Throughout the years of all sports, evolutions occur. In basketball, guards and forwards morphed into point guards, shooting guards, power forwards, and small forwards. Baseball developed closers, setup men, and long relievers from the solitary position of pitcher. Hell, even football has developed the third down back and the slot receiver out of it's original positions.

However, one being seems impervious to the call of evolution. The quarterback.

I feel like most people's argument about the quarterback by committee idea is this: "The quarterback is the leader of the offense! He's like the General leading his men to war! Okay, let me just say bullshit to this. Yes, the quarterback is the one calling the plays. But, in most cases, save for Peyton Manning and a couple of others, those plays are being relayed into him via helmet phone from the offensive coordinator. I'm not saying he's not the "General", but I am saying that it's not like someone else is incapable of being a substitute general.

Am I calling for an even 50/50 split? Absolutely not. Face facts, some quarterbacks are just head and shoulders above others in the world of identifying defenses, calling audibles, and making smart, on the fly, decisions. But, can you imagine how much bigger an asset a Michael Vick (pre-incarceration) or a Vince Young would be to a team if they had another quarterback who could actually pass the ball as well?

Now, you couldn't pull off a Duece McAllister/Reggie Bush type of timeshare at the quarterback position, either. You know when Bush comes in, 7 times out of 10 he's going to be thrown to rather than handed off to. The same goes for McAllister, you can almost rest assured that he's going to be busting through the line with a handoff. So, you can't just have Brian Griese handle 5 pass plays and bring in Jeff Garcia for the bootleg. I think defenses might key in on that pretty quickly. So, you would have to rely on Vince Young, or the like, actually throwing a few ducks.

This would do a couple of things for an offense:

1. The opposing defenses would have to prepare for an onslaught of not one but TWO different quarterbacks with completely different styles of play.

2. The quarterbacks would get extra breathers and have the ability to sit back and watch some plays develop from the sidelines. I can only imagine this would be a huge benefit for a QB stuck in a rut on the field, without the humiliation of being pulled for a full quarter, half or even the game to get fresh legs in the game.

Can you imagine the threat the Eagles would have if they could swap McNabb out with, say, a Tim Tebow in a few years. McNabb is a smart, great passer with reasonably good rushing skills. Tebow is a great rushing QB with reasonably good passing skills. They would consistently keep defenses on their toes.

McNabb is also a great example of a quarterback who seems to get stuck in ruts. He's a great QB, but once he throws an INT you can almost bet there will be another one waiting in the wings soon.

These are just examples. It's probably even a bad example since by the time Tebow comes into the NFL, McNabb will be entering his 11th season at the age of 33. But, you get the idea that I'm throwing out there.

The whole concept of playing a quarterback like a race horse, pushing him and pushing him and pushing him until he's completely spent and then punishing him by pulling him for an extended period of time is outdated. The running back by committee concept has not only been embraced by many coaches in the NFL, it's been adopted by many. It's time NFL coaches start looking at the quarterback by committee concept as a viable suggestion. It would extend careers, keep defenses on their toes, and make the game all the more exciting. If the only excuse is that the offense needs to only take orders from their "General", come on, we're talking about adult millionaires who listen for their names and spend the rest of their time thinking of how they can make themselves look better. You think Chad Johnson gives a shit who is telling him what play to run? He did just fine for Carson Palmer despite hating his guts.

Labels: Carson Palmer, Chad Johnson, Donovan McNabb, duece mcallister, football, Jeff Garcia, Matt Hasselbeck, Michael vick, nfl, Peyton Manning, quarterback, reggie bush, Tim Tebow, Vince Young

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Here it is, Draft Day. The day that NFL fans all over the place look forward to as soon as the final play of the Super Bowl goes down. So, in order to spearhead RotoDestroyer’s journalistic integrity, I will be conducting a real time article over the course of the entire draft. This will include the drunken rambling that comes with the way we roll:

1. Houston Texans – Mario Williams DE/NC State - Nice, even though the Texans signed Mario last night, they still took five minutes to make the call. What were they doing back there? Stocking their cooler? And why is Michael Irvin so freakin’ pissed off about this pick? It’s a good thing no one takes Irvin seriously. He could make a lap dance unbearable…

2. New Orleans Saints – Reggie Bush RB/USC – Wow. I thought for sure they’d trade this pick. I think I could hear Duece McAllister calling his agent from my living room. And is it just me or does Reggie look a little less than excited about going to New Orleans? This is going to be huge, now I’m looking forward to going to some Saints games for another reason than just to make fun of the Saints fans.

