Another great response, and and extra kudos for making it long.
Thanks Ken I know you don't mind. And like specifics, details etc So let's do another long one.
So with your help I'm getting a feel for at least your rather persuasive take on this year's QB crop. Tell me if I have it down. You REALLY like Lance and would take him in a NY minute if he were there at 15. Jones has enough flaws and questions in his game that you think he wouldn't be a great value at 15 but would you move up in the 2nd to take him early in the round or even the bottom of the first? Mond, Trask, the Georgia kid are 3rd and 4th round options. How am I doing?
Yea. If Lance is there at 15 I'm ecstatic, easy decision for me. On the surface he might not be a traditional choice but Cam is here,
year two for a
reason. He's
cheap lol but Bill obviously
believes a guy like him can run the offense. Let Lance sit, who's a mix between Cam, Josh Allen, someone recently mentioned Steve McNair and that's a great one imo. Anyway Cam is the perfect bridge for Lance. Build the team up and let Lance run 2022. He would have graded much higher but I grew up a Pats fan and pretend I'm Bill Belichick. So matching value/need, mitigating risk, finding your guys/fits in system etc are all big but the mitigating risk is big with me. Everyone gets hyped during draft season, myself included so I try to prevent that if I can. Lance has limited production, few things he needs to clean up etc so he wouldn't get a 1st round grade without another year of solid production and some improvements-steps forward. Also not you but in case someone is just happening on this - the draft. In terms of what kind of QB Lance is, bc he's such a threat and known for running. He absolutely is a pocket passer who just happens to be a great athlete. So much to work with as a passer (pocket awareness/feel, poise in general and mechanics)
Jones fit is obvious and real. It's just we know almost exactly who he is in a lot of ways. Not many big flaws or really any
big flaws as opposed to obvious limitations and a few things that need cleaning up.
Footwork can get a bit sloppy when under heavy duress but I suppose that can improve a little. It's just not as quick under pressure.
Hes not someone who panics but is a little hesitant, unsure if he needs to make it happen off script. Like NFL defenses eventually, even if It's for a few quarters, take away your fav reads. You have adjust on the fly, be comfortable being uncomfortable and making tight, tight passes into windows that aren't there. On script when he knows a guy will be coming under with mesh he'll look off the read defender and make it happen. Same for slant/flat etc. It's when you take those away and he has to think, create etc it gets murky. Again not someone who craps themselves but isn't giving you a good feeling, especially against NFL talent.
Another thing I've brought up a few times but is worth mentioning is every QB will lock onto a guy but I watch him and see a body commit not just the head. Its not a ton but enough to notice.
Doesn't have a Jimmy G type release. Probably could be a little quicker
Yup Mond, Trask, Newman & I'd throw White in there as 3rd round options. I think all 4 could push Stidham out of job.
It's not a deep class.
You have made me a little excited about Lance, though the more you talk him up, the less I think he'll make to 8 let alone 15. I kind of like the idea that he's only 20 (Jones will be 23 when the season starts). More upside,
Just to elucidate more on what I mean when I talk about being "psychotically competitive". I know all these kids are working really hard at their craft. (well maybe not Duane Haskins) But what made Brady the GOAT was that next level competitiveness to improve each year that went on long past the time he was considered a great NFL QB. The kind of competitiveness that drives him today. Not that kind of competitveness is probably not very healthy, ,but I want whatever kid we draft, regardless of the round, to have it or something close to it.
BTW- you are correct in understanding that this offensive system and the coaches that run it ARE perfect for Jones. Especially if he's able to develop his evasion skill inside the pocket. Maybe I'm too old school, but to me too much emphasis is being put on a QB's "escapeability". To me its a nice luxury,, but not high on my list of skills I'm looking for. But making that first guy mis IS high. People forget how sometimes QB's run into sacks because they aren't where the OLmen expect.
Since I'm not in the huddle and don't know the routes or blocking schemes, what I'll be looking for in camp (assuming we can go) is a quick delivery. That is what stood out almost immediately with JG. Is the ball being thrown with pace. Are passes that require a bit of finesse being feathered to receivers or are they all just drilled as hard as they can throw it. In Cam I'll want to see more quickness (I hope he loses a few pounds and regains some of the quickness and bounce and less of the lumbering we saw last year.
At any rate like I have said, Cam is just the first step in building the QB room, with just a $3.5MM commitment no one with an ounce of sense should believe that Cam is guaranteed the starter's job this season. In fact he COULD end up being a trade chip in the right circumstance.,
BTW- LOVE the Cannon trade. I don't know what we got, but shocked we got anything, given I thought he'd be gone after the Brown trade.
Agreed. He was as good as gone once Brown was traded for and even before that possibly with his salary. Great move.
Again thanks again. I'm always a bit smarter after reading your post. Sorry I had to cut mine so short.
edit: In case I forget. I think Justin Fields WILL be there at 15. Would you take him?
If Fields is there at 15, absolutely. No question about it.
