Shoalzie, don't look now...

[Van]

Holy crap, maybe nobody is in their right mind...

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/n ... &type=lgns

Sanchez tops tons of talent

By Russ Lande - SportingNews


USC coach Pete Carroll might not think quarterback Mark Sanchez, a fourth-year junior, is ready, but NFL scouts and personnel men are happy to see him among the 46 underclassmen to declare for the 2009 NFL draft. In fact, four of the top five picks could be underclassmen, including Sanchez as the No. 1 overall pick.

With predraft workouts having begun this week leading to Saturday’s East-West Shrine Game, Sporting News draft expert Russ Lande, a former NFL scout, provides an updated mock draft (*—denotes underclassmen):

No. 1 Lions. Mark Sanchez*, QB, USC

Sanchez is NFL-ready and has a similar skill set to Matthew Stafford, but does not make the mistakes under pressure that Stafford does occasionally.

No. 2 Rams. Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia

Rams officials love Andre Smith’s talent but worry about his weight. Monroe isn’t quite as good a run blocker but is an elite pass protector.

No. 3 Chiefs. Matthew Stafford*, QB, Georgia

Despite Tyler Thigpen’s strong finish and Stafford’s occasional interceptions, GM Scott Pioli should grab a QB to build around.

No. 4 Seahawks Andre Smith*, OT, Alabama

Seattle is desperate for receivers, but Walter Jones is not getting any younger. Smith would start at right tackle in ’09 and then shift to the left side when Jones retires.

No. 5 Browns. Chris Wells*, RB, Ohio State

Don’t believe the rumors of Wells lacking great toughness or work ethic. He will become an NFL franchise back.

No. 6 Bengals. Brian Orakpo, DE, Texas

The Bengals must find a way to pressure the QB. Orakpo is raw but has the physical talent to become a special edge pass rusher.

No. 7 Raiders. Jason Smith, OT, Baylor

The Raiders still need a top-flight left tackle to protect JaMarcus Russell, and Robert Gallery is not the answer.

No. 8 Jaguars. Rey Maualuga, MLB, USC

Maualuga is a violent, aggressive middle linebacker who changes games with his hitting ability, and Jags need someone to replace malcontent Mike Peterson.

No. 9 Packers. B.J. Raji, DT, Boston College

The Packers desperately need someone to clog the middle of their run defense.

No. 10 49ers. Josh Freeman*, QB, Kansas State

Freeman is a big, strong-armed quarterback with top athleticism, character and passing tools.

Russ Lande founded GM Jr. Scouting LLC, a football scouting service that analyzes NFL draft prospects for Sporting News.

[Shoalzie]

Schwartz didn't tip his hand at the presser today...he talked about building a team similar to the Titans that is able to run the ball and stop the run. They still have Kitna, Culpepper, and Stanton under contract and Orlovsky is a free agent and there's no ruling out his return. It really comes down to whether or not they want to pay a lineman or QB $50 million. I guess we'll get a better indication of their plans once he's starts putting his coaching staff together.

[Van]

I'm just stunned that it's come to this. Is this really what a potential #1 pick in the draft amounts to these days? A guy with 16 career starts?

John David Booty must be sitting somewhere saying to himself, "Wtf?? I started over that guy!"

This is almost as mind boggling to me as some of these MLB contracts they've been tossing out there lately.

If I'm Willie Mays, Bob Gibson or even Tony Dorsett I'm looking to stab someone right about now.

[Van]

So, was Pete lying about his discussions with NFL scouts?

I'm guessing no, since he was pretty specific about the info. Still, your guess is as good as mine.

Mace, you've watched a game or two of football in your life. Does junior USC QB Mark Sanchez seem like a #1 overall NFL pick to you??

Then again Alex Smith was a #1 pick too so what the hell...

[Van]

To me "need" should never determine the #1 pick. "Need" is a luxury you attend to in the middle to late rounds. If you're bad enough to've earned that #1 overall pick you take the best player available, period.

Picking up the best of a meh group of QBs won't help your team nearly as much as taking a future HOF anchor on the left side of your O line or a middle linebacker around which you can build a defense. You'll also see dividends from those guys much sooner than you will from most any rookie QB.

Matt Ryan went and fucked everything up.

[Moby Dick]

Stafford is NOT the answer to the Chiefs' woes.


gezus it's going to be another rough year if this list holds up :doh:

[Van]

I hate to say this, but so far - the USC QB's in the 2000's haven't done shit. Palmer is average (but stays hurt),

Palmer is a Pro Bowler when healthy, despite being on a horrible team. That's difficult to do as a QB. Getting hurt a lot...isn't.

Cassel showed a little this year (though he's in an extremely pass-oriented offense),

Cassel never got to show anything until this year, being stuck behind multiple Heisman winners in college and God in the NFL.

and Leinart isn't good enough to beat out an 80 year old.

That 80 year old man makes three times the salary Leinart makes, he's a two time league MVP, a Super Bowl MVP and he could've won another MVP this season.

Who would you start if you were Arizona?

It's not just Leinart. Most QBs aren't beating out Kurt Warner when he's comfortable and on his game, which is again the case this season. Leinart could easily start for many NFL teams but there's no shame in sitting on the bench and learning from Kurt Warner.

Btw, 'Spray, I almost wish I had your number to call you last night. I was watching ESPN2 and what should come on but "The NFL's Greatest Games."

This particular episode?

1980...Fulton County Stadium...awesome mullets and rebel flags proudly displayed all throughout the stadium...the NFC Divisional Playoffs round...the Dallas freaking Cowboys in Danny White's initial year at the helm, vs YOUR ATLANTA FALCONS!!

Hooo, fuck, you can tell that Jeff Van Note is still pissed! He still blames it all on Leeman Bennett!

[Van]

Alfred Jenkins was a beast in that game!

Had to enjoy seeing Lynn Cain and Dennis Thurman too. Couple of old USC guys I'd forgotten about...

Since you saw the same show who was that supremely bitter Falcon they kept interviewing, the guy with the horrible haircut who said he still can't bring himself to watch tape of the game? At one point that guy looked like he was about to break down and bawl his eyes out!

Funny thing is they never mentioned that the winner of that game went on to lose the following week to the Dick Vermeil/Ron Jaworski/Wilbert Montgomery/Harold Carmichael Eagles, who then went on to lose in Super Bowl XV to the Tom Flores/Jim Plunkett/Rod Martin/Kenny King Raiders.

Man, the mullets were awesome in those old NFL clips.

[SoCalTrjn]

How did USC's QBs do vs Auburn?

Thank you, now go fuck yourself, get back to us when Auburn actually does something

[indyfrisco]

If there is a QB Coach in the NFL that can get Stafford to stop forcing passes and to use his head a little - he might be one of the best ever. Seriously - he has one of the best arms you'll ever see.

Many said the same thing about Ryan Leaf.

Nothing is a sure thing as the QB position in the NFL. Nothing.