Quarterbacking is in steep decline

[erod]

I chuckle every time I hear it. Dallas needs to draft a quarterback. The Cowboys aren't grooming anybody to replace Romo. We need a good backup.

My question would be.......who? What teams have this strapping lad in waiting as a surefire "next" guy in their organization. Most starters in the NFL are lousy these days. The backups are even worse.

Fast forward five years when Peyton, Brees, Brady, and Romo are retired. Who will be the top five quarterbacks circa 2020?

Perhaps an aged Aaron Rodgers in his twilight, Andrew Luck, Andy Dalton, Russell Wilson, and Matt Ryan? Seriously? I realize others yet drafted could work their way into that fold, but are any of these young guys inspiring images as future all-time greats?

Factor in the complete lack of training colleges are providing quarterbacks for the NFL, and it boggles my mind why anybody would waste a first round pick on a quarterback these days. The most recent picks have been so gawd awful, that we ladle Andrew Luck with praise befitting of Johnny Unitas. The fact is, there is still much for Luck to learn, and he's an interception machine at times.

The nature of the QB position was already a crapshoot. Now, factor in this epidemic of one-read high school read-option offenses that have taken over college football, and the future doesn't look so bright.

Let's take a look at the last 10 years of quarterbacks taken in the first three rounds:

Jameis Winston ROOKIE
Marcus Marriotta ROOKIE
Garrett Grayson ROOKIE
Sean Mannion ROOKIE
Blake Bortles PENDING
Johnny Manziel BUST
Teddy Bridgewater PENDING
Derek Carr PENDING
Jimmy Garoppolo PENDING
EJ Manuel BUST
Geno Smith BUST
Mike Glennon BUST
Matt Barkley BUST
Andrew Luck
Robert Griffin BUST
Ryan Tannehill PENDING
Brandon Weeden BUST
Brock Osweiler PENDING
Russell Wilson (Overrated, but OK)
Nick Foles LIKELY BUST
Cam Newton PENDING
Jake Locker BUST
Blaine Gabbert BUST
Christian Ponder BUST
Andy Dalton
Colin Kaepernick VIRTUAL BUST
Ryan Mallett BUST
Sam Bradford BUST
Tim Tebow BUST
Jimmy Clausen BUST
Colt McCoy BUST
Matt Stafford
Mark Sanchez BUST
Josh Freeman BUST
Pat White BUST
Matt Ryan
Joe Flacco
Brian Brohm BUST
Chad Henne BUST
Kevin O'Connell BUST
JaMarcus Russell BUST
Brady Quinn BUST
Kevin Kolb BUST
John Beck BUST
Drew Stanton BUST
Trent Edwards BUST
Vince Young BUST
Matt Leinart BUST
Jay Cutler VIRTUAL BUST
Kellen Clemens BUST
Tavaris Jackson BUST
Charlie Whitehurst BUST

It isn't pretty. There are precious few quarterbacks on the planet capable of playing at an elite level in the NFL, and Dallas is lucky to have one. This notion that you just groom somebody up to be next sounds awesome, but it's comes with an incredibly high failure rate along with it.

These days, quarterbacks are going to take 4-5 years to prepare because of the simplistic college offensive schemes, so why spend a high draft pick on a guy that will become a free agent at the time he MIGHT be ready?

I believe the level of play at the quarterback position is going to take a steep decline in the coming years. The hope is, college recruits will start to demand pro style offenses to sign with schools because the money and draft position starts drying up in the NFL for quarterbacks.

Until then, it's best not to waste valuable draft picks on them unless unusually sure about a player. Rather, go get somebody in free agency when you need them. Let somebody else take the risk and spend the time developing them, and focus draft picks on more predictable commodities.

 

[Nova]

Agreed. We are about to hit a QB shortage in large part due to college systems that have largely eliminated pro-style offenses.

 

[WarDaddy]

I chuckle every time I hear it. Dallas needs to draft a quarterback. The Cowboys aren't grooming anybody to replace Romo. We need a good backup.

My question would be.......who? What teams have this strapping lad in waiting as a surefire "next" guy in their organization. Most starters in the NFL are lousy these days. The backups are even worse.

Fast forward five years when Peyton, Brees, Brady, and Romo are retired. Who will be the top five quarterbacks circa 2020?

Perhaps an aged Aaron Rodgers in his twilight, Andrew Luck, Andy Dalton, Russell Wilson, and Matt Ryan? Seriously? I realize others yet drafted could work their way into that fold, but are any of these young guys inspiring images as future all-time greats?

