Chiefs are about to witness what a first-round QB can do

[Branden Albert's Huge Balls]

Freeman haters, this is your reckoning.

http://www.kansascity.com/2012/11/27...ness-what.html

In three of the next four weeks, the Chiefs will see evidence that taking a quarterback in the first round of the NFL draft can work.

This Sunday, they’ll face Carolina’s Cam Newton, the first overall pick in the 2011 NFL draft. The next week, it will be Cleveland’s Brandon Weeden, a first-round pick in 2012, assuming he’s recovered from a concussion sustained in last Sunday’s win over Pittsburgh.

And on Dec. 23, the Chiefs will go against the top overall pick of the 2012 draft, Andrew Luck of Indianapolis, who has helped turn a 2-14 team into a 7-4 club that is contending for an AFC playoff berth.

The Chiefs, at 1-10, would own the first pick in the 2013 draft if the season ended today, and unfortunately for them, there isn’t a quarterback of Newton’s and Luck’s quality available, and there may not be one worthy of a top-five or even top-10 pick. But it appears these college kids, whether taken at the top of the first round or even deep in the third round, are more prepared to take on the NFL than ever before.

“I’m going to be totally honest with you … I am absolutely blown away by quarterback play of these rookies this year,” said former NFL quarterback and longtime ESPN analyst Ron Jaworsksi. “Six rookies that we have starting is probably the most in the history of the NFL. These guys are so much more prepared to play in the NFL, I just can’t believe it.”

Besides Luck and Weeden, the 22nd overall pick, three other rookie quarterbacks have started since opening day. Robert Griffin III of Washington, the second overall pick, has his team in playoff contention; Miami’s Ryan Tannehill (eighth overall) has led Miami to a 5-6 record, one win shy of the Dolphins’ win total of last year; and Seattle’s Russell Wilson (third round) has Seattle in the NFC wild-card hunt.

Two other rookies, Philadelphia’s Nick Foles, a third-round pick, and Arizona’s Ryan Lindley, a sixth-rounder, are playing because of injuries to starters.

And the talk of the league right now is San Francisco’s Colin Kaepernick, a second-round pick in 2011, who beat Chicago and New Orleans in his first two NFL starts while Alex Smith sat out with a concussion and could very well be Wally Pipped despite a 20-6-1 record in the past two seasons.

“You’re watching the growth of Andrew Luck, Weeden, Wilson, Tannehill and Foles,” Jaworski said. “I was happy to be in the huddle 30 seconds (as a rookie), let alone to go out and execute the offense the way these guys are.

“It’s really a tribute to the way these guys are being coached not only at the NFL level, but also what’s happening at the college level. They’re throwing the football more, reading defenses more now in high school, with the summer camps, the seven-on-seven, all those things.”

A year ago as a rookie, Newton became the first player in NFL history to pass for 4,000 yards and rush for at least 500 yards in a single season, and his 35 combined touchdowns (21 passing, 14 rushing), were the most by a rookie quarterback in NFL history.

As a team, Carolina has regressed this season, but Newton showed his multiple skills when he threw for 306 yards and two touchdowns and ran for two scores in a 30-22 win Monday night at Philadelphia.

Panthers coach Ron Rivera said the offensive coaches have tried to lighten the load on Newton by limiting his called running plays. Most of his 14 runs for 52 yards at Philadelphia came on scrambles.

“We put a lot on his plate early in the year, and we’ve taken some of it back,” Rivera told reporters after Monday night’s game. “We’re starting to find the balance that we need with him. He’s given us chances to win, and this is the first time we as a team took advantage of it.”

Of course, there’s no guarantee any quarterback the Chiefs select will become the next Newton or even Andy Dalton, a second-round pick who guided Cincinnati to the playoffs in his rookie season last year and beat the Chiefs 28-6 two weeks ago.

Former Missouri quarterback Blaine Gabbert, selected by Jacksonville with the 10th overall pick in the 2011 draft, was force-fed as a rookie when then thrust into the starting lineup by then-coach Jack Del Rio.

Gabbert, without the benefit of an offseason program and at 21 the youngest starting quarterback in the league, struggled mightily, and before he went on injured reserve because of a forearm injury and torn labrum earlier this month, his 5-19 record and .208 winning percentage is the lowest for any active player with more than 20 starts.

