Ex WR weighs in on Wilson vs. Fields debate

[rayzor]

Ex-Bengals WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh weighs in on key draft debate: Zach Wilson vs. Justin Fields

By DJ BIEN-AIME II

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS |

APR 08, 2021 AT 10:53 AM

 

 

Former Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver T. J. Houshmandzadeh has watched BYU’s Zach Wilson and Ohio State’s Justin Fields work out live in California as both prospects prepare for the draft. Houshmandzadeh was impressed by both and views both as high-end talents.  Throughout the offseason, the Jets have been linked to Wilson with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. There’s also been some interest from the Jets in Fields.  Wilson has been hyped as the second best quarterback in this draft class after leading BYU to a 11-1 record. He finished with 3,692 passing yards with 33 touchdowns and added 10 scores on the ground. Scouts drool over his style of play that reminds them of Green Bay Packers star Aaron Rodgers.  After studying Wilson and watching his workouts in person, Houshmandzadeh sees a special talent.  “His release is so quick and effortless like Aaron Rodgers type release. It just comes out his hand really, really easy man. It’s like he’s not even trying, and then it jumps out what a ton of velocity,” Houshmandzadeh told the Daily News. “Then his speed and athleticism. People know he is athletic, but he is an explosive dude. Laterally very explosive, he’s vertically explosive and he moves like a skill guy.”  The 2007 Pro Bowler believes if Wilson ran a 40-yard dash, he would run a blazing time.  “He would be in the 4.4s or a high 4.5, easy. That’s the type of athleticism he has,” the 11-year pro said. “He’s faster than Pat Mahomes. He’s a really good athlete playing quarterback.”  If the Jets draft Wilson, a major key to his success will be what type of talent they surround him with. Sam Darnold suffered from an abysmal supporting cast and couldn’t overcome it. Darnold was traded to the Carolina Panthers after three disappointing seasons. He leaves the Jets with a dismal passer rating of 78.6 and a 13-25 record as a starter.  The Jets have 10 picks in the upcoming draft and must fill the roster with productive players to prevent another Darnold-like situation with the new quarterback.  “The Jets are gonna struggle unless they draft some guys,” Houshmandzadeh said. “Wilson is probably going to be the No. 2 pick and guarantee they’re going to be saying, ‘Man was he overdrafted, he’s not that good,’ If they don’t get players around him.  The same way they didn’t have players around Darnold. And now everybody says, ‘Sam Darnold sucks.’ He didn’t have any guys around them. And if that happens with Zach, it’s going to be the same narrative.”  He believes Wilson will thrive with Gang Green if they provide him with a good supporting cast.  “If he gets guys around him, he’ll be really good,” Houshmandzadeh said. “It’s what it boils down to. When you look at Josh Allen, Allen was OK, decent. (Added) Stefon Diggs, oh, now (Allen) really good. Baker Mayfield was just kind of middling along. And he still has his ups and downs, but he’s got better guys around him. Better run game, he had a really good year.”  The Jets offensive coordinator Mike LeFleur will run a west coast offense like the one Kyle Shanahan runs with the San Francisco 49ers.  Wilson’s throwing ability to produce explosive plays with off-platform throws along with his athleticism will fit well into the Jets’ scheme.  “I think they’re gonna run an offense that fits Wilson. When you draft a guy that high, I truly believe you don’t make him fit into what you do, you fit into what he does,” Houshmandzadeh said. “The offense will be tailored to what he did well in BYU and they’re going to tailor their offensive system to his strengths.” 

 

 The other quarterback that the Jets have shown interest in is Fields.  He led his team to the National Championship game against Alabama in January, after outdueling Trevor Lawrence in the Sugar Bowl by going 22-of-28 for 385 yards with six touchdowns as the Buckeyes blasted Clemson, 49-28.  When Houshmandzadeh was asked about his impressions from watching Fields’ workout and studying him, he was equally impressed. And scoffed at some of the negative perception surrounding Field’s mental ability.  “It was pretty much the same as Zach. You hear the stuff and a lot of it is the same old same old. A Black quarterback, ‘He’s gone be athletic, but can he throw with anticipation? Can he throw accurately?’” Houshmandzadeh said as he mocked those questions. “He did just that. He was layering the ball, he was getting the ball up over and underneath coverage. He just wasn’t just gunning the ball in there he was thrown in with some touch. But when we were done, I was like, ‘Damn, he’s actually pretty f--king good.’”  

