I specifically stayed away from declarative statements because I don't know definitively that they'll trade the pick. But I think it's very telling Mr. McNair won't be in NY for the draft. It's not like his calendar is full - he's known they have the first pick for nearly six months - and he's been there for every other first overall pick they've had. Now, could there be other factors (health, maybe)? Sure. Could his travel plans change? Yep. It could be totally irrelevant. But I don't think it is. As I said in my first post, "If I were a betting man..."
Yet they were bold enought to call us Bridgewater fans, fanboys. I'll still be watching the Texans no matter who they pick. And imo so will these guys. I mean how else are they gonna either come in here and beat their chest about how right they were that we made the wrong choice. And if they were wrong they will never be seen or heard from again, just fade into the darkness. Basically, they frontin'.
I understand...was just making sure those were the only conclusions made from your intel, and I didn't miss any other specifics in the thread.
Well, no, that's not what he said. He said he knows who he'd take with the #1 pick. He also said they're open to trading down if it makes sense for the team to do so. But those are two different things. He didn't say that he thought he could trade down and still get the guy he wants most. This is why you can't trust everything you read. Some reporter misinterprets something somebody says and then comes to conclusions based on that misinterpretation.
Size, arm, personality, intelligence, accuracy, throwing mechanics, footwork, decision making. As to the "perfect" QB prospect, look no further than Andrew Luck. He had excellent size, a solid arm, he was a good leader who didn't bring distractions and baggage, he is a smart kid, accurate passer, good throwing mechanics, good footwork, good decision making. Every QB prospect in this draft is lacking in several of those categories. Look at my list above, when it comes to JFF, he's lacking in size, He's tiny by NFL standards and while there have been QB's as small as him before, they are an outlier, it would be hoping against hope that he was an exception to the rule. He also is wanting when it comes to personality/baggage, I don't think I really have to explain that one, the kid comes with a ton of baggage and is pretty much the ultimate individual/diva type prospect while the Texans new HC is trying to build a "team" mentality.....just a terrible fit even without the baggage He's also lacking in the decision making department. He's a running QB first and foremost. Often in college his instincts told him to run even when he had guys wide open down field, this will get him killed in the NFL and will really hurt whatever team ends up with him unless he manages to completely rid himself of every football instinct he currently possesses and learns proper NFL QB instincts, something that is damn near impossible. His arm and intelligence isn't enough to make up for those glaring weaknesses which IMO will prevent him from being a successful NFL QB.
Its funny how everyone is always trying to get the next Andrew Luck. Especially when there have been many instances in between drafts where there are no proclaimed "Andrew Lucks" yet still teams manage to find starting caliber full-time winning quarterbacks. The reason they call them once in a lifetime is not because they are the absolute best there ever was and will be, instead because they are guys that you know have the best chance to accomplish what their skillsets show in thr NFL. Any other prospect at the position will always have some sort of weakness. Too short, too slow, weak arm, too skiny, no competition, etc. the point is for your team's staff to pinpoint such QB figure out what does translate well and if he fits the offensive scheme and learn the game at the pro level AND then work out those weaknesses. These are 20-24 year old kids who have yet to mature both mentally and physically so of course it will take time for most of these guys to transcend those skills they learn to the field. But the way you're making it seem is that no one should even consider taking a QB EVER, unless you have a prospect such as Luck. Which is pretty ridiculous.
Atlanta is just posturing. At this point in the pre-draft schedule, you have to realize that everybody is lying out of their teeth. The opposite of what they are saying is usually more accurate. "We really want to trade up, but we want Houston to be scared that we won't so they drive their price down." --Atlanta "I know who Bill O'Brien has forced me to place at the top of my draft board, and while I'm not happy about it, I'm pretty sure that we can get him at #6 and that Atlanta would make a good trade partner. Now it's just about getting them to cough up as many extra picks as possible." --Rick Smith
Only scenario that makes sense is drafting Clowney at one and trading with Atlanta only if Manziel or Bortles are still on the board. Manziel won't be, but Bortles probably will. Or do they draft Mack with Atlanta's pick and use the extra first they get to trade back up for Bortles? Is that even possible?
