Author: Rob Staton (Page 389 of 422)

The forthcoming college football season will obviously have a large say in where the 2012 class of quarterbacks are drafted. There could even be a couple of prospects who come from nowhere to contend at the top of round one (see: Cam Newton). Those who are expected to go early, may drop off the map completely (Jevan Snead anyone?). However, I’ve had a chance to take a look at the latest batch of quarterbacks that could be available next April and I want to put the grades down now as a marker for comparison during the season. It’ll give me a chance to ask – Did anyone improve their stock? Did anyone fall? Who did we leave off the list?

There are also a handful of quarterbacks I can’t judge yet, for several reasons. I’ve included a few notes on those players at the end.

The big three

Andrew Luck (QB, Stanford) – 1st overall
A shoe-in to go first overall next year, even at this early stage there’s no doubt who’s name will be called first in 2012. Talent (and hype) have guaranteed his place at the top of the class.

Matt Barkley (QB, USC) – Top five
The big question is whether or not he decides to stick it out for the full four years in order to help USC challenge for the PAC-12. I suspect he will, but he’s the one player capable of pushing Andrew Luck.

Landry Jones (QB, Oklahoma) – Round One
He has all the physical throwing tools, but mobility is an issue. Needs to stand out more in a prolific offense to max out potential as a possible early pick.

The best of the rest

Kirk Cousins (QB, Michigan State) – Rounds 2/3
Neat and tidy quarterback, solid not spectacular. Ticks a lot of boxes without flashing incredible physical talent.

Austin Davis (QB, Southern Miss) – Rounds 2/3
Athletic and accurate, he could end up going surprisingly early next year. A definite sleeper pick.

Stephen Garcia (QB, South Carolina) – Rounds 4/5
Off-field drama could jeopardise any chances of playing in 2011, let alone being drafted. However, there is something there in terms of a potential pro back-up.

Ryan Lindley (QB, San Diego State) – Rounds 5/6
Inconsistency is the main issue. The potential is obvious and he isn’t lacking physically, but he doesn’t pass the eye test as an early pick.

Later round picks and possible UDFA’s

Brandon Weeden (QB, Oklahoma State) – Rounds 6/7
Slightly generous given he’ll be a 29-year-old rookie, but someone may be willing to make him a 4-5 year back-up.

Nick Foles (QB, Arizona) – Rounds 6/7
Limited physical tools and plays in a favorable spread offense which paints a deceptively positive picture of his ability.

Robert Griffin (QB, Baylor) – UDFA
Great leader, great athlete – but it’s impossible to see how he fits as a pro-quarterback.

Kellen Moore (QB, Boise State) – UDFA
Size is a worry and so is arm strength. Has a great grasp of his offense but you just cannot imagine him in the NFL.

Case Keenum (QB, Houston) – UDFA
Starting a sixth year at Houston and he has great stats, but so did Graham Harrell.

Prospects I’m waiting to make a judgement on:

Ryan Tannehill (QB, Texas A&M)
After converting from receiver mid-way through last season, it’s hard not to be impressed by the numbers Tannehill recorded. He’s athletic and mobile in the pocket and has surprisingly good mechanics and physical tools. There are also a few things that he needs to work on. I’ve not seen enough tape to make a proper judgement, but even so I think it’s only fair to judge the player when he’s had a full off-season preparation as the bona fide starter.

Logan Thomas (QB, Virginia Tech)
It’s perhaps a stretch to consider that Thomas – after just one year starting – will end up declaring for the 2012 draft. However, he is a physical specimen at 6-6, 245lbs and he’s drawn loose comparisons athletically to Cam Newton. He will start on a team that maintains a solid base and should be competitive in the ACC. If he explodes during the season, he’ll be tempted by the NFL. One to watch with interest.

