Ten Thoughts on the NFL

1) The notion of keeping a rookie quarterback on the bench to learn only works if there’s a competent starting quarterback in front of him. This was the situation in Green Bay, back when they drafted Aaron Rodgers, they had Brett Favre. While it’s not necessary to have a Hall Of Famer keeping a rookie back up on the bench, you do need someone that can run an NFL offense.

Eli Manning sat behind Kurt Warner for half a season. Drew Brees was behind Doug Flutie, and Philip Rivers was behind Brees. Jay Cutler was behind Jake Plummer, and Michael Vick was behind Chris Chandler.

The Kansas City Chiefs have such a situation right now, where incumbent Alex Smith is still playing at a high level, keeping rookie Patrick Mahomes on the bench.

2) The notion of holding a rookie quarterback on the bench, for fear of ruining his confidence is a silly argument. Being worried that lack of skill players around him would cause him to try and force things, or having a garbage offensive line would lead to bad mechanics are more viable reasons to not play a rookie.

The name everyone seems to throw out when worrying about “ruining” a young quarterback is David Carr, who started 16 games for the expansion Houston Texans. He was sacked 76 times, and the team went 4-12. Not every rookie QB is going into this type of situation.

Carr’s little brother Derek, went to the Oakland Raiders and suffered through a 3-13 season while starting all 16 games. So far at least, the two Carrs have very different career arcs. Going through adversity didn’t seem to bother Derek, as evidenced by his last two Pro Bowl appearances.

3) But basically every rookie quarterback situation is different. There is no right way, or wrong way to bring along a young signal caller. We’ll eventually find out if the player succeeds of fails, but even then, there’s no way to know if another way would have worked.

“If you have a rookie franchise quarterback, each situation is different,” according to former NFL head coach Mike Martz via SB Nation. “It's difficult to measure if he should sit or play. You've got to get a feel for the quarterback. You've got to know what's around him. It is a decision to make considering many factors."

Martz talked about the situations last year in Dallas, Philadelphia and St. Louis. He was especially hard on the current Rams’ situation, and if new head coach Sean McVay can help get the best out of second year pro, Jared Goff.

"What is he, a couple of months older than Jared? They hired a buddy for Jared. The NFL has nothing to do with being the friend or the buddy of the quarterback. You've got to coach them and work them hard with respect. But buddy? And this guy is a quarterback expert? An offensive expert? Wait a minute while I puke. Right, he's going to be able to teach and handle and guide Jared through tough times because of all of his expertise and knowledge? Right. I'm not going to drink that Kool-Aid."

Alrighty then...

4) The Denver Broncos had an honest to goodness quarterback competition, and Trevor Siemian, who won the job last year, won the job again over 2016 first round draft pick Paxton Lynch.

Siemian was the 250th overall pick in 2015, and for two years in a row he beat out the 26th pick in the 2016 draft.

Competition brings out the best in players.

5) Someone might want to block that large man to the right of the offense.

That’s former Chicago Bears’ defensive lineman, Cornelius Washington, destroying the Jets’ Christian Hackenberg.

6) The Cleveland Browns will be a bit more exciting this season on defense and special teams, thanks to Jabrill Peppers.

7) Our very own draft guru, EJ Snyder, was touting the prospects of running back Marlon Mack leading up to the NFL Draft. The Indianapolis Colts plucked him in the fourth round, and he’s looked like a player that will make an impact as a rookie.

8) Everybody loves Jay Cutler down in Miami.

His teammates, his coaches, the media, and even many fans are all in on Cutler.

Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

9) This Brian Hoyer GIF...

...reminded me of another GIF from an ex-Bears quarterback.

10) So how about that eclipse yesterday?

I took the day off of work to check it out with my daughter, but the clouds ruined everything. She lost interest really fast, and mine faded quickly as well.

It wasn’t lost on our entire WCG staff, check out what two of our resident photogs did.

But me...