Derek Carr world tour thread (updated with combine visits)
good point, imo, TH if he played out last year over AD. His ceiling would be that of LJ. I think the Saints coaches knew this, but did not attempt it. And I think the reason is, is that they dont feel confident in that style succeeding. Does that make it true, or dId they not have a voice In the QB room screaming for it? My take is that we didn’t feel confident in that RPO style, because we don’t have the offensive coaches to make it happen. Or the right players, would t you want your entire Oline to be the best run blockers instead of pass blockers? Also, wouldn’t you want to have massive Te’s to assist Instead of tweeners? Throw in WRs that excel in blocking down field. We’re too far away from that system, and the last thing you want to do, is to force Inadequate players to run the system.
I tend to agree with this thought, but for a slightly different reason.
Disregarding whatever is happening (happened?) with JW2, I think TH7 is the best option on the roster. The problem with TH7 is two-fold....the first is his durability, which affects availability. His playing style just does not lend itself to a complete season of football. This isn't unique in football, but it's potentially problematic at the QB position, which brings us to the 2nd problem with TH7. There's no one else in that QB room, or even on the roster, that can play QB in any way that resembles TH7s skillsets. When CSP drafted Tommy Stevens, I was certain that the plan was for TH7 to start, and Stevens would be groomed for the "jack of all trades" role that TH7 would have to relinquish to become a starting QB; and Stevens would be groomed as the backup QB to TH7. Those 2 guys have very similar skillsets, and very similar playing styles. Obviously, I was wrong, as that's not now it panned out. Although in my defense, CSP plays chess, not checkers. Maybe TH7/Stevens was the backup plan, in case TH7 won the QB competition over JW2. When JW2 outplayed TH7 in preseason (and he DID outplay him), the backup plan was not needed.
But that problem still exists. The most compelling argument for TH7 to be the starting QB is to utilize his unique skillset, which will involve tailoring the offense to take advantage of that skillset. And if TH7 was known for his durability, I could see this avenue being pursued. (interesting side note, Derick Carr, in fact IS known for his durability. I think I read somewhere that in 9 seasons, he has missed 3? games. WOW!) But TH7 is not known for his durability....he doesn't just get nicked up, dude gets injured for multi-game stretches. So it makes NO SENSE whatsoever to tailor your offense to his skillset, when there is no one behind him with remotely similar skills to continue running the offense as designed. For this reason, I don't see TH7 as an option.
Contrast this to the Baltimore Ravens, who have LJ8 running the show; with Tyler Huntley as his current backup (used to be RGIII); and Brett Hundley as 3rd string. All 3 guys have reasonably similar playing styles that are somewhat "plug N play" in the Ravens offense, with LJ8 obviously being the best of the 3. Tyler Huntley is a better passer, IMO, but lacks the vision, running ability, improvisational skillset, and leadership of LJ8.....he is like a "Lamarr Lite" version; with Hundley playing so infrequently that it's hard to assess his playing style, but he's got running ability also.
We don't have any of that around TH7. To be honest, TH7 would be a better fit with the Ravens than the Saints. I wouldn't mind the Saints taking a swing at trading for Tyler Huntley, but with the LJ8 situation being what it is, I can't see the Ravens letting Huntley go....he MAY be starting for the Ravens in 2023 if LJ8 isn't there. But if we could get Huntley, I think that Huntley & TH7 are similar enough that you could and SHOULD tailor an offense around that QB room. But in that scenario, Rexman's observations kick in regarding coaches and personnel.
In the absence of that, I like TH7 as the "change of pace" QB and Joker, but I'd like to see him utilized more....IN THE BACKFIELD....so we're not telegraphing "running play" every time we trot him on the field. I'd like to see TH7 as an H-back, on nearly every snap, as defenses could no longer key in on run simply because he's on the field. JMO...