Bus Drivers and the Super Bowl

[Bach]

Here's a list of the teams that won the Super Bowl dating back to '92 when we first won it with Jimmy:

‘92 Dallas (Aikman)
‘93 Dallas (Aikman)
‘94 SF (Young)
‘95 Dallas (Aikman)
‘96 Green Bay (Favre)
‘97 Denver (Elway)
‘98 Denver (Elway)
‘99 Rams (Warner)
‘00 Ravens (Dilfer)
‘01 Patriots (Brady)
‘02 Bucs (Johnson)
‘03 Patriots (Brady)
‘04 Patriots (Brady)

With the exception of Dilfer with the Ravens and Johnson with the Bucs, all of these teams have had franchise caliber QB's. Also, those are the only two teams out of this group that were basically one year wonders. The other teams all either won multiple SB's, or appeared in multiple SB's.

So basically it's evident that with a great defense and supporting cast, it's possible to win a Super Bowl with a stopgap, bus driver at QB. But it also seems obvious that the teams with a franchise caliber QB are the ones that have the best chance at putting together a nice run and not just hope everything goes your way one year and then watch it fall apart.

IMO, as long as we continue to go with the Vinny's and Bledsoe's of the world and ignore trying to find a real franchise caliber QB, we might be able to build a strong enough supporting cast to make a flash in the pan type run one season, but that seems to be the hard way of trying to do it.

 

[thssanders]

It's amazing that is has been 11 years since we last won the superbowl.

And I agree with you. Bus drivers are not the answer at QB. We need to bring in a franchise caliber QB whether it be from the draft or free agency, although there will be no good free agent QB's this year.

 

[joseephuss]

Here's a list of the teams that won the Super Bowl dating back to '92 when we first won it with Jimmy:

‘92 Dallas (Aikman)
‘93 Dallas (Aikman)
‘94 SF (Young)
‘95 Dallas (Aikman)
‘96 Green Bay (Favre)
‘97 Denver (Elway)
‘98 Denver (Elway)
‘99 Rams (Warner)
‘00 Ravens (Dilfer)
‘01 Patriots (Brady)
‘02 Bucs (Johnson)
‘03 Patriots (Brady)
‘04 Patriots (Brady)

With the exception of Dilfer with the Ravens and Johnson with the Bucs, all of these teams have had franchise caliber QB's. Also, those are the only two teams out of this group that were basically one year wonders. The other teams all either won multiple SB's, or appeared in multiple SB's.

So basically it's evident that with a great defense and supporting cast, it's possible to win a Super Bowl with a stopgap, bus driver at QB. But it also seems obvious that the teams with a franchise caliber QB are the ones that have the best chance at putting together a nice run and not just hope everything goes your way one year and then watch it fall apart.

IMO, as long as we continue to go with the Vinny's and Bledsoe's of the world and ignore trying to find a real franchise caliber QB, we might be able to build a strong enough supporting cast to make a flash in the pan type run one season, but that seems to be the hard way of trying to do it.

Good anaylysis. There are those that say Brady and Aikman are bus drivers as well. I don't agree with that. I think for the most part, they are both asked to manage games more often than they are asked to win games, but they are capable of lifting their play and slinging the ball around. Elway was in the same boat during his SB wins. Dilfer and Johson were not during their lone SB years.

 

[Ashwynn]

Thats what I have been saying. You can have a 1 year wonder if you like, I would prefer the long term plan of building a solid D, a Solid Oline, then find the skill position players that make the difference.

We have the D well underway. The Olines a bit run down and in need of a major re-build. The skill players are certainly capable in the short term, and with the right Oline and a young QB, we are set for the long haul too.

Bledsoes gunna be fine with a good Oline and JJ will rebound and put up the numbers, Crayton and Key will compliment Glenn and the next young deep threat in a year or two.

We are really not that far away from putting a nice core of players to form a perennial contender. With Parcells or without him. I think hes gunna stay and finish what he started personally.

