I've been reading the debate all week, since the new regime named Geno the starter, and mostly I've tried to avoid it. I've touched upon some of the things I'll be posting here, but I feel it needs to be said, clearly and concisely, because I get the impression that people don't really look at the downside of QB competitions, and IMO the downside is considerable, which is why most coaches view QB competitions as the football version of root canal (without novocaine).
That said, how did QB competitions workout for the prior staff?
What good did it do Geno that the prior staff was so reluctant to name him the starter, that they wouldn't even call him the starter when he was starting?
Why would you want the new staff to follow the same script that failed for the old staff?
You know the old saying, if it ain't broke don't fix it, well the reverse of that is, the definition of insanity is doing the same failed things and expecting better results.
And there are reasons why it failed, which is why most (competent) coaches try to avoid QB competitions and QB controversies like the plague:
1. If you have a QB competition and its a real competition, that means your eventual starter is getting about 50% of the first team reps, which is no way for a QB to prepare for an NFL season and no way for an offense to build chemistry.
2. Getting those first team reps are even more crucial when you have a new OC installing a new offense, as has been the case three years running with the Jets.
3. The first two are exacerbated even more when you are simultaneously trying to groom a young QB, that guy especially needs every rep he can get.
4. QB competitions naturally lend themselves to creating a divided locker-room, cause everyone has an opinion on who should start, even if they don't voice that opinion, and the only way to avoid that is for the coach to definitively name a starter and say its a non issue, THIS IS OUR GUY, period, end of story, now lets get behind him and help him win.
5. The media loves QB competitions so they will always lobby for them, it makes their job a million times easier, the narrative is black and white and they can write about it every day, but the stuff they write is never healthy for the football team or the fans, which is no concern of theirs, they are just interested in more readers, listeners and viewers.
6. Its hard to get a young QB to believe in himself if he knows the CS doesn't even believe in him.
Look, like I said, there are tons of reasons why coaches try to avoid QB competitions if they can. Just because the old staff invited this stuff and we've grown accustomed to it, that doesn't make it right. Most coaches want no part of a QB competition or controversy, and this one clearly wants no part of it either.
That said, how did QB competitions workout for the prior staff?
What good did it do Geno that the prior staff was so reluctant to name him the starter, that they wouldn't even call him the starter when he was starting?
Why would you want the new staff to follow the same script that failed for the old staff?
You know the old saying, if it ain't broke don't fix it, well the reverse of that is, the definition of insanity is doing the same failed things and expecting better results.
And there are reasons why it failed, which is why most (competent) coaches try to avoid QB competitions and QB controversies like the plague:
1. If you have a QB competition and its a real competition, that means your eventual starter is getting about 50% of the first team reps, which is no way for a QB to prepare for an NFL season and no way for an offense to build chemistry.
2. Getting those first team reps are even more crucial when you have a new OC installing a new offense, as has been the case three years running with the Jets.
3. The first two are exacerbated even more when you are simultaneously trying to groom a young QB, that guy especially needs every rep he can get.
4. QB competitions naturally lend themselves to creating a divided locker-room, cause everyone has an opinion on who should start, even if they don't voice that opinion, and the only way to avoid that is for the coach to definitively name a starter and say its a non issue, THIS IS OUR GUY, period, end of story, now lets get behind him and help him win.
5. The media loves QB competitions so they will always lobby for them, it makes their job a million times easier, the narrative is black and white and they can write about it every day, but the stuff they write is never healthy for the football team or the fans, which is no concern of theirs, they are just interested in more readers, listeners and viewers.
6. Its hard to get a young QB to believe in himself if he knows the CS doesn't even believe in him.
Look, like I said, there are tons of reasons why coaches try to avoid QB competitions if they can. Just because the old staff invited this stuff and we've grown accustomed to it, that doesn't make it right. Most coaches want no part of a QB competition or controversy, and this one clearly wants no part of it either.
