Bear Hands

Canales comes across as this uber positive, cheerleader guy, but he does seem like he can make a cold decision when needed (see: Bryce benching, calling out Coker, a few others). Something about him makes me feel like he's a bit sneaky with how he can get. He's the type where I think if he's just in a room with Tepper, he'll let it out about what he thinks to save his ass. And even with the wins, I just don't see much camaraderie between Canales & Young. They don't reference each other in the usual QB-HC tone/dynamic in pressers and games. It seems like Bryce is still trying to prove himself and Dave is still just not impressed, trying to figure out what even works with the kid. My gut says he won't be shy to explain to Morgan and Tepper what he needs to succeed. And that doesn't include Bryce. Barring some epic turnaround, the book is close to being written. He will have more leverage. If he's gifted a 3rd season, I highly doubt he's going to look and say, yep, let's just try it again with Bryce. That isn't happening.

A coach tells you what he thinks about his QB through the plays he calls. You run an offense through the QB. And we run the most closed-off & restrictive offense in the entire league. A coach's failings become obvious when the fault is blatant or if the entire team is in disarray/the players quit. See: Reich. But right now, it's really difficult to tell. Dave had one of his bigger coaching flubs this past game, no disputing that, but agree it's just hard to see once separated from what we have that's capping us. Seems like he's got the guys still playing with some decent punch, for as bad as the offense was.

We are here. We have arrived at this moment. So, where are we at? Me (and I really don't think this is too much to ask) Non-Negotiables Hits baseline mass/strength/body type standards of a pro-QB (i.e. at least the avg 6'1 215) - sorry Kyler, Russ Above Average (at minimum) arm strength Pocket proficiency: Well-refined mechanics & pro-level footwork Can effectively run a QB sneak Can attempt half-time ending prayer shots Functional Speed/Quickness Awareness (Particularly pre-snap) Negotiables: Strengths in intermediate/second level throws FA vs. Rookie - just find the guys you like, multiple/a competition would be fine Mobility-type - doesn't need to be a runner (I.E. Hurts, Daniels), he just needs to have the combination of speed and size to utilize Pro-level scheme knowledge/experience - if he has the tools, you can develop with the right guys around you. Allen didn't have this, Mahomes not much. Who's eliminated: Bryce, Kyler, Russ, Nuss Who's Not: FA: Howell (baseline FA), Levis, Lance, Pickett, Stidham, Mariota...yuck, but you get the picture Draft: Simpson, Mendoza, D Moore, Maiava this is where we are...

After some consideration and keen observation, I have a rather hot take opinion about Bryce: I don't think he's a good quarterback in the NFL.

Well one thing is for sure, will be interesting to get back on the QB search mindset again. I haven't spent a ton of time watching college this year outside of some Mendoza and Moore stuff. Once I dig into my usual draft prospect spiels, should be fun again I suppose lol.

Nuss is a strange case. He completely imploded this season.

Never know. I'm just thinking who could be QB2-3. As things stand now, Simpson seems to have the scouts' eyes. Mendoza next. Dante Moore is there if he opts in the draft (that's a target with a legit arm). He is probably the only guys in range R1 if we can't land Mendoza. A 2nd-3rd rounder on Maiava/Nuss/Mateer may be what we're looking at.

If he has kids one day and goes into a full dad bod mode, he'd still just max out at like a 34 waist lol

Thinking something like Jesse Minter & Mendoza could be a solid ticket.

Honestly, we should probably shelf him. More time gone for him, and now they're beyond football extending types. Makes me even more nervous for him injury wise than we've already had to be.

That could be more of an extended type of protocol for him. Doubs had 2 within 2 months and missed 2 games. But he didn't have a red flag symptom like vomiting. Scary.

Horn out, and Thornton…we may have a guy not currently rostered lining up opposite Davante Adams lol. And w/Jackson on Puka. Get ready for it folks, it’s gonna be a slaughter.

I mean, when you've got these studs like Renardo Green and Deo Lemoir playing man outside, it's really hard to work around lol. Career: 41 games, over 250 passing yards 6 times Only twice over 200 in his past 11 -.074 EPA/Play (Gabriel/Geno territory) Average YPA on his career, with over 1,254 throws - 5.9. He was the lowest in NFL history before the ATL game 5.76, now he's back above Joey Harrington lol. Career EPA -269.1 It's hard to explain how terrible it is - the SI article does some of it justice.

