If Josh keeps playing like this....

[Crimson Warrior]

I simply liked what I saw out of Josh McCown today, Bryant Johnson (though he did have that one pass hit him right in the numbers) and even Anthony Clement. Leonard Davis and "the fullback no one can spell" where HUGE!

Ayanbadejo (had to edit just to get it right )

4 receptions for 45 yards. We've gotten about twice as much produciton out of him than out of Hodgins in 03'.

 

[Russ Smith]

That'd be nice but its hard to sell a FA QB like Bledsoe that he doesn't have the job without competition. If Josh continues to play like this (a big if) for the next 2 games then he deserves at least a shot at getting the starting job next year.

We just have to wait to see how he does the next couple of weeks before we can really decide anything

not really. If I'm Bledsoe and I'm told they're going with Losman in Buffalo. I'm going to pick a team that first says I'm the starter. If there are NONE, I'm going to go to the team who I think is the most likely to replace their starter during the season, given what Green did THIS year at QB, that would put us at the head of my list.

But then I'm not Bledsoe.

 

[Shane]

Chad Pennington against SF, some guy named Shane said he was horrible in that game.

And remember that's the game he first injured himself.

Got ya. Did you watch it? I did. He was terrible. Worse than McCowns game against the Hawks. But we all know stats dont tell the whols story. I remember it clearly because SWD was on here pimping Josh for only throwing 3TDs against the SF D. Yet he had nothing to say when they held Pennington to 0 TDs!

 

[Crimson Warrior]

not really. If I'm Bledsoe and I'm told they're going with Losman in Buffalo. I'm going to pick a team that first says I'm the starter. If there are NONE, I'm going to go to the team who I think is the most likely to replace their starter during the season, given what Green did THIS year at QB, that would put us at the head of my list.

But then I'm not Bledsoe.

Russ, I have met drew bledsoe.

And you, sir, are no Drew Bledsoe!

totally kidding. I agree that, even if we have McCown penciled in as our week one starter, that we also need to have viable second option in case he tanks it or gets hurt.

 

[Russ Smith]

Got ya. Did you watch it? I did. He was terrible. Worse than McCowns game against the Hawks. But we all know stats dont tell the whols story. I remember it clearly because SWD was on here pimping Josh for only throwing 3TDs against the SF D. Yet he had nothing to say when they held Pennington to 0 TDs!

Yes I watched it and I disagreed with you then on how bad he looked. Did he look good, no, bad no.

Ironically Jets fans were calling for Pennington to be replaced, say his arm isn't strong enough, worried about the shoulder etc.

I'm not really arguing with you here Shane as much as you're trying to get me to. Josh played a great game. all I'm saying is there was just about NOTHING he could have done last week or this week to impress me because of who we played. He DID impress me by showing guts and confidence, didn't let the benching get to him, I give him props for that I did NOT think he had that in him.

I hope you're right, I'm just saying let's not let 2 games against terrible defenses determine our QB starter next year. Let's dump King, sign a viable veteran, like a Bledsoe, and let's have a more stable QB situation next year.

Funny, apparently ESPN hasn't realized yet we can still win the division.

 

[Evil Ash]

Russ, I have met drew bledsoe.

And you, sir, are no Drew Bledsoe!

totally kidding. I agree that, even if we have McCown penciled in as our week one starter, that we also need to have viable second option in case he tanks it or gets hurt.

I don't think anyone will argue with you on that but like I said its hard to sell a QB competition to a FA QB when they can get a job without competition elsewhere in the NFL. I've said it before although some people like to make comparisons to the franchise QBs they are few and far between.

There are plenty of other places someone like Bledsoe can go without better competition such as McCown (assuming he keeps it up the next couple of weeks)

 

[Crimson Warrior]

I don't think anyone will argue with you on that but like I said its hard to sell a QB competition to a FA QB when they can get a job without competition elsewhere in the NFL. I've said it before although some people like to make comparisons to the franchise QBs they are few and far between.

There are plenty of other places someone like Bledsoe can go without better competition such as McCown (assuming he keeps it up the next couple of weeks)

Huh. thats an interesting point.

Also, look at what happened to King. He was a villain the minute he stepped on his home field.

Something about Josh makes people get behind him. He's a fan favorite and any FA that comes here to battle him for the job better play WAY better than king did, or the fans will make his life miserable.

 

[Shuesters2]

I'm a big Josh fan but maybe we ought to slow the bandwagon down a little bit and see how he handles the Hawk road game, and a good D with the Bucs in the last regular season game. (Playoffs!!!!!)

If he performs in those contests I think he passes the "audition" and should return as a starter over any newcomers... drafted or free agent. (Man a big time RB would really help this team!)

There is no doubt McCown looked good today. This was the first game that looked like the offense Denny promised, and it was ignited by a good defense and aggressive passing... even with a lead. It looks like the bit was taken out and Josh was allowed to run a little. The results were promising.