3. Tennesee Titans – Vince Young QB/Texas – First off, YOU GO JETS FANS. Those guys are friggin’ nuts. They’ll boo anyone and freak out over anything. I can’t imagine Vince Young coming right into the league and producing. On paper he sounds good, but look at Michael Vick’s past two seasons. Exactly. Vince Young’s career and selection place is all based on one game. Good for Vince Young, bad for the Titans.

Side note – Who is more smug? Steve Young or Mel Kiper Jr.? Steve Young has the benefit of a wacky religion to be smug about. But, I think Mel Kiper Jr. edges him out with an overinflated feeling of self worth and hair that comes from a Ronco Products Hair Mold.

Side note – Wake up, Matt Leinart… *Hunhh HUH?! Leinart thirsty!

Side note – Can you imagine Michael Irvin’s blinged out team if HE was actually in charge? The Irvin Crunk… Good thing he’s just sitting on the sidelines and jabbering like an idiot rather than actually in charge.

4. New York Jets – D’Brickashaw Ferguson OT/Virginia – An excellent selection for the Jets. If there’s ANYTHING they need on their team besides a back up for Old Man Curtis is a bodyguard for Pennington and Ramsey. And if anyone in the NFL reminds me of Whitney Houston…I’m looking at Chad Pennington.

Side note – Who exactly is Under Armour advertising to? The average fat guy like myself sitting around with a beer and a sandwich watching the draft and fantasizing? If I buy some of their leotards will they quit flexing in my face? Click clack…shut up…

5. Green Bay Packers – A.J. Hawk LB/Ohio State – This has been the Packer’s choice since the college season ended. He’s an amazing linebacker with a straight up rock and roll name. They desperately needed help there and they got it. Good for the Pack.

Side note – How about the Matt “Superstar” Leinart ads with the sun shades and the leather jacket and the slicked hair and the crappy Nickelback crap. ESPN seems to be desperately trying to sell him to anyone. WHAT IN THE HELL IS VERNON DAVIS CRYING ABOUT?! Is he the next Cedric Benson? Are we about to hear another rambling boo-hoo sob story?

6. San Francisco 49ers – Vernon Davis TE/Maryland – The best tight end in years, bawling like a baby. Are the 49ers holding his grandmother hostage? Why the tears Vernon? You knew you were gonna be drafted. We all had a good idea it’d be the 49ers that would do it. So, they can’t be tears of surprise. Maybe his mother told him that she wouldn’t love him any more if he played for San Fran. Well, anyways, good for San Francisco. He’s the man, despite the tears.

7. Oakland Raiders – Michael Huff S/Texas - Well, their first mistake was signing Aaron Brooks. Their second mistake was not drafting someone to take his place when he continues to be one of the most frustratingly bad quarterbacks in the league today. But, they say Michael Huff is a good DB and the Raiders are such a terrible defense…you know, whatever…

Side note – Beer #2 is complete. My wife is solid gold, she just took the kids out so that I can drink, watch football nerdery, and write about it.

8. Buffalo Bills – Donte Whitner S/Ohio State – Okay, I’m not going pretend that I know anything about Donte Whitner. But, something I’ve noticed is that Michael Irvin hasn’t said ANYTHING since the first pick. Could I not be the only one who doesn’t know anything about Donte Whitner?

Side note – Tom Condon is a greasy sleezy looking used car salesman. HA! He got done with the interview, smile vanished and the vulture look replaced everything. “I hate talking to women…Condon KILL!”

9. Detroit Lions – Ernie Sims – LB/Florida State – This is a breath of fresh air for the Lions. They’ve been on the cusp of having a not quite great defense, but Sims is going to REALLY tie the room together. They haven’t had a great LB since Chris Claiborne. Should be good for them…

Side note – I’m officially beginng to get drunk.

10. Arizona Cardinals – Matt Leinart QB/USC – That was FAST! Man, seriously…WATCH OUT NFC West.. Arizona is the team to beat. Forget about Seattle. Leinart, Edge, Bolden, Fitzgerald? Man, seriously, Arizona fans are friggin’ melting down right now.

Side note – Click Clack
Side note – Denver trades with St. Louis for 15th and 68th overall

11. Denver Broncos – Jay Cutler QB/Vanderbilt – First off, Jay Cutler, while he may be “the best quarterback in the draft”, he looks like a douchebag. Get a haircut, you friggin’ fifth Beatle. I’m all for long hair, beards, dreads, whatever. Bowl cuts, however, are against the law. Good pick for Denver, though. Jake Plummer’s probably bummed after a decent season, but they gotta look forward to the future.

