San Diego Union-Tribune (Sunday)
No QBS in first round? Yes, it will happen
Sez Me …
It seems so anti-21st century football thinking.
Ponder it, anyway: No quarterbacks drafted in the first round.
Maybe not next year, but soon. It could happen — unless there’s a slam dunk/can’t miss, and those guys are as rare as wild west cowboys with good hygiene.
There will be too much supply and not enough demand.
It wasn’t long ago — really, really not long ago — the NFL had more scruples than top quarterbacks. In other words: Not many.
Now it’s reached the point where teams are trading away — or trying to trade — veteran QBS who either have won or reached Super Bowls/playoffs and some who remain in the prime of their careers.
It used to be about which teams needed franchise quarterbacks. Now it’s which teams don’t have one.
Seriously. Next year’s draft class may not be loaded with top prospects. Which team is going to use a high pick on one?
Houston. Probably. Even if Deshawn Watson is given a reprieve, he’s gone from Houston. Tyrod Taylor can win games, but he’s fragile. Washington. Definitely. Pittsburgh. The Swan is singing Big Ben’s Song.
Philadelphia. Maybe — if it can’t acquire Watson. Jalen Hurts remains iffy.
Denver. Elway can’t draft quarterbacks. Teddy Bridgewater may be the most underrated QB in The League, but John will be looking for the next Aaron Rodgers.
NY Giants. Could run out of patience with Daniel Jones, but he’s not without talent.
Atlanta? Maybe. Matt Ryan still can play, but The ATL needs so much.
Miami. Tua is breakable. Fish are enamored with Watson.
The L.A. teams, no. 49ers, no. Seahawks, no. Cards, no. Chiefs, no. Cowboys, no. Saints, no. Bengals, no. Browns, no. Lions, no. Vikings, no. Bucs, no (Tom Brady may play until Saint Peter forces him to stop, and GM Tom may not allow the Bucs to draft another one, anyway). Packers, no. Titans, no. Bills, no. Patriots, no. Jets, no. Panthers, no. Jags, no. Ravens, no. Colts, no (but Carson Wentz is Handle With Care). Bears, no. Las Raiders, no (although Gruden loves every QB but his own).
Not long ago nearly 20 teams were in need.
A few of the clubs possibly in the market still may be too efficient to get high draft picks. And most of the certain-to-bebad teams already have drafted young quarterback talent.
Not one of the 2021 No. 1s is playing well now, but they aren’t going anywhere. NFL offenses now are similar to college schemes, so that and no-touchee rules have made it far easier on them to start.
No chance so many young QBS could start under the old laws, when they were fair game and receivers were manhandled down the field.
Yeah, the days may be gone when a team gives up three ones for a kid who hasn’t thrown a pass since grammar school. …
I’m concerned the incredibly overhyped Brady-belichick meeting might become TysonSpinks .…
Actually said about that game by an educated man, ESPN’S Mike Greenberg: “This might be the biggest regularseason game in the 102-year history of the National Football League.” Wasn’t it just Bucsrams? ...
Mike Mccarthy has seriously blundered allowing Anthony Lynn to advise him on clock management. …
Jerry Jones: “Other teams have issues with clock management.” Correct. That makes it OK. That’s why you control the NFL and have won four playoff games since 1996. …
Brandon Staley’s blunder vs. K.C. was allowing Justin Herbert to snap the ball with 12 seconds remaining on the play clock before throwing the winning TD. Have to take every possible tick away from a great QB . ...
Was thinking of the late
Smokey Gaines when the Bears had 1 net passing yard. “One more than a dead man.” …
Hard to recall any coach having a worse game plan than
Matt Nagy . ...
Another slam dunk for Smokey: Eagles backs had three carries vs. Dallas . ...
Chiefs Halfway House generally won’t admit a player unless he’s been suspended at least seven times, but made an exception with Josh Gordon’s six. …
Gordon would be out of football forever if he had six taunting penalties. THAT’S detrimental to the game . ...
Matthew Stafford always has been the talented kid stuck in the house. He’s finally allowed to go out and play for real. …
Sure, everyone thought we’d see this one day: “Draftkings, The Original Sports Betting Partner Of The NFL.” …
Las Raiders have put Richie Incognito on IR — as far as they can tell. …
The one grandstand vendor necessary for Aztecs-towson State in Carson probably did OK . ...
Any story quoting unnamed sources ripping people, to me, isn’t worth the time I don’t spend reading it. If you don’t have the figs to speak on the record, don’t speak at all. …
His pink slip showing, Jayce Tingler will be replaced by which anonymous Ranger? Maybe Lone, who’s double-good because he always wears a mask. …
Anyone really believe management would announce Tingler’s firing with two games remaining? …
Never a vote of confidence, which Peter Seidler doesn’t believe in, anyhow . ...
I’m guessing the amount of rope A.J. Preller has left wouldn’t wrap around the last straw . ...
Seriously? With a day off on Monday, Tingler rests Fernando Tatis Jr. for the Sunday home finale in which people pay to see him play? And then again on Wednesday in L.A? Unfathomable. …
If Manny Machado is traded, Padres fans should surround the airport and block his exit. Horrible-sounding rumor. Asinine if it comes true. …
Stink O’ The Week Sezment:
Emilio Pagan. What did Pagan ever do to Tingler to make the manager actually put him in games? …
Brewers pitcher Devin Williams (very good) breaks his hand slugging a wall, out of playoffs. Does anyone listen to
David Puddy? “Gotta support the team.” …
The Tampa Rays, baseball’s most remarkable franchise, will split seasons in Montreal, where people don’t enjoy baseball, either. …
President Biden left the Congressional Baseball Game an hour after he arrived. And he wasn’t at Dodger Stadium . ...
Moving the Farmers Open final round to Saturday due to NFL championship games was inspired. We’re usually too busy brushing bike lane paint over broken streets to do inspired well. …
ESPN is changing the name of “Get Up” to “Dallas And Cowboys In The Morning.” …
Ten NFL games already have been decided by game-winning field goals. Kickers . ...
Shaq renounces his celebrity status. Does this mean we won’t see his face on TV every 5 minutes? …
“American Bandstand” review of short-lived song released by garage band Ribbon Cutter Mayor and The Ham & Eggers: “Doesn’t have a good beat and can’t dance to it.” …
Is Trevor Lawrence not the real Jeff Spicoli ?…
I remember when USC had so many running backs, 11 started on defense . ...
Georgia’s D. Watch it. Watch out . ...
There is an enormous difference between idol and hero. Stop confusing the two. …
Kareem. So smart — and with a veeerrry long spine. …
I’d like to ask a federal judge to take away my Twitter account . ...
They’ve found a new species of dinosaur in southern England. Funny, I can’t recall being in the area.
sezme.godfather@gmail.com Twitter: @sdutcanepa