[Rally]

I agree that Plunkett didn't have Luck's mobility, but he moved pretty decently when he was at Stanford. His rushing totals were positive all three of his varsity years, and he finished with more than 350 career rushing yards. (By contrast, John Elway was in minus yardage three of his four seasons and his career total was nearly 300 yards in the rushng red.)

It was when Plunkett joined the Patriots and their papier-mache line that his mobility went to hell.

Absolutely agree.  The rare times I got to see Plunkett play as a Patriot were painful to watch.  Jim was a true warrior but its a team sport.  He could have avoided some of the punishment but followed the "game plan" and stood in there, getting mauled.  I don't know, of course, but I think he only joy came on the few times when he saw The Rabbit running free and had time to get him the ball.  I heard at the time that the Patriots took Vataha only at Plunkett's insistence.  And remember it was the 49ers who first offered him a safe haven, a year or so of R&R before moving to the Raiders for more. 

I don't see that with Luck.  I see a repeat of Manning's career, only hopefully without the surgeries.  It is inevitable that once-in-a-generation quarterbacks get drafted by horrible teams.  Some fail, some survive, some find a way soar, e.g. Plunkett, Elway and . . . Luck?  TBD.

[Rally]

I agree that Plunkett didn't have Luck's mobility, but he moved pretty decently when he was at Stanford. His rushing totals were positive all three of his varsity years, and he finished with more than 350 career rushing yards. (By contrast, John Elway was in minus yardage three of his four seasons and his career total was nearly 300 yards in the rushng red.)

It was when Plunkett joined the Patriots and their papier-mache line that his mobility went to hell.

Absolutely agree.  The rare times I got to see Plunkett play as a Patriot were painful to watch.  Jim was a true warrior but its a team sport.  He could have avoided some of the punishment but followed the "game plan" and stood in there, getting mauled.  I don't know, of course, but I think he only joy came on the few times when he saw The Rabbit running free and had time to get him the ball.  I heard at the time that the Patriots took Vataha only at Plunkett's insistence.  And remember it was the 49ers who first offered him a safe haven, a year or so of R&R before moving to the Raiders for more. 

I don't see that with Luck.  I see a repeat of Manning's career, only hopefully without the surgeries.  It is inevitable that once-in-a-generation quarterbacks get drafted by horrible teams.  Some fail, some survive, some find a way soar, e.g. Plunkett, Elway and . . . Luck?  TBD.