 

Houshmandzadeh said at this point he can’t pick between the two.  “It’s really hard to say who’s better,” Houshmandzadeh said. “The better guy is gonna be the guy that gets to the better team. I mean, just being honest with you, if either one of those guys can get to the 49ers, that guy’s the better player. Because he’s gonna have a better team around him, better success.”

 

Cue the Houshmandzadeh who? posts but he does make sense.

[Tranquilo]

I think Wilson's best attribute is how his ball is always catchable, no matter from what angle or what position on the field he's throwing from. That accuracy and catchability is what hopefully separates him from other QBs on the next level.

[slats]

2 minutes ago, rayzor said:

“The better guy is gonna be the guy that gets to the better team. I mean, just being honest with you, if either one of those guys can get to the 49ers, that guy’s the better player. Because he’s gonna have a better team around him, better success.”

That is the truth of the matter. Anyone think Lamar Jackson would've won an MVP on the Jets? Or Mahomes would've been to a couple Super Bowls already? Josh Rosen is on a trash heap and Josh Allen is a franchise QB. You have to have a team around these guys. 

[Irish Jet]

1 minute ago, slats said:

That is the truth of the matter. Anyone think Lamar Jackson would've won an MVP on the Jets? Or Mahomes would've been to a couple Super Bowls already? Josh Rosen is on a trash heap and Josh Allen is a franchise QB. You have to have a team around these guys. 

I think they'd have shown more than the guy we got for sure.

And yeah I think Wilson will be better than Fields regardless of where they end up. I really do think he's that much better. Fields needs to sit for a year. 

Obviously the Jets need to get talent around the QB for their own sake but the great QB's generally show what they're capable of even in bad situations. 

[T0mShane]

12 minutes ago, rayzor said:

“Wilson is probably going to be the No. 2 pick and guarantee they’re going to be saying, ‘Man was he overdrafted, he’s not that good,’

[slats]

1 minute ago, Irish Jet said:

I think they'd have shown more than the guy we got for sure.

And yeah I think Wilson will be better than Fields regardless of where they end up. I really do think he's that much better. Fields needs to sit for a year. 

Obviously the Jets need to get talent around the QB for their own sake but the great QB's generally show what they're capable of even in bad situations. 

Lol, Lamar Jackson would've been Brad Smith on the Jets. 

I hope Zach Wilson is the bomb. The team is better today than it was at any time during Darnold's career here, and there's still more to be done in the draft, but whoever gets to SF is gonna have a major head start over the guy the Jets take this year. 

[hmhertz]

Your mention of Rosen conjures a point when discussing Wilson.

It has been said about both, two rich kids who will quit at

any adversity because they don't need the money.

Say what you wish about Joshy but he certainly hasn't

given up because of family wealth

[Philc1]

5 minutes ago, slats said:

Lol, Lamar Jackson would've been Brad Smith on the Jets. 

I hope Zach Wilson is the bomb. The team is better today than it was at any time during Darnold's career here, and there's still more to be done in the draft, but whoever gets to SF is gonna have a major head start over the guy the Jets take this year. 

Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen thank God everyday they weren’t drafted by the Jets and had to endure this crapshow 

[Lupz27]

What I took from all that is TJ Whoisyourmama thinks Sam Darnold is also just as good but wasn’t surrounded properly ??‍♂️ 

[Dunnie]

19 minutes ago, slats said:

That is the truth of the matter. Anyone think Lamar Jackson would've won an MVP on the Jets? Or Mahomes would've been to a couple Super Bowls already? Josh Rosen is on a trash heap and Josh Allen is a franchise QB. You have to have a team around these guys. 

Im still not a Lamar believer .. took the league one year to figure him out.

[genot]

Another idiot who thinks an uber talented QB. will struggle if he's put in the same position Darnold was. What would they know.

[legler82]

17 minutes ago, slats said:

That is the truth of the matter. Anyone think Lamar Jackson would've won an MVP on the Jets? Or Mahomes would've been to a couple Super Bowls already? Josh Rosen is on a trash heap and Josh Allen is a franchise QB. You have to have a team around these guys. 

