MONDAY MORNING QUARTERBACK

Twice as worthy as Joe Namath. He knocked the bully down two times.

 

Oh he will get in, that is a no doubter. 2 super Bowl wins, good enough numbers and the name will get him elected for sure.

 

Arians: We can win with QB other than Jameis Winston

Jameis Winston made history with his final throw of 2019.

Deadlocked in a 22-22 tie, Winston’s Buccaneers received the overtime kick. On the first play of the extra period, Winston threw an interception to Falcons linebacker Deion Jones, who returned it for a walk-off touchdown.

The season peppered — no, blanketed — by Winston interceptions appropriately ended with his 30th, making him the first quarterback ever to throw for 30 or more touchdowns and 30 interceptions in the same season. The Buccaneers finished 7-9 despite their quarterback’s penchant for turnovers, frequently digging themselves early holes via Winston interceptions before throwing their way out of deficits to late-season victories.

Winston’s contract is set to expire in March. A decision at the position looms. Arians was asked if he thought his Buccaneers could win with someone other than Winston at the position, and he provided an enlightening response.

“With another quarterback? Oh yeah,” Arians said, via the Tampa Bay Times. “If we can win with this one, we can definitely win with another one, too.”

You can’t fault Arians for this line of thought. Winston did everything he could to make a level path ahead suddenly rise into a mountain on a near-weekly basis, usually getting an early interception out of the way before getting under control, but also often throwing multiple picks in a game. That helps no one but the opposition, and seeing as Arians’ team still won seven games, his response is quite logical.

Does that indicate Arians is ready to cut bait with the former No. 1 overall pick? Not quite. We’ll have to wait until the spring to learn Winston’s fate.

“I would think within a few weeks we’ll have a decision which way we want to head,” Arians said. “Will we let it out? Probably not because you lose your leverage on that one, too. So stay tuned.”

Arians added that issue of if a potential replacement is a better option will impact the team’s decision on Winston.

“Well, free agency, who’s available,” Arians said. “What’s behind Door No. 2? That’s the first question. Then as you evaluate for the draft, that’s another question. Are they better than what you have? Then you evaluate and that’s when you make your decisions.”

A franchise tag may be in order, seeing as Winston still tossed 33 touchdowns and broke 5,100 passing yards. He’s still a viable option, and if he’d ever eliminate or even just cut down on the turnovers, he could be a legitimate franchise quarterback. But right now, all we know is this: He’s the founding member of the 30-30 club.

source; NFL.com

 

This would sound awesome if it wasn't for the fact that Jameis is a free agent. Unless they are telling him to catch a hint and not ask for a new contract of any kind.

 

That's what I thought also. At first I was thinking that was cold-blooded for Arians to say, but it sounds like they are going to offer a franchise tag at the most. Not sure who Arians could draw in the FA market to be honest.

 

What's the QB franchise tag now? Winston could possibly get a million per INT.

 

Three of the four oldest quarterbacks in playoff history played this weekend

When Tom Brady took the field on Saturday against the Titans, he became just the second quarterback in NFL history to play a postseason game after turning 42. Brady was already the second-oldest quarterback to play in the playoffs, an accomplishment he reached last year. (Only George Blanda, who played quarterback for the Raiders in a playoff game at age 43, was older.)

By the time the weekend was over, two other quarterbacks became the third- and fourth-oldest quarterbacks ever to play in an NFL postseason game.

Saints quarterback Drew Brees, who turns 41 next week, became the third-oldest playoff quarterback ever in the Saints’ loss to the Vikings.

And Eagles quarterback Josh McCown, who turns 41 in July, became the fourth-oldest playoff quarterback ever when he took the field to replace injured starter Carson Wentz on Sunday.

So three of the four oldest quarterbacks to play in the playoffs in NFL history played over the weekend. All three of them lost, in a rough weekend for the old guys.

source; NBC

 

I don't know where these idiots got their information from but Blanda played QB in a blowout against your Vikings in the SB at the age of 48 in 1976. He played some in the 4th quarter.

 

Nope - Blanda had retired before the 1976 season. Mike Rae did some mop-up.

 

He retired in 75. Where the hell did I see him do mop up duty at QB during his last season?

 

The 2020 QB Carousel..... (my thoughts and possible scenarios)

1. Tom Brady - I think he leaves the Patriots and ends up with Mike McCarthy in Dallas - Why? - Jerry Jones isn't giving Dak 40 mil per, and he wants to win now with a very talented roster that just needs a better QB leading it. Also I think Tom Terrific is sick of Belichick and wants out.

2. Cam Newton - I think he ends up in Chicago via a sign and trade for Tribusky and a pick. He would instantly improve the Bears offense, who have a very strong defense and they want to win now.

3. Drew Brees - If NO is smart, they let him walk, but he will probably re-sign for 1 more year with the Saints. If not, then he likely ends up retired. Can't really see him anywhere else.

4. Teddy Bridgewater - He wants to be a starter, I can see him being signed by the Chargers or the Raiders or the Patriots for at least a 3 year deal.

5. Philip Rivers - He is out of a job with the Chargers, he will end up becoming a backup to one of the young starters out there, possibly Arizona or the Jets

6. Eli Manning - retires.

7. The Patriots will try to swing a deal for their next QB, maybe someone like Kyle Allen from the Panthers or Minshew/Foles from the Jags.

8. Dak Prescott - needs to lower his contract demands, will definitely end up somewhere as a starter, my gut says the Raiders to replace Derek Carr? Not sure but his demands will have to be lowered, he isn't worth 40 mil a season.

 

Deshaun Watson: 'No doubt' Bill O'Brien is right coach

Bill O'Brien's team suffered an epic collapse so immense even Texas thought it was too big.

