Love Stafford...but no heart on that 4th down

[Henry VIII]

Bottom post of the previous page:

In all reality, this thread should have been stopped right at the title of it. Tell me a QB in the entire league who plays with more heart than Stafford.

Pitiful take as far as I'm concerned.

I usually agree with SoCal’s takes, but on this one I think he’s mistaken — and it’s understandable why.

The issue with Stafford has nothing to do with heart or toughness. If there’s one thing he’s never lacked, it’s guts. This is a guy who has played with a broken shoulder, played hurt countless times, taken brutal hits that would have kept most players on the ground — and he always gets back up and keeps going. He’s as tough as they come.

The real issue is his mindset. Stafford is always looking to pass. Passing is always his first option. Running doesn’t even seem to cross his mind. He’s so conditioned to scan the field and look for a throw that he never considers taking off, even when there’s an easy lane and free yards available.

A lot of times, there are simple, effective runs right there for him — plays he could easily convert — but he never takes them. He forces a throw instead.

So this isn’t about lack of heart. It’s about habit, lack of practice, or simply not wiring his brain to see running as a viable first option. For Stafford, passing is always option number one. And because of that, he often doesn’t even recognize the opportunity to run when it’s there.

Running should never be a "viable first option" for a 40 year old QB who isn't mobile..his brain and arm are what we pay him to use. Passing should always be his first option..Should he sneak in a run and slide? Yes only as a last resort..or maybe when there’s a wide open field in front of him..but only then when nothing else is available..Stafford's game is from the waist up..scrambling is not something the Front Office wants to see much of.

[UtahRam]

Man, lol, we're where we're at because of Stafford. It might have been a poor decision but Stafford is one of the best to ever play the game. I think I will stick with him...lol

[brasilrams]

I usually agree with SoCal’s takes, but on this one I think he’s mistaken — and it’s understandable why.

The issue with Stafford has nothing to do with heart or toughness. If there’s one thing he’s never lacked, it’s guts. This is a guy who has played with a broken shoulder, played hurt countless times, taken brutal hits that would have kept most players on the ground — and he always gets back up and keeps going. He’s as tough as they come.

The real issue is his mindset. Stafford is always looking to pass. Passing is always his first option. Running doesn’t even seem to cross his mind. He’s so conditioned to scan the field and look for a throw that he never considers taking off, even when there’s an easy lane and free yards available.

A lot of times, there are simple, effective runs right there for him — plays he could easily convert — but he never takes them. He forces a throw instead.

So this isn’t about lack of heart. It’s about habit, lack of practice, or simply not wiring his brain to see running as a viable first option. For Stafford, passing is always option number one. And because of that, he often doesn’t even recognize the opportunity to run when it’s there.

Running should never be a "viable first option" for a 40 year old QB who isn't mobile..his brain and arm are what we pay him to use. Passing should always be his first option..Should he sneak in a run and slide? Yes only as a last resort..or maybe when there’s a wide open field in front of him..but only then when nothing else is available..Stafford's game is from the waist up..scrambling is not something the Front Office wants to see much of.

I never said it should be a viable first option ? Did I ? It should be a second option - specially when there is no defender nearby and you only need 6-7 yards . RUN get the first down , instead of forcing a throw . He is slow but he still has 2 legs . I have watched stafford scanning the field forever when he could have easily got a first down by running . Run , slide , first down , simple as that . The play that socal mentioned was not the first one.

[Henry VIII]

Oh really

"So this isn’t about lack of heart. It’s about habit, lack of practice, or simply not wiring his brain to see running as a viable first option."

[brasilrams]

Oh really

"So this isn’t about lack of heart. It’s about habit, lack of practice, or simply not wiring his brain to see running as a viable first option."

Ok , I MEANT running as a viable ( first ) option WHEN the throw is not there but I guess you understand my point .

[49RH8R]

In all reality, this thread should have been stopped right at the title of it. Tell me a QB in the entire league who plays with more heart than Stafford.

Pitiful take as far as I'm concerned.

Exactly, we are lucky to have one of the best QB's in the NFL. A lot of teams got knocked out this weekend because their top QB's couldn't do what Stafford did. Every game was close and the QB made the difference.