What do you look at in a QB?

[JFF]

Someone said a few days back that we had too many "projects" on this team. I maight agree with that, truth be told.

I think it works out better for teams when the rookie QB is the last piece of the puzzle. I wouldn't say the QB is the last piece of our puzzle right now.

Back to your 1st question: What to look for?

I would say, #1 has to be the physical skill. Walt seems to have that.
Two would be ability to absorb the offense, or football smarts.
Three would be ability to progress on a timeline. I don't know if Walt has this one, cause I don't know if I trust the staff to teach him what he needs to know.

[RichGannon]

I like diamond in the ruff types of QB. Like Tom Brady.

Andrew walter has a chance to be a great QB he is just in a bad system. He has no o-line no running game so we cant blame him for all of the offensive woes.

I truly belvie that walter can make a great Qb if we had an O-line and wide out that want to play.

[cad]

Originally Posted by RichGannon

I like diamond in the ruff types of QB. Like Tom Brady.

Andrew walter has a chance to be a great QB he is just in a bad system. He has no o-line no running game so we cant blame him for all of the offensive woes.

I truly belvie that walter can make a great Qb if we had an O-line and wide out that want to play.

Walter guy huh then why does your sig say otherwise?

[Bram Raider]

Originally Posted by raiderran

Walter seems to make poor decisions in his progressions. Does not know how to read defenses. Makes bad throws trying to make things happen(which is not a bad thing). He does not protect the ball and contrary to statements is not very aware in the pocket. Alot of this is from the bad O Line play which is probably hindering his growth. I just am not willing to hand him the ball for the future. He may turn into a great QB but he needs alot of work.

Ran, I've wanted to stick with Walter all season long.
I could see no point in playing Brooks.

But, your assessment of Walter is spot on.
He's really had problems in the pocket with his awareness.
I'm just disappointed as I'd hoped he'd be a Raider QB, not someone else's castoff.

[Attyla]

Didnt read other responses, as I wanted an unfettered chance to answer.

I look for several things in a good QB, and here they are in no particular order

1. Hands. Does he hold the football well, and does he keep from fumbling. For all his greatness, Moon had smaller hands and fumbled a lot. Daunte is the same way today. Walter has decent hands, but does fumble a lot. Not great hands, from a control point of view.

2. Footwork. Can they get back in the pocket and settle into a pattern that keeps their center of gravity in balance. Walter has the pro type footwork that reminds me of Young and Kelly. This is a stronger area for Walter.

3. Vision. The best QB's can see the play as it will be, and not as it is. They throw to where the reciever will be and not where he is at. Hitting the reciever in stride is the benchmark of a great QB. This was what made Montana one of the best, and it is what made Marino a HOFer. Walter fails at this miserably.

4. The Exchange. Not only does the QB have to handle the exchange well, he has to be able to sell a play action at times, and has to help his RB with being able to block the vision of oncoming DLs as they come in. The best I ever saw at this was DeBerg. He could sell this like no one else. Walter has some of this, but not nearly enough.

5. Feeling the rush. This is where Walter gets killed. Walter cannot seem to feel the rush and release before it collapses on him. He gave up an ungodly amount of sacks, and while that is a Oline issue, he is partly to blame for not getting rid of the ball more consistantly.

6. Swagger. To me, this defines the great ones. Namath had it, Stabler had it in spades, Farve had it. This is the knowledge that if I am playing you, I am gonna "play" you all day. It is an attitude of wanting your best, because Im gonna cram your best down your throat. The very best at the position have this, and Walter does not. Swagger does not mean Im gonna shout and rampage...Young had tht swagger, but never boasted. It is an undefinable quality of leadership...and it is contagious.

7. Preparation. Does the QB know what is expected? Gannon did, week in and week out, and it showed. Preparation is the quality of time. Does the QB put in the time to be successful, or does he rely on his skills alone. I think Vick is one who does not prepare well. The myth of the QB who is not a good practice QB, but a great game day QB is an excuse for someone who does not prepare well. Ultimately, this is the guy that does not win, but puts up lots of stats. Jeff George comes to mind here. Walter does not seem to prep well.

That help?

[ice4444]

Good list Attyla.

