Logan Thomas to start in SF

[Cheesebeef]

I have a ton of faith in Arians, but the handling of the QB situation down the stretch (including the play calling Sunday night) has been a little screwy to say the least.

 

[Jasper]

LT must have stunk it up really bad during practice.

 

[TJ]

I have a ton of faith in Arians, but the handling of the QB situation down the stretch (including the play calling Sunday night) has been a little screwy to say the least.

The question then becomes, how do you effectively handle the QB situation when both your starter and backup go down?

The truth of the matter is that there really isn't a clean way of handling it. Bill Polian made an excellent point on the radio Tuesday: in the salary cap era, it's virtually impossible to carry three QBs who are capable of running an offense effectively when some teams struggle to find even one.

Then there's the notion that we could bring in a street free agent. Well, that's even murkier. First, there's a reason these guys are available. Second, it's the most important position on the field, and one in which you really need to have an understanding of the playbook and not just bits and pieces of it (remember how long it took Palmer to get comfortable with it?). A good example of this is when Josh Freeman was picked up by Minnesota last season and asked to start shortly thereafter on MNF. He proceeded to have the worst statistical performance of any QB in the history of MNF. Also, for Logan, this was supposed to be a red shirt season for him all along. While I never liked him as a draft pick, I understand the logic and why he shouldn't have touched the field at all to begin with.

You can get away with bringing in a Kerwynn Williams because he plays a different position, and the learning curve is far easier. It's totally different for quarterbacks.

Honestly, there is no magic wand that Arians can wave to rectify the situation. He basically has to pick which turd is the least smelly. The best bet is to hope that Stanton is ready for the playoffs.

 

[Cheesebeef]

The question then becomes, how do you effectively handle the QB situation when both your starter and backup go down?

The truth of the matter is that there really isn't a clean way of handling it. Bill Polian made an excellent point on the radio Tuesday: in the salary cap era, it's virtually impossible to carry three QBs who are capable of running an offense effectively when some teams struggle to find even one.

Then there's the notion that we could bring in a street free agent. Well, that's even murkier. First, there's a reason these guys are available. Second, it's the most important position on the field, and one in which you really need to have an understanding of the playbook and not just bits and pieces of it (remember how long it took Palmer to get comfortable with it?). A good example of this is when Josh Freeman was picked up by Minnesota last season and asked to start shortly thereafter on MNF. He proceeded to have the worst statistical performance of any QB in the history of MNF. Also, for Logan, this was supposed to be a red shirt season for him all along. While I never liked him as a draft pick, I understand the logic and why he shouldn't have touched the field at all to begin with.

You can get away with bringing in a Kerwynn Williams because he plays a different position, and the learning curve is far easier. It's totally different for quarterbacks.

Honestly, there is no magic wand that Arians can wave to rectify the situation. He basically has to pick which turd is the least smelly. The best bet is to hope that Stanton is ready for the playoffs.

i don't really fault him for not having better options. What I'm questioning is a really confusing gameplan last week, throwing the ball at will, while the game was somehow still within reach through three quarters, rather then running what I believe to be our best option at RB and then this week playing musical chairs naming your starter.

I'm not even one of those who was pissed Thomas didn't get in the game last week. I don't think there's any universe where that kid is even close to being ready to being on the field. That's why I was surprised he was named the starter... and then confused when it was announced he was already benched.

 

[b8rtm8nn]

+1

Just hope the gameplan is better than the Seattle game.

 

[TJ]

i don't really fault him for not having better options. What I'm questioning is a really confusing gameplan last week, throwing the ball at will, while the game was somehow still within reach through three quarters, rather then running what I believe to be our best option at RB and then this week playing musical chairs naming your starter.



I'm not even one of those who was pissed Thomas didn't get in the game last week. I don't think there's any universe where that kid is even close to being ready to being on the field. That's why I was surprised he was named the starter... and then confused when it was announced he was already benched.

