Dorsey: There is no definite first round QB

[RunKC]

No clear quarterback choice for Chiefs in the draft
By ADAM TEICHER
Kansas City Star
Published Saturday, Feb. 16, 2013, at 3:36 p.m.
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Pros and cons
Matt Barkley, 6-2, 230, USC: Superb leadership skills, the first one at practice or meetings and the last one to leave. But his arm strength is suspect. May be a system fit.

Mike Glennon, 6-7, 220, North Carolina State: Strong arm. He’s easily able to make all the necessary throws. But a lack of mobility could be a problem against a strong pass rush.

Ryan Nassib, 6-2, 225, Syracuse: Good mobility and throws well on the run. But he’s a late-bloomer who might need more seasoning before he’s ready for the NFL.

Geno Smith, 6-3, 210, West Virginia: Has best ability of all the top prospects. Was durable in college, but he’s not an imposing specimen. So how will he hold up in the NFL?

Tyler Wilson, 6-2, 220, Arkansas: Will stand in and take a hit but still make an accurate throw. But he’s short for an ideal NFL quarterback and has small hands, which could lead to fumbling problems.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Chiefs spent the last several days setting their draft board in preparation for this week’s NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. The process merely confirmed for new general manager John Dorsey that when it comes to quarterbacks, their homework is only starting.

Opinions on the top available quarterbacks in this year’s draft are that varied.

“There is no quarterback where personnel guys can definitely say, ‘He’s a first-round pick,’ ” Dorsey said. “There were so many inconsistencies in the collective group. There was not one guy that stood up and said, ‘I’m the guy in the position this year.’ There really wasn’t one clear-cut guy.

“There are too many technical flaws, scheme flaws. There are so many different variables that there are a lot of people all over the place on naming the top four or five guys and who those guys would be.”

The Chiefs aren’t the only team having trouble sorting through the top quarterback prospects. From the natural ability of West Virginia’s Geno Smith to the smooth leadership skills of USC’s Matt Barkley to the willingness to take a hit in the face of a strong pass rush of Arkansas’ Tyler Wilson, there are plenty of things to like.

There are reasons to pause just the same. Smith faltered late last fall against better competition. Barkley and Wilson had disappointing, injury-marred senior seasons.

This is a particular problem for teams like the Chiefs, who have a gaping need at quarterback. Dorsey didn’t say so specifically, but he didn’t sound like the Chiefs were planning to take a quarterback with the first pick in this year’s draft.

More likely, the Chiefs will select a quarterback later in the draft — if they take one at all.

Dorsey said both he and coach Andy Reid would be in attendance at the workouts of most, if not all, of the top available quarterbacks.

“I think Andy is a really good evaluator of quarterbacks,” Dorsey said. “I want him and I to go to as many quarterback workouts as possible and actually set our own up.”

The quarterback rankings for last year’s draft were determined almost a year in advance. Stanford’s Andrew Luck was a consensus choice to be the top player selected as soon as the 2011 draft was finished. Baylor’s Robert Griffin III came on as a senior to win the Heisman Trophy and make the race interesting, but in the end, Luck was selected first by Indianapolis. Griffin was taken with the next pick by Washington.

“Last year was an easy evaluation,” draft analyst Mel Kiper said. “Automatically, you put Andrew Luck and RG III up there.”

This year, quarterback ratings are scattered. Some teams like Smith, but others have different favorites, like Barkley, Wilson, North Carolina State’s Mike Glennon or Syracuse’s Ryan Nassib.

“The year didn’t go the way Barkley and the USC Trojans hoped,” Kiper said. “He began the year number one on my big board. You saw what happened with USC. They lost four games with Barkley at quarterback and lost a couple more when he was hurt. They didn’t have a signature win all year. They dropped down the rankings from number one and he dropped down the rankings from number one.

“Geno Smith started out great. It looked like after Barkley struggled you could lock Geno Smith in. Then he has a disappointing second half of the season, so there are issues in terms of what type of starting quarterback he can be. Glennon was hot for a while even though he had a subpar supporting cast, and he didn’t play great (in the bowl game) against Vanderbilt and didn’t have a wow-you-over Senior Bowl week.

