My last entry took a look at the quarterbacks selected in Round 1 of the 2011 NFL Draft. Now I'll focus on the signal callers picked in Round 2 and 3. Other quarterbacks were selected in later rounds, but the three from Day 2 were seen as potential first round picks, and should have an impact from the start in one way or another.
The Cincinnati Bengals held the third pick of Round 2, and were in desperate need of a quarterback. Desperate because Carson Palmer has come out and said 'trade me or I retire.' Threats like this fall on deaf ears to Mike Brown, the Bengals owner. Cincinnati went into the draft with Jordan Palmer and Dan Lefevour as their quarterbacks, who have a combined 15 pass attempts in the NFL. They stuck to their guns and picked A.J. Green in Round 1, and though they could have had Blaine Gabbert, the Bengals got the best offensive player in the draft. What Cincinnati didn't do was panic and trade up into the bottom of the first round. The player they were looking at was Andy Dalton, and he was there with the 35th overall pick. Dalton rated out good on the measureables, and very good with the intangibles. He is the leader the Bengals need, and a proven winner. The Bengals have had way too much drama than they have had success, and the additions of Green and Dalton will go a long way to reshaping the franchise.
San Francisco traded up in Round 2, and were able to pick the quarterback they had targeted in Colin Kaepernick from Nevada. Kaepernick has the athletic ability to be a spectacular quarterback in the NFL, and he also has plenty working against him. He worked in the Pistol offense at Nevada, taking snaps out of the shotgun and relying on his legs as well as his arm. It could be argued that Kaepernick is the second rounds' version of Cam Newton. Kaepernick entered the draft with perhaps the best arm other than Ryan Mallett, but he will need polishing as he enters the NFL. He will get a chance in San Francisco. Alex Smith is a free agent, and though the 49ers have shown an interest in re-signing the former #1 Overall selection from 2005, it looks like Smith will finish his career as a backup. Kaepernick is in a situation where he gets to work with a new coach in Jim Harbaugh, and the success of each is going to be tied together.
Ryan Mallett entered the draft with possibly the best NFL potential and the most red flags. He could throw the ball half way to tomorrow, but his bed side manner left a lot to be desired. Mallett was projected in some mock drafts as high as #12, but his fall through the ranks was quite a surprise. What was even more surprising was who did select him. The New England Patriots do not need a quarterback. Tom Brady is #1 or #2 in the game, depending on who you talk to. He does not go any further down the list. If the Patriots are in need of insurance, they already have Brian Hoyer on the roster. The drafting of Mallett could be a case of Matt Cassel revisited. Cassel got his chance when Brady went down with a knee injury in 2008. At the end of the season he was traded to Kansas City for a second round pick. Not a bad deal considering that Cassel was originally a seventh round pick. Could it be that New England, who have been hoarding draft picks like they are going out of style lately, have it in mind to hold on to Mallett with the intention of getting a higher pick for him. It would not surprise me. It would also not surprise me that a team in need of a quarterback would trade a first rounder for Mallett. Think about it. Bill Belichick keeps him out of trouble, plays him enough to show off his skills, and finds a trading partner. One thing is certain. Tom Brady isn't going to the bench any time soon. Which keeps Mallett on the bench. For now.
The seven quarterbacks selected in the first three rounds of the NFL Draft will go a long way to determining whether this draft is a boom or a bust. Just take a look at the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft. As bad as it turned out, it's better now that Aaron Rodgers has a Super Bowl win. The quarterback position is that important.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Defining the Draft Class Part 1
Every NFL Draft class seems to be defined by the performance of the quarterbacks taken at the top of the draft. The 2011 Draft should not be any different. There were seven quarterbacks selected in the first three rounds. Each of them will get a chance to shine, either right away or down the road. How they play will determine whether this years class was stellar or lackluster.
There were four quarterbacks taken in the first twelve picks. It could be said that each one was picked out of a combination of need, panic and desperation. Cam Newton went #1 Overall to Carolina. The Panthers have two quarterbacks on their roster that they picked just last year in Jimmy Clausen and Tony Pike. Matt Moore started the season as the starter, but ineffective play and injuries put him on the sideline. Clausen moved into the starting role and fared little better. Can Newton turn the tide in Carolina? If he has to play behind the same line as Moore and Clausen it will be difficult. But it could be said that Newton was taken first as the Panthers need a new face for the franchise. He will sell tickets and jerseys. He will make a 2-14 team the talk of the league. But he will need a better supporting cast and a transitional period to adapt to the NFL. One thing that not many have been talking about in regards to Newton. He is a winner. He won the JUCO National Title and NCAA Title the last two seasons. How will he handle losing? Will it be his fault or someone else's? If he starts to throw his teammates under the bus he will find a lonely locker room in Carolina.
