cashman34
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I recently was asked my opinion on John Beck...and I thought that it would be interesting to really see if I could angle the reasoning behind his choice over "Mr. Hype Machine" Brady Quinn.
Now please allow me to preface this thread by admitting that I have never been very impressed with the Golden Boy's play while at Notre Dame...he has never really performed consistently on the "Big Stage" in my humble opinion.
Now I would be a true hypocrite if I even tried to elude to my knowledge of John Beck's existance much less his college performance throughout his career...After all, I didn't even know you had to do a mission before attending BYU. But why let a little thing like ignorance of his career get in the way of passing judgement...hell it's what most sports media is based on now-a-days.
Now I, like 80% of the truthful Dolfans, had every BYU web page open once I heard,"with the 40th overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft...the Miami Dolphins select...John Beck". I had heard a rising sentiment about Cam's interest in this kid...so luckily it didn't come as too much of a surprise or shock really.
But the real surprise was in us passing on #10...I have already disclosed my gut feeling on the guy upfront...However, I had all but conceeded to the "fact" that it would be his name that would ring out once the Commish took the podium. Hey, I figured at least the kid would have good experience in a "true" pro-style offense.
Some of the "die-hards" reactions were priceless...and solidify the reason I am a Dolphin fan. There was no concern for the television cameras present...they didn't even try to save face when the Head Coach walked out and had to all but reprimand them for their rude reactions...classic!
So with all of the hot tempered, foul languaged arguments that I've seen take place I decided to really take an honest look at the two QB's and make my own determination on a level playing scale as to whom I felt could take us back to the "glory days of old"....ok..ok...so I'd settle for a WildCard...but you get the point!
The two of them have both played at what should be considered as "prestigious" universities....In fact, both schools are noted for having produced some very well known QB's...Hall of Famers in fact. So the credibility of both schools should not be in question for this comparison..they both have produced quality signal callers.
Both of these Guns were tossed into the fire early on in their respective careers...Quinn outgunned Beck by almost 1,000 yards but threw 15 INT's to Beck's 5...so I am willing to give the edge to Brady being as he was playing under alot of pressure with Ty Willingham being the HC at the time and he felt he "had" to win every game as a freshman. Beck held a 105 QB rating to Quinn's 94....so that could be seen as a push...you decide.
In Quinn's sophmore year he really began to show solid signs of developement under new Head Coach Charlie Weis. With his QB rating jumping to well over 100+ to a solid 125 passer rating. Brady decreased his INT's to 10 and raised his TD total to 17...a solid improvement under the guidance of a sound offensive philosopher.
Beck improved solidly as well...improving his rating to 129 with season totals of 15 TD's to 8 INT's...and a victory over Quinn's Fighting Irish in Utah in which he got some garbage time towards the end of the game. He wasn't that significant of a factor in the win only attempting 10 passes completing 7...while #10 airmailed the ball all over the field to the tune of 47 attempts, but only amassed 265 yards total...mostly short passes as the avg per completion was about 5 yds...basically long handoffs...advantage Quinn.
Later that year they both played USC...now this was the Reggie Bush Trojans that ran up and down the field on everyone...the Trojans also fielded a defense with several top NFL prospects so I couldn't pass up the chance to evaluate both QB's against a level of defense about as close to the quality they will face in the Big Leagues.
Against USC in 2004 Quinn attempted 29 passes for a paultry 109 yards..with the longest being a 20 yarder...and an average of 3.6 yards an attempt...yet another I felt, "protected" performance. Where as Beck attempted a similar number of passes but seemed to show more guts in my opinion by attempting longer throws and trusting his teammates to make plays for him....completing a long pass play of 69 yards to the tune of about 200 yards total against the same defense. Now they both got smashed by the Trojans understandably, but Beck's numbers show a little more guts than the "protective" scheme that Weis set up for Quinn...Beck threw 3 INT's but he also had no running game support whatsoever and was pretty much leading the team against the Trojan Army alone...no guts, no glory!...advantage Beck.
In 2005, their junior seasons, Quinn bounced back like gang-busters in what would be their final and most prepared head-to-head competition. #10 played "lights out" in throwing for 6 TD's with almost 500 yards in passing offense! Beck had a so-so outing and threw for 2 TD's but also tossed 2 INT's...with a total of just over 300 yards...but seemed to be harrassed all day sustaining 4 sacks to Quinn's 1. Now I'd like to sugar coat this one somehow, but I wouldn't be representing the information correctly and I above all wanted to be fair with this comparison between these two young guns....to top it off Quinn didn't throw a single interception on 41 attempts.....advantage Quinn...hands down!
