Originally posted by DolFinatic718
Rivers is not in a class with Manning dont kid yourself buddy. Rivers and Roth may be closer but thats about it.
Unfortunately QB is a done deal for this team. But Across the Oline the only for sure starter at this very moment seems to be Smith, anyone disagree with that? If rivers was drafted how many think he would start the first game? If Andrews or Smiley was picked how many of you think they would start the first game? Thats what i thought.
While I disagree with your thoughts, I appreciate the post. I think your ideas really reflect how the Dolfans feel that are in the "We have to draft OL" camp.
Whether or not Rivers is better or worse that Roth or Eli will remain to be seen. Most the FO people seem to think it goes Manning, Roth, Rivers from what I've seen. In that order. But Rivers does have some teams (like SD, etc) as being so close to the top two that its worth trading down for him and another player.
Most Dolfans that see QB as a "done deal" feel that the Feeley trade makes drafting Rivers (even at 20) a dumb move. I dont see it that way at all. I hope the best for Feeley. But there are a number of things in my mind that make him far from a sure thing.
- Can he even beat out Jay Fiedler? This time last year not many people would have argued that Feeley was a better QB than Fiedler. What has changed since last year other than we traded fore him? Feeley didn't even play last year. How has he PROVEN anything? I don't understand the reasoning here. I hope he's an upgrade, but I think the QB position is far too important to risk on an unproven player. Like it or not, Feeley is far from a sure thing.
- Is Feeley our best option and is he worth a 2nd rounder next year? I think it can be argued that Rivers is a better choice as our future QB (or immediate) than Feeley. Look over their careers and what the Pro's at evaluation are saying. A very high % of them think Rivers is a Franchise QB. Who is saying that about Feeley?
As for Feeley value, We traded a 3rd round pick (in value) for him. A young, quality backup or potential starter is well worth a 3rd round pick. Even if Feeley doesn't start, but offers us an upgrade at backup QB he is well worth the 3rd round value we lost to get him. How many games have our backup QB's cost us over the last 2-3 seasons? Too many IMO. As many as our OL IMO as well.
Again, I want the highest rated player on offense on the board. If its a WR that slides, grab him. If It's Rivers, grab him, If it's Andrews, grab him. If they all slide, then the FO has to make the call. But I think Dolfans are misguided to think our QB situation is settled and that we will hand our starting job to an QB that didn't play last year if a potential franchise QB is sitting at pick 20 overall. We can always address the OL with other picks or trades.
If we can hand the starting QB job to an unproven player that didn't play last year then why not do the same with an RT and Draft a Franchise QB? We never have the opportunity (and may not this year as well) to draft a potential Franchise QB where we tend to draft. If one falls to us at 20 overall, thats too rare to pass on for any position IMO.
To me it's all about value....not need....because we need both positions upgraded. There's nothing stupid about drafting either way. As long as we get value for our pick.