Factor in the complete lack of training colleges are providing quarterbacks for the NFL, and it boggles my mind why anybody would waste a first round pick on a quarterback these days. The most recent picks have been so gawd awful, that we ladle Andrew Luck with praise befitting of Johnny Unitas. The fact is, there is still much for Luck to learn, and he's an interception machine at times.

The nature of the QB position was already a crapshoot. Now, factor in this epidemic of one-read high school read-option offenses that have taken over college football, and the future doesn't look so bright.

Let's take a look at the last 10 years of quarterbacks taken in the first three rounds:

Jameis Winston ROOKIE
Marcus Marriotta ROOKIE
Garrett Grayson ROOKIE
Sean Mannion ROOKIE
Blake Bortles PENDING
Johnny Manziel BUST
Teddy Bridgewater PENDING
Derek Carr PENDING
Jimmy Garoppolo PENDING
EJ Manuel BUST
Geno Smith BUST
Mike Glennon BUST
Matt Barkley BUST
Andrew Luck
Robert Griffin BUST
Ryan Tannehill PENDING
Brandon Weeden BUST
Brock Osweiler PENDING
Russell Wilson (Overrated, but OK)
Nick Foles LIKELY BUST
Cam Newton PENDING
Jake Locker BUST
Blaine Gabbert BUST
Christian Ponder BUST
Andy Dalton
Colin Kaepernick VIRTUAL BUST
Ryan Mallett BUST
Sam Bradford BUST
Tim Tebow BUST
Jimmy Clausen BUST
Colt McCoy BUST
Matt Stafford
Mark Sanchez BUST
Josh Freeman BUST
Pat White BUST
Matt Ryan
Joe Flacco
Brian Brohm BUST
Chad Henne BUST
Kevin O'Connell BUST
JaMarcus Russell BUST
Brady Quinn BUST
Kevin Kolb BUST
John Beck BUST
Drew Stanton BUST
Trent Edwards BUST
Vince Young BUST
Matt Leinart BUST
Jay Cutler VIRTUAL BUST
Kellen Clemens BUST
Tavaris Jackson BUST
Charlie Whitehurst BUST

It isn't pretty. There are precious few quarterbacks on the planet capable of playing at an elite level in the NFL, and Dallas is lucky to have one. This notion that you just groom somebody up to be next sounds awesome, but it's comes with an incredibly high failure rate along with it.

These days, quarterbacks are going to take 4-5 years to prepare because of the simplistic college offensive schemes, so why spend a high draft pick on a guy that will become a free agent at the time he MIGHT be ready?

I believe the level of play at the quarterback position is going to take a steep decline in the coming years. The hope is, college recruits will start to demand pro style offenses to sign with schools because the money and draft position starts drying up in the NFL for quarterbacks.

Until then, it's best not to waste valuable draft picks on them unless unusually sure about a player. Rather, go get somebody in free agency when you need them. Let somebody else take the risk and spend the time developing them, and focus draft picks on more predictable commodities.

Agreed with most of this. But if Matt Stafford is a solid QB then Cam Newton surely is. At this point, you could argue that Cam is the better player. He's certainly better than every other player on the PENDING list.

 

[Corso]

Time to start getting ahead of the curve when it comes to scouting QB's.
I actually have little confidence in this team's ability to do so, given Jerry's very public man-crush on Manziel and almost picking him just a few, short years ago.

EDIT: and them sticking with Pretty-Arm Weeden, let alone signing him...

If the scouts were any good, they would have turned him off to Manziel way before the draft. They would have pointed out his obvious flaws to death, if they were any good.

No. I am beginning to feel the slow creep of sheer fright when it comes to the QB position in the next few years.
Romo was luck to begin with.

Our next star QB may be also, with multiple years of pain in-between.

I hope not.

 

[Toruk_Makto]

Came Newton is pending?

Would take him over Andrew Luck today.

 

[erod]

Agreed with most of this. But if Matt Stafford is a solid QB then Cam Newton surely is. At this point, you could argue that Cam is the better player. He's certainly better than every other player on the PENDING list.

Cam has had a good defense and running game most years. Stafford has not.

However, this isn't so much to get into QB debates by player. Just an overall look at the position in the draft.

 

[erod]

Came Newton is pending?

Would take him over Andrew Luck today.

Not me, but I have doubts about both.

Newton just misses too many receivers, throws too many picks, and doesn't command an offense. He is a big SOB though.