That’s such a defeatist attitude.  The truth of the matter is that the best teams win Super Bowls not the best QBs.  Mahomes may not have won championships here but he would still be good.  Lamar is a special case who’s required tailoring an offense around his skill set.

[BroadwayRay]

“The better guy is gonna be the guy that gets to the better team."

I keep hearing this over and over, especially in relation to Sam Darnold, and it's a bunch of horsesh*t. Good QBs often end up with bad teams and they still find a way to perform well. Last year's examples were Justin Herbert and Joe Burrow--rookies no less. The year before, it was Minshew. Every year there are examples of this. Does the talent level of a team help a QB perform better? Obviously. But everyone is exaggerating this cause an effect right now. Lamar Jackson would have been Brad Smith on the Jets? Give me a break.

[Philc1]

2 minutes ago, legler82 said:

That’s such a defeatist attitude.  The truth of the matter is that the best teams win Super Bowls not the best QBs.  Mahomes may not have won championships here but he would still be good.  Lamar is a special case who’s required tailoring an offense around his skill set.

Mahomes with Adam Gase instead of Andy Reid, no wrs and a crappy OL yeah he’d a won 3 Super Bowls by now

[Philc1]

1 minute ago, BroadwayRay said:

“The better guy is gonna be the guy that gets to the better team."

I keep hearing this over and over, especially in relation to Sam Darnold, and it's a bunch of horsesh*t. Good QBs often end up with bad teams and they still find a way to perform well. Last year's examples were Justin Herbert and Joe Burrow--rookies no less. The year before, it was Minshew. Every year there are examples of this. Does the talent level of a team help a QB perform better? Obviously. But everyone is exaggerating this cause an effect right now. Lamar Jackson would have been Brad Smith on the Jets? Give me a break.

Burrow and Herbert didn’t win any games and in Burrow’s case his crappy roster got him killed last season

[BroadwayRay]

1 minute ago, Philc1 said:

Burrow and Herbert didn’t win any games and in Burrow’s case his crappy roster got him killed last season

They didn't win because their teams sucked. Yet they statistically performed well. Thank you for proving my point.

[Philc1]

Just now, BroadwayRay said:

They didn't win because their teams sucked. Yet they statistically performed well. Thank you for proving my point.

That football is a team sport and you are lost in Madden logic?

[CTJetsFan]

24 minutes ago, T0mShane said:

Man, did you take that quote out of context. Reads different if you expand what he said before and after:

The Jets have 10 picks in the upcoming draft and must fill the roster with productive players to prevent another Darnold-like situation with the new quarterback.  “The Jets are gonna struggle unless they draft some guys,” Houshmandzadeh said. “Wilson is probably going to be the No. 2 pick and guarantee they’re going to be saying, ‘Man was he overdrafted, he’s not that good,’ If they don’t get players around him.  The same way they didn’t have players around Darnold. And now everybody says, ‘Sam Darnold sucks.’ He didn’t have any guys around them. And if that happens with Zach, it’s going to be the same narrative.”  He believes Wilson will thrive with Gang Green if they provide him with a good supporting cast.  

 

[slats]

5 minutes ago, legler82 said:

That’s such a defeatist attitude.  The truth of the matter is that the best teams win Super Bowls not the best QBs.  Mahomes may not have won championships here but he would still be good.  Lamar is a special case who’s required tailoring an offense around his skill set.

Okay, and yet at the same time you can rank the QBs from 2018 in the order of the quality of the situations they entered into. You can't elevate what isn't there. 

[legler82]

1 minute ago, BroadwayRay said:

They didn't win because their teams sucked. Yet they statistically performed well. Thank you for proving my point.

Exactly!!!  Add Watson to that list too.

[BroadwayRay]

Just now, Philc1 said:

That football is a team sport and you are lost in Madden logic?

And you're simply lost. We're talking about QB performance here, not wins and losses.

[legler82]

Just now, slats said:

Okay, and yet at the same time you can rank the QBs from 2018 in the order of the quality of the situations they entered into. You can't elevate what isn't there. 

Are we talking about elevation of good QB play.  They are not one in the same.

