This is great stuff from John Lund. But in this HC openings cycle, how many teams have stability at the QB position?
The only team that has had more than 1-2 years of QB stability is the Ravens with Lamar.
All of the young QBs with 1-2 years are unproven.
All of the veteran QBs who are not head cases are at best bridge QBs.
If Robert Saleh want a HC job this cycle, and the Ravens go in a different direction, then going to a team like the Cardinals where he and his OC can sign, draft or trade for the QB of their choice should be seen as a positive, not a deterrent.
I could be mistaken but I do not envision Robert Saleh being offered the Ravens' job.
Do you?
Thus, let's take a look at all of the teams' QB situations:
ARI --- looking to trade Kyler Murray, keeping Jacoby Brissett as a bridge to signing, drafting or trading for their new QBOF.
ATL --- Michael Penix, coming off an ACL injury suffered in Week 11, is in the midst of a 9–12-month rehab. They just agreed to a revised contract with Kirk Cousins that should make it easier to trade him.
BAL --- Lamar Jackson on the heels of what appeared to be a rift between he and John Harbaugh.
CLE --- Deshaun Watson, Dillon Gabriel, Shedeur Sanders anyone? It is looking like Jim Schwartz is making a great case to take over as HC
LV --- Geno Smith is coming off his worst season as a starter and the expectation is that the Raiders will select Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza with the #1 pick.
MIA --- Tua Tagovailoa was benched late in the season in favor of 2025 7th round pick Quinn Ewers of Texas.
NYG --- Jaxson Dart is talented, yet not fully proven, However, it appears that John Harbaugh is going to be his new HC.
PIT --- Is Aaron Rodgers returning? Would his return indicate stability at the QB position? TEN --- Cam Ward had an up and down rookie season but looks like he could provide stability for years to come.
TEN --- Cam Ward is coming off an up and down rookie season. He's as of yet unproven but looks like he could be the Titan's' QBOF. Ideally, one would think the Titans should want to hire an offensive-minded HC in order to untap Cam Ward's potential.
How Robert Saleh could feel content with Jacoby Brissett as his bridge QB.
How Saleh and his defense fared against a number of these QBs this season in terms of passing yards:
Kyler Murray --- 159 yards
Michael Penix --- 241 yards
Jaxson Dart --- 191 yards
Shedeur Sanders --- 149 yards
Cam Ward --- 170 yards
Jacoby Brissett --- 452 yards --- 47*/55 (NFL record), 2 TDs, 2 ints., 96.9 RTG
While some Cardinals' fans will mitigate or even dismiss this passing performance from Jacoby Brissett because it came in a blowout 41-22 loss, the Pro Football Hall of Fame did not and I can guarantee you that neither did the ultimate competitor, no matter what the situation, Robert Saleh.
I mean --- Saleh witnessed this. Kyle Shanahan was so riled by this "never quit" effort that late in the game he went for a 2-point conversion up 41-16 just to try to rile the Cardinals right back.
Then, Jacoby Brissett and the offense answered with a 6 play 65-yard drive that culminated in a beautiful 17-yard TD pass from Brissett to Greg Dortch.
Here is a list of QBs whom Saleh's undermanned defense kept under 200 yards this season:
Sam Darnold --- twice, 150, 198
Trevor Lawrence --- 174
Bryce Young --- 169
Jalen Hurts --- 168 (NFL Wild Card game)
The gist is that Jacoby Brissett was, by far and away, the most difficult QB for Robert Saleh and his defense to stop this season.
That and the fact that Saleh and the 49ers had their hands full trying to stop:
Michael Wilson --- 15 catches for 185 yards
Trey McBride --- 10 catches for 115 yards, 1 TD
Greg Dortch --- 6 catches for 66 yards, 1 TD
What a stretch this was for Jacoby Brissett and the Cardinals' passing game:
Since taking over as the starter in week 6, Jacoby Brissett is:
• #1 in pass attempts (386)
• #1 in completions (256)
• #1 in passing yards (2708)
• #2 in passing TDs (18)
• #3 in FPTS (190.5)
• #4 in FPPG (21.2)
Do the Cardinals have a chance?
Therefore, Robert Saleh, when he thinks about it, would have reason to believe that with Jacoby Brissett putting up big passing numbers, if he fixes the Cardinals' defense just as John Lund assures, then the Cardinals can win their fair share of games. In the meantime, Saleh and his choice for OC can choose the QBOF, either this off-season, or the next.
Interestingly, I had been saying for weeks before the 49ers knocked off the defending Super Bowl Champion Eagles in Philadelphia, that Robert Saleh was winning games (without Nick Bosa and Fred Warner) with a defense significantly less talented than the Cardinals'.
* Josh Sweat
* Calais Campbell
* Dalvin Tomlinson
* Darius Robinson
* Walter Nolen
* PJ Mustipher
* Dante Stills
* Zaven Collins
* Barron Browning
* Jordan Burch
* B.J. Ojulari
* Cody Simon
* Mack Wilson Sr.
* Akeem Davis-Gaither
_* Owen Pappoe
* Will Johnson
* Max Melton
* Elijah Jones
* Denzel Burke
* Kei'Trel Clark
* Budda Baker
* Jalen Thompson
* Dadrion Taylor-Demerson
* Kitan Crawford
One would imagine that being able to work with this kind of defensive talent would be a significant attraction for Robert Saleh. Just imagine how much fun it could be to see Saleh teach and motivate this heretofore underachieving group.
Therefore, in looking at Robert Saleh's options, the Cardinals should be one of the most attractive. That is, of course, if the team owner is willing and eager to make the right kind of offer.
Thanks for those of you who stayed.
In your opinion, how cogent is this argument?
I don't really see Bidwill changing his MO, wish for it, hope for it, pay to see it.
ReplyDeleteSaleh is my second choice behind Kubiak.
Do I think Saleh would accept Cardinals position? Perhaps with Defensive 'known' talent like Baker, Sweat and younger upcoming talent like Nolan, Simon he might like the Defense. Offense needs a QB, RT, RG, and SWR. There is enough talent on the roster the Cardinals should be competitive within 1-2yrs. Being in NWC West is the struggle. Having to face McVay, Shanahan, and now McDonald makes it pretty tough.
wait and see...
Never would bail on one of your posts, Walter!
ReplyDeleteI think the QB situation is interesting among the teams looking for an HC. Assuming the NYG are out of the hunt (hiring Harbaugh), I think this leaves us middle of the pack from a QB perspective. I think we are certainly ahead of Cleveland, Vegas, Miami, and Atlanta. Possibly Pittsburgh as well, regardless of whether Rodgers comes back.
The Jacoby signing is clearly one of MO’s best thus far. Say what you want about garbage time stat-padding, but the guy has clearly elevated Michael Wilson. And has in turn been elevated by having McBride. He also operated without a real running game all season and an O-line that regressed in run blocking.
It’s very possible with upgrades to the line and RB situation that Jacoby gives us somewhere around the 2nd-4th best QB performance among the 9 teams looking for a new coach.
Bidwill has shown us already that he isn’t changing his ways by keeping Yes man Monti, thus a new big time HC combo with a new GM won’t happen. I think Baker will ask for a trade, leaving only Sweat as a difference maker on D that won’t attract big time DC coaches. They will end up with another first time HC that will be at a lower salary. Knowing Bidwill he is more worried about Kliff and Gannon getting hired this cycle to offset his costs.
ReplyDelete