01-04-2016, 09:49 PM
(01-04-2016, 09:38 PM)The Real Deal Wrote: Nope but unfortunately we aren't going to play this game in 5 years. Given the circumstances, do I think McCarron has played pretty well? Yep. Do I think McCarron has potential? Absolutely. But he's simply not there yet We are talking about now.
I actually, after thinking more about this game, think we can and will win no matter who the QB is. I'm actually super positive about this game right now. But I'll be damned if someone is going to tell me I'm making things up that are clearly seen by any knowledgeable football fan. He simply isn't good at it yet. He may get there someday, in fact, I think he will. But he isn't there yet.
Let's assign Andy a rating of 95 when it comes to "reading a defense." This rating has gone up over the course of his 70+ NFL starts. It did not start at 95. It was more like 80.
Now let's be realistic about where McCarron ranks when it comes to "reading a defense." He isn't starting out in the 50s where I would put QBs like Kaepernick and Tannehill, guys who were sort of raw coming into the NFL. He probably started out about the same as Andy did, and in a handful of games is pushing 85.
Now, if someone like Jameis Winston was getting ready to start vs. Pittsburgh in a playoff game, he might have a "reading a defense" rating of about 70 right now. McCarron is about 85.
So what everyone is arguing is relative - McCarron can't read defenses as well as Andy Dalton can today. That's no knock on McCarron, he's 70 NFL starts behind Andy Dalton. It improves with time.
So when you say McCarron isn't good at reading defenses, you aren't making a factual statement. McCarron is very good at reading defenses, and is excellent at it for a QB making 3 NFL starts. But relative to Andy Dalton this season, McCarron is not good at reading defenses. That much is true.
But please keep in mind that you have been graced with very good QB play this entire season, so to some degree you are spoiled. Ask Cleveland fans or Houston fans how good McCarron is at reading defenses and they would probably give him an A++ with 10 gold stars.
Just be realistic. You have an asset that every other NFL team would love to have right now - a backup QB capable of reading defenses and making the right throws and the potential to grow and improve quickly. He just doesn't read defenses as well as the QB who was having an MVP-caliber season.
And the only way that will improve is with playing time.
Be thankful for what you have.
