There has been some speculation that the Minnesota Vikings are interested in LSU quarterback Zach Mettenberger. Maybe. Maybe not. With the Vikings need at the position, every quarterback can be linked to the team. You can't really believe anything that is said as we creep closer to the NFL Draft. Mettneberger is often mentioned in Vikings draft rumors because he fits the type of quarterback that many have pegged as a preference of new offensive coordinator Norv Turner. Strong-armed, pocket passer. Turner has been saddled with this preference because of his time spent and work done with Troy Aikman and Philip Rivers. What coach wouldn't have a fondness for effective, accurate throwers like Aikman and Rivers. I think that people tend to forget that Turner inherited both quarterbacks. I think that it's a mistake to pigeonhole Turner as having a preference for a singular type of quarterback. He's experienced enough and open-minded enough to accept and work with a variety of quarterback types. He's worked with too many quarterbacks to single out one as his.
Through his coaching career, Norv Turner has worked with Troy Aikman, Heath Shuler, Gus Frerotte, Trent Green, Brad Johnson, Doug Flutie, Drew Brees, Jay Fiedler, Rich Gannon, Kerry Collins, Philip Rivers, Alex Smith, Brian Hoyer, Brandon Weeden, and Jason Campbell. That's quite a mix. Of those quarterbacks, only Trent Green, Brad Johnson, Drew Brees, Jason Campbell, and Brian Hoyer were added on Turner's watch. Those were the only quarterbacks that might have been of his choosing. I find it interesting that after film review and workouts with San Jose St. quarterback David Fales, Turner said that the young thrower is a Trent Green clone.
The coaching combination of Mike Zimmer and Norv Turner has about all of the Vikings fan base very excited. Outside of one beautiful season from Brett Favre, the play at quarterback has been horrid in Minnesota. There's hope now with Turner at the helm. There's a faith, not seen in a long time, that Turner will select the right quarterback and effectively coach that quarterback. Maybe he can even revive the career of Christian Ponder. I don't think that the fan base has that kind of faith.
Norv Turner has worked with so many different quarterbacks that it's a disservice to his experience and coaching to narrow his preference for the position. I think that nearly all of the quarterbacks in the draft could be in play. Zach Mettenberger could be the one. David Fales too. Aaron Murray? Certainly. Tom Savage. Even that squirrelly kid from Texas A&M. Turner can can get positive results from a variety of quarterbacks.
Monday, April 7, 2014
Sunday, April 6, 2014
Perspective
I've heard on a couple of occasions, most recently by NFL Network's Bucky Brooks, that defensive-minded head coaches might be more inclined to draft, or at least favor, a quarterback like Texas A&M's Johnny Manziel. Offensive-minded head coaches likely prefer a more traditional, pocket-passing quarterback like Teddy Bridgewater. Brooks went on to say that the defensive-minded coach would lean toward the unpredictable, dual threat quarterback because he knows how difficult it is to prepare for that sort of offensive threat. Hell, he may even draft that quarterback simply to avoid ever having to prepare for him. For an offensive-minded head coach, it's more about the system. He wants a quarterback that fits his system. I hadn't really considered this aspect of a coach's perspective when it comes to quarterback preferences. By this thinking, new Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer might put Manziel at the top of this draft's quarterback list.
I can accept the idea that defensive coaches can better understand the headaches caused by gifted, athletic quarterbacks. I don't think that Peyton Manning keeps opposing coaches up at night. He's very predictable. You pretty much know that nearly all of his throws are going to come from the pocket. Stopping him is a whole other story but there really is no suspense as to what he's going to try and do. You don't have to make much of an effort to keep him in the pocket since he's quite content to stay right there. Colin Kaepernick, a healthy Robert Griffin III, Russell Wilson, and perhaps, in a couple of years, Johnny Manziel will keep defensive coaches up late, sweating for solutions. They have to contend with so much because these quarterbacks can do so much.
I don't really think that this thinking holds true so much for all offensive coaches. No doubt there are some coaches so set in their ways that they have to have that quarterback that perfectly fits their in-the-pocket-down-the-field passing system. I just think that there are more and more coaches, offensive coaches, that are looking for mismatches. Football is all about mismatches. Finding them and taking advantage of them. Unpredictable quarterbacks create mismatches. They can extend plays. They can expand the playbook. So, these dual threat quarterbacks aren't appealing only to defensive coaches.
