Mock Draft Friday
Posted: March 25, 2005 @ 1:41 pm
The War Room’s latest mock draft has Dallas taking WR Troy Williamson at 11 and DE Marcus Spears at 20. The cbs.sportsline gurus all have Dallas taking DE/OLB Shawne Merriman at 11 but differ wildly on pick 20. CNNSi’s Don Banks gives Dallas Merriman at 11 and Williamson at 20. ESPN’s Scout’s Inc. folks second that duo (subscription only). Mel Kiper gifts Merriman to the ‘Pokes but says they will take WR Roddy White with their second choice.
Who, of these mediots, has the best feel for the draft? Who have you found to make the best draft book? Discuss.
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Merriman would be the logical choice at no 11 b/c he is the better athlete. However, you have to wonder how the potential Darren Howard transaction would affect the picks. Assuming Dallas gets Howard and keeps no 11 and 20(losing Rnd 2 pick), they probably would not go after Merriman but would rather have a top WR. then they could pick up a tackle or trade down. Thoughts?
and they had us getting Steven Jackson last year too. If Mel Kiper was as good as he thinks he is he would be making Scott Polian Big BUCKs working for an NFL Team instead of pushing media hype on over hyped Workout Kings and College Coach’s Student Pets………
Cowboys will get a DE or DT, WR, O Tackle, FS, CB and LB in this draft regardless of which round and what name they carry on the back of their jersey they need to joing the Boys and Contribute right away. Do not be surprised to see a Walk on QB or Two a few Offensive Lineman and maybe another RB or FB. Either way lets get em sign and train em up………lets go Cowboys LETS GO!!!!
Then Again Jerry and Bill may trade down with both picks and go after the entire second round………who knows………only May Flowers will answer the questions.
Our drafts have sucked for so long, including under Parcells watch, so I’m not so sure we should all be counting our eggs before they hatch. History tells us they will screw it up one way or another.
Josh Adams –
How many starters did Jimmy Johnson get out of his second draft (1990)?
The answer is one. He was a damn good one. Name of Emmitt Smith.
But all he got from his other picks was two role players –Jimmie Jones and Kenny Gant and two busts — Stan Smagala and Alexander Wright.
Parcells is getting grilled for last year’s draft but at least he’s got Julius Jones. And I’m not ready to throw the towel in on Stephen Peterman or Jacob Rogers. And whichever player he gets at 20 this year will have to be considered the last piece of last year’s haul.
After two drafts Jimmy had five quality starters: Troy Aikman, Daryl Johnston, Mark Stepnoski, Tony Tolbert and Emmitt. And after the 1990 season, the only guys who were certain were Emmitt and the Moose. Troy was still in his battle with Steve Walsh, Stepnoski was still struggling to make the conversion from college guard and Tolbert was still bulking up after playing OLB in college.
Parcells already has four solid starters: Terrence Newman, Al Johnson, Jason Witten and Julius Jones. And he’s still got the o-linemen Rogers, Peterman and Torrin Tucker in development. There’s also the chance Bradie James could come through. And of course, there is Drew Henson, who’s the key to it all.
My point is that if you’re going to characterize Parcells’ first two drafts as screw-ups, you had better be prepared to say the same about Jimmy’s. And something tells me you won’t do that.
I think if Julius Jones is the only player to come out of last years draft then I can’t say it would be a success. I agree we need to wait and see about Peterman and Rogers as well as the twentieth pick. I also do see value out of some of the lower round pick ups we had. I can’t name all of them but all those cornerbacks and receivers. Normally because these guys are lower round guys then it normally will take a little more time to see if these guys can be NFL players. Due to the lack of players at cornerback and receiver we threw a few few of them off the deep end. All in all for rookie low round draft picks I see future possible talent. To add a little controversy I think one of the reasons Bill continued to start Testeverde which I think there are three big ones but one of them is because I think he saw some young talent at WR. And I think Bill thinks using an older QB can teach the young WRand help him/them grow. Any thoughts????