Blaine Gabbert was seen by many as the best of the quarterback class going into the draft. But one had to wonder where he would land when Buffalo, Cincinnati, Arizona, and San Francisco all passed on the Missouri signal caller. I'm not sure what was more surprising: who passed on Gabbert, or who selected him. Jacksonville traded up to the #10 spot to take Gabbert. But with David Garrard under contract for a few more years, Gabbert will get a chance to sit and learn. Unless the Jaguars decide that they have seen enough average play out of Garrard and move Gabbert into the lineup. What I can envision is a similar scenario that Phillip Rivers faced in San Diego. When he was selected in 2004, Drew Brees was not putting up big numbers. But with the hot rookie commodity on the bench, Brees took his game and the Chargers to new heights. Rivers sat for two seasons. It did help his case that Brees suffered what was seen as a major shoulder injury and was a free agent. Rivers got the call in San Diego. Brees moved on to New Orleans. Now they are two of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. If Garrard picks his game up it may be a while before Gabbert sees the light of day. But after two seasons Jacksonville may have to decide: the proven veteran, or the untested youngster. When Gabbert gets his chance will ultimately be decided by Garrard.
The other two quarterbacks selected in Round One were Jake Locker, taken #8 by Tennessee, and Christian Ponder, selected #12 by Minnesota. There are reaches in the first round of any draft, but not many brought about gasps of disbelief as these two. Locker has the athletic ability. Ponder is well suited to adjust to the pro game. But Locker has issues with accuracy, and Ponder has injury concerns. If they had been selected in either the late first or early second round there wouldn't be much talk about the picks. But both are going to teams with serious quarterback issues. Tennessee is parting ways with Vince Young. Minnesota has seen the last of Brett Favre and Tavaris Jackson. Locker and Ponder will be starting from Day One. Their teams drafted them too high not too and, for the most part, they don't have a better option. But both quarterbacks have one thing in common. They are moving into a backfield that has a stellar running back. Chris Johnson in Tennessee. Adrian Peterson in Minnesota. Without having to carry the full burden of the offense, it will make it easier to succeed. But not much. Locker and Ponder are going to find out how brightly the spotlight shines on the quarterback position. it's like no other position in all of sports. It defines the sport and the teams. And it will define the 2011 NFL Draft Class.
There were four quarterbacks taken in the first twelve picks. It could be said that each one was picked out of a combination of need, panic and desperation. Cam Newton went #1 Overall to Carolina. The Panthers have two quarterbacks on their roster that they picked just last year in Jimmy Clausen and Tony Pike. Matt Moore started the season as the starter, but ineffective play and injuries put him on the sideline. Clausen moved into the starting role and fared little better. Can Newton turn the tide in Carolina? If he has to play behind the same line as Moore and Clausen it will be difficult. But it could be said that Newton was taken first as the Panthers need a new face for the franchise. He will sell tickets and jerseys. He will make a 2-14 team the talk of the league. But he will need a better supporting cast and a transitional period to adapt to the NFL. One thing that not many have been talking about in regards to Newton. He is a winner. He won the JUCO National Title and NCAA Title the last two seasons. How will he handle losing? Will it be his fault or someone else's? If he starts to throw his teammates under the bus he will find a lonely locker room in Carolina.
Blaine Gabbert was seen by many as the best of the quarterback class going into the draft. But one had to wonder where he would land when Buffalo, Cincinnati, Arizona, and San Francisco all passed on the Missouri signal caller. I'm not sure what was more surprising: who passed on Gabbert, or who selected him. Jacksonville traded up to the #10 spot to take Gabbert. But with David Garrard under contract for a few more years, Gabbert will get a chance to sit and learn. Unless the Jaguars decide that they have seen enough average play out of Garrard and move Gabbert into the lineup. What I can envision is a similar scenario that Phillip Rivers faced in San Diego. When he was selected in 2004, Drew Brees was not putting up big numbers. But with the hot rookie commodity on the bench, Brees took his game and the Chargers to new heights. Rivers sat for two seasons. It did help his case that Brees suffered what was seen as a major shoulder injury and was a free agent. Rivers got the call in San Diego. Brees moved on to New Orleans. Now they are two of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. If Garrard picks his game up it may be a while before Gabbert sees the light of day. But after two seasons Jacksonville may have to decide: the proven veteran, or the untested youngster. When Gabbert gets his chance will ultimately be decided by Garrard.