“Things didn’t fall into place at Arkansas, and that affected Tyler Wilson. The wheels came off for all the quarterbacks at some point (last) year. Things just didn’t fall right to allow them to maximize their ability. That’s why the teams are right now in the predicament they are, trying to figure this whole quarterback thing out and not overdraft or push a guy up when he’s not deserving.”

Kiper doesn’t have a quarterback rated among his top 25 players. In fact, in his latest mock draft, Kiper doesn’t have a single quarterback being selected in the first round.

“It’s just a tough evaluation, trying to figure out which quarterbacks in this draft, if any, will be great starting quarterbacks,” he said.

Dorsey said he expects at least two quarterbacks to be drafted in the first round because so many teams have a need. It’s a matter, though, of which ones.

Things could solidify in the next couple of months. The draft doesn’t begin until April 25. Meanwhile, the combine begins this week, followed by pro days on college campuses and then individual workouts.

To Dorsey, at least, personal interviews might be the most important part of the postseason draft process. He said a quarterback can improve his draft standing with a series of strong interviews.

“The most impressive interview I’ve ever had in the last 25 years of doing this? Russell Wilson,” said Dorsey, referring to the quarterback drafted by Seattle last year in the third round. “Wasn’t even close. You could feel that guy as a person, how strong he was, how intellectually deep he was, how mentally tough he was, that he had the charisma to lead other players. I always try to look at kids like I’m in the locker room and I’m a teammate. It was easy to see this guy leading a team.

“A quarterback wants to come across in the interview process as confident, as having a vast understanding and knowledge of defenses, as being capable of leading a group of men. That’s what you’ve got to convey to the teams. On film, his physical traits and skills will come out. But you have to over the next few weeks impress on teams the character of his soul, his ability to lead a franchise.”

Read more here: http://www.kansas.com/2013/02/16/267...#storylink=cpy

[HonestChieffan]

Originally Posted by O.city

After reading this again, I'm not sure what to think. Teicher makes it sound like tehy won't take one, which they may not. But by Dorsey's quotes, it seems like they are really just beginning to evaluate.

Evaluate. Look. Study. Not the emotional fanboy bullshit. Makes me like the management team. No need to take the tallest midget and say its a basketball team.

[Unsmooth-Moment]

Originally Posted by KC Tattoo

I will pack my Chiefs shit and send it to all to Clark Hunt if we don't draft QB #1. Would be cool if SOC put something together that dumps a truck load of Chiefs fans merchandise to return at Arrowhead Stadium for disaproval.

I'm not going stop being a fan but I will be disgruntled fan even more.

I still do not understand shit like this. What if Dorsey and Reid do not think Geno is the guy they want to tie themselves to for the next 5 years? What if it really is just a shitty draft to be needing a QB? I want to actually draft a QB too, but if there isn't a guy they want to be tied to, can you blame them for wanting to pass on him/them?

[RunKC]

Originally Posted by O.city

Again, you have to take out anything Cassel did as a Chief, thats hindsight.


Trent Green was so great, it's not like he had a HOF TE, 2 or 3 HOF Ol in front of him and an all pro RB and running game. Yeah, he was great.


Keep talking yourself into a retread. Enjoy.

Because people are insinuating that trading for Foles is no different than the Cassel deal.

And WTF does that matter who Trent Green had? People rip him for not winning playoff games, but forget the fact that our defense was never any good and our All-Pro RB coughed up the ****ing ball leading to our demise.

Andy Reid isn't a moron with QB's, so comparing to past morons who don't know shit about QB's, like Marty and Pioli, makes you look like a ****ing dumbass.

[O.city]

I just think they aren't sure yet what they're going to do. If at this point they already determined they weren't taking one, I doubt they'd be as interested as watching each workout etc.

[Hammock Parties]

Originally Posted by Unsmooth-Moment

I still do not understand shit like this. What if Dorsey and Reid do not think Geno is the guy they want to tie themselves to for the next 5 years? What if it really is just a shitty draft to be needing a QB? I want to actually draft a QB too, but if there isn't a guy they want to be tied to, can you blame them for wanting to pass on him/them?

No one is "tied" to any QB with the new CBA.

[|Zach|]

Originally Posted by GoWalrus

One question, Z:

Will you care, at all, if the Chiefs don't take a QB this April?

You see I am an adult. You don't understand a lot of things adults understand.

What happens with this team happens no matter how much posting and emoting and photoshops you make. I don't spend money on the Chiefs when they are not moving in the right direction. That is my lever.

