Zach Mettenberg or Aaron Murray?

[Gronkandez]

Both are Sr. SEC QB's who just suffered torn ACL's meaning the Pats could draft either one late and put them on IR for next year while Mallet plays out the final year of his contract.

Both appear to be 3rd day draft picks who otherwise would have been 2nd round picks or possibly even 1st rounders. Mettenberg may have the better physical tools but he also has the baggage of a sexual assault (or something along those lines) that got him kicked out of UGA. He looked amazing against UGA this year when I watched him, but apparently he's otherwise been a little inconsistent. Murray is only about 6' and has shown a propensity for brain farts (see last year's game vs Alabama) but he's also very tough. Takes a lot of big hits and gets right back up.

EDIT: Coincidentally Todd McShay just came on Mike and Mike. Says Mettenberg has a top three arm in college. Still has a chance to go Day 2. Was his #5 QB in the draft (#1 was Marriotta who is returning to school). Says Derek Carr (David's brother) will go early round 2.

 

[everlong]

Neither has displayed the accuracy, ability to read a defense pre-snap or ability to work through a progression past the second receiver that I would like to see.

Derek Carr was a guy I was interested in but he's going top ten at this point.

 

[meatface]

Both are Sr. SEC QB's who just suffered torn ACL's meaning the Pats could draft either one late and put them on IR for next year while Mallet plays out the final year of his contract.

Both appear to be 3rd day draft picks who otherwise would have been 2nd round picks or possibly even 1st rounders. Mettenberg may have the better physical tools but he also has the baggage of a sexual assault (or something along those lines) that got him kicked out of UGA. He looked amazing against UGA this year when I watched him, but apparently he's otherwise been a little inconsistent. Murray is only about 6' and has shown a propensity for brain farts (see last year's game vs Alabama) but he's also very tough. Takes a lot of big hits and gets right back up.

EDIT: Coincidentally Todd McShay just came on Mike and Mike. Says Mettenberg has a top three arm in college. Still has a chance to go Day 2. Was his #5 QB in the draft (#1 was Marriotta who is returning to school). Says Derek Carr (David's brother) will go early round 2.

Carr is gonna go in the first round. SOmebody will reach on him, espechially now that Mettenberg and Murray are hurt

 

[kennyb]

Neither unless they're available in the 6th or so. Then they have to figure out what they can get for Mallett.

 

[Gronkandez]

Neither has displayed the accuracy, ability to read a defense pre-snap or ability to work through a progression past the second receiver that I would like to see.

Derek Carr was a guy I was interested in but he's going top ten at this point.

I'm assuming they're only looking for a quality backup in the mid to later rounds. You're generally not going to get all the skills you mention at that point in the draft.

Neither unless they're available in the 6th or so. Then they have to figure out what they can get for Mallett.

That would leave them without a backup QB next year. Murray could make it to the Pats pick in the 5th. I would take him there.

Carr is gonna go in the first round. SOmebody will reach on him, especially now that Mettenberg and Murray are hurt

Poor Cleveland. They have two first round picks to get a QB and now they'll probably have to reach for Carr, Johnny Football or the guy from UCF with their first pick. If they wait until their pick via the Colts in the mid-20's they may all be gone.

 

[patsfaninpa]

Neither unless they're available in the 6th or so. Then they have to figure out what they can get for Mallett.

I don't see either becoming a NFL starter. Of course, that was what some people thought about TFB.

 

[everlong]

I'm assuming they're only looking for a quality backup in the mid to later rounds. You're generally not going to get all the skills you mention at that point in the draft.

I think at this point they should be looking to a replacement. TB may play another 5 years and at 36 he may take a big hit and be done. Russell Wilson was a 3rd round pick who displayed all of that but NFL teams didn't like his size.

 

[BelichickFan]

I'll admit I haven't watched either a ton but from what I've seen I like Mettenberger. His size is far better, he can make all the throws, is tough and seemed very team oriented when he went out last week. He's also played in more of a pro stye offense with Cam Cameron there this year. As I said on the other thread Mettenberger seems like the perfect guy to bring in and take a look at for a year or two.

I don't get the whole thing with Carr. He has a big time WR who's usually wide open and Carr makes very few NFL throws. Maybe he'll be great but he's running a college offense against very weak competition. Obviously he's not an issue for the Patriots but if my team took him in the first round I would be very cautious about it.

 

[stelfans]

i'd take Mettenberg or garopollo but only in the 4th or later. There are far bigger needs.

 

[meatface]

i'd take Mettenberg or garopollo but only in the 4th or later. There are far bigger needs.

