either that or I’ll have to file a restraining order on his behalf myself.

Nope, I’m gonna try to put a stake in the issue once and for all by analogizing to the version of the “debate” that finally sledgehammered enlightenment through my thick skull. After I handle this hot potato, I’ll be taking down the Middle East hostilities.

Stay tuned.

The reason Brady vs. Manning was a dead horse from blow one is because it’s just an old question with new clothes. And the question’s been answered. In fact, there’s probably a very good chance all of the above applied with equivalent accuracy to my idea of the original argument—Joe Montana vs. Steve Young.

I don’t have a good sense of football history, but, even in the last decade of the 20th century, novelty was dead.

I’m sure there were two quarterbacks from National Football League antiquity who played the roles of The Winner and The Stat Guy to some acclaim prior to Joe’s and Steve’s virtuoso performances.

Although I caught some of Joe Cool’s best performances up close and personal, I was there for the entirety of the Stormin’ Mormon’s stampede through the NFL…from his hostile takeover in SF right until Aeneas Williams’ brutality ended his career.

When I was a teenager, Steve had already assumed the mantle of San Francisco 49er starting QB from Joe. In the wake of this momentous, yet figurative upheaval in the Bay Area (a necessary qualifier since we get so many of the literal variety), Montana and Young supporters threatened to divide a once-united republic of Niner faithful.

I was and still am a fervent Steve Young guy. The only difference is, back then, I would go to the mattresses with anyone who argued against him as the superior signal-caller of the two.

He is and will always be my favorite QB of all-time. But these days, I realize he will be inferior to Joe Cool with equal permanency.

And that’s because Steve Young was not cool. If he wasn’t incredibly blessed with natural athletic ability, he never would’ve been mistaken as such.

The dude is a nerd and a weirdo, and neither of those things can be explained purely by his membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (although that certainly contributes). More pertinent, however, is that his poise couldn’t match Montana’s when the bright lights powered up.

Young was by no means a choker, but his postseason record was 8-6 in games where he attempted more than 15 passes. He has a Super Bowl ring, a Super Bowl Most Valuable Player award, and some of his single-game performances in football’s second season defy comprehension (sound familiar?).

Unfortunately for my man Steve, Montana’s mark using the same condition is 16-7 with the loss on Jan. 9, 1988, to the Minnesota Vikings counting against both men. 

Putting further distance between the two all-time greats are Joe’s four Super Bowl rings and his incredible ability to find a new level of brilliance apart from his regular season exploits under the heat of the football-watching world’s stare (again, sound familiar?).

With the two side by side, Steve’s body of work gets fugly. All the more so when you look closely at his legacy.

It will always include his amazing day behind center in Super Bowl XXIX among its loudest moments.  But just as memorable are the Niners’ notorious struggles with the Dallas Cowboys’ Triplets and Brett Favre’s Green Bay Packers under Young’s stewardship.

Is that fair? Absolutely not.

Those ‘Pokes stand tall in a group of the NFL’s best teams of all-time. They featured Emmitt Smith, Michael Irvin, Troy Aikman, Alvin Harper, Jay Novacek, Daryl Johnston, Nate Newton, Larry Allen, Charles Haley, Erik Williams, Mark Tuinei, Mark Stepnoski, and Ken Norton Jr. That’s off the top of my head.

The Packers weren’t quite as loaded, but they had a better QB and a more balanced team with Reggie White anchoring the other side of the ball.

On the other hand, Montana obviously faced some rugged competition and he had less talent around him than Young. Much is made of Jerry Rice only being around for two of Montana’s four championships, but other pieces were inferior to Young’s as well.

Still, Joe didn’t have to face ferocity like the Cowboys of the ’90s or the Packers of the same decade with equal regularity (although the Chicago Bears were pretty good based on defense alone).

In truth, none of that really matters because football is the consummate team game, and the quarterback is always considered the leader of his team. He is expected to deliver wins—by hook or by crook and against whatever caliber of competition—because W’s are the only thing that has ever mattered to true football Illuminati.

When his team wins, a QB gets the lion’s share of glory. When it loses, he gets the same portion of blame. Such is the nature of being a leader in any capacity—you take responsibility for a unit’s ultimate success or failure.

Without qualification. Any effort to do so compromises your ability to lead and your right to do so.

Furthermore, the NFL is not like Major League Baseball where individual success evolves almost independently of the team’s due to the game’s discrete nature.

Baseball is said to be a team game assembled from distinctly individual confrontations and anyone who has watched or played knows this is an appropriate description.

