Jimmy Clausen > Sam Bradford. This is what Bleeding Sports believes.
Everyone else? The consensus from NFL GMs, coaches, scouts, water boys to "experts" in the media to draft prognosticators is that Oklahoma QB Sam Bradford is the top quarterback and will be the first selection in tonight's NFL Draft. Inspired by the slogan of one of America's "most innovative" companies, Enron, we must ASK WHY? Sure, Bradford threw for 50 TDs passes in 2008 while playing in perceived competitive Big 12 conference. A conference where gimmick offenses and the lack of any semblance of defense (except at Texas) has turned college football into some bizarre hybrid between the Arena League and pee-wee football where coaches stand on the field and spoon-feed instructions to the offense prior to the snap. Are there any quarterbacks playing in the Big 12 who have lacked successful in recent years. Guys like Chase Daniel, Todd Reesing, Zac Robinson, and whoever Texas Tech decides to put under center on a given day have shredded Big 12 defenses and posted mind-boggling statistics. Yet none of these quarterbacks are or project to be a starting quarterback in the NFL.
If it's not on-field production that has everyone so convinced that Bradford is the man, then what is it? His size and strong arm, ala JaMarcus Russell? Let's hope not. On the other hand, Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen was the best quarterback in the nation in 2009 playing against tougher, more diverse competition overall while playing in a pro-style offense led by Charlie Weis. Clausen was successful despite being surrounded by a lack of talent most glaring was the pathetic offensive line that couldn't block anyone for three years. Clausen made big plays, consistently led the Irish from behind, and played nearly mistake free all year. His mechanics are flawless and his deep ball is insanely accurate. Compared to Bradford, draft analysts readily admit that Clausen is the more polished, NFL-ready of the two based on his experience in an offense that translates to NFL success and his ability to actually read a defense and call an audible at the line. These are vital tools that Bradford has no experience implementing from playing in the almighty Big 12. Is it weird that not one NFL starting quarterback today is a product of that conference? What are the odds that both Bradford and Texas' Colt McCoy end up having successful NFL careers?
Back to the issue at hand, is Bradford worthy of being the top quarterback let alone the top pick? A telling sign are the rumors that the Rams are looking to trade down in the draft. And they should. A compelling sales story for drafting Bradford over Clausen is mythical. The biggest knock on Clausen is his Hollywood ego and lack of leadership. Interesting criticism for someone who consistently rallied his team late in games, had his skill players stay with him in the summer so they could practice together, and has a three-time Super Bowl championship offensive coordinator who raves about his ability and character. Oh, and with Bradford, there is also that tinny, tiny issue concerning the fact that he barely sniffed the field last year due to a shoulder injury that required season ending surgery. He has looked healthy and thrown well during pre-draft workouts, but what is going to happen when somebody like Shaun Rogers drives him into the ground. It's tough to rely on a quarterback if he can't throw the football and game tape of Bradford post shoulder surgery doesn't exist to suggest he can sustain live action.
The Rams have the right idea by considering moving out of the top spot. Now they have to pull the trigger. Trade down with a team like Cleveland, collect some extra draft picks, and still get your franchise quarterback at the 7th spot. Regardless of how much everyone prefers Bradford, the difference between him and Clausen is minimal. The talk that Bradford will go first while Clausen could potentially be bypassed in the first round is insane. The value added by trading down and taking Clausen is much greater than sticking at the top spot and selecting Bradford. You're on the clock St. Louis. Time to put the onus on some other disillusioned franchise.
By GM Be Nasty
Special to Bleeding Sports
The Super Bowl has yet to be played, but beside the Cardinals and Steelers the rest of the NFL is already looking toward next year. With the college football season ending and underclassman having declared for the draft, wannabe GMs have begun to rant about the prospects they want for their franchise. Those silly mock drafts that every sports outlet loves to release are all ready available to rile fans with a false sense of excitement.
One of the most intriguing positions entering this year's draft is wide receiver. Texas Tech man beast Michael Crabtree has garnered most of the attention and with good reason. Crabtree has been a force on the college level and will almost certainly be a top 10 pick. The reality is that most teams drafting in the first round won't have a shot at Mr. Crabtree and after him is a deep pool of talented players. Some of the names that have been thrown out there as potential first round picks are Jeremy Macklin, Percy Harvin, Hakeem Nicks, and Darrius Heyward-Bey. Each of them are nice players, but there seems to one standout wide receiver being left out of the mix despite being arguably more physically gifted than anyone of others mentioned including Crabtree.
