bubba9497
February-2nd-2005, 01:40 PM
BALDINGER: Franchise QBs the way to go
http://warroom.sportingnews.com/nfl/articles/20050202/597943.html
From time to time, you hear the argument that you don't need a stud quarterback to win a Super Bowl. The Ravens won with Trent Dilfer. The Bucs won with Brad Johnson. Peyton Manning ... what has he won?
For starters, he has won a lot of games, including some in the playoffs. As for Dilfer and Johnson, what have they won lately? Not much. The Ravens and Bucs had great defenses, strong running games and, frankly, serviceable quarterbacks who limited their mistakes and did little else. That can work, but it's fluky when it does. It's not the way to build teams that will be in the thick of the playoffs every year. That requires a franchise quarterback.
Look at the four quarterbacks who played in the conference championship games Sunday. New England and Philadelphia win consistently with Tom Brady and Donovan McNabb. When Michael Vick is healthy, the Falcons win playoff games. When he isn't, they go 5-11. It might be early to anoint Ben Roethlisberger as a franchise guy, but you can't ask much more of a rookie quarterback than what he gave Pittsburgh during the regular season. He certainly looked like the real deal.
If the other 28 teams are wondering what they lack, most of them should look at their quarterbacks, because that was the constant among this year's final four teams. Is he someone the team can rally around? Does his performance improve each year? Do you want him as the face of the organization for the next several seasons?
A few teams -- Indianapolis and Minnesota, in particular -- can say yes. Without Manning and Daunte Culpepper, the Colts and Vikings wouldn't even sniff the playoffs. And they know they don't have to worry about the most important position on the field when they're rebuilding in the offseason. They can focus their attention and wallets on other positions in the free- agent market and the draft, and that's a huge advantage for them.
Maybe some other teams have what they need, and it just isn't apparent yet. Byron Leftwich could be fine for the Jaguars. David Carr could prove the Texans were right to make him the first pick of the draft. Rex Grossman, Joey Harrington, Kyle Boller -- it's possible there's another Brady in this bunch.
They'd better be the answers.
If not, their franchises will be set back several years.
Brian Baldinger, an offensive lineman for 12 NFL seasons, can be heard on Sporting News Radio and seen on FOX Sports. Listen online at http://radio.sportingnews.com.
http://warroom.sportingnews.com/nfl/articles/20050202/597943.html
From time to time, you hear the argument that you don't need a stud quarterback to win a Super Bowl. The Ravens won with Trent Dilfer. The Bucs won with Brad Johnson. Peyton Manning ... what has he won?
For starters, he has won a lot of games, including some in the playoffs. As for Dilfer and Johnson, what have they won lately? Not much. The Ravens and Bucs had great defenses, strong running games and, frankly, serviceable quarterbacks who limited their mistakes and did little else. That can work, but it's fluky when it does. It's not the way to build teams that will be in the thick of the playoffs every year. That requires a franchise quarterback.
Look at the four quarterbacks who played in the conference championship games Sunday. New England and Philadelphia win consistently with Tom Brady and Donovan McNabb. When Michael Vick is healthy, the Falcons win playoff games. When he isn't, they go 5-11. It might be early to anoint Ben Roethlisberger as a franchise guy, but you can't ask much more of a rookie quarterback than what he gave Pittsburgh during the regular season. He certainly looked like the real deal.
If the other 28 teams are wondering what they lack, most of them should look at their quarterbacks, because that was the constant among this year's final four teams. Is he someone the team can rally around? Does his performance improve each year? Do you want him as the face of the organization for the next several seasons?
A few teams -- Indianapolis and Minnesota, in particular -- can say yes. Without Manning and Daunte Culpepper, the Colts and Vikings wouldn't even sniff the playoffs. And they know they don't have to worry about the most important position on the field when they're rebuilding in the offseason. They can focus their attention and wallets on other positions in the free- agent market and the draft, and that's a huge advantage for them.
Maybe some other teams have what they need, and it just isn't apparent yet. Byron Leftwich could be fine for the Jaguars. David Carr could prove the Texans were right to make him the first pick of the draft. Rex Grossman, Joey Harrington, Kyle Boller -- it's possible there's another Brady in this bunch.
They'd better be the answers.
If not, their franchises will be set back several years.
Brian Baldinger, an offensive lineman for 12 NFL seasons, can be heard on Sporting News Radio and seen on FOX Sports. Listen online at http://radio.sportingnews.com.