We're at a point where general and advanced stats are all in alignment. On top of that, his record, measurables, observable play, everything is in the red. There is nothing beneficial in playing him anymore. He's not helping anyone. Not the team, nothing. It's like people are just not wanting to crush his dreams at this point, but that is grossly silly logic. There comes a time where there's really no longer a need to even debate, no matter the mental makeup. That is right now. It sucks because I get it, people have a soft spot for the underdog/small guy who seemingly does all the right things from a PR standpoint. There's a vested interest for him to succeed. But he's just not working out. It doesn't matter that he understands the game well or is a nice guy. If he can't play QB at this level, then he just simply can't. And it's even more emphasized coming off that Atlanta performance to do this on a national stage. The nation (before they turned off the game), finally saw what we've been seeing. No sustained drives, had 3 INTs gifting amazing field position; mustered 3 points... And when he finally hit a good pass to Tmac, there was so much bad before, you don't even feel good about it. But it gives his staunch fans that little bit of juice to go off of. He had like brief 2 moments in 3 years where we thought he may, at best, be the guy who just beat us throwing 3 INTs or Tua. The rest was all Kyle Orton/Sean Glennon level play or worse. This was never a good situation for him, from hiring Reich, only to ship off 1sts, CMCs picks and DJ Moore for Bryce. The pressure that came with that, the college hype, the fans who have been so passionate about proving that he's some advanced passer. The essays explaining how he made a simple seam route throw in stride a time or two. There's too much of a sample size and nothing to come from it. We legitimately feel like we're in the same rudderless spot since that 1st start against ATL. "Wait, he was supposed to be awesome, that can't be it. Must be other reasons..." and then week after week after week, it's the same roller coaster, song and dance. The dancing is over. It is all there, laid bare. He ain't it. Move on.

If Canales wants to look retainable for Tepper, he would go to him at this point and suggest making the final Bryce benching, and attempt to coach his way into the playoffs. I'm not confident Dennis Morton Canales can do it, but it would be in his interest to bench the QB and see if he can produce with what else is available. I can see this team just kinda of continue this roller coaster and end up 7-10, feeling directionless. But on the other end, we're not going to be top-4 in the draft...so might as well just try to build momentum, play high-risk ball with the young talent and see if anything pops.

The slow burn 4 yard chunkers. Just one after another. Slow death

The biweekly Zavala injury

1 point per INT. That’s what I’m talking about

Terrible time management

We got blown out twice that's how it happens.

I added a question mark to your question. Also bolded it to look prettier.

I don't understand the tone, I gave you my ranking, that's it. And yes, I still view Lawrence and Kyler are still ahead, in my opinion, which doesn't really mean much lol. What's this have to do with being a fan ffs? I will say, they are at the end of the list/the more arguable/debatable guys. So open to debate but it seems you're going straight to the "you're not a fan" debate. Which is super annoying. Maybe I'd agree Bryce could be ~19-20 on the list if the argument was laid out instead. His Atlanta game was better than anything they have done in recent memory, but he's had like 10 other games this season. He is way more inconsistent in my view, due to a few factors... Shotty footwork - he has a shallow lazy step back from gun that puts an OL in an impossible place. Goes on his toes wayyy to much for my liking. Poor upper body mechanics. His upper body remains parallel to the LOS and has to perform that rapid twitch/turn motion to get in stance His shallow drops also create a lack of sight lines so he can't layer throws well He's had poor pocket presence - not last week, but it's been a thing Pure traits standpoint Arm strength is mediocre Mobility is mediocre - can outrun at times but quicker IDLs can catch him Accuracy is a range due to his inconsistency - can be above average to very poor. His career so far has been pretty bad with intermediates (which again was not the case against ATL) Ball Security Way too sensitive to fumbling Has exhibited very poor decision making, especially in first halves that put the team behind This all does NOT take away that he had a GREAT performance against ATL. He was able to extend plays, found guys post-route in stride, the XL throw in Q3 was fantastic, a few of the Coker crossers were beauts. There's no disputing that. But yeah, in totality, it hasn't looked good but he absolutely cooked last week. Outside of that, he's only had 5 other 250 yard passing games in his entire career. He stalls on drives, makes annoying turnovers, doesn't see the right guys. It's okay to both say that and the fact that he balled tf out last week. I hope he continues so we get better and maybe can make some noise. Big test on Monday.

The absolutely/no questions list: Stafford, Allen, Mahomes, Herbert, Burrow, Lamar, Caleb, Jayden, Goff, Love, Maye, Dak, Baker, Darnold, Purdy, Kyler, Lawrence, Jones, Rodgers That’s 19 off the top of my head no question about it. Doesn’t include the SB champ starter or Bo Nix who I argue should be but could see others debating. so he’s highest 22 in my book

I think Gibbs is special, but you’re right, some of the top investments have proven to not be much different than some 2nds and 3rds. Taylor for example is on an MVP level season. James Cook is doing better than Breece Hall for example. Raiders weren’t in a good spot to draft Jeanty. Same with the Falcons/Bijan. You gotta swing at the right time — the investment shouldn’t come too early. You almost have to stumble into a guy mid to late rounds while building or find that guy to put you over the top when the team is finally well rounded.

Precisely. It’s why some teams are fine with the committees and they work out great. Others feel like they’ve found “a guy” but that’s where I caution us to jump too quickly to a conclusion just because of a few games.