Alex Smith vs. Rich Gannon

[Jakemall]

Originally Posted by keg in kc

I'm not saying it would be a failed trade if he's less than that, only a pointless one. Why bother if he can't be one of the best?

Andy Reid knows offense. Andy Reid knows quarterbacks. Alex Smith is his guy. There's nothing wrong with having high expectations. I know people are accustomed to failure. I know we're used to being kicked while we're down, and then getting pissed on. I know we're used to insane levels of rationalization, trying to justify the value of having Damon Huards and Tyler Thigpens and Matt Cassels and Brady Quinns and Tyler Palkos behind center. I know we're used to expecting little and getting less. I know it's scary to hope for more, because it sucks so much when we're let down.

Time for that to change.

I get what you're saying. What I'm suggesting is that you're setting the bar too high for the price you paid. You're not going to get the next Peyton Manning for 2 2nds. If that's the kind of change you're looking for, may I suggest playing the lottery?

I get you're all tired of mediocrity, but I think you're setting yourself up for disappointment. I think Alex is a very good QB, but Peyton Manning is going to be a HOF player.

Question: If a player makes a team better, but isn't one of the best in the NFL, is a trade a failure? I don't think so...not as long as he brings more to the table than the 2 2nd rounders would have.

[keg in kc]

Originally Posted by Jakemall

I get what you're saying. What I'm suggesting is that you're setting the bar too high for the price you paid. You're not going to get the next Peyton Manning for 2 2nds. If that's the kind of change you're looking for, may I suggest playing the lottery?

I get you're all tired of mediocrity, but I think you're setting yourself up for disappointment. I think Alex is a very good QB, but Peyton Manning is going to be a HOF player.

Question: If a player makes a team better, but isn't one of the best in the NFL, is a trade a failure? I don't think so...not as long as he brings more to the table than the 2 2nd rounders would have.

I'm setting the bar as high as it *should* be set. When your coaching staff calls the quarterback you traded for, the one the new head coach has been in love with for years, the best in the NFL, when the guy is clearly and obviously being set up as the face of the franchise for the next 5 years, it is not out of proportion to expect him to be one of the top QBs in the league.

I am not saying he has to be Peyton Manning, specifically. I am also not saying he has to be Drew Brees, specifically. I simply listed those two as players who were able to excel immediately with new teams. Which I believe we should expect Alex Smith to do, with the offensive players in place around him.

What I am saying is that for this team to prosper long term, his name needs to be mentioned in the company of players like Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees, Peyton Manning, Joe Flacco, Matt Ryan, Tom Brady, Ben Roethlisberger and Eli Manning. He needs to become a part of that group for this trade to be worth it, in my opinion. Top 5-10 at his position. That's not asking too much. That's basically just asking him to be a 2013 version of Trent Green.

[Jakemall]

Originally Posted by keg in kc

I'm setting the bar as high as it *should* be set. When your coaching staff calls the quarterback you traded for, the one the new head coach has been in love with for years, the best in the NFL, when the guy is clearly and obviously being set up as the face of the franchise for the next 5 years, it is not out of proportion to expect him to be one of the top QBs in the league.

I am not saying he has to be Peyton Manning, specifically. I am also not saying he has to be Drew Brees, specifically. I simply listed those two as players who were able to excel immediately with new teams. Which I believe we should expect Alex Smith to do, with the offensive players in place around him.

What I am saying is that for this team to prosper long term, his name needs to be mentioned in the company of players like Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees, Peyton Manning, Joe Flacco, Matt Ryan, Tom Brady, Ben Roethlisberger and Eli Manning. He needs to become a part of that group for this trade to be worth it, in my opinion. Top 5-10 at his position. That's not asking too much. That's basically just asking him to be a 2013 version of Trent Green.

You are aware that Denver was a play-off team the year before Manning got there with Tebow, right? It kinda diminishes his accomplishments there. Also, aside for a play-off appearance when he first arrived, Brees' 2nd and 3rd years with the Saints did not result in a winning season let alone a play-off appearance.