2017 Off Season Thread

The record-setting comeback Tom Brady led improved his record to 16-12 (.571) during the past five seasons when the Patriots' opponents exceeded 24 points. Teams lose those games 80 percent of the time. Derek Carr (7-15, .318) is second and Matt Ryan (12-26, .316) third among QBs with at least 32 starts since 2012.

"To be honest with you, Brady probably needs to have his own category," a former GM said. "Brady, above the neck, is just way ahead of everybody, and his competitiveness is every bit as good as [Aaron] Rodgers' competitiveness. His toughness is every bit as good, if not better. For all the GQ stuff, the guy is a blue-collar quarterback and his ability to process, his smarts, his poise are just off the charts."
 
Carr a Tier 2 QB according to ESPN survey

Carr is pushing Luck as the NFL's next big thing at quarterback, despite having appeared in zero playoff games thanks to an injury late last season.

"I think he can carry the team," a former GM said. "I think he has proven last year, one, how valuable he was to them when he got hurt, because I think they were going to be a contender, and I think he has shown the ability to carry the team just throwing the football. You can put it in his hands and he can win the game."

Carr finished last season with seven fourth-quarter comeback victories, one reason Oakland finished 5-0 in games decided by three or fewer points. The Raiders obviously aren't going to win all the close games, but those seven fourth-quarter comebacks were notable. Only one quarterback -- Matthew Stafford, also in 2016 -- has had more in a single season since 1960, according to Pro Football Reference.

Why, then, did three voters place Carr way down in the third tier? These skeptics credited much of Carr's success to a strong supporting cast on offense while noting that Carr struggled against Denver and Kansas City, the teams Oakland has to get past within the AFC West. Carr went 1-2 against those teams in 2016, tossing one touchdown and one interception, while averaging 5.0 yards per pass attempt. He was 1-3 against those teams, and threw five picks, in 2015.

"I understand he has a strong arm," one of the skeptics said. "I think he has superb protection, has had good running attack and really had some good receivers to throw it to. You think about those 1s, they take the game and put it on their back and win it themselves. I don't know if I would say that about Derek Carr right now."

A defensive coordinator brought up pre-draft concerns over Carr's willingness to stand tough in the pocket, noting that he'd seen some evidence in the NFL of a "chuck-and-duck" mentality. An offensive coordinator had concerns about Carr throwing too many perimeter passes out of bounds. A personnel director thought Carr would ascend unless he "decides to take chances at the wrong time, which I think he can do."

These voters all placed Carr in the second tier regardless.

"They have to win [for Carr to reach the top tier]," an exec said. "I think he is kind of like Stafford in the sense that I think he can carry a team, but his defense has not been good enough yet and he is early in his career, so he certainly has an opportunity to become a 1, but he is not a 1 yet."
 
The record-setting comeback Tom Brady led improved his record to 16-12 (.571) during the past five seasons when the Patriots' opponents exceeded 24 points. Teams lose those games 80 percent of the time. Derek Carr (7-15, .318) is second and Matt Ryan (12-26, .316) third among QBs with at least 32 starts since 2012.

"To be honest with you, Brady probably needs to have his own category," a former GM said. "Brady, above the neck, is just way ahead of everybody, and his competitiveness is every bit as good as [Aaron] Rodgers' competitiveness. His toughness is every bit as good, if not better. For all the GQ stuff, the guy is a blue-collar quarterback and his ability to process, his smarts, his poise are just off the charts."

Sounds like Lombardi doing his usual Patsy ball washing.... Belichick was the mastermind behind surrounding a 7th round talent with 5'2 receivers. Guys that small get lost in the secondary, putting the defense at a significant disadvantage. Brady can't see them half the time either.... he just makes the pre-snap reads that Belichick taught him and then throws to a spot knowing the 5-footers will be there. Brady above the neck is ahead of nobody. Belichick above the neck just runs circles around the rest of the NFL.... and carries the rest of the Patriots on his back. Any GM who doesn't get this deserves to be a former GM.
 
Why, then, did three voters place Carr way down in the third tier? These skeptics credited much of Carr's success to a strong supporting cast on offense while noting that Carr struggled against Denver and Kansas City, the teams Oakland has to get past within the AFC West. Carr went 1-2 against those teams in 2016, tossing one touchdown and one interception, while averaging 5.0 yards per pass attempt. He was 1-3 against those teams, and threw five picks, in 2015.


A defensive coordinator brought up pre-draft concerns over Carr's willingness to stand tough in the pocket, noting that he'd seen some evidence in the NFL of a "chuck-and-duck" mentality. An offensive coordinator had concerns about Carr throwing too many perimeter passes out of bounds. A personnel director thought Carr would ascend unless he "decides to take chances at the wrong time, which I think he can do."

Valid points but I don't know if there is another QB in the league I would trade him for right now. Also have to factor in that he is on his 3rd OC and has been through one major coaching change as well. All the established guys like Brady, Rogers, Luck have had a pretty stable environment to develop in.
 
Valid points but I don't know if there is another QB in the league I would trade him for right now. Also have to factor in that he is on his 3rd OC and has been through one major coaching change as well. All the established guys like Brady, Rogers, Luck have had a pretty stable environment to develop in.
Carr's a stud. He had noticeable game and personality deficiencies in college, and as a rookie. Not many QBs overcome such things and play at a high level in the NFL. He's developed his positive traits and minimized his deficiencies. The game has slowed down for him. He knows where he wants to go with the ball. He knows his progressions. He has an amazingly quick release, a strong arm and a seemingly still improving touch on the ball.
 



.....Brady above the neck is ahead of nobody. Belichick above the neck just runs circles around the rest of the NFL.... and carries the rest of the Patriots on his back. Any GM who doesn't get this deserves to be a former GM.

Amy Trask recommended Belicheat to Al over Gruden.
But you know Al would have fired Belicheat for cause about 15 games into his tenure. Possibly with a overhead projector.
 
Tier 1 is basically Tom Brady... maybe Aaron Rodgers. I'd put Carr in the mix with everyone else. Truthfully he's a couple years away from being a championship level guy but his trajectory is right in pace. Brady wasn't Brady overnight.
 
Desmond Bryant is available. He's 32 and coming off injury last year. But if we needed another "stopgap" DT while Hester and Vandy are getting ready - he could be a solid option.
 
I don't think he's an upgrade over anyone we have. We need MLB, OLB, and CB more than anything...

yea i don't know who I'd cut for him. I do think he'd be the best DT on our roster if we signed him. But not a "huge" upgrade.
 
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