Draft discussion thread

[dr.strangelove]

Anyone want to talk NFL draft.

Either Team specific or overall.

I'll start with some overall thoughts. I think Russell will go first, though I think Quinn will have a better career. Russell is too good a package to pass by. He has the strongest arm to come out of college in a few years and has a linebackers strength and speed. He will be a strng QB in the Culpepper model, but I don;t think that s enough in the NFL. He was not tested by fast defenses often enough, since he was only a started for 1+ seasons. I have seen a lot of Quinn, and like what I see. I should sya that I am not one of those Irish lovers who worship every Irish QB either. I hate ND as much as the next guy.

My team - The Giants.
We need help on the O-line, at LB, WR and at Corner. This draft sucks at O-line, so I suspect the Giants will ignore the line unless something strange happens and someone falls to them at 20. The draft is deep in corners and WRs, so I think they will take the chance on a fast WR in the third round and a CB in round 2, again unless someone surprising drops. I see them taking a LB in round 1, a CB in round 2 and a WR in round 3.

[democracyindanger]

1. Bears

Quarterback. Ain't gonna get one.

[mduffy31]

2. I just have to say this

Now you may take this with a grain of salt because of my allegience to Notre Dame, but I do not understand all of the hype around Jamarcus Russell. Talking about his performance in the Sugar Bowl, yes was impressive but it was against the pathetic ND secondary. I just think that Raiders fans don't be suprised if it takes a few years before he becomes the QB that he will be. He is talented but I wouldn't just fall in love with one performance.

[dr.strangelove]

3. Its far more than just that one game

Jamarcus Russell has the strongest arm for what the nfl considers accurate passers. At the Pro Day, he lit up the deep balls, throwing accurately over 50 yards. He hit two targets 80 yards down the field. Thats 80 yards in the air. There are maybe three or four QBs in the past 30 years in the NFL who can chuck it that far, with any accuracy at all. Also, Jimbo fisher's offense was hardly just chuck it. It was a complex offense that relied less on the option and more on timing routes and precision, like the NFL offense. Last year he would have been a late pick because he was known to get rushed and make mistakes. In his first year starting he through 24 tds and 14 INTs. Last season it was 28 tds and only eight interceptions. Its hard to claim that he had only one big game. He has not started a ton of games, which will hurt him in the NFL. But if he can learn to speed up his game to the NFL level, his arm and accuracy are the tools that NFL coaches build on. He is far stronger than Quinn and was more accurate on his ProDay than Quinn was on his ProDay. Plus, big game performance counts. Overall, I still say Quinn will have a better career, because its a big risk with Russell. But if Russell makes it, he has the chance to be the best QB in the NFL, while Quinn, I see being a good QB that will lead a team to be competitive, but he will never be better than Manning, Brady or even Palmer. But hey, its all speculation. I don't know anything more than the next guy. Its sure fun to talk abotu though.

[Auggie]

4. I'll take a nimble, smart QB over a strong-armed big guy any day.

[dr.strangelove]

5. Unless Russel is both

He scored well on his "wonder-whatever" tests, rocked his interviews and is said to be very adept at breaking down defenses on film, which is why he picked apart ND in that bowl game.

I would rather a smart QB than a dumb big ox, but I don't think anyone is suggesting thats what Russel is. He is both smart and big. Nor is anyone suggesting that Quinn is anything but smart, strong and big too. He is just not as strong, nor as big as russell. As for who is smarter, I leave that to people who have interviewed both, but from interviews, both appear impressive. I actually ran into Quinn this morning in front of FoxNews' building. I get into NYC early fr work, and at 6:30 he was tossing a football with a girl who looked like she was in her early 20s. I recognized him and said hello and wished him luck on Saturday. I'm not a short guy, but he had me beat by several inches in height, and he is a pretty solid guy with a 230 playing weight. He is hardly a shrimp. He is not extremely mobile, but he has above average NFL arm strength. He needs to improve his accuracy against the zone, but that will come when he plays in the NFL. Russell has less experience, but after a season, I think its all equal. I say Russel goes first, and takes a season to learn. Quinn goes third and starts right away.

[Mojambo]

6. Quinn is dropping like CRAZY

Does Dallas take him at 22?

Maybe KC or Carolina.

[dr.strangelove]

8. I'm surprised

Its a great deal for the Browns. A great tackle and a starting QB. Next years draft is expected to be weak, which is why five teams already traded away their next year's No. 1.
Anyway, I think Quinn will be a solid QB, not flashy, but solid for years.

[Mojambo]

7. What a 1st round for Cleveland

They get a franchise left tackle and franchise QB.

Nice.

I wonder what they gave up to move into Dallas's spot?

[Auggie]

9. I just hope they can do something with it

Since the expansion year Cleveland's offensive schemes have just looked flat, flat and flat (I could say that going to back to Marc Trestman and the old Browns, actually). Do they have a Quarterback guru/O.C. along the likes of Norv Turner who can coach Quinn?