Nonetheless, the most valuable players on an annual basis usually come from contenders—thus paying lip service to the idea that the most important contributions are still those to winners. Even in baseball.

The premium placed on contribution to ultimate team success is infinitely higher in the NFL.

In pro football—any way you slice it, using any statistical analysis—a win will always be a win and a loss will always be a loss. Nothing else matters except whether it was a playoff or regular season W.

The postseason is where the best of the best are born, then proven via baptism by fire.  And Steve Young’s teams lost many of the most critical baptisms—that is the reality.

You can try to parse out blame and lay it at the feet of the defense or fumbles by other players or whatever. You can point out how individually sublime Young was, even in defeat. There is some truth to it and I would love to back the theory—it just doesn’t work.

Believe me, I spent a good portion of my more idealistic days trying to force the issue.  No joy.

Take the time-tested and specious argument about the defense.

There will be exceptions to the rule as there are with all rules, but you usually can’t point to a defense and say it’s better because of those numbers applied from this angle.  Again, football doesn’t work that way.

How can you definitively show that Montana’s defense was better than Young’s without reference to the quarterback?

How can you prove, beyond the doubt created by three extra championships, that Montana wasn’t one of the primary reasons his defenses performed better?  After all, if I’m getting nice long rests on the sideline while my quarterback chews up time and yardage, I’m going to be a better player when I get back on the field.

I’m not saying this is necessarily the case with Montana and Young (or Brady and Manning by analogy through The Winner vs. The Stat Guy). What I am saying is the complex interplay between all sides of a football team are far too hard to separate and accurately analyze with any of the current metrics.

Maybe ever.

There are literally thousands of variations similar to the intangible link between QBs and the defense.

Homers will always try to exploit them and that is their right afforded by the same complexities.  They will invent hypotheticals and shiny statistical approaches tailored to deliver a favorable verdict for their guy—that’s precisely what I did for Steve Young.

But football is no more a game of what-ifs than it is one where true value is reflected by individual achievement.  In this regard, football is no different than any other sport.  Or area of life for that matter.

It doesn’t matter what might’ve or could’ve happened, because what might’ve or could’ve happened DID NOT happen.

Ryan Leaf might’ve been the best NFL QB of all-time if Scenario A shook out rather than what did.  Bo Jackson might’ve been the best running back the planet’s ever seen if he didn’t get injured.  Archie Manning might’ve been the best Manning if he’d taken snaps for a better team.

Steve Young might’ve beaten the Triplets given Montana’s defense or offensive line or Bill Walsh or whatever.

Shoot, anything might’ve or could’ve happened.  But it didn’t.

The hypos are interesting and, by all means, keep ’em coming. Be aware, though, their probative value is exactly squat because we don’t know that Young plus Walsh would’ve been enough.

Even if I think it’s a safe bet, how can you put high probability next to certainty and choose the safe bet? Montana DID win four Super Bowls, but, because there’s a good chance Young would’ve won just as many given Joe’s [blank], he gets the benefit of the doubt?

How insane does that look in print? Good lord.

And that’s essentially what Joe Montana versus Steve Young boils down to.  Same for Tom Brady against Peyton Manning.

“What if” against “what did.”

What did happen is that Joe Montana and Tom Brady won when it mattered most—far more frequently than they lost. They have demonstrated a consistent ability to use the glare of the spotlight as fuel rather than to shrink from its suffocating presence.

And Tom Brady’s obviously not yet done.

Steve Young never put together enough big wins to change the gap in perception between Joe Cool and him, as much as it pains me to admit.

If Peyton Manning ends his career suffering the same imperfection, his homers will eventually enjoy the same revelation—that Tom Brady always was and will always be the better quarterback; Peyton was just their favorite.

And, on that day, there’ll be ice-skating on the river Styx.

Donovan McNabb Has Lowest Interception Rate On My Big List

A few years  back I read an article on QBs best at avoiding interceptions.

Yes, I know there is more to QB play than that, but I want to limit the factors.  If you want to discuss yards, or touch downs you can click that link in the upper right that says “write.” 

Same goes if you find a place that breaks out interceptions that bounce off the receiver’s hand into a safety or if a QB is desperately  trying to engineer a 7 billion point comeback.  I’ve seen splits for quarters but not for last drive of the half. 

I’m not saying those don’t exist.  If you have them, use the write function

Since I want to remove charges of bias, I’ll use only regular season numbers.  Post season, based on my memory, Bart Starr was so much better than everyone else it was not funny.  Oh, that article was old and Roethlesberger had under 500 attempts, or whatever,  Maybe a Steeler fan should look into that.

