Another Short QB Doing Well

[Hubbs]

Troy Smith, that is.

I absolutely can't understand why people still think that a QB's height is so important. They've been throwing over bigger offensive linemen their entire lives. Do you still put a lot of emphasis on height?

[No Excuses]

Troy Smith will be a productive player in this league. Doubt he keeps up this pace but he'll make his career as one of the better back up QB's in the league.

[Perky72]

Sure don't. If 1-100 is the metric for QB skills, each inch of height would equal at most 2 points, from say, 6'5" on down. If that makes any sense.

If a small QB has better wheels than a large QB that stands in the pocket, he's made up a lot of the height/view distance.

Yeah...it's annoying/enraging how every Draft "specialist" focuses on height, for both QBs and CBs/WRs, and height/weight for RBs. These metrics are indeed somewhat causative for anticipating success, but they should never make the enormous difference the "experts" claim they do. Skill, effort, toughness > size.

[darrelgreenie]

Do you still put a lot of emphasis on height?

Never have; its one of those generic arguments people use when they don't like a QB.

Oh he's too short or too skinmy or too whatever.

[Califan007 The Constipated]

Troy Smith, that is.

I absolutely can't understand why people still think that a QB's height is so important. They've been throwing over bigger offensive linemen their entire lives. Do you still put a lot of emphasis on height?

So does that mean that there is no such thing as a too-short QB? Would you draft a QB who was 5' 2" tall?

[Chicken Fried]

I just went back and looked at some Eric Crouch highlights. He was short, and I don't know if he could throw, but he can run faster than a lot of RBs. I remember now why I had the biggest man crush on him.

[Hubbs]

So does that mean that there is no such thing as a too-short QB? Would you draft a QB who was 5' 2" tall?

I'm not sure. I'd wonder if he can play, if he can ball. If he can... well, who cares about his height? (I'd doubt it not because of the height thing directly, but because his arms would be short and therefore he wouldn't be able to whip the ball very well. It means less arm strength, which isn't everything, but is still important.)

[SkinsHokieFan]

So does that mean that there is no such thing as a too-short QB? Would you draft a QB who was 5' 2" tall?

Obviously you can't be a midget

But I'd like to think a 5'10 inch QB that can ball would be good enough.

[Califan007 The Constipated]

Obviously you can't be a midget

But I'd like to think a 5'10 inch QB that can ball would be good enough.

Ah, but that gets to the real point of the matter, doesn't it? lol...you obviously think there is a point at which a QB IS too short to be effective in the NFL. It's just a matter of where that line should be drawn.

[Dan T.]

Drew Brees is 6 feet and 1/8 inch. He has established himself as one of the QBs in the NFL. I'm glad for Troy Smith. I recall many NFL personnel guys wanted to switch him out of the QB position. I hope he can continue to prove them wrong.

[chipwhich]

I missed it. How many wins does Troy Smith have as a starter?

Tony Banks won some games for us as well

[drowland]

Ah, but that gets to the real point of the matter, doesn't it? lol...you obviously think there is a point at which a QB IS too short to be effective in the NFL. It's just a matter of where that line should be drawn.

Eddie LeBaron played QB for the Redskins and Cowboys in the 50s and 60s. He was listed at 5-7. I think he's the shortest QB to make the pro-bowl.

Modern era, I'd say 5-10 is where I'd draw the line. That's Doug Flutie height.

[RANSKINS98]

what about flutie flakes im to lazy to look up his height but he was pretty short and had an ok career

[Bootleg]

How about Colt McCoy?

Does anyone actually watch the Browns games? His stats look pretty good for a rookie going against the Steelers, Saints, Patriots, and Jets..... Is he for real?

[Califan007 The Constipated]

Eddie LeBaron played QB for the Redskins and Cowboys in the 50s and 60s. He was listed at 5-7. I think he's the shortest QB to make the pro-bowl.