What young receivers are you talking about? The two starters who are 33, and 31! Vinny doesn’t work much with the second stringers in practice. You’re completely off your rocker on this one. I think that the Tuna believes in building the attitude of a team to believe in themselves. He wants the team to be as close to the playoff as possible so the teams goal for the next year to make the playoffs seams attainable. I believe that he knew all year that he would find another veteran QB in the offseason to come in and start in 2005. So what’s the point in throwing in a rookie? Tampa Bay is taking their time grooming Chirs Simms. He will probalby be their starter in another two years or so. I think the Cowboys are doing the same with Henson.
Last year a bunch of us Cowboys fans whined and screamed about drafting a RB with the 21st pick. The question then, ‘why?’. There they sat with every RB still on the board and they DID THE RIGHT THING and traded down, and essentually get a solid back PLUS another first rounder (moving up 1 spot in terms of value) and added another choice. And again some of the faithful just don’t get it, why in the world would the Boys draft a WR with the 11th choice? I’ll tell you why not.
#1. The Cowboys have 3 ligitamate NFL receivers, and a TE they can set out wide if need be.
#2. THEY NEED A PASS RUSH!!!!!
#3. Before they can pass the ball, THEY MUST PROTECT THE QB!!
#4. Unless you are content with Lynn Scott starting at safety, then there is more of a need there as well.
#5. Any void at WR can be filled via free agency or possibly from within, with Copper, Crayton, or R. Williams possibly stepping up.
#6. In case I forgot to mention THE COWBOYS NEED A PASS RUSH!!
The two young recievers I am talking about are Terrence Copper and Patrick Crayton. If you remember, Terry Glenn was hurt for the last third of the season. As far as taking their time in grooming Henson I agree with that. As mentioned I had three reasons and them taking their time with Henson is one of the reasons. The other reason is the offensive line (mainly the right side) was pretty bad and not conducive to QB growth. And as I mentioned before the third reason is having a older QB playing would help in the growth of the two young recievers as well as our young pro bowl TE.
Eric,
Perfect……I could not have said it better. But R. Williams stepping up? I don’t know about that one.
I’m too on the trading down block, and there r suitors. Several teams are interested in Merriman and the 11th spot seems the best bet, so trade down from there, staying on the first round and add a 2nd rounder. With those 4 picks add starters at DE, LB, WR and S. There’s depth for the 2 rounds in each position, so draft the best player available.
Boon,
I agree that Copper and Crayton….although Copper showed me more…….might have potential. I also agree some of the young Defensive Backs were thrown to the lions……..and Reeves and the other kids might develop…….they made the roster…….and that is more than we can say for some of Switzer, Gailey and Campo picks………
Great points earlier about Aikman……..if JJ was sold on Troy why would he have gone after Walsh in the SUPPLEMENTAL…….come on out Lienhart…….we have gotten qbs in the supp before……..whatever happended to Walsh anyway………Staubach rode the Pine………Danny White backed up Staubach………remember at one time we had Morton and Staubach and went on to beat Morton with the Broncos…….QB is a tough position………..
Witten and Jones are both Parcells picks. They sure look plenty talented to me. Better than the overated Shockey…….or the overpaid Winslow……..sorry Romeo your next five years depend on a rookie TE that is coming back from injury……..I think Jones after an early injury proved his toughness…….i like him better than Jackson or the kid in Detroit………any rookie rb that plays as well as jones did in games deserves credit……….Notre Dame guy should have no off field issues either………I think Parcells gets good guys………he is also working in a new system……and has influence but not final say on our picks………..right…….I mean I saw he and Jerry sitting there in suits but you never know……….
Cowboys do need a Pass Rush, but I also think another quality Defensive back is a necessity…….I mean is it a bad thing to have at least three guys on a team that can cover a go route or a fade? a DE or DT that can get to the QB and stop the run would be nice………..an OLB that played like a mad dog or LT would be nice……….and another Lineman that did not have potential but could start would be nice………..but hey……..the boys were not as bad as there record last year.
Media hounded Roy for being quiet. Roy aint used to losing. Remember he played college football at Oklahoma. He lost more games with the Cowboys his first year in the league than he lost in all of College. Roy will be fine, lets just get him a DE and another guy on the squad that can cover………and Roy and the Boys will be allright………if we got corners and safeties that can cover……….WE CAN BLITZ………if we got a pass rush that can get to the QB we can play risky in the the secondary with a FS that can pick off the pass………….we need Sacks and Takeaways………lets get some playmakers.
James and Thornton both need to step up and show us something.
