Archive for February 5th, 2009

Everyone wants to know when the first quarterback will be selected and who it will be. Most people (especially draft experts) such as ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. are so sure that Matthew Stafford (Georgia) will be taken by the Lions at or near the top of the draft. Other rebellious gurus go on a limb and say Mark Sanchez (USC) will go first. I happen to be very skeptical of these opinions. Both of these arguments scare me very much. Taking quarterbacks can be very spotty, and the teams choosing in the top 5 really can’t afford to make a mistake.

It’s hard for me to believe either of these guys are worthy of a top pick when they have rather large question marks.

First of all, despite liking Sanchez, I feel he made a colossal mistake by leaving USC early. He was simply too inconsistent throughout the season; only truly turning heads in his final game in the Rose Bowl. Yes, I love his moxie in the pocket, a quick release, and good accuracy. But Sanchez has hardly more than one year of experience starting.  And according to statistical analyses, the best indicator of future success for quarterbacks happens to be experience. If you add his injury problems to the list, he is a risky pick to take before the middle of round one.

Matthew Stafford, on the other hand, has hypnotized some with his impressive arm strength. But there is more to being a quarterback than the velocity of their throws.  If I remember correctly, JaMarcus Russell  was graded highly for the very same reason. And we all know how well that panned out  for the Raiders…. As a matter of fact, I see many similarities between Russell and Stafford.

To jog your memory, both guys  played for SEC teams with a great deal of talent around them. Furthermore, both players’ calling cards are their extraordinarily powerful arms.

Nevertheless, possibly Stafford’s greatest flaw is his inconsistency. If you look at some of his games, including his performance against Michigan State, he really struggled. Only at the very end did he warm up and get comfortable in the pocket. I understand he has been asked to make tough NFL type throws, but  a quarterback is judged by all of his throws, not simply the ones that result in scores.

However, I think both  guys will eventually contribute to the teams they play for. Yet, I find it a stretch to draft them with a top 5 pick in this year’s draft.  They are enigmatic because they show flashes of brilliance, just not frequently enough for my comfort level.  In other words, I don’t think they look like the “too good to pass on” picks of the 2009 NFL Draft. But the combine has a way of changing things…

Would you take Stafford or Sanchez in the top 5?

Part 2 coming soon!

(Part 5)

Defensive Tackles

A dominant defensive tackle is the foundation of any elite defense. To be great, defenses must possess a man who can control the line of scrimmage. They are not glamorous picks, but they free up their teammates to do their jobs successfully. Of the five top defenses (in yards allowed per game), four have an elite defensive tackle. Here’s how the future prospects measure up in comparison:

B.J. Raji (Boston College) offers the most scheme versatility. On film, he is an absolute animal against his competition. I pity  lineman who try to single or double team him. When he tries, there are no questions about his strength and ability to plug the middle. Mark my words, he should be gone in the first five picks.

After Raji, I absolutely  love Peria Jerry’s (Ole Miss) great intensity and lower body strength. On numerous occasions, I have seen him drive blockers backwards as if there was nobody there. It’s only for nagging injuries that he may find his stock drop on draft day.

Another immense talent is Missouri’s Evander Hood. It would be a  rare thing indeed to find a guy who plays with more intensity and drive than him. He gives his all on each and every down, which is why I think he will succeed in the pros as a pass rusher. He is a bit undersized, but  so is Darnell Dockett on the the Arizona Cardinals. Hood’s play reminds me of Dockett’s disruptive playing style.

Mid-round steals could be Terrance Taylor (Michigan) and Ron Brace (Boston College). Taylor is a former state champion wrestler with tree trunks for legs. He only lacks height, measuring in at just under 6 feet.

Brace looks the part at 6′ 3 and 320 lbs, but is rather sluggish and isn’t close to the athlete that his teammate Raji is. But any coach with patience and time to tutor these guys may get solid football players.

Special article coming up: Quarterback Controversy