Where is Peyton Manning Headed? poll

[gratus fermentatio]

Just curious, what's everyone think? I find the story very interesting. It will be weird if he ends up playing for another team.

I voted "other" cuz I really don't give a rat's ass.
Regards, GF.

 

[TheMan]

Jax should pursue Tebow, at least because it could make the team owners a ton of money.

However, I think Tebow would be better suited as a RB where he could run some option plays and pass every once in a while. It would create a lot of complexity in the offense just by teaching one player, already used to playing options, to play some options. You could run wildcat plays that end in a pass. I don't know if Tebow would accept a shift in positions...

I think this would be a great idea. Any play could go any direction with him at the RB position. For all his shortcomings, Tebow does read defenses VERY well. So to have a second QB minded guy in there that gets the ball tossed/handed to him, it would be all the better.

 

[the_bird]

See, I think his running abilities are being overrated. His first six starts, he was averaging 7.1 yards/carry. The last six (regular season), he was around 3.5/carry - and he only had one game (against the Pats) which was >4.1 (and then NE shut down his rushes in the playoffs). He's also fumbled the ball quite a bit. He's good in space, but his fundamentals as an NFL running back are just as bad as his fundamentals as an NFL quarterback - he runs way too upright.

He ought to be playing basically as an H-back/quasi-tight end. He can still get some carries (Aaron Hernandez gets some rushes out of this position, and does very well with them). But, use him as a receiver, get him the ball on some quick slants, get him out in space on some screen passes. Tebow is at his best in the open field, where he's got the quickness to make defensive linemen miss and the strength to shed the tackles of defensive backs. Even a few (small number) of Wildcat-like option plays; I've said for two years, he's the Evolutionary Ronnie Brown (even though I don't think he believes in evolution).

But, I don't see him as a classic, between-the-tackles NFL running back.

 

[ReverseApacheMaster]

See, I think his running abilities are being overrated. His first six starts, he was averaging 7.1 yards/carry. The last six (regular season), he was around 3.5/carry - and he only had one game (against the Pats) which was >4.1 (and then NE shut down his rushes in the playoffs). He's also fumbled the ball quite a bit. He's good in space, but his fundamentals as an NFL running back are just as bad as his fundamentals as an NFL quarterback - he runs way too upright.

He ought to be playing basically as an H-back/quasi-tight end. He can still get some carries (Aaron Hernandez gets some rushes out of this position, and does very well with them). But, use him as a receiver, get him the ball on some quick slants, get him out in space on some screen passes. Tebow is at his best in the open field, where he's got the quickness to make defensive linemen miss and the strength to shed the tackles of defensive backs. Even a few (small number) of Wildcat-like option plays; I've said for two years, he's the Evolutionary Ronnie Brown (even though I don't think he believes in evolution).

But, I don't see him as a classic, between-the-tackles NFL running back.

I doubt he's ever received training as a RB so as a QB running in the NFL he doesn't seem that bad. Training could probably go a long way. But I do agree, he's not cut out to be a typical RB. His ability to go multiple routes in a play (passing, running, receiving, blocking) and ability to read a defense makes him incredibly flexible and just having that flexibility out there in one person could really mess with a defense. It's a low risk option. You can get a complex offensive scheme but only have to teach one person a very complex role. Since he's a QB he's used to having to know all the plays so it's not like you're trying to teach a player of questionable mental skills.

 

[the_bird]

I'm not sure I buy the whole "reading defenses" thing - that was one of the major knocks on him as a QB, he had a lot of trouble going through his progressions. A lot of those rushes (successful, BTW) came as a result of seeing his first read not being there, and his taking off and playing backyard football.

And with Tebow, it's always a question of... can you fix his mechanics? They haven't been able to *fix* anything with his QB mechanics, now you want to make him learn how to play RB?