Being able to move the ball through the air is still the #1 skill that every NFL quarterback must possess. Slow, immobile quarterbacks can still find a home in the league as long as they can put the ball where they are supposed to and score touchdowns often. I think that this idea of a coach's perspective when it comes to quarterback preference is an interesting one. It's certainly not a rule written in stone. Just two years ago, Chuck Pagano, the defensive-minded head coach of the Indianapolis Colts, drafted Andrew Luck over the versatile and dangerous Robert Griffin III. Luck is a terrific athlete. He can hurt a defense with his feet but he's still considered more of a traditional, pocket passer. I think that the perspective of a coach comes into play when their team is deciding between two, differing quarterbacks rated about the same. The decision, then, will, of course, come down to their preference. For the defensive-minded coach, the quarterback that keeps them up at night. For the offensive-minded coach, the quarterback that best fits the passing system in place. Makes sense.
I can accept the idea that defensive coaches can better understand the headaches caused by gifted, athletic quarterbacks. I don't think that Peyton Manning keeps opposing coaches up at night. He's very predictable. You pretty much know that nearly all of his throws are going to come from the pocket. Stopping him is a whole other story but there really is no suspense as to what he's going to try and do. You don't have to make much of an effort to keep him in the pocket since he's quite content to stay right there. Colin Kaepernick, a healthy Robert Griffin III, Russell Wilson, and perhaps, in a couple of years, Johnny Manziel will keep defensive coaches up late, sweating for solutions. They have to contend with so much because these quarterbacks can do so much.
I don't really think that this thinking holds true so much for all offensive coaches. No doubt there are some coaches so set in their ways that they have to have that quarterback that perfectly fits their in-the-pocket-down-the-field passing system. I just think that there are more and more coaches, offensive coaches, that are looking for mismatches. Football is all about mismatches. Finding them and taking advantage of them. Unpredictable quarterbacks create mismatches. They can extend plays. They can expand the playbook. So, these dual threat quarterbacks aren't appealing only to defensive coaches.
Being able to move the ball through the air is still the #1 skill that every NFL quarterback must possess. Slow, immobile quarterbacks can still find a home in the league as long as they can put the ball where they are supposed to and score touchdowns often. I think that this idea of a coach's perspective when it comes to quarterback preference is an interesting one. It's certainly not a rule written in stone. Just two years ago, Chuck Pagano, the defensive-minded head coach of the Indianapolis Colts, drafted Andrew Luck over the versatile and dangerous Robert Griffin III. Luck is a terrific athlete. He can hurt a defense with his feet but he's still considered more of a traditional, pocket passer. I think that the perspective of a coach comes into play when their team is deciding between two, differing quarterbacks rated about the same. The decision, then, will, of course, come down to their preference. For the defensive-minded coach, the quarterback that keeps them up at night. For the offensive-minded coach, the quarterback that best fits the passing system in place. Makes sense.
Saturday, April 5, 2014
Remaining Pro Days
There were over 150 Pro Days in March. The Johnny Manziel Pro Day in College Station was the most attended, unique and not to be duplicated. Even McGill University had a Pro Day. Nine teams traveled to Canada to check out offensive lineman, and doctor-to-be, Laurent Duvernay-Tardif. He wasn't invited to the Scouting Combine but his workout numbers were as good as any lineman that was invited. Every weekday in March had at least one Pro Day scheduled. Most had at least seven. A couple had as many as twelve. That's a crazy schedule. For some reason, the Cleveland Browns were especially selective with their attendance. They had no representatives at the Manziel Pro Day or the South Carolina/Jadeveon Clowney Pro Day. They were probably the only team to do so. The Pro Day activity slows down considerably in April. Some teams might even take a little vacation before they make final preparations for the May 8-10 NFL Draft. The Minnesota Vikings did just that. There are still some big Pro Days coming up next week.
April 7
Louisiana-Lafayette
Towson-running back Terrance West should get some attention
April 8
Maryland
Penn St.