John Brantley (QB, Florida)
Last year’s sleeper as a potential high draft pick, Brantley was caught up in a mess of an offense last season in the post-Tebow system. With coaching changes having taken place, Brantley will be the main beneficiary. Charlie Weis is his new offensive coordinator and he specialises in making average quarterbacks productive in a simple offense that limits turnovers. Brantley’s stock could boom, even if it isn’t a fair reflection on his talent.

Tyler Wilson (QB, Arkansas)
He caught the eye when Arkansas almost ended Auburn’s unbeaten run. When Ryan Mallett left the game with a concussion, Wilson looked like a seasoned pro before a late collapse gifted the Tigers their victory. We still saw flashes of potential and working in Bobby Petrino’s offense, we know he’ll be well drilled. Arkansas still have some playmakers and Wilson may just surprise a few people.

Mel Kiper gives his verdict on Pryor’s pro-prospects:

Scouts INC have given Pryor a 5th round grade. Although he’s awarded an ‘exceptional’ mark for production and physical tools, his intelligence/decision making and accuracy are graded ‘below average’. On his accuracy in particular, they state:

“Flashes the ability to hit the strike zone but not nearly as accurate as the numbers suggest. Forces receivers to adjust too much, and footwork is biggest concern. Frequently throws flat-footed. Will open his stance too much, hindering his ability to follow through. Throws across his body and behind receivers too often. Floats too many of his vertical throws.”

On Pryor’s decision making:

“Flashes the ability to checkdown when his first option isn’t there but is mechanical and inconsistent going through progressions. Appears to assume checkdowns are open and throws into coverage at times. Tendency to press is biggest concern here. Throws the ball up for grabs far too often when getting pressured. Anticipation as a passer is below average and he is late on too many throws. Holds the ball too long, which gives defenses a chance to react.”

Pryor’s credited with being willing to “play through the pain” and is described as a “tough runner who is not afraid to initiate contact if it means picking up the first down or getting into the end zone.” However, this is qualified by the warning that, “NFL scouts are thoroughly investigating his maturity level and mental toughness.”

KC Joyner voices concerns about a lack of improvement against better teams during his time at Ohio State. He uses Cam Newton as a comparison and the way he performed against the likes of LSU, Alabama and South Carolina as he grew into a defining role as the Tigers quarterback. He had a passer rating of 195.0 in November, December and January as Auburn lifted the National Championship and Newton won the Heisman. When it mattered, Newton got the job done.

Pryor didn’t enjoy such success, particularly on the road with only 102.3 rating in 2010. His performance against Wisconsin – the one defeat OSU suffered last year – is highlighted by Joyner.

“Having an exceptionally poor stat line in what may have been the most important game on the Buckeyes’ 2010 schedule pretty much ended Pryor’s Heisman Trophy candidacy, and called into question his ability to step up during crunch time. When it is combined with the entirety of his mediocre big-game performances over the past two years, it shows why his best route to landing on an NFL roster may be via changing to the wide receiver position.”

Not exactly a glowing reference then from these three ESPN pundits.

ESPN reports that Notre Dame wide out Michael Floyd pleaded guilty on Wednesday to drink driving and has been given a suspended sentence. It’s not the first incident involving Floyd and he was suspended by coach Brian Kelly following the news he’d been arrested at 3:18am with a blood-alcohol level more than double the legal limit in Indiana. He hasn’t been reinstated with the team and although that will be a formality down the line, this could well be a final chance for Floyd to let his play do the talking.

My personal view is that although the physical talent is clearly there, he’s never used it to max out his potential. He runs sluggish routes, he body catches far too much and considering some of the competition he’s come up against, he’s rarely dominated. Then he’ll make a big play or have a huge game and you realise what all the fuss is about. I have him graded in the middle rounds due to the off-field incidents and inconsistency, but he can get back into early round contention very easily with a great 2011.

However, I keep coming back to this – Floyd didn’t declare this year for one reason… he didn’t hear a glowing report from the draft committee. He’s stated it was his intention to return and that’s fine, but if that was the case why did it take so long to decide? Faced with another year at Notre Dame to really propel his stock and knuckle down, instead he’s drink driving and getting arrested at 3am. When so much is on the line, is that how you are going to approach this great chance to impress the NFL?

