Your Evaluation of Skelton's Play?

[Shane]

Lest everybody forget that not only is Skelton coming form a small program that talent wise is light years behind the NFL but it was said on the broadcast yesterday he is THE YOUNGEST QB in the NFL by age.

You have to take all of that into account when evaluating the kid. Considering that he shows quite a bit of promise. His ceiling could really be limitless with his physical ability.

 

[THESMEL]

what

The Cards can still make the playoffs if Whiz would run the ball, forget skelton. He won't make the big mistake and would keep them honest.

Rams and Sehawks gotta lose there last 2 and tie in the last game.
6-9-1

Niners gotta lose out except for Beating the Rams in 2 weeks.
6-10

Cards gotta win out!
7-9

WA - LA home Wild Card Game.

 

[SeattleCard]

Loved how he stayed in the pocket and looked poised for the most part.

Love that he's not DA.

 

[lobo]

Lest everybody forget that not only is Skelton coming form a small program that talent wise is light years behind the NFL but it was said on the broadcast yesterday he is THE YOUNGEST QB in the NFL by age.

You have to take all of that into account when evaluating the kid. Considering that he shows quite a bit of promise. His ceiling could really be limitless with his physical ability.

Agree totally with your several comments re Skelton.....and I will add one moe

If you (we) don't believe the players saw it the same way many of us did............WRONG! Watch how the overall play will now improve. We all surely have observed how many team just collapse when the guy on the bridge, assuming he is competent goes down or is injured.

Now back to my hibernation.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

By the way I am getting tired of qualifying QB’s on this team based on circumstances (i.e. Leinart only having one week of first team practice with Titans, Max Hall against the Saints, Derek Anderson and the “wind”) because the bottom line is I just want someone to come in and say “Screw all the reasons I am not supposed to be successful.” And surpass all our expectations with a 2 TD first game or just take over. That’s what the great ones do. They show you something.

Unfortunately there was not anyone thing Skelton did yesterday that made me say ”he’s going to be special”. Yeah I get that miserable head coach is an idiot for not giving him first team snaps all year (my eyes are rolling out to my head on that one) and first live game action can be tough. Would a TD or 2 been too much to ask?

Even with Kurt Warner it took me the Super Bowl run to fully acquiesce and say “hes damn good”. I really was kinda hoping Skelton would come out yesterday and just blow up right from the beginning.

Maybe I am naïve but I like to think a Luck of Newton may come in and from Day one you just look at him and say “that’s the guy” like Flacco did, like Ryan did, like Rodgers did with their respective teams relatively quickly.

That’s not to say someone can’t grow into the role, but mostly the Superstar QB’s you know right off the top.

Maybe I am expecting too much, but while its okay to be encouraged, I think we are a long way from saying Skelton is anything more then a stop gap for the end of this year.

 

[conraddobler]

The Cards can still make the playoffs if Whiz would run the ball, forget skelton. He won't make the big mistake and would keep them honest.

Rams and Sehawks gotta lose there last 2 and tie in the last game.
6-9-1

Niners gotta lose out except for Beating the Rams in 2 weeks.
6-10

Cards gotta win out!
7-9

WA - LA home Wild Card Game.

The likelyhood of a tie between two teams who could otherwise go to the playoffs is about 1 in 1000 or so.

When you add that to the rest of the things that have to happen, I'd say we're closing in on a one in a million shot here.

That would be priceless to see ESPN's face on that one, it would be like someone took a dump on their notes, I bet you couldn't stop laughing at their faces.

If this does happen, buy a lottery ticket, that's all I'm saying.

 

[THESMEL]

Nfcw Rules

I know I know

But if ever it was gonna happen, it would be this year in this division, This year.

The Hawks and Rams have an oppurtunity to out suck each other.
0-0 tie through 5 quarters, would be awesome.

The teams they play are good enough to pull it off.

