Posted on 01/09/2009 4:48:28 PM PST by STARWISE
After spending the season as college football’s marquee stars, Florida quarterback Tim Tebow and Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford now hold the biggest off-season question in their hands.
One N.F.L. scout said that Sam Bradford is a "no-brainer" overall No. 1 pick in the draft.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
Frankly, the Lions might be better served trading the Number One pick, they need quantity as much as quality. Plus they’ve got the Cowboys draft picks from the Roy Williams trade.
I'm an incorrigible Draftnik, and I've been reading a lot of mock drafts this week (I have no life).
Virtually every site has Detroit taking a QB at Number One. But it's between Matt Stafford and Sam Bradford. It may come down to who has the best private workout.
Virtually every site has Andre Smith of Alabama going Number Two to the Rams (for what it's worth). He could be someone's starting left tackle for years.
I like the guy, and he's a great college quarterback, but I don't think he's got the tools to be much more than an average NFL quarterback.
Think of what a person like Tebow could/would do with that kind of windfall?
Unless there's a real once-in-a-lifetime type of player available, I would never use a #1 pick for anything other than an offensive lineman, a quarterback, a pass-rushing defensive end, or a cornerback who can play man coverage.
I really do understand that education is important, but if the whole intent is to earn a living, then the precious few who get into the big leagues earn far more in sports than they would by earning the degree first and taking a chance on missing their chance at the draft.
He also got pummeled this year. I'm a Big Ben fan, but his days as an elite QB are growing short. He's taking way too many hits. The Stillers better get him some O-line help... fast.
I think this happens a lot more than you think.
Some pro teams even have established relationships with local universities to allow their young players to finish school after they turn pro.
When the Giants used Farleigh Dickinson University in northern New Jersey as their training camp, they had a deal like this with the school. Some of their players even used this opportunity to get a graduate degree, too (I think Harry Carson may have even gotten an MBA this way).
I thought I read in an article that Tebow was close to completing his degree so if he leaves he may have his degree anyways...this info might be wrong though, I just thought I recalled reading it.
I saw one draft analysis that suggests that 2 QB’s will be taken in the top-5... after that the next QB might not be taken until the bottom of the 1st round or top of the 2nd. That analysis is based upon team need, not “best athlete available”. Heckuva drop-off in $$$ for a high-first round pick to fall that far.
Almost could be #2 in a year where his skills are really needed.
From what I've read, I agree. My hunch is Bradford to the Lions and Stafford to the Chiefs (at Number 3).
The debate begins at the third best QB. Watch out for Sanchez of USC if he comes out.
The Giants had an offensive lineman out of Nebraska back in the late 1990s named Rob Zatechka. He was redshirted as a freshman, played a fourth season during his last year of eligibility AFTER he graduated, and completed a master's degree in molecular biology or something like that during his fifth year.
He played football for five years, went back to medical school, and is now an anesthesiologist in Omaha.
He'd have a better chance of making it as a linebacker than a QB.
And, I do have a small track record here. When my beloved Giants drafted Ron Dayne as their number one, I immediately called my Big Ten expert buddy Richie in Chicago. He loved Dayne, but I told him he's never going to outrun the NFL LBs.
I was right then, and I belive I am right here. Time will tell.
So correct! Tebow’s life isn’t about money...so what he does in future can’t be quantified by the money! Personally,
I’d like to see him stay and play.
saltnlemons
Yes, but didn't Ron Dayne damage a knee pretty severly in his senior year? If I recall correctly he continued to play on it to the point where he could only really run to one side of the field due to an inability to make the cutback.
A lot of College RB's get away with dancing in the hole to try & create a big gain. That doesn't work in the pros, the LB's are too quick. The type of RB that succeeds is a guy who hits the hole quickly & can break arm tackles. Oh, and he'd better be able to pass block & catch out of the backfield. A lot of flashy college runners are duds in the pros.
I didn't see a lot of Sanchez this year except for the Rose Bowl. I can't really evaluate him from that since PSU played so badly in the secondary.
OTOH, I was a Bradford doubter because he hadn't really faced a lot of pressure until Florida. Man he has a lightning release and really sees the field well! I'd have to take Bradford over Sanchez.
It could be a great year for the QB draft, but somebody's gonna do a Matt Leinart & drop bigtime. My guess is that this will be Tim Tebow -- which is one reason why he'll stay in college.
Every once in a rare while the universe behaves as if God had a sense of humor and occasionally in the NFL when there's a will, a way can be found againsgt all odds. It would not strike me as an earthshaking surprise were Tebow to end up on the Ravens. THAT would be beyond frightening. In fact those Raven linebackers would practice tackling Tebow and they wouldn't have to worry about hurting him, much less breaking him. There have been Sunday afternoons in the NFL on which more than 20 of the starting quarterbacks were out injured; think about it.
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