Modern era, I'd say 5-10 is where I'd draw the line. That's Doug Flutie height.

I'm 5' 10"...I could start for the drowland team lol :thumbsup:

[ArmchairRedskin]

How about Colt McCoy?

Does anyone actually watch the Browns games? His stats look pretty good for a rookie going against the Steelers, Saints, Patriots, and Jets..... Is he for real?

I haven't watched any of his game because, well, he plays for the Browns, but I know the praise for him after this weekend especially has been pretty effusive from everything I've heard. From watching every game of his in college, I know he's a gamer, though.

[ATLredskin]

How did you guys come up with the conclusion that he will only be a backup QB. He is finally a full time starter and is playing like a starter. Until he fails as a starter then you really can't knock the guy.

[icbmayday]

I always been a Troy Smith fans I hope he excels

[IONTOP]

Only 3 QB's over 6' 7" have ever started an NFL game IIRC (They were talking about this with Ryan Mallett in the Arkansas game) One was Derek Anderson (or Max Hall or whatever his name is)...

In 90 NFL seasons, only 13 quarterbacks taller than 6'5" have ever played a down. And none of them has ever started 75 games or thrown for 100 TDs. If there were a Hall of Fame devoted to tall quarterbacks, the first-ballot selections would be 6'6 passers Derek Anderson, Scott Mitchell and Marc Wilson.

The latest ESPN the Magazine on a story on 6'6" – not 6'7" – Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett.

[Bubble Screen]

Troy Smith, that is.

I absolutely can't understand why people still think that a QB's height is so important. They've been throwing over bigger offensive linemen their entire lives. Do you still put a lot of emphasis on height?

It was one game, dude. He's not starting QB material. And yes, height most definitely matters at the QB position.

[panel]

So does that mean that there is no such thing as a too-short QB? Would you draft a QB who was 5' 2" tall?

I would, if he has got the skill, he has got the skill.

[Destino]

NFL scouts and teams are brain dead when it comes to scouting the QB position and fall in love with ridiculous prototypes. They'd rather waste 4 years on an inept dreamy tall "leader looking" QB with a "rocket arm" than put in a guy that has done nothing but win his entire QB career. Same thing happens with several positions. London Fletcher was too small... I guess he wasn't pretty enough for the scouts to look at.

I find it funny that people assume that NFL teams are run by amazing minds and tremendously competent people. As in all businesses there are a lot of idiots involved.

[jflow78]

I'm definitely a DM supporter, but I really wish we'd have picked up Smith in the offseason. I think I suggested it in a thread and was promptly ridiculed by some all knowing poster.

Anyway, looks like, since we're going to be rebuilding for the next couple of years, it might have been a better idea instead of giving up 2 picks for McNabb. Oh well, hindsight.

[MustangSteve]

Troy Smith, that is.

I absolutely can't understand why people still think that a QB's height is so important. They've been throwing over bigger offensive linemen their entire lives. Do you still put a lot of emphasis on height?

You can thank the game Madden for this, in reality it doesn't matter their shape or size, either their a good QB or their not. Sonny J was one of the best to ever play, and did this when defenses was allowed to rape your receivers and murder your QB. Sonny J was the next step up from a midget lol.

[jnhay]

Of course height matters. Just because there are quarterbacks that overcome their height disadvantage with their other skills doesn't mean it's not disadvantage.

NFL scouts and teams are brain dead when it comes to scouting the QB position and fall in love with ridiculous prototypes. They'd rather waste 4 years on an inept dreamy tall "leader looking" QB with a "rocket arm" than put in a guy that has done nothing but win his entire QB career. Same thing happens with several positions. London Fletcher was too small... I guess he wasn't pretty enough for the scouts to look at.

I find it funny that people assume that NFL teams are run by amazing minds and tremendously competent people. As in all businesses there are a lot of idiots involved.

They're basing it off something. If 90% of NFL linebackers are over a certain height, does that not mean something?