It may just be me but Last years college seniors lacked the quality that previous drafts have offered.(minus a few superstars) Parcells did pretty good with J Jones even though I’m not sold yet. (too many lost balls) This Year looks like it has about 25 good starters in it. I wouldn’t doubt Jerry trading down the first pick in the first round. There is one thing that I admire about Jerry Jones, The boy can make a deal. Well he wouldn’t be the cowboys owner if he couldn’t. I would sure love to see Jimmy Johnson in the war room with the Jones-Parcells team. What a Cristmas present that would be. Parcells Please get another Leon Lett; I miss blocked field Goals. Just let this one have Brains.
HEY this just in………
Jim Haslett was on Steriods………..and hell he is the coach
maybe Howards stock will drop and we can trade Wille Blade to the New Orlean Saints for Howard………..
I say Johnson will drop and if they make the Darren Howard then he is the guy. If no Darren Howard then the 3-4 will be the defense and then #11 is between Pollack or Merryman with the edge to Pollack; #20 is between Spears (if they do not make the DHoward trade), Williamson or Jamaal Brown; Look for the RB Shelton in the 2nd Round. Also look for Nebraska S Bulocks in there with a trade down of #20 to get him with an extra pick.
Like I really know (but don’t I sound smart?)
hey guys. I love the way you guys go back at it and stuff. im a little new in the league but i love them ‘boys and wouldn’t change teams for anything. i have a question. why would somebody want to trade down from 1st to 2nd round? i mean if there’s no talent then why would there be later on? like what are the advantages to doing that? And i am definitely all for a a young fast WR like Williamson and then a play making LB like Derrick Johnson. I would also love to see us snag a starter at safety and a backup to my boy Julius. I guess we’ll just have to wait a month to see what happens. Let’s go get that SUPER BOWL! we have mad talent on both sides of the ball and we just need to slow down and be patient and calm and wait for that big play. I defenitely see another ring in the next 3 years, honestly…what do you all say??
I also like Copper and Crayton, i hope they could step up, i mean copper is a speedster, then we could use other picks for like a fast playmakin safety and a young DE that could start automatically and make them sacks.
Ryan,
I think several of us believe that there is not much difference this year in talent between the first and second rounds. There is no Lienert or any big name must have draft pick. With that in mind it would be easier to drop down a little bit and pick up more picks with the amount of holes that we need to fill this year. If you do this you have to have someone that can really judge talent. Parcells showed some flair with doing this last year by not taking the number one rated running back on the board last year and trading for a number two draft pick and taking their number one this year. And then we took Julias Jones in the second round. Which so far is looking like a genius move.
With the tremendous amount of talent in the top two and top of the third rounds we should do pretty well. If we are able to trade down. I see our only hope for trading down is hoping that somebody really wants Merriman. But rember because there is more talent in those rounds this year It may be a little tougher to find someone wanting to move up and willing to give up a second round pick to do so. But I think most of us are hoping for this.
okay i get it now. thanks boon. so what are your feelings about howard? do ya think its a good move? i do but then i dont bc of his age. i mean we could probably get someone in the draft w/ his skills thats much younger. buth then that would be one less pick for another guy for us to draft. What about chris terry? he was released i guess and so do you think he would be a good free agent gain for us on the o-line?
He’s been injured a lot in the past 2 years. Also, he’s not a blockbuster RT, he’s good at best. But I do see a signing, If we don’t get him, look to the draft. Because I don’t believe the front office is willing to have the same line, or almost the same, as last year if Marco Rivera doesn’t recover.
Boon you’re right about that of being difficult to find someone willing to trade up to get a player with a Draft like this one, and that’s why I say that the 11th spot is a good one for teams lookig to trade up, because that’s the pick in wich you can be in line to pick players like Merriman, Williamson, Clayton, Spears and some others before someone else takes them off the board. But I don’t see a team overpaying as much as the Bills did last year to trade up.
I would certainly like to get Howard but only if what it cost us is not a first rounder. So far it looks like the Cowboys don’t want to give up any draft picks this year for him. I think the Cowboys are looking to give them a draft pick next year or maybe a trade out of positions on the draft space and some lower round draft picks this year. Either way it doesn’t sound like we will over pay. Howard really isn’t that old and what he can add to a team is ten to twelve sacks a year. He is a proven player. What it comes to is a chance that if we don’t get Howard that Parcells can find that same talent to fill the roll. I say it is fifty-fifty shot even with a good person who can judge talent. But if you find that player then you are getting high talent at a bargain price for probably about five years.