Now that Cleveland has both Hoyer and VY they may not draft a quarterback with their top pick. I wouldn't be too confident that Johnny would get drafted by the Jags or the Raiders.
...unless Crennel and O'Brien have come to the conclusion that Clowney isn't a guy that they want. (cue an enraged bobby) Ultimately, everything out there right now is a snowjob. No one knows how they want, who they don't, or who is close regarding trade talks. I look forward to Thursday when we finally get answers. Longest offseason ever.
I would certainly question it if they came to that conclusion, but I'd give them the benefit of the doubt. Of course, if it didn't work out, I'd be pretty insistent that they all be fired for incompetence. If you are going to skip on the consensus best player in the draft who is at a position of need for you, then you better be REALLY sure what you are doing works out and works out quickly.
I remember reading a story a while back - I think in connection with the Astros' move to the AL - that the percentage of people who follow through on these threats has been demonstrated to be ridiculously low. I don't remember exactly, but I want to say like 5% over the course of a year or two. I've not payed attention at all to baseball since Crane bought the team but I have to say the Astros have made it easy. If they had been in the playoffs every year, for all I know I might have caved. Whatever happens, if the Texans win football games, the studies show that most of the offended parties even if they are genuinely committed to giving up the team right now, will get over it and come back.
Name the QB's that were 6'0" and under who were drafted by the NFL who failed completely? I imagine that's a hard list to compile. Because for decades those kinds of guys were rarely drafted except for a few who were so good in college (Flutie for example) the NFL decided to take a risk. Its a self fulfilling prophesy to say nobody who is his size has been successful when 1) yes there have been and 2) the reason there isn't more is because they simply weren't being drafted. Drew Brees, Fran Tarkenton, Bob Griese Brett Favre, Doug Flutie, Russell Wilson, Sonny Jurgenson, Joe Theisman, Michael Vick, Billy Kilmer, Len Dawson, Pat Haden ALL seem to be "outliers" to you. These were just the ones I thought of off the top of my head. That's quite a few outliers. And yet, it didn't affect his performance or his team's performance at all. Its also interesting his teammates and coaches love the guy and support him. Your impression of Manziel seems to be purely built on reporting from places like ESPN who are trying to get hits to their website or viewers to their shows. Did this kid commit a crime? Did he hurt someone? What exactly did he do that was so harmful? First of all, his decision making seems to be pretty strong given the results of his play. I'm not sure where that comment comes from. Second of all, yes as a freshman he was just as likely to run as throw. Part of that was maturity...part of that was his receivers not used to continuing to work to get open as Manziel bought time as they got to know each other. Regardless, his rushing numbers tumbled significantly in year 2 while his throwing numbers rose as continued to mature. His ability to scramble and run somehow to you has been turned into a negative. Well, we just had the opposite run our offense for 6 years in Schaub. That guy was a statue. How many times would he have been able to make a play if he could just move in the pocket? I think it interesting your reasons for not wanting Manziel are all opinion based while what I posted initially was all fact based. Nevertheless, I do appreciate you stating they were just your opinions. Thanks for the conversation.
Isn't the fact that most don't even get drafted in the first place a sign? Also of your list, Russell is a game manager, Vick wasn't ever really good, and several others you listed were from completely different eras. Really great QB's under 6'0 are pretty much one of the least likely things in sports. Defend him all you like, but you can't deny the baggage and you can't deny that his personality doesn't mesh with what BOB is trying to accomplish. The only way you can like his decision making skills is if you are only judging them based on how things worked out against college opponents. At the next level foolish decision making won't end well. Keep beating the drum for running QB's....it won't make any difference. It's cool, I've had lots of these conversations in the past, eventually you'll realize that you were wrong, it's just a matter of time.
To be fair, most guys 6'3" and over don't get drafted, either. I mean, I'm 6'3" and I never got drafted. Also, I think a one armed pitcher is much less likely to happen in sports.
