Didn't want to put this in the Mac article thread.
During the game, I started to wonder what everyone thought. Assuming CJB and Mac play comparably through the PS, how would you handle backup QB?
- CJB is seasoned, familiar with the playbook, roster, and coaches; likely at the max of his capability; seems content with the role of backup QB.
- Mac is younger; playing on the remnant of his rookie deal; has potential to grow as familiarity increases; uncertainty regarding future; local kid
You hope to not NEED your backup during the season. But if all things are equal, I'd probably stick with CJB. He appeared to toss some floaters, but maybe that is just being used to seeing Trevor fire lasers at the same distance. Mac did fine, but you'd expect a first round QB with extensive starting experience to handle the backend of a roster. Maybe they can mix it up and reverse the roles next week, see if Mac can hold up with the twos.
My bigger fear is that at the end of the year, if we commit to Mac as backup, does he stick around as a long-term backup, or is he next wandering QB to take work wherever teams have vacuums at the starting QB position?
Anyhoo, how would you handle things in this situation?
Mac is a former probowler.Bigger arm and more mobile. To me, he's the backup
I think Mac will end up being the backup with CJ heading to the practice squad.
I think they love CJ for what he brings in the locker room with Trevor but they traded a pick for Mac. I think he will likely start this next game (Shipley said Trevor won’t play due to joint practices)
I have some reservations regarding Mac, especially if it's in the primetime slot and he has to step in as the full time starter for whatever reason. HOPEFULLY, it never happens.
It's his tendencies to turn it over though, in Bortles type fashion (pick sixes, fumbles for tuddies) as well for being known as a pretty dirty player sometimes for the QB position that give me a bad feeling about him.
However, despite my said reservations about him. He clearly has a better arm than C.J Beathard. It's not even close. The kid can zip it, he can move a little bit, has the ability to dart the football around.
So, in my opinion. He was worth the 6th RD investment and one year rental as the back-up. I was eyeing Beathard's replacement to begin with during the draft process. Was high Joe Milton III, Spencer Rattler and Sam Hartman in particular.
Mac offers experience though. Again, we HOPE nothing happens, but, he's a clear cut upgrade arm talent wise and experience wise over C.J. Mac should be starting this weekend against the Buccaneers if it's just the 2nd and 3rd string teams playing. I would like to see him work with the 2's over the 3's for sure.
Both backups are going to get lots of live reps in the reamaining preseason games.
I imagine one will clearly separate himself.
Sure seems to be leaning toward Mac Jones as of now.
Yeah. CJ is a known quantity. And that quantity is very limited. His lack of arm compresses the field and opposing defenses know it.
Mac brings starter ability, even given his propensity to turn it over. Trevor doesn’t need a mentor anymore. So I lean to Mac.
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We wasted a 6th round pick on Mac so might as well stick with him. once other teams got game film on Mac in his rookie year, his flaws were fully exposed. his max potential is probably reaching the heights of AJ McCarron. Personally, I'd like to see someone like a Justin Fields as the backup. Not because I think he's good but rather someone who offers a running element to that position when we have to revert to a backup QB in desperate times.
(08-12-2024, 10:08 AM)I am Yoda Wrote: [ -> ]Yeah. CJ is a known quantity. And that quantity is very limited. His lack of arm compresses the field and opposing defenses know it.
Mac brings starter ability, even given his propensity to turn it over. Trevor doesn’t need a mentor anymore. So I lean to Mac.
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Exactly. Mac is also on a prove it deal. This will be his last opportunity to either earn himself a nice little contract extension as a career back-up, or, potentially garner trade value to be a starter in another year or two.
He has the arm talent. It's clear as a day. He just has to be careful with the football. Granted, we can say the same for Trevor at times, but, I know I sound like a broken record by now.
Mac's turnovers are devastatingly bad. Almost every time I have seen him play he's had a really, really awful turnover.
We spent a 6h round pick on the guy, when we already had a backup QB. If he doesn't win the backup job, I would seriously wonder what the hell they were thinking.
(08-12-2024, 10:39 AM)The Real Marty Wrote: [ -> ]We spent a 6h round pick on the guy, when we already had a backup QB. If he doesn't win the backup job, I would seriously wonder what the hell they were thinking.
He'll win it. His arm is CLEARLY better. C.J has been serviceable, but, he doesn't have the strongest arm.
That pass that BTJ slowed up for to make the play on that ball could have been a lot better. C.J also missed a wide open Strange.
I just think Mac has better zip. We'll see against the Buccaneers, but, it's possible Mac can have a field day with the 2's early.
Mac had a miss as well in the endzone. I'll be fair in my judgement.
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Mac is clearly better than CJ and I'd be much more comfortable with him as the backup. That said, the dude was a first round pick, even if he is our backup this year, I suspect he'll go elsewhere next season for a shot at a starting job just based on his draft position alone.