The other two quarterbacks selected in Round One were Jake Locker, taken #8 by Tennessee, and Christian Ponder, selected #12 by Minnesota. There are reaches in the first round of any draft, but not many brought about gasps of disbelief as these two. Locker has the athletic ability. Ponder is well suited to adjust to the pro game. But Locker has issues with accuracy, and Ponder has injury concerns. If they had been selected in either the late first or early second round there wouldn't be much talk about the picks. But both are going to teams with serious quarterback issues. Tennessee is parting ways with Vince Young. Minnesota has seen the last of Brett Favre and Tavaris Jackson. Locker and Ponder will be starting from Day One. Their teams drafted them too high not too and, for the most part, they don't have a better option. But both quarterbacks have one thing in common. They are moving into a backfield that has a stellar running back. Chris Johnson in Tennessee. Adrian Peterson in Minnesota. Without having to carry the full burden of the offense, it will make it easier to succeed. But not much. Locker and Ponder are going to find out how brightly the spotlight shines on the quarterback position. it's like no other position in all of sports. It defines the sport and the teams. And it will define the 2011 NFL Draft Class.
Monday, May 9, 2011
NFC West Draft Grades: Seattle Seahawks
In his first season as head coach, Pete Carroll led the Seattle Seahawks to the NFC West title. Some saw this as a hollow championship, as the Seahawks became the first team to make the playoffs with a losing record. But a win against the defending Super Bowl champions New Orleans Saints led to some vindication for their regular season record.
A strong draft in 2010 looks to be a nucleus for the Seahawks to build upon, but the 2011 Draft looks to be filled with players who may have been reaches at many positions.
The 25th Overall selection brought James Carpenter, an offensive tackle out of Alabama. Carpenter plays on the right side, and with last years #1 pick Russell Okung on the left, they should form bookends for the line for a long time. But Carpenter was a player the Seahawks could have gotten later in the draft, and the possibility of trading down could have brought additional picks.
Seattle did not have a second round pick, and in Round 3 selected John Moffitt, a guard from Wisconsin. Moffitt will add depth to the offensive line, and could start right away. Fourth round picks K.J. Wright and Kris Durham should be able to find a place on special teams right away, but Seattle could have gotten both players later in the draft.
A late round sleeper pick looks to be Mark Legree, a defensive back from Appalachian State selected in Round 5. Legree is a ball hawking safety, and should be a contributor on special teams for the Seahawks.
Draft Grade: C
A strong draft in 2010 looks to be a nucleus for the Seahawks to build upon, but the 2011 Draft looks to be filled with players who may have been reaches at many positions.
The 25th Overall selection brought James Carpenter, an offensive tackle out of Alabama. Carpenter plays on the right side, and with last years #1 pick Russell Okung on the left, they should form bookends for the line for a long time. But Carpenter was a player the Seahawks could have gotten later in the draft, and the possibility of trading down could have brought additional picks.
Seattle did not have a second round pick, and in Round 3 selected John Moffitt, a guard from Wisconsin. Moffitt will add depth to the offensive line, and could start right away. Fourth round picks K.J. Wright and Kris Durham should be able to find a place on special teams right away, but Seattle could have gotten both players later in the draft.
A late round sleeper pick looks to be Mark Legree, a defensive back from Appalachian State selected in Round 5. Legree is a ball hawking safety, and should be a contributor on special teams for the Seahawks.
Draft Grade: C
NFC West Draft Grades: St. Louis Rams
Years of disappointing play on the field came to a head at the end of the 2009 season when the St. Louis Rams finished with a 1-15 record. The worst record in the league brought the #1 Overall selection of 2010 Draft, and that pick was Sam Bradford. Bradford entered the season with question marks about his health and ability to transition from a spread offense to the pro game. Bradford answered all the doubts with a Rookie of the Year season, and led the Rams to a 7-9 season. A loss in the season finale kept the Rams out of the playoffs, and St. Louis looks to build upon that improvement in 2011.
The need to find weapons for Bradford was a pressing concern, but when Robert Quinn fell to the 14th Overall selection, it was not a pick the Rams would pass up. Quinn may have been a top 3 pick in 2010 if he had come out out early, but he stayed at North Carolina, only to miss the season due to NCAA violations. Concerns over a brain tumor that was diagnosed four years ago scared off some teams, but Quinn has gotten the go ahead to play, and now he gets to line up opposite Chris Long to for a dynamic pass rushing duo for St. Louis.
