ESPN Say's Newton To Enter Draft

[SBXVII]

Quarterback class may not have an immediate starter | ProFootballTalk

Where is that one impact, immediate starter?” an AFC personnel exec recently told Tom Pelissero of 1500espn.com. “That’s what NFL teams are trying to figure out. There may not be right now a walk-in-the-door, first-day starting quarterback that’s in the draft.”

Pelissero explains that two of the top quarterbacks — Cam Newton and Blaine Gabbert — played in spread offenses at college, making it harder to determine whether they’ll quickly be able to pick up a pro-style offense right away. Ryan Mallett played in an offense more suited to the pro game, but he is being dogged by concerns regarding leadership and off-field concerns. Jake Locker, once presumed to be the darling of the 2011 class, has sputtered.

[skinsfaninok]

Originally Posted by SBXVII

Quarterback class may not have an immediate starter | ProFootballTalk

Draft Locker

[SBXVII]

Originally Posted by skinsfaninok

Draft Locker

I'm wondering if Carolina will pass up on the quality QB's? they are better then the guy they drafted last yr and he really wasn't too impressive when he started. Then you have Buffalo. I keep saying I think there might be more then 1 or possibly 2 teams who might take a QB.

The Redskins might be better served looking to round 2 and taking either Ponder or Dalton, especially since whoever we take most likely won't start next year anyway. Might as well get someone to develope into the system to replace Grossman.

[MTK]

Carolina's owner is a cheapskate, a #1 QB is going to cost a lot of $$ that he probably doesn't want to spend.

[Monkeydad]

Originally Posted by skinsfaninok

Draft Locker

No way.

He's not even 1st-round quality. I'm not denying he won't go in the 1st-round...but he shouldn't.

[freddyg12]

Originally Posted by Mattyk

Carolina's owner is a cheapskate, a #1 QB is going to cost a lot of $$ that he probably doesn't want to spend.

Isn't that to be determined though? The current cba will have expired & there may be a rookie wage scale a la the NBA.

[skinsfaninok]

Originally Posted by Buster

No way.

He's not even 1st-round quality. I'm not denying he won't go in the 1st-round...but he shouldn't.

They said the same about AROD and Freeman also.. Locker will be a star just wait

[Dirtbag59]

Originally Posted by freddyg12

Isn't that to be determined though? The current cba will have expired & there may be a rookie wage scale a la the NBA.

Thats what I thought. Then again it might not be as pretty as the NBA's rookie wage scale. Different positions might require different contracts. Still it shouldn't be nearly as bad as it was before with the JaMarcus Russell type contracts.

[Monkeydad]

Originally Posted by skinsfaninok

They said the same about AROD and Freeman also.. Locker will be a star just wait

You kidding? A-Rod was AL MVP early in his career.

[skinsfaninok]

Originally Posted by Buster

You kidding? A-Rod was AL MVP early in his career.

LOL OK the "NEW" A-Rod

[wilsowilso]

Originally Posted by skinsfaninok

Draft Locker

I will be very happy if we draft Locker.

He is a risk worth taking.

Really happy if we can trade back and get him.

[skinsfaninok]

Originally Posted by wilsowilso

I will be very happy if we draft Locker.

He is a risk worth taking.

Really happy if we can trade back and get him.

Kid has all the intangibles of a franchise QB, if it wasn't for his horrible cast around him he would be a top 5 pick. Heck he was a top 5 projected last year. Give him a year on the bench and we would be good to go

[skinsfaninok]

NFL.com Blogs » Blog Archive Kelly: Bills should pass on Newton «

[Dirtbag59]

Originally Posted by wilsowilso

I will be very happy if we draft Locker.

He is a risk worth taking.

Really happy if we can trade back and get him.

The two main factors in QB success at the pro level are grasping the mental aspects such as preparation/reading defenses and accuracy. Locker has the first part but that accuracy part just reminds me way to much of McNabb. Maybe it's just that his mechanics are off and he'll be more willing to work on them then McNabb was but it just seems like another guy that won't be able to hit receivers even when he has time.

It's getting to the point where Mallet and Ponder are the only two rookie QB's that I have any interest in seeing us draft. Maybe Gabbert but he seems to pedestrian (read: average). Some like Dalton but I think we already have a guy like Dalton on our roster with Beck. Sure Becks pushing 30, but I would much rather use the pick we would use on Dalton for someone that can play in the trenches and experiment with Beck if it came down to that.

Also I'd like to take this time to remind everyone that I was told time and time again that this was going to be an amazing QB class and that last years group was terrible. So much for projections.

Here's a quick rundown of how I currently view the top QB's in this class:

Gabbert - Spread QB that couldn't come close to the numbers put up by UDFA Chase Daniels. Seems to have all the physical tools and a good head on his shoulders so he seems like he could succeed in the right situation. Still lack of big numbers in a spread system is a concern for me.

+ Physical tools, Football IQ, Coachable
- Spread QB, Lack of huge numbers in Spread System, Junior QB


Newton - Was willing to overlook the Spread QB label until the "icon and entertainer" line. Seems his motivation for money (which isn't necessarily a bad thing) heavily outweighs his love of the game. He has all the physical tools but I don't trust him to prepare nearly as much as he should once he gets paid. Plus he doesn't have the ideal background when you're look for a QB in the draft, which again I was willing to overlook until his recent declaration. The main thing teams need to find out is if he's Big Ben or Vince Young.

+ Amazing Physical Tools, History of success despite numerous off field distractions, Said to be coachable
- Maturity, Spread QB, Might be more concerned with Payday and Celebrity status then he is with being a Franchise QB, Junior QB

Mallet - Criticism of him seems to be unclear, weather , his main problem is leadership or intelligence. Scouts seem to be all over the map on these two factors. I personally see a Matt Schuab clone where his only real weakness is a lack of mobility. Was able to improve his accuracy enough where he should seriously be considered. My main concern is he came out a year early which seems to work against QB's at the next level.

+ Size, Arm Strength, Experience in Pro System, Firery Personallity, Improved Accuracy
- Junior QB, Petrino QB, Wasn't accurate until this past year.

Locker

+ Mobility, Arm Strength, Pro System Experience with lots of play action and bootlegs, leadership, Smart, Senior QB
- Accuracy (never over 60% on the year), Injury concerns due to playing style, Recent Regression

Ponder

+Great Intangibles (graduated in something around 2.5 years. Also considered a great leader), Pro Style System, Very Accurate when healthy still 60%+ when not, Mobile, Senior QB
- Health Problems, Arm Strength only good enough, Lack of success at the collegiate level.

[Dirtbag59]

Drug rumors surrounding Ryan Mallett | National Football Post

Starting to see concerns with Mallet

Character and drug use issues are starting to rear their ugly head. Heavy rumors of drug use and possible addiction kept him from coming out for the 2010 draft. A lot of people are comparing Mallett to Ryan Leaf. I think Ryan was a better football player, with a cannon for an arm but the immaturity was just too much to overcome. A hair facial test might tell all 32 teams who this person really is."

"Literally the next play on a seven-yard hitch, he made a throw where three Georgia players touched it. An under guy, a linebacker coming under, and a corner from behind. It was one of the worst decisions in throws I've seen on back to back throws. That is the problem with this kid. Every time I get excited he does something from a decision making or an accuracy perspective that bothers me. The common denominator is when he goes bad it's because of pressure in the pocket. When he can't step up, when he can't see, when he doesn't have clear vision, I believe his production goes way down. Having said all of those things, I would be very concerned about taking him in the first round."