QUOTE: “My ultimate vocation in life is to be an irritant, someone who disrupts the daily drag of life just enough to leave the victim thinking there's maybe more to it all than the mere hum-drum quality of existence.” -- Elvis Costello
JETS’ QB DECISION
Watching the Jets game Monday night, it was clear to me that Mark Sanchez is the right choice to start at quarterback -- not because he looked great or because he seems ready to handle the NFL, but because the Jets don’t have any other choice. I admit I’m not a fan of Kellen Clemens, so for me he’s not an option. I’m not a fan because to me, he doesn’t demonstrate the skills of an NFL starter; he plays like a backup, and last night it was very obvious. I realize he led the team to a second-half touchdown, but that was when the second teamers had already entered the game. As we know, the key to correctly evaluating players in the preseason lies in correctly evaluating the competition.
APSanchez is the right choice for the Jets.
The Jets will struggle early in the season as Sanchez learns the offense and the Jets give him more offense to run. When playing a team like the Ravens, it requires you bring a volume of offense into the game, but unfortunately for Sanchez, he can’t handle all the volume right now. Clemens can but he can’t execute it, so either way you’re screwed. Therefore, you’re better off starting Sanchez and allowing him to grow.
That’s why the Jets’ decision is not that difficult. They don’t really have one. They have to find ways to win with their defense and kicking game early in the season and get the ball to Leon Washington as often as they can (they better get his contract redone; he’s their best player). Washington is the one player who can make plays for the Jets. I’ve been writing this all offseason -- I love the Jets’ move with Sanchez, but they’re far from being Super Bowl contenders in 2009. They’ll get better as the season goes along, but as I evaluate them, they’re rebuilding this season, not reloading.
One question I did have watching the game: Why did the Jets play Calvin Pace and Shawn Ellis as much as they did in the first half? Both have to serve suspensions early in the season, Pace for four games, Ellis for one. Pace might be their best player, but if he can’t get pressure, then the scheme must get pressure. I can’t imagine Vernon Gholston being able to start for more than one game. Once America watches him play in a real NFL game, that will be enough to send him to the bench. A mistake is hard to cover up.
49ERS: I WONDER WHAT COACH THINKS
So much for all talk in the spring about Alex Smith turning the corner and looking great in San Francisco. I even wrote about it in the Sunday Post. The games count in the evaluation process, and Smith has not played well in either game. Coaches fall in love during the offseason with players who are compliant in the program. Being compliant is important, but being effective is what matters most.
APSmith is headed back to the bench.
This was another easy decision based on not having any choices. I really feel the 49ers are going to rue the day they didn’t select a quarterback in the draft this year or even try and trade up to get one. It’s another example of not knowing you own team. Where are the 49ers this year? Do you 49ers fans really believe that Shaun Hill is the answer? Michael Crabtree is not going to make a difference this year, even if he does show up.
When I look at the 49ers on tape, or look at their talent base, I’m often reminded that they somehow lost their voice that came from coach Bill Walsh -- the voice that placed a premium on the quarterback position, that understood that the game must flow through the quarterback, and that if you didn’t have one, you needed to get one. Coach would always tell me that if you knew you didn’t have a poker hand to win the pot, you’re better off discarding it and trying again. He was not afraid to make moves to ensure he had the one position solidly covered. These 49ers think the quarterback position is not that important, or they do think it’s important and just wrongly evaluated their talent level. Either way, they’re falling victim to the words of their former head coach: “There are very few people who can evaluate the quarterback, and fewer that can coach him.”
‘EDGE’ IN SEATTLE
APThe Edge is back
I’ve been taking a boatload of criticism for writing that the Seahawks needed a runner. Entering the season with Julius Jones was a dangerous proposition. Now they sign Edgerrin James to a one-year, $2-million contract. I’m not a fan of signing older running backs for the runner role. I don’t mind them for the nickel back role or the short-yardage role, but for the main down-and-distance role, I’m very reluctant.
James will fit in the Seattle scheme, but he needs to demonstrate he still has juice left in his lower body to break tackles and make yards after contact. James is 31 and has been on a decline the past three years. Two of the last three years, he’s had more than 300 carries but has not come close to breaking the four-yards-per-carry mark. This clearly shows that he doesn’t break tackles like he once did.
The Seahawks may have signed James, but they still need a back.
I think Ted Thompson understood the importance of QB. He stepped up drafted Rogers and look at how much better off the Packers are.
So was Sanchez's touchdown against the second team is more special than Clemen's touchdown against the second team?
