A lot has happened since my last post about Geno Smith. I have been saying for a while now that he is an Anti-Leader. Well, he proved it by doing something very un-QB-like and getting into a squabble with a guy in our locker room who obviously hits much harder than he does. Geno's jaw is broken and I couldn't be happier. I hope some other QB takes the reigns and he never gets his job back.
But I've wasted more than enough energy talking about this piece of garbage. On to the players who are actually on the field.
We have completed a few weeks of training camp and 2 preseason games.
The first preseason game was a disaster. Our defense looked lost and our offense looked like they had never played football before in their lives. Fitzpatrick is a simple dink & dunk, old, journeymen QB who is way past his prime. He was underwhelming in both games.
However, Bryce Petty, the guy I ranked as the 2nd best QB in this years draft actually showed some signs of life in game 2. He was shell shocked in the first game, and he openly admitted not being prepared mentally to play. He said that he was not nervous the week heading into the game, but when he ran out on the field for the first snap he panicked. Recognizing what had happened he prepared himself differently this week and promised he's be more poised. He certainly was.
I must say I was impressed. I felt 100% confident after watching him week 1 that he absolutely needed to sit his rookie season and learn. But after his performance week 2 vs. the Falcons I truly wonder if he can contribute this season. I have no issue with replicating what the Giants did in 04' with Eli. Let him sit and start the veteran the first 6 to 8 games of the season. If it looks like the playoffs are out of reach then throw Petty in there and lets see what he can do.
The only problem with this plan is Geno Smith. If Fitz is lackluster, which we can almost bank on, by the beginning of October Geno will be in there. And God forbid he actually show some signs of life. Then next year we will have a comp between Smith and Petty. We may also use a high draft pick on a QB. All of this is so illogical. There needs to be a systematic approach to evaluating QB's with the intent of establishing a franchise guy like Luck, Wilson, Rivers, Rodgers and so on.
This is how we should handle the QB situation for 2015. Fitz is told he starts the first 4 games no matter what. There needs to be a little stability for any starter. Give him 4 full games and see what he has left in the tank. If we are winning obviously we keep riding the beard for as long as we can. Most likely he will be unimpressive. So the next move is giving Geno 4 games. No matter what, let the guy show what he can do with these new weapons. I'm sure he will also struggle. He will have so much rust coming off a 6-8 week layoff. He's not prepared when he is actively playing, I can't imagine the train wreck he will be jumping in after 4 or 5 games. By mid-season, if we are below .500, we HAVE TO get Petty out on the field. If he shows the "magic" that is required to win in this league then we can dump Geno in the offseason and not waste a draft pick on a QB. Maybe instead we can get Petty a RT, HB and or WR with our 1st rounder.
On the other hand if Petty also looks horrid with 6 to 8 games to prove himself then we know that when the 2016 offseason starts we have one objective: Find a high quality starting QB via trade or the draft. The whole idea of evaluation is to have a clear picture of who you have at any given position. You must see players in REAL games to really know if they are a keeper. At any position besides QB it's pretty easy to rotate guys and see them in different scenarios. Our problem has been giving way too much time to guys like Sanchez and Smith who show that they can only be quality back ups. You have to keep churning through guys until a Russell Wilson type player emerges. Guys like Brady, Wilson, Favre, Montana and Romo were not 1st round draft picks. But, once they got a chance to start it was readily apparent that they had "it". WE NEED TO FIND A GUY WITH "IT". And there is no clear place to look, only a clear method.
Enough about QB, there were some other interesting stand out's during our first couple of preseason games. First I will mention Ivory, Powell and Stacy. PERFECT 3 headed monster. I see no way that Ridley makes this squad. I think Richardson goes back to the practice squad as insurance and we ride these 3 backs all season. Ivory is a grinder, Powell is explosive and doesn't need a lot of touches to get hot. he comes right off the bench and is ready. Stacy has outstanding vision and can drop his shoulder to get the extra 2 or 3 yards at the end of a run. Love these 3.
I am deeply disappointed by Jeremy Kerly. I have championed this guy since his rookie season and was thrilled he got a 4 year extension. Sadly he has turned into a guy who has lost his fire. He got paid and he doesn't want to compete anymore. He's been openly crying to the press because he is in a competition for the slot WR spot. He feels "he has already earned" that position. Another guy Rex ruined, just like Richardson. We have an exciting group of WR's in camp including a true #1, maybe the best #2 in the business, at least 3 high quality candidates for the slot and a early 2nd round pick who will be excellent at stretching the field if he ever gets on it. Kerly better wake up and smell the coffee.
Our 3rd round pick Mauldin looks a bit shaky. He is a high motor guy with size and strength, but his instincts are lacking. He over pursues on every play and usually ends up missing the tackle. Same for last years 1st round pick Calvin Pryor. This guy is almost too aggressive. I like Jarrett way more to start alongside Gilchrest. But it's hard to bench a 1st round pick in year 2 of their career.
Milliner is injured yet again. I think it's time to move on with him. Sadly our top 4 draft picks of the last 2 years could easily not be contributing when the regular season starts. We know that Sheldon. Dee and Geno are out, and Pryor could get benched. Very, very sad.
Something that is not sad is the play of Leonard Williams. My God, this kid is the real deal. If only he could throw the ball LOL
2015 is a new year. Patience is required. We understand that we are at least a year or two from being a contender. I just hope that Bowles and Mac last long enough to see their work through.
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