SI.com mock draft has Blaine Gabbert as the #1 selection

I can't pretend that I've seen enough of this kid to have any strong opinion about this, but purely from a reactionary standpoint, I don't like it.

He can run a bit, has a good arm, has good pocket awareness, and he has prototypical size. With all that, picking Nick Fairley is much more of a sure thing. We need a sure thing, regardless of what position he plays.

If a QB must be selected in this draft, wait until the third round (or later), and then bring in a veteran. Let there be a legitimate three horse race in the preseason.

What are your thoughts? Discuss...

over 1 year ago ERL 8 comments 0 recs |

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I'm not surprised really

What I am surprised by is AJ Green making it to #6 and Ryan Mallett at #10 overall.

But really, it all goes back to my post yesterday at how much a mock changes from January to April.

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by James Dator on Jan 13, 2011 10:23 AM EST reply actions

It does

And I’ve noticed one thing that seems to happen every year without fail. Because QBs are so highly sought after, a guy can be graded in the third or fourth round in December, and then be in consideration for the first overall pick by the end of April. And then there is the one kid who does a last minute nose dive.

Let me hold about tree-fiddy?

by ERL on Jan 13, 2011 10:28 AM EST up reply actions

People say the combine means most to WRs because of their 40 time and the rest of their measurables, but if a QB ends up throwing in Indy then they are taking the biggest risk.

Look at Tony Pike. He was being seen as a top of the 2nd round prospect until he went to the combine and they realized he couldn’t make any NFL throws.

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by James Dator on Jan 13, 2011 10:35 AM EST up reply actions

Almost damned whether you do, or don’t.

I’m just not sure there’s a guy out there who is so far ahead of say, Ricky Stanzi, that he should be picked first overall, when Ricky potentially will still be there in the third.

And with Gabbert playing in the Big 12, and the Big 12 being the worst BCS conference defensively, and with his stats being mediocre, I think the proof is in the pudding. People are calling Newton a project, but I think Gabbert is too. Only Cam has more upside.

Let me hold about tree-fiddy?

by ERL on Jan 13, 2011 10:42 AM EST up reply actions

Honestly, I still don't see what the deal is with Gabbert

According to one scout:

“The thing that sticks out to me is that he’s a lot more athletic than you think he is,‘’ the NFC scout said. "He’s like Ben Roethlisberger and Josh Freeman, in that he’s a guy who can extend the play even when he’s got guys hanging off him. That’s the trait that makes those guys so special. They’re so big and they can shake guys off. He’s not as strong as Roethlisberger and Freeman, but he has some of the same skills.‘’
Gabbert also gets high marks for largely carrying his team’s offense, despite the lack of other great skills players. He scores well too in terms of his work ethic and football savvy.
“Missouri’s spread offense isn’t like Florida’s,‘’ the scout said. "They don’t have great athletes all around him and it’s not a simple spread like in some places. He’s doing it all on his own. You can see him scanning through his progressions, reading the field, and he has to move, extend the play, and create. And he’s a mature kid and will put in the work. I could see him going near the top, in that third, fourth or fifth range.’’

Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/don_banks/01/12/2011-nfl-draft/index.html#ixzz1AvmAvk00

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by James Dator on Jan 13, 2011 10:48 AM EST up reply actions

Dalton

I’d much rather get a guy who is almost certainly going to be a starter week one at #1, and then come back to Dalton (when you share a name with Swayze’s character in Roadhouse, I mean, c’mon) or Stanzi. Hell, give me the kid from UNC in the fourth or fifth.

Unless there is a QB who is ready to go in September, I’d much rather address the D-line and hope our young offensive guys mature.

At this point, we have to worry more about building a long-term winner, sure, but that doesn’t give Marty a free pass to spend 1st overalls on three year projects.

Let me hold about tree-fiddy?

by ERL on Jan 13, 2011 10:57 AM EST up reply actions

I could assure you one thing, the panthers would not select Blaine Gabbert.

The only QB the panthers would have selected first overall if they had to would have been A. Luck. No other Quarterback in this year draft is better than Jimmy Clausen (or what Jimmy did in college) in my book other than the better Arm strength by Ryan Mallett. So You can scratch the Panthers selecting a QB first overall, don’t even let it cross your mind cos it’s not happenning. If they don’t select Nick Fairley or Aj Green, look for the panthers to trade down or select a guy too high just like the Jags did with Tyson Alualu. As long as they believe he’s the best player on their board and he could help the team right away. QB would be selected if any later in the rounds or UDFA. One thing is for sure, if Matt Moore is not resigned, expect a veteran signing.

by panthertillidrop on Jan 13, 2011 11:16 AM EST reply actions