Okay that's a little over the top. Do you think BOB is gonna be like "Okay he's got everything we want in a qb, interviews went well, knows the game, had a great pro day...BUT some dude on NFL network said he doesn't like him...let's NOT draft him. And while we're on the topic of "scouting reports"
At this point, even though I voted for TB earlier, I'll be extremely disappointed if we don't draft Clowney. You can't pass up on freakish talent like that. Clowney + 2nd rd QB + Cassel will more than satisfy me.
Exactly. Like the Texans are basing their picks on what the media thinks of some prospects lol Im pretty sure they could care less about what some analysis on TV thinks who they should draft. And if they do, we in barney....ruble...trouble.
I think a lot of the people for Teddy Bridgewater and Johnny Football are jumping on the Clowney bandwagon because their scared as h377 that O'Brien is going to draft Blake Bortles... Lol. If O'Brien doesn't want a quarterback with the #1 pick the Texans should draft Watkins or Robinson... Robinson may can turn into an elite left tackle which can be argued is the most important position on offense. And Watkins is a quarterback maker. Both of those guys would be more of an impact at their positions (Sammy on special teams as well) than Clowney. If Bob McNair wanted to draft Clowney and create a dominate defense he should have hired a defensive minded 4-3 head coach... Instead of an offensive minded head coach with a 3-4 defensive coordinator.
Add Mack to that list and I think you have it. Along with Matthews, those are the "can't-miss prospects" in the draft. With what we have invested in Duane Brown, drafting a tackle that high simply makes no sense; I don't care how good he is. So if you take Clowney off the board because of work ethic concerns, and you take the two tackles off the board, you're pretty much left with Watkins and Mack. I think both would be game-changers. Certainly a pass rushing OLB who is also versatile enough to drop into coverage is a far bigger need than adding another WR. So if we are forced to stay at #1 i think we should draft Mack.
I've heard Mack's name thrown around a lot, and I do agree that he's a better prospect than any QB, but I don't think he brings much to the table in terms of pass rush, but he'd be a very well rounded OLB. I'd NEVER pick him over Clowney, but I'd take him over any QB.
Have you not seen the right side of the offensive line...? Take that with the fact we would have a replacement for Brown 3-4 years from now (maybe 2) so that puts Robinson right up there. Especially if Foster is healthy and ready to run. True game changing #1 receivers are rare in the NFL and that's what Sammy Watkins is. And you can't expect Dre to last forever and Hopkins was a 1st round pick drafted a round or two too early and Foster is the only playmaker on the offense. If there's not a quarterback in this draft worth drafting #1 the Texans shouldn't pass up on a potential super star wide receiver (with Dre going into his twilight years) or an elite tackle (when the offensive line suxks) for a DE who's never played linebacker in Clowney or Mack who looks a little undersized for a 3-4 OLB to be drafted that high...
Putting NFL draft analytics to the test Spoiler I've often wondered why analytics have been used prominently in the pre-draft evaluations in other major sports leagues, but haven't been fully incorporated into the scouting process in the NFL. The old-school mentality of scouts in pro football prompts decision makers to rely more on gut instincts and feel instead of statistical analysis when making player evaluations and comparisons. That's why I initially resisted taking on a project that asked me to examine player comparisons based solely on the NFL Insight (a statistical database developed by NFL's IT department) examination of the empirical data gathered at the NFL Scouting Combine since 2003. While I certainly believe statistical analysis should play a role in evaluating players, I don't believe the numbers can accurately portray a prospect's talent or potential without factoring in key variables (scheme, opponent, weather conditions, etc.) that ultimately affect performance. Additionally, I believe the impact of pre-combine training has skewed the measurements in several drills, namely the 40-yard dash, pro-agility shuttle and three-cone drill. Thus, the combine numbers are no longer indicative of a prospect's pure speed or athleticism on the field. Finally, I believe a prospect's DNA is actually revealed on game film. Astute evaluators are able to assess a player's talent, performance and overall potential by digging into the tape to see how well he has performed against elite competition. Although past performance is certainly not an accurate predictor of future results, it does provide a host of clues that allow scouts to make solid assessments on a player's long-term potential in the right environment. With that as a backdrop, I would like to play a game of man vs. computer over the next week to test my evaluation skills against NFL Insight and the NFL Media research team. I will analyze their pro comparisons on a handful of prospects, and let you know where they were right or wrong on their assessments. Given the importance of the quarterback position, I believe it is only right that we start with two of the top quarterbacks in the 2014 class, Johnny Manziel and Blake Bortles, to see what past prospects they're connected to based on their combine test results. Johnny Manziel