[T0mShane]

3 minutes ago, CTJetsFan said:

“Wilson is probably going to be the No. 2 pick and guarantee they’re going to be saying, ‘Man was he overdrafted, he’s not that good,’

[DetroitRed]

Always skip to the last 2 sentences to be sure your not wasting valuable time

[Jet Life]

Isn’t the debate Wilson v the field? Lance, Fields, Mac have been mocked / ranked in a different order by almost everyone while the “consensus” order is 1. Lawrence 2. Wilson. Not saying I agree or not but that’s the reality of the situation. Unless he goes 3rd to SF then the top 3 picks will be linked even closer 

[jetstream23]

The plan should be simple.  Lawson, Rankins maybe a forthcoming signing at CB....  that's enough on D this year.  Robert Saleh should be able to coach up what he has in this first year on defense.  For Year 1 of this rookie QB's career we need to over-allocate resources to offense and get him started on the right foot.  QB, OL, WR, OL would be perfectly acceptable to me with the Jets first 4 picks.

I don't care if the Jets are losing 31-26 games.  It's those 26 points on offense that we want to see. 

[David Harris]

1 hour ago, Dunnie said:

Im still not a Lamar believer .. took the league one year to figure him out.

Tellingly, no free agent wideouts wanted to play with him.

[SomebodytoAnybody47]

The one with the better team around him, will be the better QB. Makes sense. Thanks TJ!

[SomebodytoAnybody47]

3 minutes ago, David Harris said:

Tellingly, no free agent wideouts wanted to play with him.

That might be more of a Ravens not wanting to sign one then a Lamar thing. Telling me Golladay was clamoring to play with Daniel Jones?

[TokyoJetsFan]

1 hour ago, slats said:

That is the truth of the matter. Anyone think Lamar Jackson would've won an MVP on the Jets? Or Mahomes would've been to a couple Super Bowls already? Josh Rosen is on a trash heap and Josh Allen is a franchise QB. You have to have a team around these guys. 

...and a good system.  With Brian Schottenheimer named the Passing Game Coordinator and QB coach of the Jaguars, Trevor Lawrence is already facing an uphill battle

[docdhc]

1 hour ago, slats said:

Okay, and yet at the same time you can rank the QBs from 2018 in the order of the quality of the situations they entered into. You can't elevate what isn't there. 

I agree the situation they’re placed in is important but I still want the best guy.  Put Brian Hoyer onKC and they don’t get to those Super Bowls. Fields and Wilson may not be exactly equal. Deciding who is actually better no matter how good or bad the team may be is still important and I thought that’s what we’re debating here. 

[jetstream23]

1 hour ago, hmhertz said:

Your mention of Rosen conjures a point when discussing Wilson.

It has been said about both, two rich kids who will quit at

any adversity because they don't need the money.

Say what you wish about Joshy but he certainly hasn't

given up because of family wealth

Good point.  He continues to grind it out in the background, trying to make some sort of career.  I think Rosen has always liked football and wants to play.  He looks like a career backup at best though.

[Dunnie]

1 hour ago, legler82 said:

Exactly!!!  Add Watson to that list too.

Russell Wilson is about to become the next 'self deserving douche' if he not careful.   HE has been crying about not having enough talent to win and meanwhile is unwilling to restructure his deal. Cant have your cake and eat it too ... There is a reason the Pats success was so enduring ... that reason's name is Giselle.  Tom dimply never demanded to be the highest paid QB and restructured nearly every year.

[JohnnyLV]

18 minutes ago, Dunnie said:

Russell Wilson is about to become the next 'self deserving douche' if he not careful.   HE has been crying about not having enough talent to win and meanwhile is unwilling to restructure his deal. Cant have your cake and eat it too ... There is a reason the Pats success was so enduring ... that reason's name is Giselle.  Tom dimply never demanded to be the highest paid QB and restructured nearly every year.

Become?? Been there for a while.

To the OP he sort of qualifies it after but he clearly thinks Wilson is better.

