Has there even been a QB competition this year? | Page 3 | FinHeaven - Miami Dolphins Forums

Has there even been a QB competition this year?

The outcome of who will be the starting QB has not been decided at this time. Regardless of the outcome, I don't feel that competition has been unfair whatsoever. Both QB's have not been impressive at all but I feel that Gus has the advantage right now because he's been making a lot better decisions than AJ and he definitely knows the system and it seems that he has more of a leadership role to this team with his teammates fully behind him.
 
phinfan2003 said:
The question that I think should be asked his how many games can we win if Feeley is the QB and how many can we win if Frerotte is the QB. I know that you can't answer that question since the games haven't been played yet but if Saban feels that we'd be say 1 game better w/ Frerotte as the QB but still not good enough to make the playoffs, what's wrong with starting Feeley? This way, it would be clear to all of us (if it's not already) that Feeley is not the answer and we can get a new QB and cut our losses w/ Feeley. I don't see Frerotte having a renaissance and all of a sudden playing like he did before he head butted the wall in Washington.
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Agree wholeheartedly with you here.

If Saban feels that gus is one game or even 2 yet still not enough to get us in the playoffs......We absolutely should start AJ. BTW, I happen to agree with that, I do feel that Gus is 1-2 wins better than AJ for this coming season butwe wont make the playoffs....Based on this we should start AJ.

Now, as far as the original question "is the QB battle a scam ? " Well, I think it has been to an certain extent. The reason I say to a "certain extent" is that everyone, players, coaches, fans, media, knew that Gus had experience in the offense and that AJ would have to play catchup. I personally have not problem with that and I don't think AJ did either. BUT, Feeley has made improvements (as evidenced by last weeks game).

Does Feeley have a good a grasp NOW as Gus does?...nope....unfortunately its still no and it's going to take a full year for him to get that way. And if Saban was truly interested in devoloping and "coaching up" this year he'd be starting Feeley. period .........from now on I'm going to leave Sage out of these discussions. While I've always thought he'd be pretty good given the chance, he's now been thru 4 different HCs (if you count Washington's 2 also) and he's NEVER moved above 3rd string. I'm staring to accept that Sage is a carreer backup who'll eventually be a Frank Reich type meaning he'll be in teh league for a long time but he'll never start 16 consecutive games...

OK i've said why I think Feeley should be starting and a bit on why I think it's a sham (the "competition"). So now I'll throw out why Gus should start.....This is a bit harder but I think that there are 2 very very good reasons.....During ALL the O player interviews they talk about the good ball that Gus throws (they also mention AJ but I think they are being PC since it is possible that AJ gets to start). While this doesn't really equate to a very very good reason, it's the way that the the other players actually speak of Gus, making me feel that the players themselves have a touch MORE confindence in Gus than they do Feeley. And let's be honest....EVERY single player wants to win every game...every year. Most players do not think... "well, even though we'll lose a couple more games this year, it's better to start the guy who might get better over the season than the guy who, I know, gives us a chance to win every game" ....I think that the players just feel that Gus can keep them in EVERY game where AJ will struggle some of the time...and lets be honest....just watching Gus's demeanor when he plays is calm and cool for the most part...He just looks confident.

I think the coaches, at least right now, are thinking the exact same way. I have a fear that Saban's ego will not allow him to do a full blown "developemental" year. I think he wants to win that badly AND I don't think that it should be underestimated that having ALL the other players confidence in that the HC is goin to put the players that give the team the best chance to win week in and week out out on the field. I'm willing to bet a decent chunk of change that Saban sold this type of thing to Vets like Carter, Holliday, McDougle, etc. to get them to come here on the cheap (most of them anyway as we know that Tenn. offered Carter a touch more money to stay there at the very end)

Overall it's a tough desicion that comes down to more than who 'might" be better for the team in the future. Either way.....I don't envision either guy as our starting QB past this year. I think Gus will be back next year but as a top backup\tutor to a new guy and AJ with his balooning contract after this season will be gone (unless he comes in at midseason, takes us on a win streak and we make it to the AFC championship).
 
phinfan2003 said:
Are you saying that Frerotte has "earned" his playing with the 1st team? Do you think Frerotte is outplaying Feeley to the point that he's "earned" these starts?
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Let me start by saying that unlike most, I really could care less who starts at quarterback. I'm not inclined to give either the advantage, although it obviously would be nice if Feeley could win the job and prove to us he can play.

I think Frerotte is winning the competition fair and square. Throughout the first couple of weeks of training camp, as well as both preseason games, Frerotte was the better quarterback. I hated Fiedler as much as the next guy, but the offense did seem to have rythm when he was the quarterback (his problem was his boneheaded INT's). Under Frerotte, besides the Steeler debacle, the offense seems to have a similar rythm. Frerotte knows where the receivers are at all times, and more importantly he'll hang in the pocket long enough to get them the ball.

