The Meadowlands – This isn’t personal.
He’s a great person who gives you all he’s got. I absolutely believe that.
But I never understood the Jets’ signing of QB Justin Fields to the contract they did, and more so, anointing him the starter in March without a competition.
This isn’t Monday morning quarterbacking (or Sunday night). I wrote both things at the time of both moves.
Look, if you were to sign a QB who had a 14-30 starting record in his first four years in the league, why hand out a two-year deal for $40 million with $30 million guaranteed?
How about like a contract like Jameis Winston got from the Giants, a 2-year deal for $8 million with $5,250,000 guaranteed?
They are kind of on the same level as quarterbacks.
In other words, take a flyer on a QB like Fields with good raw skills (great arm and speed), kick the tires, and see what you can get out of him?
Why dive in with big money and then anointing oil?
And that is big money when you consider his record.
Fields has thrown four touchdowns in five starts.
But it’s hard to be too critical of how he’s played.
His tendencies were all over the film from his first four years in the league.
As Bill Parcells liked to say, “When he player shows you who he is, believe him.”
So perhaps you shouldn’t be critical of the player, but more of the process that led to the signing and the anointing.
That is truly where the criticism belongs.
Not on a player who is doing the best he can, but perhaps is better suited to being a #2 QB.
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