Side note – Steve Young must’ve heard my smug comment, because he’s desperately trying to pass ol’ Kiper with comments like “let me remind you that I went on record on ESPN about Cutler”. Yeah, we got it, you’re a genius….

Side note – Baltimore trades with Celevland for 13th overall and a 6th Rounder.

12. Baltimore Ravens – Haloti Ngata DT/Oregon – This guy is roughly the size of a cow. A poisonous cow with lasers that shoot from his horns and kill offensive linemen. Even though their defense SHOULD be top notch, Kyle Boller will keep the Ravens out of contention for the year. The Ravens will now officially be impossible to run against though.

Side note – Beer #3 VANQUISHED!
Side note – Ouch…the film they just showed of Ngata was pretty sad. I retract my laser beams in the horns statement. But, he’s still a cow. HA HA HA! The Haloti interview was fantastic. “Haloti, what can you say about coaches saying you take plays off?” “Well, I’m just blessed..” **WOOOOOOOOOO!!!** “…this is my team…” **WOOOOOOOOOO!!!!**
Side note – Suzie Colber, I wanna kiss you…

13. Cleveland Browns – Kamerion Wimbley DE/Florida State – Solid player, rarely hurt despite a brief injury stint. Frankly the Browns’ defensive line sucks. So, he ought to be possibly the best pick these guys have made since before they left for Baltimore.

14. Philadelphia Eagles – Brodrick Bunkley DT/Florida State – Seriously, holy s**t. Bench pressing 225 pounds 44 times? This guy is going to kill people. Wow. That guys arms look like pythons that ate six pumpkins. Good call, Philly. I still hate you, but good call all the same.

Side note – Beer #4 out the door!

15. St. Louis Rams – Tye Hill CB/Clemson – A five foot, nine inch corner back? Good luck with all THAT, St. Louis. Yeah, I know about the Senior Bowl, I live in Mobile. But, you can’t be fooled by one game. Sure Spud Webb was fun to watch, but that didn’t make him a perennial threat. Tye Hill = wasted pick.

Side note – Man, seriously, two things are about to make me go Elvis on my television screen this afternoon. Click clack and these pimp superstar promos for these college athletes. Jay Cutler as a cowboy pimp? Reggie Bush looking like a bigger player than Andre 3000 from Outkast? Matt Leinart looking like Snake from Escape From LA? Lame.

16. Miami Dolphins – Jason Allen CB/Tennesee – One of their major holes has been filled. Plus, his mother was freaking out in a world class way. He didn’t seem to pumped about it, but I think his momma is excited about meeting Jason Taylor (he’s so dreamy!) I think this guy is a top notch defensive back, but his mother’s got a better vertical leap.

17. Minnesota Vikings – Chad Greenway LB/Iowa – Sorry, I’ve never even heard anything about this guy. But, I can tell you that I need to pee.

18. Dallas Cowboys – Bobby Carpenter LB/Ohio State – Should be a tough defensive addition for the Cowboys, but I think they probably should’ve looked to an offensive tackle, considering their left tackle has never started a game. But, who am I to question the Big Tuna?

Side note – Beer #5 down the hatch.

19. San Diego Chargers – Antonio Cromartie CB/Florida State – The fourth Florida State defensive player taken in the first round is the craziest. He didn’t play the at all last season with a knee injury. The Chargers already have some pretty good DBs in Jammer and Jue. If there had’ve been a wide receiver worth a crap, they could’ve SURE used some of that. But, maybe Chad Jackson could’ve still been the better pick.

Side note – I’m getting pretty drunk now. Congratulations for me. I have to wonder if Cromartie’s family is “experiencing financial difficulties because of the pimp suit he’s wearing to the draft…
Side note – I saw a homeless guy walking down the street wearing a fez today. That has nothing to do with football, but I just wanted to mention it.

20. Kansas City Chiefs - Tamba Hali DE/Penn State – This guy kills. Watch the film on him. Seriously. He’s a quarterback exterminator. It may not translate all the way to the NFL, but this guy is a great pick.

Side note – Watching the Tamba Hali story after the pick. Wow, this guy has a hard life story. Jesus, he was this close to becoming a soldier in the Liberian Army and fighting in the civil war over there. And he’s playing so that his momma can come to America? Forget it, I feel bad for every QB to come into contact with this guy. Consider yourself dead.

21. New England Patriots – Lawrence Maroney – Wait… What? What about DeAngelo Williams? What about LenDale White? I don’t feel like I should be second guessing a football genius like Bill Belichick, but, Really? I don’t like it.

