Carson Palmer likely to be released

[ivanvamp]

I think an awful lot of people in this forum need to come to the realization that the Patriots will not get anything above a day-3 selection for Ryan Mallett. Anyone that wanted him could have had him 2 years ago, and he has done absolutely nothing to strengthen his credentials since then.

He's tall.... he's got a strong arm..... he's tall.......... he's got a strong arm...........

I think you're right that the Pats probably won't get anything good for him in a trade, but I think you're off a bit here. Let me try to explain why I think this. What were the scouting reports on him coming out of college? Here are a few:

WalterFootball.com: 2011 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Ryan Mallett

ProFootballWeekly.com - Patriots No. 5 pick scouting report: QB Ryan Mallett, Arkansas

Scouting Report: Ryan Mallett | Draft Breakdown

Scouting Report: Ryan Mallett

The consensus here is that Mallett offers the following strengths and weaknesses:

Strengths: Tall, great vision, unbelievable arm, can make all the throws, tough, possesses a will to win.

Weaknesses: Not mobile, not accurate, questionable decision-making, and character issues.

PFW offers this summary: "A tall, lumbering, rocket-balling pocket passer who sprays live bullets, Mallett began to settle down as a senior and fits very well in a vertical passing attack, but issues still reside about his makeup and lack of maturity. Will not be able to live off his arm talent alone in the NFL, and his inaccuracy and shaky decision making are concerning."

So there was always a lot to like about Mallett, but the makeup and character (maturity) issues were right at the forefront.

Now, what has happened during his first two seasons in the NFL? Well, he's gotten very limited playing time, so it's not like he's had a chance to prove himself. So we don't really know yet whether those weaknesses of inaccuracy and decision-making have improved. But what we do know is that he's spent two years now under the best head coach in the NFL and learning from the best QB in the NFL. That *has* to rub off on him somehow, it has to be a positive for his development. Moreover, we've seen none of the character and maturity issues he entered the league with...at all. So one of the biggest concerns about him coming in seems to have vanished (or at least been kept under wraps).

So you can probably cross off one of the biggest things in the "weakness" column, which means that this is now a better prospect than he was two years ago, when he was drafted in the 3rd round.

The offsetting issue, though, is the fact that he would be under another team's control for two fewer years, so they'd have to judge whether it's worth it. To me, this is the biggest reason a team wouldn't offer the Pats much for him.

 

[Gronkandez]

:

WalterFootball.com: 2011 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Ryan Mallett

ProFootballWeekly.com - Patriots No. 5 pick scouting report: QB Ryan Mallett, Arkansas

Scouting Report: Ryan Mallett | Draft Breakdown

Scouting Report: Ryan Mallett

.

LOL, this was a depressing read. For a guy who was projected to go in the first round there were a lot of negative stuff written. One guy compared him to Jeff George and another compared him to Derrick Anderson. Ugh!

On a positive note, apparently he's good at play-action. So there's that.

 

[Off The Grid]

Speaking of first round picks, the Raiders just signed OT Alex Barron.

Look out, NFL! The Raiders are back in business.

That was unkind.

 

[supafly]

I definitely agree with the thought that Ryan Mallett seems to be Brian Hoyer part two in the sense that most Patriot fans tremendously overrate his potential trade compensation.

Here is yet another backup QB along with the dozen or so others (with Carson Palmer and Kevin Kolb still on the market) who is drawing a lot of interest from teams as a possible starter:

Report: Three teams showing interest in Seahawks QB Matt Flynn | ProFootballTalk

On top of that, the Seahawks are reported to be looking in the 2nd round range in terms of compensation for Flynn--who has NFL experience unlike Mallett, yet are unsure if they can receive their asking price.

With Jason Campbell going to the Cleveland Browns today as another competitor for their starting job with Weeden and McCoy, the chances of trading Mallett are getting slimmer by the day. More importantly, the chances of actually receiving a 2nd or 3rd round draft pick were probably never too realistic to begin with, at least until Mallett proves something...anything. There are just too many other QB alternatives, and that's what many posters did not take into account when projecting these 2nd/3rd round thoughts.

 

[SteveKiner]

C'mon man, you can't include the kicker. He's good but he's a kicker, plus he's always pullling a hammy. He's the only injury-prone kicker I've ever seen.

