National Football League

[movingtarget]

I think Cam Miller is going to end up #2 on the Raiders depth chart.

If the Chiefs starters don't stay healthy, they may be in for some long games, especially on defense. Even the Seattle backup OL and RBs were just gashing them. Sam Darnold looked just as sharp as he did for the Vikings. And the Seattle D looked better than they did against the Raiders. Again, mostly backups for all teams, but Seattle looked good.

Looks like the Bills have the same problem with depth. Maybe worse. They looked shockingly flat, and Caleb looked like an MVP. Heck, Bagent looked like an all pro, with a 103.9 passer rating.

Dillon Gabriel looked terrific for one quarter against the Eagles. Then an ill advised pick-6, but got no help from his receivers on the play either. After that, he looked good.

A week after looking good, Fields went 1/5 against the Jets. But Adrian Martinez looked very good as a backup. He was the UFL MVP 2 seasons ago. Wilson may start at QB for the Giants, but I am certain it's only a matter of games before Jaxon Dart is their QB. Nice to hear Phil Simms do color commentary in this game. Nostalgic.

Another not-so-good game for Milton in Dallas. But their entire team looked just flat. Barely moving the ball after the 1st quarter. Just 170 yards of total offense.

Stetson Bennett played the entire game for the Rams against the Chargers and looked good. No matter who was QB for LA they couldn't get anything consistent going. Game wasn't as close as the score made it seem.

Bennett looked pretty good in the previous Rams game as well. I suppose Jimmy G will have to get some time in the last preseason game even though they seem to be keeping him on ice with Stafford's back problems. McVay pretty much said that Jimmy will be the back up for Stafford.

 

[Nomad]

Caleb looked like an MVP.

And he's going to have show it in his 2nd yr. Not a very good rookie compaign when compare to Daniels & Nix.

There are currently seven (7) #1 OA QBs active in the league (Winston, Stafford, Goff, Mayfield, Murray, Lawrence, Young & Williams). And not many of these QBs were successful in their 2nd season. Since Williams was a week-1 starter & played the entire year, for comparison purposes I used only the other #1 OAs that were also week-1 starters.

Stafford
2009 (2-8/missed 8 games/injury) 2217 yds 61 Rtg
2010 (1-2/missed 13 games/injury) 535 yds 91.3 Rtg

Winston
2015 (6-10) 4042 yds 84.7 Rtg
2016 (9-7) 4090 yds 86.1 Rtg

Murray
2019 (5-10-1) 3722 yds 87.4 Rtg
2020 (8-8) 3971 yds 94.3 Rtg

Burrow
2020 (2-7-1/missed 6 games/injury) 2688 yds 89.9 Rtg
2021(10-6) 4611 yds 108.3 Rtg
*3-1 postseason - SB appearance.

Lawrence
2021 (3-14) 3641 yds 71.9 Rtg
2022 (9-8) 4113 yds 95.3 Rtg
* 1-1 postseason

Young
2023 (2-14/missed 1 game/injury) 2877 yds 72.7 Rtg
2024 (4-8/missed 5 games/benched) 2403 yds 82.2 Rtg

Williams
2024 (5-12) 3541 yds 62.5 Pct 87.8 Rtg
2025 TBA

IMO, Williams should finish somewhere between where Burrow & Lawrence finished. I don't think it's unreasonable to expect postseason with at least one win. If you look at Williams' scouting reports he comes with all the rave of a top mobile pocket passer: elite arm strength, elite accuracy, great speed & athleticism, good leadership qualities, etc., plus a Heisman winner. So, given his "performance package," one-year OTJ training & new coaching staff featuring Ben Johnson, he must have a breakthrough sophomore season.

And his coaches want him to step it up: Johnson wants to see 70% completion rate, and Doyle (OC) has said he wants to see Williams run more.

Johnson asks Bears QB Williams to complete 70%

Bears coach Ben Johnson said his goal for Caleb Williams this season is to complete 70% of his passes, and Johnson hopes it starts in training camp.

www.espn.com

 

[Nomad]

Former NFL GM says he'd 'think about drafting a quarterback' if Trevor Lawrence doesn't improve in 2025

Former NFL GM Mike Tannenbaum thinks the Jaguars should look at QBs in the 2026 NFL Draft if Trevor Lawrence struggles again.

www.saturdaydownsouth.com

A new coaching staff, Travis Hunter, a top LG drafted, etc. This is it...it's now or never.