I’m only doing random QBs and a few historical guys.  Oh, rules change every year.  Older guys played in a less pass friendly era.  I can’t emphasize that enough.  Old time greats end up on the bottom of this list routinely.

In order of least interception per attempts:

For example Chad Pennington: 2.6% interception rate interceptions divided by attempt times 100 rounded to the tenths place.

Donovan McNabb 2.1%
Jeff Garcia 2.3%
Tom Brady 2.4%
Joe Montana 2.6%
Steve Young 2.6%
Drew Brees 2.7%
Peyton Manning 2.8%
Matt Hasselbeck 2.8%
Dan Marino 3.0%
Marc Bulger 3.0%
Troy Aikman 3.0%
Carson Palmer 3.1%
Jake Delahomme 3.1%
John Elway 3.1%
Eli Manning 3.2%
Kurt Warner 3.2% (He had great and horrid years.)
Kerry Collins 3.3% 
Bret Favre 3.3% (He was 4.2% last year but was much better in the past.)
Gus Ferrotte 3.4%
Phil Simms 3.4%
Brian Griese 3.5%
Ben Roethlisberger 3.6% (I thought he’d be better, must be low attempt numbers.)
Ken Anderson 3.6%
Jim Kelly 3.7%
Roger Staubach 3.7%
Ron Jaworski 4.0%
Fran Tarkenton 4.1%
Dan Fouts 4.3%
Bart Starr 4.4%
Johnny Unitas 4.9%
Len Dawson 4.9%
Bob Griese 5.0%
Otto Graham 5.1%
Terry Bradshaw 5.4%
Y.A. Tittle 5.6%
Ken Stabler 5.9%
Norm Van Brocklin 6.1%
Bobby Layne 6.6%
Sammy Baugh 6.8% (See above about rule changes)
George Blanda 6.9%

Phillip Rivers is just under my arbitrary attempt limit of 1,500.  So far with 1,428 attempts he stands at 2.5%
Tony Romo only has 1,307 attempts and is currently at 3.5%

 
I reached two conclusions.

First the rule changes have made passing safer.  Gives me new respect for a guys like Montana, Aikman, Young, Marino and Simms who blend in with the actives.

It also makes me wonder if Donovan McNabb is really under appreciated.  If you ask the average non-Philadelphia fan who are the the top 5 active quarter backs I doubt McNabb makes the list but if you want one quarterback to not throw an interception in the regular season, he’s the guy.

Kevin O’Connell: New England’s REAL Future

When it comes to Kevin O’Connell, Coach Bill Belichick is excited about the young quarterback’s future with the Patriots, and in the NFL.

“He shows great poise, good arm strength and good accuracy with excellent mobility,” said Belichick.

Playing at the underachieving San Diego State University, he was not highly recruited coming out of college even though he set multiple records in SDSU’s passing records, and rushing records.

However, O’Connell shined at the NFL combine last year, and it earned him an early-round draft pick with the New England Patriots.

For O’Connell he couldn’t have been put in a better situation. Not only was he on a winning team that could compete for Super Bowl’s every year, he was going to be mentored by arguably one of the best quarterbacks in the game; Tom Brady.

With Tom Brady’s injury, Matt Cassel became the starter and took his team to an 11-5 record. It also got him a starting job with the Kansas City Chiefs.

That leaves O’ Connell to be the second quarterback on the depth chart right behind future Hall of Famer Tom Brady.

If Brady goes down again O’ Connell is the guy and the Patriots organization has full confidence in his ability to lead this team.

I honestly do not see Brady taking his career past the year 2013. That leaves O’ Connell enough time to learn the game thoroughly, and the quarterback position in the NFL.

What will really set him apart from other quarterbacks when he becomes a starter is his speed and mobility.

He reminds me off a Jeff Gracia type of quarterback. Just with better overall qualities and a better skill set.

O’Connell has the potential to be a elite quarterback in this league, and with Bill Belichick in charge I doubt that he wont make it to that level.

The shotgun offense is an offense that will play into O’connell’s hands. He has experience as SDSU predominately ran a shotgun offense.

Everything is falling into place for the young quarterback. He just needs to step up to the plate and play like we all know he can and will.

As a Patriot fan I can finally be relieved and not have to freight about the quarterback position when Brady leaves.

Patriot fans be prepared to win a lot more Super Bowls in the future. And to Kevin O’Connell, welcome to the NFL (even though you are not a rookie anymore).

 

 

 

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