I don’t disagree, it definitely IS a gamble (though I wouldn’t place Flacco & Stafford on the same level of overpaid – fun read: http://settingedge.com/matthew-stafford-joe-flacco-and-the-quarterback-contract-narrative). There is definitely a place for “game managers”. I think that’s a separate discussion from just QB talent/production evaluation, though. (ie: the original idea being that Smith & similar QBs are overrated in “estimated true talent” by ANY/A).

The key is here is that if you have an average QB, you have to pay him like an average QB so you can use the leftover money/cap space on other areas of the team. The problem is if you end up in Stafford/Flacco territory paying an average QB superstar money.