QB Gradkowski Impressing HC Gruden (1 Viewer)

[Bob_Magaw]

i often have strong impressions about certain players... say RBs & LBs... early on, where i think i can tell a lot about how they move, in a way that i think helps me project how their physical traits will project into pros... QB is a little harder to do that (though cutler's traits really stood out for me & played big role in my liking him)... some of the traits mentioned earlier like being composed in face of rush, recognizing defenses, taking what the defense gives you & not forcing the issue, patience, calmness, being charismatic & inspiring teammates, processing information & going through reads & projections quickly, innate timing to hit WRs out of their breaks, etc... these kind of things are clearly more subtle than seeing whether bob "hitman" sanders is a monster hitting dude...

so for some of these reasons, i went into this process having a certain impression, but not one that was so strong as to not amenable to revising... there are many times when something somebody says here gets me to rethink a position, later incorporate some new insight i learned from another, or even completely transform how i look at somebody (that more rare )...

This is why it worth having a conversation with you. A person needs to be very, very smart or very, very dumb to be unwilling to change there opinion. As a side note, I think a bunch of people made up their minds about Simms when he was at Texas. They have decided from his OK games and bowl games that he was a loser. A lot of good QB's weren't national champs in college and struggled initially in the pros. Aikman was almost benched for Steve Walsh. Fouts stunk. Bradshaw stunk. McNabb wasn'r good at first. Plunkett struggled until he got to Oakland. Gannon wandered around for an enternity. Trent Green lost several jobs. Hasselbeck lost his job to Dilfer. The lsit goes on and on. It takes awhile for most players to figure out the QB position. Simms made strides in that direction last year, and it was apparent to anyone who would look.

if it is better to be accurate than "right", then you should be constantly modifying and updating your views. change, adjust or you get passed up.i like hearing what others think... i already know what i think.

 

[Football Jones]

i often have strong impressions about certain players... say RBs & LBs... early on, where i think i can tell a lot about how they move, in a way that i think helps me project how their physical traits will project into pros... QB is a little harder to do that (though cutler's traits really stood out for me & played big role in my liking him)... some of the traits mentioned earlier like being composed in face of rush, recognizing defenses, taking what the defense gives you & not forcing the issue, patience, calmness, being charismatic & inspiring teammates, processing information & going through reads & projections quickly, innate timing to hit WRs out of their breaks, etc... these kind of things are clearly more subtle than seeing whether bob "hitman" sanders is a monster hitting dude...

so for some of these reasons, i went into this process having a certain impression, but not one that was so strong as to not amenable to revising... there are many times when something somebody says here gets me to rethink a position, later incorporate some new insight i learned from another, or even completely transform how i look at somebody (that more rare )...

This is why it worth having a conversation with you. A person needs to be very, very smart or very, very dumb to be unwilling to change there opinion. As a side note, I think a bunch of people made up their minds about Simms when he was at Texas. They have decided from his OK games and bowl games that he was a loser. A lot of good QB's weren't national champs in college and struggled initially in the pros. Aikman was almost benched for Steve Walsh. Fouts stunk. Bradshaw stunk. McNabb wasn'r good at first. Plunkett struggled until he got to Oakland. Gannon wandered around for an enternity. Trent Green lost several jobs. Hasselbeck lost his job to Dilfer. The lsit goes on and on. It takes awhile for most players to figure out the QB position. Simms made strides in that direction last year, and it was apparent to anyone who would look.

if it is better to be accurate than "right", then you should be constantly modifying and updating your views. change, adjust or you get passed up.i like hearing what others think... i already know what i think.

I agree. When it's apparent you were wrong, then it's time to adjust. Being stubborn on players is one of the worst sins in FF (especially dynasty leagues).

 

[gump]

There is no stronger testament to Simms' play last year than the fact that he has won over the local fans and media.

This fanbase is notorious (as are many) for falling in love with the backup QBs.

One thing won them over...his play the 2nd half of the season.

IMO, There is no question Simms will be the starter in TB for a long time if he plays well this year.

 

[gump]

Therefore, for me, it's not so much about Simms' ability, period, as it is his ability as it relates to Gradkowski's ability.