 

[WilliamWS]

I've said it since before he was drafted and I still believe it: Tebow's ideal position in the NFL would be fullback. I think he would be terrific (think Daryl "Moose" Johnston) and good fullbacks are hard to find.
He's quick but not fast and strong=good lead blocking and short yardage carries
He can read D's=good pass blocking/blitz pickup/slipping out on delayed route with no blitz, etc.
Toss in a couple of well-timed short passes and maybe the occasional trick play and you've got a really valuable weapon.
You know the guy is clutch and with his work ethic he's a guy you want in the locker room despite the media circus that comes with him.
I do agree, though, that he can't stay in Denver.

 

[TheMan]

I'm not sure I buy the whole "reading defenses" thing - that was one of the major knocks on him as a QB, he had a lot of trouble going through his progressions. A lot of those rushes (successful, BTW) came as a result of seeing his first read not being there, and his taking off and playing backyard football.

And with Tebow, it's always a question of... can you fix his mechanics? They haven't been able to *fix* anything with his QB mechanics, now you want to make him learn how to play RB?

I've read multiple times from critics that one of his big strengths is reading defenses. And after watching him a couple times I would agree he does a good job. I don't think he could be an every down back, but throw him in a few times a series at RB and you have the option to snap it straight to him, hand it off, or throw it to him while behind scrimmage and then he can run or throw it. Even with his bad mechanics and accuracy he would still be far more dangerous than any current RB throwing the ball.

 

[WilliamWS]

I've read more about his ability to break down complex offenses than his ability to make good reads on D's on the fly.
I have no doubt that he works really hard on making good reads, studies a lot, etc. And I have no doubt that he reads D's better than non-quarterbacks, rookie qb's, and most backups in the league. Again, that's part of the reason I think he'd be a great fullback.

A good FB makes a mediocre RB look good and a good RB look like great. He also keeps your QB upright and provides a change of pace for those critical situations. It's a very underrated position.

 

[TheMan]

I've read more about his ability to break down complex offenses than his ability to make good reads on D's on the fly.
I have no doubt that he works really hard on making good reads, studies a lot, etc. And I have no doubt that he reads D's better than non-quarterbacks, rookie qb's, and most backups in the league. Again, that's part of the reason I think he'd be a great fullback.

A good FB makes a mediocre RB look good and a good RB look like great. He also keeps your QB upright and provides a change of pace for those critical situations. It's a very underrated position.

In time the FB will be understood. For years I've been saying the TE position was underrated and underutilized. Only the last couple years has it become a bigger part of the game.

 

[cheezydemon3]

I voted "other" cuz I really don't give a rat's ass.
Regards, GF.

Regards? That was a pretty doodybag comment.


I voted "other" cause he is headed to Starbucks. I just saw him pull into the parking lot.

 

[the_bird]

In time the FB will be understood. For years I've been saying the TE position was underrated and underutilized. Only the last couple years has it become a bigger part of the game.

I think you're more apt to see the H-back role continue developing - the guy who can line up (as a quasi-fullback) in the backfield, who can line up as a tight end, who can split out wide. That's where my boy Aaron Hernandez shines, and where I do think Tebow could excel. The classic, Moose Johnson-type fullback will remain a relic unless/until you see teams moving back to the three-yards-and-a-cloud-of-dust mode of offense - but every rule change, every development in the game has been in the opposite direction.

How many teams even have a fullback on their roster? I know New England didn't until the very end of the season; if they needed a big body in the backfield, they'd line up one of the more-athletic offensive linemen.

The re-emergence of the tight end position, you also have to attribute that simply to the guys who happened to have entered the league recently. Guys like Gronk and Hernandez and Jermichial (sp?) Finley and that kid in New Orleans - they're beasts. I don't think it was a matter previously of not emphasizing the tight end - you just didn't see players with that blend of size, speed, and skill entering the league. There used to be one "Tony Gonzales"-type player in the league (Tony Gonzalez) - now, there's probably eight or nine.

 

[cadarnell]

back to the operating room probably