Quick Thoughts - Week 3

[Hoopsdoc]

Originally Posted by ChoppedWood

So easy to put him in that athletic QB's club and say that's what he is going to be, but not entirely sure if that is going to be the case. Not quite sure where he fits yet, and I don't think the league knows either.

In the running game he is really more of a half back, sort of more Derrick Henry giant power back moreso than Lamar with his unbelievable quicks and cuts. Cam is an interesting comparison, however with Cam it seemed like he perpetually lived in that RB wanting to be a QB space save for the one MVP season.

Hurts is probably the closest comparison in that club. Though not sure Hurts has near the cannon we see out of AR. He has developed a much more refined passing game than when he first arrived but I don't perceive him to be that 65 in the air guy or the 35 yard out on a rope guy.

To me, Josh Allen is the closest comparison. And heard some interesting talk about that very thing on the drive in this morning.

They were talking about the comparisons to Allen and how bad AR has looked with his 50% completion rate and 6 Ints and there was a question if AR could mature into JA- who is now not longer looked at as the same type of running back parading as a QB, but a talented NFL QB who can use his legs to win a game if called upon. Then someone reminded them- still the youngest QB in the league and despite the low completion rate, what you did not see from even Allen this early was this crazy contrast of horrible completion rate, 35 QBR, huge # of INT's, but also leading the league in YPC! They pointed out how he is already just 6 real games in, demonstrating his ability to strike fear in opponents because he can out throw the coverage on any chosen play and his coach is giving him the green light to do it. They noted he is making these highlight reel throws- from the pocket, not on what everyone expects or perceives from the athletic QB- i.e. breaking contain and hitting WR's who have separated due to the long time to cover. They brought up the Dulin TD pass and the throw to Granson yesterday- both high caliber QB play for different reasons, they talked about his recognition and on time delivery at times looking very much like a veteran QB, which they said was ahead of almost all rookies at this stage. Then they pointed out- he WON a game where he played awful. He owned that awfulness, and he spoke to the need to improve. Overall it was a reflection on how much of an enigma his game is in comparison to any other player.

I think we will know a great deal more about where he really fits, or if he has his own club, probably games 12-14 of this season. Until then, we just have to watch this thing play out and give him space to see if he can become what he and Steichen want him to be.

He has to be able to make those easy throws. He won’t be successful in the league if he doesn’t get better at that.

It’s really that simple.