Rounds 2 and 3 brought Bradford the help he needs to propel the offense along. Tight end Lance Kendricks is a big target with sure hands, and a good enough blocker to help in the run game for Steven Jackson. Austin Pettis is a wide receiver with great size and speed to compliment Donnie Avery, who missed most of the 2010 season due to injuries.
A late round sleeper pick looks to be Greg Salas, a wide receiver from Hawaii selected in Round 4. He should line up in the slot, and has one of the best set of hands of any receiver entering the draft.
Draft Grade: B+
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The need to find weapons for Bradford was a pressing concern, but when Robert Quinn fell to the 14th Overall selection, it was not a pick the Rams would pass up. Quinn may have been a top 3 pick in 2010 if he had come out out early, but he stayed at North Carolina, only to miss the season due to NCAA violations. Concerns over a brain tumor that was diagnosed four years ago scared off some teams, but Quinn has gotten the go ahead to play, and now he gets to line up opposite Chris Long to for a dynamic pass rushing duo for St. Louis.
Rounds 2 and 3 brought Bradford the help he needs to propel the offense along. Tight end Lance Kendricks is a big target with sure hands, and a good enough blocker to help in the run game for Steven Jackson. Austin Pettis is a wide receiver with great size and speed to compliment Donnie Avery, who missed most of the 2010 season due to injuries.
A late round sleeper pick looks to be Greg Salas, a wide receiver from Hawaii selected in Round 4. He should line up in the slot, and has one of the best set of hands of any receiver entering the draft.
Draft Grade: B+
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NFC West Draft Grades: San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers entered the 2010 NFL Season as the favorite to win the NFC West, but a slow start led to a mid season coaching change, and the result was a 6-10 record. But in the worst division in the NFL, the 49ers missed out of a three way tie for the division title by just one game.
Going into the 2011 NFL Draft, the 49ers were looking to get help on both sides of the ball, with interest at pass rusher and quarterback. They got both. The first round brought Aldon Smith, the talented defensive end from Missouri. He is a better fit for outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense, but with some additional strength he could transition to a 4-3 end. But wherever he plays, Smith looks to get to the quarterback with great regularity.
The quarterback situation in San Francisco is as unsettled as any in the league. Alex Smith never did pan out, and though the 49ers may bring back the former #1 Overall selection, he has the makings to be a career backup. So in Round 2, the 49ers traded up to select Colin Kaepernick from Nevada. Kaepernick has all the talent to be a top NFL quarterback. Strong arm, quick release, and elusive runner. But coming from The Pistol system that Nevada used, it will take time for Kaepernick to transition to the pro game.
A late round sleeper pick looks to be Daniel Kilgore, an offensive lineman from Appalachian State. Kilgore was dominant on the FCS level, and should be able to make the transition to guard in the pros. The 2010 Draft brought the 49ers Mike Iupati and Anthony Davis, and with Kilgore the offensive line looks to be a strength for San Francisco in the years ahead.
Draft Grade: B
Going into the 2011 NFL Draft, the 49ers were looking to get help on both sides of the ball, with interest at pass rusher and quarterback. They got both. The first round brought Aldon Smith, the talented defensive end from Missouri. He is a better fit for outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense, but with some additional strength he could transition to a 4-3 end. But wherever he plays, Smith looks to get to the quarterback with great regularity.
The quarterback situation in San Francisco is as unsettled as any in the league. Alex Smith never did pan out, and though the 49ers may bring back the former #1 Overall selection, he has the makings to be a career backup. So in Round 2, the 49ers traded up to select Colin Kaepernick from Nevada. Kaepernick has all the talent to be a top NFL quarterback. Strong arm, quick release, and elusive runner. But coming from The Pistol system that Nevada used, it will take time for Kaepernick to transition to the pro game.
A late round sleeper pick looks to be Daniel Kilgore, an offensive lineman from Appalachian State. Kilgore was dominant on the FCS level, and should be able to make the transition to guard in the pros. The 2010 Draft brought the 49ers Mike Iupati and Anthony Davis, and with Kilgore the offensive line looks to be a strength for San Francisco in the years ahead.