 

[movingtarget]

Joe Flacco wins Browns' QB1 job: What's next for rookies Dillon Gabriel, Shedeur Sanders?

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

I tell you what's next, they wait for Joe to get injured. Then Kenny Pickett goes in. It's possible they try to move Pickett, but I doubt it at this point. They also could keep three QBs on the active roster, and toss Sanders or Gabriel to the practice squad. But both looked good in preseason, so this would make that QB ripe for plucking by another team.

As to Lawrence, he is not Coen (HC) or Gladstone's (GM) guy. Let's pretend the Jags to 8-9, don't win the division, and Lawrence looks just so-so (like he has most of his NFL career). I can see them unloading him for a big pick. Some coach on some team will insist they can "fix" him. Even though Doug Pederson was supposed to be that guy and he couldn't. 2026 is supposedly going to be a good year to draft a QB, so...

 

[movingtarget]

As it turned out, that draft class including Lance, Fields, Jones, Lawrence and Wilson has amounted to little. Even worse was the one with Purdy, with the lowest drafted QB being the only QB success from that year. The Jags will have to move on if Lawrence hasn't improved. At least the Browns have a few more options to try.

Harbaugh did a pretty good job with Kaepernick even though Kaep's later career fell away albeit with weaker offenses and two head coaches that only lasted a season each. Not sure if Lance will reach that level and Kaepernick was the better athlete.

 

[Nomad]

2026 is supposedly going to be a good year to draft a QB, so...

That's what I've heard with the centerpiece being some guy named "Manning?" Lol

 

[Nomad]

Colts name Daniel Jones starting QB over Anthony Richardson for Week 1

Not a surprise when you consider AR wasn't having a great camp and the dislocated pinky on his throwing hand sustained during the first week of practice didn't help. And you knew when Steichen brought in Jones to compete for the starting job that was a bad sign for AR.

The spotlight will surely be on Jones to turn the team around. If he can regain his running ability that he showed in 2022 (708 yds on 120 carries), the Colts can have a 1-2 punch with Taylor. And if Jones can get the ball to Pittman, Jr & Big Tyler Warren (their 1st rd pick & 14th OA), & play turnover free football, I think they have a chance to compete for the division & make postseason.

Surprisingly, they were 8-9 last season with below-average QB play.

 

[Nomad]

Even worse was the one with Purdy, with the lowest drafted QB being the only QB success from that year.

Who developed Purdy over there in Niner land? It seems too good to be true that the last drafted player ("Mr. Irrelevant") goes from someone that would be extremely lucky to make the 53 to a star-studded franchise QB making a top NFL salary. I can tell you unequivocally that most 7th rd drafted QBs do not make it in the NFL. These are marginal skillset QBs with many that struggle to make the required NFL throws. And they are all drafted as potential backups - never potential franchise/starting QBs. Look at Quin Ewers over there in Miami - a 7th rounder (231st) struggling to make the 53 & may end up on the practice squad. And he was high-end QB at football powerhouse Texas that played well enough to keep Arch Manning on the bench!

 

[movingtarget]

Who developed Purdy over there in Niner land? It seems too good to be true that the last drafted player ("Mr. Irrelevant") goes from someone that would be extremely lucky to make the 53 to a star-studded franchise QB making a top NFL salary. I can tell you unequivocally that most 7th rd drafted QBs do not make it in the NFL. These are marginal skillset QBs with many that struggle to make the required NFL throws. And they are all drafted as potential backups - never potential franchise/starting QBs. Look at Quin Ewers over there in Miami - a 7th rounder (231st) struggling to make the 53 & may end up on the practice squad. And he was high-end QB at football powerhouse Texas that played well enough to keep Arch Manning on the bench!

Brian Griese, who was the QB coach until he retired last season and also had a lot to do with drafting him. Purdy admitted that the majority of his time was spent with Griese. Some teams tried to coax him out of retirement without success. The draft experts seem to have overlooked Purdy as well. Most people seem to think he should have been at least a 4th round pick but that's hindsight for you and while his 6-1 or 6-1.5 height and smallish hands didn't please some, his 10 yard split is elite even though his 40 is nothing special. He put it to good use in the 23 playoffs against GB and the Lions.