April 9
LSU
April 10
Bloomsburg
April 11
Grand Valley St.
Tulane
April 15
Dixie St.
April 16
Georgia
I've wondered if Georgia scheduled at the end of the Pro Day tour with the hope that quarterback Aaron Murray might be healthy enough to take part. He tore an ACL during the season. If not for that injury, he might have been in part of the quarterback conversation with Manziel, Teddy Bridgewater, Blake Bortles, and Derek Carr.
The Pro Days are coming to an end. All that we'll have left is hypothetical draft chatter. With the later draft this year, we'll even have a couple more weeks of that.
April 7
Louisiana-Lafayette
Towson-running back Terrance West should get some attention
April 8
Maryland
Penn St.
April 9
LSU
April 10
Bloomsburg
April 11
Grand Valley St.
Tulane
April 15
Dixie St.
April 16
Georgia
I've wondered if Georgia scheduled at the end of the Pro Day tour with the hope that quarterback Aaron Murray might be healthy enough to take part. He tore an ACL during the season. If not for that injury, he might have been in part of the quarterback conversation with Manziel, Teddy Bridgewater, Blake Bortles, and Derek Carr.
The Pro Days are coming to an end. All that we'll have left is hypothetical draft chatter. With the later draft this year, we'll even have a couple more weeks of that.
Friday, April 4, 2014
Packers Picks
The Green Bay Packers last signed an unrestricted free agent on March 30, 2012. That player was defensive tackle Anthony Hargrove. It was a terrific signing. He was released in August of that very same year. Hargrove never played a single regular season snap for the Packers. I seriously doubt that a free agency failure of two years ago is the reason that Packers general manager Ted Thompson stays away from the unrestricted free agency pool. I also doubt that Thompson stays away from that pool, as the website Pro Football Talk suggests, to collect compensatory draft picks. He's just careful. At least, I'd like to think that's his reason. There are countless examples of high-priced free agent signings that have pretty much zero impact on a team's success on the field. There are far more free agency failures than there are success stories. Actually, two of the most successful free agency signings in the history of NFL free agency are Reggie White and Charles Woodson. Both signings by the Packers. Both done with Ted Thompson in that Packers front office. As general manager, he made the decision to sign Woodson. Pro Football Talk backs up it's claim that Thompson signs or doesn't sign players with compensatory picks in mind by his team's additions of defensive linemen Julius Peppers and Letroy Guion. Both players were released by their former teams so they don't factor into the compensatory pick equation. That's a very valid point by Pro Football Talk. Unfortunately, we can't know for certain whether Thompson would have signed either player if they were unrestricted free agents. I'm not saying that Thompson isn't going about his business with compensatory picks in mind. I couldn't possibly know why he does anything because he rarely says anything. I don't think that he enjoys talking to anybody. He always looks on the verge of tears or a nap. I just think that relying on compensatory picks is a foolish way to build a team. You're always starting over. These picks were meant to compensate teams for the loss of players. They weren't meant to be a reason for not even trying to retain players.
Ted Thompson believes in building the Green Bay Packers through the draft, not free agency. All teams say it. The Packers are one of the few teams that actually does it. They've skipped out on free agency the past two years. They don't want to pay the money that's called for in order to compete in free agency. Not only are they very selective in signing players from other teams, they are very selective in signing their own players. In order to gain compensatory picks they have to lose players. Each year the Packers lose players to other teams. I don't really consider this team building. They are constantly recycling young players for younger players and starting the process all over again. They draft a player, develop him, and then lose him to free agency. Maybe they get a compensatory pick. Maybe they don't. Either way they have to replace the players that they let walk. Losing Greg Jennings and Erik Walden to free agency last year brought them third and fifth round picks in the upcoming draft. The Packers have lost James Jones, Evan Dietrich-Smith, C.J. Wilson, and Marshall Newhouse this year. Despite adding Peppers and Guion, the Packers have added no unrestricted free agents. They should get, at least, a couple of picks next year. That stupid formula had better not shoot out out any picks higher than a fifth. I don't see this as team-building. It's like being on a treadmill. The Packers are very selective in the players that they retain and add but I think that they lack anything approaching stability. They have this constant roster-churn. Maybe it's good for competition but it does nothing for familiarity. Ted Thompson and the Green Bay Packers have won a Super Bowl. That does say something about his ability to put together a football team but he hasn't won since he's stayed out of the free agency pool.
