NFL Takeaways: Shaun Hill Could Shock the World
By Erik Lambert
Aug 23, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; St. Louis Rams head coach Jeff Fisher talks to quarterback Shaun Hill (14) in the first half against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Shaun Hill is front and center now in the NFL spotlight. What can he offer his team? That more and takeaways from the latest action.
St. Louis Rams hampered but not dead with Sam Bradford loss
Watching the replay of Sam Bradford tearing his ACL for the second-straight season has to kick St. Louis Rams fans right in the gut. Another season of promise gone, right? Last year, yes. However, things could be different in 2014. That is because they have Shaun Hill. At age 34 nobody really knows who he is. Why should they? He hasn’t played in an NFL regular season game since 2012 and has been a backup most of his career.
That being said, Hill is also one of the more underappreciated quarterbacks in the league. When one looks at his stat line, they realize he is actually quite effective, posting 41 touchdown passes to 23 interceptions and a solid 85.9 quarterback rating. Keep in mind he did most of it playing for some really (really) bad teams in San Francisco and Detroit. Now he has a chance to take over an offense brimming with talent and a coaching staff fully committed to him. He won’t win games by himself, but Hill may pull off a miracle run for St. Louis this season.
Nothing is solved with the San Francisco 49ers offense
Yes they won the game and score some touchdowns, but the doubts surrounding the starting offense of the San Francisco 49ers should not and will not diminish. Colin Kaepernick has not scored a touchdown in any capacity this NFL preseason and probably looked his worst so far in completing only 50% of his passes and losing a fumble against San Diego. Frank Gore was held to -2 yards rushing and the running game was largely ineffective the entire first half. Optimism reigns because of past history, but the 49ers can’t afford to let that convince them everything is okay.
Tony Romo must start protecting himself
Jerry Jones has a right to feel concerned about the fact that Tony Romo took three sacks against the Miami Dolphins in week three. The quarterback is 34-years old and coming off back surgery. For years the Dallas Cowboys have tried everything to ensure their four-time Pro Bowler was adequately protected, most recently by drafting guard Zack Martin in the 1st round. So far, aside from Tyronn Smith their efforts have yielded questionable results. Romo continues to take too many hits, which begs the question. For all his great plays made by scrambling, is it time for Romo to start protecting himself? In other words perhaps he needs to adjust his style to include more quick read passes in order to counter opposing rushers. The trademark style of pushing the ball down the field is great for the stat column, but it’s liable to get him killed before too long.