Player | Year | Height | Weight | Hand | 40 | Vertical | Broad jump Johnny Manziel | 2014 | 5-11 3/4 | 207 | 9 7/8 | 4.68 | 31 1/2 | 9-5 Chris Leak | 2007 | 5-11 7/8 | 209 | 9 1/2 | 4.79 | 32 1/2 | 9-5 Alex Smith | 2005 | 6-4 1/8 | 217 | 9 1/8 | 4.71 | 32 | 9-5 Kevin Kolb | 2007 | 6-3 1/8 | 218 | 9 7/8 | 4.85 | 32 1/2 | 9-4 Scout's Take: Obviously, the NFL Insight team made a gross error in its evaluation by lumping Johnny Football with Alex Smith and Kevin Kolb. Although both guys have carved out respectable NFL careers, neither possesses Manziel's improvisational skills nor his ability to raise his game against elite competition. With the NFL game continuing to evolve to take advantage of the talents of athletic quarterbacks, I would expect Manziel to have a greater impact on the league than Smith and Kolb. In fact, I believe he will remind many of Fran Tarkenton and Doug Flutie when he steps onto the field this fall. Interesting note: Manziel weighed 207 pounds at the combine, which would make him the lightest quarterback drafted in the first round since 2003 if he is taken on May 8th. Lightest combine weight of quarterbacks drafted in first round since 2003: 2005: Alex Smith, 217 2003: Rex Grossman, 217 2004: Eli Manning, 221 2012: Brandon Weeden, 221 2012: Ryan Tannehill, 221 Blake Bortles Player | Year | Height | Weight | Hand | 40 | Vertical | Broad jump Blake Bortles | 2014 | 6-5 | 232 | 9 3/8 | 4.93 | 32 1/2 | 9-7 Joe Flacco | 2008 | 6-6 3/8 | 236 | 9 5/8 | 4.86 | 28 1/2 | 9-2 Matt Schaub | 2004 | 6-5 5/8 | 243 | 9 3/8 | 5.03 | 30 1/2 | 9-2 Landry Jones | 2013 | 6-4 1/8 | 225 | 9 1/8 | 5.11 | 31 | 9-7 Scout's Take: NFL Insight might have this comparison right based on the similar physical dimensions and playing styles of the group. Joe Flacco and Matt Schaub, in particular, are good comparisons because they are classic drop-back quarterbacks adept at doing their damage from the pocket. While Bortles offers greater mobility than Schaub, he can't rival the arm strength of Flacco as a pure passer. Regardless, the Super Bowl XLVII MVP ranks as an ideal player comparison for Bortles based on his game and overall talent. Interesting note: Bortles (4.93) would be one of the slowest quarterbacks taken in the first two rounds of the draft since 2003. Slowest QB 40-yard dash times since 2003: 2009: Mark Sanchez, 5.00 2009: Josh Freeman, 4.97 2008: Matt Ryan, 4.95 2011: Andy Dalton, 4.93 2008: Chad Henne, 4.92
wow, great point... never thought of it that way. but i agree with you on robinson and watkins... both have all pro potential. i would include khalil mack to the equation... he certainly fits the bill of a 3-4 OLB.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>.<a href="https://twitter.com/GoPittFootball">@GoPittFootball</a> QB Tom Savage only had 1 WR (Devin Street) for Pro Day. One WR couldn't go because of bad wrist; No other options available</p>— Alex Marvez (@alexmarvez) <a href="https://twitter.com/alexmarvez/statuses/440679175805222912">March 4, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Even so, Savage was happy with his Pro Day performance. Met with HCs Chip Kelly & Bill O'Brien after his workout. <a href="https://twitter.com/SiriusXMNFL">@SiriusXMNFL</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Gil_Brandt">@Gil_Brandt</a></p>— Alex Marvez (@alexmarvez) <a href="https://twitter.com/alexmarvez/statuses/440679454890004480">March 4, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
As a betting man I watched a lot of games I usually wouldnt as a casual fan. With that being said I saw quite a few games of pitt and Savage is intriguing. He probably has the best looking throws and has zip, but he lacks in other areas.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Moments ago at his Pro Day, Buffalo linebacker Khalil Mack clocked the 40 in a 4.54....</p>— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) <a href="https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/statuses/440872491557216256">March 4, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>There are five legitimate candidates to go No. 1 to the Texans. They are rushers Clowney & Mack, QBs Bortles & Bridgewater & OT Robinson.</p>— Rob Rang (@RobRang) <a href="https://twitter.com/RobRang/statuses/440875968530358272">March 4, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Texans' choice really comes down to either taking best player (Clowney or Robinson), best fit (Mack) or building for future with new QB...</p>— Rob Rang (@RobRang) <a href="https://twitter.com/RobRang/statuses/440877276863819777">March 4, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>... For most teams picking No. 1, I'd argue for QB but w/ a roster largely built to win now, I expect Texans to value immediate impact.</p>— Rob Rang (@RobRang) <a href="https://twitter.com/RobRang/statuses/440877739726233601">March 4, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Yup, he's fast, and pro day numbers are friendly, it's the reason Bridgewater didn't want to run the real 40 time, he wanted to only show the number with an extra tenth of a second taken off by "home court advantage". My only real beef with taking Mack first overall is that he doesn't really help our pass rush because he's just a pure speed rusher and if anyone, be it an OT or a TE get their hands on him, he's done. He doesn't EVER justify a double team so our pass rush will still be JJ Watt and no one else. Mack is a really awesome overall OLB prospect though, I just don't think he's what we need.
