Mark80

So you're saying Orton is better than the Cardinals third string QB??? Yeah, I'd say that's probably accurate.

That is a very good point. Thanks. Very well thought out, thanks.

I agree with both of your points concerning Alex and EJ for the most part and am, admittedly, mostly just playing devils advocate here. But, you guys both point to "taking 5 years to develop" as something extraordinary or as the exception, but I ask you this, how do we know? How many QBs were actually given that amount of time to develop. Especially 3.5 of those years as being the starter as with Smith? Perhaps all that time is exactly what some of these highly talented guys that flame out need to become serviceable or even good / elite QBs. Seems to me that guys are given 2 or 3 years at the most to be a starter and if they can't do it then, they are simply discarded forever. I don't know, just spewing thoughts here. I just really want to like EJ and hope like hell that the light bulb goes off this off season and that Doug and Hackett were holding him back instead of helping him, as in making him play too cautious instead of slinging it and making plays with his feet.

Not pointing to you per se, but I love how a lot of people praise Alex Smith for being a QB that we should have got. It just amazes me that Smith looked terrible up until his 5th season in the league, yet everyone wants to discard EJ after starting 14 games. In his third season his completion % was 48.7%. 48.7!!!!!! Win now at all cost league I guess. No patience whatsoever.

Yeah, he's enormous. That's who the commentators were comparing him to as well during the conference championship game and the semi-final game. His release looks extremely slow to me though for some reason.

I don't think any NFL HC or GM believes that EJ can be a franchise QB at this point. Hopefully that changes and changes quick. And Foles, I don't like him at all. He had tremendous success last season and I put that 100% on Chip's offense and defenses not knowing what to do to stop it. But, as with any new trend in the NFL (wildcat anyone?), the other teams caught up to him and he regressed severely. If he were a FA, I'd take a look, but I wouldn't give up anything for him in a trade.

This is the dumbest argument against a player in the world. I'm sorry, but it is. You can't name a single college with more than 1 successful current NFL QB, you can't. None of them. Do it. I mean, I can understand it from a scheme type school like a Baylor or a Houston when they were putting up huge numbers on offense a few years back, but this isn't even the same coaching staff anymore. Please move on from that tired, fact-less claim. And the Pac-12 was probably the best conference in college football this year. If not, certainly top 2. And what is the best conference, the SEC and their defenses? How has that worked out for their top teams in the bowl games???

Let me rephrase what I mean on Connor Cook, he is overrated in the aspect of being a #1 overall or top 3 pick in my opinion. Late first or early second and he is not overrated and could become a very good QB. I have seen him look horrendous at times and great other times. Just look at that last bowl game. He was borderline atrocious in the first half and then was the best QB in the world in the second half. Too much Jekyll and Hyde for my liking. As far as Kaaya goes, being a Miami fan I watch a lot of their games. He has a loooonnnngggg way to go still. He was only a true freshman this year though, so he has to play at least 2 more seasons.

Overrated. Trust your eyes, not what other people say. Cody Kessler is the much better QB.

Cody Kessler is starting to look damn good over at USC. I'll go on record saying he will be the top QB selected next year and I would want him, but there is no way our team falls off to a position of being able to draft that high. Just way too much talent. As far as the OP goes, if you look at the "franchise" and "elite" qb's in the league, more of them were drafted outside the top 3 than were drafted in the top 3. Just off the top of my head real quick: Outside - Brady, Rodgers, Brees, Big Ben, Flacco, Wilson, Rivers (4th), Romo. - 8 Inside - Peyton, Cam, Stafford, Ryan (could be just out, can't remember for sure), Luck, Eli. - 6

I agree, completely. You don't rise to the level of GM in the NFL with an attitude like that. This is even more true considering he is a first time GM who has proved nothing as of yet.

Exactly, apparently he believes that franchise QBs grow on trees. I need a franchise QB, go get one now. Can't find one immediately? I'm gone.

Marrone may have had some public speaking issues, but I guarantee you that he knows how to use paragraphs when writing.

Who cares? Orton is not a good QB. Never was, never will be. We are much better off without him on our roster and I was elated when I got the text that he retired.

Whoa, new quoting look....anyways, I agree that it may have impacted their selections. The guy only does 1/2 the job, albeit very, very well.

Fantastic. The pro-bowl means nothing, this is the recognition that signifies the cream of the crop. So much for overpaying Mario, huh? Now overpay Marcell!

I don't think you understand what "jump the shark" means. You probably mean "jumped ship." Another new thread on Doug Marrone leaving, that has jumped the shark.

Maybe you should look at the history of black coaches in the NFL. The ratio of black assistant coaches to head coaches was way off prior to this rule being implemented, that is, the % of assistant coaches that were black was way higher than the % of head coaches that are black. It screamed of something going on...most likely subconsciously. Since the rule has been in affect, the gap has narrowed significantly. Affirmative action policies come with a hiring requirement, there is no such requirement here, it just ensures a fair shot. Hugh Jackson would be a great choice outside the organization to look at.

A guy that can't run the ball either. No thank you in any capacity.

Yes, Tressel is the President at Youngstown. I don't think Urban would come to the NFL. Remember when he left Florida (actually quit twice didn't he?) because of stress / family / health reasons. He seems to have found the right balance at OSU, jumping to the NFL would seriously impact his quality of life and I don't believe he is up for it at this time. Great win though, how overrated is the SEC this year? Auburn, Ole Miss, Miss St, Alabama, LSU. 5 top 25 teams losing their bowl games. Ouch. The only ones to win were Mizzou and Georgia and they played significantly lower ranked teams. Alabama, Miss State, and LSU all played teams ranked lower than them too.

I'd be on Gary Patterson first and foremost.

How exactly does quitting after 2 seasons bring stability to a team?

Bo Wallace already looking terrible in the Bowl game vs a real D. The guys has never done anything against a good team. I'm glad you left him off your list, he is worthless. I agree, IF Petty is still around when we pick in the third, it's a no brainer. I don't think he's going to be though. I have also started to gain respect back again for Hundley and, depending on interviews and workouts, would consider him for our 2nd round pick. As I said in another thread, looking forward to getting to know Grayson and Carden a little bit better as my knowledge of now only consist of watching live games highlights on sports shows and haven't watched any ECU or Colorado State games. I'll add the Bridge and Doughty to that list as well. I think you need to consider Prescott as well. If he decides to come out I would take a hard look at him. He has developed quite nicely and really reminds me of Cam Newtons progression at Auburn. He tailed off a bit towards the end of the year, but there is something about that kid that I really like. My guess, he comes back for one more year though.

Really interested to see what Carden and Grayson have to offer up. Haven't really been able to watch any of their games this year but from all accounts they looked pretty good. Sims improved a lot this year and played very well, but I'd be hard pressed to see any real future in the NFL as a QB to build around. Petty is definitely a good looking QB in my opinion. Unfortunately, their system gets a ton of guys wide open so it is hard to see if he has that NFL accuracy / split second decision making that is necessary to be elite. I can say this for sure though, he hits those open guys in stride virtually ever time. I've never even really heard of Doughty, I'll have to check him out.