- Joined
- May 8, 2014
- Messages
- 37,209
Ok, so I'm gonna get a lot of flak for this but whatever. I think this type of thing is a valid idea:
First off, I like the idea of using the practice squad for developing a QB long term. Problem is, you can't really do that if the QB is worth his salt. But it IS something you could do if you go after a major development project. But how do you do that, you ask?
I'm glad you asked. The body type that I would like for a QB if I'm gonna do that is the TEs who have some wheels to them. They are all usually at least 6'4" to 6'5" and somewhat athletic so if they need to get out of the pocket they can. I have no idea which of them actually have arms, however, so here's what I'd do...
Start by working out the late round TE prospects and big/slow WRs who are gonna slide, to determine which of them actually have good arms. Quiz them on overall offensive schemes, to determine which of them have the mentality and intelligence to understand "why" certain routes are run certain ways, or what you're trying to do on a given play from their playbook. Lump those guys together and take one of them late round in every draft.
Next, stick him on the practice squad. If the guy wants to be a QB and has the mentality and arm for it, being poached is unlikely until they start showing something in preseason ball. Once you have a guy who really has some acumen and upside, you have a decision to make but it's a good place to be.
Basic idea here is that college teams don't always see it right. There are surely guys who have the right size and raw ability to play some QB at the NFL level, but who have never really gotten the opportunity. I know it sounds nuts, but if you have a strong QB coach this type of thing might help supplement your depth chart at the most important position, and the cost is only a late round pick that rarely works out anyway and also could be done with UDFAs.
First off, I like the idea of using the practice squad for developing a QB long term. Problem is, you can't really do that if the QB is worth his salt. But it IS something you could do if you go after a major development project. But how do you do that, you ask?
I'm glad you asked. The body type that I would like for a QB if I'm gonna do that is the TEs who have some wheels to them. They are all usually at least 6'4" to 6'5" and somewhat athletic so if they need to get out of the pocket they can. I have no idea which of them actually have arms, however, so here's what I'd do...
Start by working out the late round TE prospects and big/slow WRs who are gonna slide, to determine which of them actually have good arms. Quiz them on overall offensive schemes, to determine which of them have the mentality and intelligence to understand "why" certain routes are run certain ways, or what you're trying to do on a given play from their playbook. Lump those guys together and take one of them late round in every draft.
Next, stick him on the practice squad. If the guy wants to be a QB and has the mentality and arm for it, being poached is unlikely until they start showing something in preseason ball. Once you have a guy who really has some acumen and upside, you have a decision to make but it's a good place to be.
Basic idea here is that college teams don't always see it right. There are surely guys who have the right size and raw ability to play some QB at the NFL level, but who have never really gotten the opportunity. I know it sounds nuts, but if you have a strong QB coach this type of thing might help supplement your depth chart at the most important position, and the cost is only a late round pick that rarely works out anyway and also could be done with UDFAs.
