The stupidest reason I've ever heard

[JayhawkSD]

John Harbaugh left a rookie quarterback in the game after he dropped the ball three times, threw an interception and was held without a score. He had a Super Bowl winning quarterback on his bench and didn’t use him. He later explained that he did this because the kid "is the future of the team.” Stupid. He's a rookie. If he's the future of the team, let him play in the future when he's learned how to handle the pressure.

Compare this with Nick Saban who, unlike Harbaugh, has an IQ higher than room temperature. His quarterback this year, leading them to an undefeated season and a berth in the national championship, was pulled from last years’ championship game at halftime due to poor performance.

He was quarterback of the future of the Crimson Tide, but for Nick Saban the team is more important than the individual and Tua wasn’t winning for the team. It obviously didn’t harm him, just look at his play this year, and pulling him from the game won his team the championship.

John Harbaugh placed the feelings of his quarterback as more important than giving his team an opportunity to win the Super Bowl, which is stupid. The team is stupid enough to thank him for doing it, and the media is stupid enough to applaud it.

[underpants]

1. What would Flacco have been able to do?

Under that pass rush I’d prefer a mobile QB.

Jackson is the primary reason they were in the playoffs to begin with.

They got out played across the board.

[JayhawkSD]

3. Your point is well made.

The Chargers are a very well coached team. They've had a lot of talent for some years, but Anthony Lynn is the head coach they've been looking for since Bobby Beatherd left. I have little doubt the Philip Rivers will finally beat Tom Brady this coming weekend. I think they have a shot at winning a Super Bowl.

So, no, it probably would not have changed the outcome, but that is not what I was saying. The kid had choked. He clearly was over his head, and Harbaugh owed it to his team to give them their best shot at winning. The rookie clearly was not it, and in placing the feelings of one player as paramount, he was doing the wrong thing for his team.

"Jackson is the primary reason they were in the playoffs to begin with." Just as Tua was a big part of why Alabama was in the championship. But past performance is not what wins games, present performance wins games, and if it isn't there the player needs to be replaced.

[underpants]

8. It was an interesting position to be in

As I said below Harbaugh just got a contract extension so that takes a lot of pressure off.

Usually yanking a QB means a precipitous drop in talent but not with Flacco - I think he’s actually underrated.



I think Jackson might bring with him support or energy from the team Flacco doesn’t. I obviously don’t know.

Yes Jackson played poorly but he got close to winning even then.

[JayhawkSD]

10. Close only counts in horse shoes and hand granades.

And he got the touchdowns in "garbage time."

The Chargers were leading by three touchdowns and had the attitude of, "We don't care if you score a touchdown as long as it takes you six minutes to do it." Which, of course, it did. They had four defensive backs lined up twenty yards from the line of scrimmage.

[Docreed2003]

2. You've got your analogy completely wrong.

Jalen Hurts started for Alabama and was playing terrible. Tua started the second half and won the game for Alabama. Tua was never pulled from the game and he went on the lead the team this year because of that performance.

[JayhawkSD]

5. Well, that's embarrassing.

Although based on what I know of Nick Saban, I'd say that "he went on the lead the team this year because of that performance" is probably a bit off the mark. I'd say he went on to lead the team this year because he was the better player this year.

[Docreed2003]

9. That's true!

The irony is, Tua got hurt during the SEC championship game this year and in walks Jalen Hurts to save Alabama's season in a strange twist of fate...also against Georgia

Edit to add:

Harbaugh is an idiot

[JayhawkSD]

11. Which speaks to Jason Hurts character.

And to the nature of Nick Saban teams and players. There is a reason his players get drafted high, and it's not just on their physical ability.

And no, I'm actually an LSU fan. I bleed purple when cut. I just admire quality when I see it.

[Docreed2003]

12. We're LSU Tigers at our house

As much as I'd love to hate on Saban, it's hard not to be impressed with his teams year in and year out.

[JayhawkSD]

13. Then you will enjoy this little anecdote.

My best friend when I lived in Atlanta was a third generation Auburn graduate, and his son was already committed to go to Auburn as fourth generation. For three years running I went to his house to watch the Iron Bowl with them, and each time wore a Crimson Tide jersey.

The fact that a) I survived and that b) I was able to do it three times is a testament to the strength of our friendship.

[RockRaven]

4. I would not put so much credence in what a football coach says after the game

to explain why he or she did what they did during the game. I would take what they say neither literally nor seriously.

By that point, the game is over, it's outcome beyond reach of any influence or change, and new priorities are already in play.

Sports media has so much interesting material they could cover, it is rather tiresome how much time they spend on soap opera/gossip and repeating/analyzing what people say. Kind of like political journalism actually.

[JayhawkSD]

6. Good point. nt

[underpants]

7. Plus Harbaugh just got a contract extension

Yes he wants to win but his (supposedly collective) decision may have been different without the parachute.