I'll be the first to say it: Skelton IS our QBOF

[splitsecond]

Considering where our second round pick will be we should be able to get an impact type OL or LB with that pick.

Probably, but I want the best OLB available.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

Good lord no.

 

[Krangodnzr]

IMO vision is what he is lacking most. The game has not completely slowed down for him yet, so he focuses a lot on one side of the field. But in most cases it just takes time on the field to get that in order.
Throwing WR's open, anticipating where they will be, will get better with time as well.......do not know if he will ever be a lights out QB,....but he can be adequate........ but in all honesty I hope our team does not settle for adequate.

I agree on this, but field vision is something that is learned through game experience and on the practice field.

What isn't learned is pocket awareness. Sure some QBs improve their field presence with practice, but IMO they only marginally improve it. Judging by the eyeball test, Skelton looks like he has ELITE pocket awareness. He has that uncanny ability to avoid the rush and get rid of the ball in a hurry.

He can also run a little bit, and I'd suggest we add a bit of bootleg throws to the offense. I'm excited about a future with Skelton developing because he basically has all the tools to be very good.

His accuracy is pretty good, but his touch is a bit off on the short passes. But again, that's something that QBs generally get better at with practice.

 

[football karma]

The difference between a Josh McCown and an Aaron Rodgers (just to pick two examples) isn't that Josh can't do the things Aaron Rodgers can do -- mobility, arm strength, accuracy -- they are pretty comparable. The difference is that Aaron Rodgers can do stuff much, much more consistently than Josh.

So Skelton has shown some good stuff thus far: the throws to Fitz on 4th down, the throw to Komar to get in FG position, and earlier throw on 3rd down to Roberts for a first -- all were great plays by a Qb, and the last two were secondary reads with people pressuring him in the pocket.

then again: there were also a lot of bad throws/ bad reads.

So: he has proven he has the skills that if demonstrated consistently, he will be an very good NFL qb. The "consistently" part is still an enormous unknown.

 

[kerouac9]

I agree on this, but field vision is something that is learned through game experience and on the practice field.

What isn't learned is pocket awareness. Sure some QBs improve their field presence with practice, but IMO they only marginally improve it. Judging by the eyeball test, Skelton looks like he has ELITE pocket awareness. He has that uncanny ability to avoid the rush and get rid of the ball in a hurry.

He can also run a little bit, and I'd suggest we add a bit of bootleg throws to the offense. I'm excited about a future with Skelton developing because he basically has all the tools to be very good.

His accuracy is pretty good, but his touch is a bit off on the short passes. But again, that's something that QBs generally get better at with practice.

The thing that I worry about with Skelton is the drops. We're seein what seems like way more drops with Skelton than we did with Hall or Anderson. Some guys don't throw a catchable ball. Anderson was like this a little bit when you saw Braylon Edwards suddenly not be Mr. Dropsies once he went to New York. I can't put my eggs in Skelton's basket until I see he complete more passes more consistently. It's not flub exactly; it's something about how the ball leaves his hand. I don't know, but it must drive his coaches crazy.

The other thing is that the NFL hasn't seen enough of Skelton to put together a game plan on him yet. It's around the fifth start in a row when teams start to figure out these backups. Look at Smith in San Francisco or Matt Moore.

Skelton has earned a chance to compete for the starting job, but I'd draft Newton if he's there in the first, Locker if he's there in the second, or Kaepernick in the third or fourth. I think that Skelton has shown that while the Arizona Cardinals need a QB, they don't DESPERATELY need a QB.

 

[Krangodnzr]

The thing that I worry about with Skelton is the drops. We're seein what seems like way more drops with Skelton than we did with Hall or Anderson. Some guys don't throw a catchable ball. Anderson was like this a little bit when you saw Braylon Edwards suddenly not be Mr. Dropsies once he went to New York. I can't put my eggs in Skelton's basket until I see he complete more passes more consistently. It's not flub exactly; it's something about how the ball leaves his hand. I don't know, but it must drive his coaches crazy.