Hey guys, It apears that we are all Cowboy fans, then why the loss of memory.. Dallas has a horrible record in the red zone plus even getting in it at times… I am telling youi all that NUGENT from OSU is the 2nd round…. Who won the suber bowls the Patriots? Who is the Eagles best weapon? Not Mcnabb not Ownes…guess again…
11th… Troy Williamson- He’s is just to talented to pass up
20th .. RT You choose
The Darren Howard deal will go down and don’t forget about a safety in Jacksonville…
Chadd,
I bet you are the same guy who was screaming and yelling at the TV, when the Cowboys traded away the 21st pick last year. How did that work for ya! Who knows who is going to be there at 11, and 20 for that matter, but if you think the Boys are going to draft a WR and a K with 2 of the first 3 picks, you are sorely mistaken. Understand, Williamson would be the 3rd WR taken, and if Mike Williams or Braylon Edwards happens to fall to 11, then that makes that selection much more valuable, and trading down would be the better option. As for taking a K with their 2nd round pick, that’s just crazy. You have been listening to Mel Kiper too long. (Remember he is the guy who said Tony Mandrich was the best player in the 1989 draft class. Oh, only Troy Aikman, Barry Sanders, Deion Sanders, Derrick Thomas, etc. were part of that year’s draft class.) Kickers play, what? 5-10 plays per game? With our voids at safety, defensive end, linebacker, and right tackle, you want a kicker!!
I still say look for Markus Spears with the 11th selection. Then trade down from the 20th spot, possibly late 1st round or early 2nd. With that pick look for Justin Tuck, David Pollack, or Roth. Get help along the O-line with the early 2nd, with possibly Adam Terry. Then with the extra pick aquired in the trade out of the 20th spot look for raw talent at safety. With the 5 other draft choices look to add depth, and try to find our Jason Fergusons!!
Oh and one more thing about drafting a WR. Reports have it that the Boys are interested in Cory Bradford. If this is true, that would be Keyshawn, Glenn, Morgan, and Bradford. Not much room for a high first round draft choice …. also see my previous post.
I can see Marcus Spears at 11, thought I can also see him at 20. There is not a lot of consensus on his value, but then that’s true of everyone in the second dozen. What’s clear is that Dallas likes the guy, and I think he’s a great value pick.
I still see them taking a WR in the first three picks, Bradford or not. Sure, Parcells has won Super Bowls with guys like Lionel Manuel and Stephen Baker as his wideouts. But the rules changes make receivers even more valuable, and who would Dallas have in that quartet Eric named who would flat out scare a defense?
Let’s not forget that Bledsoe is holding Parcells’ reputation in his right hand. When he’s had good receivers, as he did in his early years in New England, and his first year in Buffalo when he had Eric Moulds and Peerless Price, he lit it up. Parcells is going to give him as many weapons as possible.
The one thing I cannot see is Dallas drafting a RT. Tackles have steep learning curves and no matter how good a prospective RT might be, he’ll still be behind the guys who are already here. A veteran pickup would make sense, but not a rookie.
Let me amend that last point. I can’t see them drafting a RT in the first two rounds.
Rafeal,
I normally agree with most everything you say except the RT point. How good is a weapon like a speedy WR if you can’t use it. If I’m Parcells I think my first important thing to do for Bledsoe is protect him. That right tackle position has given him problems for two years. Also the current article on the Dallas Cowboys web site is all but saying this very thing. The one true RT that has been said that could step in immediatly is Jammal Brown. He will be available with our second pick or maybe trade a for a pick little bit lower and catch him with a lower first rounder.
Jammal Brown might be there with our 2nd round choice, but probably not, when you look at most mock drafts. There is a good chance that Alex Barron is still on the board when the Cowboys are on the clock with the 11th pick, and Barron very well could be the Boys’ choice.
As far as value at 11, you would have to agree that Merriman, Pollack, Tuck, James, Cody, and Ware are pretty much bunched up, and are similar players. Therefore Spears has one intangable they all lack, size. He would give Parcells the flexability to switch up the 3-4 and 4-3 sets, especially if the Cowboys get one of these edge rushers later in the 1st round.
