NFL Draft Neither Stafford or Sanchez belong in top 10 - Page 2

**chiefforlife** · 02-21-2009, 09:39 AM

SOME DON’T VIEW STAFFORD, SANCHEZ AS TOP TEN PICKS
Posted by Mike Florio on February 21, 2009, 8:21 a.m.

Our initial mock draft of the year created plenty of consternation among folks who regard such matters even more importantly that some of our other readers regard their chosen religion.

And, yes, we were trying to make a point with the thing. At this stage, none of the draft experts (i.e., guys who couldn’t get or hold a scouting job with an NFL team and who instead tried to create a niche in the media for the stuff no NFL team would pay them to do) know with any degree of certainty what will occur on draft day.

Apart from the premature nature of prognosticating the events of late April is the fact that every NFL team makes its own decisions for its own reasons, especially in round one. Some draft based on need. Others take the best available player. And when 32 teams have different views on how those available players are ranked from best to worst, the stage is set for all sorts of screwy stuff.

We could have created even more consternation by dropping Georgia quarterback Matt Stafford and USC quarterback Mark Sanchez out of the top ten. In some war rooms, it’s an accurate view of the two players.

Said one source, “In other years those guys aren’t first-round picks. Stafford played well in 2007 but was horrible in 2008. He stunk in all their big games.”

The source specifically pointed to the contests against Alabama, Florida, and Tennessee. Based on the numbers, Stafford was bad against Florida, mediocre against Alabama, and decent against Tennessee.

“He is an average leader at best,” the source opined. “When you put a lot of pressure on him, he pees his pants. Detroit has a new front office, but if they take him then it’s the same old stuff. I guarantee that if he goes in the top 20 he will never play to the level he was drafted.

“What he has is physical skills,” the source added. “He has a strong arm and is athletic but he also has poor instincts and poor decision-making.”

Some might disagree with that assessment. But the point is that, when you’ve got a bunch of different folks assessing the same players, there will be significant variations from person to person.

“As far as Sanchez,” the source said, “he is a more solid choice. He played in a pro style offense. He’s accurate and has a good arm. He’s smart and a leader.

“The negative is he was a one-year starter. Tell me the last time a quarterback who was a one-year starter in college made it big in the NFL? Game time is huge with quarterbacks. Granted, from a money standpoint he made the right decision, but from the standpoint of having a top career, his decision has to be questioned.”

(And, no, our source isn’t Pete Carroll.)

So there you have it. Evidence of how the viewpoints on supposedly top players can diverge dramatically. It makes the process of predicting draft picks even more precarious. So, in the end, we think the final tally of players taken two months from now would presently seem every bit as goofy and unrealistic as some viewed our initial Pre-Combine Mock Draft.

Deberg_1990 · 02-21-2009, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Bad Guy

Why would Stafford not throw? I just don't understand it. He has a million dollar arm.

Lots of guys hold their own private workouts. Matt Ryan did it last year. Some guys just feel more comfortable doing it that way. Its really not a big deal.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 02-21-2009, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Bad Guy

Why would Stafford not throw? I just don't understand it. He has a million dollar arm.

The talent at the top of this draft sucks. It figures the year we are in position to pick up a stud, there might not be there one for the taking.

I want Sanchez, but I can see why people feel that neither is worth a top 10 selection.

The problem is, there aren't many guys in this draft worthy of top 10 picks.

Give me Sanchez and I'll be happy as hell.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/column...ohn&id=3910452

"Normally, top quarterbacks don't throw."

**The Bad Guy** · 02-21-2009, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/column...ohn&id=3910452

"Normally, top quarterbacks don't throw."

Did not know that. Thanks.

**DeezNutz** · 02-21-2009, 09:55 AM

The Bad Guy seems morose.

Someone needs to sacrifice a True Fan as an antidote.

**chiefforlife** · 02-21-2009, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/column...ohn&id=3910452

"Normally, top quarterbacks don't throw."

From your link...

2. To throw or not to throw? That's the question going through the minds of quarterbacks Matthew Stafford of Georgia, Mark Sanchez of Southern California and Josh Freeman of Kansas State. Normally, top quarterbacks don't throw, but the circumstances are different for these three quarterbacks because they are underclassmen. History has shown that quarterbacks who skip their senior seasons have struggled or failed in the pros. Teams that draft underclassmen QBs know they are taking a risk. Stafford, Sanchez and Freeman might have to throw to help ease those concerns.

He should throw.

**DeezNutz** · 02-21-2009, 09:58 AM

Unless he burns all game film, I'm not sure how Freeman throwing will ease anyone's concerns.

Deberg_1990 · 02-21-2009, 09:59 AM

IMO the combine is for guys looking to solidify their draft position or move up.

A guy like Stafford is a consensus #1 or top 3 at worst pick. The combine would do nothing for him.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 02-21-2009, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

IMO the combine is for guys looking to solidify their draft position or move up.

A guy like Stafford is a consensus #1 or top 3 at worst pick. The combine would do nothing for him.

Other than risk tweaking something.

And it's not Stafford's decision. His agents and handlers are telling him not to do this because they don't want to risk some kind of freak injury that costs them a major payday. They do this with everyone. That's why interviews are so coached now.

RINGLEADER · 02-21-2009, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

I'd love to know who the "source" was.

Janitor at Lucas Oil Stadium?

Yeah, this is "expert" adjacent. If you don't care about sourcing you can use yourself as an unidentified source.

But, having not seen the games in question, did Stafford play poorly?

'Hamas' Jenkins · 02-21-2009, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cfl

From your link...

