[Devin, Don't Read This] Gardner listed as #16 overall NFL Draft prospect according to SI
SI has updated its NFL Draft board today, and Devin moved up to the #16 overall prospect for the 2014 draft. The positive is due to the very strong QB class (he's the fifth overall QB) it might be in his best interest to wait for a year.
Other notables:
- Taylor is #3 overall, and #1 overall OT (as expected).
- Jadaveon Clowney is the #1 overall
- Notre Dame has 2 D-lineman in the top 10 (Nix and Tuitt), which has to make us feel a bit better about out O-line's struggles last week.
- Devin is ahead of Braxton Miller (#18). Go Blue.
September 11th, 2013 at 9:08 PM ^
As much as I hate to say this, Devin would be smart to leave after this year so he can ride the obsession of the dual threat QB in the NFL. After Colin, Wilson, RG3, and Cam start to flop like they already are, this obsession should go away.
September 11th, 2013 at 9:15 PM ^
Definitely disagree, all of those except RGIII had pretty good first weeks. Of the three, none of them threw interceptions, all had a QB rating above 97, and Kaepernick threw for 412 yards. Plus Vick had a great game too. RGIII wans't good, but he wasn't awful, and he's also just coming back from a major injury.
September 11th, 2013 at 9:19 PM ^
But Wilson and Cam were not game changers. Wilson had 7 yards rushing while Cam had 38. Colin also had his run game shut down, but is lucky the Packers secondary is awful. NFL defenses are slowly starting to figure these guys out.
September 11th, 2013 at 9:30 PM ^
If they're good at both running and passing though, there is only so much they can do. If you have to make an effort to stop the run, then you have to make sacrifices elsewhere (often in coverage). No matter what it's an advantage to have a QB who can run and throw well over a guy who can just throw well.
September 11th, 2013 at 9:42 PM ^
Colin Kaepernick and Steve Young agree with you. Philadelphia, Michael Vick and Randall Cunningham aren't quite sure. Detroit and Andre Ware vehemently disagree.
September 12th, 2013 at 9:05 AM ^
The Denver Broncos and their league leading 7 TD quarterback would disagree with you.
September 12th, 2013 at 10:01 AM ^
I was implying that if passing is equal, than a QB who can run is always an advantage over a QB who cannot. No one is equal to Peyton Manning's passing. (I'm so sorry Tom, please forgive me).
That being said, if I have a choice between Peyton Manning, and Peyton Manning with the running ability of Devin or Colin Kaepernick, I'll take the latter any day of the week.
September 11th, 2013 at 9:21 PM ^
There's no chance that running success and passing success are a function of one another? They both had fine days passing, and Wilson's success really isn't due to the read option.
September 11th, 2013 at 9:23 PM ^
i've ever seen is because the packers sold out 10000000% to stop the read option...
September 11th, 2013 at 9:29 PM ^
September 11th, 2013 at 10:06 PM ^
September 11th, 2013 at 9:30 PM ^
September 11th, 2013 at 9:33 PM ^
I disagree with him too, but you don't need to be a dick about it.
September 11th, 2013 at 10:12 PM ^
He's Mr. Rager. He's always a dick.
September 11th, 2013 at 9:36 PM ^
he's a pocket passer who can run. I think people pigeon hole him as a dual threat QB because he's black, whether if it's fair or not.
Look at Andrew Luck, he's white but people think of him as a pocket passer but he can run. His raw combine numbers is very comparable to Cam Newton who is a dual threat QB. The difference is he's white and Cam is black.
This is why you need to look at QB by their plays on the field instead of automatically assuming based on looks.
September 12th, 2013 at 12:35 AM ^
Cam had a great rookie year but is pretty much a run of the mill guy these days. He certainly doesn't run like he used to.
September 12th, 2013 at 9:11 AM ^
But I've had this argument before. In my mind there are running QBs (Denard), Dual Threat QBs (Wilson, Gardner), and Drop Back Passers (Brady).
September 12th, 2013 at 3:57 PM ^
running QB as dual threat QB which is not the same. Dual threat QBs are the one who can run and pass(but is a pass first QB). Running QB is a QB who can run but can't throw. Big difference between the two.
September 12th, 2013 at 4:40 PM ^
By black I assume you mean mixed ?
September 12th, 2013 at 1:21 AM ^
September 12th, 2013 at 10:50 AM ^
Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady weren't game changers this week. Defenses are starting to figure them out.
Your argument sucks dude.
September 11th, 2013 at 9:25 PM ^
As much as I hate to say it, Pryor can also be added to the list of successful week one dual-threat qb's. Think he through for around 220 and added another 120 on the ground, all against a pretty good Colts D. I don't think this is a fad, I think the NFL is finally figuring out what NCAA coaches realized years ago.
