tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665637725330682289.post6582291004581080098..comments2023-10-23T10:00:38.805-07:00Comments on If It Ain't Steel: The Fall And Rise Of The Black Quarterback: Past, Present And FutureJasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15320078901630699697noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665637725330682289.post-85473033416181920822012-12-11T15:11:07.079-08:002012-12-11T15:11:07.079-08:00HAHA^^^^ Good one Jason.HAHA^^^^ Good one Jason.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665637725330682289.post-74052787498071407172012-10-10T09:06:13.499-07:002012-10-10T09:06:13.499-07:00As Jon Gruden's one-on-one interviews with the...As Jon Gruden's one-on-one interviews with the top college to NFL QBs has shown, the black QB is not on a intellectual par with their white counterparts. <br /><br />I recently watched his interviews with RGIII, Weeden, and Luck ... and had seen his interview with Cam Newton last year. Gruden had Weeden and Luck up at the white board, drawing one formation after another that they had run in college. Luck was absolutely eye watering and Weeden, while less so, still knew his stuff. Compare that to Cam Newton who, when asked to draw up one of the plays that he ran while in college, struggled, semi-scribbled, before Gruden jumped in and let him off the hook. They spent the rest of the interview watching film of Newton running wild in college. Gruden did the same thing for RG III, not one question about what plays they ran in college or did he have him go to the board. just a lot of film of him playing. Both black QBs showed they didn't have the smarts when it came to knowing how things worked. Can they run, throw and improvise? You betcha! Ask them to identify the defensive formation they're looking at and what changes they need to make, you get a blank look.<br /><br />Yes, the black QB tends to be faster, more athletic, more improvisational, and more likely to be the better scrambler/runner. But when it comes to facing those NFL defenses that can quickly adapt to such athletic prowess (if you haven't noticed, the guys across from the ball are predominately black and have equal or superior athletic skills), the black QB runs into the problem of not having the smarts to be able to quickly read a defense and know the offensive playbook well enough to make adjustments on the fly. That's why we see the Vick's, Cunningham's, and McNabb's struggle. They have most, if not all of the physical attributes to succeed, but they don't have the IQ to rise to the level needed to overcome the ever-adjusting defenses.<br /><br />If these same QBs had played back in the Theismann and Bradshaw days, they would have dominated. The defenses then were lest athletic and less complicated then they are today. Today's defenses call for a Luck, Manning, Brady, etc ... smart and athletic. Teams have to simplify their offensive game plan for the black QB. I remember several years back when an NFL Film was showing the Viking's coaches preparing the game plan for Culpepper and one of the coaches made the comment that they were going to have to further simplify the game plan for him. It wasn't the main point of the film, just a comment made in passing, but it revealed what few others are willing to admit.<br /><br />Sure, there are white NFL QBs that are not the brightest bulb ... and they, too, suffer a similar ineptitude. Add to that the fact that most don't have the same physical gifts as the black QB, and you get a QB that doesn't measure up to the black QB in the league. In this instance, it's about IQ ... regardless of the color of skin.TallTexan2https://www.blogger.com/profile/16999090017574342131noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665637725330682289.post-66068523137276580442012-10-03T09:21:28.747-07:002012-10-03T09:21:28.747-07:00Ok, Jim, I feel ya. We had thought about using Kor...Ok, Jim, I feel ya. We had thought about using Kordell, but I suggested Young as a comparison because he and Tebow are contemporaries to start, but also because they had similar success in college and one is looked at more as talent over leadership and the other leadership/work ethic over talent. They epitomize the comment of the Duke professor. Jasonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15320078901630699697noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665637725330682289.post-78065216352273735792012-10-02T22:30:11.339-07:002012-10-02T22:30:11.339-07:00Hi, Jason. The comparison was made between Tebo an...Hi, Jason. The comparison was made between Tebo and Young stating that they are virtually the same QB in many ways. One of the arguments was that black QB's are seen as being more athletic while white QB's were thought to be better leaders and have a better work ethic. While they have similar physical attributes, I don't think the leadership qualities or work ethic between the two can even be compared. I think a guy like Kordell Stewart would have made a more valid comparison.Jim TD Steelers Graveshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05390543134053579040noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665637725330682289.post-58047453718038840862012-10-02T13:50:22.376-07:002012-10-02T13:50:22.376-07:00Hey, Jim, Jason this time. 