On a different note altogether, one player I’m particularly high on and expect to explode as an every down pass rusher this year is West Virginia’s Bruce Irvin. Here’s more tape courtesy of JMPasq, enjoy:

First… the plug. Chris Sullivan (formerly of Seahawk Addicts) is fronting a new project called Thirty Acre Fortress. I seriously recommend you check it out and if you aren’t one of his many Twitter followers already, you can add him to your feed list by clicking here. It sounds like a pretty innovative idea – a true social media project. Let’s support Chris in helping to get the wheels rolling.

Now for the link. Dan Kadar at Mocking the Draft passes on information that Rutgers playmaker Mohamed Sanu is intending to declare for the 2012 draft. I’m a big fan of Sanu’s, he’s equally effective as a runner or receiver with great size and strength not to mention a penchant for open-field blocking. He suffered badly last year from a quarterback soap opera and I’m not exactly optimistic it’s a situation that will be resolved in 2011. He’ll end up being more physical potential than proven production, but for the right team I’d roll the dice.

Tape courtesy of NFL Draft Monsters

Let me be the first to shake your hand and welcome to our world. All it took was the ability to remember stuff and incorporate your brain in order to function it all together. With such a startling combination, we cannot be stopped.

Together we can live safe in the knowledge that Pete Carroll will be signing Carson Palmer, Matt Leinart, Reggie Bush and every other USC Trojan set to become available when the lockout ends some time between the 27th June and the apocalypse.

Clearly with the Seahawks bringing in Tom Cable, he’s going to want to re-sign his entire offensive line from Oakland. Step forward… Robert Gallery and Samson Satele.

Did you know that Darrell Bevell was once asked to coach Tavaris Jackson? Of course you did! You’re a Seahawks lockout reporter now! He will be the team’s point guard next season (or is it designated hitter?).

John Schneider was once part of another front office. That front office signed football players. It surely makes sense that John will want to re-sign all of those players again now that the Packers are champions of the universe, so we can officially guarantee every Green Bay free agent will be moving to the Pacific North West.

And with so many new players arriving in Seattle, they’ll have no trouble achieving the minimum spending limit in the new salary cap. Cigars out.

Let us go forth and tweet what we have learnt, for we are the Seahawks lockout reporters.

If Kirk Cousins went 12th overall, this may be his reaction

It has to be said that my interest has piqued the more I’ve looked into the possible 2012 quarterback class. There’s some intrigue and some potential depth among the tier two prospects, but more on that later.   

Many would argue the 2011 group lacked quality and regulars will know I’m not one of those people. I do believe there’s at least a possibility Cam Newton, Jake Locker, Blaine Gabbert and Colin Kaepernick will go on to have long and prosperous career. Andy Dalton will get the chance to start early (and throw to AJ Green) while Christian Ponder appears set to start in Minnesota after being a surprise choice with the 12th overall pick.   

Indeed, it’s that decision by the Vikings that’s giving me a headache trying to get a read on Kirk Cousins.   

For the most part Cousins’ has been solid, but not spectacular. In his junior season (and second as a starter) he threw 20 touchdowns compared to 10 picks, had 2825 passing yards with 67% completions. Ponder missed four games with injury in his junior year (also his second as a starter) and threw 14 touchdowns to go with seven interceptions. He had 2717 yards and 69% completions.   

Certainly, those numbers are comparable.   

Ponder entered his senior campaign with momentum despite his injuries, with some touting him as a possible early draft pick. Cousins received similar attention towards the end of the 2010 college season, although that has been tempered somewhat as the football world focuses its attention on a much desired conclusion to the lockout.   

