QB State Of Affairs Out Of Week 2
Coming out of Week 2, there are three consistent talking points in the blogosphere and radio/television.
The officiating has been awful.
Offensive lines are struggling terribly.
Opening day quarterbacks face extinction.
Let’s focus on the third. The last of these three events draws the blinking red “Danger!” sign.
Just run through it quickly:
Ben Roethlisberger – done for the year and undergoing TJ surgery. Welcome, Mason Rudolph.
Drew Brees – probably thumb surgery and out for at least six weeks. Teddy Bridgewater jumps back into a starting role.
Eli Manning – benched for Daniel Jones.
Nick Foles – Broken left clavicle which paved the way for the legend of Gardner Minshew.
Sam Darnold – Mononucleosis (see the rest of the Jets’ world below)
Cam Newton – aggravated foot injury during miserable TNF showing against the Buccaneers
Oh, and Andrew Luck retired.
We’re also awaiting Ryan Fitzpatrick being dethroned in Miami. But, would that even be fair to Josh Rosen?
But wait … there’s more.
The carnage at the quarterback position continued on Monday night. Cleveland’s Myles Garrett got several free runs at Trevor Siemian off of pathetic line play and ultimately put him out for the game (and likely much longer) with a leg injury. The television broadcast said “apparent leg injury.” OK, I know we don’t want to play armchair doctor and speculate wildly, but the guys in the booth have eyes. The hit and subsequent limp to the locker room said it all. Garrett did post a note to Siemian on social media. Luke Falk completed 20-of-25 pass attempts in relief of Siemian.
————————————
The Fins are clearly working the roster to jockey for the best first round possible to reboot the franchise. Monday’s trade of cornerback Minkah Fitzpatrick to the Steelers for draft choices gives the Dolphins three #1 picks in 2020.
Some would argue that the Steelers should have begun to change up the roster for one of the 2020 NFL Draft heroes as well following Roethlisberger’s injury. I believe the roster’s still strong enough to compete (video on the Browns forthcoming), and the team clearly loves Rudolph’s ceiling.
More to come as the week develops, but this spate of injuries certainly makes one take pause.
