# "Suck for Luck" - The 0-16 NFL Season Thread (2011 Ed.) **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [September 8, 2011, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suck-for-luck-the-0-16-nfl-season-thread-2011-ed/595661 "2011-09-08T21:06:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2011, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suck-for-luck-the-0-16-nfl-season-thread-2011-ed/595661/121 "2011-12-19T19:33:22Z")
Look at the rest of the Colts roster. They need upgrades at many, many positions. Their recent drafts have been poor. If you can get Luck AND two or three early-rounders for dumping Manning, you do it. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Scud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f08c70/32.png) [@Tom\_Scud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Scud)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2011, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suck-for-luck-the-0-16-nfl-season-thread-2011-ed/595661/122 "2011-12-19T19:35:17Z")
> [@Great\_Antibob](#): > > As I’m in Houston, the confluence of Manning’s season-long injury and Luck entering the draft (as well as the absolutely ridiculous number of injuries the Texans have had this year) makes me tempted to believe there may be a God and that the Texans have offended him mightily. Remember the David Robinson injury that got the Spurs the #1 pick at a pretty convenient time? ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2011, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suck-for-luck-the-0-16-nfl-season-thread-2011-ed/595661/123 "2011-12-19T19:39:27Z")
With RGIII and Matt Barkley, there migh be reasons for teams to tank it even if they’re not the top pick. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2011, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suck-for-luck-the-0-16-nfl-season-thread-2011-ed/595661/124 "2011-12-19T19:42:00Z")
Doubtful. Hardly anyone needs a quarterback. ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2011, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suck-for-luck-the-0-16-nfl-season-thread-2011-ed/595661/125 "2011-12-19T20:06:59Z")
> [@garygnu](#): > > With RGIII and Matt Barkley, there migh be reasons for teams to tank it even if they’re not the top pick. I’m sure the last few guys on the roster and the coaches would absolutely love to tank a few games, get fired, get a reputation for losing, and watch the team turn it around the next season and have tough times getting new jobs. It’s been working so well that I’m surprised Jim Caldwell and Steve Spagnuolo haven’t already been fired, as many people have already been calling for. ---
**Author:** ![zamboniracer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e9a140/32.png) [@zamboniracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zamboniracer)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2011, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suck-for-luck-the-0-16-nfl-season-thread-2011-ed/595661/126 "2011-12-19T20:10:27Z")
> [@Snarky\_Kong](#): > > It’ll take more than one dominant QB. Maybe if they trade Peyton for 3 high draft picks. I’m not saying it is not possible, but it would be INSANE for any team to trade 3 high draft picks for Manning (an old & injured QB) at this point. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2011, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suck-for-luck-the-0-16-nfl-season-thread-2011-ed/595661/127 "2011-12-19T20:28:53Z")
> [@Great\_Antibob](#): > > It’s been working so well that I’m surprised Jim Caldwell and Steve Spagnuolo haven’t already been fired, as many people have already been calling for. Caldwell coached the team for a 14-0 record 2 years ago. [QUOTE=zamboniracer] I’m not saying it is not possible, but it would be INSANE for any team to trade 3 high draft picks for Manning (an old & injured QB) at this point. [/QUOTE] I agree, but NFL GMs clearly don’t; the Raiders gave up two first round picks for Carson Palmer, who is nearly as old and not nearly as good. If you were a team like the Jets, with everything in place to win now _except_ the quarterback, it could be worth the gamble. ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2011, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suck-for-luck-the-0-16-nfl-season-thread-2011-ed/595661/128 "2011-12-19T20:41:14Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > Caldwell coached the team for a 14-0 record 2 years ago. Sure, the year after Tony Dungy retired and with a healthy Manning and most of the coaching staff and team in place. Those folks in Indy are probably thinking along these lines, anyway. To be honest, I’d actually like to see him back for another year or three. Already 2 new coaches in the division. Be a shame if Kubiak was suddenly the old man of the bunch. And it’ll be nice to see just what he puts on the field against Houston Thursday. Rookie QB plus injuries have caught up to the Texans (caught up last week, actually but Houston managed to overcome the early mistakes). And the Colts finally look like an NFL team, so it’ll be interesting. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2011, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suck-for-luck-the-0-16-nfl-season-thread-2011-ed/595661/129 "2011-12-19T20:56:08Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > Doubtful. Hardly anyone needs a quarterback. You have a weird definition of “hardly”. **Absolutely need a QB:** Oakland Raiders Kansas City Chiefs Denver Broncos Tennessee Titans Jacksonville Jaguars Arizona Cardinals Seattle Seahawks Miami Dolphins Washington Redskins Indianapolis Colts **Could be improved with a new QB like Luck:** Baltimore Ravens Buffalo Bills NY Jets Minnesota Vikings ---
**Author:** ![Kiros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/439d5e/32.png) [@Kiros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kiros)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2011, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suck-for-luck-the-0-16-nfl-season-thread-2011-ed/595661/130 "2011-12-19T21:00:27Z")
I’m as big an Alex Smith fan as anyone who doesn’t live in San Fran, but you’d almost have to add them to that second list, too. ---