Draft Grade: B
NFC West Draft Grades: Arizona Cardinals
The Kurt Warner era came to an end with a playoff loss against the Saints at the end of the 2009 season, and the uncertainty as to who would be the quarterback for 2010 led to a disappointing 5-11 record. Concerns as to who would be the leader on the field still linger, but the 5th Overall pick of the NFL Draft was one the Cardinals could not pass up.
Patrick Peterson was seen by many as the best player in the draft. A shutdown cornerback with exceptional size and speed, and one of the premier punt returners in the college game. Peterson has drawn comparisons to Rod Woodson, who was a dominant corner before moving to safety. Peterson could very easily follow the same career path, and if he turns out to be half as good as Woodson then the Cardinals would have picked one of the best players in the draft.
The offense got a boost in Round 2 with the selection of Ryan Williams, a running back from Virginia Tech. Williams is a strong back with a quick burst who can get through the line and make plays in the open field. But injuries limited his play in 2010, or he would have surely been a first round pick. But the position that did not get addressed was quarterback. The Cardinals go into 2011 with the same quarterback rotation that they finished last season with: Derek Anderson, Max Hall and John Skelton. Arizona seems content to proceed with these three signal callers, and it will be seen if not drafting Ryan Mallett in Round 3 will come back to haunt them in the long run.
A late round sleeper pick looks to be Sam Acho, a defensive end from Texas selected in Round 4. Acho reminds many of his former Longhorn teammate Brian Orakpo, and there was no prospect who could measure up to Acho off the field and in the classroom.
Draft Grade: B+
Patrick Peterson was seen by many as the best player in the draft. A shutdown cornerback with exceptional size and speed, and one of the premier punt returners in the college game. Peterson has drawn comparisons to Rod Woodson, who was a dominant corner before moving to safety. Peterson could very easily follow the same career path, and if he turns out to be half as good as Woodson then the Cardinals would have picked one of the best players in the draft.
The offense got a boost in Round 2 with the selection of Ryan Williams, a running back from Virginia Tech. Williams is a strong back with a quick burst who can get through the line and make plays in the open field. But injuries limited his play in 2010, or he would have surely been a first round pick. But the position that did not get addressed was quarterback. The Cardinals go into 2011 with the same quarterback rotation that they finished last season with: Derek Anderson, Max Hall and John Skelton. Arizona seems content to proceed with these three signal callers, and it will be seen if not drafting Ryan Mallett in Round 3 will come back to haunt them in the long run.
A late round sleeper pick looks to be Sam Acho, a defensive end from Texas selected in Round 4. Acho reminds many of his former Longhorn teammate Brian Orakpo, and there was no prospect who could measure up to Acho off the field and in the classroom.
Draft Grade: B+
Sunday, May 8, 2011
AFC West Draft Grades: San Diego Chargers
The San Diego Chargers found themselves in unfamiliar territory at the end of the 2010 season. Out of the playoffs. The Chargers had a statistical anomaly in the fact that they led the league in both offense and defense, but only finished 8-8.
The defense got help in the first two rounds of the 2011 Draft. Corey Liuget, a defensive tackle fro Illinois, was the pick in Round 1. Liuget is strong against the run and quick to penetrate into the backfield. He looks to be an anchor at the center of the defense for San Diego for years.
The second round got help for the secondary and linebacking corps with the selection of Marcus Gilchrist, a safety out of Clemson, and Jonas Mouton, an outside linebacker from Michigan. Both players can defend against the pass and run, and should be a help immediately for a special teams unit that was the cause of so much heartache in San Diego last season.
A late round sleeper pick looks to be Jordan Todman, a running back out of Connecticut selected in Round 6. Todman is a versatile runner/receiver, who fits in the mold of Darren Sproles, who has been a valuable asset to the Chargers offense.
Draft Grade: B
The defense got help in the first two rounds of the 2011 Draft. Corey Liuget, a defensive tackle fro Illinois, was the pick in Round 1. Liuget is strong against the run and quick to penetrate into the backfield. He looks to be an anchor at the center of the defense for San Diego for years.
The second round got help for the secondary and linebacking corps with the selection of Marcus Gilchrist, a safety out of Clemson, and Jonas Mouton, an outside linebacker from Michigan. Both players can defend against the pass and run, and should be a help immediately for a special teams unit that was the cause of so much heartache in San Diego last season.
A late round sleeper pick looks to be Jordan Todman, a running back out of Connecticut selected in Round 6. Todman is a versatile runner/receiver, who fits in the mold of Darren Sproles, who has been a valuable asset to the Chargers offense.
Draft Grade: B
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