I'd love to see a list of current skills and how you grade them between the two.I'm guessing right now Gruden feels Simms' has 1) a stronger arm, 2) more experience, 3) better grasp of the offense, 4) more physical presence, 5) more locker room presence, 5) more huddle presence, 6) a better relationship with Clayton, Galloway, Pittman, Hilliard, Williams, and Smith, 7) superior touch on the deep ball, 8) more media skills, 9) a higher comfort level with being a starting QB in the NFL.

Grad has 1) more mobility.

Your turn.

 

[Football Jones]

Therefore, for me, it's not so much about Simms' ability, period, as it is his ability as it relates to Gradkowski's ability.

I'd love to see a list of current skills and how you grade them between the two.I'm guessing right now Gruden feels Simms' has 1) a stronger arm, 2) more experience, 3) better grasp of the offense, 4) more physical presence, 5) more locker room presence, 5) more huddle presence, 6) a better relationship with Clayton, Galloway, Pittman, Hilliard, Williams, and Smith, 7) superior touch on the deep ball, 8) more media skills, 9) a higher comfort level with being a starting QB in the NFL.

Grad has 1) more mobility.

Your turn.

Those are slanted observations for the most part. Of course Simms has more experience & a better grasp of the offense. Gradkowski hasn't even been to TC, LOL. Anyway, Simms has a little stronger arm, but Gradkowski has enough arm to be an effective NFL QB. Other than arm strength, I'd venture to say Gradkowski has Simms beat in just about very other category in a generic sense. Meaning, in due time, there's nothing Simms will have on Gradkowski except arm strength (& like I said, Gradkowski has plenty of arm).

In short, Simms can be a decent QB, but I believe Gradkowski will be better (clearly better). That said, I don't have a problem with those who say otherwise.

 

[gump]

Therefore, for me, it's not so much about Simms' ability, period, as it is his ability as it relates to Gradkowski's ability.

I'd love to see a list of current skills and how you grade them between the two.I'm guessing right now Gruden feels Simms' has 1) a stronger arm, 2) more experience, 3) better grasp of the offense, 4) more physical presence, 5) more locker room presence, 5) more huddle presence, 6) a better relationship with Clayton, Galloway, Pittman, Hilliard, Williams, and Smith, 7) superior touch on the deep ball, 8) more media skills, 9) a higher comfort level with being a starting QB in the NFL.

Grad has 1) more mobility.

Your turn.

Those are slanted observations for the most part. Of course Simms has more experience & a better grasp of the offense. Gradkowski hasn't even been to TC, LOL. Anyway, Simms has a little stronger arm, but Gradkowski has enough arm to be an effective NFL QB. Other than arm strength, I'd venture to say Gradkowski has Simms beat in just about very other category in a generic sense. Meaning, in due time, there's nothing Simms will have on Gradkowski except arm strength (& like I said, Gradkowski has plenty of arm).

In short, Simms can be a decent QB, but I believe Gradkowski will be better (clearly better). That said, I don't have a problem with those who say otherwise.

Slanted? My opinions of his presence in the locker room and huddle, and his relationships with his teammates, come from his teammates and coaches.Obviously he has a better arm and more experience.

If Grad throws a better deep ball, he's the next Marino.

Otherwise, that leaves mobility.

 

[Bojang0301]

Every QB that comes along is a Gruden QB. It needs to be stated before anything else can be argued. Every season there are rumors linking Gruden to every veteran or rookie QB. It happenend with Alex Smith, Aaron Rodgers, Steve McNair and even Jay Cutler this year. There just may not be a QB that Gruden doesn't like.

Personally, I think it is time to lay this thread to rest. Fiedler comes in, while they already have Rattay, McCown and Gradkowski and it seems painfully obvious to me that someone will be the odd man out, possibly two men.

With all that being said though I have got to watch Gradkowski over an extended period of time because of the region I live in and his intangibles may be enough for him to be a good QB some day. He's a heady, accurate, mobile QB much along the lines of Jeff Garcia and Rich Gannon but lets take into account how long it took for those two to break into the NFL and reach the heights they did.

I'm just not sure there is much to say about this topic. I could argue till I'm blue in the face about the talent of the two QB's mentioned (other being Simms) but the fact of the matter is that it is a complex offense and a playoff caliber team... not too mention this is a 6th round rookie we are talking about here. I hope that he makes the team but anybody thinking that he is the Bucs QB of the future is talking out their ###, period.

