OK NFL: Stop Fighting The Future The Athletic Quarterback Is Here To Stay

Everyone keeps talking about how players in college aren’t suited for the NFL game. Players get criticized for not taking snaps under center in college. Quarterbacks run too much in college. Oh he’s a run first and pass second quarterback. The problem is that the college game has evolved into a mobile quarterback’s dream.

Let’s just call it the Michael Vick effect. You can even credit it to Charlie Ward. Before those guys quarterbacks who could run, really couldn’t throw the ball too. They were one dimensional and were destined to play another position on the next level. The quarterback position was reserved for the smart guy on the team who had a big arm and was not fast enough to be the primary ball carrier.

Now college football is all about the triple threat. Very few teams have traditional quarterbacks. The NFL still insists on staying very vanilla and traditional. Teams are reluctant to invest in a quarterback who isn’t a Joe Montana or Brett Favre prototype. It’s too bad for the game that they won’t evolve, because eventually the well is going to run dry. You will have a league full of guys like Jeff George who will be playing far past their prime if the NFL doesn’t begin to adapt.

I know people who are traditionalist will say that you shouldn’t invest a ton of money on a guy that can get hurt running too much. To me this is just a blessing in disguise. Now the value of the position can come down. No more 60 million dollar contracts for signal callers who run. You can bring that value down to running back value which is pretty darn cheap. How many Tim Tebow’s are out there? The game has evolved. Find yourself guys like that who can fill multiple voids on rosters.

Those teams that covet Andrew Luck but don’t want to tank a season trying to get him can have other things to look at. The beauty of the whole situation is that there will be more athletic quarterbacks coming through the pipe line and you can play them at wide receiver or other positions if they are athletic enough. Look at guys like Seneca Wallace who has made a living doing both.

Like it or not, the athletic quarterback is here to stay in college football and as long as the athletic quarterback continues to win national championships, you can expect more teams to follow suit.

Stay Breezy ~ I’m Out!

Comments

[wildcard]

mobile QBs will always be needed in college....but it never will be like that in the NFL because of the top players of top speed and power that play....running QBs with average accuracy will not consistantly get it done....they might win a few here and there but the pace of the NFL defenses wont allow it no matter how much wildcat or stallion or whatever style you run.....we have seen some of the greatest historical defenses get hurt in big games because of the QB couldnt throw......timing has always been important in offenses...QBs just dont have all day to think and run around like you can in college.....most mobile QBs do that in the NFL they get banged up alot....................................................
............to change the subject quick---------joe why do you have so much love for michael vick ?.....this guy iz a cold blooded murderer....hes not sorry for what he did he just says that cause its in his contract to get his money....he was laundering money.....he is a criminal.....i understand why some philly fans root for him cause they're desperate to win games......but i mean why do you love him so much ?.....i mean i know there are some players who have egos up there azz but this guy is a criminal from hell.......im just trying to figure this out.......or are you a philly fan ?........just wondering..............

[kenny]

The QB I think of that's the best balance of both right now is Roethlisberger. He's able to keep plays alive as long as it takes and will make the right throw or take off down the field.

Crazy Joe, I wouldn't go as far as to say the reason why the Saints won is because of Pierre *bleeping* Thomas. He's cool and all, but come on. Brees did something that I don't know too many QBs doing in the postseason that year they won it; he didn't throw one single pick. As for Peyton, yes, I agree on the Rhodes thing, and also his defense, especially seeing that Manning did not play all that great that postseason.

Ed is right, and I'd love to see Vick win a Super Bowl, so this debate has more traction (I leave McNabb out, simply because compared to the old days, he lives in the pocket now.) Wait, does Romo count as an athletic QB? If so, then Romo can win one, and that not only represents my Cowboys, but it represents a win for athletic quarterbacks as well.