Missed this comment from Clark on QBs
 

just replayed it on 810, from petro interview

Clark talked about the fact that the Patriots drafted a QB almost every year, and went on to say "I'm sure Scott Pioli's teams will draft a QB every year...and we'll hit on one of them and that will be our franchise QB..."


2 obvious points:

1. Clark gets it - we have to have a QB, and we have to draft QBs to find the right one...doesn't mean we'll take one at #3, but it is a clear change from Carl...

2. Thigpen is not our franchise QB

Stafford about to speak on College FOotball Live on ESPN.

I really like Thiggpy. Only if he had a good D, it would have been a different story.

I would love Thiggy to pan out but he seemed a little hot and cold. Maybe with a better QB coach and HC he could get better but he doesn't quite look like a franchise QB to me.

If only he could throw a football where he wanted to 15 yards downfield.

He's got everything going for him but the ability to throw the football. I just don't get the Thigpen people.

I think Stafford could be the most solid prospect in this class and I'm just not sold on Sanchez yet. With that being said, Thigpen's upside would make it an extremely difficult decision for Pioli. Do we wait a year and see if Tyler matures or do we go ahead and draft a qb? Is this another year of drafting the best available player?

I'm not totally opposed to trading down for two 1st rounders either. Do any teams have two 1st round picks this year?

With number three I think you have to draft the best available....if you wanna draft position, trade down.

Yeah, this seems clear to me, we ARE NOT drafting a quarterback in this 1st round of this draft.

I don't think we'll take one at #3, but I bet in a later round we do.

Does a good D somehow improve his gross inaccuracy?

This. When I was 24 I could throw a better deep ball.

Gross inaccuracy is pretty harsh. I'd say inconsistant accuracy. He's had some pretty good games for accuracy. It does, however seem to suffer as the game goes on. I kept waiting for Thiggy to lead that 4th quarter drive for a victory and he kept coming up short. That's a pretty worrisome shortcoming.

Back in 1982... I could throw a football a quarter mile.

I could throw a football clear over them mountains.

Tidbit from a Kiper chat:

Derek (Kansas City, MO): The Chiefs hold the #3 pick and now have a competent GM to use the pick in Scott Pioli. Pioli never used a high draft-pick on a QB in New England, so do you think he will take Matt Stafford with the #3 pick, or address O-line or defense help?

Mel Kiper: If you look at Pioli, Tyler Thigpen was a late round pick and they hit with Brady and Cassel in the late rounds. They have to evaluate Tyler Thigpen. They have needs at DE. They did not make up for the loss of Jared Allen. The WR position, they have Bowe, but they need a little more help. They need help on the second line at LB. In Pioli's case, if he thinks Thigpen is right for the job, then he can address those other positions.

http://proxy.espn.go.com/chat/chatESPN?event_id=24555