Today I was reading a post on another "network" by a brother blogger. The post was about Brett Favre, his retirement and the impending installation of Rodgers as Green Bay's starting Quarterback, if Brett doesn't change his mind and return for another season.
This gave me pause about Quarterbacks. If the team does poorly, who gets blamed? You got it! The Quarterback. It matters not that the Offensive Line is offensive and porous as a spaghetti draining collander. It matters not that his receivers have hands of stones and cannot catch a five yard pass with no defender around him, IN PRACTICE! And it matters not that his Running Back is about as effective as a jellyfish in breaking hand tackles. It is always the QB's fault; even though his Offensive Co-ordinator couldn't draw up a play for a sandlot team of pickup!
Favre has retired, now Rodgers will have big shoes to fill; if he does not do well in his first outing as starter I can guarantee the Cheeseheads reaction: "bring back Brett!" There is going to be a search for identity; who will be the face of Green Bay?
This is true for all the teams in the NFL; Brady is the face of the Patriots, Anderson the Browns. However, some teams' Quarterback IS NOT the face of the team, yet! Why? The team has not found it's identity after losing an all-pro QB or RB, or there is problems with cohesion in the ranks, whatever. And all the fans can do is scream at the current QB.
This is true for Atlanta, Oakland, Washington, Jacksonville, even Pittsburgh. The Steelers have been looking for a replacement for Terry Bradshaw since he retired. They tried Stoudt, O'Donnell, the one that looked like Tom Sellock, Stewart, Maddox, Brister; now they are going with Big Ben. The problem is, he hasn't taken on the mantle of LEADER, yet!! The team looked on Bettis as the leader (not Maddox), when Jerome left, no one took over the role of leader, not even Ben! The ship was without a rudder.
This is also true of other teams. Teams cannot win while continuing the merry-go-round of selecting and firing Quarterbacks, Wideouts, Running Backs in the search of winners. There has to be cohesion in the ranks, a TEAM spirit if you will. When it comes down to it, it IS a TEAM sport; there is no I in TEAM. But...... the team still needs a leader. Does it always have to be the Quarterback?? If there is no LEADER, why blame the QB......? Well, he is the FACE of the team, isn't he, isn't he supposed to be?? Hmm Ha, I wonder.
fuzz glad to see you posting again and your right look at the vikings if they had a better qb they would have made the playoffs last year good stuff I don't think anyone can fill bretts cleats never again will there be annother one like him..
JW! Thanks for the read! I couldn't remember all the teams without "good" QB's. But even those with good ones, even great ones, can't do it without a team around him; witness Brady's rise past season when the system worked with Moss. Same for others, time will tell.
As one can readily see, I usually get an idea for a post (or a comment) by bouncing off others. Fuzz
fuzz; mr. orange seems to disagree with you. he thinks your wrong about ben not being the face of the steelers,and you will see him taking on the leadership role more and more now.
i, on the other hand am guessing mark malone was the tom selleck qb?
It was an interesting study of what you're talking about this past season with the NY Giants. I think a lot of their problems stem from the intense scrutiny the NY sports press puts them through. Add to that a couple of guys that forget about what a team is supposed to be as they grab the media spotlight and in effect throw their supposed teammates under the bus (as jon says). The Giants were playing along, just being the Giants early in the season, but then everyone realized that one of the loud mouths had retired and another got hurt. The quarterback suddenly played to his potential without those constant distractions and WALLA! They're all getting great big diamond rings! Now their quiet young QB has assumed the mantle. He has become the face of the Giants and the loud mouths better tone it down...
Blue/orange! Wh...ut!!! I'm hoping Ben will step up, for what I can see, there is no one else to lead. Ward could give him great assist and had better do it, otherwise.......
And that's right, Malone! I could not, for the life of me remember, but remember thinking he did look like Selleck (now I got the spelling right!). Allegedly Noll thought that Malone was, at the time, the most intelligent QB in the League, really knew football, but........
Thanks again. Fuzz
Dwindy!! Thanks for reading. Yeah, the media does screw with everything!! A lot of times sportscasters and sportsreporters offer opinions that create riffs in a team, on purpose?? The thing about Giants is an excellent example of this; I, for one, was quite overjoyed that Eli won the game for them, of course with Burress.......Again, a team win. Had he not caught the pass, who'd been blamed by the fans AND r=the MEDIA. Fuzz
Funny about Green Bay asking for Farve back but I think you are correct, would not want to be Rodgers
right now. I can't believe my beloved Bears were not mentioned, this sounds as though it was writing about them. QB, RB and don't forget WR!
