It's 2024, but somehow the football debate is back in 2004.Ravens on Saturday 49ers They advanced to the AFC and NFC Championship games, respectively, and engaged in silly debates about what was the “right way” to play quarterback.
The topic was further fueled by the differences in quarterback play between Lamar Jackson and Brock Purdy, with both teams winning on Saturday night. A playmaker in the purest sense of the word, Jackson uses his legs, arms, and brain to take plays as suggestions and branch them out in multiple different ways to find success. Purdy is a master at executing vision. He’s an extension of the coach on the field and doesn’t think outside the box. Because it's not asked for. In many ways, his lack of creativity is his greatest asset. Because it takes a level of consciousness to dull an athlete's instinct to play and instead choose to fight another day.
To use a reductive analogy, Lamar Jackson is a jazz virtuoso and Brock Purdy is an expert concert pianist.
It should also surprise no one that the heart of this musical analogy also has to do with this quarterback debate: race. Just as early 20th century jazz critics liked to criticize in coded terms, those who argue that Jackson isn't playing quarterback “the right way” say that He would argue that it has nothing to do with the fact that he is black. In their vision, jazz was not “real music” because it ignored convention and changed the perception of art. Orchestras, on the other hand, were praised for doing the music “right,” even orchestras that pushed the limits like swing. This allowed jazz musicians like Miles Davis to become extremely popular abroad in Paris before being accepted in the United States.
The strange thing about this “right way to play” debate is that when it comes to quarterbacks, there's only ever been one “right way to play” and that's to win. It's that simple.
Back in 1924, there were only 64 passing touchdowns in the NFL, but teams ran for a total of 113 points. Fast forward to 1933, and football was just recording tracking statistics as his second season progressed.harry newman's new york giants He led the league in passing attempts with 136 attempts during the season, but ran the ball only 130 times.
Football history is full of two-way quarterbacks. Sammy Baugh, the first quarterback to throw for all 1,000 yards in a season in 1937, ran the ball half as much as he threw.Cecil Isbell packers In 1942, he became the first quarterback to throw for 2,000 yards. He ran the ball 72 times that season, a league-high at the quarterback position.
As we approach modern football, we see more examples. Otto Graham ran the ball to Frank Tarkenton, Ken Stabler, then Steve Young, Randall Cunningham, Michael Vick, Cam Newton, and Josh Allen.
The common DNA in all of these cases is that black quarterbacks are criticized for not playing the “right way,” while white quarterbacks are brave and willing to put their bodies on the line to achieve victory. He was characterized as a sacrificial winner. It's unfortunate that this still happens.
There's no “right way” to play the position as long as you're winning – and as long as Lamar Jackson is winning. He also might be the best two-way quarterback of all time when things settle down. Jackson has an unparalleled marriage, running back vision and acceleration to hit the hole, and throws the ball with ruthless efficiency.This week he completed 73% of his passes against tight opponents texans Defensively, he averaged a high-level 6.9 yards per attempt (better than Brock Purdy), plus 100 rushing yards with four total touchdowns.
If you look at the history of football, nothing is more iconic and relevant than a quarterback putting his team on his back and giving it his all. If the Ravens win the Super Bowl in 2024, no one can say it's because of Jackson's talent, and that's what football is all about.
that plays football the “right way”, so if you disagree you need to get more educated or correct your own biases.
Winner: Christian McCaffrey
Thank God for Christian McCaffrey. Without his individual performance this weekend, the 49ers, along with the Eagles and Cowboys, will be left wondering how on earth the wheels came off.
The move to trade McCaffrey from the Panthers will go down as one of the greatest moves in modern football by a team in need of finding a missing piece. San Francisco gambled that CMC's injury issues would be off the radar and believed it could get CMC back to the upper hand, so they did just that.
But the real reason for the McCaffrey trade was games like Saturday's. With the game in the balance and in dire need of an offensive spark, CMC tried to break out aggressively gaining 128 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns. No one has made a bigger difference this year at the running back position than McCaffrey, and he's a rare player who can alleviate other offensive woes from an often overlooked position.
Loser: Stefon Diggs
History has shown that Stefon Diggs shines best under pressure, but he fell apart against the Chiefs. Now, some of that is definitely credit to Kansas City's defense, which kept him from getting comfortable, but Diggs didn't look like a factor player at any point Sunday.
The Bills receiver struggled to get separation for much of the game, but one of the best passes I've ever seen finished going through his hands like nothing happened.
Another year, another loss to the Chiefs — and Diggs was a big reason why it happened Sunday.
Winners: Texans and Packers
If you want to talk about being brave in defeat, it's these two teams. Going back to preseason predictions, almost everyone expected this season to be a disaster for the Texans and Packers as they embarked on rebuilding. Instead, they showed they've already arrived and looked very good at doing that all season.
There's nothing to worry about in Houston or Green Bay. These teams have arrived and the possibilities are endless.
Winner: Lions
We bring you fun NFL stories one mile at a time. It's impossible to root against Detroit right now, and it's very special to see this team do great things for the fans at home.
Players are stepping up from every position and transforming into the best versions of themselves. Dan Campbell has fostered a whole new football culture, and it's taking root in the best possible way.
Winner: Jason Kelce
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