Young vs. Veteran QBs

This past weekend defined playoff football.  It involved improbable comebacks, amazing young quarterback talent, a double overtime game, upsets, set records, and most importantly to the fans, constant excitement.   As an already mourned and healed (as much as possible) Eagles fan, I watched diligently with nothing at stake but my own entertainment.   And wow, was I entertained.

As I watched these four amazing games, something that stood out was the difference in play between the younger quarterbacks and the veteran quarterbacks.  The newer NFL QBs are explosive, with a lot of running, jumping, and diving in their game.   In addition, the level of fear seems non-existent for example, in young Kaepernick and Wilson, as they play every down as if it is their last.   The defensive cores are not as adjusted to this type of flashy play, thus these younger quarterbacks are having successful outcomes so far.  In comparison, Brady and Manning, two veteran quarterbacks, are most comfortable and productive standing protected in the pocket.  Despite the differences in these offensive strategies, the outcomes of both are outstanding and fun to watch.

In thinking about these differences in execution, it is interesting to think about what qualities make up an ideal franchise quarterback.  While Russell Wilson and Colin Kaepernick have proved they can compete in the NFL, they both leave me wondering how long they can stay healthy with their aggressive nature of play.  In addition, Kaepernick especially, worries me that his ability to make quick decisions could easily lend him vulnerable to picks and turnovers.  After watching these young quarterbacks play, Brady and Manning seemed almost boring in comparison with their ‘old school ways’ of working in the pocket.  Despite frequently making fun of Brady for his ‘sissy slide’ and at times, non aggressive play, he manages to stay healthy through an entire season and postseason.  In addition, when the ball is in his hands, I always have confidence that he is going to take care of it and get it where it needs to go.  Despite looking routine and awkward at times, Brady gets things done consistently, wins games and wins championships.   I am curious to see if the position of quarterback is overall changing into one of a more aggressive nature, where one needs to possess the qualities of a running back in addition to a precise arm in order to survive in the NFL.  Or if this ‘fad’ will end when these younger ‘fearless’ guys start getting injured and are thus forced to be more conservative.

Lastly and unrelated in regards to this past weekend of football, I can’t help but to comment on post-game press conference outfits.  Brady looked like a pretty boy model out of GQ magazine; too pretty if you ask me.  Wilfork looked like he walked straight out of a rap video, Schaub looked like an uptight lawyer after a stressful day in court, Kaepernick looked like he should be clubbing in Miami all tatted up, and Belichick , well he looked like his usual disheveled self.   

Who's on First? Red Sox Offseason...

With these unusually warm January days, I can already smell Fenway Franks in the air.  This premature spring fever serves as a small reminder that before we know it pitchers and catchers will report, spring training will start, and opening day will be upon us.  This makes me giddy, excited, and anxious at the same time.  For Boston fans, there is a lot of uncertainty about how the team will come out of the gate, thus anxiety is high on the list of feelings when thinking about opening day.

A lot happened in the offseason, but it’s hard to find an underlying theme.  In my mind, the Red Sox offseason actually started last August and has all along has been more about what they have gotten rid of than what they have gained.  Some would refer to their trade with the Dodgers last August as the biggest trade in baseball history.  I think of it as the most successful purge in baseball history.  They got rid of attitudes, laziness, and a lot of cash.  Bye bye Beckett, Crawford, Gonzalez, and Punto… don’t let the door hit you on the way out!!  That day was the first time last season I felt like I wanted to cheer for the team.  It was more fun to cheer for random guys you never heard of, than to cheer for losers and over rated players. 

The end of the 2012 season and the end of the Valentine era could NOT have come soon enough.  And with that, came the hiring of new skipper, John Farrell.  This move was probably the most logical of the entire off season.  For one, Farrell is a familiar face and one that is well liked in Boston.  Secondly, and more importantly in my mind, he was previously the pitching coach of the Sox.  Pitching is what wins championships, and the Sox did not do much to improve their pitching, that was lackluster at best last year.  I am counting on Farrell to bring out the best in Buchholz, Lester, ahem Lackey (I won’t even get started on Lackey).  Dempster, the one addition to the starting rotation, is 36 and inconsistent.  I am not sure that they were thinking this one through.  The Sox need an ace.  An ace!!  Why didn’t they go after someone like Greinke or last season CJ Wilson.  Or just to make a point (as I would clearly not agree with this move as a Phillies fan), why wouldn’t they give up an injury prone Ellsbury while he is still valuable and go after someone like Cole Hamels??  And let’s be honest, the Sox have not had good luck shopping in Japan, yet they picked up Koji Uehera a 37 year old Japanese reliever.  I don’t know much about him, but I already don’t trust him.  Most recently, they did acquire Joel Hanrahan to close out games instead of Andrew Bailey, however this now leaves them with two ‘should be closers’ to shank in relief and cause a lot of frustration (Bard also falls in this category).  So, bottom line is that I am counting on Farrell to do something with all this mess that awaits the bump in Fenway Park this year. 

So far, I have been pretty negative in my twisted opinion of what the Sox are trying to accomplish going into 2013. There are some positives though.  As a long time Phillies fan, one of my obvious favorites would be the addition of Shane Victorino.  I am not sure how much fans realize that he is a very likeable guy.  He will be a positive influence in the clubhouse, a leader, a face in the community, and a tough player who brings 100 % to every game of the season.  He is the cohort that Pedroia needs to rally the team, the personality that Remy and Orsillo need to keep it interesting in the booth, and the guy to count on to play in every game.  Along with Victorino, the Sox picked up Jonny Gomes who is also supposedly a ‘good clubhouse guy’, and catcher David Ross.  They clearly weren’t targeting young guys to rebuild for the future, but yet instead positive attitudes and hard workers. 

In discussing the offseason, it can’t go unmentioned that the Sox will always have a weakness at shortstop.  It is beyond me why they would sign Stephen Drew, brother of JD Drew who is one of the biggest disappointments in Red Sox history, to fill that never ending void at shortstop.  We can only hope that Stephen doesn’t have as many complaints, ailments and missed games that his older brother did.  I was SO relieved when the sox rid of that waist of space they used to throw in right field, and now I have to hold my breath again watching the latest ‘Drew disaster’ unfold.  

I can honestly say that I have no idea what to expect out of this team in 2013.  One thing I do know is that there is still an empty corner to be filled, and Opening day is less than three months away.  Let’s hope that we aren’t sitting in Fenway on April 8^th saying “Who’s on First?”

-CL