I'm trying to make myself feel better about or QB comp and this scenario seemed pretty plausible Josh McCown has been around for a number of years and played for a number of teams. He has some talent, has started and won games in the NFL and even strung some pretty impressive performances together with the Cardinals. Based on that track record, its pretty clear that he's a decent to good NFL back-up, but not really a guy you want starting. From the practice reports, it appears that Henne, a rookie, is performing at least as well or better than McCown. And Beck has been playing comparably well while (from the reports) struggling w/ his confidence. Could this mean our QB situation really isn't as bad as we may be fearing? I keep hearing that our QB situation is dire because no one is distinguishing themselves. While it would be great if Beck or Henne really emerged, I don't think slighly outplaying McCown is the worst place to be at this point in camp. With a little more experience and repetition, both of these guys should improve while McCown is probably going to be a guy that is what he is. And through his career, McCown was certainly better than the putrid QB play we got last year. I think if either of those guys is playing equal or better than McCown, they need to start, regardless of NFL experience. If Henne and Beck are comparable, they can win us a few games while getting on the job training.
It's not good. Let's say that. Part of that is the WRs' lack of separation, too many drops by players, and poor protection by the O-line. So, what I am trying to say is... the whole passing offense is doing great.
Heh yeah. Its also true that McCown had his most success w/ Fitz and Boldin to throw to. His performance here likely wouldn't match up to that.
haha. ouch.. your right though. After all these years post marino I am starting to think of Great Quarterbacks as mythical creatures who only live in fairytales and other NFL cities. in all seriousness, I THINK we are on the right track. A better way to say it is we have been going about getting a Quarterback all wrong for the past few years and are finally getting it right by getting young Guys (Beck and Henne) and a young vet looking to prove his worth (McCown) on our team. No more other teams trash.. Now, can we develop them, only time will tell but we are in a better place than we were last year.
I understand your reasoning and agree to an extent. McCown has played 5 years (I think to tired to look it up to be sure) and, from all accounts, our 2nd year player and rookie are playing at least as good, if not better then him. Looking at it that way, it would seem that our QB situation, at least long term, looks pretty good. Both Beck and Henne are playing as good as a 5 year pro who has had success in the NFL. The upside and potential for these two could be through the roof. OF course the pessimist will say "so what they are playing as good as a career backup" but I prefer your view, it just makes me feel better. As alway, we must be patient as see how it plays out, but I can definately see where your coming from.
Yea if nothing else, we are at least going about finding a QB the right way. No more Dauntes. Better to draft draft sign FA back-up. At the same time, we could be ready to beat ourselves senseless with that measuring stick by week 4. O well, it'll be an interesting ride this year.
Well they are practicing as good as McCown (or close to it). unfortunately, Some guys look great in shorts or even in pads at practice but under the lights they just can't get it done.. I have high hopes for beck but last year people raved about him at practice and then come game time he didn't look the same. now I know it wasn't all his fault but all i am trying to say is that practice quarterbacks and game quarterbacks are very different
McCown is a quality NFL back-up. You put a guy that should be a back-up with a group of WR's that should be backups, it's not going to be pretty on offense, at least pasing the ball.
I agree its still practice and different players are practice players and some are game players. I do agree we are finally going about it the right way and, IMO, one of the young guys will develope into a starting calibre QB, perhaps, dare I say it, a PROBOWLER? I know jumping the gun but its nice to be optimistic.
I just want to see an offense that can get a fricken first down on a somewhat regular basis. Hell, maybe even be able to get some passing TDs too.
I think this argument could go either way. The positive side is you look at a guy like Peyton Manning who won the starting job in Indianapolis and has succeeded. He struggled his first year with 28 interceptions and a 71 QB rating, also getting his team three wins I believe and you look at him now, he's arguably the best Quarterback in the league. Another positive side is looking at Carson Palmer who sat his first a year behind a veteran in Jon Kitna and now is a success and possibly a top three Quarterback in this league. The negative side is that it could go terribly wrong with the Quarterback never regaining confidence and ending up like Joey Harrington. If Henne does play equal to McCown and/or Beck and this staff has confidence in him, then put him out there and see what he can do like Peyton did in Indianapolis. If Henne is outplayed by his competitors by the slightest bit, I think you should keep him on the bench. It's not a crime to keep him seated until next year. We have seen guys sit, learn and then become superstars in this league like mentioned previously with Carson Palmer. Ultimately, I think this comes down to the coaching staff and their confidence in Henne. As for John Beck, last year was a nightmare and he unfortunately witnessed it first hand. The guy was thrown in on a team that was terrible overall. I think Beck falls under the same situation as Henne because he hasn't had much experience and it may suit him well to sit and learn from a veteran like McCown but if the coaches feel that it could help him by putting them out there then they could go with that idea. Good thread-topic SF.
Beck is a couple of years older than Henne. Hopefully he should be far ahead of Henne. The fact that he's not is not good for him and doesn't bode well i think. What happens if we pick up Quincy Carter? We're not going to keep 4 Qb's I think. Who gets the boot? Either McCown or Beck. At best Beck would be reduced to 3rd string behind Carter and Henne(who is impressing people at camp now). Tuna and crew have nothing invested in Beck. In fact if they could get a half decent draft pick for him i doubt he'll be here much longer after season opens if that long.
Beck is just as old as Henne is experience-wise. Beck has played five total games with a piss-poor team. That's why I don't understand why he should be ahead of Henne when he barely has any experience. As for the Quarterbacks, if Carter comes in, it will be to replace McCown imo. They want to see what Beck has this year and McCown has played poorly in camp thus far.
I still say when Simms is cut, we pick him up on the wavier wire and McCown is cut. Just my gut feeling.
I agree with the original point of this thread that it's good that both Beck and Henne appear to be playing better than or at least as well as McCown. You guys can poo poo McCown all you want, but as SF Dolfan points out, he's had some good games and does have some level of talent. He's like me in golf. I can have a really good hole (game), but just can't put a whole round (season) together. The fact that a rookie and a for all intents and purposes rookie are playing up to that level should be viewed positively.
Not as old. Beck has a whole NFL season of training camp, practices, and a few starts. 1 year is quite an advantage over nothing. But I see your point to some degree. But the fact is Beck IS older. And that means if he and Henne are playing about the same, Henne is going to be favored because he can give us more years as a solid QB if he pans out. And Beck isn't just a little older, he's significantly older. All else being equal Beck isn't going to be given the job if he's only playing as well as Henne.
let beck & mccown battle it out this year while Henne learns. then draft a QB in the draft somewhere next year (not first round), and Henne starts next year.
Exactly. All things being equal it's going to go to the new guy that the new regime drafted. Beck can't be just a little better then Henne. He has to be a lot better. Beck had a chance last season. It was a bad chance on the worst team in the nfl but he had a chance and didn't do anything with it. He's getting another one no in training camp and the preseason. If Beck doesn't step it up he's the odd man out.
you have to give him a chance in the regular season. you can't base it off 4 games last year and then training camp this offseason. If they let Beck go before the season, i will be severely disappointed in this front office & how they are handling things.
Equal? Chad Henne is facing third string players for the most part... OK, OK... he faced first string players when it was a blocking drill... John Beck is facing first string players for the most part. I don't see why people think these quarterbacks are on equal playing fields when the defenses they are facing, for the most part, are different.
