Bradford/Clausen now split among Mock Drafts

When do we get the elite QB to get us to a SB contention level? If we get the OL this draft and our D performs in the top half of the league, we're a .500 team. It's extremely unlikey an elite QB hits FA. If we're at .500 we're picking in the 14-18 range, no elite QB prospects there for 2011. So do we continue to have average QB play and try to build a dominant D and run game (Ravens/Jets/2000 Ravens/2002 Bucs)? How do we get past .500 to SB contention level without an elite QB?An elite offense player at ANY position, quarterback or anywhere else, probably gets us past .500.

And again, if there's an elite quarterback in this draft, someone with the ideal height, arm, accuracy, mental makeup, and college production, my methods certainly aren't good enough to find him. Bradford, I think, is the one guy who even passes the smell test, but even then, I wouldn't spend a top pick on a guy who I haven't seen deliver the ball under duress in college.

We should at least try to draft an elite offensive player at No. 4. Saying that we need a franchise qb (whatever the heck that is) shrinks the possible talent pool by 80-90 percent. We need way to much help to limit the search to one position. And I'd use the same argument for the OT...except that Davis and Okung come ahead of any RB or WR or QB on most boards. I think there's a general consensus that the three highest rated players (as opposed to best prospects) are some combination of Davis, Okung, and Bradford.

What if Berry is there at 4? Which is very possible. Do you take him over OL or QB?

What if Berry is there at 4? Which is very possible. Do you take him over OL or QB?

Well if he is it just increases are chances of trading down. I don't want us taking secondary help in the first round again when our offense is such an area of concern.

Well if he is it just increases are chances of trading down. I don't want us taking secondary help in the first round again when our offense is such an area of concern.

I'll second that. I'd love to have him, but our offensive needs are much greater.

What if Berry is there at 4? Which is very possible. Do you take him over OL or QB?No. Agree w/53 & Wald, perfect trade down scenario for us.

We should at least try to draft an elite offensive player at No. 4. Saying that we need a franchise qb (whatever the heck that is) shrinks the possible talent pool by 80-90 percent. We need way to much help to limit the search to one position. And I'd use the same argument for the OT...except that Davis and Okung come ahead of any RB or WR or QB on most boards. I think there's a general consensus that the three highest rated players (as opposed to best prospects) are some combination of Davis, Okung, and Bradford.Not so fast my friend....certainly not a consensus, me and Mel have "broken from the draft pack" :)

Redskins Insider - Kiper's argument for the Redskins drafting Clausen (http://voices.washingtonpost.com/redskinsinsider/kipers-argument-for-the-redski.html)

From the article: "In the case of a player like Clausen or Bradford, I would take the quarterback first. I have Clausen and Bradford rated higher than Davis and Okung. So I would go the quarterback first, then try to get the offensive tackle in the second round and hope that a Bruce Campbell or a Bulaga or somebody like that fell down to me."

When do we get the elite QB to get us to a SB contention level? If we get the OL this draft and our D performs in the top half of the league, we're a .500 team. It's extremely unlikey an elite QB hits FA. If we're at .500 we're picking in the 14-18 range, no elite QB prospects there for 2011. So do we continue to have average QB play and try to build a dominant D and run game (Ravens/Jets/2000 Ravens/2002 Bucs)? How do we get past .500 to SB contention level without an elite QB?

You don't is the answer. Look at the super bowl winners since the skins last won in 1991. All but like 2 of the super bowls were won by a team with an elite QB. That timeframe is also the start of the free agency era of the NFL. In the era of free agency all the teams have holes and no position covers up more holes then a great QB. If Shanahaan thinks one of these QB's is franchise material then they need to draft him no matter what else is available.

I want us, to trade back to get more picks and go OL, OL, & OL you fill in the rest. In the NFL they hit awhole lot harder i like Bradford over Clausen (i'm a ND fan) but maybe that freak accident was a sign of things to come.

So I was talking to my neighbor, whose an Oklahoma alum, played football there a few years as a walk on, watches every OU game on TV, has raised his kids to love OU, and is also a Skins fan. I said to him "Do you think the Skins should get Bradford?" He said "Not behind that OLine...until the redskins show me that they want to protect the QB, then no, he'd get killed because he's a rookie. He does have better awareness of pressure and when to release the ball, unlike Campbell, but I would draft an OLineman and keep Campbell back there and let him and his shoulder take the hits than Bradfords."

I then asked him "Do you think Bradford could be a good QB in the NFL or is he a system guy, because Landry Jones stepped in and played well for you all this past year."

He said "Well yeah OU plays the spread offense, but Bradford would make some throws that spread or not, makes him look like an NFL QB. Yeah I definitely think he'll be a good NFL QB, but he needs an OL to protect him which he doesn't have here... And Landry Jones was good because he was a highly rated QB coming out of high school and sat a year on the bench to study the offense and watch Bradford, as well as the fact that OU's offense is for the most part QB friendly, but also great players around them." He also said he would have liked to see Bradford this year with a worse OL like what OU had this year, so he could see how he would respond more to pressure." He also said that he wouldn't want Clausen, we need OLineman.


That said, and the fact that I trust him, I'd say, get Okung or the next best starting LT.

Not so fast my friend....certainly not a consensus, me and Mel have "broken from the draft pack" :)

Redskins Insider - Kiper's argument for the Redskins drafting Clausen (http://voices.washingtonpost.com/redskinsinsider/kipers-argument-for-the-redski.html)

From the article: "In the case of a player like Clausen or Bradford, I would take the quarterback first. I have Clausen and Bradford rated higher than Davis and Okung. So I would go the quarterback first, then try to get the offensive tackle in the second round and hope that a Bruce Campbell or a Bulaga or somebody like that fell down to me."

I posted this earlier on David Garrard and personally it sounds way to close to home:
2009 Season Outlook
It's unfair to judge Garrard too harshly for his 2008 numbers. The interior of the Jacksonville offensive line, previously a strength, was pummeled by injury early in the season, leading Garrard to the ignominious crown of most knocked-down quarterback of the year. Despite the heat, Garrard managed a decent completion percentage (61.1) and finished 10th in the NFL in passing yards. The Jags have concerns at tackle for '09 but did use their first two picks on Eugene Monroe and Eben Britton, and they should rely heavily on those rookies. But unless Torry Holt finds the Fountain of Youth or another receiver steps up, Garrard won't be a fantasy starter. However, he's a heady decision-maker and could lead the league in rush yards by a quarterback. He's a bye-week quarterback with a high ceiling.

I'm personally glad I'm not Bruce Allen because this is a tough decision. Do you go with Campbell and hope to recapture the first half of 2008 magic that you had going and if you do can you win the Super Bowl? Or worst yet do you fix the O-Line and find that Jason is still just an above average QB leaving you stuck at 8-8 or 9-7 and out of range to draft the top rookie QB's? Theres so much to consider here it's not even funny.