Their senior seasons both QB's appeared to be pretty consistent with the only common opponent on the schedule being Air Force which they both beat easily and had almost mirrored each other's stats with about 200+ yards passing a piece. Beck tossed 3 TD's to Quinn's 4 with neither QB tossing an interception that day....push yet once again.
There would however be one more solid opportunity to compare the two in their bowl games. Now I am not trying say that playing Oregon is the same as lining up against LSU in Louisiana with all that the SEC brings to the table, but hey, one can only play whom they're schedule to...so I won't be penalizing Beck for his choice of college.
You'd be surprised to realize how similar the situations for both QB's were. Both were playing their last game on the Big Stage in front of their respective fan faithfuls. Both were suffering from exstensive injuries and playing through the pain....I felt this was alot like what the NFL game scenario would be like, because no one on a football team is ever 100% healthy except for the "pine riders". (get a real football buddy if you have no clue what that phrase means!!!)
Beck led his Cougars over a bumbling Oregon defense throwing for 2 TD's and adding a third with a 17 yard rushing TD on two bad ankles to finalize his college career with a 38-8 victory over the Ducks....Beck threw 2 INT's that proved to be insignificant.
Quinn on the other hand was dismantled by a top-ranked Tiger defense that is still putting guys into the first round of the draft with more to come in the near future....completing only 50% of his passes for a miserable 148 yards. He threw 2 TD's but they proved to be useless as the Tigers reamed them out in a 41-14 trouncing at the Sugar Bowl.
This game could've gotten him taken with the first overall pick if he'd perform with heart and valor. The pressure cooker effect is what got to him in my opinion...that's what I think the scouts saw from him that they didn't like. He seemed uncomfortable and unwilling to trust his instincts inside the pocket and that led to him rushing alot of throws or trying to scramble...which is "never" good....advantage Beck.
In closing, I stand here as a newly educated man. I really had no idea just how "similar" the two of these QB's really were. I must admit I expected to see more decisive information taking me one way or the other as to what Cam saw in Beck, that he didn't see in Quinn. Maybe Cam see's an "extremely accurate" QB with alot of growth potential still left to develop...where as Quinn has probably maximized his full potential already...Let's face it, that was a top "college" defense that was facing a future NFL Franchise QB with a Super Bowl winning ex-NFL O-Coordinator calling the plays...do you really think it was the Head Coach that got nervous on the Big Stage?....hmmmm.
So last but not least in my insufficient amount of wisdom I take......John Beck!
What?....You didn't "really" expect me to chose a Brown over a Dolphin did you?
Go Phins!
Now please allow me to preface this thread by admitting that I have never been very impressed with the Golden Boy's play while at Notre Dame...he has never really performed consistently on the "Big Stage" in my humble opinion.
Now I would be a true hypocrite if I even tried to elude to my knowledge of John Beck's existance much less his college performance throughout his career...After all, I didn't even know you had to do a mission before attending BYU. But why let a little thing like ignorance of his career get in the way of passing judgement...hell it's what most sports media is based on now-a-days.
Now I, like 80% of the truthful Dolfans, had every BYU web page open once I heard,"with the 40th overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft...the Miami Dolphins select...John Beck". I had heard a rising sentiment about Cam's interest in this kid...so luckily it didn't come as too much of a surprise or shock really.
But the real surprise was in us passing on #10...I have already disclosed my gut feeling on the guy upfront...However, I had all but conceeded to the "fact" that it would be his name that would ring out once the Commish took the podium. Hey, I figured at least the kid would have good experience in a "true" pro-style offense.
Some of the "die-hards" reactions were priceless...and solidify the reason I am a Dolphin fan. There was no concern for the television cameras present...they didn't even try to save face when the Head Coach walked out and had to all but reprimand them for their rude reactions...classic!
So with all of the hot tempered, foul languaged arguments that I've seen take place I decided to really take an honest look at the two QB's and make my own determination on a level playing scale as to whom I felt could take us back to the "glory days of old"....ok..ok...so I'd settle for a WildCard...but you get the point!
The two of them have both played at what should be considered as "prestigious" universities....In fact, both schools are noted for having produced some very well known QB's...Hall of Famers in fact. So the credibility of both schools should not be in question for this comparison..they both have produced quality signal callers.
Both of these Guns were tossed into the fire early on in their respective careers...Quinn outgunned Beck by almost 1,000 yards but threw 15 INT's to Beck's 5...so I am willing to give the edge to Brady being as he was playing under alot of pressure with Ty Willingham being the HC at the time and he felt he "had" to win every game as a freshman. Beck held a 105 QB rating to Quinn's 94....so that could be seen as a push...you decide.
In Quinn's sophmore year he really began to show solid signs of developement under new Head Coach Charlie Weis. With his QB rating jumping to well over 100+ to a solid 125 passer rating. Brady decreased his INT's to 10 and raised his TD total to 17...a solid improvement under the guidance of a sound offensive philosopher.
