[simple simon]

when Leftwich was signed by the Falcons i remember hearing it would be a few weeks before he could start because he needed to learn Atlanta's offense

now Vinny Testaverde is signed by the Panthers and less then a week later he brings Carolina a win

just how long does it take to learn a new offense ? ... is Vinny a genius and Leftwich is a moron ? ....... im really thinking this 'time to learn the offense' bit is a load of b.s. .... put in enough plays to make the offense work and trot the new guy out there

[vincesanity82]

Originally Posted by simple simon

when Leftwich was signed by the Falcons i remember hearing it would be a few weeks before he could start because he needed to learn Atlanta's offense

now Vinny Testaverde is signed by the Panthers and less then a week later he brings Carolina a win

just how long does it take to learn a new offense ? ... is Vinny a genius and Leftwich is a moron ? ....... im really thinking this 'time to learn the offense' bit is a load of b.s. .... put in enough plays to make the offense work and trot the new guy out there

I dont think it takes that long, leftwich couldve started this week but the brilliant falcons coaches have great faith in harrington who will never be a good starter..give it to leftwich already..

[NASCAR Gnome]

Why is everyone so high on Leftwich? Wasn't he replaced by a (career) backup in Jacksonville and then unceremoniously released? Why did that happen if he was really any good?

I know Harrington wasn't doing great but at least he can move around a little... Leftwich on the other hand, is about as mobile as a fire hydrant and takes forever to get rid of the ball! I mean, if you're going to be slow afoot, you at least should have a compensating attribute such as a quick release (Dan Marino for example and Drew Bledsoe early in his career) but sadly Leftwich appears to have neither!

Regardless of who he plays for or what "system" he's in, he's going to end up getting the crap beat out of him all the time because he can't move and takes forever to get rid of the ball!

[Bette]

Originally Posted by simple simon

when Leftwich was signed by the Falcons i remember hearing it would be a few weeks before he could start because he needed to learn Atlanta's offense

now Vinny Testaverde is signed by the Panthers and less then a week later he brings Carolina a win

just how long does it take to learn a new offense ? ... is Vinny a genius and Leftwich is a moron ? ....... im really thinking this 'time to learn the offense' bit is a load of b.s. .... put in enough plays to make the offense work and trot the new guy out there

It depends on how complicated the offense is, if the guy has some knowledge of it or not.
Big factor here might just be Vinnie's age and experience. What hasnt he seen in his career?
Putting enough plays in there to make it work is probably a big key.

[NASCAR Gnome]

Vinny T. has probably seen every offense ever devised in the league!!! When you have his resume, I don't think him walking into any offense will affect how he plays the game simply because he's got so much experience!

But just for fun, I can just imagine how he called the plays in the Carolina huddle last weekend:

Vinnie: "Okay guys, here's the deal: you big guys up front block whatever's coming at me. You, Smith (Steve Smith), run here then here (drawing the route on the palm of his hand) and I'll throw it to you, got it?"

Steve Smith: "Cool!"

Vinny: "Break!"

[Bette]

Originally Posted by NASCAR Gnome

Vinny T. has probably seen every offense ever devised in the league!!! When you have his resume, I don't think him walking into any offense will affect how he plays the game simply because he's got so much experience!

But just for fun, I can just imagine how he called the plays in the Carolina huddle last weekend:

Vinnie: "Okay guys, here's the deal: you big guys up front block whatever's coming at me. You, Smith (Steve Smith), run here then here (drawing the route on the palm of his hand) and I'll throw it to you, got it?"

Steve Smith: "Cool!"

Vinny: "Break!"

I like this one NG. It most certainly is simple enough!

[NASCAR Gnome]

Originally Posted by NASCAR Gnome

Regardless of who he plays for or what "system" he's in, he's going to end up getting the crap beat out of him all the time because he can't move and takes forever to get rid of the ball!

I'm not in the habit of quoting myself but after one game, he's already hurt. Atlanta's going to find out really quickly that having someone like him on the roster will mean he's going to spend more time in rehab with the trainers than learning and mastering or perfecting the playbook!

[alex83]

i think its also got to do with the offensive coordinator and the head coach as well as how experienced the QB is.

i mean Vinny has been around for a while so he has probably seen every play book and run every play known to man, so it might just be a case of learning the new calls. also if the offensive coordinator is a bit to pushy, he might insist on trying every play in the playbook, regardless of if the QB has learnt it, so if Byron turns round and says "well coach i dont know that one" and the coordinator goes "not my problem, just go run it" then you have a problem.
however if Byron goes "i dont know that one" and he goes "ok go run something you do know OR this is just a simple post pattern" then its easier for the guy to do thingd

[Lefty Noob]

The offensive terminology is the big thing - I in believe Gruden's offense, each play has something like a six-word name with different variables. That, I imagine, would take quite a long time to pick up, especially if you suddenly need to forget what you've called a particular play for the past five years and start calling it something different all of a sudden. I can definitely understand there being a learning curve.