All the negative talk over Tarvaris Jackson, the Vikings second round pick from Alabama State, a division 1-AA school, got me wondering if we are just too used to our instant, have it now, society? The Vikings are 2-4 and other than the 10 point swing with the blocked field goal returned for a touchdown, the Vikes have been within 1 score of victory in every game. Get the ball to bounce in our favor and this discussion would be mute, but since it hasn't for numerous reasons, this discussion is needed. We all know the quarterback gets most of the blame when things are bad and most of the glory when they are good, so lets look at other "good" quarterbacks and how they started.
As a starter, Jackson is 2-4.
Childress has referred to the development of Peyton Manning and his early struggles and that of the Colts while defending the organization’s patience with Jackson and his development.
In Manning’s first six starts with the Indianapolis Colts in 1998, he threw seven touchdowns and 17 interceptions with a 1-5 record. Manning had passer ratings of 58.6, 51.1, 39.3, 63.2, 66.8 and 62.6 in those first six games. The Colts went on to an unimpressive 3-13 record for that year. Jackson had ratings of 35.4 and 62.5 in his two starts last year and this year to date they were 75.1, 26.4 and 73.8 and 44.2.
Jackson had 1 touchdown and 3 interceptions last year in his starts and this year he has 2 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. He has thrown 4 INTs in one game this year, 1 in another, and 0 (none) in the last 2. So that 3-8 versus the 7-17 of Manning.
I wanted to compare that to at least two other sure fire Hall of Fame future inductees plus a maybe in a former protégé of Coach Childress'. Besides Peyton Manning, I'd selected Tom Brady and Brett Favre as first round ballot guys going into the Hall, and then Donovan McNabb as a possible. Looking up Tom Brady's first 6 games (2001), he went 3-3 on a playoff caliber team. Brett Favre went 2-4 in his first 6 starts (1992). Donovan McNabb, whom Childress mentored, has been to 4 consecutive NFC championships and one Super Bowl, started out 2-4 in his first 6 games starting (1999).
So looking at those stats, it looks like Tarvaris is doing just about average for an elite quarterback of the future.
“If you’re going to develop somebody, the word kind of speaks for itself. We’re currently in that process. I believe we’ll know a lot more about Tarvaris at the end of this year than we do right now,” Childress said. “We always talk about making the routine plays routinely. We’re not talking about throwing it through the eye of the needle.”
Patience, all that is needed is a little patience.
Grooming quarterbacks to be successful in the NFL is a process. Some says it starts when the young boy picks up the ball for the first time, or when he pads up for his first ever Pee-Wee game. Then comes high school and college, but even with all of that mentorship, starting in the pros is not an easy thing. I tried to put into perspective what Tarvaris and us as fans are facing.
I hope you enjoyed the piece and feel free to tear it apart. It is open for debate.
well first off we were close in teh games because of the defense statisically look at the offense and give me that argument. second paton manning didn't get a year behind on the bench. I knew we would have to endure a losing year to season him I said it from the start but what Jaws opened my eyes to is as a division 1AA school he does not get the mentorship. his coaches were a far cry from the coach Brady quinn has had. so I see him as a three year rpoject. plus you have to look at the teams at the time they didn't have one of the best offensive lines in teh NFL with the newest NFL superstar running the ball TJ has it made comparitively. so the thing I said about no division AA school has made it stands and the thing that scares me is waiting three years to get TJ into a winning format. I don't want a team that eekks wins out. I want one like we had in 98 I want to work for a team like the Partiots. a caommanding team and thats what we should be working towards every year. and plus I have no confidance in teh coach so why would I have confidance in the players he banked on
Have you ever thought the move from being second string behind Matt Jones at Arkansas to a school where he would play might have been in his better interests in his quest to be mentored for the NFL versus sitting the bench?
Also, it was the drafting brain trust, presumably of Childress and and the personnel department that thought he could handle it. If that wasn't the case, what other game plan did they have in mind? Brad Johnson?
One of my points is that Tarvaris was groomed probably since he first picked up a football and at some point a decision was made for him to be a quarterback, but circumstances were different and opportunities didn't avail themselves that it be within a 1-A program. Does that make him less talented? No. It just doesn't make him as seasoned. That only comes from snaps with 300 pound defensive tackles that can run about as fast as you can, wanting to dismember you. That only comes from the NFL.
Tarvaris is inexperienced and learning like all these quarterbacks did. I empathize with the aging vets giving their last few years in that effort, but behind every great quarterback, their were vets that did just that.
I too would love to see a '98 type offense to go with our present D too, but just plugging in a new QB (even Tom Brady or Peyton Manning) will not be enough to do it.
The underlying problem or weaknesses are found elsewhere...IMHO.
I think Jackson has the potential to be a great QB in the NFL; but the current system may not suite him well. Plus he is still learning how to play at this level as Luft mentioned.
Heck even Peyton Manning had a losing team his first couple of seasons.
In the end it comes back to the Childress Debate topic
yes I do say that it is all childress's fault everything is what he wanted. but to compare QB's is no fair cuz they had different coaches differ systems and differnt personal. I am not against TJ in fact I spoke up for him but I do believe what Jaws said that he didn't get the grooming that a division 1 QB would. yes they are groomed from the start. but not to make the reads and stuff the NFL has if it were the case that everyone is grooms just by playing then it would not be the crap shoot that is is in the NFL can we say ryan leaf? here is what I would like. A new head coach and let him decide if TJ is what we need. Most of the best QB's in football have been thrown in the fire and had a bad first year. BUt we will never be a contender team with childress. he never corrects at halftime. I hate is game plans and he does not utilize his person to thier potenial. Childress sucks.....Pass it on
"I see a lot of similarities," said McNabb, who, like Jackson, went 2-4 in his first six NFL starts. "When you don't make the plays that you know you're capable of making, it's frustrating. I've talked to him a couple of times just to let him know to continue to keep his head up and stay confident and continue to prepare. ... Things are going to change." - By Mark Craig, Star Tribune
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