Here is where I could roll tape of ***** talking about Matt's awesome checkdowns in preseason.

He literally said this on a preseason broadcast.

4 yard pass is still getting 4 yards!!!!!!!!!!!!!

NAIL ON HEAD

Q

But Reid also said he wasn't reading into things like footwork or hand size.....

Then you are not objectively looking close enough then. With that horrid defense he had he knew he would be always pushing the envelope playing from behind a lot of the times. With that said his TD/INT for the season defy logic. He should have had a helluva a lot more INTs but didn't. This say's to me he 'still' makes good decisions in the pocket and manages a game fairly well even under stress to push the envelope and win.

When you hear the phrase "makes everyone around him step up and play better" that is what we call the "IT FACTOR". Making everyone believe they will win before that win is actually attained, especially in the 4th quarter down by 4 points with 1:30, 80yards to go with only 1 time out for a must TD for the win.

Seeing the win before it happens and KNOWING you will accomplish this goal is what is needed in the QB position. What establishes good from GREAT is the GREAT QB has the ability to translate that internal 'fire in the belly to win" and especially that 'vision of victory' to the rest of the team "before" they actually win the game.

Jay Cutler has far more physical ability than Rodgers,Brady, Manning,Brees etc.. BUT what does Jay lack from the rest of these guys(besides SB Wins) that has always been his achilles heel?

No "fire in the belly to win", no vision of winning, thus no leadership to inspire others around him to see victory before it happens. Jay Cutler has always been about Jay Cutler. Jeff George II.

I have not seen all of Geno's career as a starter at WV like many of you to put him in an objectively accurate proper context of his work. I have seen several games from this past season and definitely see the potential in this kid that I believe has a very high ceiling.

My gut tells me he has the "IT FACTOR". What say you from the rest of his body of work?

Here's the problem I have with this philosophy.

Name me one truly outstanding defense that didn't have outstanding LB play.

Jay Cutler does not have far more physical ability than Rodgers.

Ok "far more" when comparing Cutler to Rodgers is a bit of an over statement. Although, Rodgers has an accurate strong arm, Cutler has a Marino arm of which Rodgers does not. With that said, of course you don't need a laser arm to win SBs but comparing arm strength between Jay and Aaron, Jay wins hands down and is what I should have initially clarified when comparing specifically to Rodgers.

The only way he blows the combine up is if he throws and he won't and he runs a 4.4 or less 40 which he won't.

Not following you MM.

Hali and Houston are our pass rushers... which are LB's. DJ is pretty good too.

My guess is Reid is still more programed to be thinking 4-3 when he says D-line play... even though D-line is a big piece of our LB's being able to make plays.

And to be fair MM, I did cut the rest of what Reid said off. He did say the rest of the positions are important as well.

Well again, you could make the case this QB truly had sh** to work with and got at least 3 wins.

This is where the 'poker play' begins to move people during and after all the combine and college pro days are complete.

There will be a few teams in dire need of a franchise LT that will be extremely excited for Joekel and possibly move up IF Reid plays his hand well.

Even in a 34, there's always that one guy in the middle that blows things up.

Ray Lewis for the Ravens through most of the last decade.

Patrick Willis (not to mention Navarro Bowman) for the 9ers.

The Steelers have always had superior ILB play.

I don't think you should spend a top 10 pick on the ILB position, but I do believe, strongly, that ILB play is still highly critical to fielding a top 5 defense.

I think Reid and Dorsey are waiting on what happens with Albert before they commit to any 1st rd pick.

Reid may have tipped his honest hand a bit when he stated the "trench play" (O-lines and D-lines) come first.

If Albert wants too much we are taking Joekel.

If Albert plays ball we are taking Geno.