Is There a Window Open, Because I Feel a Draft

Just as I get done talking about consistency, this is probably as good time as any to address what Holmgren has continued to say about the draft’s quarterback class.  Holmgren is used to taking a quartback most every season.  Drafting quarterbacks allow you to develop guys that can fill in at anytime without losing a whole lot of continuity from the offense (Matt Flynn, Kevin Kolb), or trade them for much more than you drafted them for.  I think it would be the biggest surprise of the first round if the Browns decide to take a quarterback at 6, even though Cam Newton is coming in for a work out. 

Cameron Newton

Whether you believe Newton or not about his NCAA scandals or whatever, no one can tell me that he wasn’t the best single player in college football last season.  He ran over or past anyone he played (did you see him turn on the after burners and just toast Patrick Peterson? Do you want to? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOi2hj_sjyY) and also threw the ball deep as well as anyone in college football.  I am aware that he is a one-year, flash in the pan (ala Akili Smith), but he also won the Heisman and the national championship.  It’s possible that this was simply the culmination of a season a long time in the making. His accuracy issues worry me a little bit as well, but some guys just make football plays when the pads are on, and I think this may be the case with Newton.   I think he goes either 1 to Carolina, 4 to the Bengals, or 10 to the Redskins.

Blaine Gabbert

Gabbert has the prototypical size and arm strength that scouts love to talk about.  He can “make all the throws”, but people question the system he came out of in Missiouri which put him almost as far back as a punter in the shotgun, but I am beginning to poo poo all of these so called experts’ hesitations.  Any NFL system is going to be more complicated than the college one they ran, that’s just the nature of the sport, so as long as you can throw a ball through a wall and see over the line I think you have a chance.  Most of the noise I have heard about his interviews is that he has impressed many with his football smarts and demeanor on and off the field.  Probably goes 1 or 4, but doesn’t get past Arizona at 5. 

Christian Ponder

The former Florida State quarterback gave scouts a lot to… ponder (LOL I KNOW!) after his Senior Bowl performance and the combine.  His size isn’t elite but his accuracy and leadership qualities are.  I think he may be a little fragile as he was hurt at one point in every season he played.  Some scouts feel like he could be traded up for in the first round and is definitely a second round quarterback to most.  

Ryan Mallet

See Derek Anderson on drugs. Seriously.

He called my friend an "ass-clown" on Twitter, so that's cool

Jake Locker

Matt Leinart can sleep safe knowing that another quarterback passed up the opportunity to be the first pick in the draft the previous year only to drop way down in the draft the next year.  Locker may find that he lost close to (drum roll please) 40 MILLION dollars with that decision, but I think it may be best for his football career.   I think Locker is definitely going to need some work before being a starter in the NFL and when you get drafted #1 these days, people want to see you play.  Maybe slipping out of the first completely is the best thing for Locker who has to work immensely on his pocket presence, footwork, and overall mechanics that cause accuracy issues. No one can deny his athletics though, as he was drafted by the Angles in last years MLB draft.  It’s difficult to say exactly where Locker may go, but if it’s in the first I could see 15 to the Dolphins, 16 to the Jags, or Seattle at 25.  

Ricky Stanzi

This may be the quarterback that I like most in the entire draft.  He is tall and rangy with room to fill out.  His arm strength is as good as anyone’s in the draft and at the very least he can make all of the throws with above average zip and accuracy.  I hate to make such ridiculous comparisons, but he really reminds me of a young Tom Brady.  Really.  His height, tight mechanics, and propensity to lead his team on great drives at the end of games or whenever a score was needed all really impressed me while at Iowa.  Coincidently enough, the Patriots are bringing Stanzi in for a work out as well. I think he could be picked anywhere from round 2-3.  Some team will be very impressed with what they are getting in the young Hawkeye.

Andy Dalton

TCU’s ginger quarterback is tough as nails.  Good size and adequate arm strength makes him perfect for a West Coast offense as well as a run first pro-style.  He also ran quite a bit in college, but mostly to keep the defenses honest.  A four year college quarterback, Dalton has won big games and none bigger than the Rose Bowl against Wisconsin.  Something about him really interests me, and it’s more than just the fact that he wears one hell of a number.  I really think someone is going to fall in love with the leadership, toughness, and accuracy of Dalton and take him in the 2^nd round.  

#14 is soo legit

Colin Kaepernick

I watched him beat Boise and I was impressed with the way that he willed them to win.  There wasn’t much pressure, but I have to say that he won the biggest game in Nevada football history (eh… that sounded better in my head, whatever) on a prime time stage.  He also impressed many scouts in Indy at the combine with his arm strength, athleticism and size.  He ran a lot at Nevada, but with such a strong arm many feel like he is just going to take a little while to mold into a capable quarterback and not just a thrower.  He is definitely a project but is quietly making a push towards the end of round 1 and definitely a 2^nd round pick.