2012 QB Prospects (Part 2)

But the argument is totally nullified by the fact that the Redskins had McNabb on the roster after the lockout ended. He was traded because he was perceived as a limiting factor by a team that wanted to turn the keys over to Rex Grossman and/or John Beck.

There's no conspiracy theory to be had here. Mike Shanahan thought Rex Grossman and John Beck could win games for him in 2011. He thought they could win enough games to win the NFC East. And the only part he was right about is that it's only going to take 9 or 10 wins to take the East.

It's one thing to not have a lot of confidence in a rookie Blaine Gabbert or a rookie Christian Ponder or a rookie Ryan Mallett, the three players who the Redskins passed over at no. 10 overall to trade down to 16. History may prove Mike Shanahan right on that one. It's never going to look fondly though on the guys he actually staked his reputation to. Heck, Shanahan couldn't even tell the difference in quality between the two guys he handpicked. Even the veterans on the Redskins had that figured out. The idea that there werent better options out there to be had over the last two seasons is absurd. Of course there were.

We haven't fixed any "real" problems in two years, so how would we know how much a good coaching staff could fix in one year? Maybe changing the coaching staff brings in the perfect guy to win in the NFL at this time. Or maybe it starts over the rebuilding clock. Either way, what's the downside?

I disagree, to an extent. On the whole, our team is finally getting younger. Just prior to the 2010 season, our average age was 27.97, which ranked tops in the NFL at the conclusion of the 53 man rosters. Prior to 2011, that figure changed to 26.6, 1.37 years younger, and down to 11th in the league. You also have to figure that this draft is going to produce our starting quarterback, and hopefully one or two other starters who are going to step in right away.

Our team age is steadily going down, which gives the franchise a bit of flexibility when it comes down to free agency, as well as a sense of optimism and comaraderie, knowing that the team is chock full of young talent, not "has been" mercs looking for a payday. So in at least one aspect the Shanahan era hasnt been a total loss. This next year (2012) will determine the future of the organization, as well as Mike Shanahan.

I look at this whole QB situation from the perspective that the Skins are a team in the second year of a total rebuild under Shanny. Sure, Shanny wouldn't admit to rebuilding and Bruce Allen even trotted out some tired old rhetoric by saying "the future is now". I mean, you didn't really believe that b.s., did you?

I think that saying or not saying certain things was done with the thought of not demotivating the players who had to play the games in 2011. I also think the comment that Shanny made about staking his reputation on Beck and Grossman was a case of extreme "coach speak" that slipped out while he was trying to defend the fact that the Skins didn't take a QB in the 2011 draft. He probably wished he hadn't said that the instant it came out of his mouth.

If the Skins didn't like any of the QB prospects in the 2011 draft then I see no reason why they should have drafted one since they knew full well that they were only in year two of a complete rebuild. The QB could wait until the 2012 draft.

They decided instead to trade down repeatedly and pick up as many good prospects as they could in 2011. And I think the strategy might work out for them. Firstly, I think we may have acquired some good prospects in Kerrigan, Jenkins, Hankerson, Helu. and possibly a couple of others. Secondly, I think most of us would agree that this figures to be a better QB class in 2012. Now, if the Skins fail to land a top QB in this draft, then I would say that management may not know what they're doing in regard to the QB position (with a few f-bombs tossed in).

I'm aware that some NFL executives like the idea of taking a young QB, albeit late, in nearly every draft. I'm not convinced of that as a strategy, but certainly the Skins could have done that in the last draft. They didn't. Nevertheless, it might not be a bad idea for the Skins to do that in this draft because there are a lot of decent QB prospects in this class. A young starter + veteran backup (Rex) + a young developmental QB would be a good thing, IMO.

I'm aware that some NFL executives like the idea of taking a young QB, albeit late, in nearly every draft. I'm not convinced of that as a strategy, but certainly the Skins could have done that in the last draft. They didn't. Nevertheless, it might not be a bad idea for the Skins to do that in this draft because there are a lot of decent QB prospects in this class. A young starter + veteran backup (Rex) + a young developmental QB would be a good thing, IMO.

Who besides Luck and maybe Barkley are said to be instant starters at the pro level? If we're lucky enough to land Barkley maybe he could start right away next year...but my word that's a tremendous amount of pressure to put on a 22 yr old lad!! D.C. Media. Mike and Kyle. A horde of desperate fans.

I think that's risky as hell and would be much more confident in a savvy, even surly lol, vet starting while our big gamble grows into the world, league, offense awhile. Problem is...who's that vet?! Probably Rex is that guy because we're not likely to spend our first pick and big FA money on QBs at the same time. Plus that new QB would be learning the system from the beginning (just like the rookie), so we'd be at an even bigger risk than with Grossman.

