I saw the good. I understand the point(s) regarding the Notre Dame talent of previous years vs. the talent Quinn played with in South Bend. I can process the kid has talent and an exceptional head on his shoulders. However, I just saw something in his body language more often than not that really bothered me...REALLY...bothered me that I cannot ignore. I am going to try and give an example that most...many...can understand or at least I hope.
You remember playing youth sports (9-12 age range) with the kid that was the absolute beat tail athlete? Remember how that kid...more often than not...had a bad to very bad attitude on the field when someone else messed up; turned the ball over; a penalty or error were committed and how that kid would tend to pitch a vocal or visual fit when bad things happened?
I see some of that in Quinn. It scares me especially as a Lions fan. Maybe that makes sense or maybe it does not but I did my best to try and capture what I have noticed.
As a side note - You sound like you're describing Eli Manning. I HATE his body language on the field when anything goes wrong.I remember liking Philip Rivers when he came out for the simple reason that he was a four year starter at a D1 school. I suppose that thinking translates to Quinn too, maybe a bit too much.
Of course reading body language is an inexact science, and judging Quinn by his hanging head or slumped shoulders is pretty thin evidence. I could direct you to the USC game his Junior year when he was fired up start to finish and Leinart was the one hanging his head before that final drive. I hated what I saw in Leinart many times his senior season. At Oregon and at Arizona State in particularly, Leinart practically gave up on his team, and that massive OL, Bush and White took over for their inept psychologically damaged QB. It really really bugged me that so few saw those games and what happened.Quinn took over with very solid and positive leadership in a comeback win against UCLA last year. I was impressed. I announced shortly thereafter that I thought he deserved his franchise grade. I've been aboard the Jamarcus Russell bandwagon a long time, but in the Cutler/Leinart debates I mentioned Quinn had to prove it to me yet. He did...
But then he lost me. The more I watched Quinn the more I saw something very disturbing that goes to what Who Dat is arguing. Though I have seen him battle it out and lead his team in tough situations, I have also seen him play inexplicably lame when the chips are down. No matter how bad the beat down Florida gave Ohio State, Troy Smith continued to execute to the best of his ability. He kept his head up and he continued to try and find something that would work. It was futile, but he was valiant and went down fighting. LSU gave Notre Dame the exact same kind of beat down, but Quinn just checked out. I am serious. If you can get a hold of that game, you will see Quinn (on several occassions)) drop back and heave the ball as if he is under huge pressure even if he isn't. Panic had set in. His composure was gone. I had the feeling 3 and out couldn't come fast enough for him. I really hated that performance and I posted here immediately that I had dropped him considerably in my estimation.
I guess if he lands on a very good team in a choice situation things may go well, but do not expect him to take a mediocre or poor team to any heights. It is not in his makeup regardless of his ad campaign. Franchise talent is there physically, but I think the lacks a few key psychological needs. I'd rather have Edwards early in the 2nd. He's tough as nails and never gives up.
Lots to touch upon...I like the Manning references, as I lived in New Orleans during the Peyton years at Newman HS. Saw just about all of those games Eli is far more guilty of
the face than his older brother(s) and Eli has plenty left to prove but Peyton would throw it around, while shrugging the shoulders, often enough. Peyton got over but not sure Eli will and, opinion, much of that has to do with their personality. They are very...VERY...different people.
Yes, there are some unrealistic expectations placed upon very young men placed into difficult situations. Yes, you would like to think they would all use those learning moments...personal adversity...to grow but that is not necessarily how it goes.
CC got into some of it. For me the issues with Quinn are not anything physical, which is why I hate bringing it up. Factually, I do not have anywhere near enough information to make a psychological assessment about him. I have no personal interviews. I have no surveys or tests. I have no historical data collected through speaking with previous coaches, teammates, peers, competitors, teachers, parents, friends, enemies, etc. I got nothing. Zip.
What I do have is a loose opinion, which very well could be wrong, based on what I remember seeing during crunch time and his immediate...good day or bad day...reaction/response. I am concerned. As was mentioned, the exception, like a Young, only comes along so often but that is what I recall everytime I start thinking about Quinn.
Do you remember the Rose Bowl when Texas was down in the 4th quarter? Texas just got the ball back and things looked bleak...not enough time...down too many points...the defense could not hold USC...maybe next year Longhorns....I vividly remember the game coming back from a commercial and Young dancing onto the field. The UT huddle standing with their heads down was waiting for him. Young had the BIGGEST damn smile on his face, as he waltzed between the hash marks. As soon as he hit that huddle, everyone perked up; he laughed and let everyone know he had it under control.
That game was over. Period. USC did not stand a chance. You could have handed USC the Longhorn playbook and snap count at that point and it would not have mattered.
I do not and did not see that in Quinn. Not when it
really mattered. He never got a stage that large to perform upon but he had many auditions. I should not compare him with Young's
moment in college but that is also part of the problem. Young had a defining, cathartic moment that validated his career. You just knew bad throwing mechanics and all...poking a little fun at the threads from last spring...he had arrived.
I think in the right circumstances where pressure and expectations are controlled and curbed that Quinn stands a chance. He could be an average to good QB. However, if he lands with just about anyone in the Top 10, I can see him struggling, as I agree with CC. I do not think Quinn can carry a franchise but that is most likely going to be what is expected of him.