Michael , is it that the Niners don't think the qb position is important or that Shaun Hill is 7-3 as a starter ? Shaun Hill has moxie . I disagree about moving up to get Sanchez or draft Josh Freeman . The number of top 10 draft picks that were misses at qb is staggering . They could always go after our boy Tyler Thigpen . The price to move up this year to # 4 was just not worth the risk .
I watched the game and Sanchez looked extremely nervous pregame on the sidelines. Overall I would give Sanchez a B- grade. He could of just choked completely based on the defence and the environment but he pulled it somewhat together and did lead a touchdown drive (thanks mostly to Leon Washington).
I was less impressed with Flacco. I think he is very over-rated. His throws were mostly wildly high and one way low!
Derek Mason still has it!
This is so Tim Ruskell: Mike Wahle's signing to fill 'that' hole at LG, signing TJ Duckett when Seattle needed RB depth, Signing Deon Grant and Brian Russell to save the secondary, The Deon Branch trade when the Seattle needed a WR... with the exception of Grant, all these moves were pretty bad.
Tim Ruskell is in the final year of his contract as GM. Duckett recieved a $2 million signing last season and another $2 million earlier this year. Certainly something to keep in mind at the end of the season when Paul Allen looks at what at re-signing TR.
Seahawks just released Duckett.
At first, I thought the quote at the top was from Elvis Pressley. I was like, "woah, nice to see that introspection from 'the king.' Oh, wait, Elvis Costello... okay, that makes more sense."
Totally agree. It ALL starts with solid QB play.
New regime..got to get your franchise QB IF YOU DON'T HAVE ONE.........AND WE DON'T HAVE ONE.
Nate Davis looks like he has potential but I'd like to keep him in the backburner & still go after a top prospect in next years Draft barring some miracle comeback by Alex Smith. I like Shaun Hill's moxie & he's a gamer BUT HE IS A STOP GAP PERIOD. HE IS A LEGIT BACKUP QB AT BEST.
SF's blueprint for success was first & foremost having at the very least solid QB play. We had OUTSTANDING & the very best QB play. I also agree NFL franchises who have Coaches who can properly & accurately evaluate a QB then know how to develop him & surround him with a fitting solid surrounding cast of players AND COACHES have the BIGGEST EDGE in the league. That's one of the reasons I haven't written off McDaniel's Offense yet but he BLEW IT BIGTIME by running out his already established franchise QB. (WTH was he thinking??!)
I haven't really gave it much thought but let's brainstorm for a few seconds.....PManning, Brady, Brees, Rivers are the best franchise QB's. Respectively they're on top of their Divisions. What a concidence!! Eli makes his team better because he usually makes the right decisions & all the throws. Palmer IS the Cinc Bengals. Hasselbeck IS the Seattle Seahags. Cutler will NO DOUBT ELEVATE the Bears & make them serious contenders to win the Division. Aaron Rodgers turned out to develop into a solid still growing but confident QB & makes ALL THE DIFFERENCE for that team. So in this flash quick check it holds true. TEAMS WHO HAVE A FRANCHISE QB are USUALLY 9/10 on top of their Division or serious contenders.
Man, I'm gonna be depressed. Sanchez was my guy last year. This year I'm not all that high on the new crop. Snead so far is my #1 & will be scouting him closely this year. I hear he has toughness, intelligence, strong arm, & has a good work ethic. Still have to study the under the radar guys like Pat Devlin/DE & Zac Robinson/OK ST.
Heard you on the air in DC last night. How can you possibly think Todd Collins is better than Jason Campbell. There's a reason Collins is a lifetime back-up.
Sanchez looked a little freaked out, actually completely freaked out, on the first 2 series. The first int. was thrown before he was touched,and was pathetic. ditto the second that the lb dropped. I guess he forgot to use his personality skills on the football.
Mike,
We get it. You don't like the direction of the 49ers and if you were to run the team, you'd do it differently. Sometimes you need readers of the site that enjoy your work to tell you when you're overdoing it. You've officially overdone it on the NIners, my man.
We know you love Walsh, know you'd run the team differently, know you don't care about Shaun Hill's record, and know they've lost the identity of the Bill Walsh years.
Quit doing the daily readers a disservice by repeating the same schtick. Maybe it's the Niners instead of Favre, but what us fans of the site and of the league hate most is repetitious coverage of something we're not interested in, especially with so many great stories out there.
So many teams you never give much time to - Atlanta, Jacksonville, Carolina, New Orleans - we could discuss.
Sorry your boys have fallen on hard times in the Bay Area, but harness it in and focus on exploring new angles and teams that will undoubtedly spawn more "Love the insight, Mike!" comments.
Re: niners
I figured they didn't see the value in this years draft for top qbs. The two best statistical predictors of success in the NFL for top college qbs is completion percentage and games started. None of the top qbs in this year's class had either of these.