Look I would love to have Mike Williams, Braylon Edwards, Troy Williamson, or Mark Clayton playing for the Cowboys next year! Especially Williams!! Personally, I believe Williams is the biggest impact player in the entire draft. BUT, I would be more comfortable with a nice DE and an edge rushing DE/OLB, and our receiving corps with Cory Bradford, than I would be with Key, Glenn, Morgan, Williamson (all fighting for the “damn ball” and playing time) and still having little to no pass rush! Maybe its just me, but having a deep threat won’t stop Donavan McNabb from scrabling, and scrambling, and scrambling (has he stopped yet?).
eric
i saw before that you wrote we were interested in bradford. i was just curious where you saw that… and i agree with whoever is saying we need a fast DE and a great great RT to compliment all around for bledsoe…and who knows copper and crayton are still here, they could step up and be those fast play making guys…just give them a little time
Just out of curiosity… what if Dallas swapped first round picks with NO (11 for 16) and picked up Howard? NO giving up too much there?
Don S.
If Dallas gets that offer it would be hard to turn it down. The value of the 11th pick, from the draft pick value charts I’ve seen is 1250 points. The 16th pick is worth 1,000 points.
The difference — 250 points — is the equivalent of a high third round pick.
So Dallas would in effect be getting Howard for a third rounder. That’s value in my book.
Ryan,
I believe I read that at DallasCowboys.com, and I agree with you, give Copper and Crayton a little time. With Keyshawn, Terry, Quincy, and possibly Cory Bradford, Crayton and Copper would have the time to develope. I’d be very happy to enter the season with these 6 and Witten, espescially IF the Boys can find an answer at RT and give Bledsoe some time to throw the ball.
Look everybody, it really doesn’t matter where you pick a guy - it just matters that in the Cowboys case who ever we pick can contribute right away. The most important thing is ATTITUDE. A guy can have all the talent in the world but without the right ATTITUDE you still don’t have a quality contributor to the team. I like what Parcell’s is doing I have all the respect in the world for him. He is in a very difficult situation in dealing with people in the organization that think they know everything but in reality have no clue about potential football talent. Don’t believe the hype with Mel Kiper or any other analyst they are all very, very poor judges of talent because they only look at a couple of things when analyzing a potential player - they are all clueless. These guys are moving up to another level so that’s the mind set that an analyst should be in - can this guy perform at the next level. What they did in college means nothing. The only thing that matters in the end is the Win /Lose column. We need to protect the QB - who cares who it is as long as he is smart, productive and consistent, doesn’t turn the ball over and can make all the NFL throws. We also need a back-up running back preferably a bruiser. We also need a pass rusher, a safety, a speedy WR a RT and possibly another CB - I’m not sold on Terrance Newman, he’s not tough and his technique is terrible. I really dislike players that cannot produce every single down. If you can’t do your job on a consistent basis especially when your needed most then your not needed at all. Let’s GO COWBOYS - MISSION FIRST, PLAYERS ALWAYS. The Super Bowl is the ONLY thing that counts!!!!!!!
stewart,
i agree w/ u a little bit on not mattering who it is, just if thye got the right attitude. i dont agree w/ u sayin that newman isnt tough. the guy will only be entering his 3rd year and he has showed talent. geez you gotta not be so hard on these guys i mean they cant get like perfect with the snap of your fingers. aikman needed some time and i mean damn, look at how he turned out. newman, crayton, copper, all just need some time and role model type people next to them to help them along. veterans would be great for their growth, thats why i agree with your view on whoever there is to help, get them. im sure all our young guys, or at least the majority of them will turn out okay, just wait for it….
NEEDS………..DE, WR, FS, Left Tackle, possibly another CB, and then you got the other positions that need decent support………possibly a FB or RB that can give Jones a few breaths………we lose Eddie George and Possibly Richie Anderson……..we get Bickerstaff back and perhaps and improved Reshard Lee…….I like LEE if he can get out of Parcells Doghouse and learn to block……….
so i say draft the best damn player available…………but at some point……all you guys saying we are fine at WR are going to be asking……..how old is Key and Terry anyway………these guy got some miles on em………I am not doubthing there talent and their importance to our Offense next year…….but we need a talented wideout on this team……..