The NFCW has got to set a record in futility this year?

niners face the Chargers- RAms- Cardinals.

there is just no other way around our 1-4 divisional record.

If Whiz can pony up and run THT 30 times, Cards can do our part.

but the chance of Whiz running the ball balanced is 1,000,000,000 to 1

even against 1-11 Carolina and with a rookie QB from Fordham.
PASS LIKE YOUR HAIR IS ON FIRE WHISENHUNT! SEE HOW IT WORKS OUT FOR YOU!

The likelyhood of a tie between two teams who could otherwise go to the playoffs is about 1 in 1000 or so.

When you add that to the rest of the things that have to happen, I'd say we're closing in on a one in a million shot here.

That would be priceless to see ESPN's face on that one, it would be like someone took a dump on their notes, I bet you couldn't stop laughing at their faces.

If this does happen, buy a lottery ticket, that's all I'm saying.

 

[Gaddabout]

My take:

Positives:
- He makes quick decisions. He really cycles through his reads FAST. Notice how much better than offensive line looks when the ball's getting out of the QB's hands on time.

- His decision making isn't suspect, which is something I didn't expect in this game. I don't recall him throwing into double coverage once. Every pass he threw was to an open man or someone in single coverage. Without knowing the offense, that's the best sign he's making the right reads

- He can run, but I already knew that. Anyone who saw his college film knew he was decently mobile for an NFL prospect. I think I like more than he runs with a purpose and he keeps his head about him. It's not just manic scrambling, which I think was Max Hall's ultimate downfall.

- He already seems to understand where to take chances, even against a cover corner like Champ Bailey. The color guy was criticizing Skelton for this, but I think it was really smart to go over the top to Fitzgerald and Breaston when the opportunity presented itself. You're not going to get a safer pass off to a man Bailey is covering, assuming you're not grossly underthrowing the receiver.

- He can really spin the ball. It actually looks like a football being thrown down the field as opposed to a 5-pointed object on an unknown trajectory. There are some great ball throwers out there -- Brady and Rogers come to mind. Skelton's ball looks like that caliber. I'd be interested to see how he grips the ball. It's really pretty. I bet Skelton won't be a guy hindered by things like wind and weather.

Negatives:
- His footwork really is a mess, but he cleans it up nicely by the time he throws the ball in the pocket. It's when he gets out of the pocket that you never want to see him throw the ball downfield. He keeps throwing across his body like that, changing the trajectory, and he will end up being an interception machine. He really needs to work on getting those hips and toes pointed toward his target and throwing off the front foot. He's never going to be a Montana where he can throw accurately off the back foot.

- Accuracy and timing. I'm going to give him a pass on this because he really was JUST MISSING most of those throws. He wasn't way off, he wasn't having tragic footwork breakdowns in the pocket. So much of that looks like it's directly related to a lack of reps with the personnel. If you've never worked much with Fitzgerald/Breaston/Doucet, there's no way you can just jump in and expect to have a feel how they break out of those routes. Just the general speed of things is much faster. But for now it is an issue to watch.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

My take:

Positives:
- He makes quick decisions. He really cycles through his reads FAST. Notice how much better than offensive line looks when the ball's getting out of the QB's hands on time.

- His decision making isn't suspect, which is something I didn't expect in this game. I don't recall him throwing into double coverage once. Every pass he threw was to an open man or someone in single coverage. Without knowing the offense, that's the best sign he's making the right reads

- He can run, but I already knew that. Anyone who saw his college film knew he was decently mobile for an NFL prospect. I think I like more than he runs with a purpose and he keeps his head about him. It's not just manic scrambling, which I think was Max Hall's ultimate downfall.

- He already seems to understand where to take chances, even against a cover corner like Champ Bailey. The color guy was criticizing Skelton for this, but I think it was really smart to go over the top to Fitzgerald and Breaston when the opportunity presented itself. You're not going to get a safer pass off to a man Bailey is covering, assuming you're not grossly underthrowing the receiver.

