Stephen McGee keeps improving

[Yakuza Rich]

Downside.

1. Where do "stockpiled" 6th/7th round picks come from? Are we giving away players now that we could have garnered picks from? Its not free.

1. 
   
   They're not free, but they are typically well undervalued. Former Packers GM Ron Wolf used to do something similar.
   
   Teams don't care too much about 6th and 7th rounders and they can be acquired in draft day trades and such. It doesn't take a whole lot to acquire them. They are also available with the supplemental picks. I agree...not free, but neither is rice, yet it's still easy to acquire.
   
   

   [*]Drafting one every year makes little sense given that they'll be a 3rd QB (not polished enough for #2), thereby one roster spot, so you can only carry one at a time. Those guys take a couple years just to see if they're worth further investment (see McGee). PS is probably not safe if the guy is worth anything.

   
   Obviously, there is some leeway here and it has to get going a bit. But, it's quite conceivable to get into a situation where your #2 and #3 QB's are these 6th and 7th round picks and then have another QB on the P-S.
   
   The P-S QB is not somebody that is picked up that easily because he'll be learning a new system and to pick him up, the team that does that has to release somebody on their roster.
   
   For the most part, P-S QB's don't get picked up by other teams. Of course, it could change with rampant success...but if you are so good at developing QB's to the point where teams will eagerly pick up your P-S QB...then your #2 and #3 QB's (and the starter) are probably pretty darn good.
   
   Also, one can have 4 QB's on the roster. The Pats did that with Brady and if a team can carry 2 kickers like the G-Men did when Tynes couldn't kick...then they can certainly keep 4 QB's.
   
   Eventually, if things go somewhat according to plan, you'll trade away the backup QB's for much better picks and then as long as you stockpile the 6th and 7th rounders, you can draft another QB...develop him and get back.
   
   Of course, these QB's...if anything...will take some time to develop. But if you are solid at the starter and #2 QB, you now have time to develop that #3 QB.
   
   

   [*]Haven't we learned by now that no draft pick is a throw-away?

I think Dallas has done exactly what you're suggesting with Romo and now McGee but there isn't roster room to do it much more intensely than what they're already doing.

I'm playing the odds.

Stockpile some 6th and 7th round picks which is not hard to do. Then pick a QB out of the bunch and you can still grab your Ratliff types in the 7th round.

And McGee was a 4th round pick which has much more value than a 6th or 7th round pick.





YR

 

[SDCowboy]

he will replace romo one day

 

[CowboyManDan]

We drafted McGee knowing that he physically and mentally seems to look the part of NFL QB, but firmly knowing that he needed a few years of development. He's had to learn a pro style offense as well as the many nuances of the QB pocket.

My opinion is he has improved alot since day 1. There's big, noted difference in year 1 to year 2. Year 2 to year 3 also seems like an improvement, especially in terms of command of the offense and command of the huddle.

Look around the NFL at the backup QBs. My opinion is McGee can now be a solid 2nd stringer. He now knows the offense in/out. If he keeps improving, why can't he grow into competing for the starter in 2-3 years? If next year is his last year of his contract and he shows improvement again from year 3 to year 4, we need to extend him. Why spend the time developing him without keeping him around for a shot when he looks ready?

 

[Stautner]

he will replace romo one day

Odds are this is only true if we hold onto Romo too long without getting another replacement. I think you are getting blinded by nice showings in preseason against 2nd and 3rd team guys. That said, he very definitely has improved, and I have a least a little hope that he will become the player you think, but for now he is still taking too long to make decisions in the pocket and relying too much on his legs.

I agree completely. I think though that in two years you will see him possibly traded. I don't know how much longer Kitna will be the backup. Give McGee one year of being a good backup and some playing time (hopefully late in the regular season without Romo being hurt) and other teams will want to roll the dice on a proven player. JMO

Even if McGee does reach a point that people think he can start, I agree with you he will likely be traded. The timing wont be such that Romo will be ready to step down if McGee develops in the next year or two.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

I like McGee's progress. I think he has the physical tools. I think people get down on him because he doesn't always light it up and sometimes has some struggles. Well, the players around him are not good so it's going to be difficult for him to consistently light it up.

I watched some of the San Diego game and there were a lot of times to me it was pretty apparent that somebody screwed up. OF course, many fans think he is holding onto the ball too long...but when he is ready to throw and holds onto the ball, gets sacked and then gets up and is not happy with a WR. My impression is that the WR probably screwed up and McGee is telling him that.