The Houston Texans lost a 24-point lead in the matter of 10:10 of game clock in the second quarter of Sunday's Divisional Round loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.

Houston turned a potential walkover win into a 51-31 blowout loss in the blink of an eye. The tide turned largely on two O'Brien decisions: The first was to kick a field goal on fourth-and-inches from the K.C. 13-yard-line up 21-0. The next, and more questionable call, came on the following possession after the Chiefs cut the lead to 24-7 when the coach called for a fake punt on his own 31-yard-line on fourth-and-4 that came up short.

Those decisions, along with a plethora of other head-scratching choices, left many wondering if the coach deserved to lose his job after collapsing in the playoffs once again.

Quarterback Deshaun Watson, however, nurses zero questions that O'Brien is the right man for the job.

"There's no doubt," Watson said, via ESPN's Sarah Barshop. "I mean, you might have doubt, but there's no doubt. I mean, I love that man. I'm going to play hard for that man. Y'all can say whatever you want to say through all the media and all the writing, but as long as I'm at quarterback, he's cool with me.

"He's got my heart. He's going to get all of my 110 percent every time I step on that field. So y'all can say whatever, but [I'll] always be rooting for that man and going to play hard for him."

Watson became the first QB in NFL history to lose a playoff game with 300-plus pass yards, 3-plus total TDs (two passing, one rushing) and 0 giveaways. You can't pin the loss on the quarterback.

No, the Texans lost Sunday because their defense had no answers for Patrick Mahomes, who led his team on seven straight TD drives at one point. Houston's game plan was faulty from the start. The only reason this wasn't a 70-point blowout from the jump was the Chiefs started the game as if they were still brushing out shards of carbonite after a long freeze.

K.C. dropped passes, had a blocked punt, muffed another punt, blew a coverage all leading to the big early deficit. After they cleaned up those mistakes, Houston was no match.

O'Brien didn't help matters with a slew of wonky decisions out of the two big miscues. Bad choices, like having to call timeout on fourth-and-4 late when trailing by double-digits near midfield, haunted the coach after the first quarter.

Despite the open wounds after allowing the fourth-largest postseason comeback in NFL history, O'Brien sees a bright future in Houston.

"I feel like we are moving in the right direction," O'Brien said. "I think we did a lot of good things this year. Not enough, obviously. I feel good about where we are headed."

The coach who helped play general manager this season is hindered by the franchise's choices -- decisions he spearheaded -- to sell off assets and go all-in on this season. Sans a first-round pick, restocking a defense sorely in need of upgrades will be more difficult, especially with massive contracts coming down the pike for Watson and left tackle Laremy Tunsil.

Even with a collapse, Watson shares O'Brien's positive outlook on the future.

"There's no way that I'll be discouraged for the future," Watson said. "It's all positive. We did so much this season. We went through so much -- ups and downs. For us, to be one of the final eight teams is huge. And there's a lot of teams that wish they were in this position to play in this game.

"[There's] no need to be disappointed. Like I said, I'm very encouraged for this organization, for this team, for this city. You might be disappointed, but I'm not. As long as I'm in this organization and I'm in this city, we're definitely going to be in games like this."

With Watson under center, optimism always has a chance to shine. Next time, however, Houston needs to be on the other end of games like Sunday.

source; NFL.com

 

Not going to lie I have always wanted to see what Tom could do without Belichick. I have seen what Bill can do without him (virtually no difference in win %...) but we have never seen what Tom can do without Bill. To me right now you can argue over who the greatest QB of all time is (Montana, Brady, and a few old timers who swear by Johnny U...). If Brady were to go to Dallas and win there... there would no longer be an argument.

 

Side note RE: Eli -- Apparently John Mara is meeting with him personally a few times this off season. He wants to talk about the future with him and whether that mean Eli as a back-up QB or possibly in some sort of official front office type job. Seems pretty certain Mara doesn't want him to put on any other jersey. I think Eli just opts to retire as well but who the heck knows.

 

As a definite old timer, it's Otto Graham.

 

Otto Graham? Was that guy even allowed to throw a forward pass...

 

Cam Newton?
Andy Dalton?
Teddy Bridgewater?
Ryan Tannehill?
Phillip Rivers?

...Tom Brady...?

 

IMO, you can probably scratch every name off of that list except for Dalton and maybe Newton.

Bridgewater is going to get another offer from the Saints, but if Winston is tagged then Teddy likely prices out for Tampa.

Tannehill never leaves Tennessee. They won't be going back to Mariota and they will draft too late this season to consider letting Ryan walk.

Rivers may consider continuing his career away from Los Angeles, but I doubt it will be far. It wouldn't surprise me to see him soak up a paycheck from Vegas in a back up role/possible starter for the Raiders. It keeps him close to home and gets him some coin.

Brady is only going to leave NE for a chance to play in a Super bowl immediately. The only team that I could really see making sense for Tom to move to would be the Panthers. The offense would still flow through CMC and Brady could be a good enough game manager to get them into the post-season.

That of course would free up Cam to move on but I doubt he would stay in division. In Newton's case, I could see him ending up in LA. It would work both on and off field for both team and player. It would sell tickets and Cam could increase the exposure of his brand.

Cincinnati messed up by not trading Dalton, Green and Eifert (possibly Ross as well) in the off-season. They could have stacked the board with picks in a draft class that is going to be pretty solidly talented. They definitely could have still came away with Burrows and they likely will get a high level receiver with that high second. Hanging on to guys like Andy does nothing for future building. Now, Dalton can still be traded this off-season but his value is probably less now because everyone and their mother knows that Burrows is going to be a Bengal.

 

Are you saying that Belichick’s winning % with and without Brady is similar?
54-66 without Brady.

 

That’s mostly on a different team. Belichick only had one losing season without the Patriots. Technically Brady was there as a second string QB.