The other thing is that the NFL hasn't seen enough of Skelton to put together a game plan on him yet. It's around the fifth start in a row when teams start to figure out these backups. Look at Smith in San Francisco or Matt Moore.

Skelton has earned a chance to compete for the starting job, but I'd draft Newton if he's there in the first, Locker if he's there in the second, or Kaepernick in the third or fourth. I think that Skelton has shown that while the Arizona Cardinals need a QB, they don't DESPERATELY need a QB.

I think what it is, is that Skelton throws frickin lazer beams. Whether it's 40 yards down the field or 5 yards down the field he puts a lot of zip on his passes.

Two ways to handle this: Either Skelton learns some touch or receivers have to adjust to his finger killing throws.

Lastly just say NO TO 2ND ROUND QBS! Other than Drew Brees there hasn't been 1 very good 2nd round QB in a very long time. Jake Locker is terrible. Awful. Derrick Anderson passer with Vince Young athleticism. And I believe Young is a better passer than Anderson so that tells you how bad I think Locker is going to be. Drafting Locker IMO is a kin to trading back, not taking T-Sizzle and drafting Calvin Pace/Bryant Johnson.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

The thing for me is that Skelton looks like an NFL quarterback, I have no doubt that he's going to have at least an 8-10 year career in this league at the very worst as a backup. This is opposed to Max Hall and DA who will be looking for UFL jobs shortly. Still though, we need to win now and he's not going to win you many football games right now.

Jake Locker blows FYI.

 

[Cardiac]

The thing that I worry about with Skelton is the drops. We're seein what seems like way more drops with Skelton than we did with Hall or Anderson. Some guys don't throw a catchable ball. Anderson was like this a little bit when you saw Braylon Edwards suddenly not be Mr. Dropsies once he went to New York. I can't put my eggs in Skelton's basket until I see he complete more passes more consistently. It's not flub exactly; it's something about how the ball leaves his hand. I don't know, but it must drive his coaches crazy.

The other thing is that the NFL hasn't seen enough of Skelton to put together a game plan on him yet. It's around the fifth start in a row when teams start to figure out these backups. Look at Smith in San Francisco or Matt Moore.

Skelton has earned a chance to compete for the starting job, but I'd draft Newton if he's there in the first, Locker if he's there in the second, or Kaepernick in the third or fourth. I think that Skelton has shown that while the Arizona Cardinals need a QB, they don't DESPERATELY need a QB.

Good stuff. I would like to think that if WR's can catch a Favre bullet they can catch Skeltons funky spin or whatever is throwing them off right now.

 

[Dback Jon]

The thing that I worry about with Skelton is the drops. We're seein what seems like way more drops with Skelton than we did with Hall or Anderson. Some guys don't throw a catchable ball. Anderson was like this a little bit when you saw Braylon Edwards suddenly not be Mr. Dropsies once he went to New York. I can't put my eggs in Skelton's basket until I see he complete more passes more consistently. It's not flub exactly; it's something about how the ball leaves his hand. I don't know, but it must drive his coaches crazy.

.

Skelton has thrown more CATCHABLE balls. Hard to drop the ball when it is no where near ya...

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

Skelton has thrown more CATCHABLE balls. Hard to drop the ball when it is no where near ya...

That's hard to argue considering his completion percentage. I like Skelton but we need a quarterback badly.

 

[SuperSpck]

Ok, here's some stuff Dew started and I expanded on, then went deeper on for K9...
or not.

Can't embed google spreadsheets on here yet huh? Love to have that option or if we have it, let a smart person show me how.

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[Buckybird]

I don't think we will know until about 1/2 way thru the 2011 season (if there is 1) if Skelton is legit or just another in a long line of QB's who can't be a top NFL QB. I like some his traits: arm, pocket presence, ability to withstand the rush. No one really knows what we have in #19 yet, though chances are he isn't the guy who can lead this franchise to a Super Bowl title. Please, please let us get that guy!!!