Ted Thompson believes in building the Green Bay Packers through the draft, not free agency. All teams say it. The Packers are one of the few teams that actually does it. They've skipped out on free agency the past two years. They don't want to pay the money that's called for in order to compete in free agency. Not only are they very selective in signing players from other teams, they are very selective in signing their own players. In order to gain compensatory picks they have to lose players. Each year the Packers lose players to other teams. I don't really consider this team building. They are constantly recycling young players for younger players and starting the process all over again. They draft a player, develop him, and then lose him to free agency. Maybe they get a compensatory pick. Maybe they don't. Either way they have to replace the players that they let walk. Losing Greg Jennings and Erik Walden to free agency last year brought them third and fifth round picks in the upcoming draft. The Packers have lost James Jones, Evan Dietrich-Smith, C.J. Wilson, and Marshall Newhouse this year. Despite adding Peppers and Guion, the Packers have added no unrestricted free agents. They should get, at least, a couple of picks next year. That stupid formula had better not shoot out out any picks higher than a fifth. I don't see this as team-building. It's like being on a treadmill. The Packers are very selective in the players that they retain and add but I think that they lack anything approaching stability. They have this constant roster-churn. Maybe it's good for competition but it does nothing for familiarity. Ted Thompson and the Green Bay Packers have won a Super Bowl. That does say something about his ability to put together a football team but he hasn't won since he's stayed out of the free agency pool.
Thursday, April 3, 2014
Throwback Thursday: Not So Stellar Steeler Drafts
Considering their consistent success over the last forty years it can be surprising that the Pittsburgh Steelers pretty much sucked for all of their first forty years. They really did. The Steelers didn't manage their first postseason victory until the team was nearly forty years old. It's hard to get that first postseason win when you are rarely ever part of the postseason. From their start in 1933 up to the late 1960s, the Steelers didn't do much right. Their only playoff appearance was in 1947. They finished that season tied with the Philadelphia Eagles for the Eastern Conference title at 8-4. The Steelers lost the tie-breaking playoff game 21-0. It would be twenty five years before they experienced another playoff game. The Steelers were often competitive but they rarely saw sustained success. They just didn't have the players to win. Scouting then was nothing like it is today. Many teams simply flipped through college football magazines in preparation for the NFL Draft. For information on college players, the Steelers turned to an undertaker. Ray Byrne worked at his family's funeral home. When he wasn't doing that he managed the Steelers' college drafts during the 1940s and 1950s. He read all of the national football magazines, subscribed to all the newspapers, and diligently phoned college coaches across the nation. He kept careful notes and records on index cards. He moonlighted as the scouting staff of the Pittsburgh Steelers while working as an undertaker. With the Steelers lack of success, the jokes were obvious: "What are you doing, drafting a bunch of stiffs?"
Ray Byrne did the scouting. Others made the picks. The problem wasn't always the players that they failed to draft. It was also the players that they failed to keep. The Steelers drafted Louisville quarterback Johnny Unitas in the ninth round of the 1955 NFL Draft. The Steelers then cut Unitas without playing him for a single down during the preseason. In 1956, the Steelers had the "bonus pick"-the first overall selection in the NFL draft. They could have selected Penn State running back Lenny Moore but instead picked an unknown defensive back from Colorado named Gary Glick, a player that they had only read about but never seen. In 1957, the Steelers could have drafted Syracuse running back Jim Brown. They chose Purdue quarterback Len Dawson instead. Now, Dawson would eventually become a terrific player for the Kansas City Chiefs but, like Unitas, the Steelers quickly gave up on him. It's startling to think that the Pittsburgh Steelers of the 1950s could have fielded a backfield of Johnny Unitas, Jim Brown, and Lenny Moore. That might have changed their winning ways. Buddy Parker was hired as the Steelers coach in 1957. To say that he didn't much care for rookies or draft picks is a serious understatement. He wanted veterans. He would trade draft picks for veteran players at such a rate that in 1959 and 1963 the Steelers' first selections came in the eighth round.