Yeah, I think Arians recognizes this and goes back to a more run focused game plan.

 

[MrYeahBut]

.

I dunno, do you?

.

 

[82CardsGrad]

i don't really fault him for not having better options. What I'm questioning is a really confusing gameplan last week, throwing the ball at will, while the game was somehow still within reach through three quarters, rather then running what I believe to be our best option at RB and then this week playing musical chairs naming your starter.



I'm not even one of those who was pissed Thomas didn't get in the game last week. I don't think there's any universe where that kid is even close to being ready to being on the field. That's why I was surprised he was named the starter... and then confused when it was announced he was already benched.

We can second guess the game-plan all day long. I too was and still am a bit confused as to why we didn't run the ball more...
At the same time, I also believe that BA felt that Lindley's best chance to be successful thru the air was to chuck it deep. Because the Hags were loading the box, it left out wideouts in man to man coverage. Coupled with the fact that the long ball is Lindley's best throw, I'm pretty sure BA was hoping for some luck, along with an interference call or two... That one ball that Floyd dropped could've been a serious game-changer... Hit him in both hands and though it was a little behind him, he needs to make that catch.

 

[Buckybird]

I'm not shocked. Thomas wasn't very good in college & I was flabbergasted they drafted the kid in the 1st place. I also think he's Lindley bad anyway & the mistake was cutting the ex-Oregon kid or trying to sign Batch, which would've been muchoooooo better options.

 

[Stout]

The question then becomes, how do you effectively handle the QB situation when both your starter and backup go down?

The truth of the matter is that there really isn't a clean way of handling it. Bill Polian made an excellent point on the radio Tuesday: in the salary cap era, it's virtually impossible to carry three QBs who are capable of running an offense effectively when some teams struggle to find even one.

Then there's the notion that we could bring in a street free agent. Well, that's even murkier. First, there's a reason these guys are available. Second, it's the most important position on the field, and one in which you really need to have an understanding of the playbook and not just bits and pieces of it (remember how long it took Palmer to get comfortable with it?). A good example of this is when Josh Freeman was picked up by Minnesota last season and asked to start shortly thereafter on MNF. He proceeded to have the worst statistical performance of any QB in the history of MNF. Also, for Logan, this was supposed to be a red shirt season for him all along. While I never liked him as a draft pick, I understand the logic and why he shouldn't have touched the field at all to begin with.

You can get away with bringing in a Kerwynn Williams because he plays a different position, and the learning curve is far easier. It's totally different for quarterbacks.

Honestly, there is no magic wand that Arians can wave to rectify the situation. He basically has to pick which turd is the least smelly. The best bet is to hope that Stanton is ready for the playoffs.

WTF Arians, what is WRONG WITH YOU! How can a coach of the year quality coach turn into an absolute moron almost overnight? You're right about the above, but why go all screwy with everything. First, the game plan, but that's not the worst of it. Why go public with every stupid move you're making, especially when you're hemming and hawing, waffling, and flip-flopping worse than John Kerry? STUPID! MORONIC! I'm sorry for the rant. Arians is in an awful situation, but he's trumpeting to the general public the complete and utter chaos he's inflicting on the team, when he should pick a guy and run with him, while ignoring the media completely.

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh!

 

[TJ]

WTF Arians, what is WRONG WITH YOU! How can a coach of the year quality coach turn into an absolute moron almost overnight? You're right about the above, but why go all screwy with everything. First, the game plan, but that's not the worst of it. Why go public with every stupid move you're making, especially when you're hemming and hawing, waffling, and flip-flopping worse than John Kerry? STUPID! MORONIC! I'm sorry for the rant. Arians is in an awful situation, but he's trumpeting to the general public the complete and utter chaos he's inflicting on the team, when he should pick a guy and run with him, while ignoring the media completely.



Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh!