Look for a monster Offensively heavy draft with particular attention to the line. FA should be active and a few linemen and a kicker taken there as well. Smart player evaluation is gunna be the key here. If dont masterfly, we will win the superbowl, if done nicely, we will make the playoffs and make some noise there. Only if we fail this offseason willit be ugly. By ugly I mean .500 or worse.

Parcells has a plan and will unfold it here in the next year or two. It will be evident and everyone will be one the same page (speaking of us fans on the board). We will get a young QB soon, I doubt it is Henson seriously, but it could be. Till he shows up, Bledsoes gunna get it done. Just have patience and watch what we do this off-season. You will know what shape we are gunna be in after the draft. FA'y and the draft.

 

[Yeagermeister]

patience

What do patience mean?

 

[conner01]

very very true. but wanting a franchise qb and getting one is a lot different. before bill got here jerry ran the draft and we all know he thought he knew alot more than he did, and he would be the first to admit that. since then i don't know of a franchise qb we've had a shot at without trading a ton of picks which would have set us back at other positions. great qb is important to get to the sb, but you need a complete team of good, if not very good players also

 

[Hostile]

Here's a list of the teams that won the Super Bowl dating back to '92 when we first won it with Jimmy:

‘92 Dallas (Aikman)
‘93 Dallas (Aikman)
‘94 SF (Young)
‘95 Dallas (Aikman)
‘96 Green Bay (Favre)
‘97 Denver (Elway)
‘98 Denver (Elway)
‘99 Rams (Warner)
‘00 Ravens (Dilfer)
‘01 Patriots (Brady)
‘02 Bucs (Johnson)
‘03 Patriots (Brady)
‘04 Patriots (Brady)

With the exception of Dilfer with the Ravens and Johnson with the Bucs, all of these teams have had franchise caliber QB's. Also, those are the only two teams out of this group that were basically one year wonders. The other teams all either won multiple SB's, or appeared in multiple SB's.

So basically it's evident that with a great defense and supporting cast, it's possible to win a Super Bowl with a stopgap, bus driver at QB. But it also seems obvious that the teams with a franchise caliber QB are the ones that have the best chance at putting together a nice run and not just hope everything goes your way one year and then watch it fall apart.

IMO, as long as we continue to go with the Vinny's and Bledsoe's of the world and ignore trying to find a real franchise caliber QB, we might be able to build a strong enough supporting cast to make a flash in the pan type run one season, but that seems to be the hard way of trying to do it.

I wholeheartedly support this thinking. Always will.

 

[Maikeru-sama]

Here's a list of the teams that won the Super Bowl dating back to '92 when we first won it with Jimmy:

‘92 Dallas (Aikman)
‘93 Dallas (Aikman)
‘94 SF (Young)
‘95 Dallas (Aikman)
‘96 Green Bay (Favre)
‘97 Denver (Elway)
‘98 Denver (Elway)
‘99 Rams (Warner)
‘00 Ravens (Dilfer)
‘01 Patriots (Brady)
‘02 Bucs (Johnson)
‘03 Patriots (Brady)
‘04 Patriots (Brady)

With the exception of Dilfer with the Ravens and Johnson with the Bucs, all of these teams have had franchise caliber QB's. Also, those are the only two teams out of this group that were basically one year wonders. The other teams all either won multiple SB's, or appeared in multiple SB's.

So basically it's evident that with a great defense and supporting cast, it's possible to win a Super Bowl with a stopgap, bus driver at QB. But it also seems obvious that the teams with a franchise caliber QB are the ones that have the best chance at putting together a nice run and not just hope everything goes your way one year and then watch it fall apart.

IMO, as long as we continue to go with the Vinny's and Bledsoe's of the world and ignore trying to find a real franchise caliber QB, we might be able to build a strong enough supporting cast to make a flash in the pan type run one season, but that seems to be the hard way of trying to do it.