Beerhound!! Thanks for the visit, really! I aplogize, but I couldn't remember all the teams in search of an identity thru leadership and mentioned those that came immediately to what little mind I have left after thinking about all the help most teams need for the upcoming season. I wonder why Da Bears aren't doing more, sheesh seems they are adrift in a sea of bear ####. They were often my favorite team, second ONLY to the Steelers; going back to Papa Bear, Butkus, etal. Fuzz
fuzzboss
Isn't the Wonderlic test predicated on seeking out the intelligence of players ? And I believe that to include quarterbacks also unless I'm mistaken. But then again judging on the failure of the likes of Vick, Leaf, Akili Smith to name but a few it's not really that reliable is it ?
They're either born with that inherent trait or not.
See my latest piece within this particular forum and let me know what you think as to its merits. I'll look forward to reading your comments.
The piece is titled Premiership Champions League And Other Such Machination With Soccer In Britain !
rampant aka tophatal ..........
Last edited by rampantfanatic on March 7th at 1:38 PM.
ben will be the guy next year, im tellin ya. and i would never, and i mean never, disagree when anyone says jerome was the leader and heart and sole of the team when he was there. but what you have to keep in mind is, when ben came to the team he was given the baltimore raven speach, our running game and defence will win the games so dont try to do to much. only thing was is he was 100 times better than dilfer or who ever else. he will take over, i see signs already.
Ramp/Top! Finally you visit a post of mine! Thanks for the read. I agree with you. One cannot tell how any player will do in the Pros, based on college play, but..... What else do they have? Witness an old (another friend of mine thru his Uncle) Terry Hanratty/damn good a Notre Dame way back when, but...... Fuzz
Blue/Orange: I figure why not?? Since Fox computer only looks askance at my posts, good or bad, I figure to answer myself or congradulate the computer for being so smart to hype my post. LOL Fuzz
JW!! Yeah man. I though this wasn't too bad of a post, but...... Why not try to at least get some to notice. I even took the liberty to email some other bloggers on my address log, but.... Only one, Top responded, so........ Still haven't located the crazy duck, Ed yet. Have search planes and bloodhounds out beating the bush. Fuzz
Sis! Thanks. That is true, except for the Dallas Cowboys. Their face is that of TO, Jessica and the Cheerleaders. 2 pretties outta three ain't bad! Fuzz
Well, you do a good job explaining your opinion, but you've overlooked a few things. First: the San Diego Chargers. L.T. is the leader on that team. Not Rivers, not Gates, not anybody else. It's all Tomlinson. And they've had how many winning seasons with him? The thing is, people don't always blame the QB. Look at the teams who lost to the Giants in the Playoffs. Not many people blamed Garcia or Romo for the loss. True, Favre was blamed, but in reality, it was his fault. There's always a level of blame on the QB, but that's because the QB is not only the face of the team, but the one who makes all the calls. There hasn't been a team in recent history to win a Super Bowl whose QB was doubted. The Colts and the Patriots are a case in point. Even with Brad Johnson and Steve McNair you knew what you were going to get, but with Grossman and so many others, you couldn't be sure.
Number22! Thanks for coming by, I think. Usually the "leader" is the QB, but it is true.....Jerome Bettis was the defacto leader of the Steelers, the Giants leader wasn't Manning, but.....he retired prior to this year (####, I can't remember the name); true LT is the leader of the Bolts. Who the hell leads the CBoys?? For good or bad Favre was the face of the Cheesers. In any case a team does need someone to lead the team, if not......chaos. Fuzz
Hard to Replace an Icon such as Favre in Green Bay
Denver is still looking for Elways replacement as the Dolphins are still looking for Marino's
Packers had Bart Starr his replacement? scott Hunter led the pack to 1 division title in 1972 then never did anything after
49ers were one of the rare examples when Montana left, Young stepped right now so perhaps there is hope for Gren Bay, they have lots of young talent and a system that seems to work time will tell
Good Blog!
