What the 2008 playoffs show and make very clear to me is that you need a QB you can depend on. Look at the final 8 teams this year. Chargers- Phillip Rivers Giants- Eli Manning Steelers- Big Ben Eagles- Donovan McNabb Cardinals- Kurt Warner- The exception Panthers- Jake Delhomme Ravens- Joe Flacco Titants- Kerry Collins- Another excpetion 6 of those 8 QBs are QB's that have been or are going to be in their teams systems and or are the QB of their team for a very long time. The QB's feel comfortable and they know what there doing out there. They have also played with the players on their team for a while and have developed good chemistry. Lets look at the Jets since Vinny's last year as a starter. 2001- Vinny 2002- Vinny then Chad 2003- Vinny then Chad 2004- Chad (except for the 3 games he missed) 2005- Chad for a few games then Bollinger then Vinny then back to Bollinger 2006- Chad 2007- Chad then Clemens 2008- Favre Thats way to much instability at the most important posistion on your team. The QB is the leader and face of your team and its hard for somebody to lead a team that is new to them and its hard for a QB to lead an offense when they have no chemistry with the players there playing with. I realize injuries have been a problem there mainly with Chad but what the Jets HAVE TO DO this off season is make sure they go into the season with a QB they can see being the QB of this team for a long time. The only two guys that are not Franchise QB's on the list I mentioned are Collins and Warner and both guys are keeping the seat warm for two players who their organizations think will be the franchise QB's (Leinhart, Young) The answer for the Jets is not to go out and get a veteran Head Coach and a Veteran QB to work with this team because the Jets think they have a lot of talent and think they have what it takes to win a SB. The answer is to go out and build a system and get players that can learn and play in that system. And get a QB who will be comfortable in that system. And build the team around him.
No, Rothlisberger won it in his 2nd year. His rookie year was the year the Steelers went 15-1 and lost to the Patriots in the AFC Championship game.
He won it in his second season. He lost to the Pats in the AFC Chapionship game in his first (beating the Jets along the way). But the point remains. Big Ben is a guy who the team knows is the QB of the team. The Jets have to much change at the QB posistion is basically my point.
You look at Baltimore, Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, they are so much better than us defensively they never give up on the run game and they all have big strong QB's that can sling the ball down the field when they are being banged around. Kurt Warner who is a little more fragile may make a case for the HOF if they can upset Philadelphia and gets to a third SB.
Obviously everyone wants a franchise quarterback. Of those 6 QBs you listed, 2 depended on their defense to get this far, one completely tanked yesterday, and one kinda tanked today. That leaves you with two franchise QBs, one who's folded in previous postseasons and one whose team is now eliminated from the playoffs. To me that doesn't show anything.
If Arizona beats Philly I do not think it will be much of an Upset. Personally I would put my money on them beating Philly. If that is the case Kurt won't just make a case for HOF he will be.
what the playoffs show is that you have to get in the playoffs. Garbage like "i dont want to back in" or "weshouldnt bother if we are the 6th seed" is ridiculous. In basketball, when making the playoffs as an 8 and then getting bumped is a waste often -- in the NFL it is not. Thats why making the playoffs is a good measuring stick of a coach.
Yeah but 6 of those QB's are QB's who everybody knows is going to be the QB of the team going into each and every season. Maybe not after this season for some of them and like I said there are always exceptions but its a lot easier for people to build chemistry when they know who the QB is. When was the last time the Jets knew going into a season who there QB was going to be without any controversy what so ever? 2003 after Chad's first season as a starter? Or maybe 2004 after Chad came back in 2003.
I completely agree with you. Look at the playoff teams left. Nobody that Arizona deserved it at 9-7 and they're going to the NFC championship game. Look at Phili - they needed help on the last day (TB losing to Oakland) and then they got in a 9-6-1 and they've looked great as well. SD was 4-8 and they made it to the divisional round. Make the playoffs and its a whole new season in january.
What speaks more is the rankings on the defensive side of the ball. Steelers, Ravens, and Eagles are on top, so it takes a lot of pressure off the Offense. While I agree it would be great to have a younger QB in here that will be here long term, I think having an elite defense will pay dividends in keeping us competitive and in games. We really need to shake this "No Identity" label of the last 40 years. Watching these games this weekend and the speed and aggressiveness of the defensive units, I feel like we are not even in the same league....
I agree, I think that Defensive is most important in winning championships. Especially a good pass rush, and i hope thats what we work on this off season. A good pass rush goes a long way
I agree completley. A young QB was just one thing that I was naming. The Jets dont really have any of this stuff. There up and down on both sides of the ball. They need an identity.
To win consistently in the playoffs you need a strong defense, and a power running game. If you look on average at the teams that have been successful recently, you see this. Giants used their defense to shut down one of the greatest offenses in league history in the Super Bowl last year. Colts toughened up on D enough the year they won and they had a good running game. We saw what happened against the Chargers without a solid running game. Back in Super Bowl 40 Run..the Steelers D was a catalyst, and Parker running the ball effectively allowed us to do enough on O to win. The year the Ravens won it all it was SOLELY their D and an offense told NOT to lose the game. They don't say it for just any reason...Defense Wins Championships.
100% bang on....good post. This is why i'm pushing for a Spags or a Rex Ryan hire....the defense is the key to winning when it counts. We need a defensive-minded coach who is NOT A PUSSY with the playcalling (aka Mangini). I'm glad Josh McDaniels was the guy Denver hired.....because now we'll have the pick of the litter. Nobody wants to coach the Rams or the Lions.
i share the same sentiment....and it should start with our next coach. It's time we found an identity.
