I kinda wish I knew who our future GM and coach was. I know they wouldn't reveal their plans or their private assessments on Howell, but I'd love to know what true NFL minds who really dig into the tape think. I'm sure it's somewhat of a mixed picture, but are we seeing too much good, are we being too hard on him, when I look at the o-line and lack of running game am I making too many excuses. Has he overperformed to the degree I think he may have after his first 16 games and what do they project his ceiling to be?
IMHO i think the NFL minds view players completely different than the NFL fanbases do.
They don't have the "Madden Effect' as I like to call it, where a guy is just rated at a 'value' and they are who they are. They're likely almost NEVER looking at a player as a finished product, especially players who have less than a full season starting. I'm speculating here, but I believe the physical tools are much less important to them, than they are to fans. It's not about "does he have 'elite' arm talent" and more about "does he have 'enough' arm talent". Not "can this guy take over a game" and more about "can this guy execute the offense." Fans see guys like Mahomes, and set that benchmark in their mind. The problem is there's only 1 of that guy. It's not about "where does this guy rank in terms of starting QBs" and more about "is this guy good enough that we can win with him." Do fans really think that NFL coaches look at the PFF QB Rankings, and determine who should be playing based on that? In all reality, they likely 'know' what needs to be corrected, and their goal is to be working with that player to correct the mistakes. They're watching film, going over the good, and the bad, and helping that player to develop.
If i was to guess, a true NFL scouting assessment of Howell thus far would go like this:
He's 100% got the arm to make every throw, while showing the ability to utilize touch. He's a 'plus' athlete that has the ability to climb and break the pocket, to either run or extend plays
He's also got a tendency to force things. He's got enough confidence, and athletic arrogance, in his ability to take chances, but enough ability to execute those plays at times, while it gets him into trouble at other times. (see the INT of Terry's hands this past weekend).
He's shown a tendency of late to rush the play, whether that means he's coming off his progression too quickly, or he's missing post snap reads that create mismatches. He's shown a greater ability to play off script, than on script, with a part of that on script issue possibly being from issues around him (O-line).
I think true NFL talent evaluators would look at the O-line, and the fact that Sam has been getting his head bashed in, and take that into complete consideration regarding his decision making. NFL coaches can likely look at his film and tell you pretty accurately what he was thinking, whether hit was just a bad decision, or he was pressing, or whatever.
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