Tag: QB

Is Dak the right QB for Dallas

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The Dallas Cowboys have been more than formidable this season having beaten teams by 10 or more points on 7 different occasions. They are currently sitting 4th in the NFL in scoring at 27.5 per game, and their defense has been brutalizing giving up just 20.1 / game. And they have wreaked havoc on opposing quarterbacks with 54 sacks and 110 quarterback hits and that’s not including the 16 interceptions. 

Last year in 2021 they had the Wild Card loss versus the San Francisco 49ers, 23-17 and they lost again to SF this season as Dak had 2 costly turnovers. That is certainly an experience that Dallas and their fans would like to get past – and get that ugly taste out of their mouth. Is this the year they can do it, and if so, who or what will be the reason they can?

Dak has had a disappointing season this year with 23 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. Last year, he was outstanding with 37 TDs and just 10 interceptions, in many ways, this year he has greatly regressed. Dallas tends to win better the better the Dak plays that’s the bottom line. And 2 out of the team’s 3 losses, this year – Prescott threw 2 or more interceptions. If he’s having an off day and not completing his passes, if he completes 60% or less the Cowboys are also 0-2. And like most quarterbacks in the NFL, obviously the less pressure he faces and the less times that he’s hit and sacked behind the line of scrimmage, the Cowboys do better. In games where Dak was sacked 2 or more times in the game, the Cowboys are just 2-3. So if he stays up right the Cowboys win that’s a huge key for any defense facing him and this powerful Cowboys offense. 

Dallas Cowboys fans have been waiting 27 years for this team to make the Super Bowl again. The last time they were in the Super Bowl – was all the way back in 1995 – when they played the Pittsburgh Steelers and won, 27-17. Dallas had some really good teams back in 2007 and 2009, but we’re never able to make it any further than the Divisional round. And currently, Ezekiel Elliott is not a kid anymore at an aged and road weary, 27 yrs old – Dak kind of seems to have peaked, and we know who and what he is going to be.  But now it seems as if this team’s identity really has been their monstrous defense. Micah Parsons the 2nd yr pro has been on an absolute rampage this year with 13.5 sacks, 14 tackles for loss, and 3 forced fumbles. His ability to almost personally stop opponents and make key plays when needed, has been phenomenal. So for a quarterback to have that kind of support from the other side of the field is hugely advantageous. And it definitely seems like he can expect that kind of support in any game any week, as their defense has allowed 19 or less points in 56 % of their games this year so far. 

As a team that blew out Minnesota, 40-3, back on 11.20.2022, then also was able to handle Philadelphia, 40-34 on 11.24.2022 – they certainly appear to have a high-powered defense and an offense that’s capable of putting up points. Any team that has those 2 qualifications, certainly does, and always will have, a very strong chance to make the big game. They are definitely going to be a team to keep your eyes on next year with good odds to make the Super Bowl as their defense is tough and they have a lot of playmakers. 

The ATL Falcons need a new QB 

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The Falcons have been a real tricky team to understand this year – which has been frustrating for their fans to say the least. Playing poorly during the first few drives of a game is almost tolerable – but when it starts to become a habit, that is where it can become a troubling concern for a team. Atlanta has been flat in almost every game, starting slow in almost every game –  as well as looking unprepared.

People have to stop making excuses for former MVP Matt Ryan, he has been a pro-bowler and has been a top notch QB many times in his 14 seasons, but his play against the better defenses this season hasn’t been very good where he has has gone 0-4 leading the Falcons to putting up just 8.25ppg and 216.75 YD /game, with 2 TDs and 7 picks. Ryan has also had problems struggling to beat teams on their home turf, with a 1-5 record, which is where he and the team should be thriving. So – if we break it down – it has been a train wreck for the Atlanta Falcons.

He doesn’t have the fastest feet, so when the front breaks down and gets through – he often eats the sack, as he has been put down 26 times so far. If he does have some time – he has been able to play adequately – but it clearly looks as if his lack of a superior Oline and subpar WRs are hindering him. The 6-4 QB has had a problem waiting for an open receiver to get open, but when his Oline breaks away the way it does, that is going to be a challenge.

It could be beneficial for them to have a more mobile QB who could possibly make a play with his feet when things break down. Would Atlanta be any worse off with a more mobile QB than where they are now?
Probably not.
The Falcons might need a QB that can handle the heat, when the front starts collapsing, a guy who can scramble and maybe make some plays. Atlanta doesn’t have the fortunes of having greatly talented WRs, or a top 5 Oline – which is why a mobile and better footed QB might work better for Atlanta. Having a mobile QB would be more preferable, for when things break down on the Oline –  and when Atlanta is getting too much pressure, having a more mobile QB who might be able to pick up 7-8 yards when things fall apart, and see what happens. A guy like that – could then be able to keep the defenses they face a little more unbalanced. They know Ryan isn’t a threat to move, let alone run for 10 yards. Tom Brady isn’t mobile, or have fast feet – but he also plays behind an Oline that is very strong and has great WRs for him to fire the ball to.

