FanPost

The reality behind the JC "situation"

First of all, I have been a JC fan since his arrival.  We all know what he has been through physically - totally pounded this year - mentally - familiar with just about every offensive system known to mankind - and emotionally - treated like garbage by Snyderatto.

 At this point, I would like to give you my thoughts as to where we sit with regard to JC and what happens next year and beyond.  The poll at the end provides options; the "analysis" comes after the jump.

I posted this as a response on another Fanpost, but since it is so long decided to do separate post with annotations:

 

The reality is that almost no QB has the benefit of a great O-line. So there are times many times in a game when the QB has to make the play when things break down. He has to make quick decisions about what the D is trying to do and what about the play that was called can be used to defeat it.

Because JC has taken such a pounding – and perhaps because he is not skilled enough – he does almost none of the above even when the O-line does block well for him. One example was the sack Sunday night where he took off toward the left sideline even though Levi had perfectly blocked his man to the outside. Jason was afraid to step up into the pocket and got sacked.  I'm not saying Jason hasn't made plays, but as the season progressed, he has actually become less consistent, probably based on a strong survival instinct - can't blame him for that.

This is not all JCs fault, of course, but we want him to be able to make plays when he does have the chance. He has shown the ability to do so – he generally has a good half in every game, but he is inconsistent and does not make a big enough difference to snatch a win out of defeat – see McNabb’s pass to Macklin with time running out Sunday or Roethlesberger pulling his team out at the end. In fact, I cannot remember a game where JC brought us home for the win – maybe the Rams game last year…? Again, a much better line and the odds of that happening go way up.  The fact is, even though the D has kept the score down, the O just seems to regress in every way and JC is as significant part of that.

So in my mind it’s a toss-up. Thanks due to our O-line, JC has not improved much (the best I can say) even though his stats went up – remember we also played 5 of the worst teams in football this year, too. I don’t like the idea of giving up on JC; but we do need to bring someone in to compete with him while at the same time going all out for an O-line – otherwise we will have wasted 2 QB careers. (as of late)

Sorry, LJP – I am not a hater. I’m just sayin what I’m seein. At some point, you cannot blame JC’s performance on O-Line or the fact that we do not have a spectacular RB or dominant, veteran WRs. It is what it is…and JC has to do his part, like getting the ball off early and accurately; reading blitzes and knowing who to throw to; even leaving the pocket before getting rid of the ball (3 grounding penalties? A first in one game for me.). It all adds up. I truly hope to see us build a great O-line and see what JC can do (especially if we go retro with smash-smash-bombs away) a style he is more suited to.

My concern now is that though he has improved each year – the beating he took this year may in fact have arrested his development – hopefully not to the point that he is Schulerized or Ferroterized.  The question is: Can JC, given improved O-line play (remember, he will still get sacked), truly play the QB position at the NFL level?  If we say yes to that, then we should keep him.  If the answer is a resounding no, than our best option is RFA.

Of course, it will be up to the new HC to decide what style of offense to install and whether or not JC can handle it.  If it is a quick read, WCO style offense, I don't see JC in our future.  But I certainly respect him and wish him well.