Progression is key for a guy like McGee. As long as he keeps doing that, he'll be fine.





YR

 

[Ren]

cause Romo will play forever right?

 

[PullMyFinger]

Yeah if Romo gets hurt.

With the o-line Dallas has that will be about game 4

 

[Oh_Canada]

wow, I must have been watching a different game because he did not look all that impressive to me. IMO his arm looks less than strong, his reads slow, many poor decisions - and this was playing against mostly 3rd stringers.

On the other hand, he was playing with 3rd stringers as well so maybe that's part of it.

In any event, I don't see him as our next franchise starter after Romo and I would feel more comfortable with Kitna if backup services came calling.

I guess 21 of 25 is not good enough for you?

 

[JackOfNoTrades]

I guess 21 of 25 is not good enough for you?

well the INT in the endzone, and only 3 points to show for his half of play, AGAINST mostly 3rd stingers, is what my opinion is based on. Not to mention his other redzone drive where he had 3 downs to score and walked away with nothing. A key play in that situation was when he dropped back to pass, felt a little pressure and put his head down to run never looking while receivers were open - needless to say he was caught and we walked away with nothing there too.

I don't know, maybe I expect too much but to say he's the heir apparent is too much for me. I'm very skeptical.

 

[CoCo]

Teams don't care too much about 6th and 7th rounders and they can be acquired in draft day trades and such. It doesn't take a whole lot to acquire them. They are also available with the supplemental picks. I agree...not free, but neither is rice, yet it's still easy to acquire.

Obviously, there is some leeway here and it has to get going a bit. But, it's quite conceivable to get into a situation where your #2 and #3 QB's are these 6th and 7th round picks and then have another QB on the P-S.

The P-S QB is not somebody that is picked up that easily because he'll be learning a new system and to pick him up, the team that does that has to release somebody on their roster. For the most part, P-S QB's don't get picked up by other teams.

if a team can carry 2 kickers like the G-Men did when Tynes couldn't kick...then they can certainly keep 4 QB's.

I'm playing the odds.

Stockpile some 6th and 7th round picks which is not hard to do. Then pick a QB out of the bunch and you can still grab your Ratliff types in the 7th round.

And McGee was a 4th round pick which has much more value than a 6th or 7th round pick.

YR

I'm only trying to ground this theory in a bit more reality and keep it off the extremes. I'm all for us continuing to develop QB's. I just think drafting one more than every few years is impractical.

 

[ROUSH8692]

wow, I must have been watching a different game because he did not look all that impressive to me. IMO his arm looks less than strong, his reads slow, many poor decisions - and this was playing against mostly 3rd stringers.

On the other hand, he was playing with 3rd stringers as well so maybe that's part of it.

In any event, I don't see him as our next franchise starter after Romo and I would feel more comfortable with Kitna if backup services came calling.

Agree. He couldnt even score six from the 3 yard line...

 

[Eskimo]

He is developing fine.

I do think he is ready to be the backup and we should not keep Kitna.

We should see if any team is trying to move a QB onto the PS that we think has potential. I think we have a pretty high claim on the waiver wire this year so maybe we can nab someone and put him on the roster for the year as the 3rd QB.

 

[Ren]

well the INT in the endzone, and only 3 points to show for his half of play, AGAINST mostly 3rd stingers, is what my opinion is based on. Not to mention his other redzone drive where he had 3 downs to score and walked away with nothing. A key play in that situation was when he dropped back to pass, felt a little pressure and put his head down to run never looking while receivers were open - needless to say he was caught and we walked away with nothing there too.

I don't know, maybe I expect too much but to say he's the heir apparent is too much for me. I'm very skeptical.

He's also playing with mostly 3rd stringers, give him Witten, Miles, Dez and Felix and he scores

 

[joseephuss]

Agree. He couldnt even score six from the 3 yard line...

Didn't they call running plays on 1st and 2nd down? And since when is 6 points from the 3 yard line automatic in the NFL?

 

[ROUSH8692]

Didn't they call running plays on 1st and 2nd down? And since when is 6 points from the 3 yard line automatic in the NFL?

If he reads the 3rd string defense correctly.... He can audible if the runs not there.... Which it wasnt.

A good qb wouldve scored, and if you actually saw the game he threw an INT.... Totally in his control