Combine Talk: Quarterbacks (merged)

[JSn]

I honestly looked at 10 Casselish threads and didn't see a fit for this topic.

When is his pro-day? With him taking a pass (oops), does this increase the Cassel sweepstakes?

As far as I can tell, Matt's only real competition would be Stafford and Sanchez.

If teams now will only see Sanchez throw before the 27th, do you think they may be forced to decide between Sanchez and Cassel?

It's possible that the Lion's have made some sort of winky-wink deal with Stafford, as well. I just think it's an odd decision that could cause interested parties, especially the Lion's who have a great bargaining chip in the #20 pick, to re-evaluate whether they make a decisive move or play wait-and-see.

Just seems like a weird move by the supposed top QB in the draft.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

No, this is the "conventional" move by the top QB in the draft. At his Pro-Day he'll have "his" receivers running for him, he'll feel more comfortable and will have a better rapport with the receivers.

 

[stinkypete]

To me, that kind of decision usually means: "I've shown you what I can, and performing for you at the combine will only hurt my case."

I'm not excited about this year's QB class. Not one bit. I have no hard evidence aside from a gut feeling, but this QB group gives me more of a Russell/Quinn feel than a Ryan/Flacco feel.

The Lions would be fools to take either Stafford or Sanchez at #1. They have too many holes to use the #1 overall on anything other than the safest player available (IMO, Eugene Monroe). A QB isn't going to perform, period, without decent pass blocking in front of him. The Lions could draft Stafford #1 and take a gamble on one of the second tier tackles later (Oher, Britton, Meridith, etc), or they can take a Monroe at #1 and either acquire Cassel with one of the later picks or, possibly, Stafford or Sanchez could fall to #20.

 

[patchick]

No, this is the "conventional" move by the top QB in the draft. At his Pro-Day he'll have "his" receivers running for him, he'll feel more comfortable and will have a better rapport with the receivers.

It's definitely become standard, but I think it's very risky. By ceding the stage, you leave an opening for another QB to make a big splash. That was how Joe Flacco suddenly became a 1st-round target last year.

 

[Seneschal2]

Other than a free meal, this doesn't mean much:

Lions wine and dine potential QB target Matthew Stafford | Freep.com | Detroit Free Press

INDIANAPOLIS – The Lions hosted a special guest for dinner Thursday night: Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford.

The potential No. 1 pick in the draft dined at an Indianapolis steakhouse with the Lions brass: president Tom Lewand, general manager Martin Mayhew, senior personnel executive James (Shack) Harris, coach Jim Schwartz and offensive coordinator Scott Linehan.

The Lions are expected to do the same with a prospect each night at the NFL scouting combine. They need much more than the standard 15-minute combine interview to vet potential top picks.

"Obviously you're going to do more research and you're going to spend more time with somebody that's a potential for the No. 1 pick than you are for somebody that you're thinking about for a late-round pick," Schwartz said earlier Thursday. "There's not only a lot of money at stake, but there's an opportunity at stake that we can't let pass. It's going to be a very, very in-depth process, not just here, but on the road further on, maybe back in Detroit later on."

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Also:

Lions hope to sign No. 1 pick before draft | Freep.com | Detroit Free Press

INDIANAPOLIS — Lions general manager Martin Mayhew spoke to reporters over breakfast this morning, touching on a number of subjects.

Here is a quick synopsis:

• Mayhew said this could be a good time to draft a quarterback, because they have a veteran in place and wouldn't have to throw the rookie into the lineup immediately.

But he said the Lions would only draft a quarterback if worthy. They won't go into the draft looking to address a specific position. That's how they have gotten themselves into trouble in the past.

• Mayhew said it would be very important to sign the No. 1 overall pick before the draft. He said he envisions negotiating with three potential picks.

• Mayhew said he is considering moving left tackle Jeff Backus to guard, though he has had only a brief conversation with Backus about it. He thinks Backus could make the transition.

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Moving their left tackle could easily signify drafting the best LT #1, and trading their #20 for Cassel -- or not.

 

[Seneschal2]

Re: Matt Stafford will not throw at the Combine.

Oh, and one more tidbit:

Draft Headquarters Blog Blog Archive Inside Info

I had the chance to speak with one of my sources down here in Indianapolis. Here's what he had to say:

- The Lions are currently seriously considering dealing for Patriots quarterback Matt Cassel. According to my source, New England is "actively looking to deal him."

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FWIW.

 

[patchick]

So how 'bout Stafford and Sanchez both measuring in at just 6'2"? (Cassel's 6'4" and then some.)

 

[Seneschal2]

So how 'bout Stafford and Sanchez both measuring in at just 6'2"? (Cassel's 6'4" and then some.)

It won't be the deciding factor -- but it is a negative. Strike one (two more to go ).

 

[tanked_as_usual]

I'm just trying to come up with a scenario where drafting stafford in the top 5 of the draft is preferable to trading late first round pick value for cassel.......the contracts will be similar, so what is the advantage of stafford? not being a homer, but I can't think of one

 

[Seneschal2]

I'm just trying to come up with a scenario where drafting stafford in the top 5 of the draft is preferable to trading late first round pick value for cassel.......the contracts will be similar, so what is the advantage of stafford? not being a homer, but I can't think of one

You're right in that it's not very logical, especially if you consider the previous posts. A scenario of fortifying their entire OL by moving their current LT to OG, selecting the draft's best LT at #1, and getting their starting QB for the price of #20. How on earth could they not want that scenario unless -- they don't like Cassel. :confused2:

 

[bradmahn]

I'm just trying to come up with a scenario where drafting stafford in the top 5 of the draft is preferable to trading late first round pick value for cassel.......the contracts will be similar, so what is the advantage of stafford? not being a homer, but I can't think of one

If they trade #20 for Cassel and take a tackle at one overall then that's two very large contracts as opposed to just one and a very affordable late first round pact.

(I agree, though, that on ability alone, I'd rather trade for Cassel and draft a tackle at one).

 

[jmt57]

Sports Illustrated's Don Banks is now of the opinion that the Lions will not take a QB with the number one pick.

Lions eye tackles, not QBs, with first pick