Duchess Jack Posted April 24, 2006 Share Posted April 24, 2006 by another team? The Chargers have not been a 'winning' orginization in some time and thier coaching has not been the best. Marty is decent, but Leaf was before Marty. I believe that good coaching makes all the difference (just watch Cpep under Saban) If Leaf had gone to another team when drafted, could he still be playing today? Could he have been a sucessful QB? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rajncajn Posted April 24, 2006 Share Posted April 24, 2006 by another team? The Chargers have not been a 'winning' orginization in some time and thier coaching has not been the best. Marty is decent, but Leaf was before Marty. I believe that good coaching makes all the difference (just watch Cpep under Saban) If Leaf had gone to another team when drafted, could he still be playing today? Could he have been a sucessful QB? 1434140[/snapback] His attitude was his worst enemy. I think he would have sucked regardless of where he went. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jackass Posted April 24, 2006 Share Posted April 24, 2006 by another team? The Chargers have not been a 'winning' orginization in some time and thier coaching has not been the best. Marty is decent, but Leaf was before Marty. I believe that good coaching makes all the difference (just watch Cpep under Saban) If Leaf had gone to another team when drafted, could he still be playing today? Could he have been a sucessful QB? 1434140[/snapback] understand your point... but no. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt. Ryan Posted April 24, 2006 Share Posted April 24, 2006 Well he had other opportunities with other teams, and didnt get it done there either. He is the prime example of a million dollar arm, and a .02 head. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duchess Jack Posted April 24, 2006 Author Share Posted April 24, 2006 His attitude was his worst enemy. I think he would have sucked regardless of where he went. 1434152[/snapback] These are pretty much my thoughts as well, but I have to wonder if he could have come into the league under any different circumstances if things would have gone better. It just seems that when he went to the other teams that he had already dug himself a hole and was already an established 'tool' and lost a chance to be mentored (either by a coach or a vet QB) How good was he in college? He was drafted right when I started getting into football. How much better was he than that last few years QB prospects (smith, rivers, eli, cutler, Ben, etc) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giants56 Posted April 24, 2006 Share Posted April 24, 2006 These are pretty much my thoughts as well, but I have to wonder if he could have come into the league under any different circumstances if things would have gone better. It just seems that when he went to the other teams that he had already dug himself a hole and was already an established 'tool' and lost a chance to be mentored (either by a coach or a vet QB) How good was he in college? He was drafted right when I started getting into football. How much better was he than that last few years QB prospects (smith, rivers, eli, cutler, Ben, etc) 1434163[/snapback] I only saw him a few times in college but he looked great to me. I saw him stand in with 3 guys hitting him and fire a rocket 30 yards downfield right on the money and thought I was looking at a future superstar. Shows physical gifts only get you so far. I think the only chance things would have been different were maybe if he went to a team with a top coach and quality veteran QB. Maybe if he sat for a year or two, his head would have absorbed more and become more focused. But more likely he just didn't have the attitude to be successful in the NFL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Holliday Posted April 24, 2006 Share Posted April 24, 2006 by another team? The Chargers have not been a 'winning' orginization in some time and thier coaching has not been the best. Marty is decent, but Leaf was before Marty. I believe that good coaching makes all the difference (just watch Cpep under Saban) If Leaf had gone to another team when drafted, could he still be playing today? Could he have been a sucessful QB? 1434140[/snapback] I think it is definately possible. as has been said, his attitude would of eventually brought him down anyways, but I think he could of lasted in the league a little longer if he fell into a better situation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wirehairman Posted April 24, 2006 Share Posted April 24, 2006 Leaf is a black mark on the state of Montana. I've met him personally several times. He always has been a tool and always will be. I don't think any situation, coach, or team could have overcome Leaf's biggest weakness, himself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kpholmes Posted April 24, 2006 Share Posted April 24, 2006 (edited) Not that it makes much difference, but he also had to deal with everyone comparing him and Peyton until the day he retired. I realize Peyton wasn't amazing his first season, but after that... no one looks that great compared to Peyton, let alone Ryan Leaf... Edited April 24, 2006 by kpholmes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexgaddis Posted April 24, 2006 Share Posted April 24, 2006 (edited) He is the prime example of a million dollar arm, and a .02 head. 1434154[/snapback] Vince Young? Edited April 24, 2006 by alexgaddis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azazello1313 Posted April 24, 2006 Share Posted April 24, 2006 no. dude was just a total flake. did NOT have the mental makeup to withstand the NFL and all its scrutiny, pressure, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randall Posted April 24, 2006 Share Posted April 24, 2006 Mandarich is a black mark on the states of Michigan and Wisconsin. I've met him personally several times. He always has been a tool and always will be. I don't think any situation, coach, or team could have overcome Mandarich's biggest weakness, himself. 1434209[/snapback] Fixed. Both of them thought they were superman the first day of the draft and neither were smart enough to know they had to work hard to succeed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