The Falcons Oline needs some work  – which is why having a mobile QB would probably be a benefit for them especially when their pocket passer is getting smacked around like he has. Atlanta knows the type of QB Matt Ryan is – yet they have not given him WRs that could help him, his receiving corps isn’t the group he needs around him, as he is now 36 years old and with 14 years of experience behind him. Between letting Julio go and the ongoing issues with Calvin Ridley, who they believed was going to be “their guy”  – they haven’t been able to recover with any real threats at the WR position.  Russell Gage has been inconsistent with 3 games of 6 catches of more, and 3 games with 30 or less yards, he either looks like a decent WR2 option or he is nonexistent, as his best receiver has been his TE Kyle Pitts this year with 709 YDs and 14.5 YPC.

Atlanta has underperformed this season, only scoring 18 /game. and the lack of Oline play for an aging QB has caused a ton of problems. Their 36 year old field general hasn’t had a ton of time to throw the ball – along with the team seemingly having no intention to fix this issue for their QB. Those kinds of problems can be the kiss of death for a team. Look for ATL to upgrade at QB with a top pick in the next draft.
Regardless of who the QB is.

Will Jimmy Garoppolo return the SF 49ers back to greatness

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Jimmy Garoppolo is the newest QB for the Niners, and their teams play and success depend greatly on the 6-2, 230lb QB from Eastern Illinois.
When Garoppolo was drafted in 2014 at 62nd in the 2nd rd by the New England Patriots, the thought was that he was going to be the heir apparent to Tom Brady, who was 37 years old when he was drafted. 16,000+ yards, and 129 TD passes later, Tom Brady is still the QB1 for New England and Jimmy Garoppolo is now slinging the ball around in San Francisco.
The Patriots have had a history of making a big move with QBs, like when a young upstart QB got his big shot when Bledsoe was hurt, and unable to play, and Mr. Brady never rescinded his position. Could this ending being another huge QB move for the Pats, almost 20 years later?
It didn’t take very long for the San Francisco 49ers to realize that they wanted Garoppolo to be their guy, as they signed him for a 5 year deal worth $137 million dollars. This, after playing just a handful of regular season games but, going 5-0 for San Fran. Garoppolo has built a budding career as a starting QB, even if we have just seen 7 full games of him in action. A bit quick, yes, but really, if you are a hungry Niners team are you going to let the opportunity to have a potentially great QB just slip by for your franchise? Although critics complained the 49ers fell in love too fast, and if it doesn’t pan out its going to hurt the team for years.
San Francisco brass is also really doing a great job bringing in quality offensive players, with Jimmy Garoppolo, WR Pierre Garcon and utility RB Jerick McKinnon. And the acquisition of CB Richard Sherman is going to invigorate a 22nd ranked passing defense that was lifeless at times. As Richard Sherman made his choice in joining the Niners due to the buzz and promise that Jimmy Garoppolo brings to the team. Great QBs are not easy to come by and clearly make a big difference in the NFL.  The Niners made their move, and made a loud splash with the 26 year old.
One thing to point out is that Jimmy Garoppolo never had a stud WR in San Francisco like Pierre Garcon before either. And Garcon has the ability to get the team 75+ catches for them. And with Garoppolo at QB, and assuming Marquise Goodwin plays to his potential, along with Garcon that’s a pretty decent starting trio to have on the field. In the last 5 games as a starter, Jimmy G had a 8.8 YDs/attempt ratio. Which is far better than other QBs the Niners have had in quite some time. He is a legit QB talent who has really good pocket presence and makes the right pass when needed.
The NFC West division is looking like it is going to be very, very good for the next couple of years, with Seattle and the Rams. The Seahawks have an exiting offense but have some major issues in the D, the Rams have huge amount of momentum with their explosive offense and monstrous defense and will need to continue to play well. Then the growing hope of the Niners brings a 3rd team to the table.
The 49ers are so hungry for a competitive team to be on the field again. And there is no reason to believe they cant find a way to get 8-9  wins this coming season. If Arizona has managed to find a way to squeeze out 7-9 wins each of the past 2 seasons with the limited talent around on that team –  I don’t see how San Fran can’t get at least as much out of their team.
Jimmy G won’t let the 49ers beat themselves, he doesn’t throw bad picks, he is smart and accurate. Garoppolo didn’t immediately hop in with any top end receivers that struck terror in any defenses. He created chemistry with Marquise Goodwin and George Kittle – and he was fearless when it came to throwing the ball deep. Now with more time to work with his weapons, Garoppolo will have the Niners in almost every game. San Francisco had no steady QB success for numerous seasons leading up to Garoppolo becoming the starter late in 2017 – he appears to be as ready to take over his team as they come.
The San Francisco 49ers were a crippled hobbled mess of a franchise, Jimmy G is the fix that will get this team walking with their heads up again.
One thing for sure, the Niners will be fun to watch again and VegasTopDogs will have all of your winning action.

