Comments on: Link: MMQB Chris Cooley Edition Talks About Young QBs

By: Bent

Bent — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 18:10:41 +0000

Is Jay Cutler a good variable to throw into this conversation? As we know, he won nearly all of his games when the defense played well, but hardly ever won if they played badly. (13-1 if defense holds the other team to less than 21, but only 4-19 if the other team scores more than 21) And the Broncos do have a good offensive line.

Let’s assume that trend would have continued and is not just a statistical anomaly. If their defense had been really bad, he’d have lost nearly every game and maybe killed his confidence, whereas if they had a really good defense, he’d be an all-conquering hero even if his stats were only mediocre.

Not sure what that tells you though.

By: pound4pound

pound4pound — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 17:58:51 +0000

Sack, I think a good o-line is more important for young QB’s than a good defense. You’re right that a bad defense might force the QB to throw more into defenses geared for the pass, but a bad o-line will force the QB into bad habits, which are much more damaging long-term. Look at David Carr in HOU. In 2002, HOU’s defense was average (20th in Football Outsiders’ efficiency stats), while his o-line was dead last in the NFL. Sure enough, he got killed, hisstats were awful, *and* worst of all he learned to be overly gun-shy and hurry his passes, esp to the sidelines. And he apparently could never get over those bad habits.

By: Benny

Benny — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 02:00:24 +0000

As little surprise Griese was released from TB. I think the money is going to be spent else where, but if Sanchez is the guy wouldn’t Griese be a good fit to help bring him along and a decent back up to both push him and teach him…..

By: Pete57

Pete57 — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 20:28:55 +0000

Sack, I agree. I didn’t mean to imply that O’Brien was a classic case of a rookie thrown to the wolves. Since Namath, we have had this scenario a couple of times: New QB steps in, looks good, and looks good for an extended period, but in the end they don’t get the job done (Todd, O’Brien, Pennington). I understand what happened with O’Brien and Pennington. But it always baffled how Todd looked so great one year, and looked so horrible the next. They year we made it to the AFC championship game against Miami, 82, Todd looked fantastic. He was hitting Wesley Walker for bombs left and right. The next season, he couldn’t reach him it seemed. I don’t know the reason but I could only conclude that he was injured or, as rumor had it, he was paid off by the mob to throw games.

By: SackDance99

SackDance99 — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 19:48:49 +0000

Pete57,

That Meadowlands turf negatively affected a lot of Jets, like Lance Mehl, Al Toon, Gastineau and Klecko. But, it wasn’t the classic “rookie QB thrown to the wolves.” O’Brien had a great offense around him and a great defense, it was just Joe Walton’s offense and O’Brien’s tendency to hold the ball a little long that affected him. But, I agree, the pounding on that Meadowlands turf took its toll.

By: SackDance99

SackDance99 — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 19:45:14 +0000

Here’s a question to ponder. Is it more important for a rookie QB to have a solid OL and running game or a good defense to complement the offense? The worst thing for any QB is for the opposing team’s defense to know you have to pass, which happens all the time when your defense gives up a ton of points. Sanchez has both a good defense AND OL/running game. Plus, the Jets special teams should be very good with the additions of Izzo and Leonhard. Normally, rookie QB’s don’t succeed, but Sanchez has a lot more to work with than most rookies, which is why he may succeed like Big Ben or Flacco.

By: Pete57

Pete57 — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 19:35:23 +0000

I watched O’Brien’s whole career and I think the sacks definitely affected him. I also think that once things started going in the wrong direction he might not have been mentally tough enough to handle the NY scrutiny.

By: SackDance99

SackDance99 — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 19:25:32 +0000

Toon2388 is right. O’Brien wasn’t very mobile and Joe Walton wanted him to eat the ball (he also had a tendency to hold the ball too long, but he also had Wesley Walker going on deep patterns…that’s worth waiting in the pocket for). Plus, he only started 5 games as a rookie in 1984, his breakout, Pro Bowl and NFL-sack leading season was in 1985. Hard to say the sacks beat him down when he made the Pro Bowl in his second season.

By: TOON2388

TOON2388 — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 19:04:23 +0000

O’Brien was a very good QB when he had a very good OL. He was also under strict orders from Walton to “eat the ball” rather than force a throw – hence the high sack totals

By: ED

ED — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 18:53:14 +0000

Go sign Brian Griese as insurance…now!