I don’t watch college football but his strengths according to most were

Toughness
Competitive
Grit

To me that’s a good foundation

o


In all my years of watching football since the early 1970's, the toughest son-of-a-bitch that I ever saw play quarterback was Ben Roethlisberger ...... if he broke his ankle, he would beg Mike Tomlin to let him go out there and play in a wheelchair.

The 2nd toughest SOB that I ever saw play quarterback was Tom Brady ...... when he was 39 years-old I saw him dive head-first, over-the-top of the defense into the end-zone from the one-yardline, because it was a crucial TD late in the season when the Patriots needed a win.

o

I can't argue with any of that.

We'll see how he does next week. But SS hasn't made the decision. It could be AR I am 99% sure it won't be rivers.

If that happens, it will make Steichen look dumb, not Ballard. By all accounts, it was Steichen who insisted on signing Rivers.

How does that make Ballard look dumb?

In a quote from Rivers earlier, if this is the last one, it will be the last one. I got 3 bonus games I never expected to have when I walked through the tunnel in Buffalo. I'm ok with it.

With that said we will see Leonard, or AR if activated. I would rather see Leonard. I already know Anthony is not good at football. I suspect Leonard is not good at football, but I would like my curiosity satisfied. The resounding census is one of these two will start next season. Even if they resign Jones, he won't be ready. With no number 1's the next two years I think Jones is our best option, as stupid as that sounds being majorly injured. There are no top tier free agents available next year. So for me its sink or swim at this point

It has to be Leonard. Give him all the 1st team reps, and see how he does.

Agreed. There is absolutely nothing to be gained by starting AR.

Leonard had the same amount of passing yards when he played against Jacksonville in a typhoon

A little off topic on my part but I gotta throw Luck’s name into the conversation where modern players are concerned. That poor bastard nearly got killed behind his OL yet Kept coming back for more.

I have a special respect for the guys I watched in the 70’s though. They were fair game for all manner of violence and expected to play hurt at a time when qb’s were not the beneficiaries of our modern rules. Bert Jones, Terry Bradshaw, Archie Manning, and Dan Pastorini were the toughest I ever saw. I’m sure I’m forgetting a few.

I saw Bradshaw get his nugget bounced off the ground. Some smelling salt and he was back out there playing. Modern QB'S have no idea how easy they have it as far as being protected. I agree Pastorini was a warrior during the game.