NFL GM......The 2014 QB-class is not as good as some thinkAccording to one exec, Bortles, Bridgewater, Carr and Manziel remind him of Ponder, Locker and Gabbert Jason Cole NFPJanuary 21, 2014, 06:14 PM EST..
The 2014 draft may not be as heavy on quarterbacks at the top of the draft as many people have been projecting. According to three general managers who have a serious interest in what happens with the quarterbacks, passers such as Blake Bortles, Teddy Bridgewater, Derek Carr and Johnny Manziel may not end up going as quickly as many draftniks have suggested. And the most damning analysis came Tuesday morning when one of them said: “This group is reminding me a lot of the first round in 2011, except there’s no Cam Newton.” The 2011 NFL draft featured four quarterbacks being selected in the first round. Newton went No. 1 overall before Jake Locker went No. 8, Blaine Gabbert at 10 and Christian Ponder at 12. All three of those players have flopped after only three years in the league. Their teams (Minnesota, Tennessee and Jacksonville) are all looking to draft quarterbacks again this year. In hindsight, all of the general managers questioned about this draft say that the group in 2011 is proof of the pratfalls of reaching for a player. “A couple of things happened with that class that I think will make some teams hesitant this year,” one of them said. “First, the desperation to get somebody forced those guys up the board a lot higher. Second, the desperation also forced those team to play those guys before they were ready and before they had talent around them to make it easier. “You look back at it and say, ‘Be more patient.’” Will that happen in a league where finding a quarterback is paramount to success? The an-swer is probably not. Starting with Houston at No. 1 overall, Jacksonville at No. 3 and Cleveland at No. 5, there are plenty of teams in need. Yet, there is some belief that the difference between the quarterbacks perceived to go at the top of the first round and the ones who are likely to be in the second or third round is so small that waiting is wise. Players such as A.J. McCarron, Aaron Murray, Zach Mettenberger, David Fales and James Garoppolo are expected to be in that group later in the draft. “The difference between all those guys is about this much,” one of the GMs said, holding his forefinger and thumb about a half-inch apart. “If that’s how you see it, why not wait?” Furthermore, Bortles, Bridgewater, Carr and Manziel each have their issues. There are con-cerns about Bortles’ accuracy, Bridgewater’s lack of size and quiet personality, Carr’s pocket pres-ence and Manziel’s personality. Or as one GM put it: “I’m telling you right now, don’t be surprised if those guys start to fall. It’s just like last year at this time when we all thought Geno Smith was going No. 1 overall and then he dropped. I think there’s a real chance to see that.” Follow me on Twitter @JasonPhilCole http://www.twitter.com/jasonphilcole http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/NFL-GM-2014-QB-class-not-as-good-as-some-think.html
Every team needs a great QB. That is why they are drafted early but I agree 100% that these kids are being thrown into the fire with crappy teams and fizzing out. Starting them too early definitely will stunt their growth and decrease their chances of succeeding. I hope one of the top 3 fall to us at no.7. Let Glennon start and at least we would have something to be excited about in the future. Year two you have an open competition. The problem nowadays is the coaches aren't getting enough time to have patience.
Could you imagine if all the quarterbacks begin to drop like Geno did....and the Bucs had their choice of Bridgewater, Bortles, Manziel or some non-qb. Who would you choose? I'd choose Teddy.
Ive been saying this for awhile. I've never been enamored with this class of QBs. IF (big if) we are going to take a QB, I would rather take Murray or Mettenberger late (due to injuries) and stash them on IR for 2014.
Let me guess, this would be the Vikings GM who is sitting there at 8 praying one of these guys falls to them.
Murray I'd agree on - Mettenberger, hell to the no. Saw a lot of him at LSU - he's not a starter in this league.
Murray I'd agree on - Mettenberger, hell to the no. Saw a lot of him at LSU - he's not a starter in this league.
I will admit, I didnt see "a lot" of Mettenberger, but the decent bit I saw showed me he has the physical skills to play in the league. Before end of last year I wouldnt have wanted anything to do with Murray and his big game choking...but he seems to have overcome that. What specifically about Zach do you not like?
I think everyone realizes this except a small group of Reachers ,who believe you should take a QB every year , no matter how mediocre the prospect , until you hit on one because QB is the only thing that matters.