The fortunes of the Pittsburgh Steelers changed for good at the end of the 1960s. They hired Chuck Noll as head coach and they got serious about the draft. The addition of Noll and defensive tackle Joe Greene in 1969 were the foundation for the Pittsburgh Steelers dynasty of the 1970s. The Steelers drafts over the next five years were simply awesome. Greene in 1969, Terry Bradshaw and Mel Blount in 1970, Jack Ham in 1971, Franco Harris in 1972, and finally, the 1974 NFL Draft. This might be the greatest draft haul in NFL history. Lynn Swann, Jack Lambert, John Stallworth, and Mike Webster. Over six years, the Steelers drafted nine Hall of Famers. That's only counting the Hall of Famers. Those drafts were filled the football players that were critical in winning four Super Bowls over a six year period.
I've always been amazed that a team that could achieve nothing but mediocrity, at best, for so long could change so suddenly. The Steelers struggled for their first forty years because they drafted poorly. They had the right idea in employing the undertaker Ray Byrne but it seems that they forgot all about his work when it came time to make their selections. Turning to Chuck Noll and the scouting talents of Art Rooney Jr., Bill Nunn Jr., and Dick Haley changed the fortunes of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Apparently for good.
Ray Byrne did the scouting. Others made the picks. The problem wasn't always the players that they failed to draft. It was also the players that they failed to keep. The Steelers drafted Louisville quarterback Johnny Unitas in the ninth round of the 1955 NFL Draft. The Steelers then cut Unitas without playing him for a single down during the preseason. In 1956, the Steelers had the "bonus pick"-the first overall selection in the NFL draft. They could have selected Penn State running back Lenny Moore but instead picked an unknown defensive back from Colorado named Gary Glick, a player that they had only read about but never seen. In 1957, the Steelers could have drafted Syracuse running back Jim Brown. They chose Purdue quarterback Len Dawson instead. Now, Dawson would eventually become a terrific player for the Kansas City Chiefs but, like Unitas, the Steelers quickly gave up on him. It's startling to think that the Pittsburgh Steelers of the 1950s could have fielded a backfield of Johnny Unitas, Jim Brown, and Lenny Moore. That might have changed their winning ways. Buddy Parker was hired as the Steelers coach in 1957. To say that he didn't much care for rookies or draft picks is a serious understatement. He wanted veterans. He would trade draft picks for veteran players at such a rate that in 1959 and 1963 the Steelers' first selections came in the eighth round.
The fortunes of the Pittsburgh Steelers changed for good at the end of the 1960s. They hired Chuck Noll as head coach and they got serious about the draft. The addition of Noll and defensive tackle Joe Greene in 1969 were the foundation for the Pittsburgh Steelers dynasty of the 1970s. The Steelers drafts over the next five years were simply awesome. Greene in 1969, Terry Bradshaw and Mel Blount in 1970, Jack Ham in 1971, Franco Harris in 1972, and finally, the 1974 NFL Draft. This might be the greatest draft haul in NFL history. Lynn Swann, Jack Lambert, John Stallworth, and Mike Webster. Over six years, the Steelers drafted nine Hall of Famers. That's only counting the Hall of Famers. Those drafts were filled the football players that were critical in winning four Super Bowls over a six year period.
I've always been amazed that a team that could achieve nothing but mediocrity, at best, for so long could change so suddenly. The Steelers struggled for their first forty years because they drafted poorly. They had the right idea in employing the undertaker Ray Byrne but it seems that they forgot all about his work when it came time to make their selections. Turning to Chuck Noll and the scouting talents of Art Rooney Jr., Bill Nunn Jr., and Dick Haley changed the fortunes of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Apparently for good.
Wednesday, April 2, 2014
Misquoted
I'm often amazed that football players and coaches even talk to the media. It rarely seems to matter what they say. The media will turn around and report what they want the player or coach to have said. The media is driven by stories or headlines that grab the reader or listener. Even if they have to make up that story. They want controversy. They want drama. I actually prefer the truth.
