In this article by Andrew Healy (ESPN), Football Outsiders got eyeball deep in statistics and projected a winner in the quarterback derby: Jared Goff.
This isn't a big surprise. Goff's edges include anticipation, processing speed, and accuracy. To be clear, Wentz is close in each category, and has his own advantages in others.
I couldn't get deeper into this article because I'm not an ESPN Insider, but before he slammed the door on me, Andrew did say that Goff was the only quarterback the Outsiders projected to be a stud by years three to five.
This was pure numbers, and experience was one factor considered. Goff has more. I'm not privy to their formulae, but I suspect that hard to quantify intangibles (which Hue Jackson would perceive) were not a part of them.
Still, this reminded me of Rik Newheisel's gushing praise of Goff, and comparisons to Joe Montana.
We must take some of this with a grain of salt. Ben Roethsenberger might have finished way behind in this analysis prior to his own draft. Certainly, way way wayyy behind in processing, anticipation, and mobility.
Personally, it doesn't change my mind about wanting Wentz. Or Goff. Ok ok, reverse the order.
In this one, I keep coming back to the experience part: I understand how they probably applied this: Quarterbacks with over thirty college starts historically do much better in the NFL.
But one of the reasons for this is the fact that so many quarterbacks drafted high tend to start as rookies, where the experience differential has the biggest impact. It skews the stats.
I guess I do prefer Goff, just a little: Quarterbacks who get rid of the ball faster are much harder to sack (and are beloved by offensive linemen who get blamed for seven second sacks).
Goff is pretty rare in this. It's not natural to throw the ball to the left or right of a receiver who isn't even looking at you, and who is running away from you. Some quarterbacks never succeed, because they simply can't force themselves to pull the trigger.
Tom Brady is the best current example of timing/anticipation/decisiveness. This is why he is so demanding of his receivers. He's like a coach with them, demanding precise routes, and chewing them out in practice. He has to be able to count on them to be where he puts the ball.
Joe Montana was the best earlier example. Here in Cleveland, Brian Sipe was a great timing quarterback.
Sipe was a little shrimp. He often threw literally blind, and crossed his fingers. Kosar did this too, although it wasn't his forte.
The Browns should have released Whitner sooner. If I had to guess, I'd say that Hue and company hadn't finished looking at the tapes of Whitner, Rodney Campbellfield, Poyer, and other safeties and potential safeties.
Sashi Brown keeps saying that this isn't about age. He is dissembling (almost lying): It's about age, salary, and whether or not there is somebody who is or will be better on the roster. But age first.
Whitner had lost a step. He's still a good player, but nothing special. I think it sucks that he was cut loose so late.
In another article, a writer gleefully pointed out that the Bengals signed Gramps Dansby. "He wasn't good enough for the Browns, but was good enough for the Bengals".
It wasn't about that. The Browns are rebuilding. Hue Jackson can shuck and jive all he wants, but that's what this is. The Bengals are Superbowl contenders right now.
Dansby might get them to the Superbowl. He might get the Browns to draft three slots lower in the 2017 draft. That was a stupid article.
I wish both these geezers luck. Especially Whitner the homie.
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