Murray I'd agree on - Mettenberger, hell to the no. Saw a lot of him at LSU - he's not a starter in this league.
I will admit, I didnt see "a lot" of Mettenberger, but the decent bit I saw showed me he has the physical skills to play in the league. Before end of last year I wouldnt have wanted anything to do with Murray and his big game choking...but he seems to have overcome that. What specifically about Zach do you not like?
Mettenberger looked a lot better once Cam Cameron got ahold of him. I have a hard time blaming any QB for not looking good in that caveman era "system" Les Miles ran down there at LSU. I mean Bama doesn't run a playstation 4 type offense but Les was running something more Atari 2600. This year he was 65%, better than 2:1 TD/INT and over 10 ypa. Honestly if we go all ACL in rounds 6 and 7 and draft Mettenberger and Colvin I think that would be great value.
I don't think Bridgewater is as good as he was built up to be all year long, and Johnny while electric, is certainly a high risk pick. Even my favorite, Bortles, is not a sure fire stud like Luck. Doesn't mean these three aren't good QB prospects. Certainly better than Ponder, Locker, and Gabbert. I don't know who to compare Bridgewater to, but Manziel and Bortles have the potential to be similar to Steve Young and Ben Roethlisberger. Most people realized Ponder, Locker, and Gabbert were overhyped back ups all along. As for the rest of the bunch. People try to build up McCarron, Mettenberger, Murray, Tajh, Carr, and now Garoppolo....but I think all those guys are on the level of Ponder, Locker, and Gabbert at best. Not buying the hype on the second tier QBs this year. A lot of 4th/5th round quarterbacks will likely be taken in the 2nd/3rd....hope it's not by us.
I don't think Bridgewater is as good as he was built up to be all year long, and Johnny while electric, is certainly a high risk pick. Even my favorite, Bortles, is not a sure fire stud like Luck. Doesn't mean these three aren't good QB prospects. Certainly better than Ponder, Locker, and Gabbert. As for the rest of the bunch. People try to build up McCarron, Mettenberger, Murray, Tajh, Carr, and now Garoppolo....but I think all those guys are on the level of Ponder, Locker, and Gabbert. Not buying the hype on the second tier QBs this year. A lot of 4th/5th round quarterbacks will likely be taken in the 2nd/3rd....hope it's not by us.
Agree, I wouldnt mind Murray or Mettenberger with a 5th or 6th and stash on IR since they wont play in 2014 anyway.
I don't think Bridgewater is as good as he was built up to be all year long, and Johnny while electric, is certainly a high risk pick. Even my favorite, Bortles, is not a sure fire stud like Luck. Doesn't mean these three aren't good QB prospects. Certainly better than Ponder, Locker, and Gabbert. I don't know who to compare Bridgewater to, but Manziel and Bortles have the potential to be similar to Steve Young and Ben Roethlisberger. Most people realized Ponder, Locker, and Gabbert were overhyped back ups all along. As for the rest of the bunch. People try to build up McCarron, Mettenberger, Murray, Tajh, Carr, and now Garoppolo....but I think all those guys are on the level of Ponder, Locker, and Gabbert at best. Not buying the hype on the second tier QBs this year. A lot of 4th/5th round quarterbacks will likely be taken in the 2nd/3rd....hope it's not by us.
Luck poisoned the well. He was a once a decade type player, highest grade since John Elway which tells you how long it has been since a guy graded that high came out. Is Teddy a worse prospect than Stafford? Not as big an arm but a better head so bit of a wash there. Bortles is really worse than Roth? Carr is worse than Rivers? I mean people have an awful short term memory for how Roth was slow, played bad competition and Rivers was mechanically unsound.
I don't think Bridgewater is as good as he was built up to be all year long.
I think Bridgewater is the only one who really is worth the hype.I love Manziel but I simply wouldn't pick him as high as he is now being projected. I loved him as a middle to late 1st rounder. Too risky in the top 10.Same with Bortles . Good prospect , but being projected way too high.Derek Carr is just a joke in my eyes.
I wouldn't be suprprised if we trade back and then use a 2nd rounder on one of the Tier 2 guys
The thought of reaching for Carr makes me start to like JFF... Maybe McCarron IS top 20.