I just don't see how backup QB would be a priority even as late as the 4th. If somebody they like is still available in the 6th or 7th then sure but otherwise don't waste a pick; even for a guy they think they can deal. The Pats thought that they could trade Mallet for something and so far it looks like nobody will match the third round pick that they selected him with so it was kind of a waste.

 

[BelichickFan]

I just don't see how backup QB would be a priority even as late as the 4th. If somebody they like is still available in the 6th or 7th then sure but otherwise don't waste a pick; even for a guy they think they can deal. The Pats thought that they could trade Mallet for something and so far it looks like nobody will match the third round pick that they selected him with so it was kind of a waste.

The value of the backup QB isn't just trade value. Especially now that a rookie's contract would expire around the time Brady's does. When the right guy is there at the right price it is now, unfortunately, time to start thinking about the long term replacement. We have a few years to do this but it could start as early as this draft.

Regarding Mallett's trade value, from other places I am under the impression the lack of a trade is more the Patriots' asking price (more than a #2) than other teams not being interested.

 

[everlong]

Regarding Mallett's trade value, from other places I am under the impression the lack of a trade is more the Patriots' asking price (more than a #2) than other teams not being interested.

Hopefully Lombardi ponies up a #2 with conditional additional picks. Coming out Mallett reminded me a lot of Drew Bledsoe which is both good and bad. It is possible that his time under Tom and Bill has helped temper his willingness to throw into heavy coverage especially when the situation doesn't warrant such risks.

 

[BelichickFan]

Hopefully Lombardi ponies up a #2 with conditional additional picks. Coming out Mallett reminded me a lot of Drew Bledsoe which is both good and bad. It is possible that his time under Tom and Bill has helped temper his willingness to throw into heavy coverage especially when the situation doesn't warrant such risks.

This is what I read from someone I trust (from mid October) :

Mallet is under contract through the 2014 season and the Browns have/had interest.

Bill Belichick was not receptive to dealing the QB in the past off-season -- unless a team wanted to trade a 1st round pick for him. Presently, I can say Belichick has no intention of dealing the QB right now.

What you see in Mallet is a strong-armed QB, quickness is not a strength, but does have on-field awareness -- and of course has been the under-study to Brady which is always beneficial.

Early on maturity was an issue for Mallet, he has grown up and developed into a solid teammate and man.

I can say if Belichick decides to trade the QB, Mike Lombardi will be getting a call from the onset.

Right now, Mallet is staying in NE.

I believe Mallet is a talent and based on tools, he is right there. His maturity issues are a thing of the past and his development time in NE is the added bonus in the equation.

My concern with Mallet is his limited mobility and decision-making. Despite his schooling, the QB still tends to make questionable decisions -- in preseason and practice opportunities in NE. Playing time generally helps to minimize this aspect in many cases, but not all.

Having the opportunity to see and talk with those in NE due to past relationships with some in NE -- those in NE aren't certain Mallet can be "the guy", but he shows plenty enough to project as a serious option in their scheme.

 

[meatface]

Hopefully Lombardi ponies up a #2 with conditional additional picks. Coming out Mallett reminded me a lot of Drew Bledsoe which is both good and bad. It is possible that his time under Tom and Bill has helped temper his willingness to throw into heavy coverage especially when the situation doesn't warrant such risks.

It is a possibility with Mettenberg and Murray hurt, but I see an issue based on the current Cleveland QB issue. If they think Hoyer can be as good as he looked then why would they look to trade for a QB and if they do not then why would they trade a second round pick for a guy who has only one year of control and no real professional experience, he is probably improved from where he was when they drafted him but we have no real evidence of that.

 

[BelichickFan]

and if they do not then why would they trade a second round pick for a guy who has only one year of control and no real professional experience, he is probably improved from where he was when they drafted him but we have no real evidence of that.

First, those in camp have frequently talked about how much Mallett's mechanics have improved so without spending all day going back to find them, that last line can be discounted.

As for why they would trade for Mallett - if they like him they would be happy to sign him to an extension. Ironically last year when we talked about trading him, we were reading about how it was difficult to trade him because the acquiring team COULDN'T extend him (per the new CBA). Personally I thought that was a good opportunity for a team to trade for him and take a look without even being allowed to lock themselves in but we read multiple times about how that was actually viewed as a negative around the league.

Look at this year's QB class - it is horrible and even if there were a couple of studs you would need a top 2 pick to get one. Stud QB always go high - questionable ones (which occassionally come through) are what's left.

 

[everlong]

This is what I read from someone I trust (from mid October) :

Mallet is under contract through the 2014 season and the Browns have/had interest.