Parcells gets better in the later rounds……….Personally I would draft a Offensive Tackle in the 2nd or later rounds……….i would go DE, or a pass russhing……..LB……….WR……..and CB/FS…..a guy that could play nickel or FS…..a guy like Rolle……..Henry, Newman, Rolle, and Williams…….with Hunter as a nickel sounds like a Secondary to me……you got guys that can cover you can use a weapon we missed last year………..the BLITZ……….pass rush and pass coverage are intermingled………the better our guys can cover the more chances our front seven can take………no matter what the name on the back of their jersey says………I think there are some quality DE, LB, and CB in this draft…….and some really great WR, and RBs………but it looks thin on the Offensive LIne…………..I am not willing to give up on Tucker, Rogers, Peterman and whoever else Parcells digs up……….Rogers might switch sides……..he is a rookie…….but he blocked for a guy named Leinhart pretty well…..
I personally do not know enough about Howard to know what he is worth, but I would prefer Abraham………but Dallas has not done a good job at drafting DE………hopefully Bill can change that………if not Jerry get our your checkbook……….cuz……..another DE is needed………..wiley was not the answer
I disagree with the War Room and like what the other mocks are saying with Merriman at #11 and a WR at #20. You have to go for value and unless Edwards or Williams is there at #11, I can’t see them taking a WR at that spot. I think if Merriman is not available at #11 and the other top picks fall in line then my guess would be that the Boys would trade down a bit and grab a DE (assuming they haven’t signed Howard).
I also don’t see them selecting a RT with their 1st 3 picks. The first two picks will be a DE or LB and the other a WR. There is some great value at the safety position with their 2nd rounder.
hey guys. love the blog and your comments. i read on another site that the cowboys could be trading number 11 pick for a couple of number twos next year or a one and two. the thinking on the site was to position the cowboys with more picks to offer the team with the first pick next year, so the cowboys could draft Matt Lienart.
Does not sound logical to me.
i think the cowboys will take a de or olb with number 11, think they will trade number 20 if the player they want is not there. a safety in the second, and don’t be suprised if they draft a running back with the second choice from the trade. parcells doesn’t want a repeat of last year when jones got hurt. most people think the cowboys would have won at least three more games when jones was hurt if they had had an adequate replacement for jones.
According to Jerry there is not a QB in the draft or in college that has any more potential than Drew Henson.
Since most think there is more value in the 2nd round, I do not see many teams offering a two for our one.
I think the Cowboys will have to draft……….besides if Dallas is Desperate for Leinhart they can always offer the farm……….a first and and first the following year or something similar to what NY did to get Eli. Or Atlanta did to get Vick. You can get the QB you want if you are willing to pay for it.
I think Dallas will be drafting……..and my hopes are DE, WR and CB……..
Look Guy’s Leinhart is not a good QB, he is in a good system. He doesn’t have a good arm and I don’t think he would make a good NFL QB. I think he would be more of the Ryan Leaf type. Look - don’t give up on Drew Henson - I think he is in fact the Dallas QB of the future. Who has time or wants to go through another learning curve with a draftee that you have know idea whether or not he can cut it in the NFL anyway. Do you want to wait another three years and hope a guy is the guy you’ve been waiting for. Look at Drew Brees of the Chargers – he finally learned how to be an NFL QB after four years Did you guy’s forget how old Parcells is - he’s not going to coach forever, maybe another two years if this year goes well. He will probably move to GM after he’s done coaching. I saw Leinhart play in the championship last year and he didn’t impress me at all. The people around him made him look good. Please stop listening to these analyst and commentators and do your on research on these guy’s and it will probably change your mind about them. We need consistent play - not one hit wonders. SUPER BOWL win or nothing - that’s what this is all about
what game were you watching……..the guy was launching 40 yards bombs to the END ZONE…….
I ain’t in the we gotta get Leinhard club…..I think Henson has potential……..certainly got the physical skills………needs to learn the Offense and learn the blitz……..and we might have a qb……..he certainly has more Upside than Hutchinson or Carter…….he had Tom Brady on the bench as a Freshman at Michigan……but then Brady was not all that in college…….plus has Leinhart had the Glory Days in College? Back to Back championships……..how he performs without Norm Chow will be a good indicator of what he will do in the NFL.
