I've thought long and hard since the underclassmen declarations about how Caldwell can avoid selecting another "Gabbert". A QB who has been largely ineffective despite the physical tools he possessed.

 

First, Lets evaluate Gabbert. We all know he had the best physical tool set of the 2011 draft. His game tape in college revealed weaknesses of pocket presence, footwork, and poor decision making. The stigma of him being "afraid" of the pass rush is completely bogus and is a mis-representation of his main issue, which is Gabbert having terrible pocket presence. GM Smith, I believe selected him #8 overall because he truely believed those issues could be worked out with good coaching. Hell, At the time, I think we ALL believed it could be worked out. I also believe he never wanted Gabbert to start in his first season. You simply avoid this by not expecting your coach to overhaul a QB's mechanics entirely.

 

So how does this relate to the current draft? Is there a "Gabbert" amongst the 2014 class? No, because most of the top 3-4 QB selections all do not have elite measurables. Bridgewater has height and frame issues, Bortles has height and arm issues, Manziel has height and arm issues. None of them are damning but not exactly "elite". Bridgewater's mechanics are the most sound but it won't matter if he can't last through an entire NFL season. Same with Manziel with his run and gun style.

 

Just like what experts have been saying all along, None of these prospects warrant a top 16 pick because they are just too questionable. Moreso than most drafts, These QBs could become the next tom brady or the next Ryan Leaf. Thats the range we are talking about here. I believe Caldwell can see this and as such would rather waste a low round shot in the dark pick than a most valuable 1st round pick.

 

Expect Clowney, Anthony Barr, or trading down to get more picks. One of those three will be the result.

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QB Fear

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QB Fear

Mario Williams or Vince Young?


The Texans made the right choice in not forcing a QB when they could have used one.

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

What it comes down to is that  WE DON'T KNOW.


 

Only the GM and Coaches will know.


If the so-called experts were really experts, then they would be working for 1 of the 32


and not pontificating or shilling a website.


A lot can change between the darft and the combine.


Johnny F could be the next Brees or Rivers.


Teddy B could posess everything it takes to become the real deal.


Blake B could be a diamond in the rough.


Thats what they get paid the big bucks for and we stay in the dark till darft day.


 

I think I'll pop another one and cut the grass, 8-10 May will be here eventually.


 

 

 

 

 

HeadSlap

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When they have no time,  they think about it!

When they go down hard, they think about it!

 

Just watch Peyton, Andrew, Caep even Mr. Bundchen.

Gabbert didn't even look good in highlights let alone game film

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Gabbert had too many sub 200 yard games in his last year of college.  On top of that he had a low YPA, and he didn't have that many TD's.  Looking back on it, I don't really get the hype for Gabbert.  

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I was wrong about Trent Baalke. 

Bottles definetly doesn't have height issues

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So how does this relate to the current draft? Is there a "Gabbert" amongst the 2014 class? No, because most of the top 3-4 QB selections all do not have elite measurables. Bridgewater has height and frame issues, Bortles has height and arm issues, Manziel has height and arm issues. None of them are damning but not exactly "elite". Bridgewater's mechanics are the most sound but it won't matter if he can't last through an entire NFL season. Same with Manziel with his run and gun style.

Incorrect for the most part. Yes, Teddy has a skinny frame, but doesn't take unnecessary hits. Manziel does not have arm issues what so ever. It's more so his playing style and that if he'll be able to withstand a 16 game NFL season running around like he does. If a GM thinks he can, he'll be a fine prospect. Bortles is 6'4 230 pounds. Wheres the height or size issue? His throws don't as as much zip as they used to due solely on him have a bad base when throwing the ball, which is correctable. Watch his tape from the 2012 season, he has an above average arm. QB fear is real.

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Simple you see gabbert coming down the street and raise your arms like a DE turning the egde....he will then avoid you.

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Did I just read Bortles has height issues

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"A man with no sauce is lost.

<p style="text-align:center;">But that same man can get lost in the sauce."

How to avoid a Gabbert?


Don't draft guys at the top of the first round with the idea you can eventually fix them.

 

Top of the first round is for getting guys that should be multiple pro bowlers.

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Pocket presence, footwork, and poor decision making

 

If they lack pocket presence and good decision making, stay far away

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Mario Williams or Vince Young?


The Texans made the right choice in not forcing a QB when they could have used one.

 

Good for them. You could really talk yourself out of almost every QB prospect if you really wanted to. 

 

The OP basically said, you don't know if a QB will be good or bad, so you're better off not taking one.

 

That is QB fear.

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Good for them. You could really talk yourself out of almost every QB prospect if you really wanted to. 

 

The OP basically said, you don't know if a QB will be good or bad, so you're better off not taking one.

 

That is QB fear.

 

I'd call it smart drafting. If there's a prospect at another position that the GM really feels strongly will be successful, then you take that player and draft your project QBs in the later rounds.

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Anybody who thinks Teddy Bridgewater has a height issue gets him mixed up with Johnny Manziel. Bridgewater is 6-2 1/2. Louisville did not lie, just rounded up to 6-3, on its player roster. Manziel is the short one. People don't know what they are talking about if they think Bridgewater is not tall enough.

 

Blaine Gabbert was the #10 pick. Everybody was surprised he fell that far. He was picked to spend a year learning behind David Garrard.

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I'd call it smart drafting. If there's a prospect at another position that the GM really feels strongly will be successful, then you take that player and draft your project QBs in the later rounds.

 

Most "project QB's" are just wasted draft picks. Honestly, how many amount to anything?

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How to avoid a Gabbert?

 

Don't draft guys at the top of the first round with the idea you can eventually fix them.

 

Top of the first round is for getting guys that should be multiple Pro Bowlers.

 

Where a player gets picked has nothing to do with how many Pro Bowls he plays in. Some Pro Bowlers were not drafted. Others were second or third day picks.

 

The top of the first round is for picking a quarterback, even if you have to reach a little bit, unless there aren't any worth picking in the top 10.

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Where a player gets picked has nothing to do with how many Pro Bowls he plays in. Some Pro Bowlers were not drafted. Others were second or third day picks.

 

The top of the first round is for picking a quarterback, even if you have to reach a little bit, unless there aren't any worth picking in the top 10.

 

No, the top of the draft is for getting guys that are easy to evaluate as elite players. They should be pro bowl quality guys. If you're drafting a bunch of role players and wash-outs in the first round you end up where the Jaguars are.

 

The top of the first round is for drafting the most desirable guys.

 

Sure sometimes players develop from the later rounds, but the majority of elite players are taken in the first half of the draft.

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Most "project QB's" are just wasted draft picks. Honestly, how many amount to anything?

 

Which is why it makes no sense to spend premium draft picks on guys a GM doesn't strongly feel will be impact players for his team.

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Most "project QBs" are just wasted draft picks. Honestly, how many amount to anything?

 

Wasn't Colin Kaepernick a project quarterback? He only got the starting job because Alex Smith was concussed.

 

The Bengals drafted Carson Palmer with the idea he can spend a year learning on the bench. He did that, then needed only two years to help the Bengals win the AFC North.

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