some have posted how the upgrade in OL (assuming the players sign who have been mentioned) will affect the running game. curious what you think about how it will affect the QB position/passing game?
It means we are spending a ton of money to protect very mediocre assets. We should draft heavily on O this year on QB, RB, WR, TE.
Clemens can now trust his O-Line, giving him the comfort to let routes develop and work on his timing. His footwork will improve vastly, and this will be his year to finally reach his potential.
If the Jets can draft James Hardy, we will be fine with everything else. TJ and Leon are a good backfield, Baker has the best hands on the team, we need another Kyle Brady though for blocking.
What does it do for our QB? Take a look at the 2006-2007 Cleveland Browns. 2006- Totally anemic offense. Mediocre quarterback play despite playmaking wide receivers. The season ends with a huge question mark at the quarterback position. Off-season- Browns sign Eric Steinbach, draft Joe Thomas. 2007- Dynamic, pass happy offense! Stellar quarterback play from a man who couldn't win the starting job in the preseason. Derek Anderson goes to the Pro Bowl and the Browns now have "an embarassment of riches" at the quarterback position.
Exactly!!! Add in a strong running game that forces the Defense to key on the run first and that opens up all sorts of possibilities such as Play-Action or misdirection. Also, a good running game will set you up with a lot of 3rd and shorts where you can do just about anything you want. Never forget, any NFL QB given time will pick apart any defense. Why do you think that Brady is so great when he was a 6th round draft choice that nobody (not even his college) wanted as a starter? 2 extra seconds in the pocket is the difference between good and great in the NFL.
Also, take a look at the 2003-2004 San Diego Chargers. 2003 O-Line: "Stars" like McIntosh, Bogle and Van Buren. Drew Brees has another crappy year, prompting questions about the stability of the QB position in San Diego. Off-season: Hardwick, Goff and Olivea join the club. 2004: Drew Brees is a pro bowler as he leads his team to the playoffs! Another "embarassment of riches" at the QB position!
Depends on who wins the starting QB job -- If Chad wins it then a better running game will make Play action available for an occasional big gain (for Chad that is) , more second and shorts will help the dink and dunks -- we would be a better offensive team than last year , probably middle of the pack. We may compete for a Playoff spot , probably wont make it and we will have lost a year wondering if Clemens can be the Qb of the future. If Clemens wins? really its ???? most likely nothing though - he showed a complete inability last year when he had time and that was a lot more often than some on these boards will admit -- it will be a lost season and we will be looking in 2009 for the franchise QB. Either way you slice it we will be looking to upgrade the QB position in 2009.
I really gotta disagree with you. Look at those Browns/Chargers examples. Both organizations were fed up with their QB's. Both drafted top rated QB's to fill the spot. In my opinion, the Chargers were better off with Drew Brees and the Browns should dump Brady Quinn. You could argue that the drafted QB's "lit a fire" under Brees and Anderson but that's a little naive. There's always someone coming after your job in the NFL; the fire is always lit. It's because of the O-Line upgrades. Chad or Kellen will look stellar this year, trust me.
Play action baby! This is what has been missing the last two years. Being able to successfully use the play action opens up so many different avenues to an offense it ridiculous. It looks like it's Chad behind center again, because he will definitely beat out Clemens during camp, so lets get our minds wrapped around that.
