Imagine if Eason was ready

[Chromeburn]

Originally Posted by Dam8610

"Poor man's Burrow" was my initial assessment, but as I watched more, I started thinking a cross between collegiate Drew Brees with better athleticism/escapability and collegiate Russell Wilson with a weaker arm. That goes back to the pocket presence I mentioned before. He senses the rush very well, seems to already have an internal clock for when the ball should be out, shows good escapability in the pocket, and always seems to keep his eyes downfield looking for a receiver to come open when he escapes the rush and starts to look to run. The only flaw I see in his game is arm strength, but he can still throw 15 yard outs and 25 yard corners with zip. I think he could improve that like Brees did working with an NFL strength and conditioning team. I hope he stays the 5th ranked QB and the Colts get a shot at him at pick 21.



See, I don't agree with this, especially in a pandemic. Eason has had pretty much zero time to show the Colts what he can do in a live game situation. As a 4th round pick, there's zero pressure on the front office to make him "the guy", and Ballard has intentionally tempered expectations on him from day one I think for that exact reason. There's no doubt the team likes his talent, and so do other teams, but Ballard isn't going to put his job on the line for Eason unless he sees Eason perform well in line action. He could still be "the guy", but because of his draft status, it won't be preordained by the Colts.

One of the issues I see though is he doesn’t seem to fit the type of QB Reich likes. Shorter, slow, not a big arm. The ND state QB seems to fit Reich’s preferences.

As for Eason. I definitely think the pandemic hurt a lot of rookies this year. But Eason would still be pushing for reps if he was good. He might still develop if they are patient and give him time. But I see it as a long shot. Im not counting on him at all.

[Dam8610]

Originally Posted by Chromeburn

One of the issues I see though is he doesn’t seem to fit the type of QB Reich likes. Shorter, slow, not a big arm. The ND state QB seems to fit Reich’s preferences.

As for Eason. I definitely think the pandemic hurt a lot of rookies this year. But Eason would still be pushing for reps if he was good. He might still develop if they are patient and give him time. But I see it as a long shot. Im not counting on him at all.

Trey Lance isn't slow. I think Reich values athleticism in QBs. That would actually be the biggest argument against Eason working here, he's not much of an athlete, way more of your standard pocket QB. That said, Mac Jones is smaller, athletic, has good pocket presence, and is an accurate passer. I can't imagine the Colts putting on the Alabama film and not rating him very highly. Unfortunately, I think that's going to happen around the league, and he's going to catapult into the top 15.

I don't buy the argument that Eason not "pushing for reps" is any statement on his ability, and is much more a statement on his draft position. Look at the Dallas Cowboys QB situation for the past nearly two decades. It took an injury to Drew Bledsoe, their big free agent QB signing, for undrafted Tony Romo to get a chance, which he parlayed into a long career, only to get injured, giving 4th round pick Dak Prescott a chance. That's how a QB who doesn't have significant draft capital invested in them gets their chance in the NFL. That's the politics of it, and the situation in which Eason is currently stuck. That said, I'm not exactly counting on Eason, either, and it's pretty clear the team isn't. That's why I'm looking at possible solutions in this draft class, and hoping the Colts get lucky and have a guy fall to them that shouldn't. I understand Ballard wanting to get this right and being patient in doing so, but this QB search is eventually going to define his tenure as GM, for better or worse.

[apballin]

Gotta do something can’t have a revolving door of veteran washed up qbs in here year after year

[njcoltfan]

Originally Posted by apballin

Gotta do something can’t have a revolving door of veteran washed up qbs in here year after year

Well said !

[Chromeburn]

Originally Posted by Dam8610

Trey Lance isn't slow. I think Reich values athleticism in QBs. That would actually be the biggest argument against Eason working here, he's not much of an athlete, way more of your standard pocket QB. That said, Mac Jones is smaller, athletic, has good pocket presence, and is an accurate passer. I can't imagine the Colts putting on the Alabama film and not rating him very highly. Unfortunately, I think that's going to happen around the league, and he's going to catapult into the top 15.

I don't buy the argument that Eason not "pushing for reps" is any statement on his ability, and is much more a statement on his draft position. Look at the Dallas Cowboys QB situation for the past nearly two decades. It took an injury to Drew Bledsoe, their big free agent QB signing, for undrafted Tony Romo to get a chance, which he parlayed into a long career, only to get injured, giving 4th round pick Dak Prescott a chance. That's how a QB who doesn't have significant draft capital invested in them gets their chance in the NFL. That's the politics of it, and the situation in which Eason is currently stuck. That said, I'm not exactly counting on Eason, either, and it's pretty clear the team isn't. That's why I'm looking at possible solutions in this draft class, and hoping the Colts get lucky and have a guy fall to them that shouldn't. I understand Ballard wanting to get this right and being patient in doing so, but this QB search is eventually going to define his tenure as GM, for better or worse.

I didn’t call Trey Lance slow. Mac Jones isn’t a good athlete. Eason isnt either but he probably had the strongest arm in last years draft.

A good player forces you to play him. We need a QB. It isn’t politics. It’s not draft position. He isn’t that good. They would love for him to be the guy. Wouldn’t have to spend a draft pick and he’s on a rookie contract.