Its been the same thing with Flacco. give him a line and he is great, do not give him one and he is horrible. Flacco with time looks like a pro-bowl QB, Flacco under consistent pressure looks like a backup QB. Its gotten worse since his injury, but that has generally been the case his entire career. The most noteworthy thing about that 2012 run was how well the OLine protected him and that is all it really takes to make that Flacco exist, but if you do not have an OLine, I would not waste a roster spot on him.
I think that's a good part of it, but at the end of the day, he just has zero mobility or pocket awareness of any kind. And like I'm not suggesting that you can't play QB as a statue in this league anymore, but its certainly getting a lot harder. Oline play in college is largely dog shit at this point, and so this idea of teams being able to put together a stud Oline without making just gigantic investments in is laughable to me
I think we're at an age where the new "norm" of QBs is either guys like Lamar, or guys like Wentz. Wentz is very strong in the pocket, but has some mobility tools where he can move the pocket and make throws outside of it. I just don't think Joe as at that point anymore. A younger Joe had some decent bootleg skills and could move the pocket a little bit, but I don't see it anymore. Even moving laterally looks like a challenge for him.
Most of my trolling attempt over there was directed at the things they were telling me in the preseason, as opposed to what actually happened. I was told Denver made a much bigger investment in the Oline, and they'd be greatly improved. Hasn't played out that way. Was told they had a great defense... not the case. Was told it was easily the best group of "weapons" Joe's had to throw to in his entire career. Kind of debatable, but I'd generally say no to that also.
And the one thing I've learned... everybody was right when they said he's about as boring as it gets. Its not all his fault, but when he was here, I sort of just ignored it, because I cheered for the team regardless. That Denver offense is painful to watch. Everything looks like its in slow motion. You see the speed that teams like KC play at, and how they run their offense and call plays, and Denver looks like a team straight out of like the 1980s. Everything is slow, methodical, and it looks like it takes every ounce of energy and manpower possible to get a first down, while other teams convert first downs like they're playing against high school teams.
When it gets to that level, its time to hang it up. He's still a better QB than some of the guys who will be starting or playing in the league next year, but that doesn't mean you should stick around. He's made a lot of money, I don't think anybody is going to come calling for a starting gig, I don't see how he elevates a non-contender into a contender next year, and frankly, he's probably "too accomplished" for a backup gig in my eyes. And to a certain extent, I think Eli Manning is in the same boat. Being a backup is almost beneath them from a career success/longevity standpoint, but they're just not good enough to make a team a winner at this stage in my eyes.