Griese had less success with Tanner Mordecai who has now been cut. His latest preseason game was poor. It seems that the new QB coach couldn't coax more out of him either. Gus Bradley's son is now the QB 3 and he certainly has some arm talent at least. They also have Curtis Rourke who has been red shirted for the year after playing on a torn ACL in his final college season. Mac Jones has had a good camp so far and is the obvious back up to Purdy.

 

[Nomad]

Okay, so Griese is the mastermind in developing Purdy - I didn't know that. I remember Griese at Denver back in 1999 drafted by Mike Shanahan in the 3rd rd to be the successor to Elway. Over 3 yrs it didn't work out - injuries, not meeting expectations, an alcohol related incident that ticked off Shanahan, etc.. Btw, Purdy's 40 time (4.84) is about average for QBs (Mahomes runs 4.80, Allen 4.75, elite is sub-4.6). His 20 yd shuttle is below average but it doesn't seem to be a big deal as he showed impressive mobility running for over 300 yds last season.

Why did Griese retire? (is he going back to TV commentary?) Salary issues? Conflict with the GM/Ownership? It would seem that the Niners would to do anything to keep him there on staff. Any coach that can take a lowly-drafted 7th rd QB & turn him into a top NFL starter - potentially an elite QB - is worth their weight in Gold. Bizarre that the Niners would let him walk without opening the checkbook to convince him to stay. No way an organization should let a coach go with that kind of special development ability.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

There was once a pretty good QB drafted in the 6th round. Tom something... There were a handful of people who predicted Purdy could be a steal of a draft pick But even those people were picturing a guy drafted in round 4 maybe, who turns out to be a solid backup QB.

But his story is rarer than rare. The very best that sometimes happens is you have a guy like Tyson Bagent (undrafted) who has surprised people with his play, and looks like a very solid backup QB who could start and win you a few games if your top guy goes down. But even that's not very common. More often you have a guy like Dak who was drafted in the 4th round, and arguably could have been drafted in the 2nd, or even 1st.

The mirror of this of course is all the QBs (and other players) drafted in the 1st round don't pan out.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

It's going to be interesting to see if Arch Manning declares, or he sits in college another year and collects his money there and gets more snaps. And if he's not the best player, but is the top pick in the draft because of his name. That didn't do Shedeur much good.

Next year we'll see Drew Alar, LaNorris Sellers, Garrett Neussmeir, Carson Beck, Fernando Mendoza, Cade Klubnik and Jackson Arnold. I'm not saying all of these guys (plus Arch) will go in the first round. That's absurd. But it's a thick class of potential NFL starting QBs. Many of them could go early to teams desperate for change at QB.

Teams quite possibly looking for a QB next draft? Pittsburgh, Indianapolis, Los Angeles Rams, possibly Cleveland, Las Vegas, NY Jets, New Orleans, maybe Arizona, Carolina, and Jacksonville.

 

[movingtarget]

Okay, so Griese is the mastermind in developing Purdy - I didn't know that. I remember Griese at Denver back in 1999 drafted by Mike Shanahan in the 3rd rd to be the successor to Elway. Over 3 yrs it didn't work out - injuries, not meeting expectations, an alcohol related incident that ticked off Shanahan, etc.. Btw, Purdy's 40 time (4.84) is about average for QBs (Mahomes runs 4.80, Allen 4.75, elite is sub-4.6). His 20 yd shuttle is below average but it doesn't seem to be a big deal as he showed impressive mobility running for over 300 yds last season.

Why did Griese retire? (is he going back to TV commentary?) Salary issues? Conflict with the GM/Ownership? It would seem that the Niners would to do anything to keep him there on staff. Any coach that can take a lowly-drafted 7th rd QB & turn him into a top NFL starter - potentially an elite QB - is worth their weight in Gold. Bizarre that the Niners would let him walk without opening the checkbook to convince him to stay. No way an organization should let a coach go with that kind of special development ability.

Nothing to do with money. Griese said he needed a break and was feeling burnt out and wanted more time with his family. Of course not everyone stays retired........

 

[Nomad]

There was once a pretty good QB drafted in the 6th round. Tom something... There were a handful of people who predicted Purdy could be a steal of a draft pick But even those people were picturing a guy drafted in round 4 maybe, who turns out to be a solid backup QB.