- He can really spin the ball. It actually looks like a football being thrown down the field as opposed to a 5-pointed object on an unknown trajectory. There are some great ball throwers out there -- Brady and Rogers come to mind. Skelton's ball looks like that caliber. I'd be interested to see how he grips the ball. It's really pretty. I bet Skelton won't be a guy hindered by things like wind and weather.

Negatives:
- His footwork really is a mess, but he cleans it up nicely by the time he throws the ball in the pocket. It's when he gets out of the pocket that you never want to see him throw the ball downfield. He keeps throwing across his body like that, changing the trajectory, and he will end up being an interception machine. He really needs to work on getting those hips and toes pointed toward his target and throwing off the front foot. He's never going to be a Montana where he can throw accurately off the back foot.

- Accuracy and timing. I'm going to give him a pass on this because he really was JUST MISSING most of those throws. He wasn't way off, he wasn't having tragic footwork breakdowns in the pocket. So much of that looks like it's directly related to a lack of reps with the personnel. If you've never worked much with Fitzgerald/Breaston/Doucet, there's no way you can just jump in and expect to have a feel how they break out of those routes. Just the general speed of things is much faster. But for now it is an issue to watch.

Excellent analysis, I felt about the same. I also wasn't terrified every play he dropped back, unlike with DA or Wingnut under center.

 

[TJ]

Unfortunately there was not anyone thing Skelton did yesterday that made me say ”he’s going to be special”. Yeah I get that miserable head coach is an idiot for not giving him first team snaps all year (my eyes are rolling out to my head on that one) and first live game action can be tough. Would a TD or 2 been too much to ask?

Yep. This is called "paralysis by analysis." Certain fans are critiquing the coach on his practices (cue Allen Iverson, "practice?!?!?"). Do fans really know how a practice is conducted? No. This is why I vomit when I read posts that are devoted to things like Whisenhunt didnt prepare Skelton til now. I can tell you all that 3rd stringers dont get first string reps, but rather run the scout team offense. Ive seen this first hand with certain football teams.

Even with Kurt Warner it took me the Super Bowl run to fully acquiesce and say “hes damn good”. I really was kinda hoping Skelton would come out yesterday and just blow up right from the beginning.

Took you that long?? Were you stoned all of 2008??

Maybe I am naïve but I like to think a Luck of Newton may come in and from Day one you just look at him and say “that’s the guy” like Flacco did, like Ryan did, like Rodgers did with their respective teams relatively quickly.

That’s not to say someone can’t grow into the role, but mostly the Superstar QB’s you know right off the top.

Maybe I am expecting too much, but while its okay to be encouraged, I think we are a long way from saying Skelton is anything more then a stop gap for the end of this year.

In all honesty, you are expecting too much. We're talking about a guy from the all mighty Fordham (sp) University (FU for short). A school that hasnt had a pro drafted since the 60's. Flacco was a rare talent, but he wasnt a world beater. Rodgers had four years to observe and absorb the game from a future HoFer. It's difficult to compare Skelton to those guys. Every draft analyist last season said he was a raw talent that would have to be groomed before he could come into his own. Hopefully, 12 games of analyzing game speed and learning how not to play the game from Anderson is enough to be impressive. We'll see if he does fit the mold of either a Joe Flacco or a Ben Rapistberger; players he was compared to.

 

[Gaddabout]

I also meant to say what was really suspect was the game plan. Arizona threw the ball 38 times out of 72 plays against a defense that ranked 19th against the pass and 31st against the run. That Denver secondary is not awful. In fact, with a better front 7 they're a Top 5 unit.

It was almost as if the Cardinals were trying to put Skelton in the worst possible situation, especially the first 2.5 quarters.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

I also meant to say what was really suspect was the game plan. Arizona threw the ball 38 times out of 72 plays against a defense that ranked 19th against the pass and 31st against the run. That Denver secondary is not awful. In fact, with a better front 7 they're a Top 5 unit.