 

[Football Jones]

Every QB that comes along is a Gruden QB. It needs to be stated before anything else can be argued. Every season there are rumors linking Gruden to every veteran or rookie QB. It happenend with Alex Smith, Aaron Rodgers, Steve McNair and even Jay Cutler this year. There just may not be a QB that Gruden doesn't like.

Personally, I think it is time to lay this thread to rest. Fiedler comes in, while they already have Rattay, McCown and Gradkowski and it seems painfully obvious to me that someone will be the odd man out, possibly two men.

With all that being said though I have got to watch Gradkowski over an extended period of time because of the region I live in and his intangibles may be enough for him to be a good QB some day. He's a heady, accurate, mobile QB much along the lines of Jeff Garcia and Rich Gannon but lets take into account how long it took for those two to break into the NFL and reach the heights they did.

I'm just not sure there is much to say about this topic. I could argue till I'm blue in the face about the talent of the two QB's mentioned (other being Simms) but the fact of the matter is that it is a complex offense and a playoff caliber team... not too mention this is a 6th round rookie we are talking about here. I hope that he makes the team but anybody thinking that he is the Bucs QB of the future is talking out their ###, period.

The ol' "he'll never be the QB of the future because he was a late-round pick" argument is pretty weak. Also, it's fairly obvious Gruden doesn't view this kid the way he does most of the Johnny-come-latelys. I believe he sees a real QB prospect when he looks at Gradkowski.That said, I agree there's nothing else to add to this thread. Gradkowski will make the team, but what he does in the future remains to be seen (same with Simms). Time to sit back & see who was right.

 

[gump]

10-12, 97 yards, 2 TDs

2 80-yard drives

 

[Bojang0301]

10-12, 97 yards, 2 TDs2 80-yard drives

 

[Cecil Lammey]

Gradkowski is a great kid, and I love seeing him have this early success! Tampa won't miss Luke McCown at all.

 

[SammyJankis]

This is making for a tough decision. Drafted him in a rookie dynasty draft a couple of weeks back. Didn't plan on keeping him. I don't really have the space, but I might have to find a way.

 

[Bojang0301]

This is making for a tough decision. Drafted him in a rookie dynasty draft a couple of weeks back. Didn't plan on keeping him. I don't really have the space, but I might have to find a way.

Same here.

 

[SammyJankis]

St. Petersburg Times Article

The great Gradkowski

By RICK STROUD, Times Staff Writer

Published August 12, 2006

The rookie quarterback makes quite the debut, vomiting before passing for two touchdowns and taking one huge hit.

TAMPA - If you think you feel queasy about the Bucs' backup quarterback situation, you are not alone.

Before rookie Bruce Gradkowski threw up a pass in Friday night's preseason opener, he threw up.

And that happened on the sideline at Raymond James Stadium, when he watched Chris Simms go into the game.

"The nerves were running a little bit, but I was mostly excited, anxious," Gradkowski said. "I hate sitting around waiting. Simms was giving me a hard time, but I used to do it in college. Every time I did it, I knew it was going to be good."

On Friday night, he was very good.

Gradkowski, a sixth-round pick from Toledo, overcame his case of nerves to play with poise, precision and purpose in a splashy NFL debut. He capped 80-yard drives with touchdown passes to Paris Warren and rookie Maurice Stovall to lead the Bucs to a 16-3 win over the Jets.

He finished 11-of-13 passing (84.6 percent) for 104 yards, two touchdowns and a passer rating of 139.6.

While most Bucs fans would be upset over the sight of Simms having to come out of the game, Gradkowski had a reverse reaction.

"Four minutes into the first quarter and I'm about to go in for my first snap, and I look over and he's throwing up on the sidelines," Simms said of the 23-year-old rookie. "I guess the old nerves got the best of him."

All that changed when Gradkow-ski started the second half with the score tied at a field goal apiece. He went 4-of-5 for 36 yards, including a blitz-beating touchdown to Warren. He was hit by safety Eric Smith after releasing the ball and suffered a cut on the chin that required 10 stitches.

"I saw they were coming, I knew I had a shot and had to get the ball away quick," Gradkowski said. "It was definitely worth it. I came off to the sideline and saw my chin strap was all bloody.