 

[Nightman]

Time to start getting ahead of the curve when it comes to scouting QB's.
I actually have little confidence in this team's ability to do so, given Jerry's very public man-crush on Manziel and almost picking him just a few, short years ago.

EDIT: and them sticking with Pretty-Arm Weeden, let alone signing him...

If the scouts were any good, they would have turned him off to Manziel way before the draft. They would have pointed out his obvious flaws to death, if they were any good.

No. I am beginning to feel the slow creep of sheer fright when it comes to the QB position in the next few years.
Romo was luck to begin with.

Our next star QB may be also, with multiple years of pain in-between.

I hope not.

JJones only liked Manziel as an owner. He liked the buzz he would bring and the jerseys he would sell.

He has made some strides as the Owner/GM put with some things he can't help himself, like McFadden.

 

[DallasCowboys2080]

so these issues weren't issues 20 years ago? I'm not disagreeing I'm just curious what we know here. I haven't thought much into it. thnx for this thread.

 

[Corso]

JJones only liked Manziel as an owner. He liked the buzz he would bring and the jerseys he would sell.

He has made some strides as the Owner/GM put with some things he can't help himself, like McFadden.

The Slow Creep of Fear continues unabated, despite your words. It might have increased in pace because of your words...

 

[Aven8]

Came Newton is pending?

Would take him over Andrew Luck today.

Huh??? Good luck with that.

 

[Corso]

so these issues weren't issues 20 years ago? I'm not disagreeing I'm just curious what we know here. I haven't thought much into it. thnx for this thread.

They were and didn't you witness the years of struggle with the Carters and the Hutchins and R Leafs for years?
I have put much thought into it and so should we all.

 

[CATCH17]

I agree with you but when Jason Garrett is your head coach you better have 2 guys that can play at a high level because you may not win at all without the starter.

 

[JoeyBoy718]

I agree QBing is in for a dark age. I might argue more of the problem is rookie QBs being immediately thrown into the fire. I like what Green Bay did. They drafted QBs relatively early and gave them a few years to progress. I remember Rodgers playing (I believe it was his 2nd year) the 2nd half of the Green Bay game the season we went 13-3. He didn't look very good. Dallas beat GB (who also finished 13-3) in large part because Favre was out. Flash forward a few years and he's on pace to be the GOAT. I'm not saying any ol' QB can be the next Rodgers if you sit them a few years. I'm just saying if you do happen to land a young QB with loads of potential, don't ruin him by throwing him to the wolves.

That being said, I also think sitting behind a guy like Romo can have a very positive influence. Romo understands the art of QBing at a level few do, and he came up the hard way so he can really teach a youngster about more than just football. But this youngster needs to be someone with solid potential. We can't just keep picking up UDFAs and late-rounders expecting them to be Romo's successor. I'm not advocating drafting a combine warrior in the top 10. But I'm advocating doing some heavy scouting and finding a guy who has all the right qualities (especially intangibles and willingness to improve) and spending an early-round pick on him. And we should do it ASAP. I don't mind a late 1st or 2nd rounder sitting for 3 years. It would also give us some time to evaluate him and see if he is the right one.

 

[CyberB0b]

So Charlie Whitehurst a bust? He was taken #81 overall. Not really sure that qualifies, neither do half the guys on your list. Colt McCoy? He was taken #85 overall, and is still in the league, a 5 year vet. How is he a bust?

 

[dallasdave]

Quarterbacking is in steep decline----because Weeden set the bar so high !!!!

 

[mattjames2010]

How is this different than any other era of football? Didn't know every team had superstar/future hall of famers starting until recently.

 

[perrykemp]

You want evidence of the rarity of colleges putting out pro-style QBs?

Michigan State.

When Connor Cook comes out this offseason you will have Cook, Cousins, Brian Hoyer, and Drew Stanton all playing in the NFL. Basically the last 10 years of MSU QBs.

IMHO none of them are/will be particularly good QBs. Most of them are poor QBs.

Having said that Michigan State is one of the rare big-time colleges that hasn't gone to the spread and stuck with an pro-style offense and all of their mediocre QBs are finding places on NFL rosters basically because the sheer dearth of college pro-style QBs.

 

[DallasCowboys2080]

They were and didn't you witness the years of struggle with the Carters and the Hutchins and R Leafs for years?
I have put much thought into it and so should we all.

than why are folks making it seem like a new thing? or maybe something that is different than before?

 

[mattjames2010]

And anyone who says Russel Wilson is just "okay" doesn't know quarterbacking. The guy is a good/near great QB.