WG
12-22-2002, 07:48 PM
...either he sucks or he's the world?
We all knew that this trade was a risk. It appears after today that the downside of that risk is playing itself out. But part of the problem, and what's not fair to Bledsoe, is that he's been called upon to "be the entire impetus" for our success. Partly by fan and front office hype, and partly due to offensive game planning.
It's not exactly fair to Drew, although maybe he likes being in that role. I have no idea. But he may suit us just fine, and frankly, he'll have to since he's here for at least two more seasons the way I see it. But as soon as this team learns to quit counting on him to singlehandedly win games, we will fare better. He may be much better in a support role w/ Henry being the feature offensive component behind strong blocking from what figures to be an exception OL for the next season or two.
But what we cannot expect, nor has it ever been the case, is for us to rely on Drew to play big in the big games including playoff Ogames. We knew when we brought him here that he does not have a good playoff record or individual performances in the playoffs and that he makes a lot of errors in key games partly due to impatience and wanting to go deep often.
But those of us who have seen Drew play extensively in N.E., meaning more than twice a year v. us, have seen that there are habits and tendencies that he has. One is to not play well in the big games including playoff games. That's a tough spot to be in since that's where you need to go through to win the big dance.
But he's only had two seasons in N.E. where he played well enough to have been considered in the top 10. Unfortunately, he also had 6 seasons w/ 20 or fewer TDs. That was never enough for me to consider him among the top 10.
Nonetheless, and again, we did take a risk with him by trading our 1st round pick. I doubt that many teams will give up a first in exchange, and we really need to focus on getting a DT, DE, and OLB this offseason. So I cannot imagine that replacing Drew is a possibility. Having said that, he can be better and more consistent, but it's going to have to take Gilbride and GW to recognize that he'll fare better in a role such as Aikman had in Dallas. Whether or not that happens remains to be seen.
But instead, many are now saying we need to replace Drew and get rid of him. I don't think that's an option even if the downside of this trade risk has played itself out. He's not a horrible QB, he simply has some weaknesses that amount to significant ones. the big question is will the team work around that next season, or will they continue to insist that Drew's like Favre, Garcia, Gannon, Vick, or that type of QB. He's not. But he's not so horrible that we can't win games with him, at least in regular season.
I guess I just don't understand this 'it either has to be "he da man!" or "he sucks" mentality." Why can't he simply be an average or slightly above average QB who struggles at some critical times? Once this team figures that out, it'll be worlds ahead of where we are now, especially w/ some new defensive faces next season. I still do not think this trade was wise, but even if it was not, that does not mean that Drew's useless.
Let's just hope Gilbride and GW figure out how best to use him.
We all knew that this trade was a risk. It appears after today that the downside of that risk is playing itself out. But part of the problem, and what's not fair to Bledsoe, is that he's been called upon to "be the entire impetus" for our success. Partly by fan and front office hype, and partly due to offensive game planning.
It's not exactly fair to Drew, although maybe he likes being in that role. I have no idea. But he may suit us just fine, and frankly, he'll have to since he's here for at least two more seasons the way I see it. But as soon as this team learns to quit counting on him to singlehandedly win games, we will fare better. He may be much better in a support role w/ Henry being the feature offensive component behind strong blocking from what figures to be an exception OL for the next season or two.
But what we cannot expect, nor has it ever been the case, is for us to rely on Drew to play big in the big games including playoff Ogames. We knew when we brought him here that he does not have a good playoff record or individual performances in the playoffs and that he makes a lot of errors in key games partly due to impatience and wanting to go deep often.
But those of us who have seen Drew play extensively in N.E., meaning more than twice a year v. us, have seen that there are habits and tendencies that he has. One is to not play well in the big games including playoff games. That's a tough spot to be in since that's where you need to go through to win the big dance.
But he's only had two seasons in N.E. where he played well enough to have been considered in the top 10. Unfortunately, he also had 6 seasons w/ 20 or fewer TDs. That was never enough for me to consider him among the top 10.
Nonetheless, and again, we did take a risk with him by trading our 1st round pick. I doubt that many teams will give up a first in exchange, and we really need to focus on getting a DT, DE, and OLB this offseason. So I cannot imagine that replacing Drew is a possibility. Having said that, he can be better and more consistent, but it's going to have to take Gilbride and GW to recognize that he'll fare better in a role such as Aikman had in Dallas. Whether or not that happens remains to be seen.
But instead, many are now saying we need to replace Drew and get rid of him. I don't think that's an option even if the downside of this trade risk has played itself out. He's not a horrible QB, he simply has some weaknesses that amount to significant ones. the big question is will the team work around that next season, or will they continue to insist that Drew's like Favre, Garcia, Gannon, Vick, or that type of QB. He's not. But he's not so horrible that we can't win games with him, at least in regular season.
I guess I just don't understand this 'it either has to be "he da man!" or "he sucks" mentality." Why can't he simply be an average or slightly above average QB who struggles at some critical times? Once this team figures that out, it'll be worlds ahead of where we are now, especially w/ some new defensive faces next season. I still do not think this trade was wise, but even if it was not, that does not mean that Drew's useless.
Let's just hope Gilbride and GW figure out how best to use him.