Dr. Octopus
Footballguy
If Palmer goes down, sadly Drew Stanton may be the third best QB Fitz has ever had in Arizona after Warner and Palmer.My contention is that Warner was a HOF QB. Palmer is a long way from being a HOF QB. Yes, Palmer is the second best QB he ever played with. That doesn't wow me.Is the contention that Fitzgerald can only put up big numbers with Warner?I just re-ran the numbers on Fitzgerald:
In 59 games with Warner at QB, he averaged 14.1 ppg in 0 ppr leagues and 20.7 in 1 ppr leagues.
That equates to 226 FP over 16 games in 0 ppr leagues (which last year would have tied Megatron for the #1 WR).
That also equates to 331 FP over 16 games in 1 ppr leagues (which last year would have ranked 5 points behind Megatron as the #2 wide out).
In 88 games without Warner at QB, he averaged 9.1 ppg in 0 ppr leagues and 13.8 in 1 ppr leagues.
That equates to 146 FP over 16 games in 0 ppr leagues (which last year would have ranked 19th).
That also equates to 221 FP over 16 games in 1 ppr leagues (which last year would have ranked 16th).
I think we need to look at who those other QBs were and how he performed when the QBs were semi-competant at least v. downright horrible. Here are some of the "other" QBs:
Ryan Lindley
Jon Skelton
Kevin Kolb
Brian Hoyer
Richard Bartel
Derek Anderson
Max Hall
Matt Leinart
Brian St. Pierre
I feel pretty confident saying that Carson Palmer will be the second best QB that Fitzpatrick has ever worked with.
In other words what the numbers that Fitz has produced with Warner under center v. what he has produced with that dreck under center may not be all that relevant - unless you think Warner made Fitzpatrick.
Also not being discussed at all is how well Palmer will do in a new system on a new team behind a suspect line. What is the chance Palmer plays 16 games? The recent track record for QBs lasting the entire season is not great.
I just don't think we can draw many conclusions about how Fitzpatrick's numbers declined when Warner wasn't under center due to the fact that the next best QB Fitz has played with would become a debate between Kevin Kolb and Derek Anderson. I mean what WRs would have thrived under those circumstances? The fact that he performed as well as he did, outside of last season, speaks volumes about him.
Let's also not forget that Fitzgerald was a big part of Warner resurrecting himself as well. Warner washed out of St. Louis and was horrible with the Giants before landing with Arizona.