Would you rather be a starter on a crappy team or backup on a good one

[Kelly the Dog]

If you're Matt Hasselback, would you sign with the Colts or the Bills if the money was the same?

 

Myself, the name of the game is not to win, it is to play. I understand wanting to be on a winner, and there are a lot of injuries at the QB position, so you may indeed not only play but possibly become a starter... but I think late in my career I would rather experience playing than experience sitting and being a cheerleader. It's not a no brainer either way. I think I would want to play.

Edited March 19, 2013 by Kelly the Dog

[JPS]

If I'm 38 and I have money, my marbles and my knees, I say hello Indy....or SF

[Malazan]

I'd go the team with the best chance of me getting a ring. Although, if someone is throwing money my way, who knows..

[Kelly the Dog]

I'd go the team with the best chance of me getting a ring. Although, if someone is throwing money my way, who knows..

I understand that, and it's possible, that faced with the situation, i would choose to go to a team that was close to getting a ring. Like, perhaps, if SF called, knowing that Kapernick runs a lot and there is a decent chance he will not play the whole year, I may be tempted.

 

I don't think I would feel all that great about getting a Rob Johnson ring frankly. If I played in a few games and helped the team win and get to the playoffs, sure, I'd feel like I contributed. I don't really want it if I didn't do anything to get it.

[NoSaint]

 

I understand that, and it's possible, that faced with the situation, i would choose to go to a team that was close to getting a ring. Like, perhaps, if SF called, knowing that Kapernick runs a lot and there is a decent chance he will not play the whole year, I may be tempted.

 

I don't think I would feel all that great about getting a Rob Johnson ring frankly. If I played in a few games and helped the team win and get to the playoffs, sure, I'd feel like I contributed. I don't really want it if I didn't do anything to get it.

 

Even if you don't start on Sunday a backup qb can do a ton - film room, scout team, practice, helping to set a tone etc... That can make him a big part of the success. When in the right headspace for the job a vet that knows how to get the job done can give a lot, even on the bench.

 

In my late 30s I think I'd be ok starting that transition out of being an every week player and into role player and ease from there into retirement rather than go to a disaster and get beaten til I can't play anymore.

[rickenbru]

Be a starter for a year on a bottom level team like The Bills, and maybe two if you play well (6 votes [40.00%])

I think you mean...

Be a starter for a year on a piece of crap team in a dysfunctional franchise.

Edited March 19, 2013 by rickenbru

[Miyagi-Do Karate]

No doubt in my mind-- go to where you can play. what's the purpose of sitting on the bench?

[jaybee]

Even if you don't start on Sunday a backup qb can do a ton - film room, scout team, practice, helping to set a tone etc... That can make him a big part of the success.

 

+1. Jim Kelly once said he'd have never been the QB he was had it not been for Frank Reich. Jim said that Frank was always pointing out nuances with the D, and other things he'd learned by spending countless hours in the film room.

 

jb

[Kelly the Dog]

+1. Jim Kelly once said he'd have never been the QB he was had it not been for Frank Reich. Jim said that Frank was always pointing out nuances with the D, and other things he'd learned by spending countless hours in the film room.

 

jb

Then be a QB coach when you retire.

[NoSaint]

 

Then be a QB coach when you retire.

 

Or collect the MUCH BIGGER paycheck, sling it around some at practice without taking big hits and stand in when needed til you can't?

[Kelly the Dog]

Or collect the MUCH BIGGER paycheck, sling it around some at practice without taking big hits and stand in when needed til you can't?

You get the same "much bigger paycheck" playing the last couple years. Believe me, I understand both sides, and both sides have their pluses and minuses. I just think I would rather play. Obviously, if you knew you were going to be a back-up on a playoff team but still get in the games, I would opt for the playoff team. But in the Hasselback example, where he is going to a team where there is a good chance Luck will play all 16 games, I think I would rather play.

[spillerhighlife]

Winners want to start.

[Tsaikotic]

when i watch all these sports networks and I see ex-NFL players talking they all seem to say the same thing...All players want that ring, that superbowl win...(this is when I get mad at certain players like Rob Johnson...play crappy for one team and then go and get a ring as a backup on another...so basically help destroy a team and then get rewarded for it on another)...the biggest prize you can get is that win and the ring, and some players get it for being back-ups on good teams...anyways, my point is, I think players will always go to the team that can get them that prize when its late in their career...I think if I'm coming off my rookie contract I would want to go and play somewhere knowing I have a good 5-7 more years to play...If I'm Hasselbeck I would go to where i can get that ring b4 where I can play...I guess it also depends on how beat up my body is at Hasselbecks point in his career...best option would be "where can I go and play and still get that ring", but that option doesnt come up often i wouldnt think...dont get me wrong, there are some players that dont feel the ring is the most important part of their career...some feel playing until they die is more important.

[Captain Hindsight]

Play. But at 37 I may feel differently

[papazoid]

I think most would pick starting for a weak team vs being a backup for a playoff team.

[Hazed and Amuzed]

Starter. I want to play no matter what

[first_and_ten]

Play. But at 37 I may feel differently

 

Play on a winner, but if I was 37 again, I might feel differently

[eball]

Winners want to start.

 

I tend to agree with this. These are ultra-competitive guys. A QB has to always believe he can get the job done, and wants the opportunity. That's why I chose "start for crappy team."

[Maybe Someday]

Myself personally, as long as I have confidence in my abilities and my body still feels good enough to take the pounding of a 16 game schedule, I want to start for the crappy team because I’d feel like I can help them become a winning team. I would get more personal satisfaction out of leading a notoriously bad franchise to the playoffs than riding the bench on an already good team to try and get my ring. This is how I voted.

 

Now if I’m Hasselbeck, who’s had back issues for a few years now, I don’t know that my body can handle that anymore and would be more willing to accept a backup role to stay in the league. If I’m going to do that, I want to be on a good team so I could possibly get that ring.

 

Either way, I'd want to keep the dream alive as long as possible...as long as my skills haven't deteriorated so much that I'm embarrassing myself.

Edited March 19, 2013 by cnico

[Wayne Fontes]

Billy Volek for $100, Alex.