This week version of the End Zone features a question about Andrew Luck. We get answers from all the contributors to my page.
Droddy: Knowing Luck will go to the worst team in the league this year, he will not win many games. As long as the fan base keeps things in perspective, I do not think the media will play much of a role in his development. The media hypes everything possible and Luck is no exception. The hardest part for him will not be expectations, but landing on a team that is starting from scratch. Cam Newton at least has a great WR to throw to and a decent running game to fall back on - Luck probably won't have that much.
KDC: Outside of how unforgiving his hometown may or may not be (because there's no way to know this), I don't think the national media will be hard on him because of the rookie status. Cam Newton is continually praised for his great numbers even as Carolina continues to lose. Even the lesser ranked QBs are being given time to develop. I don't see it being different next year.
Momo: What is going to hurt Luck next year is how well Andy Dalton has done this year. Dalton has put the Bengals squarely in the playoff hunt with a young team AND he was drafted in the 2nd round. Traditional bad teams take their quarterbacks high in the first round which that will happen to Luck. The team that drafts him will expect him to come in and resurrect their franchise and make them relevant. That is going to be especially difficult considering if he has a really bad surrounding cast. The one thing that could help Luck is that the skill position players he will get in the pros will be better than any he has ever played with. I think whoever drafts him has to be a little reasonable and patient and not fall into love immediately with all the hype.
2. I was wrong about ...KDC: The Miami Dolphins. Yes, they're still rarely winning, but look how hard they play every down. They barely lost to a good (not great) Cowboy's team on Thanksgiving, and they give everyone fits. Earlier I picked them as the most likely team to go winless (as every team in their division started so much better), but not only was I wrong, I didn't give them credit for their teamwork & professional pride. They embarrass the Colts, who have been uninspired from their first exhibition game forward. (I know. I was there.) Yes, they need more talent, better coaching & GMing, but that doesn't mean they can't look themselves in the mirror & say they played their hardest.
Momo: How bad the Niners would be with Alex Smith at quarterback. I will be the first to say that I have routinely bashed Smith for being the worse quarterback in the league for years. Somehow Jim Harbaugh has enstilled confidence in him and has nearly turned his career from a bust into a near Pro-Bowler this season. Smith has the 49ers sitting atop of the NFC West. It has been easy to compare Smith to Rodgers because they Smith was the top pick while Rodgers tumbled to the Packers. Smith started immediately while Rodgers had to sit behind a legend. The difference is Rodgers has had the same offensive coordinator his entire career while Smith has had 7 different ones in 7 years. Having a consistent voice in his ear and giving him confidence has started to make Smith a better passer. Will he be great, I doubt it but at least the 49ers are starting to reap returns on their investment.
3. We could all learn from ....
KDC: Charles Woodson. Yes, he was the defensive player of the year 2 years ago, & the undisputed defensive captain of the Green Bay Packers, & is on his way to the Hall of Fame, but it's not his talent, it's his hunger to change games (at the age of 35) that continues to make him extraordinary. This man doesn't know how to coast. Look no further than the way he ripped the ball out of Detroit's Brian Pettrigrew's hands to prove he cultivates an amazing hunger few at any age show. Last year many thought he should retire on top after the Super Bowl win. Why do that when you're still on top?
Momo: From the humbleness of Tim Tebow. No other player besides Tony Romo, is scrutinized more harshly than him. Regardless that his coach does not believe in him, his GM John Elway does not want him but Tebow does not bash his detractors. All he does is go out and win. What matters to Tim is that his teammates believe in him and he rewards that confidence by displaying true leadership. He serves his teammates by closing out close games with wins and then Tim praises their play and not his own when they win. This is what you want out of a leader and your quarterback. In this day and age we could use more young leaders in sports.
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