There is no conspiracy against AJ, he just did not capitalize on his opportunities. Saban clearly stated the QB's would each get to start one of the first 2 games. AJ started the first, looked a lot like the old AJ, then got injured. No conspiracy there. Gus looked great in that game, then played good enough in the Jacksonville game. Unlike Wanny, Saban wants to establish some continuity at quarterback so he is giving Gus reps with the first team since he has shown he is the better QB right now. Feeley played decent against Pit, but let's be honest, any of us could have dumped 16 passes off to the RB's. As the clearly stated underdog, it is now Feeley's job to win, not Gus's to lose. If Feeley wants to start he needs to show he's clearly the better QB.

Feeley is still an enigma. He's far too careless with the football at this point, and the offense just doesn't have any flow at all when he's in there. IMO it would be a big mistake to put Feeley back there again to start the season. At some point in the season Feeley will get a chance to see some action and prove himself, but at this point our goal is to win games, not to let AJ prove himself. If he's still the same QB when he gets that chance, excuses aren't gonna cut it.
 
Finland said:
Coming out of the game because you can't get your shoe on, is a bad visual to leave with the coach if you are competing. I mean "he can't even tie his own shoes effectively".

As stupid as that is...I will bet ya Saban has been in a conversation where that line got used.
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You need to call the nurse cause you didnt get your meds, Feeleys shoe didnt come off because eh didnt tie it good it was taped on, you get decleated by urlacher and not break something or lose a shoe!
 
zephon said:
Agree wholeheartedly with you here.

If Saban feels that gus is one game or even 2 yet still not enough to get us in the playoffs......We absolutely should start AJ. BTW, I happen to agree with that, I do feel that Gus is 1-2 wins better than AJ for this coming season butwe wont make the playoffs....Based on this we should start AJ.

Now, as far as the original question "is the QB battle a scam ? " Well, I think it has been to an certain extent. The reason I say to a "certain extent" is that everyone, players, coaches, fans, media, knew that Gus had experience in the offense and that AJ would have to play catchup. I personally have not problem with that and I don't think AJ did either. BUT, Feeley has made improvements (as evidenced by last weeks game).

Does Feeley have a good a grasp NOW as Gus does?...nope....unfortunately its still no and it's going to take a full year for him to get that way. And if Saban was truly interested in devoloping and "coaching up" this year he'd be starting Feeley. period .........from now on I'm going to leave Sage out of these discussions. While I've always thought he'd be pretty good given the chance, he's now been thru 4 different HCs (if you count Washington's 2 also) and he's NEVER moved above 3rd string. I'm staring to accept that Sage is a carreer backup who'll eventually be a Frank Reich type meaning he'll be in teh league for a long time but he'll never start 16 consecutive games...

OK i've said why I think Feeley should be starting and a bit on why I think it's a sham (the "competition"). So now I'll throw out why Gus should start.....This is a bit harder but I think that there are 2 very very good reasons.....During ALL the O player interviews they talk about the good ball that Gus throws (they also mention AJ but I think they are being PC since it is possible that AJ gets to start). While this doesn't really equate to a very very good reason, it's the way that the the other players actually speak of Gus, making me feel that the players themselves have a touch MORE confindence in Gus than they do Feeley. And let's be honest....EVERY single player wants to win every game...every year. Most players do not think... "well, even though we'll lose a couple more games this year, it's better to start the guy who might get better over the season than the guy who, I know, gives us a chance to win every game" ....I think that the players just feel that Gus can keep them in EVERY game where AJ will struggle some of the time...and lets be honest....just watching Gus's demeanor when he plays is calm and cool for the most part...He just looks confident.

I think the coaches, at least right now, are thinking the exact same way. I have a fear that Saban's ego will not allow him to do a full blown "developemental" year. I think he wants to win that badly AND I don't think that it should be underestimated that having ALL the other players confidence in that the HC is goin to put the players that give the team the best chance to win week in and week out out on the field. I'm willing to bet a decent chunk of change that Saban sold this type of thing to Vets like Carter, Holliday, McDougle, etc. to get them to come here on the cheap (most of them anyway as we know that Tenn. offered Carter a touch more money to stay there at the very end)

Overall it's a tough desicion that comes down to more than who 'might" be better for the team in the future. Either way.....I don't envision either guy as our starting QB past this year. I think Gus will be back next year but as a top backup\tutor to a new guy and AJ with his balooning contract after this season will be gone (unless he comes in at midseason, takes us on a win streak and we make it to the AFC championship).
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Coaches and players are paid to win.... even by 1 or 2 games. This is pro football brother. I dont mean to sound condescending... But they would never put a guy on the field for the sake of development... until perhaps the end of the season.
But you never know... Gus could snap like a twig in the first game behind our line, and we'll get AJ all season.
 
