Emeraldfin wrote: projectrracing wrote: Emeraldfin wrote: The Broncos, Chiefs, Vikings, Bengals, Texans & Redskins all made the playoffs last season with anything but elite @ QB. 5 of 6 have Top 10 defenses. 5 of 6 have Top 15 QBs. Miami/Chicago has neither a Top10 defense and/or Top15 QB. I'm failing to see why you exampled these teams as a reference point to Miami/Chicago. The reference was to show you don't need elite QB's to succeed. With a strong D and good running game, you won't need your QB to win you many games. Miami/Chicago's D's weren't good enough to compensate for their QB's shortcomings. But IMO, they can if they improve and the QB's aren't turning the ball over too much. Out of curiosity, what are you basing/referencing those stats on?

Agreed. But Chicago/Miami don't have great running games or strong Ds. Which is why I struggle with the connection made.

As the whole conversation started on me suggesting that Miami should go for the best available player, ignoring scheme. While they actually went for best fit for scheme. You ain't gonna have a great running game and strong D selecting best scheme fit player. Chicago got thrown into the mix as Gase wants to run the same scheme. Which got comments of 6-10 was good? Again Chicago did not have the best players to run the scheme.

Maybe if Miami go 9-7 for once, I'll understand why they have done what they have done. But I don't see an improvement on 8-8 getting middle range talent to fit a specific scheme.

In regards to Miami. We seems to be going around in circles. Good running games. Strongs Ds etc. Miami has neither for some reasons known and some reasons unknown. Miami did not select players in the draft to give them good running games and a strong D. So Tannefail will have to shoulder the workload again. It actually reminds me of Alex Smith's early years 2005-2010 when the team around him sucked. He collected a lot of the blame. So maybe I'm being too harsh on Tannefail also.Last edited on 2016-05-13 at 1:30

projectrracing wrote: LucaF wrote: projectrracing wrote: Emeraldfin wrote: The Broncos, Chiefs, Vikings, Bengals, Texans & Redskins all made the playoffs last season with anything but elite @ QB. 5 of 6 have Top 10 defenses. 5 of 6 have Top 15 QBs. Miami/Chicago has neither a Top10 defense and/or Top15 QB. I'm failing to see why you exampled these teams as a reference point to Miami/Chicago. Maybe to show how teams with no elite qbs go to playoffs. By the way, I think only Cousins and Dalton were top 15 QBs in 2015 among those six. If you can name 12 other QB that played better than Alex Smith in 2015. I'd agree then that I was incorrect. But you'll probably only name 10. I was probably incorrect about Teddy Bridgewater. But bad Manning and simple Smith played better than most out there. Manning's middle regular season was a shocker. But he delivered the goods when needed.

In no order other than those I can think of, but I believe had a better season overall than Alex Smith:

Brees
Brady
Palmer
Rivers
Manning (sometimes)
Other Manning
Carr
Cousins
Winston
Bortles
Rodgers
Wilson
Roethlisberger
Cam
Matty Ice (debatable but he was less sucky than previous seasons)
Dalton
Stafford (the Megatron effect)
Tyrod Taylor
Fitz in patches (especially if you discount week 17)

Plenty to pick from that had better seasons than Alex Smith, just that a lot of them didn't have the same team around them. Hell, even Josh McGown probably played better than Smith in his brief stint as a starter for the Browns but he plays for the Browns so that didn't last long.

paulo187 wrote: projectrracing wrote: LucaF wrote: projectrracing wrote: Emeraldfin wrote: The Broncos, Chiefs, Vikings, Bengals, Texans & Redskins all made the playoffs last season with anything but elite @ QB. 5 of 6 have Top 10 defenses. 5 of 6 have Top 15 QBs. Miami/Chicago has neither a Top10 defense and/or Top15 QB. I'm failing to see why you exampled these teams as a reference point to Miami/Chicago. Maybe to show how teams with no elite qbs go to playoffs. By the way, I think only Cousins and Dalton were top 15 QBs in 2015 among those six. If you can name 12 other QB that played better than Alex Smith in 2015. I'd agree then that I was incorrect. But you'll probably only name 10. I was probably incorrect about Teddy Bridgewater. But bad Manning and simple Smith played better than most out there. Manning's middle regular season was a shocker. But he delivered the goods when needed. In no order other than those I can think of, but I believe had a better season overall than Alex Smith: Brees yes Brady yes Palmer yes Rivers Manning (sometimes) Other Manning Carr Cousins yes Winston Bortles Rodgers Wilson yes Roethlisberger Cam yes Matty Ice (debatable but he was less sucky than previous seasons) Dalton yes Stafford (the Megatron effect) yes Tyrod Taylor yes Fitz in patches (especially if you discount week 17) Plenty to pick from that had better seasons than Alex Smith, just that a lot of them didn't have the same team around them. Hell, even Josh McGown probably played better than Smith in his brief stint as a starter for the Browns but he plays for the Browns so that didn't last long.

Like recievers to throw it too. Its not like the Chiefs have the perfect team around him. Even GB without Jordy has better receivers than KC.

I would note the Roethilisberger, Rivers and Rodgers are better QBs as a whole package, but in 2015 for varying outside reasons, I think Smith just (and I mean just) outplayed them.

"IF" one might not agree with my last paragragh. You will get 12 players, which leaves Smith for 13/14/15th. Add Carr and Fitz if you really must, there is still 15th.

Smith's rushing yards were very close (within 70 total) to both Wilson and Taylor. But only half the fumbles.

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But back to the original point. All these teams and players mentioned. Even if you don't agree with some of the statements made, they are teams and players are still better than what is on offer from Miami. The only team close to Miami that made the previous finals is Houston. And they only made it due to the strength of the division without Luck playing in it. But again Miami don't have the defense Houston does, and they did not select draft picks that will. They picked best to fit a unproven scheme.

Let's circle back to the Dolphins giving a 34-year-old recovering from a ruptured Achilles $10M in guaranteed money.

Smith does what's needed in an offense that caters to his abilities. To Andy Reid's credit, he knew when he traded for him that he was what that team needed. The 49ers are certainly regretting that trade now.

I give Smith alot of credit for what he achieved this season. Losing Charles early, the Chiefs needed more from him and they got it.