 

[kerouac9]

The thing for me is that Skelton looks like an NFL quarterback, I have no doubt that he's going to have at least an 8-10 year career in this league at the very worst as a backup. This is opposed to Max Hall and DA who will be looking for UFL jobs shortly. Still though, we need to win now and he's not going to win you many football games right now.

Jake Locker blows FYI.

I totally agree with you about how Skelton looks on the field. He seems like he belongs out there, but I need to see more.

Maybe Jake Locker sucks, but for a guy who was a consensus #1 overall draft pick to get him 36th overall? I'd say it's worth the risk if you get a pass rusher or OT in the first round. Worse comes to worst, you have a replacement for Adrian Wilson in a couple of years.

 

[kerouac9]

Sexy, sexy research.
It looks like a QB who starts all 16 will get around 450 attempts a season.

Just more proof Peyton's a stud.

Note how Ben got babied in (and how Whis, who was his O-coord) using a
terrific defense and rushing game for support.
Flacco, Ryan, and Sanchez also have quality team support and it's a huge factor in why they're coming along so nicely.

It also helps if you can pull out guys like Tavaris Jackson, Quincy Carter, Joey Harrington, Patrick Ramsey, David Carr, Byron Leftwich, Kyle Boller, Rex Grossman, J.P. Losman, Alex Smith, Chad Henne, or others who have not come close to becoming solid starters through their first two seasons.

 

[SuperSpck]

It also helps if you can pull out guys like Tavaris Jackson, Quincy Carter, Joey Harrington, Patrick Ramsey, David Carr, Byron Leftwich, Kyle Boller, Rex Grossman, J.P. Losman, Alex Smith, Chad Henne, or others who have not come close to becoming solid starters through their first two seasons.

'kay.
And it's done. Look up.

 

[conraddobler]

Stats don't tell you anything useful about a rookie QB past a point.

It dosen't tell you how poised he was, how good of an arm he had or anything else really important.

Use your freaking eyes, if you can't see how he's got more potential in his little finger than DA you're not looking at him play you're just reading a stat sheet.

I don't care if they're dropping his passes, that's many times just being unfamiliar with how the ball arrives, he's just started throwing to these guys.

He locks onto the one WR he has any rapport with, that's AR.

He can't read defenses because he's a rookie, everything is on hyper fast speed, he's just surviving out there, he's not reading, he's just locking on, this is VERY common for almost ALL rookie QB's to do.

His footwork is really bad, because it's all over the board, he dosen't drop consistently, he's got a bit of a long drawn out release and he can't read defenses in a game yet.

NONE of that is really shocking, or particularly worrisome given his experience level.

You can't put a better arm on Hall, you can't give Hall Skelton's pocket pressence or awareness but you can teach Skelton the offense, reads, footwork and being more consistent on his delivery.

It'd still be a great idea not to bet the farm on him, but being critical of him based on stats is just silly at this point IMO.

 

[Krangodnzr]

I totally agree with you about how Skelton looks on the field. He seems like he belongs out there, but I need to see more.

Maybe Jake Locker sucks, but for a guy who was a consensus #1 overall draft pick to get him 36th overall? I'd say it's worth the risk if you get a pass rusher or OT in the first round. Worse comes to worst, you have a replacement for Adrian Wilson in a couple of years.

Consensus? No way.

Hype? Totally.

Locker has been a terrible passer most of his career. He's a huge gamble in the first three rounds IMO.

 

[CaptTurbo]

No way. He looks liek the real deal on the field but Joe Montana he aint.

 

[john h]

While I agree somewhat, Newton would be a better back up then anything we can pick up via free agency.
I love me some Skelton, but I want options. Luck or Newton (I really want Newton here, even if Skelton is the man, either one is great trade meat)

I recall us passing on Rothlensburger who is the clone of Cam Newton. We often draft in strange ways. Nothing would surprise me. Without a doubt our greatest need is for a QB. Not necessarily not only for the future but for next year. I do not think any team plays for future years. You got to go into every season with the idea you can win. If you do not instill that in your team from day one you are doomed to failure for sure. With FA there is no room for building for the future other than keeping your core players together as long as possible.