Last Thursday, a Minnesota Vikings delegation met with Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel over dinner. The team was very well represented at Manziel's Pro Day earlier in the day. They may have had the largest delegation. General manager Rick Spielman, head coach Mike Zimmer, offensive coordinator Norv Turner, and quarterback coach Scott Turner were all there to check out the hotshot quarterback. They took Manziel out to dinner after the Pro Day. They had a private workout with him the following day. If there was even a question whether the Vikings were interested in Manziel before his Pro Day. There was no question after. That's some significant time and effort. About ten days earlier, the Vikings had spent a similar amount of time with Louisville quarterback Teddy Bridgewater. However, Zimmer wasn't part of that delegation. He was at Florida's Pro Day. He had no conflicts to keep him from the Johnny Manziel Pro Day. Zimmer made some headlines following Manziel's Pro Day when he said that it was like a "sideshow." How could he not? There was a circus element to the whole event. The music. Former President George H. W. Bush, wife Barbara, and their dogs. The governor of Texas. It was unlike any Pro Day anyone had ever seen. Zimmer simply said as much. This was when the media started rolling with Zimmer's thoughts on Manziel. I never took what Zimmer said as a criticism of Johnny Manziel. It was more of an observation. An accurate observation. The media just took advantage of the fact that he said something about the show. At least, they didn't stray into fiction. That came a few days later.
"Vikings met with Manziel Friday; 'flags' came up in conversations"
That was the headline of a recent Mineapolis Star Tribune's Access Vikings blog. Surprisingly, it's an accurate statement. It came from Monday's appearance by Mike Zimmer on 104.9 The Horn in Austin. The Vikings did discuss the notable 'flags' that have come up during Manziel's celebrity tour since he won one of those Heismans.
The first sentence of the blog, however, isn't accurate. It just brings more drama than truth.
"Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer said there are some 'flags' that popped up during the team's second meeting with Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel on Friday."
Zimmer said nothing about flags that popped up during the conversation with Manziel. Zimmer said that they asked Manziel about the 'flags' that have popped up with his off-the-field actions of the past year. The national media made their own spins off of the Star Tribune report. Those spins also circled the truth. All of the reports portrayed Mike Zimmer as anti-Manziel. I can see Zimmer loving Johnny Football. He just has concerns about Johnny Hollywood. No coach is happy when a player is in the headlines for something other than football. Especially his quarterback. He should be in the film room. If the Vikings are going to invest the #8 pick in the draft on a quarterback, they want to know about that quarterback. If they had no concerns, or 'flags', there was really no reason for spending any extra time with Manziel. They wouldn't have spent all of that time if they weren't interested and they wouldn't have spent all of that time if they didn't have concerns. Every team that is considering Manziel has these concerns. Zimmer just said it. He was being honest. He even said in his introductory press conference back in January that he's always honest. The media, especially the Vikings beat writers, is going to have to get used to that. They aren't going to be able to twist his words to get the headline or story that they want. They won't have to force out some hidden meaning or read between the lines. Zimmer says exactly what he's thinking so it's going to be pretty obvious when he's misquoted.
Last Thursday, a Minnesota Vikings delegation met with Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel over dinner. The team was very well represented at Manziel's Pro Day earlier in the day. They may have had the largest delegation. General manager Rick Spielman, head coach Mike Zimmer, offensive coordinator Norv Turner, and quarterback coach Scott Turner were all there to check out the hotshot quarterback. They took Manziel out to dinner after the Pro Day. They had a private workout with him the following day. If there was even a question whether the Vikings were interested in Manziel before his Pro Day. There was no question after. That's some significant time and effort. About ten days earlier, the Vikings had spent a similar amount of time with Louisville quarterback Teddy Bridgewater. However, Zimmer wasn't part of that delegation. He was at Florida's Pro Day. He had no conflicts to keep him from the Johnny Manziel Pro Day. Zimmer made some headlines following Manziel's Pro Day when he said that it was like a "sideshow." How could he not? There was a circus element to the whole event. The music. Former President George H. W. Bush, wife Barbara, and their dogs. The governor of Texas. It was unlike any Pro Day anyone had ever seen. Zimmer simply said as much. This was when the media started rolling with Zimmer's thoughts on Manziel. I never took what Zimmer said as a criticism of Johnny Manziel. It was more of an observation. An accurate observation. The media just took advantage of the fact that he said something about the show. At least, they didn't stray into fiction. That came a few days later.
