Originally posted by NYFCat
KB, I don’t think you are underestimating Fiedler’s ability. You’re right… the guy IS limited and DOES throw too many picks. I think, however, you are underestimating Jay Fiedler as a football player. Keep in mind that last off-season, you (among other “realists†spouted off that Fiedler was INCAPABLE (keep that word in mind) of: starting 16 games, having a good YPC avg, throwing for 3000+ yds, throwing for 20+ TDs, having a QB rating in the 80’s, and taking the team on his back to victory. Check, check, check, check, check, and check. Remember how you and the rest of the Fiedler bashers were praising the Ravens, Bucs, and Chiefs for anteing up for Grbac, Johnson, and Green? I do, and I remember checking the QB ratings for these 3 at the end of the year. Lo and behold… Fiedler’s was higher than all of them and Jay led his team to more victories.
In ’00, the debate was whether or not Jay would get by as a starting QB.
In ’01, it was if Fiedler was a capable starting QB.
Now, it’s whether or not Fiedler is a Super Bowl QB.
Isn’t it amazing how the bar is being raised every year? Shouldn’t that tell you something about his improvement?
Lets face it. Norv Turner is here for a year (maybe two) on a campaign to get another NFL head coaching job. Norv Turner is not a “yes sir man†like a Kippy Brown. Why would Norv drag his reputation through the mud by coordinating a team with a QB that, allegedly, is far below average? Doesn’t make much sense to me. Turner is on record as saying he is a fan of Jay Fiedler. Turner said it a year ago in pre-season and it was published in TSN shortly after his arrival.
Any for anyone else that wants to throw names of other QBs out there, just remember that those players have flaws as well.
Want Trent Dilfer? You have to surround him with a great OL and RB and put him in a caretaker’s role.
Want Jim Miller? Ditto.
Want Jeff Blake? Keep in mind that the reason he is a backup is because he can’t stay healthy and doesn’t have the respect of his teammates.
Want Jeff George? Then stick by his belief that team continuity is overrated.
Want Troy Aikman? Well, why not just sign Marino to back him up?
In 2000, the Dolphins went into the fourth quarter only one time with no chance to win… the 27-0 blowout loss to the Raiders. Other than that, we were within reach of victory. Why? ‘cause the running game was effective and took time off the clock.
Last year, that didn’t happen. We were losing 21-0 to the 49ers, 20-3 to the Patriots, 28-10 to the Rams, 17-3 to the Ravens. Why? ‘cause we couldn’t run or stop the run. Our RBs were outrushed 160-45 in the ‘Niners game, 197-40 in the Pats game, 206-20 in the Ravens game. Translation: In our 3 biggest games of the season, we couldn’t run or stop the run, and we had to rely solely on Fiedler’s arm to put together sustained drives to compensate for their rushing attack; it didn’t happen, and that is the fault of the rushing offense and defense. Grbac and Garcia threw for a mere 133 yds, Brady for only 108. Fiedler had to drop back over 100 times in those 3 games, compared to Brady’s 19, Grbac’s 18, and Garcia’s 18. Reason? Controlling the clock.
Even the Fiedler bashers have to agree that he is excellent in the 4th quarter, when the game is on the line. My philosophy for this upcoming season is that if Ricky plays as well or better than Lamar in ’00, we’ll head into the 4th quarter with a great chance to win… with a QB that has proven he can take the team on his back to victory in the 4th quarter. It doesn’t matter who your QB is if you are getting outrushed by 150 yards every game.