22. San Francisco 49ers – Manny Lawson DE/NC State – Chalk up a good draft to the 49ers. But, I feel like these guys won’t have a chance to compete for at least three years. They’ll be in the game, but their team is terrible. No offense at all. No defense at all. They’re making strides in the right direction, but you can only do so much in the the time between seasons.

Side note – Oh man, I’d love it if the Bucs could get Winston Justice. Solicitation of prostitution? Brandishing a FAKE firearm? So…what… It’s better than Michael Pittman’s love of playing bumper Humvees with his wife and infant child. I’m sold…pull the trigger.

23. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Davin Joseph G/Oklahoma – WHAT?! Boooooo… I don’t like it. I don’t want to talk about it.

24. Cincinatti Bengals – Johnathan Joseph CB/South Carolina – With Deltha O’Neil as their best defensiveve back, the Bengals could have chosen anything anywhere in the defensive spectrum and still made a good enough choice.

Side note – Beer number something. Six maybe? Drunkedness is ensuing. I just checked, it’s six.
Side note – Pittsburgh trades with New York

25. Pittsburgh Steelers – Santonio Holmes WR/Ohio State – Great great great choice of picks. He’s interchangeable as the best WR in the draft with Chad Jackson. Hines Ward now has a new counterpart to play with once Cedrick Wilson falls off the map like he did in San Fran. Great pick, Pittsburgh.

Side note – Buffalo trades with Chicago

26. Buffalo Bills – John McCargo DT/NC State – Uh… Buffalo? Are you guys letting the chick from Major League draft for you? I know it’s not a large market team, and Los Angeles is chomping at the bit. But, come on, this guy is a late second, early third rounder. Buffalo has lost their minds.

27. Carolina Panthers – DeAngelo Williams RB/Memphis – This is the best pick since the top 5. Fantastic fit with the team. Fills a void that Stephen Davis and DeShaun Foster have left behind with old age and injuries. Fantastic pick. I can’t praise them enough for grabbing him when they did.

28. Jacksonville Jaguars – Marcedes Lewis TE/UCLA – This is a huge upgrade from Kyle Brady. Great choice from what was left. Now Byron Leftwich can have another target whose name isn’t Jimmy Smith. Great choice.

Side note – One more beer before the end of the first round.

29. New York Jets – Nick Mangold C/Ohio State – Great choice for the Jets who lost Kevin Mawae to free agency. The best part of that pick? Either the Jets fans nearly hanging from the rafters and humping each other or that Mangold’s mom leapt on top of him and blocked him from camera’s view for nearly the entire shot.

30. Indianapolis Colts – Joseph Addai RB/LSU – Dominic Rhodes just threw his remote control across the room. This guy’s a stud for sure. A 4.4 40? Forget about it. We’ll see Rhodes for a few games, but that’ll probably do it.

Side note – I love the McDonald’s commercial where the hot chick is walking by and all the dudes are eating McDonalds and she walks by and they see her kid and they all give a “Phew! Dodged THAT bullet!” look knowing that they don’t want any of that noise. Because EVERYONE knows avoid chicks with babies at all cost, and McDonald’s is all like, “WORD!”
Side note – I love any athlete who uses the third person. It’s like spotting a mullet. Every time I hear LenDale White say “LenDale White” it makes me smile like I just spotted a feathered mullet with a rat tail.

31. Seattle Seahawks – Kelly Jennings CB/Miami – Unnecessary pick. Their defensive backs are fine. But with all the picking of the defensive backs going on, who can blame them? I’m not happy with the pick, but I don’t really care either, because the Seahawks are possibly one of the most boring teams in the NFL.

32. New York Giants – Mathias Kiwanuka – DE/Boston College – Pretty good pick there. A guy who can play on the other side of Strahan and learn from him as he goes along. His grandfather was the president of the Uganda. He wears a tattoo of the Ugandan Presidential Seal to commemorate the fact that his grandfather was tortured and killed during his presidency. Wow. What’s Strahan’s story again? Oh, right, not nearly as interesting, just something about gapped teeth and Favre fainting at the sight of him to give him a record. Right. You go, Kiwanuka!

There’s your first round. Paul Tagliabue is gone. I’m pretty drunk, but I’ve tried to maintain my journalistic integrity (look I can still spell it! That you Microsoft spell check!) and maintain a different look at the draft. Good day to you fools, I’m going to light the grill and get the margarita machine purring and ready for the rest of the party.

Labels: football draft, jospeh addai, nfl, nfl draft, reggie bush

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