D. L. Hot-Flamethrower

Baseball has no salary cap and it could be argued has more parity than the NFL right now. The reason - Front offices in baseball run by bright minds that have embraced a newer approach to building teams. Gone are the days of clichés running the teams. Innovation has been important in all sports for ever.

28 Qbs drafted in round 1 since 2000, Locker is one of them. Only 6 of them had losing record in college, he is one of them. It is not a pretty list to be on with the names Boller, Losman, Ramsey, Freeman and Cutler.

Ever notice how no one ever says EJ has a great ability to throw the ball, or he can really spin it, or what a thrower, what accuracy etc. Its because the main characteristic of a QB he doesn't possess at the NFL elite level.

Mike McCarthy kicking a field goal from the 1 foot line was more important. What a stupid decision.

There is just so much incentive to throw the ball these days by the league rules. If I had my way they'd introduce a new rule pushing the D-line a yard off the ball a la CFL. This would led to more emphasis on the running game because they would play with 4 downs not 3. The game would be more interesting to me if there was more balance.

Oh Really? I would also like to point out that the fact QBs of today have a bigger impact than 20 years ago. The NFL Passer Rating has remained the same. In 1994 Steve Young was the only passer over 100. This year there were 4. In 1994 the only passer over 90, just barely, was Favre. In 2014, 17 GUYS PASSED THE MARK!!!!!! Including Jay Cutler with an 89 just missing the mark. Does anyone think Jay Cutler in 2014 had a great year? Of course not. Let's just put to bed now once and for all that nothing has changed in the game in 20 years. LUDICROUS!!!

Wow I have sticker shock.

Stick to your guns Stop the Pain. You are on to something with this post. It started out well when people got it. Some either don't get it or refuse to try.

I wish we had a more progressive football media. These ideas would be welcomed by a lot of fans I'm positive. But, when you turn on ESPN or NFL and see all the analysts and insiders, you just know that this kind of thinking is beyond them. The game isn't broke and needs no fixing. Just look at the ratings. And, people in the league are influenced for sure by the same thinking. My guess is at some point, not sure when, there becomes a need to adjust for the fans.

Agreed. Everyone should remember that with the Salary Cap Rules, having a QB making a half million a year leaves a lot of room to improve your team. Seattle success may be due more to good fortune than an actual model of success you can rely on.

Number 3 is interesting. Had not thought of the development idea. What is occurring in the NFL is analogous to baseball playing only every 5th day. Therefore, the Dodgers can pitch Clayton Kershaw every game. It is more about a particular individual on the team. Not the team.

Very interesting topic. The behavioral economist Richard Thaler has a book named Nudge. I think this is kind of what you want to do. You want to create a situation that rewards for trying things in everyones best interest. For example, how about moving the DL back off the line a full yard while creating pass game rules that allow the coverage to do more before the ball is in the air. This I believe would create incentives to run the ball and play defense. The resulting change of more balance is in the best interest of the games balance.

My problem with this is, we don't have a franchise QB, are not likely to have one soon... and so what do you do...quit! These things are not black and white propositions. It is possible to win with a great team and an adequate QB. This part is indisputable. There are a couple of models that work. One is the franchise QB and a good team. The other is a great team and adequate QB. We have to work towards the second and if we find a so-called franchise guy along the way-Great.

NE 35 Indy24 SEA 24 GB 13

He's pretty ordinary as Jim Brown said.

Sad but true about the being Urban's recruit.

I agree with this being the right decision for him. He has the chance right now. No guarantees going forward. Hell he could end up as the backup and not see the field again.

I found having Fumbles was a telling stat in my research.

I think most teams look at our RB situation favorably. Rex even alluded to how he viewed them yesterday. I have been an advocate for a set of "fresh legs' like Gordon, Gurley or Yeldon. If that doesn't happen and we have CJ back at the right price, it is not the worst thing in the world.

Some research. Using average yards/play, passing, rushing, sacks, 50 yard penalty for TOs and 20 yard bonus for TDS-everything. Category 1. Current starters who have started 100 games. The pipedream guys, have to trade for guys. Rivers at 5.82 is the best, Eli at 4.88 and Cutler 4.74 are others (he turns the ball over 1 ever 20 plays). Others of note: Rodgers 6.85, Peyton 6.55, Brees 6.01, Brady 5.99, Flacco 4.88, A,Smith 4.42 is last. Average NFL QB is at 4.99. Category 2. Current starters less than 100 starts. R. Wilson is #1 at 5.94,#3 is Luck at 5.51 and #5 Cam is 5.49. Wonder who 2 and 4 are? Nick Foles 5.85 and Kaep 5.49. Availability=in doubt! RG3 is middle of the pack at 5.02. People have mentioned Hoyer and Locker, who are URFA, they are pretty average 4.96 and 4.95. EJ is at 4.21, ahead of Carr, G.Smith, Bortles and McCown. Just ahead of EJ is SAM BRADFORD at 4.28!! This really surprised me. I thought he might me a good trade candidate. Not that this method is the be all end all, but is makes you pause to think. Other of note: Bridgewater 4.98 Tannehill 4.56 and Fitz4.30. Category 3. The rest. Mark Sanchez at 3.77 and Matt Moore 3.51 were amongst the bottom 10 guys along with McCoy, Flynn, Grossman, Kitna, Clemens, Gabbert, Clausen and Lindley. The guys in this category have terrible TO rates. Sanchez once every 19 plays, remember Cutler is every 20, Rodger every 37, Brady-34, Peyton-32. Finally, some people have mentioned Glennon-4.33, he's no better than EJ. Cousins is at 4.73 worse than Hoyer, Locker etc. In summary, when I first voted I went with other veteran, with Rivers in mind. Realizing that was a dream, I thought Bradford. Now I'm not so sure that the people clamoring to trade for Foles, don't know if he's available, aren't correct. Or, the folks who think Hoyer or Locker are an option for average QB play. Locker probably has more upside. These guy all protect the ball pretty well at around 30 touches/TO. Being an optimist, I found the whole thing a bit of a downer. Much more difficult problem to solve than I thought. My advice in this situation is, give yourself as many reasonable options as you can! And go through the process and hope. BTW, Kyle Orton was 5.13.

Cortland

I like him too. Sounds like he staying in school though.

Doug "The Bone" Marrone