Comments on: Doug Flutie decries bias against short quarterbacks

By: staffordsyear

staffordsyear — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 10:26:11 +0000

Im with doug on this one…as long as you have some scrambling ability that would def help your cause. Problem is short qbs are a rarity so it will always be this way.

By: ruggerlad

ruggerlad — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 10:18:14 +0000

Russell Wilson is the steel of the draft. He was the 3rd best QB in the draft (maybe even 2nd) and I am a disappointed Dolphins fan.

By: mwindle1973

mwindle1973 — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 09:48:37 +0000

There’s the same bias against a QB over 6’5″. Actually you could say tall QBs have just as much bias going against them. Ideal height is 6’4″-6’5″. Then you will see a lot of guys 6’3″ & 6’2″. You will see guys even shorter than that once in awhile. It is rare to see a QB under 6′ though. But that is 4″ below ideal height. It is just as rare, maybe more rare to see a QB 6’6″ or over. Even though that is only 1″ above ideal height.

By: nepaseahawk

nepaseahawk — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 05:47:44 +0000

I’m hoping Russell Wilson puts an end to all of this.

By: lawlessmkvii

lawlessmkvii — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 05:12:10 +0000

You crazy kids…. how much NFL history is forgotten. If Flutie’s Chicago Bears beat the Redskins at Soldier Field in 86-87 season, there is a good chance Flutie would have beat the Phil Simms lead Giants on gone on to the Super Bowl. The 86 Bears would have smoked the Broncos. Despite his size, Flutie was a legitimate NFL QB. I would love to see PFT find a former teamate of Flutie’s to admit otherwise. I believe that if Russell Wilson is given the opportunity of the legitimate NFL QBs that has similar measurables, say Brees or Vick, Wilson will prove to be comparable.

By: rexgrossman8

rexgrossman8 — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 04:26:26 +0000

Drew Brees (< 6')
Mike Vick (6')
Rex Grossman (6')

Steve Young (6')

Do not agree. I thought Doug got jobbed in Chicago because the team favored McMahon, Fuller, and Tomczack.

Doug was a Ditka guy and it led to his exile even though he helped QB that team to a 14-2 record.

If you can play you will play. Even if you struggle to play. (Rex)

By: j0esixpack

j0esixpack — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 04:20:33 +0000

I looked it up and he’s right. There has never been an NFL quarterback under 5 feet tall.

Also, there has never been an NFL quarterback over 7 feet tall.

I think these issues warrant further investigation but it doesn’t look good.

By: pitch87mph

pitch87mph — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 03:54:40 +0000

Sure. The NFL also has a bias against weak, nerdy, mathletes, who can’t run. C’mon!!! This isn’t the explicit racism of the 50s and 60s. If short QBs were regularly better than taller QBs, the NFL would have no problem with it. But the bottom line is that it IS more difficult for short QBs to succeed–but it’s more difficult because they have physical limitations that make it so! Doesn’t mean some can’t overcome it. Just that most don’t! Let’s not forget, Flutie and Vick (two guys that come to mind who are relatively short) are also INSANE athletes. Flutie can dunk, for crying out loud–and is a borderline legendary hoops player. QB is hard enough to play in the NFL. Constantly having balls batted down (a common problem for Flutie), having to move around more to find throwing lanes, and generally having weaker arms (not always true, but often the case) are all legitimate reasons that are somewhat a function of height. Why do you think tall QBs with low releases always get downgraded by draft gurus? Cause they play like their 5’10″ even if they’re 6’6″.

I don’t doubt shorter QBs get a quicker hook than the prototype. But that’s a function of the fact they’re at such a disadvantage to begin with. It’s hard enough to develop a guy who’s 6’6″ with a laser rocket arm. Do you REALLY think it’s wise for teams to build around a 5’10″ guy with a cream puff arm? It’s a probability game. The taller guy has more going for him, all else being equal. So the short guys have to show something special. That’s life!

