***Official Gruden QB Camp Thread***

[Messier]

Originally Posted by Saccopoo

Ayep.

They filled all the holes on the roster and it's going to be a pure BPA draft for these guys.

I'm crossing my fingers that it's Geno in the end as I think he'll provide a fan base spark due to the ineptitude of drafting QB's over the past 30 years. Geno would be a huge statement pick for the new regime that they are willing to get a QB in and groom him. It's been a long, long time since we've had the opportunity to get excited about a hand picked QB (I still remember everyone getting excited about Brodie and Ricky), and with the Alex Smith acquisition, there is absolutely no pressure that will be placed on Geno, Alex, Reid or Dorsey as we'll happily let him sit and learn the system so that he's ready to go. Having done that with Rogers and seeing how it turned out is a nice cushion that Dorsey will have in selecting Geno.

Drafting one of the tackles or Jordan doesn't give the fan base that same expectant excitement as they are simply "backups" where Geno is the future in the eyes of the fans.

You may disagree, well, clearly you do, based on this post, but the absolute wrong reason to draft anyone is, hey, the fans will like this. Pick the player you think will have the best impact, and will be the best pro. Sure, QB has more impact than the other positions, I think that's why Geno is even in consideration at all. If they think Geno will take years to develop, and even then will only be average, don't take him. Sure, I'd be really intrigued by Geno, but, I'm not nearly as high on him as some here. I think he'll take time and patience. But if they feel the work will be worth it in the end, by all means take him. Just don't do it because it'd be popular.

[Saccopoo]

Originally Posted by Messier

You may disagree, well, clearly you do, based on this post, but the absolute wrong reason to draft anyone is, hey, the fans will like this. Pick the player you think will have the best impact, and will be the best pro. Sure, QB has more impact than the other positions, I think that's why Geno is even in consideration at all. If they think Geno will take years to develop, and even then will only be average, don't take him. Sure, I'd be really intrigued by Geno, but, I'm not nearly as high on him as some here. I think he'll take time and patience. But if they feel the work will be worth it in the end, by all means take him. Just don't do it because it'd be popular.

I'm not advocating Geno because it would be a popular pick. (And it would, moreso than any other guy in this draft.) I'm advocating Geno because I think he's the best player in this draft, regardless of position. And when you factor in that he plays the most important position on the field, it's an easy pick.

As well, as I mentioned previously, it would be a much easier sell to a fan base than a backup RT or special teams player (Jordan) for the first couple of years of their career at least.

And make no mistake, a fan base is an important thing to have. While Reid and Dorsey probably don't factor this in in terms of what they want out of a player, I'm pretty sure that Clark Hunt is well aware of it, especially after this past season where banners were flying over his stadium, fan attendance dropped, black outs during games, etc.

But that's the furthest thing from my mind in terms of that draft pick. I just want this team to get one right. And as I see it, Geno is as good a prospect for the QB position as I've seen in the last decade outside of a guy named Luck at that stage.