The Best of the NFL

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Pats

The pro football season kicks off on Thursday when the defending Super Bowl champion Patriots host the high flying passing offense of Steelers. The Pats have Tom Brady back as they take on Pitt.
The NFC has won four of the last six Super Bowls (it could have been 5 of 6 if the Seahawks had called a run on second down), but the AFC has won 11 of the last 18. Here is a look at some of the best of the NFL.

Packers: In an age of passing the football the Packers are deadly, 8th in passing with 266.3 yds pg behind 31-year old QB Aaron Rodgers (38 TDs, 5 INTs) and his 4,381 yards. They actually have a great ground attack, too, ranked 11th in rushing behind RB Eddie Lacy, tops in the NFL with 30.4 points per game last fall. Speedy WR Randall Cobb is a great assett, but the loss of star WR Jordy Nelson in preseason was a shocker. This offense will be still be explosive, but will they take a step back?

At least the young defense keeps getting better, 10th against the pass, 23rd against the run. They welcome back NT B.J. Raji from an injury and will continue to move LB Clay Matthews inside, a trick that improved the run defense late last season. A pair of top draft picks add depth to the secondary, so this Packers team looks armed and dangerous for 2015. Think they’ve worked on defending the on-side kick?

Broncos: Last round up for 39-year old Peyton Manning? This team was second in the NFL in points (30.1 ppg) after Green Bay, as Manning slid a bit to 39 TDs, 15 INTs, 4,727 yards. They finished 4th in passing (291 yards per game), 15th in rushing and return 27-year old WR Demaryius Thomas (1,619 yards), WR Emmanuel Sanders (1,404 yards) and pick up TE Owen Daniels.
However, changes are in store with Gary Kubiak taking over. He brings in zone-blocking, something he learned from Mike Shanahan when the two were in Denver, plus the GM insists on becoming more balanced. They’ve added rookie depth on the offensive line, but had a tough summer blow with the loss of T Ryan Clady, already done for the year. The defense has star power, too. Denver was 10-7 over the total last year, part of a sizzling 29-16-1 over the total run, 33-19-2 over since Peyton got here.

NY Giants: A bounce back year for the Giants? Despite a 6-10 campaign QB Eli Manning actually had a strong season with 30 TDs, 14 INTs. The Giants dealt with a ton of injuries. They have been using high draft picks on the offensive line the last few years and appear to have that fixed, as Manning was sacked 28 times. To improve the run game they took rookie guard Ereck Flowers 9th overall (Miami, FL).

 

Manning has exceptional targets with Victor Cruz, Odell Beckham (1,305 yards) and Reuben Randall (938). The defense was good at getting after the passer (47 sacks) but at a cost of ignoring the run, something new DC Steve Spagnuolo will focus on. He was defensive coordinator in 2007 when they won the title. The secondary was hit hardest by injuries and adds second-rounder safety Landon Collins (Alabama).

Seahawks: It’s amazing how one wacky play can change everything. Instead of Tom Brady losing 3 straight Super Bowls he’s now got 4, in company with Bradshaw and Montana. And the Seahawks should have been celebrating all summer, coming to camp being asked about their chances of winning 3 straight titles, last accomplished by Vince Lombardi’s Packers.
Instead, Malcolm Butler’s interception unleashed floodgates of shock and disharmony in Seattle. Russell Wilson and Mike Bennett not content with contract offers, a LB saying he’s leaving after this season, and the coaching staff/play-calling under fire. Despite these distractions, the Seahawks still have the most talented roster in the NFL. The defense is loaded, ranked No. 1 the last two years, while the run-first offense (most of the time, that is) retained RB Marshawn Lynch (1,306 yards), who hinted at retirement. The Super Bowl ending was shocking, but a return trip to the NFC title game for this group would not be.

Patriots: And speaking of tumultuous offseasons…The defending champs lost their two starting CBs and will be without 38-year old QB Tom Brady (33 TDs, 9 INTs) the first four games. However, in a weak AFC this team still will be a force. The passing attack is loaded with TE Rob Gronkowski (1,124), Julian Edleman, Brandon LaFell and Danny Amendola.
The offensive line gets even better with Florida State guard Tre Jackson and the defensive line adds first-round pick NT Malcolm Brown, a nice surprise expected to go higher. That leaves only the secondary for Bill Belichick to focus on, which lost star power and a lot of depth. Don’t underestimate this group, as Trent Dilfer did last September when the Chiefs bombed them 41-14 (“The Patriots aren’t good anymore.”)

Written by Jim Feist for VegasTopDogs.com