If we need a QB for a few game stretch, and hopefully we don’t, I’d much rather have Jones.
Jones is better then CJ; had he been here last year it's likely Lawrence doesn't play a few of those late season games when he was injured. That in itself means CJ should be done here. But I also think some team might have interest in the next few weeks as starters get hurt, so they should continue to answer the phone.
(08-12-2024, 11:38 AM)flsprtsgod Wrote: [ -> ]Jones is better then CJ; had he been here last year it's likely Lawrence doesn't play a few of those late season games when he was injured. That in itself means CJ should be done here. But I also think some team might have interest in the next few weeks as starters get hurt, so they should continue to answer the phone.
So, we traded a 6th round pick for him; would you accept a 4th round pick for him? And go into the season with CJ as the backup?
(08-12-2024, 11:39 AM)The Real Marty Wrote: [ -> ] (08-12-2024, 11:38 AM)flsprtsgod Wrote: [ -> ]Jones is better then CJ; had he been here last year it's likely Lawrence doesn't play a few of those late season games when he was injured. That in itself means CJ should be done here. But I also think some team might have interest in the next few weeks as starters get hurt, so they should continue to answer the phone.
So, we traded a 6th round pick for him; would you accept a 4th round pick for him? And go into the season with CJ as the backup?
I'd have to think hard about it. We're no worse off than we were last year in that case, but last year it was also a problem. The question is whether or not Jones has more value on the bench or on the table, at this moment I don't know. He isn't going to be here more than 1 year no matter what, so maybe move him for the draft capital and look for a different back up for this year that can hit the PS for a few weeks then replace CJ on the 53.
(08-12-2024, 11:43 AM)flsprtsgod Wrote: [ -> ] (08-12-2024, 11:39 AM)The Real Marty Wrote: [ -> ]So, we traded a 6th round pick for him; would you accept a 4th round pick for him? And go into the season with CJ as the backup?
I'd have to think hard about it. We're no worse off than we were last year in that case, but last year it was also a problem. The question is whether or not Jones has more value on the bench or on the table, at this moment I don't know. He isn't going to be here more than 1 year no matter what, so maybe move him for the draft capital and look for a different back up for this year that can hit the PS for a few weeks then replace CJ on the 53.
How about a decent backup Center with at least 2 years left on his contract?
(08-12-2024, 11:39 AM)The Real Marty Wrote: [ -> ] (08-12-2024, 11:38 AM)flsprtsgod Wrote: [ -> ]Jones is better then CJ; had he been here last year it's likely Lawrence doesn't play a few of those late season games when he was injured. That in itself means CJ should be done here. But I also think some team might have interest in the next few weeks as starters get hurt, so they should continue to answer the phone.
So, we traded a 6th round pick for him; would you accept a 4th round pick for him? And go into the season with CJ as the backup?
If it's me? Absolutely not. This team was awfully close to winning the division and making the play-off's for the second straight year in a row. A feat unseen since the 90's.
A better back-up would have allowed this team to legitimately convince itself and it's QB1 to sit out and rest for more than one week. We put too much on a hobbled Lawrence with an already depleted and off schedule WR room.
I think they made this investment fully knowing that was a difference last year and they needed to upgrade the QB room. I wanted them to draft a QB to develop earlier this year. Was initially "meh" about the Mac Jones trade, but, on paper?
It makes perfect sense now. Again, good amount of experience, former first round talent, has the strong arm that Beathard lacks, which, it allows Press and Doug to keep the playbook open completely where C.J may actually limit the offense.
Mac's QB2. I think he solidifies it for sure this Saturday.
(08-12-2024, 11:45 AM)The Real Marty Wrote: [ -> ] (08-12-2024, 11:43 AM)flsprtsgod Wrote: [ -> ]I'd have to think hard about it. We're no worse off than we were last year in that case, but last year it was also a problem. The question is whether or not Jones has more value on the bench or on the table, at this moment I don't know. He isn't going to be here more than 1 year no matter what, so maybe move him for the draft capital and look for a different back up for this year that can hit the PS for a few weeks then replace CJ on the 53.
How about a decent backup Center with at least 2 years left on his contract?
I think Jones is probably worth more than that, but I'm in favor of finding that guy somehow.
I think they keep 3 QB's. There have been a couple injuries that make the numbers game easier to manage for some of the bubble guys. Doug has always put a lot of value on backup QB's and I don't think we really have anyone who can be stashed on the Practice Squad.
My guess if Jones continues to do well he is the backup, with CJ on the PS this year. CJ is not going anywhere. Next year if he leaves we just might get a tasty comp pick and we still have CJ.
Who knows Jones could be our version of Nick Foles..