Pro tip:

 

When the "other side" refers to you a "neutral" and you think you're "unbiased..."

 

You just might be wrong.

 

Instead, for a truly objective take...

 

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2015/profiles/m...id=2552466

 


WEAKNESSES
 Benefits from an offense that is predicated on simplified reads. Offense able to create wide-open receivers after busted coverages at times. Needs to improve resetting feet when maneuvering pocket to improve accuracy and power. Tends to "see" pass rush too often. Will drop eyes and look to escape pocket rather than stepping to available pocket space. Frequent trips outside pocket increase opportunity for injury. Pocket feel is very average. Stepped into sacks he had no business taking. Didn't have to throw to tight windows often. Average processor on field. Still learning when to get rid of the ball and move to next play. Slow to make anticipatory throws and can improve patience in allowing combo routes to mature rather than rushing the read. Missed obvious pre-snap blitzes. Drive accuracy needs work. When cutting it loose, ball tends to sail on him a bit. Arm strength is adequate but inconsistent to field side. Needs to bring hips through throws to increase zip into tight windows in NFL. Fumbled 27 times during his career.

 
Merely adequate DOES NOT equate to "strong" arm strength.
 
And that doesn't even start to comment on other deficiencies such as missing pre-snap reads, lackluster footwork, unimpressive pocket presence, dropping eyes, accuracy, and on...
 
How does that stack up against Bortles, one may ask?  Well, here's their "bottom line:"
 
Marioto:
 


NFL COMPARISON
 Colin Kaepernick
BOTTOM LINE
 Scheme-based quarterback who will face the same challenges that several quarterbacks before him have faced in terms of learning how to read defenses and go through progressions. The tape was less kind to Mariota than expected, but his size, athleticism and consistency of football character throughout his career are necessary traits in becoming a good-to-great quarterback. Mariota's ability to create outside the pocket will help win games here and there and buy him time as he plies his craft. However, to reach his potential and match the play with the traits, he must develop more poise and feel in the pocket and improve his field vision. Mariota is no lock to be a great NFL quarterback, but his floor is much higher than any of the quarterbacks drafted in 2014.
 

Bortles:

 

"It was Blake Bortles the whole time. They believe in this kid. He reminds me a bit of a young Ben Roethlisberger." -- Mike Mayock

 


BOTTOM LINE
 Possesses ideal size, athletic ability, intangibles and enough arm strength to develop into an upper-echelon quarterback. Is not yet a franchise quarterback, but has all the physical ingredients to become an outstanding NFL starter and his arrow is very clearly ascending. Warrants top-10 consideration.

 

 

 

 

And that's the bottom line.

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