The similarities don’t end there. Let’s look at the tape:   

Ponder was a thicker set quarterback, although on tape they look more comparable than the listed 30lbs difference suggests. You be the judge – Ponder, Cousins. Height is similar, with Cousins listed at 6-3 compared to Ponder’s 6-2. Neither has a great deep ball (Cousins still has a distinct edge, Ponder’s could be a gimme at the next level) yet both operate much better in short-to-intermediate levels.   

Cousins is a much better reader of a defense, he recognises threat and will progress to a secondary option. Look at the Michigan game at 1:04 where he’s in play action, looks off two outside reads before going back into the middle for his tight end. That’s not an easy pass to complete with three defenders lurking, but he fits it in there nonetheless. Too often last year Ponder telegraphed plays and risked turnovers. Too many times a badly judged wide receiver screen would be thrown teasing the defense with a pick-six (see: Boston College 2010). Cousins isn’t faultless as you see with his two picks against Wisconsin above, but I don’t get the jaw dropping frustration that would often accompany a Florida State turnover last year.   

Ponder was always capable of a big game (see two performances against UNC between 2009-10), yet equally capable of a meltdown (Oklahoma and the aforementioned Boston College). Likewise Cousins turned it on against Michigan and Northwestern, but struggled badly in defeats to Iowa and Alabama. Still, he won’t be the last quarterback to perform poorly against those two particular teams and neither was on home soil. Ponder had an edge athletically, but this isn’t likely to be utilised fully at the next level because Minnesota surely cannot risk further injuries to his throwing arm. Cousins isn’t immobile and certainly has the ability to avoid pressure and roll out of the pocket, but he’s neither someone who will open up a playbook because of his running ability.   

Many people talked up Ponder’s intelligence as a major positive, yet I personally felt field-IQ never truly matched his obvious academic smarts. Cousins should also score highly in this category with no highlighted character problems and a positive reputation at MSU.  

Don’t get me wrong, we’re not talking about a carbon copy. There are some comparisons as stated, but the question I continue to ask is whether the greatest match between the two will come via their draft position. I struggle to accurately grade Cousins – because of Ponder. I never believed, despite some very favorable coverage, that Ponder would go as early as he did. I was wrong, although it remains to be seen if the Minnesota Vikings’ judgement will be equally flawed. 

So what about Cousins? Can he go equally early to a team not necessarily looking for the athletic freak or the guy who dominates? He’ll play on a strong Spartans teams that should do well this year – Ohio State are in turmoil, Wisconsin and Iowa have both lost several key components including experienced quarterbacks, Michigan are in rebuild and the wheels fell off for new-boys Nebraska in the new year. 

In 12 months time we could be talking about an adequate mid-round talent who kept things ticking over without truly bursting out. On the other hand, there’s nothing a big dose of hype can’t solve. Just ask Mr. Ponder.   

If Cousins carries Michigan State into an unbeaten season while increasing his numbers, he could find himself near the top of the second tier of quarterbacks that follow Andrew Luck (Stanford) and Matt Barkley (USC). That’s a group that will include Landry Jones (Oklahoma), but could also potentially contain Ryan Lindley (San Diego State), Austin Davis (Southern Miss), Logan Thomas (Virginia Tech) and John Brantley (Florida). Although I don’t grade Nick Foles (Arizona) higher than a mid-late round grade, after seeing Andy Dalton goes as early as he did this year there’s every chance Foles could join the party.   

The level of intrigue I mentioned at the start of the piece comes with the unknown element. If both Luck and Barkley declare, you’ll have instant star quality and possibly the first two picks in next year’s draft. Last year Blaine Gabbert and Cam Newton appeared on the scene despite little or no fanfare during pre-season. It’s not beyond the realms of possibility we see 3-4 quarterbacks in round one again and it’s equally possible that most of the depth could be consigned to the middle rounds. Davis, Brantley and Cousins certainly don’t possess the kind of athletic qualities that made Gabbert, Locker and Newton hot commodities. Jones has the arm, but not the mobility.   

Could Cousins be next year’s answer to Christian Ponder? In a world where we constantly search for comparisons, it’s a possibility.