[JetsFanShawn]

4 hours ago, rayzor said:

Ex-Bengals WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh weighs in on key draft debate: Zach Wilson vs. Justin Fields

By DJ BIEN-AIME II

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS |

APR 08, 2021 AT 10:53 AM

 

 

Former Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver T. J. Houshmandzadeh has watched BYU’s Zach Wilson and Ohio State’s Justin Fields work out live in California as both prospects prepare for the draft. Houshmandzadeh was impressed by both and views both as high-end talents.  Throughout the offseason, the Jets have been linked to Wilson with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. There’s also been some interest from the Jets in Fields.  Wilson has been hyped as the second best quarterback in this draft class after leading BYU to a 11-1 record. He finished with 3,692 passing yards with 33 touchdowns and added 10 scores on the ground. Scouts drool over his style of play that reminds them of Green Bay Packers star Aaron Rodgers.  After studying Wilson and watching his workouts in person, Houshmandzadeh sees a special talent.  “His release is so quick and effortless like Aaron Rodgers type release. It just comes out his hand really, really easy man. It’s like he’s not even trying, and then it jumps out what a ton of velocity,” Houshmandzadeh told the Daily News. “Then his speed and athleticism. People know he is athletic, but he is an explosive dude. Laterally very explosive, he’s vertically explosive and he moves like a skill guy.”  The 2007 Pro Bowler believes if Wilson ran a 40-yard dash, he would run a blazing time.  “He would be in the 4.4s or a high 4.5, easy. That’s the type of athleticism he has,” the 11-year pro said. “He’s faster than Pat Mahomes. He’s a really good athlete playing quarterback.”  If the Jets draft Wilson, a major key to his success will be what type of talent they surround him with. Sam Darnold suffered from an abysmal supporting cast and couldn’t overcome it. Darnold was traded to the Carolina Panthers after three disappointing seasons. He leaves the Jets with a dismal passer rating of 78.6 and a 13-25 record as a starter.  The Jets have 10 picks in the upcoming draft and must fill the roster with productive players to prevent another Darnold-like situation with the new quarterback.  “The Jets are gonna struggle unless they draft some guys,” Houshmandzadeh said. “Wilson is probably going to be the No. 2 pick and guarantee they’re going to be saying, ‘Man was he overdrafted, he’s not that good,’ If they don’t get players around him.  The same way they didn’t have players around Darnold. And now everybody says, ‘Sam Darnold sucks.’ He didn’t have any guys around them. And if that happens with Zach, it’s going to be the same narrative.”  He believes Wilson will thrive with Gang Green if they provide him with a good supporting cast.  “If he gets guys around him, he’ll be really good,” Houshmandzadeh said. “It’s what it boils down to. When you look at Josh Allen, Allen was OK, decent. (Added) Stefon Diggs, oh, now (Allen) really good. Baker Mayfield was just kind of middling along. And he still has his ups and downs, but he’s got better guys around him. Better run game, he had a really good year.”  The Jets offensive coordinator Mike LeFleur will run a west coast offense like the one Kyle Shanahan runs with the San Francisco 49ers.  Wilson’s throwing ability to produce explosive plays with off-platform throws along with his athleticism will fit well into the Jets’ scheme.  “I think they’re gonna run an offense that fits Wilson. When you draft a guy that high, I truly believe you don’t make him fit into what you do, you fit into what he does,” Houshmandzadeh said. “The offense will be tailored to what he did well in BYU and they’re going to tailor their offensive system to his strengths.” 

 

 The other quarterback that the Jets have shown interest in is Fields.  He led his team to the National Championship game against Alabama in January, after outdueling Trevor Lawrence in the Sugar Bowl by going 22-of-28 for 385 yards with six touchdowns as the Buckeyes blasted Clemson, 49-28.  When Houshmandzadeh was asked about his impressions from watching Fields’ workout and studying him, he was equally impressed. And scoffed at some of the negative perception surrounding Field’s mental ability.  “It was pretty much the same as Zach. You hear the stuff and a lot of it is the same old same old. A Black quarterback, ‘He’s gone be athletic, but can he throw with anticipation? Can he throw accurately?’” Houshmandzadeh said as he mocked those questions. “He did just that. He was layering the ball, he was getting the ball up over and underneath coverage. He just wasn’t just gunning the ball in there he was thrown in with some touch. But when we were done, I was like, ‘Damn, he’s actually pretty f--king good.’”  

 

Houshmandzadeh said at this point he can’t pick between the two.  “It’s really hard to say who’s better,” Houshmandzadeh said. “The better guy is gonna be the guy that gets to the better team. I mean, just being honest with you, if either one of those guys can get to the 49ers, that guy’s the better player. Because he’s gonna have a better team around him, better success.”

 

Cue the Houshmandzadeh who? posts but he does make sense.

joe dougles has to think and try not screw this one up