It was almost as if the Cardinals were trying to put Skelton in the worst possible situation, especially the first 2.5 quarters.

I just don't understand why people continue to insist that we run more. Unfortunately, we don't run more because we aren't a good running team. I think Whiz would love a more balanced offense where the run sets up the pass, but that's just not reality. We don't run more because we can't, not because we don't want to.

 

[NeverSayDieFan]

1 play that sticks in my mind...

There was a run where Beanie got trapped and then gotten taken down in a heap behind the line. I noticed Skelton was right there to offer his hand and help him back up. Big deal, you say. Wellll, this to me is a small, but important, way of saying, Hey, I've got your back. This says to me...TEAM. A divided team will never win! Ever. BUT a team united can do anything even if they're not the most talented one around.

I personally feel that D.A.'s In-acurracy led to the team emotionally quitting on him. They just knew he couldn't get the job done. If Skelton can lead (eventually) I think the rest of the team will follow.

But, over-all, I thought the offense & defense just looked crisper. Sharper. It's like in a baseball game where one pitcher is throwing strikes and the other is walking everybody. The pitcher throwing strikes has his team on edge...Ready to take action. The one throwing it everywhere except over the plate has players losing their concentration and their 1st quick step into action.

One thing's for sure. IF Skelton continues to show promise, especially against the likes of Dallas & 'Frisco it will make our draft all the more interesting. I'm very curious to see how all this plays out. GO CARDS!

 

[Gaddabout]

I just don't understand why people continue to insist that we run more. Unfortunately, we don't run more because we aren't a good running team. I think Whiz would love a more balanced offense where the run sets up the pass, but that's just not reality. We don't run more because we can't, not because we don't want to.

2nd-and-8 is still better than 2nd-and-10. *shrug* I'm just saying, they could have mixed it up a little more. The only reason pass/run evened out was because the Cards started running the clock with a big lead -- and look what happened. At one point the distribution was 35-17, I think. Not many young QBs are going to be successful with that kind of distribution.

 

[D-Dogg]

Bottom line - When you see Skelton fade back to pass, you get the feeling "he can be trusted."

This. I was not concerned when he had the ball in the pocket. It was very odd, because with DA I was waiting for the mistake. With Hall I was waiting for the sack or scramble. With Skelton I was waiting for the play to develop.

It was calm. It was palpable calm. Even if he ends up making mistakes, which he will, he has a serious calmness in the pocket that makes me feel less jumpy.

 

[D-Dogg]

He does have a cannon no doubt, but his throwing motion is so damn long .

Not true. His throwing motion is pretty quick.

 

[Gaddabout]

DA = the human pitching machine with a rusty pivot arm. I hope I never have to watch him wind up and throw a fastball over the middle over again. I swear he still thinks playing QB is about showing how strong his arm is. I don't get that kind of immaturity from a veteran player.

Then again, I don't understand how NBA players don't hit 80+ percent of their free throws. It's an unguarded 10-foot jumper! Should be almost automatic!

 

[Linderbee]

If you (we) don't believe the players saw it the same way many of us did............WRONG! Watch how the overall play will now improve. We all surely have observed how many team just collapse when the guy on the bridge, assuming he is competent goes down or is injured.

This.

I am VERY stoked about how well he played. Those miracle catches Fitz made--I have no doubt that Fitz would not have caught them if the exact same pass came from DA or Hall. I can just picture what would be running through their heads every time they lined up w/DA..."oh, boy...what now? Is THIS the play I'm gonna die?"

They all seemed to have more confidence in Skelton, and that TEAM aspect has been missing.

OT (sorta): DAMN! Our defense showed up to PLAY!

I feel the whole team's play was a reflection on how they felt about the QB.

 

[Zeno]

I just don't understand why people continue to insist that we run more. Unfortunately, we don't run more because we aren't a good running team. I think Whiz would love a more balanced offense where the run sets up the pass, but that's just not reality. We don't run more because we can't, not because we don't want to.

