Ryan Leaf was monumental as well.Fortunately there will never be a bust like JaMarcus Russell, because the NFL changed the rookie salary structure. In those days the Raiders had to sign Russell to an outlandish Pro Bowl Vet guaranteed salary which crippled the club financially for years. Russell had no time to learn, the Raiders had no more money to build a team around him, and the fanbase turned on him.
Back then it was a curse to have a high pick. You had to pick the safest players or you got one of these crippling busts. The Bengals, Browns, Cards, and others were perennially losers because they could not afford to pay rookie QB's and pay the team around him. Limiting the salaries for rookies leveled the playing field for all the teams. Now it has gone the other way where teams like the Dolphins, are spending money that would go to a Vet QB, on primo teammates. It is called the "Seattle Model" because the Seahawks rode Russell Wilson's bargain rookie contract to the Superbowls. The Dolphins can give Tyreek money because Tua is still on his rookie deal.
The 49ers lost lots of "Draft Capital" on Lance. This bust cost more on a par with the Bears who moved up (with SF) for Trubiski who then tanked. Other notable draft capital fleecings include The Hershel Walker deal and the Tunsil deal.
Fortunately there will never be a bust like JaMarcus Russell, because the NFL changed the rookie salary structure. In those days the Raiders had to sign Russell to an outlandish Pro Bowl Vet guaranteed salary which crippled the club financially for years. Russell had no time to learn, the Raiders had no more money to build a team around him, and the fanbase turned on him.
Back then it was a curse to have a high pick. You had to pick the safest players or you got one of these crippling busts. The Bengals, Browns, Cards, and others were perennially losers because they could not afford to pay rookie QB's and pay the team around him. Limiting the salaries for rookies leveled the playing field for all the teams. Now it has gone the other way where teams like the Dolphins, are spending money that would go to a Vet QB, on primo teammates. It is called the "Seattle Model" because the Seahawks rode Russell Wilson's bargain rookie contract to the Superbowls. The Dolphins can give Tyreek money because Tua is still on his rookie deal.
The 49ers lost lots of "Draft Capital" on Lance. This bust cost more on a par with the Bears who moved up (with SF) for Trubiski who then tanked. Other notable draft capital fleecings include The Hershel Walker deal and the Tunsil deal.
Lance has probably made as many passing plays in like 5 games as Fields has in nearly two full seasons. Fields is a terrible QB. Would have been an even more monumental disaster in SF since he's entirely deficient at getting rid of the ball to receivers on schedule and that's what SF requires.Throwing Tunsil’s name in their was weak. Doesn’t belong in conversation. Houston is happy to have him. Overpaying for an All-pro isn’t near comparable. Heck, you might as well started with Joey Galloway’s name.
Lance will go down as a bigger bust than Jamarcus Russell because the money is irrelevant when compared to the draft picks.
Also the players Oakland passed on wouldn’t have made a difference for them either.
Raiders needed a QB and there were zero options.
SF could’ve kept the picks and gotten Justin Fields.
Manziel was clearly a bust but I don't think he was overdrafted. Problem was he was a guy who needed coaching to keep his head on straight, and he ended up in Cleveland, which hasn't developed a QB in two and a half decades despite seemingly drafting a QB highly every other year.Lance is another example of how the QB position is somewhat overvalued causing many to be overdrafted. Tannehill, Trubisky, Lance, Manziel, Mayfield, & Rudolph come to mind.
The media is queueing up anoint Caleb Williams & Drake Maye as the next big things.
That said, I'd venture Joe Milton & Michael Penix will be better long term prospects than the aforementioned
Lance has probably made as many passing plays in like 5 games as Fields has in nearly two full seasons. Fields is a terrible QB. Would have been an even more monumental disaster in SF since he's entirely deficient at getting rid of the ball to receivers on schedule and that's what SF requires.
I cringe every time I see All-pro OT Lane Johnson. I'll never forget when Ireland traded up to #3 to get the desperately needed Johnson, so I thought, but instead selected Dion Jordan.Manziel was clearly a bust but I don't think he was overdrafted. Problem was he was a guy who needed coaching to keep his head on straight, and he ended up in Cleveland, which hasn't developed a QB in two and a half decades despite seemingly drafting a QB highly every other year.
I find a big problem with the way teams draft (and the way they trade established players to get "picks and money" in Ireland's fashion) is they all overrate their own competence. They always think they are going to be the ones to develop a project player. They all think they are gonna be competent enough to have a high success rate on their draft picks. Few will ever admit to themselves that they aren't good enough to develop projects, turn tools into ability (Josh Allen seems a rare exception when it comes to QB's), and aren't going to draft well - at least until they are fired.
Miami has had more than their fair share of rubes-in-charge who were swamp ass at making the right decision, especially when it comes to the offensive line.I cringe every time I see All-pro OT Lane Johnson. I'll never forget when Ireland traded up to #3 to get the desperately needed Johnson, so I thought, but instead selected Dion Jordan.
Real world or fantasy? He could rush for 2000 yards and still be a worthless qb since a qb can easily pass for 4,000 these days.Fields is going to have a stellar season.