"I said, 'Where did this come from?' But I was thrilled, and Paris made great play."

Gradkowski was just as effective in his second drive, lobbing a fade route to Stovall, the 6-foot-4, 229-pound third-round pick from Notre Dame.

"He looks like a defensive end," Bucs coach Jon Gruden said of Stovall.

"He looks like Simeon Rice out there. Not only the (touchdown), but he made a critical catch on a slant pass for a first down to (ice) the game."

The first half was a game meant for radio. There was nothing to see.

You didn't see Simms drop back and try to throw the ball deep. He went 2-of-3 for 8 yards before leaving. You didn't see running back Cadillac Williams, who looked completely healthy standing on the sideline in a baseball cap. You didn't even see receiver Joey Galloway in uniform. Supposedly, that way, the Jets couldn't mistake him for a player.

In fact, you didn't see much of the Bucs offense, which had the ball for only one possession in the first quarter.

Here's what was in plain view: rookies Davin Joseph and Jeremy Trueblood, the Bucs' first- and second-round draft picks, respectively. Joseph made his presence felt at right guard in an embarrassing way. He was flagged for a personal foul for grabbing a facemask. But he helped the Bucs grind out 167 yards rushing.

"I thought they did a good job," Gruden said.

"Some really good physical play at the point of attack, some athleticism on the back side."

Benefiting from the improved blocking were running backs Earnest Graham and Carey Davis. Graham, the third-year pro from Florida, led the Bucs with 69 yards on 17 carries. Davis, a free agent who spent part of last season on the practice squad, had 67 yards on 14 rushes.

Not bad for a player who spent most of training camp as a blocking fullback.

"How about that?" Gruden said of 5-10, 225-pound Davis. "He'd been playing fullback throughout the entire offseason into training camp. He gets steak and lobster in Orlando this week, and that's a fact."

Defensively, the Bucs allowed only a field goal. But the Jets held the ball for 12 plays and converted three first downs on the opening drive that took nearly seven minutes. Consequently, the Bucs had the ball only three times in the first half.

"The first time we're hitting somebody new, probably a little shaky against the run," cornerback Ronde Barber said. "The important thing is we got off both times they had drives."

But the game belonged to Gradkowski, who made the Bucs feel better about their depth at quarterback.

After the game, Gruden was still marveling at the scoring pass Gradkowski made to Warren.

"It's unbelievable. Paris is the only read if we get a full blitz," Gruden said. "It's where Joe Montana used to go, not to jinx him. That really got my attention. That's a special play, for Gradkowski to sense the blitz, adjust his feet and make a perfect throw.

"I saw what you saw. The guy is a player, a really good player. (Friday) was a positive step because he's nervous, the jitters are there. Not many guys have done what he's done in his first preseason game."

 

[Bojang0301]

Ummm... chalk up two preseason hero points for the boy from "the other" UT.

 

[Capella]

Kid is 9/10 tonight, albeit against a vanilla defense and third-stringers trying out for arena teams.

Still, he looks better than I thought he would so far. Rattay is probably going to be cut (looks horrible), so it'll be between Fielder and Grads for the #2 (assuming Fielder is healthy).

 

[Bri]

everytime I see this thread I wonder why gruden is impressed with the Pats K

 

[Capella]

aaaaaaand he throws a pretty bad INT to somewhat ice the game for Miami.

 

[faux_bear]

i guess i have taken a lot of words to say that a good deal of why some QBs succeed & most fail has to do with, for lack of a better word, psychology... & that is a science not quite on a level of exactness as math, science, engineering...

As a psychologist, I agree.

 

[Da Guru]

I am suprised a polish QB could pick up the offense that fast.

 

[Frenchy Fuqua]

Still nothing better than Gradkowski's DIARY from the local paper. Western PA is still the QB cradle.

 

[Irish]

I am suprised a polish QB could pick up the offense that fast.

I'm surprised that a Michigan fan could type on a computer.

 

[Our Gang]

aaaaaaand he throws a pretty bad INT to somewhat ice the game for Miami.

Don't know if you watched the game, but that int was more of a result of the wr tipping the ball strainght up in the air than a bad throw.

 

[Kevin Ashcraft]

Thought this could use a bump