BillyC

For those of you sick of reading about Aaron Brooks. Stop reading NOW!!


This is really for WhoDat and Gator, but anyone is welcome to comment. I'm also going to ask some questions and I'd like for you to give me your honest answers.



I can handle the truth. Really I can. But, show me the whole truth. Nothing but the truth. So help you (and me) God.

This might be beating a dead horse here guys, but I'd like to approach this subject one more time. I'm going to make some arguements as to why I think Brooks deserves to be our QB and how I think this whole thing has got blowed out of proportion after the Bucs game Sunday.

Here's some observations.

1. No one was really saying to cut Brooks before the Bucs game. Now there are fans coming out the woodwork wanting him gone. Even the people that were on the fence seem to want him gone after watching the Bucs game. Could this be an overreaction or was this the straw that broke the camel's back? Be honest.

2. It has been stated that Brooks has regressed. If not for the fumbles would that statement be true? Isn't the real truth that Brooks has progressed in the passing game? He does lead the league in fewest interceptions and most passes per inteception ratio. Also, the receivers have hurt him, more than they have hepled him. I think I can honestly say that they have dropped more easy passes than they have caught difficult passes. Or at the very worse it's a push.

3. When you say that Brooks needs to be cut because of turnovers, and even some of the division leaders have MORE turnovers than him. Do you think it's fair to say get rid of Brooks and make excuses for those other QB's. (not saying you are making excuses)


I'll say right now that I am not pleased with Brooks fumbling the ball. Everyone knows how big of a Brooks supporter I am. I'm asking some honest questions, because it's possible I might not want to see some of his flaws. To be fair I'm now going to list what I think are Brooks biggest flaws.

Flaws:

1. Tends to hold the ball too long wating on receivers to come open. Dosen't anticipate routes.

2. Not enough pocket awareness. Doesn't feel pressure and doesn't step up in the pocket enough. Tends do drift back too much into the outside pass rush.

3. Reading defenses: If the primary receiver isn't open, he doesn't progress through his reads quick enough.

4. Not vocal enough. Needs to hold everyone accountable on the field. Also needs to lead by example. By that, I mean he needs to hold himself accountable for his mistakes.

5. Doesn't display the best touch on the ball. Tends to put too much heat on the ball, when he should just float the ball over a defenders head.

I have not listed every flaw. I have listed the ones I feel are the most important ones. Not neccessarily in order.

Now I am going to list his positives:

1. Can make all the throws that some QB's can't.

2. Very mobile and can turn a busted play into a big play.

3. Can thread the needle in tight coverage.

4. Has shown he can lead a team from behind on several occassions.

5. Doesn't throw into double coverage much. Don't have to worry about him throwing many intercetions.

6.has the ability to beat you with his legs. Has rushed for over 100-yards in one game. Doesn't run much anyomore but he can.

I have not listed all the postives, but I have listed the ones I feel are more important.


Comments: I think the toughest thing for a QB to learn is reading defenses. Most young QB's throw into double coverage and have the ball intercepted too much. I feel like Aaron has progressed as far as making dangerous throws. That I feel is the # 1 thing a QB needs to do in order not to hurt his team.

At the sametime he struggles progressing through his reads. He should be further along but I think he has progressed somewhat in this area but not enough. I also have seen Aaron make several touch passes this year. It's not like he can't do it, but he seems intent on throwing line drives. He and his coaches need to work on this.

All in all I think Brooks has progreesed in the passing game. The fumbles is something he's got to correct. I think this is very correctable and is no reason at this point to cut him. Maybe going to the bench would be good for him.

For those of you who think he's had enough time, there have clearly been other QB's that have done worse than Brooks at the same point in their careers. So, my opinion is that Brooks should remain the starter and also have an open competition at the beginning of next season. It's fair and I feel it's the best thing for the team, just in case Brooks doesn't get it together. Now, I say anyone that is saying we should cut Brooks now, is clearly jumping the gun.

BillyC

I never meant to imply that you said Brooks should be cut. I asked some honest questions, looking for some honest answers. This is on the up and up. Kind of like when you ask me questions. I\'ll not make that mistake again. Excuse me!!

Now that I read the post, I see why you would think that I did say that. My bad. That part was for WhoDat, who has said he would like to see Brooks gone. At least that\'s what I remember. This isn\'t to say anyone is right or wrong. That cannot be proven. I just wanted some honest answers on some questions. That was all.......

But I\'ll give it up. No more Brooks debates.