Honestly, I think this is why they tried to get an extra #1 next year, when the qb class should be significantly better. McCoughlan said that an extra first rounder next year was a top priority for this year's draft, and I bet its so that he can make a move on Bradford or the like in 2010. We found with Alex Smith that just drafting a qb in the first round doesn't make him worth the pick. Why make the same mistake twice? Its not about drafting a highly rated qb, its about drafting the right one!
Love your articles Mike, and your podcasts are fantastic.
If you and Mike Mayock were to ever do a podcast or TV show together every NFL fan would follow it religiously.
I thought Sanchez did great things against a top notch NFL defense. His pick was atleast partially the RB's fault as he failed to see the blitz and didnt give Sanchez a target. Drew Brees throws those passes better than anyone, where he almost blindly lobs one towards the sidelines; or if its not there he hits the RB in the cleats. Sanchez will not make that mistake again. It wasnt that Sanchez made a bad read, it was just one of those plays.
Mark did hit Ray Lewis between the numbers, but again it wasnt a bad read, he just didn't look off the LB's. These are things that he will learn, give him some time Jets fans.
The TD strike to Leon was a great NFL throw. A lot of QB's try to lob that one into the corner, but Sanchez put it on a line in a small window with a strong pash rush. Great play, great throw and surely a sign of the things that Sanchez will do in the NFL.
Keep em coming Mike, BTW I am 100% with you on the Saints, its their year!!
I couldn't disagree more with your take on the 49ers' QB situation. The 49ers cared so much about the QB position, they invested a #1 OVERALL pick and $24M guaranteed in Alex Smith. He has proven to be a bust and the 49ers are paying for it, it's as simple as that. Aaron Rodgers would've suffered the same fate as Smith due to the lack of talent and poor coaching even if he's better than Alex.
As for your references to Bill Walsh, you do realize Joe Montana was a 3rd round pick, and most people didn't think much of him when he was acquired and played (early on). You should know, you were there! Steve Young was a bust with Tampa Bay when SF acquired him so it wasn't like they were giving up a whole lot. Even Jeff Garcia was a journeyman from the CFL who stabilized the QB position, post-Steve Young, but it's not like he was seen as the answer.
Franchise QBs are rare, and just because teams do NOT spend a 1st round pick or trade their entire draft for one every year doesn't mean they're ignoring the position altogether. QBs are the toughest to evaluate and transition to at the pro level.
Any chance that the 49ers have been targeting next years draft for a QB? They did acquire a an extra first round pick in next year's draft - those 2 picks should give them room to move up. There is a general consensus that next year's QB class will be the strongest in a while with Bradford, McCoy, Tebow, and Snead. Maybe they actually have a plan in place - at least I would like to think so.
I must say the 49ers and Jets have had considerable struggles thus far and much of it stems from quarterback quandaries. Edge may still have some pop, but I'm not sure if he makes the Seahawks better than they were with Duckett. Forsett has some potential as he showed against the Broncos. Much remains to be seen as the preseason unfolds. Nice job, as always, Lombardi!
Austin, find another site or stop whining, kid.
And out come the first ever Sanchez Apologists.
"His pick was atleast partially the RB's fault... It wasnt that Sanchez made a bad read, it was just one of those plays.
Mark did hit Ray Lewis between the numbers, but again it wasnt a bad read, he just didn't look off the LB's. These are things that he will learn, give him some time Jets fans."
I have no idea if Sanchez will or won't develop, but if he looked bad, he looked bad. You don't know he'll get better, you hope he will.
Maybe Playing Shaun Hill is all part of a bigger plan? The Steelers did it for years without a good QB...then Roethlisberger came and they were always contenders..They better be eyeing a McCoy, Sam Bradford or Tim Tebow..
I don't see why there is so much love for Cassel and so much hate for Hill...Hill may not look good in practice but he has shown an ability to win...He's not a Hall a Famer or a Pro Bowler, but I don't think they had a chance to get anyone in the draft that fit that profile either...If Sanchez would have dropped to them then that would have been the pick...but no need to trade the future for him...
Let's give him a chance and see if he can keep his winning ways...
Mike's right to say that the 49'ers suck, he can say it in every column in infinite different ways for all I care. It's not repetitious, he is giving us insights on how good teams are built, from his interaction with a football genius.
yes bill kramer, and theres a reason jason campbell is well on his way to being one as well.
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Aug 25, 2009
10:58 AM
Teams that need an RB need to pay close attention to who the Titans cut. We'll probably be cutting Chris Henry, Quinton Ganther and Rafael Little. I put my money on Ganther being a "Mwelde Moore" type. Somebody needs to pick him up.