The combine is weird in that it means the most for guys like Clowney, but means the absolute least for guys like Carr. QB evaluation is the most immaterial process in the NFL, if not all of pro sports. I think we're going Clowney 1:1, but I have *zero* idea what QBs will be left after that. Nor do I think we're going to have any inclination about the QB crop until well into April.
I agree with this. Clowney/Carr would rile up the fan base in a bad way, but O'Brien strikes me as the kind of guy that would not care whatsoever about that. I actually think Carr would be the second best guy to run O'Brien's offense (behind Brdigewater) - assuming it's similar to New England's. O'Brien would just need to coach him up on taking snaps from under center, as well as decision making. He has the arm. He's got the athleticism. He's okay on size. I have no idea of his mental makeup. I think his offense in college may be a plus when playing in what I envision our new offense will be like. Plus, if Carr wanted, he could come here and pick number 8, and if he ends up being decent, a small part of the fan base would be happy, because they wouldn't necessarily have to buy a new jersey.
Hub Arkush is tight with BOB and has a good relationship with Bob McNair. This morning he said the situation with the Texans is fluid.... said Smith is set of Clowney, that McNair wants Manziel and that BOB wants a QB. He then said you can rule out Manziel because Smith and BOB do not view him as worthy of top 10 consideration and it is coming down to Clowney and Bridgewater. His guess is that they take Clowney unless BOB just falls in love with Bortles or Bridgewater. He said that the Texans are concerned about Clowneys motor but had luck with Mario and feel Watt would help a lot.
The Texans have needs all over the field. If they do not believe that Bridgewater will be a Pro Bowler, they need to take Clowney and the best player available every round. The Texans lack depth and their good younger players will be free agents soon enough.
I hear a lot of chatter about Khalil Mack, but I just can't see picking him over Clowney because while Mack is a physical freak as well, I don't think this would ever happen to Clowney
Obviously you didn't watch the UCF vs South Carolina game when Clowney was getting handled one on one by a no name AAC left tackle and missed the quarterback on two occasions when he had free run...
Everyone gets blocked at times. I think the Baylor game may have been Mack's worst, to be honest. Look to the Ohio State game if you want proof that he's big time. No way I take him over Clowney, though.
It should be Clowney vs. Bridgewater. There should be no one else in consideration, from what I've seen.
Well Baylor was one of only 2 legit schools he ever faced in his entire career. I like a lot of what he does, but he isn't a guy that is EVER going to demand a double team because if an OT gets his hands on him, it's game over. He's a pure speed rusher that has to make his blocker, be it a TE or OT, miss or he won't generate any pass rush at all. However, he is more of a pure OLB in that he has some coverage ability that Clowney doesn't. Give me the guy that almost always demands a double team though if I had to pick.
C'mon he was in a standing position with his eyes downfield. Here's clowney having basically the same thing done to him but coming off a 3 point stance http://youtu.be/Mb-8ePTyOnQ?t=4m42s It happens to everyone.
That's not even close to the same thing. The guy got stiffarmed and he held his ground for the most part while still in a position to make a play if the ball went that way. Mack was driven back 10 yards and put on the ground.
Not totally true (in that I'd call Pitt, Tennessee and #6 Georgia legit teams...at the very least), but I get your point, and I agree with it.
Even if viewed as a consolation prize, I can't fathom Clowney ruffling a single feather; especially if he was "paired" with Carr. Drafting DCII would require two very inflated basketballs. I think everyone - even the pro-TB/LM crowd - inherently understands Clowney has sky-high potential and plays a position of drastic need. Again, the Seahawks will become the new NFL model now. Who's going to draft him, though? Almost every QB-needy team is in the top 11 and I can't imagine he'll go top 11. After that, the Jets at 18 and the Browns (again) at 26 - but if we take Clowney 1:1, the Browns probably go QB #4 (unless St. Louis surprises).
Mack is still IMO a better pick than any of the QB's in this class. In fact I'd say that in no order Aaron Donald, Mack, Clowney, Greg Robinson, Jake Matthews, Sammy Watkins, and Mike Evans are all better picks than the best QB, Bridgewater.
Well I could see 3 or maybe 4 QB's taken in the first round possibly if teams are dumb enough to reach for them and Carr could absolutely be considered one of the top 3 or 4 QB's in this class. Then again with Jimmy G raising quickly up draft charts, Carr could very well be there.
Mack is a much more fluid athlete than clowney. In fact, mack's pass rushing skill set translates to greater potential than clowney . Mack will be a von miller type... Someone who uses speed + flexibility to bend around the edge. This is something clowney will never be able to do .
They do different things, but I highly disagree that a pure speed rusher who has to run around everyone "translates to greater potential" than a guy like Clowney. Clowney uses his size and quick burst to either bull rush over guys or to shoot gaps with a swim move and get right by them. Clowney can break through double teams, something you could never get from Mack. Mack runs around the pocket, Clowney collapses the pocket. They have 2 very different styles.