I can tell you it goes deeper then just Super Bowl Championships. Check out the Playoff QBs the last 10 years or so.

It's all about getting the QB settled.

- Mike G.

 

[Eddie]

since then i don't know of a franchise qb we've had a shot at without trading a ton of picks which would have set us back at other positions. great qb is important to get to the sb, but you need a complete team of good, if not very good players also

Tom Brady
Byron Leftwich
Ben Rothlesberger
Jake Delhomme

All franchise QB's who were available to us.

 

[trueblue1687]

Bledsoe is a franchise quarterback. Testaverde(sp) is not. Remember, had it not been for him being injured, we likely would not have known much about Brady (LATE round pick). Bledsoe is in the twilight of his career, but is still a franchise QB...just for another franchise before here. Just because he hasn't won a superbowl doesn't make the guy that bad. Elway didn't until he was at the end of his career, but most folks feel that he was a QB deity. I'm not a Bledsoe freak, but to all those who detest the guy so much, tell me: #1. Who has Dallas had since Aikman that is/was better than Bledsoe? #2. What QB has Dallas had a legitimate shot at signing that is proven better than Bledsoe - FA or Rookie?? We've had a plethora of QB's since Aikman and NONE have been worth a hang or have been more than a scrub. There finally is a QB that is good and everyone wants to ***** because Parcells don't play a rookie who's been out of football for three or four years. I'm ok with playing Henson or Romo, but get ready to REALLY have a sh**ty season...and talk about how terrible they are, too.

 

[trueblue1687]

Tom Brady
Byron Leftwich
Ben Rothlesberger
Jake Delhomme

All franchise QB's who were available to us.

None of those were franchise QB's when they were available. Brady was a 7th rounder, Leftwich was a 1st round, 7th overall pick in 03, Rothlesberger was available @ #11 in 04 (after we drafted Defense), but who knows if he's a franchise QB after two years??? (Tim Couch ring a bell?). Only Delhomme was truly available to Dallas through FA...and nobody knew if he was good or just a decent back-up @ that point.

 

[Bach]

None of those were franchise QB's when they were available.

Leftwich and Roethlisberger were first round picks. Of course no one knows if any rookie will pan out, but we don't even try when it comes to QB's.

Besides QC, who was a major reach in the 2nd round, how many other QB's have we drafted in the last 10 years? Zero?

Now we have no problem hoping to get lucky with former baseball players like Hutch or Henson. Romo is a former undrafted FA.
Vinny and Bledsoe, were both past their prime when we signed them.

I know there's no guarantee drafting a QB in the first round will work out. Of course there's no guranatee a first round CB, S, DE. LB, etc will pan out either, but that hasn't stopped us from doing that.

The bottomline is that in order to get a young franchise caliber QB, you have to actually pull the trigger and acquire one. We've been without Aikman for 5 years and are still no closer to replacing him with a long term solution. Odd are we won't try this year either. The longer we wait, the longer our return to the top will be, unless we happen to be one of the rare teams that actually makes it with a stopgap.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Thats what I have been saying. You can have a 1 year wonder if you like, I would prefer the long term plan of building a solid D, a Solid Oline, then find the skill position players that make the difference.

We have the D well underway. The Olines a bit run down and in need of a major re-build. The skill players are certainly capable in the short term, and with the right Oline and a young QB, we are set for the long haul too.

Bledsoes gunna be fine with a good Oline and JJ will rebound and put up the numbers, Crayton and Key will compliment Glenn and the next young deep threat in a year or two.

We are really not that far away from putting a nice core of players to form a perennial contender. With Parcells or without him. I think hes gunna stay and finish what he started personally.

Look for a monster Offensively heavy draft with particular attention to the line. FA should be active and a few linemen and a kicker taken there as well. Smart player evaluation is gunna be the key here. If dont masterfly, we will win the superbowl, if done nicely, we will make the playoffs and make some noise there. Only if we fail this offseason willit be ugly. By ugly I mean .500 or worse.