"Vikings met with Manziel Friday; 'flags' came up in conversations"
That was the headline of a recent Mineapolis Star Tribune's Access Vikings blog. Surprisingly, it's an accurate statement. It came from Monday's appearance by Mike Zimmer on 104.9 The Horn in Austin. The Vikings did discuss the notable 'flags' that have come up during Manziel's celebrity tour since he won one of those Heismans.
The first sentence of the blog, however, isn't accurate. It just brings more drama than truth.
"Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer said there are some 'flags' that popped up during the team's second meeting with Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel on Friday."
Zimmer said nothing about flags that popped up during the conversation with Manziel. Zimmer said that they asked Manziel about the 'flags' that have popped up with his off-the-field actions of the past year. The national media made their own spins off of the Star Tribune report. Those spins also circled the truth. All of the reports portrayed Mike Zimmer as anti-Manziel. I can see Zimmer loving Johnny Football. He just has concerns about Johnny Hollywood. No coach is happy when a player is in the headlines for something other than football. Especially his quarterback. He should be in the film room. If the Vikings are going to invest the #8 pick in the draft on a quarterback, they want to know about that quarterback. If they had no concerns, or 'flags', there was really no reason for spending any extra time with Manziel. They wouldn't have spent all of that time if they weren't interested and they wouldn't have spent all of that time if they didn't have concerns. Every team that is considering Manziel has these concerns. Zimmer just said it. He was being honest. He even said in his introductory press conference back in January that he's always honest. The media, especially the Vikings beat writers, is going to have to get used to that. They aren't going to be able to twist his words to get the headline or story that they want. They won't have to force out some hidden meaning or read between the lines. Zimmer says exactly what he's thinking so it's going to be pretty obvious when he's misquoted.
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
More Mocks!
Oh boy, these are fun!
1. Houston Texans Jadeveon Clowney DE South Carolina
2. St. Louis Rams Greg Robinson T Auburn
3. Jacksonville Jaguars Kahlil Mack LB Buffalo
4. Cleveland Browns Johnny Manziel QB Texas A&M
5. Oakland Raiders Blake Bortles QB Central Florida
6. Atlanta Falcons Jake Matthews T Texas A&M
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sammy Watkins WR Clemson
8. Minnesota Vikings Teddy Bridgewater QB Louisville
9. Buffalo Bills Mike Evans, WR Texas A&M
10. Detroit Lions Justin Gilbert CB Oklahoma St.
11. Tennessee Titans Anthony Barr, LB UCLA
12. New York Giants Taylor Lewan T Michigan
13. St. Louis Rams Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, S Alabama
14. Chicago Bears Timmy Jernigan DT Florida St.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers Darqueze Denard CB Michigan St.
16. Baltimore Ravens Eric Ebron TE North Carolina
17. Dallas Cowboys Dee Ford, DE Auburn
18. New York Jets Brandin Cooks WR Oregon St.
19. Miami Dolphins Zack Martin T Notre Dame
20. Arizona Cardinals Aaron Donald DT Pitt
21. Green Bay Packers Calvin Pryor S Louisville
22. Philadelphia Eagles C.J. Mosley LB Alabama
23. Kansas City Chiefs Odell Beckham WR LSU
24. Cincinnati Bengals Kyle Fuller CB Virginia Tech
25. San Diego Chargers Jason Verrett CB TCU
26. Cleveland Browns Xavier Su'a-Filo G UCLA
27. New Orleans Saints Kony Ealy DE Missouri
28. Carolina Panthers Marqise Lee WR USC
29. New England Patriots Stephon Tuitt DE Notre Dame
30. San Francisco 49ers Louis Nix Notre Dame
31. Denver Broncos Ryan Shazier LB Ohio St.
32. Seattle Seahawks Kelvin Benjamin WR Florida St.
The draft is still about a thousand (37) days away. A lot can change. If I recall correctly, Blaine Gabbert was considered the more likely choice of the Carolina Panthers about this time in 2011. No matter how much I hear about the Texans trading out of the #1 pick, or taking a quarterback, I really can't see them passing on Clowney. There is never a sure thing in the NFL Draft but athletic freaks like Clowney are so rare.
