AJ, first year with starts: 86/154, 58.8, 1011 yds., 6 TDs, 5 Int., 75.4
AJ, 2nd year with starts: 191/356, 53.7, 1893, 11-15, 61.7
Steve Young, 1st year: 72/13/, 52.2, 935, 3-8, 56.9
Steve Young, 2nd year: 195/363, 53.7, 2282, 8-13, 65.5
Now, I am not suggesting that AJ is the next Steve Young. I simply propose that it is way too early to give up on him. It is totally unfair to judge anyone's performance based on the Miami Dolphin's 2004 season (except Wannstedt's, of course). We had no discernable offensive system, a totally incompetent offensive line, injuries to skill players, etc. ad nauseum. How can anybody lay the blame for the total offensive ineptitude on AJ?
Hey, Tampa Bay gave up on Steve Young. He got together with an effective system and solid coaching, and he gets to go to the hall with Danny...
I agree about not giving up on him yet. But he will need to perform better under pressure this year. He had a tremendous amount of pressure last year from the Swiss Cheese OL line and the fact that not even a high school team would respect the RB's that Miami was using last year.
That being said, AJ will have every opportunity to prove that he has the ability to play well or Gus will get the ball and not give it back. I still don't like that we gave Philly a 2nd round pick for him, when NE gave a second rd pick for Corey Dillon. No comparison there.