Unfortunately, there's no right answer to this scenario. He's basically putting the team in a holding pattern by sticking with Lindley until Drew is healthy, but Lindley isn't playing well. Logan is a rookie we all knew wasn't ready for the game and that the coaching staff wanted to keep him off of the field this season at all costs. A street free agent, who's a street free agent for s reason, doesn't know the system or the players. Somebody mentioned that a vet should've been signed 6 weeks ago. It took Palmer 6 months to grasp the offense! That's not going to rectify anything.

This is the reality of the situation; once you get to your third string QB, typically, you're in a world of hurt. We're fortunate enough to have 11 wins under our belt and a playoff berth.

I want to be angry about the situation and second guess Arians, but then I'd be questioning the same guy who stuck with Palmer throughout the rough beginning last season despite our calls to bench him, and then looked what happened. This is not to say Lindley is going to magically be a competent player, but rather, just keep us healthy and maintain course on the development of Logan, which leads me to believe that the decision was made for long-term reasons.

 

[Darkside]

BA is basically being a prick and has no clue what to do.

He's always had a good QB, everywhere he's been. Now he's stuck with bad choices and has no idea at all.

Not his fault, anyone stuck with a 3rd string QB hitting the playoffs would be in panic mode.

 

[Hollywood]

WTF Arians, what is WRONG WITH YOU! How can a coach of the year quality coach turn into an absolute moron almost overnight? You're right about the above, but why go all screwy with everything. First, the game plan, but that's not the worst of it. Why go public with every stupid move you're making, especially when you're hemming and hawing, waffling, and flip-flopping worse than John Kerry? STUPID! MORONIC! I'm sorry for the rant. Arians is in an awful situation, but he's trumpeting to the general public the complete and utter chaos he's inflicting on the team, when he should pick a guy and run with him, while ignoring the media completely.

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh!

Reporter: Who is your starting QB this week?

BA: Pass

Reporter: I'm sorry, what?

BA: I'm going to pass in the question.

Media frenzy ensues.


I don't think he was calling reporters on the phone to tell them he was going to start LT.

 

[Mainstreet]

My whole thing about giving LT a chance is that he could give the Cardinals another running threat but I guess BA does not want his QBs running anyway.

 

[b8rtm8nn]

My whole thing about giving LT a chance is that he could give the Cardinals another running threat but I guess BA does not want his QBs running anyway.

The way our QBs are getting injured, would you want to run our QB? Then we have Jake Mathews possibly starting a playoff game.

 

[Mainstreet]

The way our QBs are getting injured, would you want to run our QB? Then we have Jake Mathews possibly starting a playoff game.

There are no good choices.

 

[Stout]

Unfortunately, there's no right answer to this scenario. He's basically putting the team in a holding pattern by sticking with Lindley until Drew is healthy, but Lindley isn't playing well. Logan is a rookie we all knew wasn't ready for the game and that the coaching staff wanted to keep him off of the field this season at all costs. A street free agent, who's a street free agent for s reason, doesn't know the system or the players. Somebody mentioned that a vet should've been signed 6 weeks ago. It took Palmer 6 months to grasp the offense! That's not going to rectify anything.

This is the reality of the situation; once you get to your third string QB, typically, you're in a world of hurt. We're fortunate enough to have 11 wins under our belt and a playoff berth.

I want to be angry about the situation and second guess Arians, but then I'd be questioning the same guy who stuck with Palmer throughout the rough beginning last season despite our calls to bench him, and then looked what happened. This is not to say Lindley is going to magically be a competent player, but rather, just keep us healthy and maintain course on the development of Logan, which leads me to believe that the decision was made for long-term reasons.

In no way am I blaming Arians for being in a bad situation. Maybe God could guide us deep into the playoffs coaching this team with this QB situation...MAYBE. It's just not in the cards--pun intended.