I think Leinhart…….and Palmer for that matter are pro qb material. According to recent reports the Alex Smith blew away the workouts……..best since aikman………77 of 80 passes with 3 drops……not he missed the target…….so maybe the qb class is better than people think this year……..
Leinhart is playing on a team that is head and shoulders above the competition though. They were probably the best team in the state of California last year………they could have beat the 49ers and the Raiders. But starting in 2006 Mr. Leinhart is not going to playing for any team that is that much better.
I still like Henson………word is Gruden wants to trade Chris Simms……..maybe Bill will go get Phil’s kid………he certainly had fun tormenting the father…….a lot of talk ROMO can play qb…….the jump from College or in our case Baseball to the NFL is a huge jump. These guys are facing faster CBs than they ever saw maybe one or two of them in college…….now they are on every play…………it takes time………Aikman, Staubach, Danny White all did time before becoming stars. I think teams give up on young qbs too easily. Aikman took a few years to develop……..who knew how many years we lost of Aikman that first year when he was sacked every other play……..that was nothing short of Torture……..
Jon,
Don’t take out of context the point that I am attempting to make here and don’t get smart. I was watching the same game you were. What I am saying is that you’re ONLY as good as the talent you play against. If one team has a talent pool far superior to talent pool of the team they are playing against you are going to have a tough time measuring an individual’s ability. When I measure the indivual ability of a player it’s under pressure situations because that’s what their going to be under when they make the transition to the next level (NFL) - constant, constant duress @ every position on the field.
What I am saying is that when you’ve been in a system as long as he has with a team talent pool as superior to the other teams you play against as he has over the past couple of years - you would look good to. What is a 40 yard pass if your teammates are picking up all their blocks and you’re not getting any pressure as a QB? It’s not going to be that way in the NFL on any down. If you’re not getting any up front pressure from the defense then all your WR are covered down field. What next you have to read the defense. I have no time to train another guy because he looks good in a college system. Come - on get with the program. Henson is our man he has great potential he just needs training. Leinhart didn’t come out for a reason and he knows what that is he’s not ready for the NFL.
What College QB is?
Marino? Rothlesberger…….both came to competitive programs. David Woodly had taken the Dolphins to a Super Bowl for crying out loud.
Yes Leinhart is talented, and yes the Trojans are practically a pro team. He has the best recievers……..not to mention Reggie Bush. Imagine this a top 10 pick named Mike Williams was supposed to be on that team that went unbeaten and made Bob Stoopes Oklahoma look like a high school squad. That is a feat. OU is legitimate competition. I mean if you like Roy Williams or any of the other studs Stoopes is producing…….you gotta say WOW to that beating.
USC is head and shoulders above the rest of the NCAA. Norm Chow and his pro style system and agressive schemes are now in the Tennessee Titans so it will be interesting to see how Matt does without him.
I am sure he would have been drafted over Alex Smith or Aaron Rodgers though……..do you doubt that? SF would be talking Matt Leinhart all the way. You win back to back NCAA championships………you have done something. Figuring some of those same players are going to be NFL players. OU will likely but 7 guys in the NFL this year. Not bad, and USC made em look bad.
I am not in the give up on Henson camp. No where do I call for a QB this year. I hope Bledsoe has gas in his tank, and Henson can develop. He is getting an opportunity to play behind two guys that have done it for a long time in Vinny last year and Bledsoe this year. So maybe he picks it up, the guy was playing 3rd base for crying out loud.
However, Leinhart is a pro QB……..so is Carson Palmer. These guys are not the Aikili Smith and Joey Harringtons………or Ryan Leaf.
USC runs a pro style offense, and Pete Carrol was an NFL coach at NE and NYJ. If you liked Aikman out of UCLA, you got to say Palmer and Leinhart are every bit that mold of pass friendly California QB.
The Transition from College to Pros for the QB is tough. It can only be that much more difficult for a guy that decided to shag flies for Steinbrenner………hey imagine that Henson worked for the Jones and Steinbrenner. Not bad………here is to hoping he beats our Bledsoe at some point this season and pulls a Tom Brady and takes us to the Super Bowl……….hey he beat our TB at Michigan………who knows.