So, what you're saying is that an above average (not elite) QB can have a big impact... but only on teams that have enough talent to make it so? That's some expert analysis right there. The way I look at it, there are quite a few Matt Ryans in the NFL right now (Stafford, Tannehill, Dalton, Flacco, Eli, Rivers, Smith, Bradford, Palmer, Foles, Newton, Kapernick, Wilson)... all talented QB's that need a good overall team to win it all (and you can even make an argument that the elite QB's also need a certain talent level... as you can now see with Brees, Luck, Peyton). Are there that many players that can do what JJ Watt can do on a consistent/yearly basis?
Matt Ryan is not in the same class as Dalton, Tannehill, Bradford, Foles, Kap, Wilson...come on. You're not giving Ryan enough credit here. Also, Im not saying anything other than...this current Texans team, when healthy, would be better with Matt Ryan than with JJ Watt. The Texans have a talented roster...they just need a QB to make something happen, because until then, they will always be a ~0.500 team, even with the best defensive player on the planet. The Falcons roster sucks...so yeah, no QB could do much with that...but a very good QB with what the Texans have on their roster, good things can happen. Again, so you're not too confused, we're talking about a trade here between the Texans and Falcons. If you took Ryan away from the Falcons and added Watt to their roster, they get worse. If you take away Watt from the Texans and add Ryan, they get better. A top 10 QB (Ryan might be top 6) will always beat out any defensive player...doesnt matter if its Watt, Lewis, White, etc...
The horrible truth is that an above average QB has a bigger impact on the game than a once in a generation pass rusher. Not even a good QB, just above average, yet even above average QBs are highly valued and command insane contracts. It's crazy, but that's pro football. This is why the Texans deserve to be criticized. Look at McNair's comments about not needing an elite QB to win. Yes, part of that was PR, but are we absolutely sure that the Texans "get it"? That they are going into next offseason with an almost cult like obsession to get a decent play caller? That it's not going to be their main objective, that it's going to be their only objective?
This is exactly correct. No matter what Watt accomplishes on the football field, he just can't possibly have the same impact as an above average QB. That's just how football works these days. It's why we have so many QBs making as much or more than Watt. The two positions aren't comparable. I wish I was more confident in the Texans to pull out all the stops for a signal caller.
The Texans went 9-7 last year with 4 different QB's, none of which could be considered "above average". The Falcons went 6-10, and 4-12 the year prior.
His team went 6-10 and 4-12 the last two years... maybe you're giving him too much credit? He has continued to put up big offensive numbers... which adds even more weight to just having a productive QB does not automatically translate to wins. (but having an all-world HOF caliber DE helps a team go 9-7). Aren't you the same person that said the reason why Kubiak made the playoffs was because of JJ Watt, Wade Phillips, and the defense (that basically turned a 6-10 team to a 10-6 team... with similar offensive talent both years)? Ryan and the Falcons are still putting up some big offensive numbers the last two years... their defense has been atrocious. It just another example of how a top 10 QB will not do it on his own. If you want to add that QB, but make your defense appreciably worse, nothing is guaranteed.
What Watt was able to do last year transcends "position" stereotypes. How do you explain them going 9-7 with a revolving door of mediocrity to suckiness at QB?
You're missing the point here. The Texans have a very talented roster, the Falcons do not. A QB can take a talented roster much further than a DE can take a talented, QB deficient roster. Matt Ryan on the Texan means at least 11-12 wins. JJ Watt on a talented, QB deficient team, will never carry a team to contender status.
But do they? Besides Watt, what other player do the Texans have that far and away exceeds anything from any other team? In the Falcons case, Julio Jones is probably more talented than any other offensive player the Texans have. The Falcons did have an above average offense (better than the Texans) in 2014. And if you're saying that the Texans have more talent mainly because of Watt... that pretty much negates your entire argument.
The Falcons are very deficient in talent...no QB will win on their own. Not Brady, Not Rodgers. Ryan would have more of an impact on this Texans team than Watt would have. If you take away Ryan and add Watt...they win 2 games, just like the Texans showed in 2013. Obviously. Nobody is stating otherwise. The Texans have a VERY GOOD roster...they're main missing piece is a QB. Not sure...but Ive always given Matt Schaub big credit and felt like he had a 3 year period where he was a top 12 QB. And yes, we added Wade, Joseph and Manning to a crap defense that was led by Frank Bush, probably the worst Def. coach in the NFL...so yes, that makes a huge difference. The defense, as constructed right now, is good enough to win with an above average QB, let alone a top 6-8 QB. Nobody has once said that a top 10 QB will do it on their own....you're making stuff up. Let me make it simple for you: A top 10 QB will make a talented team a contender. A top DE will not make a talented, QB deficient team, a contender.
I disagree...when healthy, we have talent throughout the lineup. The Colts havent had any more talent than the Texans the last few years. I'd say the Texans have more talent throughout the lineup...outside of the QB position.
Yes, they seemed to be deficient on defense (one hell raising potential HOF DE away). They actually had a better offense than the Texans. Could you actually point out where? Not really sure about that. They have holes in the O-line, LB, safety, and possibly CB if Joseph is bad. Running game is a total joke. Minus Watt? Not so sure. You take away Watt from last year's team, do they go 9-7? Minus Watt, I just don't see the vast difference in talent between a team like the Texans and teams with "good" QB's (but bad teams) in Atlanta and New Orleans. I know it sounds good to make these drastic claims about how a QB can fix everything to the point that you can win without your game-chaning generational type player... but I highly doubt it comes true in reality.
Minus Watt? Doubtful. You're basically attributing the bulk of the offensive "talent" to Arian Foster... and he hasn't been healthy for a full season since 2011. The lack of depth throughout the roster, the missed mid-round picks, having to start street free agents every week... all of that screams lack of talent (that gets masked with all-world players).
He's already so annoying being everywhere you look, I can't imagine how much I'd hate that if he was on another team. So keep Watt.
