Stampede Blue
I am going to look at this question from the thought process that we will be signing Daniel Jones to a contract for some yet to be determined length and dollar amount. I may lose some of you with that declaration, but I struggle to endorse a different route. Of course the DJ injury brings a lot of variables to the process. How long is the contract? How much will you pay him? Will he be ready to go week 1? How does this effect Anthony Richardson? Who makes the decision? Who coaches him?
With DJ in the fold, the possibility exists that he can’t be under center when we start playing games for real next season. Personally, I think he will be ready, but expecting that result would be a neglectful route to take. When the role of the backup QB is discussed, the most likely and best result is to have one that, “can hold down the fort” for a limited amount of games. I think the signing of Rivers took away an opportunity to discover if Leonard was the right person for that role. It would have been the exact thing you hoped to find out in a limited, but impactful stretch of games.
I have no delusions that RL has all the tools in his belt to emerge as QB1 on a team that would make a deep run. I don’t think that he has the arm talent for that. I did see him play his last game of college being completely outmanned. He at minimum, showed moxie. I believe he has all of the tools to be an above average backup, but he needs meaningful game action, which was taken away from him by “The last act of a desperate man”. I know that there is a Blazing Saddles fan who is quoting Howard Johnson and saying “I don’t care if it the first act of Henry the V”, but maybe it is too old of a reference.
To go back and answer the question in the title, I think there are a few things we can watch for, as it pertains to next season. Obviously, if Leonard can show some level of command of the offense against a Houston defense with something to play for, he could establish himself as QB2 and be trusted with the team until it is deemed that DJ is ready. Especially with many #1 reps in training camp. That would allow you to get the failed AR experience off your hands and 10 mil in cap space off your books. Could AR make you look stupid for letting him go? Absolutely, but I am endorsing a new GM and HC, so I would also move on from a player that has sparked more controversy than results.
What else could be seen this week? I’d pull Franklin and put a green do on someone else’s helmet. I’d play Carlies, even if he sucks. It is time to find out if...
