The Backup Situation Isn’t Exactly Ideal

Ryan Griffin came to the BUCS in 2015 via the waiver wire claim after he was released by that team in New Orleans. He’s been the 3rd-string QB ever since.

There’s been a lot of hope surrounding the former Tulane starter. But, that’s it.

There’s really isn’t any more evidence that he’s better suited to take over the BUCS offense than a rookie draft pick. He’s been good enough to stick on the roster and that’s a huge accomplishment by most normal fans. But, he hasn’t been a threat to the QB2 position. So, why would do so many think he’d be primed to take over as QB1 if things got shaky?

Experience??

He’s attempted just 4 passes in his 2 appearances in an NFL game. That’s 4 more passes than Houston Texans’ tight end Ryan Griffin.

Griffin’s biggest opportunity to move up the depth chart was the 2019 season that saw the BUCS’ starting QB throw 30 interceptions. Griffin made a cameo twice in that year. He briefly replaced the former starting QB in Week 13 against the Colts where he threw the only 4 passes he’s thrown in his career. He connected on 2 of them.

The following week, he entered the game just in time to take 4 kneel-downs versus the lowly Lions of Detroit.

Come August, Ryan will become the longest-tenured BUCS QB in the franchise’s history. And he would do so having never thrown a single touchdown in a regular-season game.

One of the other options that get thrown out there is re-signing the former QB2, Blaine Gabbert.

With all due respect, Gabbert doesn’t inspire a great deal of confidence either. Like, none at all. If he were to be re-signed and once again be the QB2 and Brady were to go down, Gabbert would be a nightmare scenario.

The dude is 13-35 as a starter. He often gets applauded for "doing well" in Arizona under Arians. But, he went 2-3 in the games he played there.

He threw 6 TDs and 6 INTs in those games. He threw for under 60% completion in 3 of those 5 games.

Gabbert threw 3 TDs in his first appearance in Arizona and that sparked the hope he could be a factor. It just got worse as he went on.

And we know from Arians' commitment to the former starting QB in Tampa that he'll ride a QB right off a cliff and talk him up like we don't have access to the game footage.

Overall, a rookie could eclipse Griffin’s entire six-year career in a single drive. And he would’ve been in middle school the last time Gabbert realistically was looked at as a viable starter in the League.

Brady Isn’t Playing Forever

People change. Bodies change. And time waits for no one.

I’m all for high hopes and expecting the best. But, to act as if Tom Brady is invincible and protected by magical wishes and good thoughts just isn’t in my bag.

Brady has never been 44 years old in the NFL before. He’s coming off a knee surgery that may keep him out until June. By May of last season, he was working out with teammates while the facilities were closed.

While it’s in the best interest of all BUCS fans that Brady stays on the field, it’s also best to prepare for the inevitable time he won’t be. Whether it’s due to injury or when it’s his time to decide to leave the game, the BUCS should have another legit talent in line so there isn’t a need to overdraft or pay big money to someone else’s QB that’s gotten too old and/or too expensive.

The Future Financial Implications

Our young guys are the ones that are gonna be on deck to get re-signed in free agency.

In 2-3 years, 90% of our entire secondary will be guys looking to get paid coming off rookie contracts. Plus, the offensive line, which could be the longest-tenured unit at that point, would all be looking at new deals or needing to be replaced.

I haven’t seen too many clamors for a 1st or 2nd Round pick to be used on a QB. The 3rd Round has been the earliest.

Based o the 2020 rookie scale, a 3rd Round Pick would cost an estimated $4.7M over 4 years. Compared to taking an established veteran at $15M-20M/yr, it just seems like the more responsible thing to do.

We're gonna be resetting somewhere sooner than later. And I don't think free agency is gonna be the place to get a QB with so many of the other spots having to be addressed. I know it’s damn near blasphemy to mention it. But, the strength of this Team was the sum of all of its parts prior to finally signing a QB that wasn’t a liability. The BUCS could likely get by without breaking the bank for a QB for a few years.

I think it's probably best to stay cheap with a draft pick for a few years.

3 Potential Targets

Davis Mills(Projected Rounds 2nd-3rd) -Prototypical passer with enough mobility to scramble and throw on the run.

Honestly, he reminds me of former 3rd Round BUCS pick, Mike Glennon. But Mills is a lot more athletic. Lots to like about how he’s handled his opportunities and his skill set.

Read more here.

Kellen Mond(Projected Rounds 2nd-4th) - Proverbial dual-threat QB. Easy to make the Manziel connection due to the constant scrambling and Texax A&M ties. But, you’ll see a lot of Kaepernick comparisons. Lots of it has to do with his throwing tendencies which display inconsistent footwork and mechanics.

Could definitely become an offensive threat if reeled in and developed.

Jamie Newman(Projected Rounds 4th-6th)- Was looked at as a potential Day 2 pick in the 2020 Draft. Decided to transfer to Georgia from Wake Forest and ended up opting out of the 2021 season due to Covid-19. He reminds me of the former starting QB in Tampa. But the good parts. The glimpses of good that never fully came to fruition.

Imagine if that guy had a blank slate and took advantage of the opportunity to clean up his mechanics and bad habits.

That’s what Newman could be.