**Author:** ![Hamlet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hamlet/32/2818_2.png) [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2011, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suck-for-luck-the-0-16-nfl-season-thread-2011-ed/595661/131 "2011-12-19T21:17:33Z")
> [@Munch](#): > > You have a weird definition of “hardly”. My guess is the RNATB meant not only that the teams need a QB, but that they are also likely to tank and use a top 10 pick on a QB. I think that eliminates the Raiders (Campbell and Palmer), Chiefs (Cassell), Titans (Locker), Jags (Gabbert), and Cardinals (Kolb) from your list. I’d also be surprised if the Seahawks and Broncos used a top 15 pick to grab a QB; they’ve got Jackson and Tebow, and aren’t tanking either. That leaves, to me, the Colts, Dolphins, and Redskins as the big three who are likely to use a top first rounder on a QB if they can. If a QB falls to them, sure they might pick one, but I don’t see them moving up to grab a QB. Of course it’s still way early. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2011, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suck-for-luck-the-0-16-nfl-season-thread-2011-ed/595661/132 "2011-12-19T21:45:41Z")
Possibly. But the argument shouldn’t be “there aren’t many teams who need a QB that would tank” but rather “the idea that teams tank to get a higher draft pick is complete garbage”. I’m in Indy, and there hasn’t been a single game this season where you see any evidence of tanking. What possible incentive would a coach or player have for doing so? The only people in an NFL organization with any motivation for doing so would be the GM/front office, and even then it’s touchy. ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2011, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suck-for-luck-the-0-16-nfl-season-thread-2011-ed/595661/133 "2011-12-19T22:02:11Z")
> [@Kiros](#): > > I’m as big an Alex Smith fan as anyone who doesn’t live in San Fran, but you’d almost have to add them to that second list, too. Well, they drafted Colin Kaepernick in the 2nd round last year. If they draft a QB high, that’s a lot of picks spent on QB in the last couple years when there are probably other areas of need to address. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2011, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suck-for-luck-the-0-16-nfl-season-thread-2011-ed/595661/134 "2011-12-19T22:52:29Z")
> [@Great\_Antibob](#): > > Well, they drafted Colin Kaepernick in the 2nd round last year. If they draft a QB high, that’s a lot of picks spent on QB in the last couple years when there are probably other areas of need to address. Smith has trade value - so I could see them doing it. Look at Carolina with Newton and Claussen so close together in recent years. It may or may not have been the BEST idea, but apparently at least one GM out there thinks so. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2011, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suck-for-luck-the-0-16-nfl-season-thread-2011-ed/595661/135 "2011-12-20T00:16:48Z")
> [@Hamlet](#): > > My guess is the RNATB meant not only that the teams need a QB, but that they are also likely to tank and use a top 10 pick on a QB. I think that eliminates the Raiders (Campbell and Palmer), Chiefs (Cassell), Titans (Locker), Jags (Gabbert), and Cardinals (Kolb) from your list. I’d also be surprised if the Seahawks and Broncos used a top 15 pick to grab a QB; they’ve got Jackson and Tebow, and aren’t tanking either. > > That leaves, to me, the Colts, Dolphins, and Redskins as the big three who are likely to use a top first rounder on a QB if they can. If a QB falls to them, sure they might pick one, but I don’t see them moving up to grab a QB. Of course it’s still way early. I basically meant that: that there are hardly any teams who are likely to draft a quarterback in the top half of the draft. I don’t think the Dolphins will draft one in the first round. You left out the Browns, though. ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2011, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suck-for-luck-the-0-16-nfl-season-thread-2011-ed/595661/136 "2011-12-20T00:29:37Z")
> [@Munch](#): > > Smith has trade value - so I could see them doing it. Look at Carolina with Newton and Claussen so close together in recent years. It may or may not have been the BEST idea, but apparently at least one GM out there thinks so. Maybe. But Clausen was already a bust. I doubt the 49ers will trade up to nab a QB early in the 1st round, but I could be wrong. I’m willing to bet Harbaugh gives Kaepernick an honest chance but I wouldn’t put it past them to draft a QB in the later rounds. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2011, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suck-for-luck-the-0-16-nfl-season-thread-2011-ed/595661/137 "2011-12-20T00:44:01Z")
I don’t think Claussen’s any good, but it was pretty much impossible to judge given that he was playing behind four backup offensive linemen. Alex Smith has done exactly what he was asked this year. I’d be very surprised if he wasn’t the starter next season. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2011, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suck-for-luck-the-0-16-nfl-season-thread-2011-ed/595661/138 "2011-12-21T00:51:26Z")
Why is no one including Cleveland in their list of teams likely to take a QB with their top pick? Cause if it doesn’t happen I’m gonna burn this motherfucker down. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2011, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suck-for-luck-the-0-16-nfl-season-thread-2011-ed/595661/139 "2011-12-21T01:18:49Z")
Colin cowherd was speculating last week that Matt Barkley might stay in another year to avoid going to Cleveland. ---
**Author:** ![zamboniracer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e9a140/32.png) [@zamboniracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zamboniracer)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2011, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suck-for-luck-the-0-16-nfl-season-thread-2011-ed/595661/140 "2011-12-21T01:33:18Z")
> [@garygnu](#): > > Colin cowherd was speculating last week that Matt Barkley might stay in another year to avoid going to Cleveland. Cowherd’s next correct statement will be his first. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suck-for-luck-the-0-16-nfl-season-thread-2011-ed/595661.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suck-for-luck-the-0-16-nfl-season-thread-2011-ed/595661.md?page=8)