What has to be frustrating for you guys is it seems like management felt the same way. Kerry Collins as the extreme last minute back up plan? Yeah, I agree with SK7, he's probably better than you or I will give him credit for. But they should have at least had something like a plan B. It also seems that there was a rush to take him off the PUP list to get him ready to start week 1 to keep the Iron Man thing going and so now they either have to carry a dead roster spot or put him on the IR instead of re-evaluating at Week 6. Believe it or not a lot of Pats fans have been disappointed in how this has all been managed. Perhaps this current incarnation of the Jets has given us a little bit more respect for the mostly good natured rivalry with the Colts.
If you guys are bad enough there's always the top pick out of Stanford...
I'd rather have Matt Barkley, to be honest. But I'm not sure the best idea is to draft a quarterback in the first round and then stick him on the bench for three or four years. It could turn out great like Aaron Rodgers, or it could be a disaster. Most quarterbacks need to play to get better. But beyond that, we'll have a senior quarterback that will need more help than ever before if the team wants to win in the postseason. I don't know if I like the idea of using a first rounder on a player who isn't likely to see the field.
The flip side of that is maybe Manning will never be the same again. Dunno.
As for not already having a backup, I have no problem with the way they handled the situation. There was a lot of outcry about bringing in Collins so late, but he was pretty clear in his retirement statement that he didn't want to go through all the rigors of camp and OTAs and all that stuff. It was more of a pseudo-retirement than anything else. The signals were loud and clear that he'd come back at the right time if anyone would have a need. On top of that, what's the difference between bringing in a veteran quarterback for this offense two or three weeks sooner? Not a big one, if you ask me. No one can fill Manning's shoes, not with three weeks or three months. We know what Collins is capable of. He is what he is.
The Pats lucked out with Cassel, same as they lucked out with Brady. Both 6th round picks that weren't expected to play. Brady was obviously more talented, but it's not like they ever spent a high draft pick on a backup quarterback, nor did they sign anyone highly touted to man the spot. Why would a capable backup sign to hold Bledsoe's or Brady's water bottle every week? Same thing with Manning. The Colts went after Hasselbeck, who got a starting job in Tennessee for at least a year. They just aren't a destination for capable backup quarterbacks. Having an Iron Man qb is a gift and a curse. I'll take the tradeoff, though.
Maybe they should have kept him on the PUP list, but there was a significant setback after he practiced for a couple days. They had no way to truly evaluate him because PUP players can't practice. He did some serious throwing, and it became obvious that he needed more attention. Reports said there was numbness in the triceps, and the soreness in the back was also problematic. Would have never determined that if they didn't take him off PUP. Could have done it sooner and made a determination one way or the other before cut day, I guess. But I'm not sure you can activate someone from PUP and then put them back on. Rock and a hard place. The game day roster was expanded to 46 players. No real relief from the 53, but it at least makes game day a little easier in this situation. The Colts have two active quarterbacks, so they can use that 46th spot on a player, rather than an emergency quarterback, which is what a lot of teams will do.
