Drafting a QB in 2011

I'll take this as you being facetious, and ask again...

Do we need Newton, if we draft him, to start day one? So you're telling me if we draft him, we can't sign a vet anymore?

It didn't work.

So we should stop?

I do get your point, though. We'll see I guess. Maybe we draft Dareus, and maybe he sacks the rest of the NFCS quarterbacks so much that we win the division!

 

In all seriousness, I'd like to hear more about this. I think he's a hell of a QB.

Tampa did have an easy schedule, though.

 

If he's not starting day one then what's the point of taking him with the first overall pick? And regardless of what Rivera wants to do, there would be enormous pressure from all sides to have him starting by at least game four. So yeah, we really couldn't sign a vet and have Newton sit for a season, which is unfortunate since that's probably what he needs.

I can't find a copy of the '09 magazine or my notes on my rookie article from that year, which annoys me because I'm pretty sure I spelled out exactly what his problems would be since they were evident at K-State. Basically, Freeman is at his best when he is allowed to throw down the seams. He is a dramatically more accurate passer between the hash marks than outside them, and also tends to make better decisions with the football in that area. Instead of two deep safeties, I'd like to see someone play him with a single high, and maybe drop the MLB into a middle zone as well. Really, you just want to force him to throw outside since he's not comfortable with or adept at doing so. Beyond that, playing single high would allow you to bring pressure, and despite his mobility, Freeman isn't nearly as good a passer on the move. If you can take away the slants, ins, and seam routes then you have a pretty good chance of him having a bad day.

Some stats worth noting on Freeman -
When ahead: 109.2 qb rating
When tied: 69.5 qb rating
When behind: 78.2 qb rating

Outside the hashes: 48.6% completions
Between the hashes: 67.1% completions


Single high safety -

 

I think I saw a guy named "Single High Safety" in the Preps forum recently.

Good info. He's still a franchise QB.

 

This is really good stuff. Thank you.

I do think he helped carry a really bad team to 10 wins.