Two other quarterbacks taken in the first round of the 2011 draft, Tennessee’s Jake Locker and Minnesota’s Christian Ponder, haven’t lit it up either.

But the first round isn’t the only round to draft a quarterback. Wilson, who fell to the third round because he was considered undersized at 5 feet 11, beat out high-priced free agent Matt Flynn for the Seahawks starting job. Wilson has led Seattle to a 6-5 record and led the league with a 128.6 passer rating in November when he became the first rookie in NFL history to post a 125.0 or better passer rating in three straight games.

“These players now are mature beyond years,” Jaworski said. “They’ve thrown more passes, read more coverage. It shouldn’t be as surprising as it is that they’ve come to the NFL and played very well.”

Earlier this season, the Chiefs faced another first-round pick in Tampa Bay’s Josh Freeman, the 17th overall pick in the 2009 draft out of Kansas State.

Freeman, who played at Grandview High School, became a starter midway through his rookie year, led Tampa Bay to 10 wins in 2010 and after a rugged season last year, is directing a high-powered offense for the Bucs, 6-5.

Starting with a 38-10 victory over the Chiefs on Oct. 14, the Bucs lead the NFC in scoring (32.6 points per game), while Freeman has thrown 16 touchdown passes with three interceptions for a 104.1 passer rating.

“Josh Freeman is playing phenomenal football,” Jaworski said. “I thought last year he really struggled with his accuracy. Two years ago I thought he was really coming on … I’m seeing that superstar potential now. He’s in a very balanced offense. They run the football. They use the play action, and he has been absolutely phenomenal in the red zone.

“The NFL is now a red zone league. If you settle for field goals, you’re going to lose.”

Clearly, Freeman is on his way to becoming a superstar in this league. He’s got all the attributes you would want in a quarterback.”

Attributes the Chiefs are desperately seeking.

Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2012/11/27...#storylink=cpy

[Fish]

[Baby Lee]

Originally Posted by PhillyChiefFan

Wasn't Griffin kind of lambasted as a "system QB" and "a spread QB"? I thought I remembed analysts saying that they thought he was a risky because he was a system QB. Time will tell, but he's done pretty well so far and has outplayed Luck as far as TD/INT ratio.

I have watched Smith and have been impressed. Granted I'm no analyst, but the kid has 3600 yds 37 TD 5 INT and is averaging 327 yd/gm and completing 70% of his passes. Not much of a defense to help him win games.

Put Smith under center with Charles, Moeaki, Bowe and a speed WR...I'd like to see what the kid could do.

Don't know where you got that, the only adjectives I recall were intelligent, technician, precise and fast.

[Pestilence]

Here was Walterfootball's write up on Griffin back in August of 2011.

8/18/11: Robert Griffin III is a sleeper prospect who could surprise many in 2011. Baylor is busy promoting him as a Heisman candidate, and the junior signal caller is an exciting playmaker.

Last year, Griffin completed 67 percent of his passes for 3,501 yards with 22 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He also ran for 635 yards on 149 carries (4.3 average) with eight touchdowns. Griffin was limited to only three games in 2009 due to a season-ending knee injury, but he looked strong and fast in 2010. Griffin carried the Bears to a seven-win season and being a formidable opponent on Saturdays. He combines a strong arm with his top-notch speed and mobility. Griffin's definitely a player to keep an eye on.

Here is his write up on Smith in August of this year.

8/16/12: Smith completed 65 percent of his passes for 2,763 yards with 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions in his first year as a starter in 2010. He made big improvements in year two and produced an excellent junior season for the Mountaineers. He completed 66 percent of his passes for 4,385 yards with 31 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Smith also ran for 180 yards and two scores. The junior played his heart out against LSU's talented defense with 463 yards passing.

Smith shows the arm to be quality passer with some natural accuracy. He has earned a reputation as a very hard worker and true student of the game who puts in a ton of time in the film room. Smith is a good athlete who could fit well in a West Coast offense. He could earn first-round consideration.

[PhillyChiefFan]

Originally Posted by Pestilence

Here was Walterfootball's write up on Griffin back in August of 2011.



