wait, wait, wait - when did yardage suddenly become THE measuring stick for college QBs? and why does it all of a sudden cancel out 30 TDs; 5 INTs; a 167.87 passer rating; and 12 wins? i guess the kid from hawaii would've been your choice? ohio state won games by an average of 26 points; smith averaged a pretty ordinary 25 throws a game (vs the 38, for example, palmer averaged the year he won it)... its more about what he did with those throws that counted. would he have won last year? no. maybe not several other years, either. but his #s were far from "average."
Where did I say it was? I think it's a *critical* piece because it indicates how involved you are in the offense. It's not the ONLY number, of course. It certainly is about what he did with the throws when you are talking about wins and losses for the team and running a good offense. For the Heisman, however, total numbers have always been important. Efficiency only means so much without great totals. A guy who runs for 2000 yards at 5 yds a carry is more impressive than a guy who ran for 1000 at 7 yds a carry. Can you name a year in the last decade where he would have won the Heisman over whoever won it? I would argue he wouldn't win it ANY of those years. His numbers simply weren't Heisman-like. If his team was 10-2 (not due to his doing) and he put up those numbers, he wouldn't have even been in the discussion at the end of the year. He won it by default in a year where there was no one on a great team that had a really outstanding season. Of course he's not average when you consider the Baylors of the world. If you want to quibble over the word "average", feel free. But you could argue lots of players put up *significantly* better stats than he did while carrying a much bigger load for their offense & team. Keep in mind, Ohio State was a team that won with defense. It had a good offense, but was run-heavy (60%+ running, and top 15 rushing while only top 35 or so passing), and had the #2 scoring defense in the country. Of the 3 pieces (defense, rushing o, passing o), passing offense was emphasized the least. Players who are primarily known for their passing numbers don't normally win Heismans being out of the top 30 in passing yards. He was far more in the mold of Josh Heupel this year than a Leinart, Young, Palmer, White, Weinke, etc. Smart, savvy player who managed a game and made big plays when his team needed it as opposed to a player who was asked to be biggest part of the team. He may be a great pro - but the role he played in college is not the role most major NFL QB's played at that level. Most was asked to carry their teams. He did when he had to in a few games here and there, so that's a good sign - but he really wasn't asked to all that much. This year's crop of QB's doesn't make me go "wow, this guy is gonna be special at the next level" in the way that previous year QB's did (even those that failed). That doesn't mean they won't, but it seems to me a down year for college QBs.
I don't think there is any chance of Peterson being there at #8....but if he is, they have to draft him. I think they go either RB or CB with the 1st rounder..
AP, if no Joe Thomas. If both options fall through, work for a trade down so you can get say Staley or Levi Brown later in the 1st. Then go for Michael Bush in the second (if Turner FA option falls through), with your extra pick either go with Kolb or if you project he can be taken in the 3rd round, go fill another hole and then get Kolb. We need both quality AND quantity in picks to have a fighting chance in this upcoming season. Parlay our seven into 10 or 12 and we will be in DAMN good position should the group turn out as well as the previous draft.
AP seems like the most popular choice, but his injury history and his running style really scares me. If Russell is there, I think the Texans have to pick him, you're getting #1 overall pick talent at #8. But my pick would be Branch. I think his size and athleticism is exactly what we need next to Mario. We've invested so much into the DL (Babin, TJ, Mario, Weaver, etc...) and it's still not where it needs to be. I think we should keep investing until we get it right. I also think putting a guy like Branch next to Mario will really help him out. You could double team Mario because guys like Travis Johnson, Maddox, Thomas Johnson, Killings, etc...aren't going to beat you alone. If Branch turns out right, having him next to Mario could be really dangerous for offenses.
Knowing the Texans, they will screw it up With the 8th selection in the 2007 NFL draft, the Houston Texans select Spoiler John David Booty
1. Adrian Peterson 1A Ja Marcus Russell We dont have a playmaker at those 2 positions so we need one of those guys badly.
so many needs...I picked the Tackle as the O-line is the most important position, IMHO, given the system...Well, besides the QB...We need an anchor on the o-line, someone that'll be there for 10 + years...
I said Peterson, but I doubt he'll be available. Mostly, I would rather have defense if Peterson isn't available. Then, in the second or third round (whichever we can manage) I hope we snag either Chris Leak or Kevin Kolb. Both are gonna be players in the NFL.
Well, perhaps take out the part about making big plays when his team needed it. Right now, late in the 4th quarter, he has 36 yards passing and -37 yards from sacks/runs.
Landry. Our safties are the worst in the league and Kubiak can make more happen with less at the RB position. 2nd and 3rd round are purely going to be about best available talent, no matter the position.
I'm amazed by the multiple votes for J. Russell. Seriously, how many of you have seen this guy play outside of this years Sugar Bowl? Don't let your hate for D. Carr cloud your judgment and please don't go Jimmy Stewart in Vertigo by making him into VY. The Texans need to shore up the line more than anything. If Joe Thomas is gone than trade down and pick Justin Blalock. By the way Blalock can play both G and T, something Jarhead seems to like in OLinemen. Don't know if this was posted. http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/6336760 8. Texans Adrian Peterson RB Oklahoma Junior Green Bay or the Jets may try to move up if Peterson's still available. The Packers may offer the kitchen sink to get him. As for Houston, Gary Kubiak likely won't want to take a running back in the first round, but it will be tough to pass on "AD" if he slips to 8. Ready for the story of the draft if this happens? All the experts analyzing the Texans' picks over a two-year span. Hey, kill them for passing on Reggie Bush in '06, but if they can walk away in '07 with Williams and Peterson on their roster — it's not the worst thing in the world. Then again, they passed on Vince Young, too.
Totally agree. Wasn't the Sugar Bowl his first 300 yard game of the year? And ND's defense has sucked all year. This is NOT the year to take a QB in the first round.
The Texans may not take him top of the second but I doubt her would go past them in the 3rd Rocket River
I've been saying this for sometime. Chris Leak is the Drew Brees of this draft. He has average tools, but he almost never makes a mistake, and he always seems to find a way to make a play. Kevin Kolb definitely has more potential, but there is the system-quarterback stigma on him.