I'm pretty tired of the "start Feeley" talk, especially when it's based on the farce that once he "learns the system" he'll be the obvious choice as QB. The fact of the matter IMO is that Feeley lacks physical and mental toughness (that trout eyed look Saban's spoke of), he's shown that he lacks the proper decision making skills a QB needs to be able to make while under duress, and he's lost the locker room. That is the other players don't think of him as a leader. Again, probably based on the fact that he wriths in pain everytime a stiff breeze hits him. The guy is not NFL caliber, it's as simple as that. And anyone without a partisan view towards choosing our QB for this year would see the difference between the two is simply that Ferrotte is more of a leader and is mentally and physically tougher. A lesser "raw talent" perhaps, and granted he's not physically very tough, but Feeley strikes me as just a plain wimp.
 
Never say die said:
I'm pretty tired of the "start Feeley" talk, especially when it's based on the farce that once he "learns the system" he'll be the obvious choice as QB. The fact of the matter IMO is that Feeley lacks physical and mental toughness (that trout eyed look Saban's spoke of), he's shown that he lacks the proper decision making skills a QB needs to be able to make while under duress, and he's lost the locker room. That is the other players don't think of him as a leader. Again, probably based on the fact that he wriths in pain everytime a stiff breeze hits him. The guy is not NFL caliber, it's as simple as that. And anyone without a partisan view towards choosing our QB for this year would see the difference between the two is simply that Ferrotte is more of a leader and is mentally and physically tougher. A lesser "raw talent" perhaps, and granted he's not physically very tough, but Feeley strikes me as just a plain wimp.
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I can't believe you said he lacks physical toughness. Did you see the punishment the guy was taking last season and how he kept getting up?

BTW, no one (at least I didn't say that) said "start Feeley". I'm saying give him a chance to run w/ the 1st team if this indeed is a QB competition. If Saban would have said a couple of weeks ago that Frerotte will be our starter, I wouldn't have a problem with Feeley not running with the 1st team. But from all accounts, this is still an open competition and Feeley isn't playing with the 1st teamers.
 
Frerotte, who knows this system like the back of his hand has played worse in the pre-season than Fiedler did the past couple of years knowing our former system. I know it's preseason so I hope this isn't a sign of things to come. The only thing keeping Fiedler from being a very good QB was his lack of arm strength (that used to tick me off!). Other than that, he was pretty good at everything else.
 
I remember seeing him go out with a butt contusion!.... a butt contusion for chris'sakes. How many times have you EVER seen that .....besides again the same player in the Chicago game. And the picture in the Palm Beach Sentinel of him in a fetal position with a pained look on his face was probably not inspiring to his locker room mates. Just not the kind of guy you'd want to go to fight with.

And I wasn't particularly pointing out anyone specifically for backing Feeley, ....more the sentiment than the person.:)
 
One thing to remember, both of them will probably be playing this season because of injuries. Especially behind this line.
 
Never say die said:
I remember seeing him go out with a butt contusion!.... abutt contusion for chis'sakes. How many times have you EVER seen that .....besides again the same player in the Chicago game. And the picture in the Palm Beach Sentinel of him in a fetal position with a pained look on his face was probably not inspiring to his locker room mates. Just not the kind of guy you'd want to go to fight with.
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The type of injury it was, was kind of funny but if you're questioning his toughness, you must not have seen the games last year and how defenders were teeing off on him left and right. The guy could hardly walk but stayed in the game and played ok.
 
Since we got Gus was no competition, at that point was obvious that Gus was the starter, Feeley never had the opportunity to learn this system, since Gus was the one taking the majority of the snaps. ( same story with Fiedler last year ) The decision to start Gus is ok with me, even if I believe that Feeley has better tools then Gus, but the coaches think different....and this is what count.
 
first&goal said:
Since we got Gus was no competition, at that point was obvious that Gus was the starter, Feeley never had the opportunity to learn this system, since Gus was the one taking the majority of the snaps. ( same story with Fiedler last year ) The decision to start Gus is ok with me, even if I believe that Feeley has better tools then Gus, but the coaches think different....and this is what count.
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Well why couldn't AJ take the backup job at Philly, or the starting job at Oregon?? How many excuses can you possibly make for the guy??

Tools?? Ryan leaf has better tools than either Feeley or Frerotte. Being a quarterback is about way more than tools.
 
He was the starting QB in college and he got injured, In Philly when McNabb went down AJ play and play well if you remember. I'am not try to come up with excuses, Just I'am telling how I feel. Since Aj got here never had the chance to learn because at that time Dave was all for Fiedler, now Linehan got Gus, which still he need to show that his familiar to the system, since he was with Linehan for some time in Minny. Gus should be much further ahead then AJ, considering the familiarity with the system, but is not.
 
WOW! This is dejavu all over again! Remeber the starting QB before Marino? It was Wood/Strock! When neither player distinguishes himself it makes the decision tougher. You get down to splitting hairs like we are doing in this forum. But the fact is a really good QB would have put all this to rest by now. I think any of the 4 guys we have can do an adequate job this year as long as the o-line and other players do their parts. But what I have seen this preseason tells me there isn't any star QB on this roster right now. So let's pick a starter for whatever reason, get behind him and move forward into the season.
 
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