Post Ben era

JDLefebvre · Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2013 11:03 am Post subject: Post Ben era

Let me rattle off some names you may or may not be familiar with......

Cliff Stoudt
Mark Malone
Bubby Brister
Jim Miller
Kent Graham
David Woodley
Neil O'Donnell
Mike Tomczak
Kordell Stewart
Tommy Maddox

Those are most of the Quarterbacks we had for 20 years between the Bradshaw era and the Roethlisberger era.

So what should be the plan of attack to make sure that type of futility does not happen again?

I know a lot will depend on Ben's health, and he is only about to be 31 so he could play for 5-6 more years and I hope he does. But how long do we wait to address the position?

Should we go QB in the 4th or 5th this year and hope we can bring a QB along to someday be his replacement?

Do we go QB in the 1st or 2nd in a couple 2-3 years?

Any guys you see being possible replacements in a few years?

It should be obvious how important a long term solution is...
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stillersenat · Joined: 23 Mar 2007 Posts: 9649 Location: In over my head.

This is a pretty broad question.

First we need to address the back-up situation. We could make the back-up Ben's eventual replacement.

As to directly getting Ben's replacement, we have the luxury of developing a lower round QB as we still have time left on Ben. But the way the NFL is going, you almost HAVE to spend a 1st, and a high 1st at that, to get a true franchise QB (Flacco level or better). Sure there are exceptions to the rule such as Brady, but some investment is necessary to get a starting QB.

I think there will be a change over at the back-up QB spot, so now would be a good time to start grooming a QB.
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JDLefebvre · Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2013 11:29 am Post subject:

jebrick · Joined: 10 Jan 2006 Posts: 7125 Location: Indianapolis

The simplest plan. Watch college football and plan for a year with a lot of very good QBs coming up. Lose a lot in that year and get a high pick. Draft franchise QB.

Alternative #1: Get some really good scouts to find a franchise QB and make sure you draft him. Trade a ton to get him.

Alternative #2: Get lucky in the draft.
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JDLefebvre · Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2013 12:22 pm Post subject:

Saw this in a mock...

at23steelers · Joined: 05 Mar 2011 Posts: 3721 Location: United States

Steelers22 · Joined: 23 Jan 2007 Posts: 1323

A bit too early to stop worrying about that right now so as a result, we cannot afford to take a QB in the early rounds of any of our drafts. However, in 3-4 years, I am a firm believer that you take a QB in the first round and get the best talent available. The 2nd and 3rd round guys can end up being solid but almost always end up in the lower half of the league in terms of their play. You need elite QB play in this league to win a championship so it baffles me when people take a qb on the second and third days and it sets their franchise back because often times they are never bad enough to completely throw away but they are never good enough to win it all
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JustPlainNasty · Joined: 11 Feb 2008 Posts: 6363 Location: Las Vegas

You would assume Ben will play until he is 35 or 36. His health and quality of play would probably deteriorate significantly beyond that.

Thst being said we have about 5 years to that point. In todays game and draft you would figure at most to need about 3 years to develop someone, can you think of any successful qb thats actually needed more beyond that?

The reality about backups is that they are backups and are supposed to be stop gaps. It is unlikely and too valuable to have a Steve Young sit on your bench.

I would focus more on this idea in 2-3 years. In the meantime if good value is available you consider it at any point for potential trade value. I also think Ben would not be very receiving of any young prospect with any real potential to take his place at this point.
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at23steelers · Joined: 05 Mar 2011 Posts: 3721 Location: United States

Im sorry, but Im not gonna not groom a QB just because it might affect Big Ben's massive ego. He probably wouldn't help teach the young QB like a Peyton Manning would, but it's still a good idea. We at least need a backup QB this year, even if they're not the franchise QB we all want to replace Big Ben in 5-6 years.

JDLefebvre · Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2013 12:45 pm Post subject:

armsteeld · Joined: 02 Mar 2009 Posts: 2865 Location: In your head

If Logan Thomas is available in the 4th, I would take him.
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JustPlainNasty · Joined: 11 Feb 2008 Posts: 6363 Location: Las Vegas

JustPlainNasty · Joined: 11 Feb 2008 Posts: 6363 Location: Las Vegas

JDLefebvre · Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2013 2:25 pm Post subject:

at23steelers · Joined: 05 Mar 2011 Posts: 3721 Location: United States

We need a backup QB since Big Ben gets injured a lot. I think Kafta could be our 2nd QB, but we might as well draft a QB in the draft too. I think even the 3rd round is too high, unless there's tremendous value. However, around the 4th-5th round, see who's available. Maybe get a guy like Logan Thomas or Zac Dysert.