If....then??

[Rat]

I just don't see what there would be to gain putting Geno out there if the Rams already have the division locked up. There's nothing for him to prove in a game like that. Whether he plays good or poorly against a de-motivated Rams team that would likely have Stafford, Kupp, and Puka benched, shouldn't override his body of work for the season. Whatever the team thinks of him going into the game, that shouldn't be different afterwards.

What's even the best-case scenario? Nothing he could do would get us into the playoffs and we already clinched a winning record. Anyone who thinks a win over the Rams backups in week 18 would give us "momentum" for when next season starts in nine months is delusional. Worst-case is he snaps his Achilles or something and suddenly he's not able to practice with the team in the offseason, his availability for the start of next season is in jeopardy, and we're wondering whether he'll even be able to bounce back from it at his age.

It's difficult to find snaps for the younger guys throughout the season when your goal is to remain competitive. If you throw them in there, the stakes might not be enormous, but they're motivated to put their best product on the field. I think there's value in that when offseason decisions need to be made. If those guys win, awesome. If they don't, well maybe we're a few spots closer to that interior OL prospect that helps stabilize the line next year.

 

[ruffENrowdy]

Winning matters, and I would lose respect for the coaching staff if they did anything less than trying their best to win the game. Start Geno.

Another way to think about it....you start Howell and he looks as bad as he did a couple of games ago. Clearly not the QBOTF. That gives Geno some extra leverage when he demands an extension after the season (which he will).

Naw man, Geno has zero leverage for any sort of extension. Even if he would ball out and throw 5 tds against the rams (LOL who am I joking), I would think they would sign an extension off one game again.. Don't forget Flynn

 

[Sperrydogg]

I vote start geno but barely, I still think geno gives us the best chance to win but I wouldn’t be opposed to benching geno if he plays another half like Thursday cause he was a non factor

 

[Rat]

Naw man, Geno has zero leverage for any sort of extension. Even if he would ball out and throw 5 tds against the rams (LOL who am I joking), I would think they would sign an extension off one game again.. Don't forget Flynn

He'd be 36 a month into the season that extension starts. Good luck with those demands, Geno.

 

[hgwellz12]

View the vote result! dot net has spoken, folks overwhelmingly voted to start Sam Howell.

Sam Howell era has started!

I just voted and unwittingly evened the score.

 

[Torc]

Naw man, Geno has zero leverage for any sort of extension. Even if he would ball out and throw 5 tds against the rams (LOL who am I joking), I would think they would sign an extension off one game again.. Don't forget Flynn

I'm saying Geno has more leverage if Howell plays like crap again. Either pay him or go with Howell.....that's a tough call.

 

[ruffENrowdy]

I'm saying Geno has more leverage if Howell plays like crap again. Either pay him or go with Howell.....that's a tough call.

He still has zero leverage. Geno has reached his ceiling, We don't know what Sam's ceiling is. Maybe Howell will throw 25 picks a season, who knows. I'd much, much rather roll with two qbs next year and see what we wind up with

 

[Spohawks]

If there is a shot at the playoffs, go for it. But if its over, make it a win win situation. Play the back-ups to see what we have and if "oops" we lose...we just picked up 3 spots in the draft.

Trade back to the original spot and add in a 6th round pick for a 3rd round pick and get an elite offensive guard.

 

[MesquiteHawk]

I think there’s a chance that the fanbase iq cant be summed to triple digits.

It is pretty sad when you realize that half of the population is of below average intelligence. It is worse when you realize that average intelligence has been steadily dropping for over 40 years.