True with Brady. But how many 6th rounders have gone on to become franchise/established starters? (I can't think of any). Again, 6th & 7th rounders generally have a limited skill set with flaws usually in the areas of arm strength, accuracy, size, mobility/athleticism, etc. They are drafted as developmental potential backups and many don't even make it that far. Some even had outstanding college careers putting up big stats at the FBS level & still couldn't make it (e.g. Max Duggan).

That's why what happened with Purdy is nothing short of a miracle & one in a million type occurence. I'll compare Purdy to another 7th rounder taken in the same draft class: Skylar Thompson (247). Purdy's pre-draft scouting report & rating was 5.57 (priority undrafted-free agent). Thompson's rating was near identical at 5.54. Both played in the Big-12 completing 4 seasons of starting. Both put up good numbers during their college careers. Both have average but NFL caliber arms. Both are near identical in size. Both are mobile pocket passers with the ability to scramble & run.

Brock Purdy Draft and Combine Prospect Profile | NFL.com

However, once in the NFL, the differences are enormous - like night & day! Purdy won the starting job in his rookie year. Thompson struggled to win the backup at Miami. Purdy has a career completion Pct of 67.5 & career Rtg of 104.9. Purdy is 23-13 in regular season & 4-2 in postseason with a SB appearance. Purdy got the big bucks & is now the 7th highest paid QB as thee franchise guy for the 9ers. Thompson has 3 regular season starts for the injured Tua (1-2). His career completion Pct is 58.7 & a 66.1 Rtg. Thompson started for the injured Tua in the 2022 WC game completed only 40% of his passes (2 picks) with an embarrassing 44.7 Rtg in the loss to Buffalo. Thompson is making slightly above league minimum with a future of fighting for a roster spot every year (he's battling Will Howard right now for QB3 at Pittsburgh).

This is absolutely mindboggling. Purdy's story would be hard to believe even in a fictional movie storyline.

 

[Nomad]

It's going to be interesting to see if Arch Manning declares, or he sits in college another year and collects his money there and gets more snaps. And if he's not the best player, but is the top pick in the draft because of his name. That didn't do Shedeur much good.

Next year we'll see Drew Alar, LaNorris Sellers, Garrett Neussmeir, Carson Beck, Fernando Mendoza, Cade Klubnik and Jackson Arnold. I'm not saying all of these guys (plus Arch) will go in the first round. That's absurd. But it's a thick class of potential NFL starting QBs. Many of them could go early to teams desperate for change at QB.

Arch says he's undecided in his decision to declare for the draft or stay another year at Texas. Apparently Grandpa Archie misinformed the media that his grandson is staying. Lol

Texas QB Manning says future plans still unclear

Texas quarterback Arch Manning says his playing future -- whether it's remaining with the Longhorns after this season or entering the NFL draft -- has yet to be decided despite recent comments by his grandfather Archie Manning.

www.espn.com

That's a good list of QBs. I've heard of them all except Jackson Arnold (I better get with it. Lol). With the exception of Neussmeir & Beck, they're all listed as mobile pocket passers or dual-threats. Unlike his two uncles, Arch Manning is listed as a mobile pocket passer with dual-threat capabilities. Check out this 67 yd RPO play for a score where he jukes a LB & outruns DBs! The announcers jokingly note you would have to take out a "calendar" to time Peyton & Eli over the same distance. Lol.

View: https://youtu.be/kzHkRUCEpAo?si=AcNSjEibmy92y55u

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Skyy Moore must have really, really fallen from the graces of Reid and Mahomes. KC just dumped him off to SF for almost free. Swapping 6th and 7th round picks. Wild.

 

[Nomad]

Steelers named top trade spot for Colts QB Anthony Richardson

The Steelers are named a team to watch for the Colts quarterback

www.behindthesteelcurtain.com

You knew this was coming when AR's agent questioned Steichen's decision to start Jones over his client. What could Indy get in a trade for AR? I don't think a lot of teams would be interested in him as some GMs have already labeled him as a bust. This is what happens when a QB is overhyped because of his arm strength & alien physical skills. Playing just one year of college football - and average performance at best - he should have never been a 1st rounder.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

And I think that could be a good landing spot. Picture this: Indy sends AR15 to Pittsburgh for a 5th round pick and maybe Skylar Thompson. Richardson sits on the bench along with Will Howard, and in 2026 they compete for the starting job with a stable, established team after learning. Unless of course the Steelers finish 5-12 or so, and get a top draft pick to take a QB.

