Quarterback Stephen McGee.

by Luke. on Apr 27, 2009 11:35 PM CDT Comment 50 comments

I just listened to the QB Stephen McGee interview on DC.com and that guy sounds pissed! In a good way though. Sounds like he's got a pretty big chip on his shoulder and he believes he will be the future starter. He really sounded like a serious, no-nonsense hard worker type who has set his sights on winning the QB spot one day.

Scouting comments; “Legitimate NFL frame. Good toughness. Has absorbed a lot of hits throughout his career and is willing to play through pain. Legitimate arm strength. Good zip on his passes, especially on short and intermediate routes. Flashes the arm strength and trajectory for deep passes with touch over the top.”

That is the necessities (good size, tough, good arm) all ticked.

Scouting comments; “Good athlete who can buy time in the pocket and also make plays as a runner in the open field. Good agility and strength for the position as a runner.”

That is some solid bonus skills there.

Scouting comment; “Excellent intangibles. Natural leader who was voted permanent team captain”.

I know it's shallow to make judgments after a single ten minute interview but after hearing it I can see how that statement would apply. Sounded very unlike Tony Romo and much more like Troy Aikman. He seriously sounded a little Aikmanesque in that sense of “if you want to f##k around, get off the damn field” type of attitude but not in a forced way or over the top way, as the report says, it sounded very natural. As in, he's not trying to be a no-nonsense leader type, he just is one. I'm not trying to criticize Romo here because I think he's a very good player just pointing out how differently McGee sounded than Romo has when asked about football (I know it's only one interview but that's all I've got so dammit I'm running with it :)

Of course there's the negative too;

“Raw as they come. More of a thrower than a passer at this point. Inconsistent footwork and delivery. Inconsistent accuracy, mostly due to flawed technique. Still acclimating to reading a defense from a passer standpoint. Lacks patience in the pocket and will either run or force passes too often, rather than check down.”

So he's definitely still years away from mounting any real challenge for the starting job, especially with a very good QB in front of him, but perhaps 2011 – 2012 might see an emerging McGee pushing Romo for the top spot or even landing us a solid Draft pick for his services if Romo continues ascending out of McGee's reach.

Either way this looks like it could be a great pickup.

Highlights; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6FUDeqarXk&feature=related

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Could be a solid back-up

I won’t expect anything else. Glad to see we have another young QB on the roster, though. Could potentially push Romo in a few years, which might make Romo a better QB.

Epic Fail since 1985

by the red scare on Apr 28, 2009 1:10 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

great

now when romo has a bad game a bunch of fans will be getting all hard up for mcgee to comin

by bleedinbluensilver on Apr 28, 2009 1:24 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Way to look on the bright side!

I think it will be a while before we need to worry about that.

by Luke. on Apr 28, 2009 1:30 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Most reasonable fans take the good with the bad

when it comes to Romo. I certainly think he’s an outstanding playmaker, so the interceptions, fumbles, safeties, etc. that come from him trying to make a play can be chalked up to the way he’s always looking for the big play. As long as he’s still making big plays and winning games, I won’t be screaming for them to put the younger dude in, just because he’s a new face. I’m assuming most fans think somewhere along those lines as well.

Epic Fail since 1985

by the red scare on Apr 28, 2009 2:57 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Reasonable = people who agree with you?

Sorry, I must be one of the unreasonable people that think that it is actually possible to make big plays and be focused on ball security.

I won’t be calling for a rookie that is expected to be a solid career backup, though.

by Baked Potato Soup on Apr 28, 2009 8:44 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think a few miscues are to be expected.

High Risk= High Reward BUT you’re right, there are turnovers that are controllable.

The fumbles irritate me more than the INTs honestly.

They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time.

by AirforceBat on Apr 28, 2009 9:32 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ditto.

I agree that the fumbles are more bothersome than the INTs, for the most part. But I also hate the interceptions that seem like he is determined to get a certain receiver a TD, whether it’s Owens or Witten or whoever. I’d like for Romo to realize that while 3 is not as good as 7, it’s better than 0 + giving the other team momentum.

by Baked Potato Soup on Apr 28, 2009 1:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I feel you.

I think you take different types of risks in different situations.

Like if Dallas was down 14-0 and in the fourth with 7 minutes and he’s winging it… you know what?

I understand that.

If they are tied and you are driving it down field in the first quarter and you get to about the 30 yard line, it’s 3rd and seven… if you have a risky throw in double coverage… don’t take it. Take the 3 and get out of there.

