Mr. Scot

An increase of quarterback rushing is valid, but doesn't change the fact that QBS passing is still way more effective than QBs running.

Oy, what a stupid response. But why am I not surprised?

I don't right now, but I acknowledge that's just the opinion of me as a fan, not a professional.

The thing with a guy like Newton who's always won, always conquered, always come out on top, etc is that when the time comes that you can't do that anymore, it can be extremely hard to deal with.

And if they do, I'd buy it. But when I think of run threats, I think of guys like Lamar Jackson, not Murray.

Does he scare them enough to spy him though? That's my threshold. Let's say you've got a runningback who can pass (like Dave Meggett used to). Do you have to commit people to stop that?

I'm trying to argue the standard for somebody being a real run threat. There are plenty of guys that can be referred to as "capable runners" that don't particularly scare defensive coordinators. Again, my threshold for a guy being considered a true run threat is you having to commit somebody specifically to stopping him.

I've always appreciated the gentle manner with which you talk to people

It's not enough of one. Hell, Darnold can do that. Does that make him a run threat?

See above. If you don't have to commit defensive resources like a spy to stop them, I don't consider them a dual threat.

Would you spy him though? That to me is the threshold for determining a true dual threat QB.

You sure it hasn't been already? I saw an awful lot of holding go uncalled last night. At times, it was like watching Jon Runyan play every position on the line.

I wouldn't put any of those guys in the Cam Newton tier of run threats. Allen is probably the closest.

Big ego is not exactly an uncommon thing among NFL players. Confidence is one of the things that gets them where they are. One complaint though: Nobody should refer to themselves in third person. It's really cringeworthy.

Everybody else is...

Ouch.

I agree that defensive linemen are more athletic than before, but that was also true back in the days of guys like Reggie White and Bruce Smith. The quality of blocking all across the league has taken a real downturn in at least the last decade or so.

Was talking with LG about that too. Even there though, the reality is that while there are plenty of reasonably mobile quarterbacks, there are precious few true "dual threat" quarterbacks. Honestly, outside of Lamar Jackson, who in the league right now would a defensive coordinator have to account for as a possible dangerous run threat?

I actually do remember some people knocking Marino for his lack of mobility. Don't know for sure but I think it might have been one of the reasons why the Jets passed on him. Obviously, he overcame it.

Honestly, part of that is because offensive line quality has gone way way down. Now with that said, mobility is great as long as the quarterback is an effective passer first and foremost. I don't think the idea is his new as people think though. When I was a kid, Fran Tarkenton was a big deal, and he wasn't the only one of his kind.

I'm not a fan of hamstringing the defense, though I do understand why the NFL wants more offense. One thing I have to admit gives me a chuckle: I remember being told numerous times since Michael Vick that running quarterbacks were going to "change the game", yet I sit here watching the league continue to evolve more and more in favor of passing. The reality is that passing has trumped running since the early days of the AFL, and I seriously doubt that's going to change. A quarterback who can also run? That's gold. But if they can really only effectively do one or the other, you better hope they're a passer.

I'd have to agree. Heaven knows you have phenomenal athletes in the mold of Julius Peppers playing defense these days.

It is when it's 3rd and 1.

From Ellis...