Shuesters

 

[Renz]

Also, look at what happened to King. He was a villain the minute he stepped on his home field.

That's because King couldn't hit water if he fell out of a boat. Unless the water was wearing the other team's uniform.

 

[Crimson Warrior]

That's because King couldn't hit water if he fell out of a boat. Unless the water was wearing the other team's uniform.

King couldn't win if he had reed richards, sue storm-richards, johnny storm and ben grim on his team!!

 

[DieHardFromMO]

Ok what have I missed?

Bledsoe restructured his contract earlier this year and will have 2 years left after this season.

Why does everybody keep insinuating that Bledsoe will be available next season?

Why would Buffalo cut him, he is not scheduled to make any huge roster bonus, that was eliminated with the restructure.

 

[ajcardfan]

This game was, hands down, the best he's played period. He audibled on more than 1/2 the plays, and made the right choice more often than not. He was aggressive with his throws (Which he was NOT before he was benched. To me, it looks like being on the sidelines allowed him to see that there were more plays to be made than he throught.) And, he ran when it was appropriate.

I'm in favor of bringing him back and getting another vet. But not Drew Bledslow. No way.

 

[D-Dogg]

Everyone hoping we draft a QB with our #1 will be dissapointed.

If he finishes the year in the last two games the way he has played these two games then he will be our QB again next year. He is showing great signs of improvement.

Oh and the only stat that matters? 3-1 in his last four starts. 6-9 as a starter overall. Not a bad record for a QB in his first 15 NFL starts.

Thats all assuming we win this game(we will)!

Who in god's name wants us to get a QB in the `1st round??? I want a RB, or a CB.

Free agency is where we get a QB. Maybe Josh is playing himself into the backup role, where he will compete with Navarre. But a FA QB should be here next year....

 

[Shane]

Maybe Josh is playing himself into the backup role, where he will compete with Navarre. But a FA QB should be here next year....

 

[D-Dogg]

That's funny because??

 

[Crimson Warrior]

That's funny because??

Playing himself into a back up role? Who are we bringing in to be the starter? Peyton Manning?

I know its just one game. But thats what a lot of people, including myself, have been asking for. Just one game where Josh really steps it up. And today he delivered.

Next week will tell a little more of the tale, but I guarantee you, McCown is gunning for the 05' starters spot. His stock has just been upgraded to "buy".

 

[D-Dogg]

It's just one game. Previously, a lot of people wanted him off the team entirely. Some crazy people wanted him annointed starter.

So he's playing himself into a backup role.

Dude, a LOT of people can start over Josh that will be available in FA. Are you saying he's only got Peyton as a peer? I know you aren't, but you open yourself up to trolling by saying crazy junk like that.

I'm just saying, don't get TOO up in the sauce about this game and let's see if the guy can do it again and again. He's getting his shot now. He hasn't proven to be ANYTHING but a poor to good backup QB at this point...he's moving toward the good point at the moment. To say otherwise is to discount the rest of the season he had, which was crap on a good day.

 

[john h]

Everyone hoping we draft a QB with our #1 will be dissapointed.

If he finishes the year in the last two games the way he has played these two games then he will be our QB again next year. He is showing great signs of improvement.

Oh and the only stat that matters? 3-1 in his last four starts. 6-9 as a starter overall. Not a bad record for a QB in his first 15 NFL starts.

Thats all assuming we win this game(we will)!

He played his best game of the year by far. My choice for a 1st round pick remains a RB at the moment. Smith looked super but he will be 36 next year. If Josh can put three games toghether like today then I will become a Josh believer. St Louis looked terrible either because of our great defense or their terrible play. Probably a little of both. Yes Josh had more time to throw and just as important we could run the ball which made it easier to protect the QB. Big really stood tall today as did our defense which gave up zero points.

 

[football karma]

Ya know, I just dont get it.

The guy has now started all of 14 games.

He plays behind a line that hasnt played well for goodness knows how long and is probably ranked in the lower third in the league.

His running back is good is spurts, but is well past his prime, and has played hurt for the last six weeks. With Hambrick out, the backups (in reality, the fourth and fifth string) and marginal.

His starting wideouts for most of the season have been a rookie and a second year player. It has taken the best player on offense, Q, about 12 games to get even close to back to normal.

He is running an entirely new offense this year for him and the rest of the offense--run by a brand new offensive coordinator.

Given all of the above, what did we really expect from McCown this year?

And given all of the above, I think its a little too early to write him off.

 

[D-Dogg]

And given all of the above, I think its a little too early to write him off.

It is also not enough, yet, to even pencil him in as next year's starter. I just hope everyone remembers that.