Here is his write up on Smith in August of this year.

To me, those write ups look similar, though I'm surprised by the "he could earn first-round consideration". I thought it was pretty much a guarentee...

Am I just missing something about Smith? I was pretty impressed with his game management, his leadership and his play.

Does anyone else get the feeling like since there is no QB competition for the top spot this season, that the media/anaylsts are downplaying Smith's ability?

I feel like when there aren't your Luck/Griffin or Rivers/Manning type competition that it's downplayed. Maybe that will change after the bowls and the combine though...

[Pestilence]

Originally Posted by PhillyChiefFan

To me, those write ups look similar.

Am I just missing something about Smith? I was pretty impressed with his game management, his leadership and his play.

Does anyone else get the feeling like since there is no QB competition for the top spot this season, that the media/anaylsts are downplaying Smith's ability?

I feel like when there aren't your Luck/Griffin or Rivers/Manning type competition that it's downplayed. Maybe that will change after the bowls and the combine though...

I think all of this is because of the "Greatest QBs of the last 10 years" hangover. You had Luck and Griffin last year....and none of the QBs this year are in that caliber. It doesn't mean that they suck but the media has no one exciting to talk about. I think if West Virginia was winning more games.....Geno Smith would be talked about as being that first overall prospect.

[PhillyChiefFan]

Originally Posted by Pestilence

I think all of this is because of the "Greatest QBs of the last 10 years" hangover. You had Luck and Griffin last year....and none of the QBs this year are in that caliber. It doesn't mean that they suck but the media has no one exciting to talk about. I think if West Virginia was winning more games.....Geno Smith would be talked about as being that first overall prospect.

Definitely agree with that.

Gives me hope that they aren't making a big deal out of Smith. I went back and found this about Jamarcus Russell:

"JaMarcus Russell is going to immediately energize that fanbase, that football team -- on the practice field, in that locker room. Three years from now you could be looking at a guy that's certainly one of the elite top five quarterbacks in this league. ...You're talking about a 2-3 year period once he's under center. Look out because the skill level that he has is certainly John Elway-like."

-- ESPN's Mel Kiper

McShay said similar things.

Analyst's don't know shit. I have always wondered if they are even taken seriously in front offices around the league or if they are pretty much just recognized as time fillers on ESPN between January and April...

[J Diddy]

I'm just going to throw out the fact that a first round quarterback is going to be starting for us. Either way a former first round pick is going to win.

[bevischief]

Originally Posted by gochiefss

He'll be going aganist one of the worst D's in the NFL in terms of yards given up per play, Cam will be fine

He will a career day.

[bevischief]

Originally Posted by KC Fish

[PhillyChiefFan]

Originally Posted by J Diddy

I'm just going to throw out the fact that a first round quarterback is going to be starting for us. Either way a former first round pick is going to win.

you with your facts...

[Simply Red]

Originally Posted by SNR

NEWTON?!

****ING NEWTON?

Both Smith AND Wilson > Newton. That sorry asshole still doesn't know how to read his own ****ing playbook, much less understand the opposing defense's playbook.

**** you, Covitz.

[jd1020]

Whelp. That idea backfired.

[New World Order]

My worst fear will come true. KC is going to somehow squeeze out a couple of more wins and we will go with Quinn next year. Fat Scott, after yet another lap band surgery will talk about Quinn's mental toughness and resiliency during the preseason, then that will be followed by a couple of flat passes from quinn followed by a pick 6, they will abruptly cut to commercial break while fat scott goes to Donut King.

Ah yes, I can see it now.

[Frosty]

Originally Posted by Frosty

I'm a little worried about the game this week. It's the second of back to back road games for Carolina plus Cam tends to run hot or cold. He was hot on MNF so this could be his cold week. Also, based on the MNF game, Charles could go for 200 yards on that defense.

[keg in kc]

Originally Posted by Pestilence

I think if West Virginia was winning more games.....Geno Smith would be talked about as being that first overall prospect.

I think if WVU had 2 or 3 losses instead of 5, he'd be the Heisman winner. And I think he probably will be talked about as the first overall prospect once the workouts start next year.