2. To throw or not to throw? That's the question going through the minds of quarterbacks Matthew Stafford of Georgia, Mark Sanchez of Southern California and Josh Freeman of Kansas State. Normally, top quarterbacks don't throw, but the circumstances are different for these three quarterbacks because they are underclassmen. History has shown that quarterbacks who skip their senior seasons have struggled or failed in the pros. Teams that draft underclassmen QBs know they are taking a risk. Stafford, Sanchez and Freeman might have to throw to help ease those concerns.

He should throw.

He has three years of starting experience in the SEC. What major prospects in the last ten years have that kind of experience? Cutler and the Mannings are about it. He has more starting experience than Matt Ryan did, more than Roethlisberger, more than Flacco.

**chiefforlife** · 02-21-2009, 10:05 AM

I guess Sanchez's agent is stupid? I hope he goes higher than Stafford because he isnt afraid to throw a football on the big stage.

**Kyle DeLexus** · 02-21-2009, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cfl

I guess Sanchez's agent is stupid? I hope he goes higher than Stafford because he isnt afraid to throw a football on the big stage.

Sanchez's agent is his brother so yes, he probably won't do things that are considered normal.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 02-21-2009, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cfl

I guess Sanchez's agent is stupid? I hope he goes higher than Stafford because he isnt afraid to throw a football on the big stage.

..

Throwing in shorts and a t-shirt to receivers you've never seen before is now the big stage.

I'll be sure to include this line when I introduce JaMarcus Russell at his HOF induction.

RINGLEADER · 02-21-2009, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

Lots of guys hold their own private workouts. Matt Ryan did it last year. Some guys just feel more comfortable doing it that way. Its really not a big deal.

He's also the defacto number one pick at this moment. He's really working out for a couple of teams. Why make it harder on yourself?

That said, I wouldn't automatically draw comparisons to Matt Ryan (who seems to be one of those rare once or twice-a-decade guys who comes in and performs very well on a team without a great defense).

Deberg_1990 · 02-21-2009, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RINGLEADER

That said, I wouldn't automatically draw comparisons to Matt Ryan (who seems to be one of those rare once or twice-a-decade guys who comes in and performs very well on a team without a great defense).

Thats not what everyone was saying about him this time last year. Which was Exactly my point earlier.

02-21-2009, 09:39 AM
chiefforlife Colorado Chief Fan Join Date: Feb 2006 Casino cash: $5493147	Neither Stafford or Sanchez belong in top 10 SOME DON’T VIEW STAFFORD, SANCHEZ AS TOP TEN PICKS Posted by Mike Florio on February 21, 2009, 8:21 a.m. Our initial mock draft of the year created plenty of consternation among folks who regard such matters even more importantly that some of our other readers regard their chosen religion. And, yes, we were trying to make a point with the thing. At this stage, none of the draft experts (i.e., guys who couldn’t get or hold a scouting job with an NFL team and who instead tried to create a niche in the media for the stuff no NFL team would pay them to do) know with any degree of certainty what will occur on draft day. Apart from the premature nature of prognosticating the events of late April is the fact that every NFL team makes its own decisions for its own reasons, especially in round one. Some draft based on need. Others take the best available player. And when 32 teams have different views on how those available players are ranked from best to worst, the stage is set for all sorts of screwy stuff. We could have created even more consternation by dropping Georgia quarterback Matt Stafford and USC quarterback Mark Sanchez out of the top ten. In some war rooms, it’s an accurate view of the two players. Said one source, “In other years those guys aren’t first-round picks. Stafford played well in 2007 but was horrible in 2008. He stunk in all their big games.” The source specifically pointed to the contests against Alabama, Florida, and Tennessee. Based on the numbers, Stafford was bad against Florida, mediocre against Alabama, and decent against Tennessee. “He is an average leader at best,” the source opined. “When you put a lot of pressure on him, he pees his pants. Detroit has a new front office, but if they take him then it’s the same old stuff. I guarantee that if he goes in the top 20 he will never play to the level he was drafted. “What he has is physical skills,” the source added. “He has a strong arm and is athletic but he also has poor instincts and poor decision-making.” Some might disagree with that assessment. But the point is that, when you’ve got a bunch of different folks assessing the same players, there will be significant variations from person to person. “As far as Sanchez,” the source said, “he is a more solid choice. He played in a pro style offense. He’s accurate and has a good arm. He’s smart and a leader. “The negative is he was a one-year starter. Tell me the last time a quarterback who was a one-year starter in college made it big in the NFL? Game time is huge with quarterbacks. Granted, from a money standpoint he made the right decision, but from the standpoint of having a top career, his decision has to be questioned.” (And, no, our source isn’t Pete Carroll.) So there you have it. Evidence of how the viewpoints on supposedly top players can diverge dramatically. It makes the process of predicting draft picks even more precarious. So, in the end, we think the final tally of players taken two months from now would presently seem every bit as goofy and unrealistic as some viewed our initial Pre-Combine Mock Draft.
Posts: 5,717

02-21-2009, 09:59 AM	#22
Deberg_1990 In Search of a Life Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Antonio Tx. Casino cash: $144454	IMO the combine is for guys looking to solidify their draft position or move up. A guy like Stafford is a consensus #1 or top 3 at worst pick. The combine would do nothing for him. __________________ Originally Posted by Cassel's Reckoning: Matt once made a very nice play in Seattle where he spun away from a pass rusher and hit Bowe off his back foot for a first down. One of the best plays Matt has ever made.
Posts: 68,631

02-21-2009, 10:05 AM	#26
chiefforlife Colorado Chief Fan Join Date: Feb 2006 Casino cash: $5493147	I guess Sanchez's agent is stupid? I hope he goes higher than Stafford because he isnt afraid to throw a football on the big stage.
Posts: 5,717