(02-23-2022, 05:55 PM)scottyg Wrote:

(02-21-2022, 04:23 PM)Bullseye Wrote: Considering Mahomes rode the bench for most of his rookie year, I'm not sure it's fair to say he was amazing right off the bat.  On top of that, why penalize Mahomes in any comparison if he was more ready to play coming into the league than Allen was?

That said, you are absolutely right that the two of them put on an absolutely amazing display in that playoff game.  Allen certainly had nothing to be ashamed of.  In fact, his performance along with Mahomes will go into history as one of the best playoff performances ever.  To be honest, if Trevor Lawrence is playing at Allen's level at a similar stage in his career, Jaguars fans should be quite happy.  I know I would be.

That said, there is scant objective rationale for saying Allen is a better QB than Mahomes at this point.  But there is plenty suggesting he is the 4th best QB in the AFC.

I don't feel like I'm penalizing Mahomes for letting Allen off the hook a bit for having trouble hitting water from a boat in his first couple of years.  I'm just not penalizing Allen for it.  The knock on him coming out of college was accuracy, so his transformation is nothing short of amazing.  That and I said Mahomes was still my #1.

I'm still taking Allen over Burrow and Herbert, though it's not an easy decision at all, and it's really just due to his ability as a runner.  3rd or 4th and short, Allen is almost indefensible.
I've barely seen Herbert play though, so maybe he'll change my mind if he starts willing his team to wins like those two do...  And Burrow for that matter.

Felt like the golden age of quarterbacking was coming to an end with so many great QBs closing out their careers, but man these guys all look good.

I will say a couple of things.

I think Allen is the most physically gifted QB in the league.  I also believe if he makes it to/wins a Super Bowl, as much as I would hate to admit it, he would be in the top 3 in the league and there would be legitimate debate over whether he is the best.  Without the accomplishments, though, it's tough for me to make that case for him being the best, especially when other players have equal or better stats, more accolades, and more accomplishments.

We are in complete agreement regarding a new golden age of QBs...especially in the AFC.  I just hope that TL will soon be included in these types of conversations.  One good thing about this debate/discussion is we have a clearer idea of the kind of statistical standard to which he will be held.  The good thing is we have a coach and coaching staff that can get him there, provided they get him surrounding help.

---