I look for several things in a good QB, and here they are in no particular order

1. Hands. Does he hold the football well, and does he keep from fumbling.
I dont' agree; there have been a ton of QB's with small hands;

2. Footwork. (YES)
Walter reminds me of Gig Young and Peter Kelly who does some of the effects for star wars; in fact at times his footwork is brutal.
[b][u]

Feeling the rush.
I dont' really call it feeling the rush, I call it more pocket awareness. Do you step up in the pocket, do you move back, etc... Do you know when to hit your check off receiver, etc...
If you notice in the pro and college game, many of the QB's are tall and have strong arms; they all try to make a big play every play. They flat out dont' know when to throw the ball away

Dan Marino was the slowest man alive; he couldnt' get out of his own way to save his life; but he knew how to throw the ball away; he once said this was one of his greatest gifts. Today's QB fumbles, throws INT's or makes a huge mistakes instead of just counting your losses, throw it away and come back for another play.

Swagger.
I think it's important but it's more than that. A lot of fans like this macho type stuff but there have been a lot of QB's with swagger that stunk. I would rather have a confidence or an aura about them but I agree.

Preparation.
I agree totally on this one.
Today's athlete rarely prepares. They have publicist meetings, night clubs to go to, rap groups to form, tv appearances, meetings with nike and reebok, etc.... It's a different time and rarely do they work as hard as athletes of yesteryear. Mike Vick said he didnt' really understand his play book until year 2. Huh? Then stop running around doing commercials and hanging with your posse. Unreal.

I think these are the most important for my list>

*The first thing I want is leadership skills.

*I then want someone who can read defenses

*I then want someone who has good pocket awareness and a feel for the game of football.

*I want someone who can evade a rush; they dont' have to be a scrambler but someone who can evade a rush.


I want someone that is clutch and doesnt' get rattled. Good in the clutch/a winner.

[Jimi18]

nice input guys...

I guess the main reason i asked was cause alot of people were claiming walter sucked, and if he did , why and how did they see he slacked?

or... if they can look at a college QB, and think he can be the same player in the NFL?

look at eli.. or seneca wallace, he lead the conference at one time here in ISU, but he is only a #2 in the NFL

[Attyla]

Jimi, the only thing I can tell you with any confidence is this:

Talent does not make the QB, the QB determines his talent. Not always true 100% but the best of the best always wanted the ball in their hands at the end of the game, and I really dont think any of the Raider QBs could say that

[Swoosh23]

Originally Posted by Attyla

Jimi, the only thing I can tell you with any confidence is this:

Talent does not make the QB, the QB determines his talent. Not always true 100% but the best of the best always wanted the ball in their hands at the end of the game, and I really dont think any of the Raider QBs could say that

I have to disagree with the last part of your statement Attyla. Walter always wants the ball in his hand, the guy has a desire and passion. The thing is we need guys who wont drop the passes, olinemen that can block and an effective running game for any qb here to be sucessful. The one thing that Walter lacks is the leadership cause he is young and the coaching staff really hasnt set up either qb to be a leader for the O.... and the problem children (moss, sims, porter) are not really inclined to listen to either qb or the coaches.

[Jimi18]

^ thats true.. How can a Qb think he will be able to lead a team, and have them listen to him, when they do not even listen to the HC!

[LOUISVILLE R8R]

I like big durable QB's that are not afraid to stand in the pocket and take a hit if necessary. good decision making and accuracy superceded arm strength in my opinion. a strong leader is a must!

[kennyrat923]

I like a QB that is calm under pressure. I like mobility but they don't have to necessarily have Vick speed. I like a QB that has a chip on his shoulders. One who feels he has to prove himself because the other QBs have already been crowned the best of the best.

I like the guys who everybody doubts even when their talent is right there in your face. Like Troy Smith and Vince Young. They win game after game but, that's not enough for a lot of people who claim they know so much about the potential as far as the NFL. You can't measure heart and determination.

One thing I will say about Quinn, he seems to have heart. I liked that cause he's been the most watched QB this year. Everybody wanted a chance to bust his ass because he's been given the title of the best NFL ready QB. That kind of stuff probably motivates the hell out of Russell & Smith. Quinn will be straight IMHO and if we end up with him, I won't be angry. I'd still rather have AP but that's just my 2 cents.

I like QBs who make good decision whether it be by their legs or by passing. I'n not hung up on the protypical size, the system they come from or their throwing motion.

[SlowLane]

Balls, attitude ... an unbreakable spirit.
This is what Gannon had that our others after have not.

[speedkills]

how he plays in the clutch and adversity, which is why i cant stand quinn

[JFF]

...the ability to manufature points off schedule. To turn a busted play into a big play by improvisation. Enough mobility to convert a 3rd and 6 with his feet...