Some teams are consistently in the hunt. This year is just like other years in the playoffs. Most of the teams on top you expect to be there. Our Warner years will be remembered as the best years in this teams history. Largely because we got lucky and picked up Kurt on the cheap when other teams thought he was washed up. It was not because we were real smart. He and our corps of receivers put our team on their back and off we went.

 

[john h]

I flat love his pocket presense. I don't remember a Card qb with that much awareness in a long time. It does appear that some of his short passes are thrown too hard but if Ware was chasing me I would probably throw it too hard also.

I thought this last game and this game gave me more reason to believe that the Cards are not utilizing his abilities to the best. Unless they are going to try to run the ball more, they need to make the game more vertical by running deeper patterns. He seems to perform better when allowed to throw the ball deeper, but this will involve keeping more protection around him. Oh well. He is now the winningist qp from Fordham and second behind Bradford for the most victories this year by a rookie.

For a two time rookie starter I give Skelton a B. The big question is how far can Skelton progress? He did not throw for 200 yds but that is ok. The Rams rookie has thrown for over 300 yds several times and looks like a real QBOTF. In time this team may be the team to beat in our division. He has continued to progress through out the season. If they draft well and sign a couple of good FA then watch out for the RAMs. Seattle is going to have to start looking for a QB as there QB is getting long in the tooth and not the passer he once was.

 

[Gaddabout]

Imagine how much better Skelton would look in an offense that didn't ask him to be the man every down. I think Skelton's the kind of guy who could really manage an offense and make the key big play when asked. I don't think he's a future Manning. Don't think he needs to be.

I think the biggest hope a fan can hang their hat on is Skelton is a very smart guy. I think that means he's more than likely to see improvement between Year 1 and Year 2. He's already improved just by getting first-team snaps.

 

[desertdawg]

Imagine how much better Skelton would look in an offense that didn't ask him to be the man every down. I think Skelton's the kind of guy who could really manage an offense and make the key big play when asked. I don't think he's a future Manning. Don't think he needs to be.

I think the biggest hope a fan can hang their hat on is Skelton is a very smart guy. I think that means he's more than likely to see improvement between Year 1 and Year 2. He's already improved just by getting first-team snaps.

Just the fact that he isn't turning the ball over more in the big time games has me stoked. That's the kinda guy you want, he has the arm to go with his smarts, and hasn't costed us a game by choking. (like DA)
I am glad Whiz waited to start Skelton, I think it is paying off.

 

[conraddobler]

Just the fact that he isn't turning the ball over more in the big time games has me stoked. That's the kinda guy you want, he has the arm to go with his smarts, and hasn't costed us a game by choking. (like DA)
I am glad Whiz waited to start Skelton, I think it is paying off.

I agree.

He's very careful with the ball, that is something that is also very hard to teach.

Everything he does wrong is correctable, that's my point, if you look at two identcial stat sheets one could be from a hopeless case and one can show a ton of promise, just based on what they are doing wrong vs what they are doing right.

Nothing about Skelton says to me that he's got anything right now but a very high ceiling.

This dosen't mean he'll won't get stuck on something that makes him never develop into a good QB, it just means he has a chance to become a good QB and I've seen nothing that scares me about him yet.

 

[Dback Jon]

I recall us passing on Rothlensburger who is the clone of Cam Newton. .

Um - NO...

 

[Zeno]

I recall us passing on Rothlensburger who is the clone of Cam Newton.

Not even close Ben R. was a passing QB in college not a run first guy. He ran an offense that was MUCH closer to a pro style offense than Newton. Newton is more athletic but nowhere near the polished passer than Big Ben was coming out.