Normally I wouldn't count the kicker but like BB says, special teams is 1/3 of the game. And IMO Jano is the best kicker in the NFL. I know he has had some nagging injuries, but according to pro-football reference, he has missed one game in the last 10 years. The Raiders have been putrid lately, but they have had the best kicking game in the NFL. I am exaggerating a little but with Jano they were a threat to score anytime they crossed midfield so the offense only needed to gain about 30-40yds and they were in business. And with Lechler, the opposing offense usually had to go the length of the field. Too bad they were the only pro-bowl level players on the team.

 

[supafly]

Normally I wouldn't count the kicker but like BB says, special teams is 1/3 of the game. And IMO Jano is the best kicker in the NFL. I know he has had some nagging injuries, but according to pro-football reference, he has missed one game in the last 10 years. The Raiders have been putrid lately, but they have had the best kicking game in the NFL. I am exaggerating a little but with Jano they were a threat to score anytime they crossed midfield so the offense only needed to gain about 30-40yds and they were in business. And with Lechler, the opposing offense usually had to go the length of the field. Too bad they were the only pro-bowl level players on the team.

Speaking of Lechler, I am very surprised that OAK didn't try to keep him there. I realize that the new regime has to save money at every position, but that guy certainly helped with field position a ton. Apparently they are prepared to move on with the younger, cheaper option now.

 

[patfanken]

I hope the Palmer release and the Jason Campbell signing will forever end the myth of an impactful Ryan Mallett trade. It just makes no sense and perhaps never really did. The availability of veteran QB's who have ACTUALLY seen the field and have had some measurable success, are just too great to allow some team to give anything substantial to trade for Mallett. Plus there are still more valid potential options available in, guys like Flynn, Foles, Palmer, and Anderson. Even Vince Young presents a more proven option.

No folks. Ryan Mallett is going to spend his 4 years as a Patriot being Brady's backup and them move on. And when you think on it, there are a lot worse uses of a late 3rd round pick than using it on getting a back up QB you are comfortable with for 3 years.

BTW- I have to admit though that even I was getting caught up in the Mallett trade mania. However the events of this week have been a cold slap of reality.

 

[supafly]

I hope the Palmer release and the Jason Campbell signing will forever end the myth of an impactful Ryan Mallett trade. It just makes no sense and perhaps never really did. The availability of veteran QB's who have ACTUALLY seen the field and have had some measurable success, are just too great to allow some team to give anything substantial to trade for Mallett. Plus there are still more valid potential options available in, guys like Flynn, Foles, Palmer, and Anderson. Even Vince Young presents a more proven option.

No folks. Ryan Mallett is going to spend his 4 years as a Patriot being Brady's backup and them move on. And when you think on it, there are a lot worse uses of a late 3rd round pick than using it on getting a back up QB you are comfortable with for 3 years.

BTW- I have to admit though that even I was getting caught up in the Mallett trade mania. However the events of this week have been a cold slap of reality.

I couldn't possibly agree with you any more.

It's pretty telling that even SEA isn't expecting to realistically get a THIRD rounder for Matt Flynn, they are looking more towards a possible 4th.

As nice as it would've been to get a high draft pick in compensation for Mallett, it was pretty much always a fantasy in my mind.

 

[Gronkandez]

I couldn't possibly agree with you any more.

It's pretty telling that even SEA isn't expecting to realistically get a THIRD rounder for Matt Flynn, they are looking more towards a possible 4th.

As nice as it would've been to get a high draft pick in compensation for Mallett, it was pretty much always a fantasy in my mind.

That's largely because Flynn makes something like $5M/year...but yeah Mallets worth is unknown. I think a 3rd rounder is reasonable for someone to offer. Would have been nice to draft a guy at that spot who actually played.

 

[supafly]

That's largely because Flynn makes something like $5M/year...but yeah Mallets worth is unknown. I think a 3rd rounder is reasonable for someone to offer. Would have been nice to draft a guy at that spot who actually played.

While true, paying 5m or so to any halfway acceptable QB who would start for you and already has NFL experience is looked at as a steal these days, especially for QB needy teams.

Remember that it was just last year that SEA themselves fought with other teams for his services and agreed to pay him that kind of money.

I think that there are going to be differing opinions on Mallett's worth, but I personally don't see us receiving a 3rd rounder this year.

I really didn't mind the pick myself, since we addressed our needs and made it sort of a bonus or luxury pick, but yeah--you're right it would have been much better to have a contributing player right now. Then again, having a viable backup QB could prove to be very important down the road. The question of course, is how "viable" Mallett really is at the moment.