[Edited on 11/12/2003 by BillyC]

WhoDat

Well, for starters, I never said that we should CUT Brooks. I think he needs to be benched right now. I think the Saints would probably be smart to trade him and find another QB to be the future of this team. I could be wrong, but the guy is yet to prove that to me thus far.

I\'ve been saying that he isn\'t the right guy since week 6 or 7 last season. We were 5 or 6 and 1 at that point and I got BLASTED for those comments. The Bucs game is just another example in an ever-growing list for me. Brooks played us out of the playoffs this year. He did the same last year. Funny thing is, I was really impressed with his play for the first 28 minutes. I stated a couple of times to people watching the game with me that he was playing great and I may have some crow to eat. But, as always, he found a way to snatch defeat out of the jaws of victory and make me kick myself for questioning myself again. There may be fans coming out of the woodwork now Billy, but if this is really aimed at me and Gator, you should know that the Bucs game isn\'t really \"making\" the decision for either of us. We\'ve both felt this way for a while.

If a frog had wings it would bump it\'s a$$ (or is tushy more appropriate Cold Fusion?) when it hopped. You want to look at Brooks, well let\'s look at the WHOLE Brooks. Last year would Brooks not have been a top 5 QB if it had not been for the backpeddling and dangerous throws that he consistently made? Let\'s take IFs out of this conversation. I\'ll bet that Brooks won\'t have a fumbling problem next year, but something else will go wrong. I can\'t imagine what, but it will. I thought Brooks had really finally turned it around at the beginning of this season when he was efficient and accurate. I was wrong. He is the same old Brooks. Next year it may be a twisted ankle that makes it hard for him to plant and the ball will sail on him, or he may get happy feet, or whatever, but I\'d bet that it will be something.

I think you\'re looking at my argument too myopically Billy. I\'m not saying that Brooks\' only problem is turnovers. That\'s the BIG one right now. My problem with Brooks is that there is ALWAYS a problem or set of problems that keeps him from being the top 5 QB that we\'re paying him to be - and that has a lot to do to me with why this team can\'t get over the hump. I\'m not saying to trade Brooks away b/c he fumbles. I\'m saying that Brooks is getting paid $36 million to be the 13th or 15th best QB in the league. That\'s too much. I also believe that his potential won\'t materialize in New Orleans. Maybe it will somewhere else, but not here. The Saints need to look elsewhere. Again, I could be wrong, I just don\'t see it.


On other note:

I have to disagree with both of these. He hasn\'t beat anyone with his legs since 2000. Has he rushed for more than 40 yards in a game this season? He is no longer a running QB, and is not a realy threat. He does have escapability, which can allow him to buy time in the pocket, but in terms of running with the ball, Brad Johnson can run in the open field just as well as Brooks at this point, if you ask me.

As for not throwing into double coverage... yeah, OK. You\'re telling me that he still doesn\'t lock onto Horn or whomever the number 1 route is and gun it in that direction? Sure he does. He doesn\'t do it off of his back foot anymore, so his throws don\'t look as dangerous, but yes, he still does that.

\"Excuses, excuses, excuses. That’s all anyone ever makes for the New Orleans Saints’ organization.\" - Eric Narcisse


\"Being a Saints fan is almost like being addicted to crack,\" he said.[i]\"You know you should stop, but you just can\'t.\"

BillyC

OK. That\'s what I wanted to know. Thanks !!

But, I am a little confused about these 2 statements. They seem to contradict one another?

BlackandBlue

I don\'t see where the confusion is. The last statement says that the Saints need to look elsewhere to solve the QB issue, it states nothing to the effect of, \"Brooks needs to be cut.\"

BillyC

Well............

True enough he didn\'t specifically say he needs to be cut. But, the \"spirit\" of the post would suggest that.

I mean if he says Brooks will never reach his potential in new orleans but maybe somewhere else. I just have to read between the lines. I could be wrong about that though.

WhoDat

There is more than one way to get rid of a QB, or any player, without CUTTING him. Cutting Brooks would cost this team money and we would be giving up a player of at least marginal value for nothing. If we trade him, we get something in return. If we restructure his contract and he gets a big pay cut and is paid 3 million instead of 36 million then he is a good value. I mean, can you honestly tell me that AB is worth $33 million more than Bouman? No way!

JOESAM2002

Could it mean a trade? :P

BlackandBlue

So you admit to reading more into that post than was actually there?

BillyC

Just looking for a little clarification. Now I have that.

You make the statement that Brooks would be a good value if he took a cut in pay. Would that be as a backup or as a starter?