I agree Richardson never should have been a 1st rounder. This would be like drafting Joe Milton or DJ Uiagalelei in the early rounds. But I also seem to recall at the time you said you'd actually roll the dice with AR and draft him. Though I don't think even you thought he would go #4 overall.

I think between Tre Lance, and Richardson, you would now think the league won't blow a top 1st round pick in a guy based on his pure physical attributes. I lamented how JJ McCarthey didn't have a lot of college throws, but he had over 700 passes, while Richardson had just 393. Lance only 318. I mentioned Tyson Bagent, how he looks like a really solid backup, likely to be around the league several years. Over 2,000 attempts and 1,400 completions in college. If you look at a modern NFL QB, they are likely to throw over 500 times a single season. Brady and a few others have made over 700 passes in a season.

 

[Nomad]

Great point & you're spot on with the lack of throws AR had in college. In one of the scouting reports he was compared to Can Newton: "His measurables are off the scale, he has elite speed, height, and outstanding arm strength - from a physical comparison, he reminds us of Cam Newton with the speed of Lamar Jackson."

However, Cam had 628 throws - almost double the number AR had - between his one season at Binn JC & one season after transferring to Auburn. At Auburn, Cam threw for 50 TDs & an insane Rtg of 182! He won the Heisman that year & was #1 OA in the draft. At Carolina he started his entire rookie season throwing for over 4000 yds, 60% Pct & 84.5 Rtg. Cam steadily improved each year winning a league MVP & taking the Panthers to a SB. Cam could throw the ball with the best of the pocket passers & put dual-threat QBs as good passers on the map.

We never saw anything remotely close to this with AR. Granted, AR missed most of his rookie season with the shoulder injury. However, when he came back the following year there was no improvement, no progression. As a dual-threat, the knock on AR isn't his running ability nor arm strength, but his accuracy, ball placement, timing, throwing into tight windows, etc. That cannon he possesses isn't going to do him any good until he improves his accuracy & some other facets of throwing the ball.

In hindsight now & dismissing all the hype, I think he's a late 1st/early 2nd rd pick, but it's clear now he needs time for development. Or does he?

His agent doesn't think so stating that "trust" has been broken between AR & the team. So, if AR stays with the Colts this could divide the locker room & create a can of worms. You knew the foundation was laid for this mess once they signed Jones in the off season with Steichen stating the move was made for Jones to "compete" with AR for the starting job. That's pretty much a vote of no confidence for AR revealed right there in a subtle way. Otherwise, they would have never signed Jones letting AR play the full season as the starter evaluating things after the season. Stay tuned for the drama - this is a clusterf*ck as they say. Lol

Agent unsure of Richardson's future with Colts

Anthony Richardson Sr.'s agent reacted with disappointment with the Colts' decision to name Daniel Jones the starting quarterback and said he's unsure of his client's future with the team.

www.espn.com

 

[Nomad]

Tyson Bagent, how he looks like a really solid backup, likely to be around the league several years. Over 2,000 attempts and 1,400 completions in college.

Emotional moment for Bagent on his contract extension & vote of confidence as the Bear's backup:

View: https://youtube.com/shorts/ZIdFqOXVUK4?si=_dT0R6fPR7FPdSqD

 

[Nomad]

Too funny - only something Mayfield could say. Lol

View: https://youtube.com/shorts/_bcwqWVKLNM?si=DdmAe5fUEk4RfWek

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

That's hilarious from Baker! Who can blame him?

Anyone who watches Bagent play know he's for real. I'm not saying he would be an elite starter on another team. But he has looked impressive in limited play, and preseason. If you look around the league arguments could be made he might be as good as a few starters: Daniel Jones, Flacco or Pickett. Heck, Aaron Rodgers, or maybe Trevor Lawrence.

 

[Nomad]

Well said:

View: https://youtube.com/shorts/akEkljDxDcc?si=z6atFTwvKVUeaujQ

 

[Nomad]

The future looks bleak for Deshaun Watson:

View: https://youtube.com/shorts/nYkhP1cocvc?si=y8iCFpuIuO07np83