Close Only Counts In Horseshoes and Hand Grenades

In the 2005 draft, the Redskins were looking for a young QB early in Gibbs 2.0.

With the 9th pick in the draft, they took Carlos Rogers. That was better than taking Roy Rogers (who was clinically dead in 2005) but they missed on Aaron Rodgers who went at #24 in the draft.

What is interesting is that the Redskins scurried to trade up at that point to secure Jason Campbell as the #25 pick.

Homer Simpson says it best ... :doh:

Coulda woulda shoulda.........

I'm a strong believer that along with a players physical skills, it is important that they're a good fit in the system/culture. I don't know if Aaron Rodgers would be as effective here in DC. In GB he has an offense that fits him well, arguably the best WRs in the league, and free reign. He also had the chance to sit and learn for a couple years.

If he were tossed into the fire in DC with a huge playbook, one of the worst set of WRs in the league, and a revolving door at coordinator and HC I'm not so sure he'd be seen in the same light today.

This isn't me trying to take something away from Aaron Rodgers. He was drafted in GB and has done a fantastic job. I feel that is true for every player.

I'm not sure that Aaron Rodgers was the type that could have gone to any team and succeeded. In other words, had San Fran taken him number one overall I'm not sure if he would not be in the same situation as Alex Smith.

To me Ryan, Peyton, Rivers, and Freeman are among the few QB's that have proven to me that they could have succeeded virtually anywhere, in any system. I'm pretty sure that Rodgers as a Redskin would have been in trouble had he not hit his stride before Gibbs left. Still we'll never know.

I'm a strong believer that along with a players physical skills, it is important that they're a good fit in the system/culture. I don't know if Aaron Rodgers would be as effective here in DC. In GB he has an offense that fits him well, arguably the best WRs in the league, and free reign. He also had the chance to sit and learn for a couple years.

If he were tossed into the fire in DC with a huge playbook, one of the worst set of WRs in the league, and a revolving door at coordinator and HC I'm not so sure he'd be seen in the same light today.

This isn't me trying to take something away from Aaron Rodgers. He was drafted in GB and has done a fantastic job. I feel that is true for every player.
Campbell also got to sit and learn for a bit. Not saying he had the best of weapons but CP was on fire. There was a lot that went into the lack of success during that part though.

Tryfuhl -- You're absolutely right. I'm not saying that any players production is completely their own doing. Certainly a great part of success is personal skills/drive. I'm just trying to say I think fit and the team atmosphere contribute greatly to the success/failure of a player.

I would love to be able to see Ryan Leaf and Peyton Manning switch places just to see what would happen. Maybe Peyton would be the stud and Leaf would flop. Maybe they both would have been okay. Impossible to know.

Just trying to make the point that physical skills and drive alone don't make a player a star. It also requires system, atmosphere, surrounding cast, etc.

No doubt, hard to think how successful some people might have been had they been in different situations. What if Bledsoe stayed hot and Brady became the next Todd Collins? What if Todd Collins actually started?

I have faith that he'd do well on nearly any team though, he's a capable QB without a glaring weak spot.. he's been one of the most sacked QBs, longevity would be my only concern.

I believe 22 other teams are singing the same blues......

Given our track record in developing QBs and Vinny's terrible record in acquiring good players, none of this would have mattered.

I believe 22 other teams are singing the same blues......100% agree.