Ridiculous. Teams that can't run don't average 4.5 yds a carry. We have 2 good backs that can move the ball especially out of normal offensive sets (meaning not delayed draws out of shotgun with no TEs in to block).

We have less attempts a game because the playcalling never allows for the establishment of a running game. Not establishing a running game makes the play action pass meaningless which could help especially when teams do not respect our passing game.

 

[82CardsGrad]

Not true. His throwing motion is pretty quick.

I wouldn't say "pretty" quick. I'd go so far as to say quick, Period! I was surprised by how quick his motion and release are!

 

[desertdawg]

Ridiculous. Teams that can't run don't average 4.5 yds a carry. We have 2 good backs that can move the ball especially out of normal offensive sets (meaning not delayed draws out of shotgun with no TEs in to block).

We have less attempts a game because the playcalling never allows for the establishment of a running game. Not establishing a running game makes the play action pass meaningless which could help especially when teams do not respect our passing game.

Yup, gotta run to pass, and pass to run. It looked like the donkeys adjusted back a little after Skelton caught his rhythm. They went into coverage, and we just ran it on them. Skelton can do this, but DA and Hall, other teams just brought the house at them because they had zero respect for our pass game.

If the Skeleton can make his bones in the first half, teams won't come at him so much in the second. Then we can run the ball.

 

[82CardsGrad]

Ridiculous. Teams that can't run don't average 4.5 yds a carry. We have 2 good backs that can move the ball especially out of normal offensive sets (meaning not delayed draws out of shotgun with no TEs in to block).

We have less attempts a game because the playcalling never allows for the establishment of a running game. Not establishing a running game makes the play action pass meaningless which could help especially when teams do not respect our passing game.

Against one of the worst run defenses in the NFL, at home... YOU RUN, and then RUN again, and then RUM some more! Skelton had 37 pass attempts... That's at least 10 more than he should've had!

 

[D-Dogg]

Plus would anyone really want Luck over Skelton?

ME!

I wouldn't say "pretty" quick. I'd go so far as to say quick, Period! I was surprised by how quick his motion and release are!

The sports science episode had it timed out as quickidy quick quick quick.

 

[desertdawg]

If the Skeleton can make his bones in the first half, teams won't come at him so much in the second. Then we can run the ball.

I gotta go copyright this.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

No way. Try looking at the big picture:

Anyone and I mean anyone who wasn't impressed with his performance today is a complete and utter hater. The guy was about as poised I have have seen a rookie QB in a long long time.

His pocket presence and feel for the pass rush was pretty amazing. He was accurate for the most part and was a victim of at least 6 drops by my count. His comp % today should have been much better his WR's didn't do him any favors. He had two perfectly thrown medium to long length balls to both Breaston and Doucett that were just flat dropped in the 1st half. The throws were pretty impressive.

That play where the defender knocked him over and he spun out of it and planted his hand on the ground to keep from going down and scrambled for 9 yards was impressive as hell and a thing of beauty. He has really good balance and is quite nimble for his size.

He is far from a finished product. But so far he has shown enough that he could possibly have the goods and definitely deserves the next 3 games to audition for it.

Not to mention he did all of this with NEVER taking 1st team reps till this week. Being a scout team QB all year and not really being involved with the regular offense. To boot he came from freaking fordham.


Color me impressed so far. VERY impressed.

shane, stop it. you're slobbering. he had a nice first game. but i think some of you are overstating it. EVERY QB has drops. they DO factor into completion percentage. but let's say we give him those 6 additional completions, then what, his completion percentage goes up to 55%? that's still not great. the lack of turnovers i liked. the inaccuracy is a concern. fitz made one hell of a catch contorting over the middle that makes up for two drops. impressed? mmmm, maybe. "VERY impressed?" not by a shot yet. the cowboy game will be the litmus test (next week just won't count for anything).