Quote:GB did it right.  Draft your next QB before your current QB is done.  If he sits, great.  It certainly won't hurt his development, so he'll get to come along slow regardless of whether that's necessary.  It can only help.

 

The larger point being, he's there when you need him and you're not stuck selecting from a bare cupboard when it's time to draft one.  If that's your situation (like ours has been for a decade it feels) then you're setting yourself up for failure.  QBs have the highest bust rate in the first two rounds, but that's also where the good ones are found.  You're stuck with a coin toss to decide your team's fate.

 

The solution is to keep drafting and developing, even if you have a Manning or Brady.  Having the QB hit takes a share of luck.  Having that QB hit exactly when you need it to hit is putting additional risk on the pick that doesn't need to be there.  Again, that's setting up for failure.

 

As far as a developmental league, I understand the point but I don't see the feasibility.  NFLE was as much marketing as it was development and it bled cash.  They only way the NFL would back another developmental league is if it could again expand markets but without losing money.  Not sure the diminishing returns of going for the closest and likely most frugal options would be worth it (Mexico, Canada.)  With the folding of all sub markets, there's no interest in subpar football in the US.

 

Green Bay did indeed do it right, but in order for Jacksonville to follow in their model they need an established high level starter at the Quarterback position. That much is obvious, I know but it's the major sticking point in all of this. Quarterbacks bust but so does every other position, they aren't special. That's why me philosophy has evolved into one of 'don't treat that position as any different than the others.' Never let talent that can help you out walk past you just so you can take a guy that you "hope" will pan out and not bust. Because you hope that they all pan out and not bust.

 

My issue isn't with finding a Quarterback later; my issue is in taking a Quarterback at the detriment of the rest of your roster. Does a Third Round QB have a better shot at developing than a First Round guy? No, of course not but taking a guy who has Third Round talent/ability/potential in the First is setting the whole roster back.

 

As for the Developmental League, I think a way that the NFL can get it to generate interest and thereby generate cash is by tying the developmental teams directly to the 'Mother' teams. Have Jacksonville's Practice Squad play against Pittsburgh Practice Squad in an expanded 9 on 7 drill that you label as a "game." That way, fans understand that they are watching the future of their team play and have a greater interest in watching them. Plus, the young guys take advantage of the greatest learning experience that exists; actual experience!

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