fuzz, I, as a woman, always hesitate to comment about matters such as these because you "guys" know so much more than I. However, just look at the NY Giants. Until this year, most said that Eli was to blame for not stepping up and being the leader. I guess you could agree with that. I believe that sometimes the QB has people in his way(Tiki Barber comes to mind here). I hope you see my point. There are circumstances where the QB has obstacles that prevent him from leading his team. Thanks for letting me comment. vol/Bobbie
Before you start putting Anderson in the same sentence or even the same breath as Tom Brady you better check your stats. Anderson is nowhere near the face of the Browns. His banner isn't even outside the stadium, yet another man named Brady is. If anyone is the face of the Browns it's Kellen Winslow. He brings the toughness, desire and heart that embodies Cleveland Browns Football. Oh and Big Ben he's the face of the Stillers no question. You can question his leadership 2 years ago. But this past year after taking a pounding behind a horrid O-Line he stood strong and LEAD his team to a Divison Championship. What did the "face of the Browns" do? Oh ya thats right choked for the last 8 games of the year. Anderson might be a quality QB no question but the face of our TEAM here in Cleveland...now thats a laugher.
If you don't mind, I want to add something else. As a public ed teacher of 32 years in middle school, I've seen this many times in middle school and high school football. (I've also coached cheerleaders so I've had to be at both levels of football games.) It becomes more and more apparent that fans and parents blame the QB of the games for any and all problems. Possibly that is where this leads to college and pro football that the QB is to blame. Well, just my thoughts. However, in order to be a leader, you must have those that agree to be led.
Pump! Thanks for the visit. Starr was all that and 'bout a ton of chips. I really looked at Favre as his replacement, but..... Young really stepped up and in for Joe. But don't you think the media also has a hand in it, by hyping their "favorite"? I watched a whole lot of great (my opinion) QB's. Tarkenton, Manning the elder, "Snake", Staubach and of course Bradshaw. Course there are others, therse are just some off the top of my head. Just as well there are really good QBs who are "ruined" by the fans perception cause the media just kills them. Ah well..... Thanks again Fuzz
Volfan! You know you are always welcome here and at my email! Both comments are appreciated/very good point about Eli AND Barber was the retiree I was trying to remember! He had the teams attention and Manning couldn't "get past" that I believe.
The other is also a good point, people must be willing to be led. You have to have that "something" to be a leader, Patton had it, Billy Mitchell had it, definitely Eisenhower had it! Example of one who didn't have it was Kordell Stewart; he not only didn't have the respect of the media or the team, but the fans turned on him for "crying" and the rumor that went thru Pittsburgh like wildfire that he was a homosexual (true or not, it ruined his reputation). To me, the leader doesn't need to be the QB, but needs to be someone willing to beat a path for the QB. Fuzz
Mooch!! Thanx, I think!! You missed the point. I said the QB is the "face" of any given team, fans and the media make it so; they get the blame for dropped passes, some interceptions that were clearly not a QBs fault. Now, mebbe you don't like Anderson, but he stepped up, didn't he?? I don't think Winslow is the leader, but........ We'll hafta see what Anderson comes out in the coming season; evidently they have more conficence in him than you do. Fuzz
fuzz, thank you. I have a worry about Atlanta. Is there going to be anyone left to lead or follow on that team? Also, who is really going to lead the Packers? I like for our Steelers to have good competition and I am just wondering who it is going to be. (I know I will get blasted from non Steeler fans on that comment.)
Vol: I think AT lanta will suffer for a time. Think the owner has lost his direction and focus, right now he is chasing his tail like a dog. He has to rebuild or he be another Al Davis.
Steelers will have good bit of competition again this season and to win critical games they have to come together. Fuzz
did you have to remind me of mark malone?cliff stoudt the interception king. i think now that pittsburgh has given ben an answer on his longevity with them he will step up.its hard to try to be a face of something your not certain if they're going to keep you around.i hope that as a team they will step up and start kicking butt and taking names again.tired of listening to the cheatriot fans coming up with excuses and then blaming eveyone else for doing it too.
Hey RW!! Thanks for coming by. Haven't seen you before. Ahhhh, yes; Cliff who was pissed, or something, in Seattle and broke his right hand. Then... I liked Tom, er, Mark...but he went down hill soon....good analyst though, knows football.
