The 2024 season saw the redemption of Sam Darnold, the canonization of Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson, the validation of Baker Mayfield and the reinvigoration of Saquon Barkley.
as they wrote in the bible; "And the LORD said: thy Seattle Seahawks shall play NO normal football game upon this land we have provided; and thus, the laymen cried, for those lost in the ensuing chaos"
Great stuff. It’ll be interesting to see if we get a Super Bowl Winning QB from a draft class that happened after 2017. I did an analysis and we’ve not had this big of a gap between the draft classes of SB winning QBs since the SB era. And currently, the active QBs with a title come from the 2008, 2009, 2012, and 2017 drafts. That’s it. Kind of crazy.
I think Big Ben was arguably the biggest proof of your second sentence, which I wholeheartedly believe (scheme and coaching matter, etc.). Though really it might have been Mahomes - can't forget he was a super-toolsy project when he was drafted but went to the absolute perfect coach and situation for him to become who is he now.
It is probably not a coincidence that Bryce has shown improvement after adding a good offensive line while CJ has struggled more with a line even worse than last year's.
“ Justin Fields and Bryce Young are Jackson wannabes missing the secret ingredients –“
Nothing secret about Young’s missing ingredient—height.
We demand quarterbacks who can run, whether they provide Jackson-like balletics or Allen-esque bulldozing. We expect more than a touch of unscripted downfield derring-do. Meticulous dismantlement of the defense from the pocket was all well and good for Tom Brady, Peyton Manning and Drew Brees. Who has the attention span for that these days? More scrambles and bombs, please and thank you.
"Just as Mayfield established himself as a mid-tier starter, Jimmy Haslam decided that this Faust fellow drove a pretty fair bargain"
I hate to be that guy, but in this analogy, Jimmy Haslam is Faust, as he's accepting the bargain. Mephistopheles is the one offering the bargain.
If the other commenters see fit to stuff me in a locker and take my lunch money, I have no one but myself to blame.
Somehow I think Haslam was pretty much negotiating with himself on that turd of a deal for Watson.
"the accuracy of a toppled sundial" is a fantastic line.
An article of hope for the Class of 21.
And if there’s hope for Zach Wilson there’s hope for us all. Happy New Year!
“More scrambles and bombs…”? Sounds like Russell Wilson in his heyday. Just sayin’.
Those heart attack games were so good but also so frustrating.
as they wrote in the bible; "And the LORD said: thy Seattle Seahawks shall play NO normal football game upon this land we have provided; and thus, the laymen cried, for those lost in the ensuing chaos"
"The stone the builders rejected."
I'm calling up the 2025 equivalent of Jerry Falwell and telling him you compared Lamar Jackson to Jesus.
Great stuff. It’ll be interesting to see if we get a Super Bowl Winning QB from a draft class that happened after 2017. I did an analysis and we’ve not had this big of a gap between the draft classes of SB winning QBs since the SB era. And currently, the active QBs with a title come from the 2008, 2009, 2012, and 2017 drafts. That’s it. Kind of crazy.
Rodgers was drafted in 2005.
Ah. Forgot about Rodgers. Thanks!
Wonderful article. Takes me back to the glorious days of 2005 Football Outsiders!
Darnold and Mayfield, along with Jackson, Hurts, Allen, Marino, Herbert, Love, Russ, Rodgers, Starr, Favre, Stanfordwell you get my drift.
Scheme, situation matter. Coaching and front office matter as much as talent at this level, for the majority.
Then, there are the extraordinary front offices and coaches who take it to the next level.
At the very top are ineffables. Mahomes currently.
I think Big Ben was arguably the biggest proof of your second sentence, which I wholeheartedly believe (scheme and coaching matter, etc.). Though really it might have been Mahomes - can't forget he was a super-toolsy project when he was drafted but went to the absolute perfect coach and situation for him to become who is he now.
It is probably not a coincidence that Bryce has shown improvement after adding a good offensive line while CJ has struggled more with a line even worse than last year's.
“ Justin Fields and Bryce Young are Jackson wannabes missing the secret ingredients –“
Nothing secret about Young’s missing ingredient—height.
We demand quarterbacks who can run, whether they provide Jackson-like balletics or Allen-esque bulldozing. We expect more than a touch of unscripted downfield derring-do. Meticulous dismantlement of the defense from the pocket was all well and good for Tom Brady, Peyton Manning and Drew Brees. Who has the attention span for that these days? More scrambles and bombs, please and thank you.
Joe Burrow says, “hi”.
Terrific.
What would Allen’s season look like if he were throwing to Jamar and Tee or AJ and Devonta?