I really think that the Vikings are more likely to draft defense at #8 and wrestle with the quarterback choice at a later pick. There is just greater value with defensive players at that spot. If the Vikings do go defense (Barr, Gilbert, Denard), I like Georgia's Aaron Murray with, hopefully, one of their two third round picks. Despite the defensive value at #8, the importance of the quarterback position in today's NFL simply trumps other choices. I wouldn't be disappointed, or surprised, if Bridgewater is the choice. Despite Manziel's strong Pro Day, I think that Bridgewater is the top QB in the draft. If he's available at #8, you have to think about it. If he is the choice, I really like BYU linebacker Kyle Van Noy in the second round. The nice thing about this draft is the fantastic depth. Brigewater and Van Noy or Barr/Gilbert and Murray. Both work for me. For now, I'm picking Bridgewater.
1. Houston Texans Jadeveon Clowney DE South Carolina
2. St. Louis Rams Greg Robinson T Auburn
3. Jacksonville Jaguars Kahlil Mack LB Buffalo
4. Cleveland Browns Johnny Manziel QB Texas A&M
5. Oakland Raiders Blake Bortles QB Central Florida
6. Atlanta Falcons Jake Matthews T Texas A&M
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sammy Watkins WR Clemson
8. Minnesota Vikings Teddy Bridgewater QB Louisville
9. Buffalo Bills Mike Evans, WR Texas A&M
10. Detroit Lions Justin Gilbert CB Oklahoma St.
11. Tennessee Titans Anthony Barr, LB UCLA
12. New York Giants Taylor Lewan T Michigan
13. St. Louis Rams Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, S Alabama
14. Chicago Bears Timmy Jernigan DT Florida St.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers Darqueze Denard CB Michigan St.
16. Baltimore Ravens Eric Ebron TE North Carolina
17. Dallas Cowboys Dee Ford, DE Auburn
18. New York Jets Brandin Cooks WR Oregon St.
19. Miami Dolphins Zack Martin T Notre Dame
20. Arizona Cardinals Aaron Donald DT Pitt
21. Green Bay Packers Calvin Pryor S Louisville
22. Philadelphia Eagles C.J. Mosley LB Alabama
23. Kansas City Chiefs Odell Beckham WR LSU
24. Cincinnati Bengals Kyle Fuller CB Virginia Tech
25. San Diego Chargers Jason Verrett CB TCU
26. Cleveland Browns Xavier Su'a-Filo G UCLA
27. New Orleans Saints Kony Ealy DE Missouri
28. Carolina Panthers Marqise Lee WR USC
29. New England Patriots Stephon Tuitt DE Notre Dame
30. San Francisco 49ers Louis Nix Notre Dame
31. Denver Broncos Ryan Shazier LB Ohio St.
32. Seattle Seahawks Kelvin Benjamin WR Florida St.
The draft is still about a thousand (37) days away. A lot can change. If I recall correctly, Blaine Gabbert was considered the more likely choice of the Carolina Panthers about this time in 2011. No matter how much I hear about the Texans trading out of the #1 pick, or taking a quarterback, I really can't see them passing on Clowney. There is never a sure thing in the NFL Draft but athletic freaks like Clowney are so rare.
I really think that the Vikings are more likely to draft defense at #8 and wrestle with the quarterback choice at a later pick. There is just greater value with defensive players at that spot. If the Vikings do go defense (Barr, Gilbert, Denard), I like Georgia's Aaron Murray with, hopefully, one of their two third round picks. Despite the defensive value at #8, the importance of the quarterback position in today's NFL simply trumps other choices. I wouldn't be disappointed, or surprised, if Bridgewater is the choice. Despite Manziel's strong Pro Day, I think that Bridgewater is the top QB in the draft. If he's available at #8, you have to think about it. If he is the choice, I really like BYU linebacker Kyle Van Noy in the second round. The nice thing about this draft is the fantastic depth. Brigewater and Van Noy or Barr/Gilbert and Murray. Both work for me. For now, I'm picking Bridgewater.
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