<a class="bbc_url" href='http://q.usatoday.com/2013/10/15/jadeveon-clowney-reclaims-top-spot-marcus-mariota-over-teddy-bridgewater/'>http://q.usatoday.com/2013/10/15/jadeveon-clowney-reclaims-top-spot-marcus-mariota-over-teddy-bridgewater/</a>

For those who didn't open the link:

Why did Marcus Mariota leapfrog Teddy Bridgewater as the top QB selected? Both Mariota and Bridgewater were in the national spotlight this past week. Whereas Bridgewater struggled to a degree under the bright lights, Mariota excelled. And it goes beyond one performance for each. Bridgewater may be the most polished signal caller in the nation, but Mariota clearly has the most upside. The Oregon QB has the best combination of size, athleticism and passing ability among his contemporaries. Mariota took the next step against Washington by overcoming adversity and passing the football with tremendous touch and vision. As a result, the argument can be made Mariota should-be the top-rated QB in this draft class.

---

"Before you criticize a man, walk a mile in his shoes. That way, if he gets angry, he's a mile away and barefoot."

Mariota is my guy... if bridgewater don't like it.... play somebody.

---

I ain't no monkey... I'm an ape.

It's a shame that people are dismissing Mariota, BECAUSE of his ability to run. He's so much more than that....

 

When I watch him, I don't get the sense that he's in a hurry to get out of the pocket. Unlike Johnny Manziel, he has no problem standing back there, going through his reads, and if there's nothing, there, he'll bail. I think, people are just turned off by the amount of pop plays that are incorporated into Oregon's offense. You CAN'T let those plays effect your evaluation positively or negatively. You should pretty much throw those plays out. When you evaluate Mariota on plays where he drops back, in a traditional sense, you can see him move his eyes, scanning the field. I believe he is a true drop back QB, that happens to have elite athleticism. He has the arm to make all of the throws, and the touch to drop it in to any spot, something that Bridgewater lacks when to comes to deep patterns. He is exceptional at throwing across his body when he is flushed to his left, and is more than exceptional when he is flushed to his right. For me, the ONLY flaw I see in his game is that on his short to intermediate routes, he has a tendency to throw high. But there's no reason that this can't be fixed, and at the tender age of 19, he has plenty of time to correct this.

 

Here's an example of something that may go unnoticed that makes Mariota my #1 QB:

http://pac-12.com/article/2012/09/04/tue...-look-easy 

---

Teddy doesn't play in the type of offense that gets blowout after blowout.  He's not going to put up video game numbers.  People overrate those QB's that put up Video game numbers *looks at Mariota* Yup.  

Translated:  He doesn't play as good against average teams as he does against bad teams like FIU in which they won 72-0

---

For those who didn't open the link:


 

 

hahaha.....I remember the same argument or something similar being made against Andrew Luck & "lack of upside"....yeah, I guess so, when you're already great at just about anything QB related, how much higher can you go? 

 

The only reason there is still so much "upside" for Mariota" is because he hasn't reached those abilities as a passer. And he may never. Theres probably a better chance he never reaches that ceiling than does. Just like any other "raw" QB prospect that enters the draft. 

 

But I know thats okay.....because he's got those measurables and makes those long college runs!!! Hold on while I catch my breath through my mouth....

---

and watch, he'll have his best game of his career this week,... :down: Lord, I hope not!!!!

So what if he does? You really think Caldwell is gonna just ignore the entire body of work because he has a good game when our scouts are watching him live? You worry about the wrong things

---

 

But I know thats okay.....because he's got those measurables and makes those long college runs!!! Hold on while I catch my breath through my mouth....

 

You keep saying this as if anybody else is laughing.

---

;

;

So what if he does? You really think Caldwell is gonna just ignore the entire body of work because he has a good game when our scouts are watching him live? You worry about the wrong things

 

Until this franchise starts doing the right things and making the right picks/ moves, I am going to assume the worst/ making the wrong moves. Sorry, they've earned this over a decade - plus of mismanagement. 

 

Respect is earned, not freely given. Caldwell & co may be new/ different but have not earned any benefit of doubt as of yet. Unfortunately they are guilty by association/ victims of circumstance as of this point.....in my eyes. When/ if they prove that they are better than failed regimes of the past, then I'll start giving them benefit of doubt. 

---

Something now scares me about Bridgewater. Perhaps its the fact that he has totally sucked in the 2 games I watched him this season (Kentucky & Rutgers). The dude gets about 20 seconds to throw the ball and rarely runs the ball (like Luck) to keep the LBs honest.

Lol this post is so stupid.

---

hahaha.....I remember the same argument or something similar being made against Andrew Luck & "lack of upside"....yeah, I guess so, when you're already great at just about anything QB related, how much higher can you go?


The only reason there is still so much "upside" for Mariota" is because he hasn't reached those abilities as a passer. And he may never. Theres probably a better chance he never reaches that ceiling than does. Just like any other "raw" QB prospect that enters the draft.


But I know thats okay.....because he's got those measurables and makes those long college runs!!! Hold on while I catch my breath through my mouth....

I think the argument could be made that Bridgewater's floor is higher but Mariota's ceiling is thru the roof. This dilemma happened in the draft a few years ago, albeit in the 2nd round not the first. Do you think Cincinnati would still take Andy Dalton (high floor) over Colin Kaepernick (high ceiling) if they could redo their pick?

---

"Before you criticize a man, walk a mile in his shoes. That way, if he gets angry, he's a mile away and barefoot."

