Rattay named 49ers starter - Thoughts on #1 Overall QBs

SteelZeal · 08-23-2005, 04:06 PM

Rattay named '9ers starter over Alex Smith

Alex Smith was all but given the job, and somehow managed to lose it in two preseason games. That may seem a little harsh, but he must be nowhere near ready. I saw him in action briefly during an exhibition game, and although he was pretty horrible, his line was giving him about 1.5 seconds to throw each time he dropped back to pass.

Smith will see action soon enough, though. Rattay isn't the most durable guy, and behind that line....whoo.

Of course, it's way way too early to call Smith a bust or anything like that (I think he can be pretty good eventually), but it leads me to another point:

Picking a QB #1 is usually a losing proposition. There is always pressure to do so from fans and members of the organization who feel a young QB is needed for a fresh start. But a young QB normally takes years to get used to the NFL, and if he's picked #1, he's probably the highest-paid player on your team. And sometimes these QBs get thrown into the fire even if they're not ready, because really, are you gonna pay a guy $8 mil to ride the pine all year?

The model of long-term success in the NFL now is to pay the defense and your o-line (or find bargains). Of course, with sustained success, this becomes impossible; the QB and other skill players will get paid. Example: Manning's contract prevents the Colts from signing great defensive players, and it's hard to win a Super Bowl without a good defense. Tom Brady's new deal will be hurting the Pats cap-wise eventually, no matter how smart the FO is. It can't be avoided forever.

Just four QBs in NFL history drafted first overall have won the SB: Bradshaw, Plunkett, Elway, Aikman.

LambertIsGod58 · 08-23-2005, 06:10 PM

I say that Rattay should start. Smith is too green at this point and from I've seen hasn't looked too great.

blairsummit · 08-23-2005, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LambertIsGod58

I say that Rattay should start. Smith is too green at this point and from I've seen hasn't looked too great.

agreed. smith just needs more snaps in practice plain in simple.

BlitzburghRockCity · 08-23-2005, 10:25 PM

ah, they can't all be Big Ben's can they!!!

IF the 49ers are rebuilding, u might as well build behind your #1 pick, the guy who is going to lead you into the future.. the packers too their lumps w/ Favre when he came into the league and now he's an HOF QB and the Packers are always competitive.. u gotta start somewhere..

SteelZeal · 08-24-2005, 12:24 AM

But...

Favre was drafted by Atlanta, as a second-round pick. He didn't take there for a number of reasons (mostly not getting along with Jerry Glanville), so Green Bay dealt for him the following year - they gave up a second-round pick.

BlitzburghRockCity · 08-24-2005, 01:08 AM

Right, but Holmgren put Favre in and stuck w/ him..thru all the picks, the sacks, the poorly thrown passes, and as he grew, so did the packers... now if your a team thats established and a good core of players who can already challenge for the playoffs and beyond, then yeah I'd let him sit, but if your entire team sucks and ur rebuilding from the ground up, why not stick him in there and let him take his lumps. Sure you'll have to pull him maybe from time to time, and you'll give up a couple years as you rebuild..but Rattay is nothing special either.

:)

ironcitychef · 08-24-2005, 07:41 AM

I keep thinking back to Ben having to read the plays off his wrist all last year. You gotta just put them in and let them learn. Does putting in Rattay make them better? Don't think so. They are not favorites to win the division now because of it, so what do they gain?

bengalsfan21 · 08-24-2005, 12:48 PM

I say keep Smith in, 49ers aren't going to do anything great for a few years, they should put him in now and let him work the kinks out. So when the time comes he will be ready, if they make him a back up he will not be ready to take over when the time comes he will need a year or so to get into the groove.

Prosdo · 08-24-2005, 01:53 PM

I say let Smith lead the team as well. They can't do much worse can they? Let Smith play I think they have more of a chance with him then anyone else.

Tha rock · 08-25-2005, 05:24 PM

The niners need to do something quick!

	Why register with the Steelers Fever Forums? • Intelligent and friendly discussions. • It's free and it's quick. Always. • Enter events in the forums calendar. • Very user friendly software. • Exclusive contests and giveaways.
Donate to Steelers Fever, Click here	Our 2013 Goal: $400.00 - To Date: $00.00 (00.00%)

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)