They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time.

by AirforceBat on Apr 28, 2009 7:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

yea

red zone INTs and fumbles are my biggest problems with him. Generally, i don’t have a problem with his interceptions, but he can’t take points off the board which he does a tad too often.

by foyesboys on Apr 28, 2009 9:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

That probably came out wrong

I didn’t mean that people who disagree with me are unreasonable. I know several well-versed fans who don’t like what Romo does. Nothing wrong with that. I merely meant a large portion of the football fans I speak with regularly do think you can’t eliminate all of the interceptions and fumbles and expect Romo to be the same exciting player we’ve come to expect.

Didn’t mean to offend anybody.

Epic Fail since 1985

by the red scare on Apr 28, 2009 10:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nice post, Luke

One question:

McGee was highly rated coming out of high school, why did he choose Texas A&M? During his college career, they were primarily a running team. And because of that, he wasn’t able to develop as a quarterback.

Hopefully, he can get good coaching with us in the next two-to-three years and improve his mechanics.

I do like the fact that he seems to be a natural leader.

Celebrity or Imposter?
YOU Decide...
http://www.xanga.com/metaltometal/689036052/celebrity-or-imposter/

by silverblue5 on Apr 28, 2009 6:38 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Didn't the coaching staff changed after he went there?

by StillHateTheGiants on Apr 28, 2009 7:13 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

+1

I think the coaching staff changed right after he came and they went to a run first offense.

"So you can’t stiff arm at all? What about the throat?"- Marion "Barbarian" Barber

by DC_fan on Apr 28, 2009 7:59 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agrees with StillHate and D_C,

I don’t know the whole story Silverblue but it does seem that he went to A&M under the impression of the offense being one thing and then the it got changed to basically an Option Offense where he did a lot of running. Although he did it well (he rushed for quite a few yards as well as being a decent passer), played hard and never complained about it, there seems to be a few other coaches and scouts who thought his talent was being wasted. Ex-Packers Head Coach Mike Sherman took over the team in McGee’s Senior year and with the implementation of a more Pro style Offense big things were expected from McGee, unfortunately he got injured and only played three games I think his Senior year.

He was basically off the Draft radar but came back and played really well in a Shrine Game I think and then had a real good Combine, then an even better Pro Day and his stock just kept rising. It seems that there’s quite a few teams who had serious interest in him (including Denver and New England) and he’d become either the Forth rated QB (or apparently possibly even the Third QB on some boards) for the Draft. He seems to be regarded as having all the physical and mental tools necessary but was held back from larger success by a poor Offense and then injury.

Basically a raw prospect but with all the tools that requires a patient approach from a team to let him develop.

by Luke. on Apr 28, 2009 9:30 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks StillHate, DC_fan, and Luke for the explanation

The fact that he didn’t have an attitude problem — and try to transfer — shows what a team-oriented, character guy he is.

Another plus.

Celebrity or Imposter?
YOU Decide...
http://www.xanga.com/metaltometal/689036052/celebrity-or-imposter/

by silverblue5 on Apr 28, 2009 10:51 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

staff change

I’m actually a student at A&M. McGee’s got all the tools from what I’ve seen. And Dan Franchione was his original coach, replaced by Mike Sherman.

My popcorn's ready!

by CowboyBawler4 on Apr 28, 2009 10:08 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think he'll become a very solid career backup

I don’t think he has the talent or ability to ever push Romo, but having a great backup is necessary in the NFL.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Apr 28, 2009 7:40 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

McGee may surprise you Terry.....

He’s from a small town about 30 miles from Austin. He held National Records for passing with Jordan Shipley coming out of High School. If he were utilized correctly, I believe he would have gone much higher in the draft. Believe it or not, he is very similar to Romo. Gritty and quick. I’ve seen him get out of sure tackles-wondering how in the heck he did it. I know his numbers arent great coming out of A&M but you never know. People were saying the same thing about Romo.

by texstar on Apr 28, 2009 9:28 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree he's a poor man's version of Romo

and thats why we drafted him and I actually like the pick, however, I personally don’t think he’ll be more than a career backup.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Apr 28, 2009 9:33 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well Terry,

McGee’s bigger, faster and has a stronger arm and their personalities seem quite different so I don’t know how you can call him a poor man’s Tony Romo. I’m not saying he’s going to be better than Romo, obviously McGee hasn’t proven a single thing in the NFL, but the skill set he brings isn’t a weaker version of Romo’s. But can he do all those other things that make a guy like Romo great (the pocket presence, quickly reading a defense, big play ability etc)? Who knows, and those are the areas he needs the most work as he didn’t get to do much of it in college it seems. So he’s a project, just like Romo was an undrafted project several years ago.