Incidentally, I’m rooting for Russell Wilson. But I wouldn’t bet on it.

By: thegreatgabbert

thegreatgabbert — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 03:54:04 +0000

Flutie just named himself Emperor Doug The First.

By: metalhead65

metalhead65 — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 03:41:01 +0000

doug flutie is the reason I lost all respect for jim mchman when he was with the bears. had he been a more supportive team mate maybe the bears would have won more with him at qb than tomzac when jimmy was always injured.

By: whodeylewisandthenews

whodeylewisandthenews — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 03:39:02 +0000

“C’mon guys…think about your job. The head coach picking his starting qb isn’t a popularity contest or about who looks bigger/taller in the pocket. If you can get the job done, you will play. The fact that more 6’5″ qbs start is a reflection of more 6’5″ qbs GETTING IT DONE in practice. Guys who play know that, and Flutie knows that as well.”

Read about his time in Buffalo.

It’s shame that shorter guys don’t get fair shots. I think they ragged on Brees about his size too.

By: pastabelly

pastabelly — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 03:37:41 +0000

Flute will never and should never get over that Rob Johnson fiasco.

By: Great Caesar's Ghost

Great Caesar's Ghost — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 02:44:38 +0000

Well I’m tired of the bias against deformed people in leading Hollywood roles.

By: wwwmattcom

wwwmattcom — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 02:38:38 +0000

Flutie should rant against guys named Wade Phillips. Period, end of story.

By: randallflagg52

randallflagg52 — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 01:44:15 +0000

icdogg says:Jul 5, 2012 6:16 PM

It’s definitely a disadvantage. I see, for example, passes get batted down.

==================================

Russell Wilson only had like 4 passes knocked down last year. Passes getting knocked down is more of a reflection on throwing mechanics, not height.

By: baronvonmonocle

baronvonmonocle — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 01:18:16 +0000

It’s good to hear Flutie say something other than “Follow the yellow brick road” over and over.

By: jackblackshairyback

jackblackshairyback — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 01:10:35 +0000

This topic is a little bit short in stature.

By: mancave001

mancave001 — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 01:10:15 +0000

As an Eagles fan, I can assure you height is an issue. Even for the the most mobile QB in the game today.

By: cush2push

cush2push — Thu, 05 Jul 2012 23:11:03 +0000

Enough of the short jokes guys they never measure up

By: packfaninchitown

packfaninchitown — Thu, 05 Jul 2012 23:02:13 +0000

So do women Flute… you’ll get used to it.

By: 78jaguar

78jaguar — Thu, 05 Jul 2012 22:33:56 +0000

C’mon guys…think about your job. The head coach picking his starting qb isn’t a popularity contest or about who looks bigger/taller in the pocket. If you can get the job done, you will play. The fact that more 6’5″ qbs start is a reflection of more 6’5″ qbs GETTING IT DONE in practice. Guys who play know that, and Flutie knows that as well.

By: steelers4385

steelers4385 — Thu, 05 Jul 2012 22:28:47 +0000

Tebow thinks it would be fun and exciting to give them a shot. Drew brees demands a further explanation from tebow which makes Vilma mad enough to take legal action against the NFL for retired players with brain damage. Goodell doesnt agree and leads him to fine retired brain damaged players. Welcome to the NFL

By: bobothegreatest

bobothegreatest — Thu, 05 Jul 2012 22:17:48 +0000

One thing Flutie isnt SHORT on is opinions. Though this one seems to have some merit. His time in Buffalo could have gone better had Wade Phillips and Ralph Wilson not SHORT changed him.

By: humb0lt

humb0lt — Thu, 05 Jul 2012 22:16:59 +0000

Except Doug Flutie is not 5-10. More like 5-8.

By: icdogg

icdogg — Thu, 05 Jul 2012 22:16:24 +0000

It’s definitely a disadvantage. I see, for example, passes get batted down.

By: baddorange

baddorange — Thu, 05 Jul 2012 21:35:26 +0000

Makes sense. At least give them a shot