By the way, we share the same last name. Where are you from. We had traced family back to the 1750's in "Baltimore". Fuzz
Ed!! Thanks for coming by my friend. Guess the good teams have leaders that are really respected, like Volfan said, people must be willing to follow. Fuzz
Actually, Fuzz, I do believe when Big ben was going down more than Thai h.o.o.k.e.r they didn't blame him, they proceeded to blame the O-Line. They were also saying he may hold onto the ball to long but most of the scrutiny, which wasn't much anyway, to the offensvie lineman. I'm not too sure why it was so different. I think very soon, if not by next season, he will have earned the role team leader as long as he gets more level-headed and not always try to shoot for big, time consuming plays, although he did do a great job of making seemingly regular plays look extravagant. How impressive was it when he avoided another 20 some sacks? He's a playmaker, just needs to step up and lead, and that's when we the Super Bowl again.
Thinking about it, Farrior is probably the closest thing we have to a leader on that team. Ward just smiles all the time, lol. He seems too passive. Hell, I don't even think Tomlin is a leader just yet.
Capn26! Thanks for commenting. Agree with both; Farrior was the pusher, I think that's why they went down on the O line, he gave up being Captain and that spelled doom too. Hines is a behind the scenes type; he has his say. but....... I hope Ben can quit being the good ole boy he has been and draw the line in the sand. I know Tomllin has to. Fuzz
fuzzboss
blue@orange
Just wait for the draft to unfold and then we'll see which GM's and coaches have real insight. But in reality it doesn't manifest itself with a player until he first gets unto the field of play and then has to acquit himself in the eyes of the fans and the franchise.
#### Capn, got my names missed up!! Meant to type in Faneca, not Farrior!! Faneca was the Captain and when he pulled his crybaby routine and withdrew from the Captain slot, created problems. Farrier is a pusher, but..... Faneca was a big doer on the line before this last season.
Thanks Ramp, glad to see you are still here in this guise. Yeah, we got to wait. Colbert picked some good ones, but lot of bad ones to. Tom Donahoe, picked a good many better players when he was player personnel guy, we'll have to see how
Colbert does this year. Fuzz
Yeah but if they had just gotten Moss..........."Oh well" I'm tired of that Favray talk every year anyway..........LOL!
Wait a min it. Do you mean to tell me that Tom Selleck never played for the Pittsburgh Steelers?
Johnny Carson once mentioned Mark Malone in one of his monologues.......................Wh at do Mark Malone and Larry Bird have in common? They both throw a great bounce pass!
Quacker!!! Long time no see!! Thanks for coming by my humble post. If Rodgers doesn't do well, we'll have to hear about Brett all over again; wonder if Green Bay has his emergency bailout number?? Even if Rodgers does well, the media will compare him to Bret, don't you think??
When Tom, er, Mark was playing with the Steelers he had flashes of brilliance but.... I wrote a letter to Noll and made some suggestions, course they never tried them, thus Malone never lived up to his capabilities, LOL.
Mebbe Mark would've done better with a football designed like the javelin in the first NERD movie, you know the one thrown by the "limped wrist" black kid? Fuzz
depends on QB, in some cases, yes, other cases no, qb tosses ball, but if wide guy,or running back, cant get it, or if too high or too low, blame qb, its 50,for and 50 against..think about it that way..
nt: Thanks for stopping by. The "gunslinger" threw a lot of interceptions didn't he? Also, remember Dan Fouts, he threw the ball to the spot where you were supposed to be, if you weren't there...... Fuzz
In Texas its not Romo--Its that terrible Jessica Jinx or was it The Carrie Curse? I only wish I had his curses!! Up here in "Lamb" country the poor quarterback has to throw the ball laying on his back from a hospital bed because the Offensive line is so offensive--But its mostly his fault not the want-a-be's on the line!.....Good post old man!!...Im so old I remember when the Dead Sea was just sick!!!!
Whats up Joker??I just sent you greetings in your box! T.O. is an ####!! But sadly he is the best #### we got! Now that gives you an idea about how bad it is in Texas! All those tears make his hands slick--Or maybe its the butter from the popcorn--Or could it be his big mouth blocks his vision? As you can tell he is one of my more favorite players--I wanted Moss to come over to the Boys just so T.O. would go to his corner and sulk awhile.............He is the total package--A total fool!!!!...Random thoughts from a Texan in Missouri..............
I am an old #### living in Southwestern Pennsylvania, about 60 miles or so southwest of Pittsburgh. AND I MEAN AN OLD ####!! Served over 35 years in Law Enforcement as a Police and Corrections' Officer.