godtomsatan Posted April 24, 2006 Share Posted April 24, 2006 How good was he in college? He was drafted right when I started getting into football. How much better was he than that last few years QB prospects (smith, rivers, eli, cutler, Ben, etc) 1434163[/snapback] He was a fairly dominant college QB, throwing for almost 4,000 yards in 1997. However, in retrospect, Washington State ran a 5 WR set on offense that few defenses could contain. He had a rocket for an arm, huge size, a bit of swagger, but was apparently dumb as an ox, and as lazy as a cow. It was near immediate that the Chargers knew they were sold a bad bill of goods. Scuttlebutt stated that the WSU coaches hid a lot and outright lied to the NFL security people about his work ethic and attitude during his background check and reference interviews. So, one would think with the physical gifts that this guy had, he would have landed somewhere, but I'm not sure the guy ever had to put out a hint of effort for anything on the football field his entire life. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGrunt Posted April 24, 2006 Share Posted April 24, 2006 Well he had other opportunities with other teams, and didnt get it done there either. He is the prime example of a million dollar arm, and a .02 head. 1434154[/snapback] Wasn't Joe Montana pretty much the opposite? Proving to be a genius on the field with just an average arm? Think if HE had Leafs arm but with his own intelligence? Then he would be the best QB ever... times two? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chavez Posted April 24, 2006 Share Posted April 24, 2006 no. dude was just a total flake. did NOT have the mental makeup to withstand the NFL and all its scrutiny, pressure, etc. 1434668[/snapback] Exactly. If he'd been in a better situation, he MIGHT have been slightly more successful, but I think he would have exposed himself sooner rather than later no matter what. Best case scenario for him would've been a Jeff George career - two-year shelf life at every stop, no matter his production. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donutrun Jellies Posted April 24, 2006 Share Posted April 24, 2006 (edited) Scuttlebutt stated that the WSU coaches hid a lot and outright lied to the NFL security people about his work ethic and attitude during his background check and reference interviews. 1434831[/snapback] Three things that allow players with talent to separate themselves once they face a level of competition equal to their talent: attitude, concentration, and effort. Leaf had problems with all three -- bad attitude, little concentration, and no effort. Without those he just looked silly trying to pick on people "his own size" ... Edited April 24, 2006 by Donutrun Jellies Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptainHook Posted April 24, 2006 Share Posted April 24, 2006 Not that it makes much difference, but he also had to deal with everyone comparing him and Peyton until the day he retired. I realize Peyton wasn't amazing his first season, but after that... no one looks that great compared to Peyton, let alone Ryan Leaf... 1434239[/snapback] Leaf was 2-0 to start his career. Manning was 0-2. It flipped pretty quickly after that. Leaf had all the tools. Unfortunately, he also was one. He would not have succeeded in the NFL period. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chargerz Posted April 24, 2006 Share Posted April 24, 2006 His attitude was his worst enemy. I think he would have sucked regardless of where he went. 1434152[/snapback] Good info here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGrunt Posted April 24, 2006 Share Posted April 24, 2006 Three things that allow players with talent to separate themselves once they face a level of competition equal to their talent: attitude, concentration, and effort. Leaf had problems with all three -- bad attitude, little concentration, and no effort. Without those he just looked silly trying to pick on people "his own size" ... 1435017[/snapback] Was there a particular moment or time when many could see his collapse? Obviously, he couldn't have just simply sucked from the very first moment he signed his first contract; or was that pretty much the case? I'm just asking because usually there are many events that take place that reduce the or improve the QB's confidence, and obviously this guy got his confidence stepped on and demoralized from what it seems like the beginning of his career. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raider.Nation Posted April 24, 2006 Share Posted April 24, 2006 (edited) How good was he in college? He was drafted right when I started getting into football. How much better was he than that last few years QB prospects (smith, rivers, eli, cutler, Ben, etc) 1434163[/snapback] It came down to the last moment leading up to the draft... Peyton or Ryan? Did Indy make the right choice? Edited April 24, 2006 by Raider.Nation Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
godtomsatan Posted April 24, 2006 Share Posted April 24, 2006 Week 3 of the 1998 season @ Kansas City: 1 completion in 15 attempts for 4 yds and 2 INT. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptainHook Posted April 25, 2006 Share Posted April 25, 2006 (edited) Week 3 of the 1998 season @ Kansas City: 1 completion in 15 attempts for 4 yds and 2 INT. 1435103[/snapback] The Chargers were 2-0 going into that game. And it was the beginning of the end for Leaf. He showed that not only could he not handle the defense, but he couldn't handle the pressure that comes with being an NFL QB. He never got on track again after that. Leaf threw 4 INT's the next week against the Giants, and got benched. Then Leaf lost to Manning in Week 5 in Indianapolis. In Week 6 he threw three picks before being benched. As Manning adjusted to the pros, Leaf was exposed. It wouldn't have mattered where he went. I think he might have become a better QB eventually, but he had a wrist injury, and seemed to lack the desire to prove everyone wrong. He just took his signing bonus and rode off into the sunset. His attitude was so much worse than Jeff George's, and that's saying something. I think the very best Leaf could have done was a career similiar to JG. Edited April 25, 2006 by CaptainHook Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NAUgrad Posted April 25, 2006 Share Posted April 25, 2006 Wasn't Joe Montana pretty much the opposite? Proving to be a genius on the field with just an average arm? Think if HE had Leafs arm but with his own intelligence? Then he would be the best QB ever... times two? 1434839[/snapback] Then his name would've been Elway! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Savage Beatings Posted April 25, 2006 Share Posted April 25, 2006 Leaf would have acted like this wherever he ended up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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