Teddys offensive line sucks, and he has proven that he can stand in the face of the rush and manipulate the pocket under center. He also responds to blitzes very well and has shown the football smarts to get in and out of plays at the line based on what he sees from the defence.


Mariota ALWAYS has a perfectly clean pocket. Thats mostly because the threat of play fakes from the read option. He also never really faces advanced coverages or gets blitzed, again due to his mobility. Thats going to change in the NFL.


Now just because he hasnt faced it in college doesnt mean he wont be able to do it in the NFL. But its a big part of the evaluation puzzle. you know for sure Teddy is excelent at that and you have no clue how Mariota will respond to it. Teddy is better than Mariota in every way except the deep ball. Theres really no argument for picking Mariota over Teddy.

---

I think the argument could be made that Bridgewater's floor is higher but Mariota's ceiling is thru the roof. This dilemma happened in the draft a few years ago, albeit in the 2nd round not the first. Do you think Cincinnati would still take Andy Dalton (high floor) over Colin Kaepernick (high ceiling) if they could redo their pick?

 

Yeah, but its not an equal comparison. First of all Andy Dalton & Kaepernick were seen as similar overall prospect levels. Bridgewater is also seen as a MUCH better QB prospect than Andy Dalton, too. 

---

It doesn't matter. 

 

My point is, even if we do not get the #1 overall pick and need to settle on a fall back option, the only way Mariota makes sense is if we are going to run an offense similar to what he ran in Oregon. Otherwise, you're risking another Gabbert situation. 

 

People bring up RG3, but Washington tweaked their offense to accomodate RG3 and what he ran in Baylor. 

 

With our offense we are going to need a QB that is similar to the strengths that Teddy brings, even if we don't get Teddy. 

I disagree very strongly with the entire post.

 

If Florence and Petty played at Baylor first and now RG3 was their young hotshot prospect I am 100% certain you would be knocking RG3 for the exact 'system' things you are now knocking Mariota for. I fail to comprehend how you can knock Mariota for the system but not RG3. So narrow minded. 

 

And yes, they are virtually non factors for both of them to me, as is Teddy's SoS. There is ample NFL level traits on film for all of three that you scout just fine without having to put them in a box.

---

Sorry, they've earned this over a decade - plus of mismanagement. 

 

Lol, except for the fact that not a single person from 8+ of those years are still here...but other than that yeah!

---

Teddys offensive line sucks, and he has proven that he can stand in the face of the rush and manipulate the pocket under center. He also responds to blitzes very well and has shown the football smarts to get in and out of plays at the line based on what he sees from the defence.


Mariota ALWAYS has a perfectly clean pocket. Thats mostly because the threat of play fakes from the read option. He also never really faces advanced coverages or gets blitzed, again due to his mobility. Thats going to change in the NFL.


Now just because he hasnt faced it in college doesnt mean he wont be able to do it in the NFL. But its a big part of the evaluation puzzle. you know for sure Teddy is excelent at that and you have no clue how Mariota will respond to it. Teddy is better than Mariota in every way except the deep ball. Theres really no argument for picking Mariota over Teddy.

 

I agree with all, and would even challenge that last part. What makes you think Mariota is better at the deep ball than Teddy?....because Teddy missed a few this past game?... Mariota's accuracy is suspect to begin with, so I'm not going to sit here and give him the edge over Bridgewater because he hit a few. 

---

Until this franchise starts doing the right things and making the right picks/ moves, I am going to assume the worst/ making the wrong moves. Sorry, they've earned this over a decade - plus of mismanagement.


Respect is earned, not freely given. Caldwell & co may be new/ different but have not earned any benefit of doubt as of yet. Unfortunately they are guilty by association/ victims of circumstance as of this point.....in my eyes. When/ if they prove that they are better than failed regimes of the past, then I'll start giving them benefit of doubt.

Again you worry about the wrong things if you think 1 good game is gonna convince Caldwell on taking a qb 1st overall


I have a wait and see approach too but I have no doubt that Dave is not as stupid as you're suggesting

---

Lol, except for the fact that not a single person from 8+ of those years are still here...but other than that yeah!

 

again, sorry, but victim of circumstance/ guilty by association......too bad. Caldwell will get the benefit of doubt when earned, not just because he's "new". 

---

I like Mariota but another poster put it best the read option athletic QB is going to come and go. Kaep and RG3 have been shut down this year and even Russel Wilson had looked okay even though they have a great running game and monster defense.

 

I want the pro style QB who is given full control of the offense and has scouts/GM gushing over his understanding of defensive concepts and schemes. Not the Read Option pass happy offense QB who contrary to popular belief does check down alot, tends to lead screen pass into defenders and makes alot of one read or run plays. Once he reaches the next level those running lanes will disappear and he has Kaepernick / RG3 to thank for it.

 

Mariota is VERY good no doubt about it and his athletics cant be ignored but Bridgewater is much more polished and moch more of a cerebral player.

---

Lol, except for the fact that not a single person from 8+ of those years are still here...but other than that yeah!

I love the guilt by association


New owner who won't accept losing and new gm who's well respected but we should just assume that they're clueless because the previous regime failed

---

again, sorry, but victim of circumstance/ guilty by association......too bad. Caldwell will get the benefit of doubt when earned, not just because he's "new".

Who's saying he should get the benefit of the doubt? All I'm saying is that you shouldn't assume that he's absolutely clueless on how to scout a player

---