Weekly Blogger Debate – NFL Draft Edition:
Thanks to John & Ronnie for joining Steve in this NFL Draft Debate! Now you can answer these top 5 NFL Draft Questions below…
1. What position in this year’s Senior Class really stands out?
Steve says Melvin Ingram & the defensive line stand out in this year's draft class.
Even though the three top prospects are not there, it is still the QBs. Foles and Weeden can move up quick like Ponder and Locker did in last year’s draft. I agree with Mel Kiper, they should allow already declared underclassmen to play in these games. Most of them have graduated or are actually seniors anyway.
This year, initially, was a QB year. With the Golden Boy Andrew Luck, RGIII, and Matt Barkley… It was going to be a shootout for a lot of teams (Dolphins, Redskins, Seahawks, Browns, Colts….) to claim one of those top spots. With Barkley’s decision to go back to USC, however, the QB situation is basically set, and RGIII is the only one that is really up for grabs. I think the focus has really turned to offensive linemen. With Kalil, Reiff, Sanders, and plenty more talent lying in wait, the NFL has finally realized their need for protection in a strongly pass-based football era.
I think it has to be defensive end, in addition to the three main guys (Coples, Ingram and Upshaw) you have Vinny Curry, Andre Branch, Bruce Irvin and Brandon Lindsay that can all get after the QB.
2. What do you think is the most necessary quality in a Quarterback; Accuracy, pocket presence, mobility, arm strength?
I waver on this one. Successful QBs have to be very good at least 3 of these. I think the main thing is just confidence, being able to be in control. They always say new NFL QBs get good when the game slows down from them. I see Mark Sanchez and he is like a robot back there, he doesn’t look confident at all or in control. He is although confident and in control of getting hot ladies.
I personally believe that any QB that has made it to the Division 1 as a starter has an arm that will at least somewhat give him success in the NFL. Look at Tim Tebow, he really has one thing going for him, his athleticism. I know there are Tebow haters out there that say he ‘isn’t NFL QB material’. And I will ask why? Because he is unconventional? When Earl Neale revolutionized the Shotgun pass scheme, he was hated on, too. It’s mobility that is the biggest trait in a successful quarterback. A GREAT quarterback can do everything: Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers… But one of the things they all have, is mobility.
I think Accuracy is the most important attribute. Arm strength looks nice, but honestly it is meaningless without accuracy.
3. How would you rank the top 5 QB’s in this year’s draft class?
Most everyone has Andrew Luck ranked as the #1 Quarterback in the 2012 NFL Draft.
1- Luck- Fiesta Bowl sold me
2- Griffin III- Is exactly what I meant in question 2. Confident and in control
3- Foles
4- Tannehill
5- Weeden- sold by Steve’s report
The top 5 QB’s in 2012 represent something like a steep decline. Andrew Luck is touted to be the best thing since Peyton, and RGIII is supposed to be an all-out running stud with the arm of a howitzer. And then… there’s everyone else.
- Andrew Luck
- RGIII
- Ryan Tannehill
- Brandon Weeden
- Nick Foles
- Andrew Luck
- Robert Griffin
- Ryan Tannehill
- Brandon Weeden
- Nick Foles
4. Overall what team in the last 10 years has been the most consistent in finding success through the draft?
Green Bay- Their whole roster other than Woodson is draft picks. They have success in drafting and success in holding on to them. Remember when the Skins took Thomas and Kelly, the Pack grabbed Jordy Nelson. Tale of two franchises at the time. Steelers/Ravens/Giants would be next.
The most successful team by far would have to be the New England Patriots. The Patriots will visit the big ship again, and next to nobody on the team is returning from their last winning. The ONLY statics are Tom Brady and Bill Belichick. They have managed to stay competitive year after year, and that is directly correlated to a successful draft.
I’d have to say either the Packers or Steelers. Both teams not only hit on their early round picks, but have a number of late round finds that contribute to their success on the field.
5. Who has been the biggest first round bust in the last 5 years?
Steve says Mark Sanchez is biggest recent bust. Do you agree?
Going with the whole 2008 Redskins draft. Still pisses me off every time I am driving and hear Cerrato on his radio show. So much of a disaster. Unless you were looking for 2nd round punt & kick defenders or members of the High Times All Pro team.
My pick would have to be the Oakland Raiders in 2007 with JeMarcus Russell. Russell was going to be huge in the NFL, kind of like Andrew Luck is touted today. JeMarcus was a complete dud right out of the gate. In just his second start as a Raider, they lost to the Broncos, their division rivals, 41-14. Since his 2009 season, not a single NFL team has called his number. Russell’s 2009 passer rating of 50.0 was the lowest rating by a starting quarterback in the NFL since 1998. His final stats during his tenure as a Raider were 52.1 % pass completion, 18–23 TD-INT ratio, a passer rating of 65.2, and 15 lost fumbles. Some people were just meant to flip burgers.
Unfortunately there are some really good options, but for me it has to be Mark Sanchez. His play has been nothing short of awful in three years, and that is with being surrounded by some of the best talent in the league. If Mark Sanchez was on 75% of the rest of the teams in the league he would go down as perhaps one of the worst first round QB’s of all time. The money issue also goes against Sanchez. He had one of the highest cap numbers in the league this past season, and the Jets have nothing to show for it.
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