State of the league - 2024/2025

[Snake]

Just gonna ramble on some thoughts about the league as I try to take a macro view about what’s going on

I think it’s hard to argue that quarterbacking has ever been in a better place than it is today. Both currently, and looking forward.

Mahomes
Allen
Jackson
Burrow

^ Are all superstars and arguably in their physical prime.

Goff
Dak
Mayfield
Herbert
Love
Stafford
Hurts

^ Are all above-average established quarterbacks

Nix
Daniels
Stroud
Maye
C. Williams
Young
McCarthy

^ Are all young/recently quarterbacks with varying levels of proven success and talent. But could easily establish themselves in the above average category, if they haven’t already.


This is before we even broach The Enigmas. Lawrence, Murray, Tagovailoa, Rodgers, Wilson, Purdy, Darnold. This ranges from very talented players in bad situations, to veterans who have bounced around, to guys who you struggle to see being successful once they get out of their current system, to injury prone players.

To speak nothing of the Derek Carr’s of the world…

Personally, I think giving guys like Daniel Jones $35 million AAV over multiple years is crazy. I look at somebody like Sam Darnold and I think the same thing. Unless he goes on an insane Super Bowl run, I’m looking at a 1 yr big deal followed by an exit. There’s so much young talent coming into the league. If I’m a GM, I find a great coach who can make things work with an average quarterback. While also looking to get an elite talent if possible. Don’t pay average. also don’t pay guys before they prove their performance. The Lawrence contract was nuts. A low self esteem move from a historically bad franchise.

[Bootz]

How is McCarthy not in that Enigma category? He's literally on IR and yet to step on an NFL field.

Tua is the only active QB with a 100+ passer rating the past 3 years. He's also missed fewer games due to injury than Burrow has. He's definitely established.

[Snake]

How is McCarthy not in that Enigma category? He's literally on IR and yet to step on an NFL field.

Tua is the only active QB with a 100+ passer rating the past 3 years. He's also missed fewer games due to injury than Burrow has. He's definitely established.

Could maybe flop those around as needed. I personally think Tua’s at a higher risk of his career ending at any point compared to the others on that list. I’d be worried about that as a Dolphins fan.

[Bootz]

How is McCarthy not in that Enigma category? He's literally on IR and yet to step on an NFL field.

Tua is the only active QB with a 100+ passer rating the past 3 years. He's also missed fewer games due to injury than Burrow has. He's definitely established.

Could maybe flop those around as needed. I personally think Tua’s at a higher risk of his career ending at any point compared to the others on that list. I’d be worried about that as a Dolphins fan.

All I know is that's a completely different offense without him. Like night and day.

And there's no way in hell even at this point JJ McCarthy is in the same category as Bo Nix and Jayden Daniels.

[Snake]

In nearly every game I watch, the LT begins moving back and is a full step back before the ball is snapped. This is as overlooked as traveling in the NBA.

Easy flag. Fix it.

[Sooner06]

If W/L record means something when considering QBs, Tua is 2-12 over the last two seasons vs. teams with a winning record.

[Bootz]

If W/L record means something when considering QBs, Tua is 2-12 over the last two seasons vs. teams with a winning record.

Depends on who you ask.

Oh and Justin Herbert is 3-11 during that span as well. Including 0-1 vs Tua. That brings him further down too, right?

[Bootz]

In nearly every game I watch, the LT begins moving back and is a full step back before the ball is snapped. This is as overlooked as traveling in the NBA.

Easy flag. Fix it.

It's gotten so bad this year. It's embarrassing at this point because of how obvious it is.

[Sooner06]

If W/L record means something when considering QBs, Tua is 2-12 over the last two seasons vs. teams with a winning record.

Depends on who you ask.

Oh and Justin Herbert is 3-11 during that span as well. Including 0-1 vs Tua. That brings him further down too, right?

It would in my book, if I considered W/L records as part of my criteria for evaluating QBs. But as I've said before, I'm not a big fan of Herbert either. He has all the physical tools, but so far, I haven't seen 'elite' (or even 'special') from him in the biggest games. Something's missing, though idk exactly what yet.

[Bootz]

Depends on who you ask.

Oh and Justin Herbert is 3-11 during that span as well. Including 0-1 vs Tua. That brings him further down too, right?

It would in my book, if I considered W/L records as part of my criteria for evaluating QBs. But as I've said before, I'm not a big fan of Herbert either. He has all the physical tools, but so far, I haven't seen 'elite' (or even 'special') from him in the biggest games. Something's missing, though idk exactly what yet.