I honestly think the backlash on Josh isn't towards him and is directed towards those that feel he's the starter for the next decade. If there were realistic expectations for Josh, I'd probably be far less harsh on the guy. I had given him the bennie of the doubt most the season, and felt betrayed. If he plays the rest of the year the way he did the last 6 quarters, I will eat crow on the guy, very happily.

Until then, color me wary.

 

[Cheesebeef]

I honestly think the backlash on Josh isn't towards him and is directed towards those that feel he's the starter for the next decade. If there were realistic expectations for Josh, I'd probably be far less harsh on the guy. I had given him the bennie of the doubt most the season, and felt betrayed. If he plays the rest of the year the way he did the last 6 quarters, I will eat crow on the guy, very happily.

I think this best sums up the situation here perfectly - especially in regards to how we discuss this topic amongst each other.

 

[KingLouieLouie]

It appears that the reason Josh seemed to struggle at the beginning of this season is because he was extremely complacent..... He didnt have really 'legit competition all throughout training camp (especially since Green had already anointed him the starting QB).....

Once he was benched for both King/Navarre...that ignited a spark in him...similar to what happened last year when he became the starter last season....He knew then that on how well he performed dictated his fate (remember this was obviously before McGinnis was fired and the notion of Green being hired and guaranteeing that Fitzgerald would be the Cards #1 pick wasnt a reality)....that if indeed the Cardinals had lost under direction..they would have finished w/the 1st over-all pick and selected either Eli or Ben..... Josh saw that and immediately seized the opportunity to prove himself....

That he did necessitate being benched, and that has since been the wake-up call he required...Let's hope now he has the confidence/momentum in his favor and performs well over the next couple weeks to prove his worth/keep.... Although...I'm all in favor that the Cards do sign a veteran to give him some competiton during next training camp, so that the complacency doesnt return......

 

[conraddobler]

It appears that the reason Josh seemed to struggle at the beginning of this season is because he was extremely complacent..... He didnt have really 'legit competition all throughout training camp (especially since Green had already anointed him the starting QB).....

Once he was benched for both King/Navarre...that ignited a spark in him...similar to what happened last year when he became the starter last season....He knew then that on how well he performed dictated his fate (remember this was obviously before McGinnis was fired and the notion of Green being hired and guaranteeing that Fitzgerald would be the Cards #1 pick wasnt a reality)....that if indeed the Cardinals had lost under direction..they would have finished w/the 1st over-all pick and selected either Eli or Ben..... Josh saw that and immediately seized the opportunity to prove himself....

That he did necessitate being benched, and that has since been the wake-up call he required...Let's hope now he has the confidence/momentum in his favor and performs well over the next couple weeks to prove his worth/keep.... Although...I'm all in favor that the Cards do sign a veteran to give him some competiton during next training camp, so that the complacency doesnt return......

I have no problem admiting that I was wrong about him being benched. It seems to have worked wonders for him and that's a good start on the way to being a QB most of us can get behind.

He's a tough kid and wasn't playing well and could have tanked after all he's been through but he didn't and that says something in my book at least.

Finally though I don't think this is exactly how Green designed it. I think he'd more of less given up on him and was forced into this but then again maybe he wanted to play real hard ball with Josh and that's why after King he went to John.

That was the real stinging part of the whole thing and I doubt that was just for effect.

Whatever it was though it looks like it worked.

I edited this to offer one last possibility that is at least running through my head.

One way to get the team to buy into Josh would be to play the other two and prove to them what you are trying to tell them. That he's better than the other two.

It's a weird way to do it but it would serve a double purpose to get everyone on the same page as well as test Josh's character.

I don't know that's what DG was doing but it has crossed my mind.

 

[Crimson Warrior]

It's just one game. Previously, a lot of people wanted him off the team entirely. Some crazy people wanted him annointed starter.

So he's playing himself into a backup role.

Dude, a LOT of people can start over Josh that will be available in FA. Are you saying he's only got Peyton as a peer? I know you aren't, but you open yourself up to trolling by saying crazy junk like that.

I'm just saying, don't get TOO up in the sauce about this game and let's see if the guy can do it again and again. He's getting his shot now. He hasn't proven to be ANYTHING but a poor to good backup QB at this point...he's moving toward the good point at the moment. To say otherwise is to discount the rest of the season he had, which was crap on a good day.

Of course I'm not saying that Peyton would be his only superior. But, his QB rating was for this game was 110.

Exactly who are we going to get in FA or the draft that's going to turn in a performance like the one today? You think Navarre is going to make plays like that with his feet?

I think I wrote in another post that McCown would be my starter for 05', but, I back off that a little, knowing that its possible that we'll see a train wreck next week in seattle. Maybe something like the Buffalo game.

We'll see? ok?

 

[Sandan]

Wrong for benching him, but if he's this good, Green can always say I told you so, just took longer than I expected.

Why do you say that Russ.

In listening to Josh it sounds like the benching was made him decide to start pulling the trigger.