A Dog Named Kelso

So, if Marrone went 4-12 but stuck with EJ you would retain him, but if he goes 10-6 but misses the playoff because he made the switch to Orton you would fire him? Also, where should Marrone's loyalty be to the other 52 players on the team should they all suffer another losing season for EJ's development? I thought the point was for the team to win.

Actually in those 5 games the defense was averaging 28 points a game: http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/den/2011.htm

No he didn't

Because the defense was playing horrible ... context matters. Why does it have to be either or? People believe this team is good enough to make the playoffs with just competent QB play. EJ was not providing that Orton probably will. Would you be happier if they spent the year "Developing" EJ and going 6-10 again? Then deciding he still needs time? He can still develop just not under center. It used to be done that way for years.

He can ... I find it funny how people like to say we should have a young developmental QB as the 3rd and then say the only way for EJ to learn is to take snaps. He has a lot to work on and they had a plan initially they should reconstituted it and hopefully it will make him better.

You mean like the td pass to Watkins on Sunday? There is enough wrong with EJ's game you don't have to make things up.

Yes because the process of grooming quarterback for years was to start them right away.

My point wasn't that he was going to be good or not just that if you are arbitrarily removing stats you can make things look however you want.

Or that they didn't properly coach him. He doesn't need to be a bust he could just not be ready. I do not understand how it always need to be one or the other. They rush his progressing into a starting QB do to necessity they did not need to continue with that this year.

Just pointing out that they telegraphed they were not going to run the ball in their first possession. What were their first 3 plays? When in the past have they not run on the first play from scrimmage?

If you are going to start removing stats why not remove the stats from when he was the backup?

If he can play at a medium level the team can win. The winning is one less thing that has to be overcome by another QB coming in whether it be a new rookie or EJ after sitting for a few years and learning.

IDK that Pittsburgh game last year was pretty bad as was the Tampa game. At least this game he hit a couple of receivers for touchdowns. I am not say he was good just that you can add this to other pretty poor performances.

I think the first thing that should happen is that TP gives them his vision of what he wants. Firing people just to have a clean slate sets the franchise back. They need to get out of this 3 year cycle of starting over. See how they can integrate his vision with the pieces they have in place. I understand people are frustrated but what Ralph tried to do with Juaron was correct. He just happened to be the wrong person to implement the consistency philosophy.

Didn't Marrone suggest EJ doesn't know the whole play book in his presser after the game?

And it should be. He may end up being a fantastic QB, but not if they break him because they are trying to push his progression too quickly. Yes he has only played 14 games but in those games he has shown he is not a franchise QB so, sit him down and groom him the old school way and then let him come in and play. If Orton can get them winning that is one less thing EJ has to overcome.

1.) This at the expense of actually moving the ball effectively. So I am not sure it is a strength 2.) With our run game every QB back there should be good with play action 3.)This is simply not true. He leaves large amounts of yardage unclaimed because he does not keep the ball which renders the option virtually useless. I am not trashing him I really want to know ... outside of his intangibles. I fear they have coached out all of what made him any good in college so as to avoid mistakes,

However the problem may be the way they are teaching him how to swim. I think this is a big reason he is not playing well. I think he probably has talent and may very well have potential, but I think he has been coached scared to play the game.

I would actually argue the opposite. If NE loses give EJ this last game because that gives them a little room. Yes it would be nice to open up a lead but I think starting Orton on the road against the best defense in the league as his first start is silly unless you are already behind in the AFC East race.

I don't disagree with the premise but if Orton didn't want to attend camp they can not make him sign sooner.

Ah well I think they have coached his mobility out of him. They have basically told him not to run which is evident by the yards he leaves on the field when running the option. He never really keeps it even though there is a ton of room for him.

Fitz has always been a mobile quarterback, I do not know what that statement is suppose to imply. He has almost 1500 yards rushing for his career.

Well luckily they coach all of these things out of him.

No I think that he was a project that they have been rushing along. He has never not "been the guy". They should have gotten a vet in the off season to push EJ and have a real competition. He was not suppose to be the starter last year and was only pushed into service because Kolb's injury.

If he is that mentally weak he is not a NFL QB. I do not know why anyone would use that as an argument.