Parcells has a plan and will unfold it here in the next year or two. It will be evident and everyone will be one the same page (speaking of us fans on the board). We will get a young QB soon, I doubt it is Henson seriously, but it could be. Till he shows up, Bledsoes gunna get it done. Just have patience and watch what we do this off-season. You will know what shape we are gunna be in after the draft. FA'y and the draft.

Sorry Ashwynn but Bledsoe is the epitomy of a "bus driver".

He's no where near talented enough to be considered a "franchise QB".

Not even close.

 

[zack]

Bledsoe is hardly a bus driver. But I do think that we should draft a QB this year since the other two backups are nothing to get excited about.

 

[CowboyManDan]

I wholeheartedly support this thinking. Always will.

Total agreeance here as well.

I pray that we will either give Romo or Henson a shot, or draft a QB high. But I just expect another 2 years of trying with Bledsoe, whom IMO, has already passed his prime and reached his peaks.

 

[trueblue1687]

Leftwich and Roethlisberger were first round picks. Of course no one knows if any rookie will pan out, but we don't even try when it comes to QB's.

Besides QC, who was a major reach in the 2nd round, how many other QB's have we drafted in the last 10 years? Zero?

Now we have no problem hoping to get lucky with former baseball players like Hutch or Henson. Romo is a former undrafted FA.
Vinny and Bledsoe, were both past their prime when we signed them.

I know there's no guarantee drafting a QB in the first round will work out. Of course there's no guranatee a first round CB, S, DE. LB, etc will pan out either, but that hasn't stopped us from doing that.

The bottomline is that in order to get a young franchise caliber QB, you have to actually pull the trigger and acquire one. We've been without Aikman for 5 years and are still no closer to replacing him with a long term solution. Odd are we won't try this year either. The longer we wait, the longer our return to the top will be, unless we happen to be one of the rare teams that actually makes it with a stopgap.

You just made my point exactly. You never know if any player will pan out. Ryan Leaf was a first rounder also, so was Tim Couch...need I go on. Simply grabbing a pick because he plays QB and Mel Kiper says he's God means nothing. Like I said, if picking a "franchise caliber" (whatever that means this week) QB was as easy as you're saying, there would be one on every team in the league.

Just how do you propose that we find out about these QB projects? Which games would you put them in? The ones we were winning, so that they could quite possibly lose it? Or the ones that we got absolutely blown out of or that we blew out the other team? (Hmmm, can think of only the last Washington foreskins game we played as a blowout, and we didn't blow out anyone). Supposing that you do try out several in real games and they DON'T work...are you prepared for several more years of mediocrity or worse? That's what you're gonna get and still may not find another Aikman. I would like to see what Henson has...Romo, too for that matter. But when a season is decided by one game, can you really take that chance? Not realistically, but we can on this board. Now I'm not saying Bledsoe is the messiah by any stretch, but I've yet to see anyone come up with a realistic alternative that is as good. We need to get better as a team and create some score distance (in our favor) before we can open up the testing grounds. Imagine your favorite rookie facing the 49 sacks that Bledsoe took this year and then tell me how our good O-line could make it possible for a 1st rounder to live.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

You just made my point exactly. You never know if any player will pan out. Ryan Leaf was a first rounder also, so was Tim Couch...need I go on. Simply grabbing a pick because he plays QB and Mel Kiper says he's God means nothing. Like I said, if picking a "franchise caliber" (whatever that means this week) QB was as easy as you're saying, there would be one on every team in the league.

