2012 QB Prospects (Part 2)

SmootSmack, if I were to say that I believe that the best fit for the Kyle Shanahan scheme (putting aside for a second my personal thoughts about its viability going forward) at quarterback from this class is Kirk Cousins, how would you react to that assessment?

Senior QB Rankings (Pre-Bowl):

1) Nick Foles - Top 10
2) Kellen Moore - 1st round
3) Kirk Cousins - 1st-2nd
4) Ryan Tannehill - 1st-2nd
5) Dominique Davis - 2nd-3rd
6) Jacory Harris - 3rd-4th
7) GJ Kinne - 3rd-4th
8) Dan Persa - 5th-6th
9) Ryan Lindley - 5th-6th
10) Chandler Harnish - 5th-6th
11) John Brantley - 7th-Undrafted
12) B.J. Coleman - 7th-Undrafted

Foles is really good, and I'm really not sure why more people don't expect more out of him. He's not in Andrew Luck's class, and by extension he's not Barkley or Griffin, but he's at least on par with Joe Flacco coming out of college. I think he's got more ability than Flacco did. Top 10 might be a stretch, I think underclassmen will push him down.

Kellen Moore is a sensational player who should get a stock boost from the recent success of guys like Andy Dalton and Colt McCoy. Unlike McCoy and Dalton, he's totally and utterly immobile, like Foles, but the thing that makes me think Moore will overcome his height while Kinne, Persa, and Russell Wilson won't be able to overcome theirs is that Kellen Moore makes it look easy. If there's a criticism of Foles, is that he makes passing look tough, even when he's well in control of the situation. Moore is the opposite: throw whatever you want at him. He'll beat it.

Cousins impressed me this season specifically because he learned how to attack defensive gameplans. Cousins can break down a defense over the course of a game, which I think is an underrated skill for an NFL quarterback. He's an extreme timing and rhythm "within the system" passer though, which makes sense for a Kyle Shanahan quarterback. Throws a better ball than Rex Grossman.

Tannehill is exactly what you want in a prospect physically, as was Blaine Gabbert before him. He uses the pre-snap read reasonably well, but I don't like how he uses the pocket and I don't like his ball placement ability for run after catch purposes (where Foles I think does the best job of that, along with Moore and Cousins). I don't have any concerns about his arm strength at the next level, where Moore and Cousins will be limited at times. Tannehill, like Cousins, can tuck and run to move the chains. I don't think he throws a better ball than Rex Grossman -- with the exception of the deep out -- but he does "see the throw" considerably better than Grossman, particularly outside the hashes. He seems to be a reasonable decision maker, but the throws he actually takes are typically wide open, and if they aren't, he doesn't use the progression well. He reminds me of Matthew Stafford in a lot of ways. And with Stafford, you just have to take away his top target and then let his lack of accuracy decide the game. I'd do the same thing if defending Tannehill.

Kellen Moore reminds me so much of Kurt Warner. I feel like I'm watching the same guy. Height will always be an issue with him, no different than the fact that windup/release will always be an issue with Tebow. Some teams will never be able to get over that.

Tannehill on ESPN and WatchESPN tonight

I watched bits a pieces of his for the 3rd time this season. Now, exactly why is he considered a good prospect? Zero impressed with this guy every time i watch, sure is athletic and mobile. He not close to Jones, RG3, Barkley, Luck, or even Foles or Weeden. IMO when looking to compare him, he is more in the class of Moore when you start talking about "hey should the skins get a second QB prospect in the 3-4 round", Tannehill fits there, which is great, but Id be very disappointed if we didnt get one of the top 4 and settled for more of a project type.

I don't know why the Skins would even consider drafting Tannehill or Cousins. The Skins should be able get a much better QB in the first round and we have too many other needs to fill in the draft to take two QB's unless we draft the second QB late.

I also don't how either of those players could be considered by any team in the first or second rounds. Neither of them is good enough to start in the NFL, IMO.

As for Kellen Moore going in the first round, I just don't see it happening because of his physical stature. When he measures at 5'11" and 180 lbs. at the Combine, he'll slip. Nevertheless, neither Tannehill nor Cousins is worthy to carry Moore's helmet for him. Moore has been a great college QB and I wouldn't bet against him as a pro. I'd guess that he'll go in the third round where he might turn out to be a steal for some team.

I'm still hoping that Barkley, Jones, and RGIII will all come out because I think that would ensure that the Skins get a good prospect.

Kellen Moore reminds me so much of Kurt Warner. I feel like I'm watching the same guy. Height will always be an issue with him, no different than the fact that windup/release will always be an issue with Tebow. Some teams will never be able to get over that.

This comparison is right on the money, well said man.

Now we'll have to see if the Kurt Warner of college ball plays the same in the NFL.

SmootSmack, if I were to say that I believe that the best fit for the Kyle Shanahan scheme (putting aside for a second my personal thoughts about its viability going forward) at quarterback from this class is Kirk Cousins, how would you react to that assessment?

Are you asking me if I agree? If I like Cousins? If I've heard of any interest in Cousins?

He hasn't been able to do anything as a Trojan.. 1 bowl game as a freshman and since he's been held back by Reggie Bush. He has no legacy as a Trojan and he's got the best left tackle in the nation who feels the same way.

They said they'd make their decision together and that he (Barkley) doesn't plan on crying during his "final" game like Leinart because they're in completely different situations.


USC's Matt Barkley and Matt Kalil are in this together - Los Angeles Times (http://articles.latimes.com/2011/nov/22/sports/la-sp-1123-matt-barkley-kalil-20111123) Well lets hope that doesn't happen.

RGIII is no lock to enter the draft either.

RGIII is no lock to enter the draft either. Hopefully he does along with Barkley and Jones. I would really hate to wait until 2013 to get our qb of the future.