Time to bench Brunell? (Mega Man Merge)

I will say this : When teams purposely take the deep passing game from teams, which minnesota and Dallas both did, we have to be able to run the ball. Running the ball effectively brings a safety or two towards the line of scrimmage, which in turn opens more plays down the field. If a team can sit in a 2 deep coverage the entire game you will NOT be able to throw down field. and the one time he did, what happened, it was picked, BY THE SAFETY. No one thinks Betts can run the ball. If a team can control the running attack with the front 6 or 7, the deep passing game will not exist. Betts couldn't run, the line couldn't run block, what ever happened, it goes hand and hand.

I agree with what you're saying here. I'm denying that teams are prepared to defend us because Portis is missing. We have blocking issues as well. I totally agree. I think you're right on with your analysis of how teams have been stacking the box too.

But when the guy can't get the ball down the field,that's entierly different deal. You're telling me that these guys have Brandon Lloyd, Moss, and Randel El...and Cooley covered all the time, every play?

Portis should not be saving Brunell's career. people expect Portis to singlehandledly to bring the safeties up with his running, and then block the blitzers with his 220lb frame for Brunell's passes to connect? what's next, Portis actually helping Brunell with his throwing motion on the field?

young Brunell would have made some of those plays work with just his arm and legs, but that seems like ages ago.

We can't say with certainty that the team will struggle with JC in there until JC actually get's in there.

It's all speculation at this point. And given the current offensive production, system or no, the drop off wouldn't be that dramatic if at all.

You sure? Mark has thrown only 1 INT this year. Most QBS have 2 or more, looking at the stats. Simms (TB) has 6, Plummer (DEN), Collins (TEN) and Frye (CLE) have 4 each.

Brunell is in the middle of the pack in completion %. Better than Delhomme, Favre, Bulger, Collins, Vick, Roethlisberger, Alex Smith, Plummer, Tom Brady, Bledsoe, McNair, Brad Johnson, Chris Simms and all of the part-time QBs that have played.

He fumbled once but didn't lose it. Most of the QBs in the NFL have 1 or 2 LOST FUMBLES so far.

He threw for 197 yards despite being sacked 6 times against Dallas.

It could be a LOT worse.

Portis should not be saving Brunell's career. people expect Portis to singlehandledly to bring the safeties up with his running, and then block the blitzers with his 220lb frame for Brunell's passes to connect? what's next, Portis actually helping Brunell with his throwing motion on the field?

young Brunell would have made some of those plays work with just his arm and legs, but that seems like ages ago.

Elway and Montana stopped running a lot later in their careers too, were they trash too?

You sure? Mark has thrown only 1 INT this year. Most QBS have 2 or more, looking at the stats. Simms (TB) has 6, Plummer (DEN), Collins (TEN) and Frye (CLE) have 4 each.

how many TDs do those guys have? how many does Brunell have so far this year including preseason?

hmm, my posts must be easy to ignore.

Elway and Montana stopped running a lot later in their careers too, were they trash too?

you really want to compare Montana and Elway with Brunell? really?

cuz you just compared him to Simms, Plummer, Collins and Frye.

You sure? Mark has thrown only 1 INT this year.


and just how many games has he won? how many TDs has he thrown? oh yeah, that's right, zero.

you really want to compare Montana and Elway with Brunell? really?

cuz you just compared him to Simms, Plummer, Collins and Frye.

I'm not comparing him to anyone...just making the point that QBs' games change over time. You want him to keep running like he's a Washington Husky but he's changed his game from learning more AND to compensate for his age, as EVERY QB has had to do...unless they play like statues from day 1 like Bledsoe.

He can't run as well as he used to but he's also better in other areas of his game, like decision-making. In 1996, he had 19 TDs and 20 INTs. in 2005, he had 23 TDs and only 10 INTs. Also, his sacks have gone down dramatically as his career has progressed. Even when he could run, he was sacked MORE. Why? Better decisions.

and just how many games has he won?


This isn't baseball. We don't give the Win to one player (pitcher).

Brunell isn't the sole reason for our losses.

I'm not convinced that even if defenses put 8 in the box and CBs in man on every single play that our passing game will improve.