Just how do you propose that we find out about these QB projects? Which games would you put them in? The ones we were winning, so that they could quite possibly lose it? Or the ones that we got absolutely blown out of or that we blew out the other team? (Hmmm, can think of only the last Washington foreskins game we played as a blowout, and we didn't blow out anyone). Supposing that you do try out several in real games and they DON'T work...are you prepared for several more years of mediocrity or worse? That's what you're gonna get and still may not find another Aikman. I would like to see what Henson has...Romo, too for that matter. But when a season is decided by one game, can you really take that chance? Not realistically, but we can on this board. Now I'm not saying Bledsoe is the messiah by any stretch, but I've yet to see anyone come up with a realistic alternative that is as good. We need to get better as a team and create some score distance (in our favor) before we can open up the testing grounds. Imagine your favorite rookie facing the 49 sacks that Bledsoe took this year and then tell me how our good O-line could make it possible for a 1st rounder to live.

#1 our offensive line stunk when it came to pass protection but the numbers of sacks surrendered last year, 36, is probably more indicative of where this line is at than the 49 this year. Bledsoe probably caused one sack per game just because he's Bledsoe.

 

[Ashwynn]

Sorry Ashwynn but Bledsoe is the epitomy of a "bus driver".

He's no where near talented enough to be considered a "franchise QB".

Not even close.

Bledsoes been a franchise QB. Hes on the tail end of his career and no longer will be 'the future' but hes a little more the a bus driver even now. I think you should tivo the games and watch em agin in the offseason. He really was not that bad and he made a lot more plays then he blew.

You call him what you want, and dont mistake what I am calling him, I am not calling him the future here, I am calling him an adequate qb for this time, till the future gets here, hes got a year or two left. maybe 3 or 4. I dont know, but I will be mroe then happy to go to war with Bledsoe as my QB for the next 2-3 years with no worries other then the Oline. Once thats fixed, lets see how long till you are on his bandwagon again.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Bledsoes been a franchise QB. Hes on the tail end of his career and no longer will be 'the future' but hes a little more the a bus driver even now. I think you should tivo the games and watch em agin in the offseason. He really was not that bad and he made a lot more plays then he blew.

You call him what you want, and dont mistake what I am calling him, I am not calling him the future here, I am calling him an adequate qb for this time, till the future gets here, hes got a year or two left. maybe 3 or 4. I dont know, but I will be mroe then happy to go to war with Bledsoe as my QB for the next 2-3 years with no worries other then the Oline. Once thats fixed, lets see how long till you are on his bandwagon again.

Hey Ashwynn, I didn't say the guy was terrible. He was what the 15th rated passer? That's bus-driver material at this point. That's 8-8 stuff.

We need more than that.

Until they change the rules to allow the offense to have at least one more player than the defense I doubt you'll ever see the offensive line good enough to make Bledsoe a top-5 QB.

 

[Juke99]

Bledsoes been a franchise QB. Hes on the tail end of his career and no longer will be 'the future' but hes a little more the a bus driver even now. I think you should tivo the games and watch em agin in the offseason. He really was not that bad and he made a lot more plays then he blew.

You call him what you want, and dont mistake what I am calling him, I am not calling him the future here, I am calling him an adequate qb for this time, till the future gets here, hes got a year or two left. maybe 3 or 4. I dont know, but I will be mroe then happy to go to war with Bledsoe as my QB for the next 2-3 years with no worries other then the Oline. Once thats fixed, lets see how long till you are on his bandwagon again.

To a degree, I agree.

My issue with Bledsoe goes beyond TIVO.

He's an easy guy for opposing teams to game plan against. They know exactly where he is going to be on every play.

Flozell went down...everyone blamed that as the reason for the decline...yet, how much of that decline was Bledsoe's fault? If he had ANY mobility, we would not have been forced into max protect schemes anywhere near as much as we were.

The guy can't even roll out.

And...because he is as immobile as he is, we're forced to have a O Line that is vastly superior (read, more cap $$$ spent on the line that will take away from what we can spend elsewhere) to what we'd need with a QB who had even average mobility.

Add to that the fact that he tends to fumble alot when pressured and it makes it that much more imperative that a TON of money be spent on the line.

None of this shows up in stats.