Moral of the story, Grossman is our QB for the time being...as...long...as...Mike's...here!!

I have more confidence in at least three available veteran coaches currently unemployed and at least that many coordinators who are probably a big part of the NFL through the rest of my lifetime.

Thought I'd put this up

2011-12 bowl schedule - ESPN (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=6672862)

RGIII- Valero Alamo Bowl- Dec. 29th, 9pm.
L.Jones- Insight Bowl- Dec. 30th, 10pm.
A.Luck- Tostitos Fiesta Bowl- Jan. 2nd, 8:30pm.

As far as I can tell these are the only 3 QB's from the original 5 from the first thread started;
1.Luck
2.L.Jones
3.Barkley
4.Folles
5.RGIII

Are there others we should be looking at (in regards to QB's) and what Bowl are they playing in so I can mark my calender?

Thought I'd put this up

2011-12 bowl schedule - ESPN (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=6672862)

RGIII- Valero Alamo Bowl- Dec. 29th, 9pm.
L.Jones- Insight Bowl- Dec. 30th, 10pm.
A.Luck- Tostitos Fiesta Bowl- Jan. 2nd, 8:30pm.

As far as I can tell these are the only 3 QB's from the original 5 from the first thread started;
1.Luck
2.L.Jones
3.Barkley
4.Folles
5.RGIII

Are there others we should be looking at (in regards to QB's) and what Bowl are they playing in so I can mark my calender?

Ryan Tannehill-Meineke Car Care Dec. 31

Who besides Luck and maybe Barkley are said to be instant starters at the pro level? If we're lucky enough to land Barkley maybe he could start right away next year...but my word that's a tremendous amount of pressure to put on a 22 yr old lad!! D.C. Media. Mike and Kyle. A horde of desperate fans.

I think that's risky as hell and would be much more confident in a savvy, even surly lol, vet starting while our big gamble grows into the world, league, offense awhile. Problem is...who's that vet?! Probably Rex is that guy because we're not likely to spend our first pick and big FA money on QBs at the same time. Plus that new QB would be learning the system from the beginning (just like the rookie), so we'd be at an even bigger risk than with Grossman.

Moral of the story, Grossman is our QB for the time being...as...long...as...Mike's...here!!

I have more confidence in at least three available veteran coaches currently unemployed and at least that many coordinators who are probably a big part of the NFL through the rest of my lifetime.

I think that Luck and Barkley are the complete list of QB prospects who could start right away. That's why I think we may trade up for Barkley. If St. Louis finishes with the second worst record, we've got a chance to land him.

I want the Skins to keep Rex as a backup and I think he's a solid backup. Rex may even start the season next year if our (supposed) rookie phenom isn't quite ready. But, by now, we should all recognize that he's not likely to be an NFL starter much longer.

Ryan Tannehill-Meineke Car Care Dec. 31

Thanks.

Well in evaluating Gabbert it really has nothing to do with his production, I see a guy with a major case of the flinches. Any time pressure is in his face he seems to either throw off of his back foot or completely lose his fundamentals to just unload it. His numbers on 3rd down and red zone in college weren't good at all either so there is a significant question about how he handles stress and pressure. That's not really something that can be coached. I've seen that behavior closely compared to David Carr and Joey Harrington, not good company to be in.

As much as Carter looks great in NE this year, he has shown a couple of times (SF & Wash) that despite his ability and effort, he's not a 3-4 guy. There's nothing wrong with that, some guys just are poor fits for that system. Kerrigan gives us a guy younger and better suited for that position.

I'm with you on the young QB thing but I think the choice not to draft Mallett had more to do with system compatibility concerns than it did character issues.

I'm not impressed with Gabbert at all. Looks like Jacksonville made a bad pick there.

Luck should shine against OK ST

I'm not impressed with Gabbert at all. Looks like Jacksonville made a bad pick there.

No - they made a good pick but it's looking like they got a bad player.

See, this why picking QB's is tricky. At the time, it looked like quite a coup for Jax. Remember, on many boards Gabbert was the number 2 QB in the draft. In fact, as I recall, not many expected him to last to the 10th pick. Jax had a QB in place and expected to be able to let Gabbert sit for a year.

So, they aggressively moved up to get the best QB available and with a plan put him in a situation to succeed. Then sh** happened and he had to start sooner than expected. AND, in doing so, it turns out that all his prospective "pros" - great physical attributes, good intangibles, smart - appear to be, so far, outweighed by all the speculative "cons" - moving from spread offense, not experienced with pre-snap reads, etc.

Meanwhile, Cinci, takes the best WR on the board and waits to see who's available. In doing so, they end up with Andy Dalton (a guy we were rumoured to be after) and now they have a pass-catch duo that looks like they could be set for the next 10 years.

With that in mind, let's just wait and see where the chips fall.