Beck improved solidly as well...improving his rating to 129 with season totals of 15 TD's to 8 INT's...and a victory over Quinn's Fighting Irish in Utah in which he got some garbage time towards the end of the game. He wasn't that significant of a factor in the win only attempting 10 passes completing 7...while #10 airmailed the ball all over the field to the tune of 47 attempts, but only amassed 265 yards total...mostly short passes as the avg per completion was about 5 yds...basically long handoffs...advantage Quinn.
Later that year they both played USC...now this was the Reggie Bush Trojans that ran up and down the field on everyone...the Trojans also fielded a defense with several top NFL prospects so I couldn't pass up the chance to evaluate both QB's against a level of defense about as close to the quality they will face in the Big Leagues.
Against USC in 2004 Quinn attempted 29 passes for a paultry 109 yards..with the longest being a 20 yarder...and an average of 3.6 yards an attempt...yet another I felt, "protected" performance. Where as Beck attempted a similar number of passes but seemed to show more guts in my opinion by attempting longer throws and trusting his teammates to make plays for him....completing a long pass play of 69 yards to the tune of about 200 yards total against the same defense. Now they both got smashed by the Trojans understandably, but Beck's numbers show a little more guts than the "protective" scheme that Weis set up for Quinn...Beck threw 3 INT's but he also had no running game support whatsoever and was pretty much leading the team against the Trojan Army alone...no guts, no glory!...advantage Beck.
In 2005, their junior seasons, Quinn bounced back like gang-busters in what would be their final and most prepared head-to-head competition. #10 played "lights out" in throwing for 6 TD's with almost 500 yards in passing offense! Beck had a so-so outing and threw for 2 TD's but also tossed 2 INT's...with a total of just over 300 yards...but seemed to be harrassed all day sustaining 4 sacks to Quinn's 1. Now I'd like to sugar coat this one somehow, but I wouldn't be representing the information correctly and I above all wanted to be fair with this comparison between these two young guns....to top it off Quinn didn't throw a single interception on 41 attempts.....advantage Quinn...hands down!
Their senior seasons both QB's appeared to be pretty consistent with the only common opponent on the schedule being Air Force which they both beat easily and had almost mirrored each other's stats with about 200+ yards passing a piece. Beck tossed 3 TD's to Quinn's 4 with neither QB tossing an interception that day....push yet once again.
There would however be one more solid opportunity to compare the two in their bowl games. Now I am not trying say that playing Oregon is the same as lining up against LSU in Louisiana with all that the SEC brings to the table, but hey, one can only play whom they're schedule to...so I won't be penalizing Beck for his choice of college.
You'd be surprised to realize how similar the situations for both QB's were. Both were playing their last game on the Big Stage in front of their respective fan faithfuls. Both were suffering from exstensive injuries and playing through the pain....I felt this was alot like what the NFL game scenario would be like, because no one on a football team is ever 100% healthy except for the "pine riders". (get a real football buddy if you have no clue what that phrase means!!!)
Beck led his Cougars over a bumbling Oregon defense throwing for 2 TD's and adding a third with a 17 yard rushing TD on two bad ankles to finalize his college career with a 38-8 victory over the Ducks....Beck threw 2 INT's that proved to be insignificant.
Quinn on the other hand was dismantled by a top-ranked Tiger defense that is still putting guys into the first round of the draft with more to come in the near future....completing only 50% of his passes for a miserable 148 yards. He threw 2 TD's but they proved to be useless as the Tigers reamed them out in a 41-14 trouncing at the Sugar Bowl.
This game could've gotten him taken with the first overall pick if he'd perform with heart and valor. The pressure cooker effect is what got to him in my opinion...that's what I think the scouts saw from him that they didn't like. He seemed uncomfortable and unwilling to trust his instincts inside the pocket and that led to him rushing alot of throws or trying to scramble...which is "never" good....advantage Beck.
In closing, I stand here as a newly educated man. I really had no idea just how "similar" the two of these QB's really were. I must admit I expected to see more decisive information taking me one way or the other as to what Cam saw in Beck, that he didn't see in Quinn. Maybe Cam see's an "extremely accurate" QB with alot of growth potential still left to develop...where as Quinn has probably maximized his full potential already...Let's face it, that was a top "college" defense that was facing a future NFL Franchise QB with a Super Bowl winning ex-NFL O-Coordinator calling the plays...do you really think it was the Head Coach that got nervous on the Big Stage?....hmmmm.
So last but not least in my insufficient amount of wisdom I take......John Beck!
What?....You didn't "really" expect me to chose a Brown over a Dolphin did you?
Go Phins!
