[Lefty Noob]

This dates back to Monday, but we haven't discussed it much -- Jon Gruden has benched rookie QB Bruce Gradkowski and will replace him with Tim Rattay, who threw for three touchdowns in the second half of last Sunday's game against Chicago. You guys think this is the right move? I certainly do. Rattay gives this team a better chance to win right now.

[Nuke]

I thought Rattay was good dating back to his Niner days. I'm suprised he didn't supplant Gradowski sooner quite frankly.

[azrael492]

Rattay gives this team a better chance to win right now.

I am tired of hearing this. Why can't coaches and press be honest and say the QB is benched because they are not good. This is football. We should stop trying to protect their feelings. Do they even have feelings.

Anyway, If Rattay can put up numbers like he did against the Bears, imagine what he will do to the Browns.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by Nuke

I thought Rattay was good dating back to his Niner days. I'm suprised he didn't supplant Gradowski sooner quite frankly.

I second it...Rattay has never gotten a fair shake...its probably his lack of height...not the prototype so he gets overlooked.

[Lefty Noob]

Originally Posted by azrael492

I am tired of hearing this. Why can't coaches and press be honest and say the QB is benched because they are not good. This is football. We should stop trying to protect their feelings. Do they even have feelings.

Anyway, If Rattay can put up numbers like he did against the Bears, imagine what he will do to the Browns.

Because Gradkowski's a rookie. He's physically talented, but hasn't been able to master all of the workings of Gruden's offense yet. It's unrealistic to think that you can judge whether or not a QB is a bust based solely on his rookie season. Heck, even Brett Favre sat a year or two on the bench in Atlanta, then got traded to Green Bay, where he sat behind Don Majkowski until the "Majik Man" got hurt. NFL QBs need to be given a minimum 2-3 year period before they can be dubbed a hit or a miss.