The most intriguing prospect at the wide receiver position in 2009 is Rutger's Kenny Britt. At 6 foot 4 and 220 pounds Britt possess excellent size and physicality at the position to go along with game breaking speed. He average nearly 20 yards a catch during his breakout sophomore season in 2007. Britt also comes from a pro-style, run oriented offense at Rutgers and was still able to put up fantastic numbers.
While Crabtree is a dominant player, he lacks top end speed while Macklin and Harvin possess great speed, but lack the size of a top flight NFL receiver. These players also benefited from playing in spread offenses in college and history shows that putting up big numbers in the spread does not translate to success at the next level. As for Nicks and Heyward-Bey both have had much less success at the college level, are smaller, and are not vertical threats like Kenny Britt. Britt has number one receiver written all over him while the same can't be said for any of the other prospects mentioned other than Crabtree. If your team is able to grab Britt at the end of the first round or early in the second, jump for joy because you will have a draft steal.
Come to think of it, there is an NFL franchise who plays in New Jersey and needs to replace their big, fast, physical number one receiver. Britt is also from New Jersey and stayed home to play his college ball. Wonder how he looks in Blue?
Last weekend the 2007 NFL Draft was held at Radio City Music Hall in New York. I did not attend. However, I did sit on my couch and watch the coverage on ESPN. I find the draft one of the most entertaining events in all of sports. So I decided to keep a blog of the first ten picks. And it went a little bit like this…
Welcome to Bleeding Sports live coverage of the 2007 NFL Draft. And here’s the commissioner Roger Goodell! This is a historic day since I am too young to remember watching an NFL draft without Paul Tagliabue. You got to give the new commish credit for his enthusiasm. The Raiders are now on the clock and already things don’t look good. Before the last commercial break ESPN cut to a shot of the Raiders table on the draft floor. Sitting there were a lost elderly man and two high school kids who couldn’t figure out how to put on a headset. Did Al Davis hold a raffle to see who got to sit at the Raiders’ draft table?
Another interesting development this year is we are graced by the presence of Keyshawn Johnson who just compared the best player in the draft, Calvin Johnson, as a cross between Randy Moss and himself. For the sake of all mankind let’s hope not. Can somebody please call Mike Ditka and get him over to Radio City, STAT!
The big question is will the Raiders trade the top pick or use it to select the most overrated draft prospect in recent memory, JaMarcus Russell. I don’t know about you, but I would have a hard time passing on a lazy, slow, overweight quarterback who ballooned to 300 pounds just in time for the combine. Oh and we just saw a highlight of Russell throwing the ball 64 yards on one knee!! Because THAT is a necessary skill in order to be successful in the NFL. Just ask Kyle Boller. Before the Sugar Bowl Russell was regarded as a second round pick at best and now he is about to be the first player chosen. Does playing well against the Notre Dame defense constitute that big of jump? Teams get way too excited over these individual workouts instead of focusing on the entire body of work. Throughout the entire season, Brady Quinn was the considered the top quarterback prospect because of his performance on the field and isn’t that what really matters?
And with the first pick the Raiders select…JaMarcus Russell. Ugh, Chris Berman just had to mention how he can throw the ball 64 yards from his knees. I may have to smash my laptop 20 minutes into the draft. This is going to be the shortest draft blog in history. The Raiders didn’t call Russell until after they make pick meaning they were desperately trying to trade down. Instead, they pulled the trigger on Russell and behind that offensive line he can attempt to break David Carr’s times sacked in a season record.
The Lions are now on the clock. I don’t care how many draft picks Matt Millen has blown on receivers, unless Tampa Bay agrees to swap picks and give him both of their second round choices you need to take Calvin Johnson. Actually, scratch that, you take Calvin Johnson no matter what. And the Lions select…Calvin Johnson. You just can’t pass on the best player in the draft.
Now the question becomes do the Browns take hometown boy Brady Quinn. If, I’m Phil Savage I take the Quinn because I don’t see the Charlie Frye/Derek Anderson era lasting much longer. And with the third pick the Browns select…Joe Thomas. Solid pick, you really can’t argue with taking an all-world left tackle to anchor the line. Now the question become where does Brady fall. My money is on Miami, but Chris Mortensen just brought up that Jon Gruden may take Quinn with the fourth pick. The Bucs already have thirteen quarterbacks. Naturally, Gruden’s favorite former player, Keyshawn, agrees with Mortensen’s theory.
I just saw on the ESPN bottom line that the Packers key addition this off-season was Frank Walker. Maybe Brett Favre should rethink returning next season.