'Preciate the comme...Hey, Jim, Jason this time. 'Preciate the comments from you and Neal. Like Jayden* said, we're already looking into expanding this and we'll def use you guys' suggestions. I don't get what ya mean re the comparisons, though. Let us know. Thanks again.Jasonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15320078901630699697noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665637725330682289.post-30011206027901404822012-10-02T09:00:28.331-07:002012-10-02T09:00:28.331-07:00Let this be the last word on the issue. The fact t...Let this be the last word on the issue. The fact that it even is an issue is becoming more and more in doubt each year. Old racial stereotypes are hard to overcome and take time to do so, yet time does heal all things. Comparing Vince Young and Tim Tebow may not have helped your argument though. Tebow truly does possess the qualities of leadership that Vince Young hasn't shown in the NFL so far.....and I hate to admit that because I hate Tebow! Very well thought out and convincing argument other than that though Jaden! Nice job!Jim TD Steelers Graveshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05390543134053579040noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665637725330682289.post-35018368308900568242012-10-02T07:52:09.490-07:002012-10-02T07:52:09.490-07:00Neal,
Thank you for the prop, much appreciated. ...Neal, <br /><br />Thank you for the prop, much appreciated. We had already discussed writing a second part to this on what you just talked about, the evultion of the black QB and how they are more than just scramblers. You made some very solid points on that. We are big fans of RGIII's and he has broken that stereotype. He is the total package, just as we believe Geno Smith of WVU is as well. We are gathering more info to get the other one done. Thanks again for the compliments and thanks for reading.<br /><br />Jason and JaydenJasonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15320078901630699697noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7665637725330682289.post-59867333117818071962012-10-02T06:26:24.989-07:002012-10-02T06:26:24.989-07:00An excellent look at the issue top to bottom.
Wh...An excellent look at the issue top to bottom. <br /><br />What I feel is missing, though, is a dive into more of the evolution of the position. Scramblers like Cunningham have been replaced by "mobile in the pocket" quarterbacks like Roethlisberger. It's not so much about the quarterback running, it's about their ability to stay in the pocket while still avoiding sacks. <br /><br />If you want a candidate who shows how far quarterbacks who happen to be black have come, look at Robert Griffin III. Despite having probably as much athleticism as any quarterback in the league, he ascended to the Heisman and the second overall selection due to his pro-ready physical ability as a passer. He has an absolute cannon arm, and throws as good a deep pass as anyone in the game today. But he's smart with the football, both in protecting it by not forcing passes, and not escaping the pocket (something I don't feel Cam Newton is able to do at this point). <br /><br />I think it would be fair to point out the impact Michael Vick has had on the perception of quarterbacks who happen to be black. His title-chasing season at Virgina Tech showed he was as physically gifted as any player in the country, and could draw fair comparisons to NFL elite mobile quarterbacks his rookie year. The difference was, at that point in the history of the game, none of those mobile quarterbacks had the arm Vick did. He didn't pan out well as a strong down-the-field thrower, but he's had success with two different franchises and, considering the slew of poor passers who have come and gone during his time in the league, he can't be considered unsuccessful overall. Maybe just not able to live up to the enormous potential he once had (I won't get into outside factors that may have contributed to his stunted development). <br /><br />There are JaMarcus Russells just like there are Tim Couchs. I believe the real progress you can point to are guys like West Virgina's Pat White who, despite fitting the mold of the stereotypical black quarterback - all athlete, no passing skills - being given legitimate chances in the NFL as passers. The fact many black quarterbacks don't have success in the NFL is beside the point - there are plenty of white quarterbacks who don't succeed in the NFL. The fact they're being seen as legitimate quarterbacks is far more indicative of where things are going. <br /><br />Sorry for the long rant, great piece. Some of your best work. Neal Coolonghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11929652844949915051noreply@blogger.com