My problem is that Arians has acted like a clueless bumpkin in the past week, with his idiotic claims, contradictory statements, waffling and second-guessing of himself. It's time to shut his clam, tell the media they'll find out what we'll do and who we'll start when we trot our offense out to play, and keep everything internal. Instead he comes out and sounds like a complete moron, which sure must inspire confidence around the facilities lol

 

[StreetTruckinTitan]

I really dont see a big deal the way BAs handled any of the QBs or what he's said to the media. He'll start whom ever he feels gives his team the best chance to win and if that changes throughout the week who are we or the media to question. One thing BA might be doing is keeping his next opponent guessing so they'll have to prepare for all three.

 

[ProdigalSun]

One thing BA might be doing is keeping his next opponent guessing so they'll have to prepare for all three.

Somehow I don't think any of those 3 are gonna keep SF's defensive coordinator up at night...

 

[TJ]

In no way am I blaming Arians for being in a bad situation. Maybe God could guide us deep into the playoffs coaching this team with this QB situation...MAYBE. It's just not in the cards--pun intended.



My problem is that Arians has acted like a clueless bumpkin in the past week, with his idiotic claims, contradictory statements, waffling and second-guessing of himself. It's time to shut his clam, tell the media they'll find out what we'll do and who we'll start when we trot our offense out to play, and keep everything internal. Instead he comes out and sounds like a complete moron, which sure must inspire confidence around the facilities lol

In fairness, Having your top 2 QBs injured would make any coach look like a clueless bumpkin when looking for answers.. For bruce, this is new territory .

 

[ajcardfan]

In fairness, Having your top 2 QBs injured would make any coach look like a clueless bumpkin when looking for answers.. For bruce, this is new territory .

Well, none of us saw practice this week and if LT was sucking terribly there is really not much he can do. We have to do everything we can to win this game and get the QB out there that more of the team believes in at this point.

Yes, we know Lindley has been terrible in every game he's played in. So, what does that tell you about Thomas? Arians is not a dummy when it comes to QBs, so man..... I hated the pick the day it was made and I hate it more now.

 

[Stout]

Well, none of us saw practice this week and if LT was sucking terribly there is really not much he can do. We have to do everything we can to win this game and get the QB out there that more of the team believes in at this point.

Yes, we know Lindley has been terrible in every game he's played in. So, what does that tell you about Thomas? Arians is not a dummy when it comes to QBs, so man..... I hated the pick the day it was made and I hate it more now.

There's plenty Arians can do, though, as far as managing the situation. Shut his mouth, keep it all behind doors, and present a unified front. NOT go about business with yakety sax playing as a soundtrack to your derpy media interactions.

 

[ajcardfan]

There's plenty Arians can do, though, as far as managing the situation. Shut his mouth, keep it all behind doors, and present a unified front. NOT go about business with yakety sax playing as a soundtrack to your derpy media interactions.

yeah, it's not Arian's style, but at this point you can see why Belicheck is the way he is when asked about injries to active players.

 

[82CardsGrad]

There's plenty Arians can do, though, as far as managing the situation. Shut his mouth, keep it all behind doors, and present a unified front. NOT go about business with yakety sax playing as a soundtrack to your derpy media interactions.

Stout, what is BA's record the past 3 seasons as a head coach? C'mon man... He is who he is. The players love him and he gets results. He's not about to change who he is at this point in his career and at this point in the season...
Bottom line is this team has been hit with a level of bad luck few teams ever experience in a season. It sucks... It will derail what was a potentially Super Bowl contending season not too long ago. But don't expect anything different from BA. You either get onboard his train, or, you don't... I'm on...

 

[az jam]

Yes, we know Lindley has been terrible in every game he's played in. So, what does that tell you about Thomas? Arians is not a dummy when it comes to QBs, so man..... I hated the pick the day it was made and I hate it more now.

I also never liked the pick. My worry is that BA still thinks he will be our future starter. That scares me and if we come back with the same 3 next year (Palmer, Stanton & Thomas) we will be back to where we are today. I just hope that Keim addresses our qb problems in the off season.