September 11th, 2013 at 9:37 PM ^
with more tape on him as a Raiders. The Colts have no tape on him and it's an unfortunate effect of playing the 1st game of the season. A lot of unknown factors. He still can't throw though.
September 11th, 2013 at 9:43 PM ^
Dollars to donuts he has a better game this week...after week one I'm fairly confident the Jags are the most inept team I will ever see
September 11th, 2013 at 11:45 PM ^
September 12th, 2013 at 5:14 AM ^
September 12th, 2013 at 6:54 AM ^
The OP was insinuating that NFL D's were figuring out dual threats (particularly because they've now had an entire offseason to gameplan against them). The only data we have for counterpoint right now is week one. The fact that 25% of the league started a dual threat QB last week (and there may be more, i'm going strictly off memory) is a strong argument that the trend is growing, not declining. Furthermore, all of these QB's had ok to good week one's (Pryor, Kaepernick, Geno Smith, RGIII, Russell Wilson, Vick, EJ Manuel, Cam).
September 12th, 2013 at 11:04 AM ^
I'm saying the argument is off.
September 12th, 2013 at 6:55 AM ^
September 11th, 2013 at 9:18 PM ^
as long as the QB is actually good at both running and passing. Kap has a rocket for an arm, and that 49er gameplan had an answer for the loaded box before they even saw it. He had the offense firing on all cylinders.
It's unfair to call RG3 a flop after 1 bad game when he clearly wasn't 100%. And Wilson gets a pass because, again, small sample size.
As for Cam, it seems like the offensive gameplan isn't there. Maybe Gorgeous Borges can do some consulting on the side...let 'em know how to use the pass to set up the run.
September 11th, 2013 at 9:38 PM ^
is they can't throw. RG3, Russell, Kaep, Cam and to name a few are the ones who can throw first and foremost and can kill you with their legs when pocket breaks down. If you can run but can't pass (like Tebow, Pryor, etc.), you won't last very long as a NFL QB.
September 11th, 2013 at 9:41 PM ^
Which is exactly the kind of QB that Devin is.
September 12th, 2013 at 7:57 AM ^
Devin is more of the former than the latter, right?
September 12th, 2013 at 9:22 AM ^
Between those two options, yes.
Devin's best attribute is his mobility so far. This list needs a third option and that's "pocket mobility" (or whatever you want to call it). He moves the pocket to get not only himself an open passing lane, but time for his WR's to seperate. Without it this offense is entirely different, and really probably not all that productive. He may be a fine pocket passer, but his ability to move is what makes him good.
September 12th, 2013 at 3:59 PM ^
but he is the best at movement within the pocket which is more important than being able to run if you're a pocket passer. Peyton and Brady are the two best QB in that regard.
September 12th, 2013 at 10:02 AM ^
I should have specificied, but yes.
September 12th, 2013 at 10:03 AM ^
I should have specificied, but yes.
September 11th, 2013 at 9:28 PM ^
September 11th, 2013 at 9:45 PM ^
Do you actually add anything to the conversation? Other than banning people from watching football and banning people from posting of course.
September 11th, 2013 at 10:03 PM ^
September 11th, 2013 at 11:38 PM ^
Yeah, completely off base here. A pro-style QB that can also run will always be in demand.
September 11th, 2013 at 11:58 PM ^
September 12th, 2013 at 12:52 AM ^
The decision will be forced on him. Devin will be a top 10 pick. SI has him too low. If he keeps performing at the current level, he is going to give Bridgewater a run for his money for the #1 overall pick.
September 11th, 2013 at 9:09 PM ^
September 11th, 2013 at 9:24 PM ^
/badidea
September 11th, 2013 at 9:10 PM ^
I think he would greatly benefit from an extra year in charge of the offense. Between developing his ability to read defenses and honing in his decision-making (i.e. don't always turn your back to blitzing defenders--that would be akin to the death sentence in NFL), I think he should keep demonstrating his cannon arm to the pro's and work on his finer qb'ing skills. His future is very bright.
September 12th, 2013 at 9:19 AM ^
September 11th, 2013 at 9:10 PM ^
September 11th, 2013 at 9:42 PM ^
the consensus seems to be Teddy Bridgewater has the best shot of unseating Clowney for the #1 overall pick because he's a franchise QB material.
This year QB class looks to be LOADED with quality QB prospects like Teddy Bridgewater, Tajh Boyd, Marcus Mariota, Brent Hundley, Stephen Morris, etc. IMO, Teddy, Boyd, Mariota and maybe Hundley are 1st round material. I don't see Devin being ranked ahead of them (maybe Hundley since he's a RS soph) especially they're all more polished passer than Devin and can run.
September 11th, 2013 at 10:41 PM ^