Did you regard Romo as a poor version of someone else when he arrived from Eastern Illonois or did you always know he was going to be very good?

by Luke. on Apr 28, 2009 9:54 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I call him a poor man's version of Romo because

of the way they both can move around, scramble out of the pocket and make plays once a play breaks down. That is an extremely rare trait among NFL qbs, not too many possess it and it’s really what makes Romo such a special player. Even Brady and Manning ,whom are considered the 2 best qbs in the game today, don’t have that trait. We’ll see if McGee can transition that skill to the NFL. He definitely needs to work on processing information on the field a lot better from what I’ve seen of him though.

BTW, McGee isn’t bigger and he doesn’t have a stronger arm than Romo, thats simply not true at all. The only skill set that is different and better is his long speed.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Apr 28, 2009 10:27 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

He's not a poor man's version of Romo....

Apparently, you don’t know much about McGee. I’ve followed his career since he grew up 30 miles from Austin. (I’m not an Agee either so this is an unbiased opinion.) To call him a poor man’s version of Romo is an insult to him. You have not seen him play in college or you would have seen him get out of some sure tackles-very much like Romo. Since you won’t believe me here is the take on McGee.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_McGee

by texstar on Apr 28, 2009 11:32 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I've watched McGee play plenty

and he simply doesn’t have the skills and talent Romo possesses at this time. Maybe in time he’ll get better and polish his game, but right now he’s a poor man’s version of Romo and simply nothing more.

BTW, coming from me, thats actually a great compliment to McGee.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Apr 28, 2009 1:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm just glad that they have a young backup that resembles Romo's never-give-up attitude instead of going with some pocket dude...ala Brad or Bledsoish.

That way, down the road, if McGee should need to come in the offense won’t have to adjust too much.

Trust them...they know what they're doing.

by Aaron Novinger on Apr 28, 2009 1:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree

it’s always good to have the backup resemble the starter for that reason.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Apr 28, 2009 1:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Here's some highlights.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6FUDeqarXk

Keep in mind that he did play with M. Bennett also. It’s sad that Franchione did not utilize either Bennett or McGee because these two guys were highly recruited coming out of High School. Another thing that I like about McGee is his intelligence. He already has a masters as well as his bacelors degree. The reason that I keep talking about him is because he’s a good kid with a lot of heart and grit. The kind of guy I want on my team.

by texstar on Apr 28, 2009 2:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Keep forgetting his experience with Tellus.

How’d the guy already get his master’s?

Trust them...they know what they're doing.

by Aaron Novinger on Apr 28, 2009 2:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I've heard that he has already gotten it and now.....

I hear it’s getting it in May. Either way, he’s very bright. Check this out
:http://www.statesman.com/sports/content/sports/stories/other/04/14/0414mcgee

by texstar on Apr 28, 2009 3:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

again, thats sounds exactly like Romo

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Apr 28, 2009 2:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Man, I'm getting bad....

I can’t even spell Aggie-LOL. I guess I have become an Aggie-Just teasing?

by texstar on Apr 28, 2009 1:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree with Terry?

Weird.

by Baked Potato Soup on Apr 28, 2009 1:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

that is weird ;)

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Apr 28, 2009 1:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

On all of the above, too.

Not just the post I replied to. That’s crazy. I was like, poor man’s Romo, will make a nice backup for years. Scary.

by Baked Potato Soup on Apr 28, 2009 1:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

lol

Trust them...they know what they're doing.

by Aaron Novinger on Apr 28, 2009 2:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I would love to be a poor mans (insert any high paid football player).

I’d take half of Romo’s salary. : )

“Poor man” indeed.

They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time.

by AirforceBat on Apr 28, 2009 7:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Great points Luke about his demeanor

I don’t know if he has the physical abilities to be an NFL QB but his attitude is certainly refreshing. He’s sounds like a serious no bs kind of guy. The best outcome for the team will be his development over a couple of years where a tough decision needs to be made between he and Romo.

by StillHateTheGiants on Apr 28, 2009 7:49 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs