There was a reasonable point of view at the time of this surprising pick that a "win now" team should have gone with a player that could help in this time zone and not a developmental type that was years away.
I didn't feel that way, but I didn't anticipate the roster problem we'd face.
We're going to be forced to cut some significant talent for a roster spot that doesn't play specials and effectively wasted.
I think Smith could be marvelously productive and just what the doctor ordered. The kid is one of the strongest players on the team, he "willing", the blocker we need, has demonstrated excellent hands. I think we could profit from sets that go "old fashioned" and have two tight ends and a fullback and halfback. And if that puts one of our superb WR's on the bench the flexibility of Evan E. compensates.
If we keep Smith then LaCrosse AND Tye have toboth go and a number game turns toxic because I like both of those guys and Tye is a lot better than last year while LaCrosse looks close to brilliant.
I also see a talent overload at DE where the very capable Wynn might be a casualty caused by that useless roster spot. I see a guy like Pinkins who could be very useful "generalist" going too.
I don't know enough about Webb to be critical and it may turn out to be a brilliant move, but I hate to see guys who have talent and have worked their butts off cut at any time, but particularly under circumstances like these.
Question: Can they claim an injury and hide Webb on the IR? Or is that blantant forgery and not acceptable?.
And, he wasn't that surprising of a pick. There were rumors that we were very interested in him prior to the draft.
A quarterback to replace Eli is far more valuable than a 3rd or 4th string TE. I'm assuming that our scouts considered Webb as good a QB prospect as we're likely to find in the next 2-3 years, given where we hope to draft. Already he looks like a good choice -- smart, hard working, good arm, humble...
Me too, Ira.
Amazing how folks here assume a position and label you with it, I never said I was against Webb, never said it wasn't appropriate, just looked at the unanticipated consequences of cutting a worthwhile player. Consequences that I didn't think about at the time of the draft.
NE didn't need Garapolo..they took him anyway.
NE didn't need Brissette...they took him anyway.
GB has had a pipeline of backup QBs going back to Hasslebeck, then they took Rogers in '07. They currently have Hundley, who was fairly well thought of when he came out of UCLA, backing up Rogers.
Yes, they will lose a Tye, probably Roger Lewis as well....it's ok. Good teams cut good players as they have stronger overall rosters. I remember in the '70's waiting to see who Pittsburgh or Dallas would cut so the Giants could sign them. When the Giants were good in the'80's other teams waited on which Giants LBs were going to get cut.
You can't have your cake and eat it too. Finding Eli's replacement is going to take some time, some risk, and some luck. Gotta just deal with it.
May not seem like much now, but it's likely the difference between playoffs or bust should Eli miss a bit of time. IMO Webb needs an entire year to sit and not even think about playing. Learn, get better in practice, look to year 2 to get the backup job. Us cutting a Will Tye won't make a difference one way or another.
Geno would probably be the best backup QB Eli has had, believe it or not (excluding Warner). Carr is probably the most comparable. Guys like JLoad, Painter, Rosenfels, Nassib... pretty bad.
If Eli was injured long-term (please, never let this happen...) I think we're probably fucked regardless, but if he had to miss 2-3 games, I do think we could win 1-2 of them with Geno and stay above water.
If we see Geno continue to make the same bonehead plays, then hell, yes, roll the dice on Webb, and save a roster spot....
I say start Geno ahead of Johnson, and have him play with the 1's and show what he can do.....especially, in that 4th game....