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Originally Posted by Oswlek
Brady is the best thing for us, but he is the worst thing for the QB position. Now every team thinks that they can get the next best thing in the 6th round and UDFA.
Guys, the reason everyone knows that Brady was a 199th pick is because it rarely happens.
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I think QB may be the most difficult position to evaluate. Physically, I think most people would put Peyton Manning and Ryan Leak above Brady, but obviously there is a big discrepancy in their abilities. Brady has "it", but there may other QBs out there who aren't given an adequate opportunity to develop.
A highly drafted QB will be given a fair opportunity to see what he has, while a lower pick or UDFA may not, and a lot of that is just the nature of the position. The QB, handling the ball virtually every play, and making decisions that can win or lose the game on a regular basis, has such an effect on the game that most teams will have a short leash with an unproven QB.
There are also so many reps to go around and they are particular precious when considering the QB position, this is unfortunate since weathering the tough times is what helps a QB learn; certainly a WR or RB will get ample reps to show they can play as they are not the only one in the game and are less likely to be personally responsible for losing the game.
I think QB is one of the positions where an astute team is most likely to find a keeper late. Look what the Pats have done with Matt Cassell, they spent a 7th round pick on a guy who most teams had as an afterthought, and he looks like he'll be a starting QB for someone some day, even if not for the Pats. Brady's success probably means that more late draftee/UDFAs will actually get a fair shot.
Does anyone else wonder what would have happened to Brady if he hadn't been drafted by the Pats? I think it's possible he could have become the player he is, but probably not for the team that drafted him.