After some speculation that the Gruden would take Quinn, the Bucs draft Gaines Adams. He a pass rushing defensive end who weighs 250 pounds, which makes him smaller than some running backs these days. A situational pass rusher taken with the fourth pick of the draft?
The Cardinals make the safe pick and take Levi Brown. They really had no choice, but to draft an offensive tackle. That team is an offensive line away from becoming a threat in the NFC. Though I think people have been saying that about the Cardinals for the past four years.
Is it weird that when the commissioner announces the picks he uses the word "Take" instead of "Select". It just doesn’t sound as proper, but I still like how he addresses the fans before some of the picks. The NFL needed a commissioner with more enthusiasm and passion, someone who is a true a fan. Looks like the No Fun League found the right guy.
As for the draft, we are five picks in with Brady Quinn and Adrian Peterson still sitting in the green room. That has to be a mild surprise.
The Redskins just drafted Redman for WU Tang Clan…oh wait…I mean LaRon Landry from LSU. You can always rely on the Skins to make a questionable personnel decision.
Steve Young just made a comment on how it will be interesting to see how Landry and Redskins’ safety Shaun Taylor will play together since they both prefer playing at the line of scrimmage. No kidding. That’s the reason Adam Archuleta is now in Chicago. Hellooo.
Minnesota TAKES Adrian Peterson. That’s a steal. A good pick for the Vikings except for the fact that they can’t throw the football on offense, can’t stop the pass on defense and it looks like Tarvaris Jackson is the starting quarterback. Peterson better be healthy because something tells me he and Chester Taylor are both going to be getting a lot of work. Just by playing in the same division as Minnesota, Green Bay, and Detroit the Rex Grossman era in Chicago will go on forever.
With Peterson off the board, we just need to wait for Miami to take Brady Quinn. These NFL execs just never learn. How do quarterbacks like Leinart and Quinn fall like this? Doesn’t a guy’s play in actual game situations trump anything else like throwing the ball 64 yards indoors on your knees? Apparently, amongst NFL decision makers the answer is No. Teams seem to forget about a player’s actually performance against competition and become consumed with individual workouts that do little to show how a guy will perform on Sundays. There is so much time from the end of the college football season to the actual draft that teams actually over-evaluate prospects. Personnel departments have so much time to evaluate that it’s inevitable they will find something wrong with a player. By the time the draft rolls around, teams end have talked themselves out of drafting certain guys and end up making bad decisions. They forget about a player’s actually performance against competition and become consumed with individual workouts that do little to show how a guy will perform on Sundays. Ridiculous.
I digress. Anyway, somebody needs to diversify Rachel Nichols wardrobe. I wonder if when she wakes up in the morning and walks over to her closet if she asks herself, “Should I wear the black suit or the black suit?”
Atlanta selects Jamaal Anderson. Only this one doesn’t play running back, he’s a defensive end from Arkansas. I wonder if he knows the dirty bird.
New commercials for Madden 08 make me happy. Coming August 14th. (Product not yet rated).
When did Michael Smith become an NFL “expert?” It seems like ESPN executives woke up one day and decided to make random sports writers ‘experts’ in a given sport. Now viewers are blessed to have Mike Wilbon NBA “expert” and Michael Smith NFL “expert” grace their television. Shouldn’t Smith have to make at least one relevant point or offer one bit of valuable insight before we deem him an “expert?” Where is my resume.
This has got to be demoralizing for Brady Quinn who has now been interviewed by Suzy Kolber twice while waiting in the green room. Not mention having to take shots from Tong Kornheiser of all people.
And now the moment of truth. With the ninth pick, The Dolphins TAKE…Ted Ginn Jr?!?!?!?! WHAT!!! Even Mel Kiper is outraged! Brady is starting to look worried! What are the dolphins thinking?? Did they give up on trying to replace Marino and come to the decision to play without a quarterback this season? Is 38-year old Trent Green, who isn’t even on the team at this moment, the answer? I can’t believe. The Dolphins pick was so bad the entire ESPN panel is up in arms. I think Mel Kiper just choke slammer Chris Berman through the table! Not only did the Dolphins pass up on a franchise quarterback they reached for an undersized wide receiver who can’t really play wide receiver and has a Lis Franc injury to his foot. And now, Brady Quinn’s slide down the draft board may take on Aaron Rogers’ size proportions.
Houston has the tenth pick. I would be kicking myself right if I were the Houston Texans. You think they would have traded for an unknown commodity in Matt Schaub knowing they could have had Quinn and a full complement of draft picks the next two years?On that note, let’s end the Draft coverage here. I don’t even care who the Texans pick. I’m still in shock. Stay strong Brady!