Those intangibles. He's missing that ability QBs have to elevate those around him and take over a game. His splits are fascinating. 1st half of games his numbers look like the an elite QB in the world. 3rd quarter and beyond he turns into Daniel Jones. I've looked and there really isn't anything else like it.

[Backside]

The replay assistance stuff has been such a great change.

[Sooner06]

It would in my book, if I considered W/L records as part of my criteria for evaluating QBs. But as I've said before, I'm not a big fan of Herbert either. He has all the physical tools, but so far, I haven't seen 'elite' (or even 'special') from him in the biggest games. Something's missing, though idk exactly what yet.

Those intangibles. He's missing that ability QBs have to elevate those around him and take over a game. His splits are fascinating. 1st half of games his numbers look like an elite QB in the world. 3rd quarter and beyond he turns into Daniel Jones. I've looked and there really isn't anything else like it.

Interesting. I've never looked at Herbert by the half. Knowing that now, it would be easy to say that Herbert relies too much on the 15-play script and then has trouble operating the offense without a script in the 2nd half. It could be that simple.

If that was the case, I'd have to put Baker above Herbert just on that alone, not to mention a few other QBs as well.

[Bootz]

People thought outlawing hip drops would make offense boom. It hasn't. Defenders are actually tackling again and we're seeing fewer injuries to skills players as a result.

I've said all along I've played organized football most of my childhood. Never have I at any level been coached to tackle in the hip drop manner.

[Snake]

I still see hip drop every week. They just don’t call it.

[BucsNBills]

People thought outlawing hip drops would make offense boom. It hasn't. Defenders are actually tackling again and we're seeing fewer injuries to skills players as a result.

I've said all along I've played organized football most of my childhood. Never have I at any level been coached to tackle in the hip drop manner.

[Bootz]

People thought outlawing hip drops would make offense boom. It hasn't. Defenders are actually tackling again and we're seeing fewer injuries to skills players as a result.

I've said all along I've played organized football most of my childhood. Never have I at any level been coached to tackle in the hip drop manner.

Well the odds were never gonna completely drop to zero. Someone not operating in absolutes would be smart enough to understand that. You must be one of those idiots who believes wearing a seat belt guarantees you won't be hurt in a car accident.

[BucsNBills]

Well the odds were never gonna completely drop to zero. Someone not operating in absolutes would be smart enough to understand that. You must be one of those idiots who believes wearing a seat belt guarantees you won't be hurt in a car accident.

....it was meant as a joke. Sigh.

[Snake]

Just gonna ramble on some thoughts about the league as I try to take a macro view about what’s going on

I think it’s hard to argue that quarterbacking has ever been in a better place than it is today. Both currently, and looking forward.

Mahomes
Allen
Jackson
Burrow

^ Are all superstars and arguably in their physical prime.

Goff
Dak
Mayfield
Herbert
Love
Stafford
Hurts

^ Are all above-average established quarterbacks

Nix
Daniels
Stroud
Maye
C. Williams
Young
McCarthy

^ Are all young/recently quarterbacks with varying levels of proven success and talent. But could easily establish themselves in the above average category, if they haven’t already.


This is before we even broach The Enigmas. Lawrence, Murray, Tagovailoa, Rodgers, Wilson, Purdy, Darnold. This ranges from very talented players in bad situations, to veterans who have bounced around, to guys who you struggle to see being successful once they get out of their current system, to injury prone players.

To speak nothing of the Derek Carr’s of the world…

Personally, I think giving guys like Daniel Jones $35 million AAV over multiple years is crazy. I look at somebody like Sam Darnold and I think the same thing. Unless he goes on an insane Super Bowl run, I’m looking at a 1 yr big deal followed by an exit. There’s so much young talent coming into the league. If I’m a GM, I find a great coach who can make things work with an average quarterback. While also looking to get an elite talent if possible. Don’t pay average. also don’t pay guys before they prove their performance. The Lawrence contract was nuts. A low self esteem move from a historically bad franchise.

I’m doubling down on the bolded. I’ve watched a degenerate amount of football in week one. And that’s where I am with things. Don’t sign average vet quarterbacks to large contracts. Don’t extend young quarterbacks with “potential” if they’ve not shown bigly demonstrable improvements during the rookie contract.

There’s so much young quarterback talent coming into the league. You’re better off finding another one or biding your time until you do.

[Pirate Life]

Just gonna ramble on some thoughts about the league as I try to take a macro view about what’s going on

I think it’s hard to argue that quarterbacking has ever been in a better place than it is today. Both currently, and looking forward.

Mahomes
Allen
Jackson
Burrow

^ Are all superstars and arguably in their physical prime.

