The Siren of the Talented QB.

One can reasonably presume that most football aficionados conclude that the QB position is essential to the success of an organization, college or pros. I would be naive to dismiss the positions influence, hard to argue the dominance of that position in regards to win share. However, I have learned much about the infinite variables of a true team sport that I have dismissed and, in turn, exposed my miscalculation.

Consider, the top 10 all time scoring offenses, only one walked away with a championship, the 1983 Redskins. The top scoring offense of all time (2013 Broncos) where embarrassed by a dominant defense. The runner up in all time scoring (2007 Patriots) lost to a great defense in a low scoring affair. In 3rd, the 2018 Chiefs where bludgeoned by a relentless running attack at home in the AFC Championship game. The 2012 Patriots where dominated by a defense with two Hall of Famers in the 2012 AFC Championship. I could go on but I think I have made my point.

Since 2010 there have been 11 MVP’s, 10 of them QB’s. None walked away with a ring and 4 played in the Super Bowl. Manning, again, was embarrassed, Cam Newton was exposed, Brady lost to a backup, and Matt Ryan had a historic collapse. 

I continue to be of the opinion that Marino’s mesmerizing talent seduced Shula to abandon his winning principles. He lost with Unitas, he lost with Marino, and yet he was perfect with Csonka, Little,  and Two game managing QB’s. SHIT, Marino has as many super bowl appearances as David Woodly, just saying. However, it never even crossed my mind that a QB’s limitations could force a team to abandon LOSING principles.

TVD humbled me.

When I saw TVD for the first time in the spring game, I was vocal about my critical evaluation. I coined him Stone Hendge, because he has horrible foot work. King was the starter and they where game planning the offense for him, an offense I FUCKING DISDAIN! TVD was HORRIBLE!! Especially because the line was tragic. It was a jarring realization when it became obvious that I had no foresight. TVD’s  arm talent is elite, he is a pure passer, However, no defense will hesitate because they fear his athleticism. It is rare to trust a freshman to completely abandon your offensive philosophy, but TVD FUCKING DID IT, With confidence, leadership, accountability and guts. Once they abandoned what he was obviously incapable of doing they where forced to run A BETTER OFFENSE. 

Football is a sport that has no blueprint for winning because it is a team sport where ones failure is a teammates weakness, and they field 11 at a time. Yes the QB position is still the most valuable, but I argue that a good TEAM with a good philosophy is more valuable than even the most dominant individual talent.