Bill Belichick was not receptive to dealing the QB in the past off-season -- unless a team wanted to trade a 1st round pick for him. Presently, I can say Belichick has no intention of dealing the QB right now.

What you see in Mallet is a strong-armed QB, quickness is not a strength, but does have on-field awareness -- and of course has been the under-study to Brady which is always beneficial.

Early on maturity was an issue for Mallet, he has grown up and developed into a solid teammate and man.

I can say if Belichick decides to trade the QB, Mike Lombardi will be getting a call from the onset.

Right now, Mallet is staying in NE.

I believe Mallet is a talent and based on tools, he is right there. His maturity issues are a thing of the past and his development time in NE is the added bonus in the equation.

My concern with Mallet is his limited mobility and decision-making. Despite his schooling, the QB still tends to make questionable decisions -- in preseason and practice opportunities in NE. Playing time generally helps to minimize this aspect in many cases, but not all.

Having the opportunity to see and talk with those in NE due to past relationships with some in NE -- those in NE aren't certain Mallet can be "the guy", but he shows plenty enough to project as a serious option in their scheme.

Thank seems pretty accurate and fits with my take on making questionable descisions especially in the wrong situation. Guys with those cannon arms have a hard time breaking that habbits that servered them so well for all those years. Even worse than Drew in this regard has been Carson Palmer. The number of times leading by 4 late in the game and a 3rd and 4 comes up and instead of moving the chains he chucks a duck down the middle of the field 35 yards for a pick and they lose.

 

[Gronkandez]

If they think Hoyer can be as good as he looked then why would they look to trade for a QB and if they do not then why would they trade a second round pick for a guy who has only one year of control and no real professional experience, he is probably improved from where he was when they drafted him but we have no real evidence of that.

Hoyer isn't the long term answer. He's good but you can't build the franchise around him. Cleveland of all places knows that. If the Pats can showcase Mallett in the last game of the season that would be enough. See Matt Flynn.

I just don't see how backup QB would be a priority even as late as the 4th. If somebody they like is still available in the 6th or 7th then sure but otherwise don't waste a pick; even for a guy they think they can deal. The Pats thought that they could trade Mallet for something and so far it looks like nobody will match the third round pick that they selected him with so it was kind of a waste.

It's not like they've been lighting it up in the fourth round, and when they do they extend the guy and he turns out to be (an alleged) mass murderer. Look waht's happended to Green Bay this year. If they had a half decent backup they would still have a chance in the playoffs. As it is, when Rodgers returns theyll just about be eliminated.

Thank seems pretty accurate and fits with my take on making questionable descisions especially in the wrong situation. Guys with those cannon arms have a hard time breaking that habbits that servered them so well for all those years. Even worse than Drew in this regard has been Carson Palmer. The number of times leading by 4 late in the game and a 3rd and 4 comes up and instead of moving the chains he chucks a duck down the middle of the field 35 yards for a pick and they lose.

Wh isn't anyone talking about the screen pass??? The guy cannot for the life of him throw a touch pass.

 

[meatface]

Hoyer isn't the long term answer. He's good but you can't build the franchise around him. Cleveland of all places knows that. If the Pats can showcase Mallett in the last game of the season that would be enough. See Matt Flynn.

Mallet will need more than the last game to prove he is a franchise QB, I don't think that there is anything Mallet could realistically do to prove he is a franchise QB.

 

[everlong]

Why isn't anyone talking about the screen pass??? The guy cannot for the life of him throw a touch pass.

Which is another reason I like Carr in this draft. He has touch and accuracy both on the long and the short balls and especially outside the numbers and in the red zone.

 

[meatface]

First, those in camp have frequently talked about how much Mallett's mechanics have improved so without spending all day going back to find them, that last line can be discounted.

As for why they would trade for Mallett - if they like him they would be happy to sign him to an extension. Ironically last year when we talked about trading him, we were reading about how it was difficult to trade him because the acquiring team COULDN'T extend him (per the new CBA). Personally I thought that was a good opportunity for a team to trade for him and take a look without even being allowed to lock themselves in but we read multiple times about how that was actually viewed as a negative around the league.

Look at this year's QB class - it is horrible and even if there were a couple of studs you would need a top 2 pick to get one. Stud QB always go high - questionable ones (which occassionally come through) are what's left.

I really don't think this QB class is bad at all. Even with Mettenberg and Murray hurt you have 3 QB's who will probably go in the first round and 3 more who could. Last year there were no QB's who were worth going in the first, if any of these guys declared last year they would have been better than Manuel, Glennon or Smith.