I could bitch and bitch and bitch like you in my basement but it doesn't mean shit. I understand the reality of the world and hope that whatever the Chiefs do works.

I am well aware of the highs and lows. I have been to two Chiefs playoff wins and every single home playoff loss from the 90s on. Been there while they were getting waxed by horrible teams...gone on the road in Denver and Oakland to see this team. I am fully committed but also understand my role in the whole deal.

[|Zach|]

Originally Posted by HonestChieffan

Evaluate. Look. Study. Not the emotional fanboy bullshit. Makes me like the management team. No need to take the tallest midget and say its a basketball team.

Yes! This is put better than I did the whole thread. Just be ****ing smart and do what is best for the team.

[Hammock Parties]

This isn't about me, Zach.

Yes or no. Will you care?

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by HonestChieffan

Evaluate. Look. Study. Not the emotional fanboy bullshit. Makes me like the management team. No need to take the tallest midget and say its a basketball team.

It isn't emotional fanboy bullshit.

It's THREE ****ING DECADES of watching literally EVERY TEAM in the NFL, EXCEPT THE CHIEFS, draft a QB and subsequently win a playoff game.

People act like some of us just woke up this morning and decided to go off the deep end.

Bullshit. This has been building for YEARS.

[Unsmooth-Moment]

Originally Posted by GoWalrus

No one is "tied" to any QB with the new CBA.

Jacksonville is still having probs ridding themselves of Blaine Gabbert. A rookie QB taken in the first is going to get at least 3 years to prove himself.

[RealSNR]

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

Wow.

I've seen some stupid shit before, but this ranks pretty high on the list.

Nothing like devaluing the most important pick in the draft. In February, no less.

Looks like I should be lining up a few True Fans to buy my season tickets come Draft Night.

Yep.

I said at Dorsey's first press conference that he could be one of two things: a hardass talent evaluator who simply prefers to stay behind the scenes like Ted Thompson, or he's a mouth-breathing jockhead who couldn't stand to choose a career outside the game he loves. Either way, he's CLEARLY the anti-Pioli.

Well, these statements reveal that it IS true. He's not Pioli. Pioli wouldn't have revealed his draft intentions so blatantly like this.

Dorsey's now stuck with the #1 overall pick whether he wanted it or not. He's going to have to hold his nose and draft a QB now, or the pick's value is ****ing ruined. We may as well have been picking 11th overall just like last year.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by |Zach|

You see I am an adult. You don't understand a lot of things adults understand.

What happens with this team happens no matter how much posting and emoting and photoshops you make. I don't spend money on the Chiefs when they are not moving in the right direction. That is my lever.

I could bitch and bitch and bitch like you in my basement but it doesn't mean shit. I understand the reality of the world and hope that whatever the Chiefs do works.

I am well aware of the highs and lows. I have been to two Chiefs playoff wins and every single home playoff loss from the 90s on. Been there while they were getting waxed by horrible teams...gone on the road in Denver and Oakland to see this team. I am fully committed but also understand my role in the whole deal.

Then why are you here?

Solely to tell us that we're horrible human beings?

[|Zach|]

Originally Posted by GoWalrus

This isn't about me, Zach.

Yes or no. Will you care?

Yes it is a Chiefs draft pick.

[Hammock Parties]

Originally Posted by Unsmooth-Moment

Jacksonville is still having probs ridding themselves of Blaine Gabbert. A rookie QB taken in the first is going to get at least 3 years to prove himself.

How is that different than any QB?

It's not.

[O.city]

Originally Posted by RunKC

Because people are insinuating that trading for Foles is no different than the Cassel deal.

And WTF does that matter who Trent Green had? People rip him for not winning playoff games, but forget the fact that our defense was never any good and our All-Pro RB coughed up the ****ing ball leading to our demise.

Andy Reid isn't a moron with QB's, so comparing to past morons who don't know shit about QB's, like Marty and *****, makes you look like a ****ing dumbass.

Reid gave Michael Vick 100 million dollars. It's not like his past record is spotless a the position.


Sorry man, but like Hamas just said, we can go back to 09 and find a post exactly like this.

Scott Pioli helped find the best QB ever in the 6th round, etc.

People have this grand illusion that Trent Green was this great QB here. He was good, no doubt. They conveniently forget that with him, we made the playoffs 1 time.