Goff
Dak
Mayfield
Herbert
Love
Stafford
Hurts

^ Are all above-average established quarterbacks

Nix
Daniels
Stroud
Maye
C. Williams
Young
McCarthy

^ Are all young/recently quarterbacks with varying levels of proven success and talent. But could easily establish themselves in the above average category, if they haven’t already.


This is before we even broach The Enigmas. Lawrence, Murray, Tagovailoa, Rodgers, Wilson, Purdy, Darnold. This ranges from very talented players in bad situations, to veterans who have bounced around, to guys who you struggle to see being successful once they get out of their current system, to injury prone players.

To speak nothing of the Derek Carr’s of the world…

Personally, I think giving guys like Daniel Jones $35 million AAV over multiple years is crazy. I look at somebody like Sam Darnold and I think the same thing. Unless he goes on an insane Super Bowl run, I’m looking at a 1 yr big deal followed by an exit. There’s so much young talent coming into the league. If I’m a GM, I find a great coach who can make things work with an average quarterback. While also looking to get an elite talent if possible. Don’t pay average. also don’t pay guys before they prove their performance. The Lawrence contract was nuts. A low self esteem move from a historically bad franchise.

I’m doubling down on the bolded. I’ve watched a degenerate amount of football in week one. And that’s where I am with things. Don’t sign average vet quarterbacks to large contracts. Don’t extend young quarterbacks with “potential” if they’ve not shown bigly demonstrable improvements during the rookie contract.

There’s so much young quarterback talent coming into the league. You’re better off finding another one or biding your time until you do.

Agreed, that Dolphins team is likely one of the worst in recent years. Think McDaniels has checked out, Tyreek is looking like he wants out and Tua is lost if the quick read isn't there.

[Obsolete]

In nearly every game I watch, the LT begins moving back and is a full step back before the ball is snapped. This is as overlooked as traveling in the NBA.

Easy flag. Fix it.

Kenyatta would feast in this era!

[Bucsfan83]

My rambling of the state of the league. To many injuries and to many refs putting in money lines.

[Pirate Life]

Could do without Cowherd's awkward chuckling through this but Brady giving amazing info here and what's wrong with coaching for QBs today:

[Obsolete]

Could do without Cowherd's awkward chuckling through this but Brady giving amazing info here and what's wrong with coaching for QBs today:

Absolutely love Tom. I really wish he was still part of our organization. He just gets "it".

[Cheb]

Could do without Cowherd's awkward chuckling through this but Brady giving amazing info here and what's wrong with coaching for QBs today:

Tom Brady should do this kind of content more often. That's good stuff.

[Central_Buc]

Could do without Cowherd's awkward chuckling through this but Brady giving amazing info here and what's wrong with coaching for QBs today:

Tom Brady should do this kind of content more often. That's good stuff.

He truly is the best. And it goes to show its not always the players fault and unfortunately fans can't always see that.

[Doctor]

Cowherd cackling like an idiot while Tom dropping real truth bombs and being real nice about it.

[Obsolete]

Cowherd was trying the drown out the fact his take was absolutely wrong.

Never been a fan of his, hes annoying in the best of times.


Too bad he's part owner of the raiders because I truly think Tom would be a great QB coach and possibly more.

[Bootz]

Cowherd was trying the drown out the fact his take was absolutely wrong.

Never been a fan of his, hes annoying in the best of times.


Too bad he's part owner of the raiders because I truly think Tom would be a great QB coach and possibly more.

"Year 2 by Thanksgiving giving, you should know, right Tom"

"You're assuming everybody knows how to develop a QB".

Cowherd got embarrassed and offered that fake, awkward laugh.

[Cheb]

To be fair to Cowherd, I think an overwhelming majority of football fans would agree with him; at a certain point you have to say a dude got his chances to show you what he's got, and for whatever reason he isn't good enough to play for your team. Where and when you draw that line varies widely, but that line is there for everyone. I have it, certainly, and it moves depending on the situation and the player, which isn't fair, and it's more intuition than science. I'm sure Tom has that line as well if he went looking for it.

You'll notice that Mr Brady didn't say Cowherd was wrong. He said that players don't get a fair shake in terms of player development because teaching modalities vary if they even teach at all, the field in regards to that development isn't even, and many football coaches are (in his words) "PE teachers" who don't think like educators or developers. He's not wrong, either.

I am sure that Brady, if pressed, would admit there comes a point where a team needs to say a guy can't play football. And I am sure that Cowherd would say that Brady has obviously put a lot of thought into player development, and that team asymmetry/philosophy and the fundamental nature of men who end up as football coaches plays a large role in how players shake out.

Neither man is wrong. Brady just reframed the question with a wider lens, and because he did so thoughtfully and eloquently Cowherd by contrast looks petty and foolish.